Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Bechamel Sauce for Jerry


My coworker Jerry has been partaking in making a couple of my recipes for his family. They have enjoyed the Chile Verde and the Chicken Fried Steak. A foodie in his own right was stumped as to how to make a white sauce that is placed on an open faced Scandinavian Sandwich. The official name of this sauce is Bechamel Sauce. The sweetness, which comes from the butter, in the sauce is what he is looking for. I found a good one by Mario Batalli. Enjoy Jerry~

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Over medium heat, cook until the mixture turns a light, golden sandy color, about 6 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan until just about to boil. Add the hot milk to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. Season with salt and nutmeg, and set aside until ready to use.

Moroccan Turkey Burgers by Danielle


In a bowl mix ground turkey with the below five "c" spices. Form into patties, place on your your choice of bread and enjoy with a Cordova favorite, toasted and roasted Tator Tots. We like to dip our burgers and tots in a combination of ketchup and bbq sauce. Simple, easy and a go-to meal.

chile powder-to taste
california chile pepper-to taste
cayenne-a pinch
cinnamon-to taste
cumin-to taste
salt-to taste

Thank you Danielle for the delicious meal.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Chicken Adobo


Years ago I was quite interested in a coworkers lunch. It had a salty, vinegary, peppery yummy smell. His wife turns out was Phillipino and he was eating Adobo. The official definition is marinated meat and veggies in vinegar and spices.

Here is how I make my Adobo.

chicken thighs on the bone skinned and cut off the excess fat
White wine vinegar (one whole bottle)
low sodium soy sauce
pepper-large grind and lots of it
bay leaf
water
rice

brown the chicken thighs on both sides in a dark nonstick pan with high sides
liberally pepper both sides of the chicken
add 3/4 of the bottle of white wine vinegar
sprinkle soy sauce in til the vinegar turns a nice brown color
water to "ALMOST" cover the chicken thighs
add bay leaf (take out prior to eating)
cook until the liquid has reduced to a nice thickness-turn thighs occasionally
Tonight, I added a couple pats of butter at the end to thicken up the sauce and it was a fabulous addition.

serve over short grain rice with green veg (roasted broccoli is my favorite)
Add a bit of the sauce to the rice and you have a delicious dish

Thank you coworker from long ago.

fyi-Danielle's friend who has adobo often enjoyed it.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Zanotto's Corned Beef Sandwich

It's that time of year, that famous Irish holiday. Sid keeps raving about the corned beef sandwiches at Zanotto's and tonight I had the pleasure of trying one.

The corned beef is well flavored, piled in between two soft pieces of rye bread (not the strong rye, but the soft just the right amount of rye flavor type), a smig of thousand island and thin slices of swiss cheese. Also added to this wonderful sandwich is freshly made coleslaw, but they were out and I missed it so darn, I'll have to go back again before Thursday.

It was yummy and I highly recommend trying it before it goes away.

Thank you Sid for this yummy find.

Zanotto's Family Market
1988 Naglee Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 293-4594

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

BLT Benedict with Avocado-Tomato Relish

We substituted baby greens, balsamic vinegar and over easy fried the eggs. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, divided
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 6 (3/4-inch-thick) bakery bread slices, toasted
  • 3 cups firmly packed arugula
  • 12 thick bacon slices, cooked

Preparation

1. Combine tomatoes and next 5 ingredients and 2 1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar in a small bowl.

2. Add water to depth of 3 inches in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and maintain at a light simmer. Add remaining 1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar. Break eggs, and slip into water, 1 at a time, as close as possible to surface. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes or to desired degree of doneness. Remove with a slotted spoon. Trim edges, if desired.

3. Spread mayonnaise on 1 side of each bread slice. Layer each with 1/2 cup arugula, 2 bacon slices, and 1 egg. Top with tomato mixture.

Southern Living, MARCH 20

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Easy Gumbo-"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"


It's the day after Fat Tuesday and a nice warm bowl of Gumbo over rice sounds delicious. Here is my tweaked version of Gumbo. The real key to gumbo is the seasoning. I've tried many and my favorite is Joe's Stuff. It can only be found on-line or in New Orleans from the Louisiana Kitchen. It really does make a difference. http://shopping.nosoc.com/index.aspx

In a heavy pot saute andouille sausage (I use Aidelle's) and boneless skinless chicken thighs cut up in the size and shape. Remove well browned meat sprinkle lightly with Joe's seasoning and add two large small choppes red bell peppers, one large sweet onion to the meat fat/juice. Saute on medium for a couple of minutes, then sprinkle some Joes Seasoning, stir a minute and then add 3-4 Tablespoons of flour on the vegetables and create a roux. Keep the heat low or the flour will burn. Once the veg/flour combo cooks for a couple of minutes, add a bit more Joes Seasoning and then add a half a cup of chicken broth and whisk well to make smooth. Then add the rest of the large can of chicken broth and whisk well so there are no lumps of flour. Add back meat and simmer until nice and thick. Add more Joe's to taste, but cook for a couple of minutes after you add it. Serve over white rice (your favorite)

Other substitutes or add on's--shrimp, green bell pepper, orange or yellow bell pepper, okra or what ever you favorite gumbo ingredient is. Make sure you saute them at the veggie or meat level first and sprinkle with Joe's Stuff.

