Trust us on this one... You'll only regret it in the morning.
Rabbit rabbit rabbit! See you next year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year, Everyone
Be careful, and resist any urge you may have to eat the cork!
Trust us on this one... You'll only regret it in the morning.
Rabbit rabbit rabbit! See you next year!
Trust us on this one... You'll only regret it in the morning.
Rabbit rabbit rabbit! See you next year!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Fudge-O-Rama
Last year at Christmastime, we were home shopping, selling our condominium, and trying to get pregnant. It was a lot to deal with at one time. My brother tells me I'm always trying to do two or three life-changing things in one year, and I think he's right. But you know, we had to get out of that condo if we were going to raise children. It was a lovely place for the two of us to live for the first four years of our marriage, but have I ever showed you the microwave that we had?
The handle, where you see the chip at the top, fell into some soup I was making one day, and I had to fish it out (in a restaurant, you would have thrown the soup away, but that isn't happening at my house.) And note the classy repair at the bottom of the handle:
Do you have new respect for me as a cook, or what?
Anyway, of course we had to replace the microwave before we sold the place. We replaced closet doors, cabinet fixtures, had the carpet steam-cleaned, repainted chipped areas of the walls and all that home-selling stuff... But let me tell ya, none of that stuff would have mattered if there were rubber bands and garbage bag ties on the microwave, would it?
Needless to say, with all the repairs, closing costs, a fat down payment on the new place, paying a realtor and a couple of home inspectors (we had a couple of homes we decided not to buy after the inspection), we were kind of short on funds last year. So I gave a whole lotta fudge away as gifts.
I doubled, or possibly tripled, my favorite fudge recipe (be warned - you need a BIG pot and a strong stirring arm for that so that the chocolatey mass doesn't burn) and let it all cool. Then I cut it into squares, and put the squares on small cupcake liners with a holiday theme. Then I put several into a wax-lined baked goods bag (they have all this stuff at the regular grocery store) and kept all the bags in the fridge. Just be warned: use the plastic or waxy bags, or you'll have what looks from the outside like a bag o' grease, and no one wants that in their stocking.)
I gave one to the realtor, one to a neighbor, two to my husband's bosses, some to coworkers, one to my architect patient who looked at a house's foundation for us for free, etc. They make great presents to have on hand for those kind of folks, and what's better than a homemade gift? And let's face it, any time I can get sweets without baking is an ideal situation for me.
My favorite fudge recipe is the one on the back of the Marshmallow Fluff jar: "Never Fail Fudge." That's right! "Ancient Chinese Secret, huh?"
2 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1 jar (7 1/2 oz.) Marshmallow FLUFF
3/4 tsp. salt
_________________________
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1 large (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
Combine first five ingredients. Bring to a boil over a moderate heat, being careful not to mistake air bubbles for boiling. Then boil slowly, stiffing constantly, for five minutes (to soft ball stage.) Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate and vanilla until chocolate is melted. Then turn into a buttered 9 x 9 inch pan and cool (I prefer to put it into a foil-lined pan that has been sprayed with Pam, because it is easier to get it all out that way).
That old kitchen wasn't all bad... I sure do miss that gas stove! I'm still not used to the electric stove here. One day I will treat myself to a gas stove again. Until then, I will probably have several burned batches of fudge...
The handle, where you see the chip at the top, fell into some soup I was making one day, and I had to fish it out (in a restaurant, you would have thrown the soup away, but that isn't happening at my house.) And note the classy repair at the bottom of the handle:
Do you have new respect for me as a cook, or what?
Anyway, of course we had to replace the microwave before we sold the place. We replaced closet doors, cabinet fixtures, had the carpet steam-cleaned, repainted chipped areas of the walls and all that home-selling stuff... But let me tell ya, none of that stuff would have mattered if there were rubber bands and garbage bag ties on the microwave, would it?
Needless to say, with all the repairs, closing costs, a fat down payment on the new place, paying a realtor and a couple of home inspectors (we had a couple of homes we decided not to buy after the inspection), we were kind of short on funds last year. So I gave a whole lotta fudge away as gifts.
