Saturday, December 27, 2014

Homemade French Baguettes

I made these for the pending new year's party.  they were SO simple!

For 4 smaller or 2 large baguette:

1/4 tsp dry active yeast (I used 1 tsp)

1 1/2 cups water (325 grams)

1 3/4 tsp salt

18 oz by weight bread flour (500 grams), about 4 cups

- Mix dough and let rise 12-14 hours or until doubled
- Punch down and shape loaves, let rise covered with floured plastic 1 to 1 1/2 hr or until almost doubled
- Bake at 550 F. about 15 minutes or until well-browned
- Spray with water before baking, at 5 minutes, and at 10 minutes during cooking time



Sunday, November 9, 2014

Orzo with, Chicken, Cherry Tomatoes and Artichokes

i thought i'd try something different tonight.

Ingredients:

5 oz. Orzo
1 large onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 tbsp olive oil, plus drizzling for the top
1 cup artichoke hearts
3 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
grilled chicken, diced
salt and black pepper to taste
asiago cheese

1. In a large pot, sweat onions with garlic and olive oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add artichokes, saute for three minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes.

4. stir in the diced chicken.
5. salt and pepper.
6. mix in the asiago cheese.

serve hot. 



Croquettes de Fromage

Jackie and i went to lunch on Thursday to BXL Zoute.  we has this as an appetizer.  it was "off the hook " delicious.  i approached the manager and asked for the recipe.  she actually gave the the recipe, hand written!  she told me under no circumstances, "i don't want to see those "balls" in midtown." we both laughed together.  so i will not share the measurements of this recipe with you all but i'll certainly provide you with the ingredients.

Whole milk
Roux
Chicken stock
Emmental cheese
salt
egg and flour
canola oil

make the roux.  add the milk, cheese, and chicken stock.  mix really good with a whisk.  cool in the refrigerator.  make individual balls, about the size of ping pong balls and deep fry in canola oil.



http://bxlrestaurants.com/bxl-zoute.html

i urge you to go to this restaurant.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Boursin Roasted Chicken

We had this many times.  It's so simple.  Very few ingredients.

Ingredients

    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) whole chicken
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    2 (5.2-ounce) packages garlic and fines herbs flavor cheese spread (recommended: Boursin)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat the bottom of a roasting pan or shallow casserole dish with the oil.
Rinse the chicken well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken well, inside and out, with salt and pepper. 

Place the chicken in the prepared roasting pan and place 1 whole block of cheese inside the cavity of the chicken. Cut the remaining block of cheese into fourths and pat 1/4 of the cheese spread over the breast portion of the chicken. Allow the remaining 3/4 of the block of cheese to sit out at room temperature while the chicken is roasting.
 
Place the roasting pan in the center of the oven. After about 10 minutes, once the cheese has softened and begun to melt on the top of the chicken, remove the pan from the oven, and using the back of a spoon, spread the Boursin all over the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast for 25 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown on top.

Remove the pan from the oven and turn the chicken over so the back is now facing up. A small amount of cheese will probably begin to ooze out of the chicken cavity at this point, so take a bit of it and spread it all over the back side of the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast until the back side of the chicken is golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven one more time. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and turn the chicken over again, so the breast is once again facing up. Continue to cook until the chicken is done, 20 to 30 more minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a knife at one thigh joint and making sure that the juices run clear.

Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a platter or cutting board. Set aside, loosely covered with aluminum foil. Carefully remove and discard as much rendered fat from the roasting pan as possible. Add 1/2 cup hot water and the remaining cheese to the roasting pan. Remove any remaining melted cheese from the cavity of the chicken and add to the roasting pan.

Carve the chicken into serving pieces, allowing the juices from the chicken to run onto the platter. Add the juices to the roasting pan and mix well with the Boursin, drippings, and water. Serve the sauce spooned over the carved chicken.



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/charlottes-boursin-roasted-chicken-recipe.print.html

Cold Weather Potato Chowder With Caraway Cheese

It soup season! go vote...cause you can! I had the pleasure of waking up a little late, went to the central park conservatory, ran few errands, and went to the market.