Enjoy!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Chile Verde Deb Style

Here is my version of chile verde.

Pork shoulder in cubes and trimmed of most of the fat. 6-8 lbs for a large group and leftovers
one large sweet onion
3-4 cloves of garlic
two jars of Herdez green chile
one small can of Herdez green chile
nacho jalapenos and a bit of the juice
Add a fresh jalapeno chopped if you want more spice
Orange Juice (1/2 to 1 cup)
Pineapple juice (1 small can)
Guinness 1 can
salt and pepper to taste


In a large pot brown pork in batches. This may take a while depending on how much pork you have to brown. Don't over crowd the pot or else you will steam the pork rather than brown it. Once browned, place on a large platter in a single layer and salt and pepper liberally. Throw in the next batch and continue until completed. Once all of the pork is browned put the onions and the garlic in the pot. Add a little oj if the bottom of the pot is dry to help get all the bits up off of the bottom of the pot. This is the good tasting stuff...mmm mmm. Add back the pork and then add the Herdez, juices, jalapenos and beer. Let stew for at least 3 hours or until yummy, thick and dark brown in color. Keep the heat on medium low so the bottom of the pot does not burn. So good and yummy!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Chicken Fried Steak-Bobby Flay style


Well, I attempted Chicken Fried Steak tonight.

Pound out round steak, dip in buttermilk then seasoned flour and back in buttermilk and then back in flour. Cook for 4-5-6 minutes on each side in 360 degree hot oil. Messy, but good on a cold, rainy night. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and white gravy. Yummo. One of Danielle and David's favorite comfort meals. I of course enjoyed the $6.99 wine from Costco. Happy dining....back to yogurt.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Celebration Meal

My daughter received her acceptance letter to Saint Mary's today, so I thought I'd cook her a celebratory meal.

Roasted Chicken Legs and Veggies.

Place cut up potato's, carrots and onion in a roasting pan. Coat with EVOO and Salt n Pepper.

Place a rack over the veggies and wash n dry the legs.

Place on rack so the juice runs down onto the veggies to give them extra flavor.

Roast at 375 degrees (Convection preferably)

Enjoy!

back to yogurt

fat and happy
deb

Friday, January 7, 2011

More From Kim's Veggie Basket


What to do with Radicchio? Kim made a Quiche!

Radicchio and Sausage Quiche
Serves 4-6

½ pound Italian Sausage
6 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
salt/pepper to taste
2 cups Royal Rose Radicchio, chopped
1 cup Fontina cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 large (9 inch or larger) pie crust

Over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage and set aside. Combine the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Layer radicchio and cheese in the bottom of the pie shell, and top with the Italian sausage. Whisk the egg mixture and pour over the top of sausage.
Bake for 40-50 minutes at 375˚ F.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Kim's Fresh Veggie Delivery


What do you do with a big box of fresh unfamiliar veggies? Well, I have a friend who wanted some options for the red kale, leeks, radicchio and cauliflower that were delivered to her.

Leeks:
The leeks are great in Potato Leek soup. Cut off at the point where they get dark green (the dark green is too tough), slice it directly down the middle, then slice into half moons. Put them in a big bowl of cool water to let the dirt settle to the bottom.

In the meantime heat some olive oil in a soup pot. Pull out the leaks and place in a colander. (Shake them of excess water and put them in the soup pot) medium heat. In the meantime cut up some Yukon gold potatoes and put in the pot with leeks. Stir occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Once the leeks and potatoes have sauteed a bit add a large can of low sodium chicken or veggie broth. Simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender. Use an immersion blender but leave some of the potatoes in pieces. Add some fat free 1/4 cup of half and half and heat a few more minutes and serve. The soup should be creamy, with some texture.

Top with shredded Cheddar, sour cream, chives, bacon bits and serve with warm french bread.

The Kale, after washed, trimmed from the stalk and chopped can be sauteed in garlic and olive oil. This mellows out the kale and gives it a tasty, garlicky flavor. Sprinkle with salt to taste.

Cauliflower can be steamed and topped with cheese (her families favorite), or cut up into pieces and roasted in the oven at a high temperature coated lightly with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Delish!