I doubled, or possibly tripled, my favorite fudge recipe (be warned - you need a BIG pot and a strong stirring arm for that so that the chocolatey mass doesn't burn) and let it all cool. Then I cut it into squares, and put the squares on small cupcake liners with a holiday theme. Then I put several into a wax-lined baked goods bag (they have all this stuff at the regular grocery store) and kept all the bags in the fridge. Just be warned: use the plastic or waxy bags, or you'll have what looks from the outside like a bag o' grease, and no one wants that in their stocking.)
I gave one to the realtor, one to a neighbor, two to my husband's bosses, some to coworkers, one to my architect patient who looked at a house's foundation for us for free, etc. They make great presents to have on hand for those kind of folks, and what's better than a homemade gift? And let's face it, any time I can get sweets without baking is an ideal situation for me.
My favorite fudge recipe is the one on the back of the Marshmallow Fluff jar: "Never Fail Fudge." That's right! "Ancient Chinese Secret, huh?"
2 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1 jar (7 1/2 oz.) Marshmallow FLUFF
3/4 tsp. salt
_________________________
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1 large (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
Combine first five ingredients. Bring to a boil over a moderate heat, being careful not to mistake air bubbles for boiling. Then boil slowly, stiffing constantly, for five minutes (to soft ball stage.) Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate and vanilla until chocolate is melted. Then turn into a buttered 9 x 9 inch pan and cool (I prefer to put it into a foil-lined pan that has been sprayed with Pam, because it is easier to get it all out that way).
That old kitchen wasn't all bad... I sure do miss that gas stove! I'm still not used to the electric stove here. One day I will treat myself to a gas stove again. Until then, I will probably have several burned batches of fudge...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Open-Faced Chicken Cordon Bleu with Dill and Wine Sauce
Okay, if my efforts hit the mark, that sounds fancy - but it only took me about twenty minutes to make this dish.
I started with some pre-pounded chicken breasts (the Perdue Fit & Easy). I browned them (and cooked them through, because really, they're so thin) in a pan with a little olive oil, and seasoned them with salt and pepper. Then I removed them to a cookie sheet on some aluminum foil, and made the sauce in the same pan.
I started with a roux, with just a little butter and some flour added to the pan until it is combined (when it balls up and smells a little nutty. Can't wait to see what searches bring up THAT phrase).
Then I added some wine (nothing measured, of course), about enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Remember the salmon with dill sauce? Well, I had some leftover sauce, and I added it to the pan (or you could just add butter, dill, sour cream or milk, lemon juice and chicken stock to taste). If your sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with some chicken stock. If it is too thin, you can put some flour in a Pyrex cup, add some of the warm sauce (a few tablespoons) to the mix, whisk it, then add that back to the pan. But let your sauce come to a full, gentle boil before you judge the thickness: that's when the flour roux really kicks in.
Separately, I put the chicken breasts in the oven with some prosciutto and sliced ham (you can use either, I just happened to have both since we'd had company that week, and I was stocked up on pork products. Because when you come to my house? You generally get meat). Then I topped it with swiss cheese and melted it all together. You can do this while you're making the sauce, if you're super efficient.
Take the chicken out of the oven, pour the sauce on top and serve with asparagus and French bread. Why? Because it's "Frenchy." (Then, if you're a fan of "Better Off Dead," you can serve it at your holiday dinner with "Franch fries... AND, Franch dressing... AND, Franch bread. AND, to drink... PERU!")
I started with some pre-pounded chicken breasts (the Perdue Fit & Easy). I browned them (and cooked them through, because really, they're so thin) in a pan with a little olive oil, and seasoned them with salt and pepper. Then I removed them to a cookie sheet on some aluminum foil, and made the sauce in the same pan.
I started with a roux, with just a little butter and some flour added to the pan until it is combined (when it balls up and smells a little nutty. Can't wait to see what searches bring up THAT phrase).