"In 'Sunday Soup' by Betty Rosbottom"

Ingredients
4 slices (4 ounces) bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1 pound red-skin potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup (4 ounces) Havarti cheese with caraway seeds, coarsely grated
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives for garnish

Sauté bacon in a large, heavy pot set over medium heat until browned and crisp, for 3 to 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour out and discard all but 2 tablespoons bacon drippings.
Add onion and celery to the bacon drippings in the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, for 4 to 5 minutes. Add diced potatoes and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic and sauté, stirring, for 1 minute.

Add chicken stock and milk to pot and bring mixture to a simmer. Cook soup at a simmer until the potatoes are tender, for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not let soup come to a boil. (Soup can be prepared to this point 1 day ahead. Cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat over low heat and proceed with recipe.)

When ready to serve, add the cheese, a little at a time, to the hot soup, stirring until melted after each addition. In a small bowl, mix the butter and flour with a fork to make a paste. Whisk this mixture into the soup, a little at a time, and cook until completely blended, for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste soup and season with salt, as needed, and with freshly ground pepper.

To serve, ladle soup into 4 bowls and sprinkle each serving with chopped bacon and chives. 



Sunday, November 2, 2014

Blueberry Cheese Danish

Cheese danishes today.  At mike's request, I added blueberries.

Ingredients

    8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
    1/3 cup sugar
    2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
    2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
    6 oz fresh blueberries
    2 sheets (1 box) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
    1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and cream them together on low speed until smooth. With the mixer still on low, add the egg yolks, ricotta, vanilla, salt, and lemon zest and mix until just combined. Don't whip then hand mix the blueberries.

Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured board and roll it slightly with a floured rolling pin until it's a 10 by 10-inch square. Cut the sheet into quarters with a sharp knife. Place a heaping tablespoon of cheese and blueberry filling into the middle of each of the 4 squares. Brush the border of each pastry with egg wash and fold 2 opposite corners to the center, brushing and overlapping the corners of each pastry so they firmly stick together. Brush the top of the pastries with egg wash. Place the pastries on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry and refrigerate the filled Danish for 15 minutes.



Saturday, November 1, 2014

Roasted Eggpplant

i had this dish at one of the Italian restaurants i eat at regularly.

1 eggplant cut in circles ½ inch wide
Mozzarella cheese
Ricotta cheese
Tomato sauce
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Place the cut slices of eggplant on a broiling sheet.  Cover each piece with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Broil for about 5 – 7 min, turn over and broil again for 5 – 7 min.
Spoon ricotta and sliced mozzarella cheese on top of each slice of eggplant.  Place a second layer on top and repeat the process (mozzarella and ricotta).
Spoon tomato sauce on the top layer and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350°F for 10 – 15 min.





Sunday, October 26, 2014

Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pie

thought i might do a pre-thanksgiving dessert.  

Ingredients:

        6 mini graham cracker pie crusts
        7 large eggs
        1 cup heavy cream
        1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
        2 tablespoons cornstarch
        1 teaspoon salt
        1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
        1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
        1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
        1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
        2 cups evaporated milk

Add canned pumpkin and sweet potato in a mixer.  Add brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, nutmeg, remaining 6 eggs, and evaporated milk; mix until combined.



Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Place pie shells on rimmed baking sheets. Divide pumpkin/sweet potato mixture evenly between shells. Bake until all but centers are set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let pies cool completely on wire racks. 

Puerto Rican Coconut Rum: Coquito

i've always wanted to the coquito.  this recipe is inspired and dedicated to jackie and her mom.
Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (14-ounce) can condensed milk
2 egg yolks
2 cups fresh coconut milk or 1 (15-ounce) can coconut milk
Pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon true Ceylon cinnamon (sold as Mexican cinnamon or canela in Hispanic markets)
1 cup Puerto Rican white rum
Ground cinnamon

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender and process for 3 minutes at high speed until frothy. Store in a glass container in the refrigerator and serve chilled, dusted with a little cinnamon.



Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/puerto-rican-coconut-milk-rum-christmas-drink-coquito-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback

Friday, October 24, 2014

Blueberry Turnovers

this recipe was such a hit, i decided to do blueberry.

Ingredients:

2 lbs frozen blueberries
1 tbsp butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 lemon juiced
2 tsp xanthan gum (use cornstarch as an alternative about 2 tbsp?)
2 sheets puff pastry

Put the first 6 ingredients in a sauce pan, uncovered, high heat for 15 min.  Turn the flame off and put in the xanthan gum.  Mix thoroughly.  Place aside.