Radicchio is not my favorite, but it is used on salads and can be grilled/charred a bit and eaten on the side.

Enjoy these ways to cook these delicious veggies.

back to yogurt

fat and happy
deb

Monday, January 3, 2011

Green Chile Enchiladas & Angelina's Beans

I read a recipe that layered tortillas like noodles for a mexican lasagna with the filling and cheese in between. I wanted to do this, but changed my mind at the last minute and made regular green chile chicken enchiladas for this evening's meal. David is not fond of the red sauce enchilada's so I am trying out this recipe for him. This easy meal follows:

Preheat Oven to 375 or 400

Medium tortillas
Frozen chicken tenders
Pre-shredded mexican blend cheese (large bag)
Large can of Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce (medium)

Simmer tenders in a bath of simmering water flavored with salt, pepper, garlic powder and lots of cumin.
Once the tenders are done, cut into bite size pieces on a cutting board.
In a large glass pan lay out a tortilla and add chicken, cheese and a couple of large spoon fulls of green enchilada sauce. Roll firmly and place in a large rectangle glass pan. Repeat until the pan is completely filled. Next, pour the rest of the green sauce all over the rolled enchiladas--make sure that all parts of the tortilla are wet so they don't crisp up and burn in the oven. This recipe should make 12-14 medium size enchiladas.

Cook until cheese is bubbly and hot. I like the cheese a bit crispy, but this is purely up to you.
Sprinkle with some Tapatio or add jalapeno's for extra spice.

Enjoy with a small salad and some of my grandmother's creamy refried beans.

Angelina's Creamy Beans (every one's favorite)
Take a large can of pinto beans (already cooked)
Spray a large frying pan with Pam/cooking spray
Dump beans and a bit of the liquid into the pan (pour out most of the liquid and save)
Heat/cook all the way thru, add more liquid if necessary (not too wet not too dry)
Smash beans but not all the way- leave a bit of the beans integrity intact
Add lots of monterey jack cheese and stir.
The beans should be creamy and delicious, just like my grandmothers.

Enjoy!

back to yogurt

fat & happy
deb

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bolognese-- Deb Style

As the weather continues to be cold and rainy, I turn to comfort food. And, with comfort food comes pasta, but not without the hard choice of what sauce to make. I had seen a Food Network show on Bolognese, but didn't write down the recipe. I went by memory and this is how it turned out:

Ground Lean Beef
Carrots
Onion
Garlic
tomato paste
wine-red (some for the sauce and some for you)
lemon peel
salt and pepper to taste

Brown the ground beef (ground turkey is an option too), sprinkle with salt and pepper, put onion, carrots, garlic in the food processor, add to meat mixture after it is finely chopped and saute until soft, add tomato paste and cook to make it sweeter and to remove the raw tomato taste, add lemon peel (not the white pith, its sour), add wine and then add jar of sauce and cook until sweet and firm (not saucy). Watch the Bolognese closely and stir often so that it doesn't burn since the carrots, sauce and tomato paste are full of natural sugars. Cook until sweet and tasty about 30-40 minutes.

Cook your favorite pasta (a tube works best) and top with some yummy parm cheese.

This meal can be lean and healthy by using ground turkey, and topping on zucchini rather than pasta. Yummo!

back to yogurt

fat and happy,
deb

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Spicy Bloody Marys and Corralito's Chorizo

After a fun night at the Poor House Bistro, I thought it would be nice to make breakfast for Jay and Lara, who might I say, worked their hineys off, to put on a great New Year's Eve Party. I love the spice of a virgin bloody mary, and the taste of a good breakfast burrito. Scott, a connoisseur of fine meats told me he had one more package of Corralitos' delicious chorizo. So, the Hanson/Purpur duo made an appearance along with my dad and brother.

This chorizo, a spicy delicious pork meat, is not the kind of my grandmother's days. There is no need to get out the wad of paper towels and soak up the excess grease. This chorizo actually needs some fat to cook it in and has the most wonderful spices. I taste cinnamon, and even a bit of clove in the mix.

I put a small bit of oil in the pan, brown it nicely, add cut up potatoes to stretch the meal and then add whipped scrambled eggs. I beat the eggs to a froth to add volume and to give the mixture more bulk. This is a great trick if more people join the gathering.

Fresh tortillas from the Mexican market, Lara's homemade salsa, OJ, coffee and a nice spicy Bloody Mary are a perfect morning after a big New Year's Eve celebration meal.

David's Bloody Marys
Dr. Swami & Bone Daddy's Spicy Cajun Bloody Mary mix (to continue the theme)
Horse Radish sauce
Tabasco
Worcestershire (how do you really say it?)
Spicy pickled green beans or asparagus
and iced Vodka (for those who need a little hair of the dog)

Back to yogurt.

fat and happy
deb