Then I added some wine (nothing measured, of course), about enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Remember the salmon with dill sauce? Well, I had some leftover sauce, and I added it to the pan (or you could just add butter, dill, sour cream or milk, lemon juice and chicken stock to taste). If your sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with some chicken stock. If it is too thin, you can put some flour in a Pyrex cup, add some of the warm sauce (a few tablespoons) to the mix, whisk it, then add that back to the pan. But let your sauce come to a full, gentle boil before you judge the thickness: that's when the flour roux really kicks in.
Separately, I put the chicken breasts in the oven with some prosciutto and sliced ham (you can use either, I just happened to have both since we'd had company that week, and I was stocked up on pork products. Because when you come to my house? You generally get meat). Then I topped it with swiss cheese and melted it all together. You can do this while you're making the sauce, if you're super efficient.
Take the chicken out of the oven, pour the sauce on top and serve with asparagus and French bread. Why? Because it's "Frenchy." (Then, if you're a fan of "Better Off Dead," you can serve it at your holiday dinner with "Franch fries... AND, Franch dressing... AND, Franch bread. AND, to drink... PERU!")
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Steaks, plus Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce
Ah, summer, we hardly knew ye. Between morning sickness, and later on, simple intolerance of the summer heat in my huge-anic condition, I didn't get outside much this past summer. But we did manage to purchase a nice Weber gas grill. We spent a little extra just to get the Weber, and boy do we loves it.
The first thing we grilled were some simple steaks. I marinated some strip steaks in a plastic bag with soy sauce, olive oil, and some herbs from our garden. (And by garden, I mean two herb pots.) I salted and peppered them, and cooked them to a perfect medium as per the Weber instructions. I even let Chris turn them once. For the photo, of course.
They came out perfectly done, and with lots of flavor. Lets grill some more stuff, I shouted!
Over the summer we grilled chicken (several times), tri-color turkey burgers, and bratwurst. Every single one came out wonderfully well. But I think the salmon we grilled was my favorite.
I seasoned the fish very simply with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then I made an easy dill sauce that I sort of just made up on the fly. I squeezed the juice of two lemons into a Pyrex glass cup, and put a half-stick of butter into that, and melted it in the microwave in less than a minute. I added chopped dill, a smidge of sugar, and about two heaping tablespoons of sour cream and whisked it all together right in the Pyrex. I served the fish with cooked grains and steamed broccoli, and poured that sauce over everything.
Now that there is snow on the ground, I think we'll keep bundling up and going outside to grill. For four to eight minutes of freezing half to death, it's totally worth it!
The first thing we grilled were some simple steaks. I marinated some strip steaks in a plastic bag with soy sauce, olive oil, and some herbs from our garden. (And by garden, I mean two herb pots.) I salted and peppered them, and cooked them to a perfect medium as per the Weber instructions. I even let Chris turn them once. For the photo, of course.
They came out perfectly done, and with lots of flavor. Lets grill some more stuff, I shouted!
Over the summer we grilled chicken (several times), tri-color turkey burgers, and bratwurst. Every single one came out wonderfully well. But I think the salmon we grilled was my favorite.
I seasoned the fish very simply with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then I made an easy dill sauce that I sort of just made up on the fly. I squeezed the juice of two lemons into a Pyrex glass cup, and put a half-stick of butter into that, and melted it in the microwave in less than a minute. I added chopped dill, a smidge of sugar, and about two heaping tablespoons of sour cream and whisked it all together right in the Pyrex. I served the fish with cooked grains and steamed broccoli, and poured that sauce over everything.
Now that there is snow on the ground, I think we'll keep bundling up and going outside to grill. For four to eight minutes of freezing half to death, it's totally worth it!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Italian Quickie
...And no, I'm not talking about the night that resulted in our baby girl. Oh man, I am KILLING with these jokes lately. Hello? Is this thing on?
The last week of my pregnancy, I wanted three things: meat, cheese, and not to do any work. But I wanted to do something that might convince my husband I was someone resembling the woman he married, so I made one last big meal before the hospital stay.