Place each sheet of puff pastry on a floured surface.  Then cut it into four squares.  Fill each with the filling.  Brush each piece with melted butter.

Bake on 350°F for about 20 - 25 min.

When cooled, dust the roll ups with powder sugar.


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Spicy Lentil Soup

I have dried lentils for a year.  I thought I can try this recipe.

Ingredients

    2 cups red lentils, picked over and rinsed
    1 serrano chile pepper, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
    1 large tomato, roughly chopped
    2 carrots, peeled and sliced an inch
    1 onion diced
    1 tbsp olive oil
    1 1 1/2 -inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
    3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
    1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
    Kosher salt
    1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley, plus more for topping
    1 pint sour cream

Combine the lentils and 3 cups warm water and 3 cups chicken broth in a pot, cover and bring to a boil. In a separate saucepan add the olive oil, carrots, chilies, and onions on medium heat for 10 min   Add the tomato, ginger, garlic, turmeric and 2 teaspoons salt, and the sauteed vegetables.  Partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until thickened, 18 to 20 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Thin the soup with water, if desired, and season with salt.




Baked Apple Roll Ups

this recipe was inspired by a Facebook post a friend's mom.  i took it one step further and a made my own filling. i didn't make the puff pastry although I've made it once before.  the puff pastry was so light and airy.
 
Ingredients:

4 Gala apples peeled, halved, cored, and diced
1 tbsp butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 lemon juiced
2 tsp xanthan gum (use cornstarch as an alternative about 2 tbsp?)
2 sheets puff pastry

Put the first 7 ingredients in a sauce pan, uncovered, high heat for 15 min.  Turn the flame off and put in the xanthan gum.  Mix thoroughly.  Place aside.

Place each sheet of puff pastry on a floured surface.  Then cut it into four squares.  Fill each with the filling.  Brush each piece with melted butter.

Bake on 350°F for about 20 - 25 min.

When cooled, dust the roll ups with powder sugar.



Friday, October 17, 2014

Cream of Asparagus and Carrot Soup with Orzo

i wanted a quick and simple soup tonight.  the ingredients are few.

i adapted Sunny Anderson recipe

    1/2 stick unsalted butter
    1/2 onion, chopped, (about 1/2 cup)
    1 clove garlic, crushed
    Salt and freshly ground white pepper
    1 pounds asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
    2 large carrots
    6 cups chicken stock
    1 pint sour cream, room temperature
    2 teaspoons Hungarian hot paprika, for garnish

Directions

Cook the pasta separately.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add asparagus, carrots and saute another 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until asparagus is very tender. *Carefully transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to saucepan, stir in sour cream and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to serving bowls. Dust with paprika and serve with orzo.


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Vietnamese Steak Banh Mi

This week I went to lunch with a friend to a vietnamese restaraunt.  This is what I had. 

Vietnamese Steak Banh Mi

Ingredients

    1/3 cup fish sauce
    4 tablespoons sugar
    2 tablespoons finely minced shallot
    6 cloves of garlic, minced
    1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    3 tbsp soy sauce
    Hot sauce
    Sesame oil
    2 pounds beef sirloin tip, sliced into 1/8-inch strips

Procedure

In a small bowl whisk together fish sauce, sugar, shallot, garlic, hot sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper. Place beef slices in a large resealable plastic bag, pour in marinade, seal bag and toss to coat well. Place in refrigerator and marinate at least 1 hour, or up to 24.
 
Grill beef over high heat until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.  Serve hot.

Mashed Sweet Potato with Nutmeg and Sour Cream

Mike made this delicious dish!

Ingredients

    4 large sweet potatoes
    1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon white pepper
    1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
    4 tablespoons sour cream
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub the sweet potatoes with the oil and place in an ovenproof baking dish and roast potatoes until tender, about 1 hour, turning once after 30 minutes. When potatoes are cooked, set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Cut the potatoes in half and squeeze the potato pulp into a 3 quart saucepan. Set the flame to medium-low and mash gently until smooth with a potato masher. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, sour cream, and butter and fold together until thoroughly combined. Remove from the heat and serve immediately, or keep warm, covered, until ready to serve.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo

this particular recipe was from a post by my fried on facebook. i thought i'd might try it today.  i changed the recipe around a little.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound white meat chicken
4 carrots, sliced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 packed parsley
5 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons lemon juice and reserve the skin
1 cup orzo pasta
2 tablespoons "Herbs of Provence"
1 tablespoon tarragon

Instructions:

In an 8-quart casserole stockpot, heat olive oil and butter.  Add the carrots, celery and onion to the stockpot and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the sliced leek and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken stock and water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes.  Add the orzo and chicken to the stockpot and cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until orzo is tender.Stir in the lemon juice and lemon skin, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with tarragon. Remove the lemon skin.  Season immediately.




Saturday, September 20, 2014

Quinoa Rotini with Goat Cheese and Chicken

waiting for TWC to change the modem, i prepared this dish.  it was simple and sort of a one pot meal.  i topped it with manchego cheese.

12 oz quinoa rotini
1 large tomato diced
1 onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup artichokes, diced
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
6 oz fresh goat cheese
Red pepper flakes
Basil
Parsley
1 tbsp butter
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 1/2 cups chicken broth

Grill or bake the chicken and saute onions and garlic in a pan until opaque.  Throw the chicken, onions, and garlic in, mix the rest of the ingredients in the pot.  Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil mixture, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs, until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 9 minutes.  top the dish with some grating cheese.







Sunday, September 14, 2014

Paleo Pie Crust with Apples, Blueberries, and Raspberries

this pie is gluten, starch free, an sorta carb free (the berries).

1 Paleo Pie Crust (recipe on my blog)
3 apples, cored, seeded, chopped, and cooked (5 min)
6 oz. Raspberries
12 oz. Blueberries
2 tbsp. xanthan gum
2 tbsp. Stevia®

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350°F for 15 - 20 min.



Make the pie crust.


The finished product.


Paleo Pie Crust

i got cooler this morning and i thought i'd make a pie.  

Paleo Pie Crust

    2 cups blanched almond flour
    ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    2 tablespoons canola oil
    Place flour and salt in food processor and pulse briefly.
    Add oil and pulse until mixture forms a ball.
    Press dough into a 9-inch pie dish
    Bake at 350° for 8-12 minutes

Friday, September 12, 2014

Pumpkin Spice-Rubbed Pork Loin

I made this pork tenderloin last year for thanksgiving but slightly different.  I had the family over for thanksgiving.

Ingredients

    2 tsps pumpkin pie spice
    1/2 tsp mustard powder (I used Dijon mustard)
    1/2 tsp onion powder
    1/2 tsp garlic powder
    1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
    Kosher salt
    1/2 tsp ground black pepper (freshly)
    2 lbs pork loin end roast (boneless)
    1/4 cup olive oil
    2 pears quartered and cored
    1 cup chicken broth

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, add the pumpkin pie spice, mustard powder, onion powder, garlic powder, a pinch of salt, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, pears, and a grind or 2 of pepper. Stir and rub on all sides of the pork loin. Let rest at room temperature for up to 2 hours.  (I marinated the ingredients for 16 hours).  Arrange the pears next to the pork, on the rack.  Fill the bottom of the rack with 1 cup of chicken both.
Bake 35 minutes for medium or use a food thermometer until center of the pork reaches 165°F - 170°F.  

Let the meat rest about 5 - 10 minutes before slicing.



Sunday, September 7, 2014

Pear Clafouti

mom gave us pears that were growing on her pear tree from Erie, PA.  this is the fruits of our labor :-)
recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Ingredients:


1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (I used Stevia
®)
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (I used almond flour)
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons pear brandy, such as Poire William
2 to 3 firm but ripe Bartlett pears 
Crème Fraiche

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 10 x 1-1/2 inch round baking dish and sprinkle the bottom and sides with 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar.

Beat the eggs and the 1/3 cup of granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, mix in the flour, cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, salt, and pear brandy. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel, quarter, core, and slice the pears. Arrange the slices in a single layer, slightly fanned out, in the baking dish. Pour the batter over the pears and bake until the top is golden brown and the custard is firm, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. 








and it's gluten and sugar free!