When he walked in the door, I had created little parcel-like appetizers by wrapping buffalo mozzarella slices, tomato slices, and fresh basil in prosciutto. I found the prosciutto at HALF PRICE at my new favorite store, Valli produce in Arlington Heights.
And yeah, the mozzarella was pre-sliced. Think that's lazy? Oh wait, it gets better.
When I had crammed about four of those into my maw, I decided to make dinner. I used JAR spaghetti sauce, and JAR bechamel or alfredo sauce. And before you have that thought, do me one favor: strap a fifty-pound weight to your stomach. Then cinch it up so that it presses on your heart. Then get someone to kick it up into your ribcage every fifteen seconds. Climb the stairs a few times, go to work for the day, and THEN you judge me.
I alternated the layers of ricotta, egg, parsely and mozzarella mixture with layers of tomato sauce and layers of the alfredo sauce. It was also my first outing with the no-bake lasagna noodles. I'd always feared them in the past, but desperate times...
The result was nothing like homemade or from scratch, but it definitely scratched the itch, if you know what I mean. It was rich, warm, and right on time!
The last week of my pregnancy, I wanted three things: meat, cheese, and not to do any work. But I wanted to do something that might convince my husband I was someone resembling the woman he married, so I made one last big meal before the hospital stay.
When he walked in the door, I had created little parcel-like appetizers by wrapping buffalo mozzarella slices, tomato slices, and fresh basil in prosciutto. I found the prosciutto at HALF PRICE at my new favorite store, Valli produce in Arlington Heights.
And yeah, the mozzarella was pre-sliced. Think that's lazy? Oh wait, it gets better.
When I had crammed about four of those into my maw, I decided to make dinner. I used JAR spaghetti sauce, and JAR bechamel or alfredo sauce. And before you have that thought, do me one favor: strap a fifty-pound weight to your stomach. Then cinch it up so that it presses on your heart. Then get someone to kick it up into your ribcage every fifteen seconds. Climb the stairs a few times, go to work for the day, and THEN you judge me.
I alternated the layers of ricotta, egg, parsely and mozzarella mixture with layers of tomato sauce and layers of the alfredo sauce. It was also my first outing with the no-bake lasagna noodles. I'd always feared them in the past, but desperate times...
The result was nothing like homemade or from scratch, but it definitely scratched the itch, if you know what I mean. It was rich, warm, and right on time!
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Bun I've Been Cookin'
Here's where I've been... I had the baby at the end of September. Her name is Ruby, and she is perfect. (The best thing I ever made, ha ha ha.)
I personally have been on Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating since she was born, which is actually pretty good. It was a good time to do it, since I haven't had the time or the energy to cook. Still, this way I've lost some of the weight and avoided the temptation to go the fast food route. Chris has been cooking for himself, and I must say he's been doing a fine job of it. Check out the side-by-side comparison. Here is one of my Seattle meals, which was decent (chicken breast on a bagel, plus kiwi fruit):
And here is the sandwich that Chris made for himself:
I'd have to go with his, wouldn't you? Anyway, I'm coming up on week five on the diet (I can't believe she is that old already), and it may be my last. I'm already down 25 pounds (though most of that was fluid and a baby who was nearly nine pounds), and I think I just about have her routine worked out so I may be able to get back to cooking.
For one more week, I'll be re-heating the pre-made meals, and just using the kitchen to make the bottles every day!
Thanks for your patience. Hope everyone has been well, and getting more sleep than we have!
I personally have been on Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating since she was born, which is actually pretty good. It was a good time to do it, since I haven't had the time or the energy to cook. Still, this way I've lost some of the weight and avoided the temptation to go the fast food route. Chris has been cooking for himself, and I must say he's been doing a fine job of it. Check out the side-by-side comparison. Here is one of my Seattle meals, which was decent (chicken breast on a bagel, plus kiwi fruit):
And here is the sandwich that Chris made for himself:
I'd have to go with his, wouldn't you? Anyway, I'm coming up on week five on the diet (I can't believe she is that old already), and it may be my last. I'm already down 25 pounds (though most of that was fluid and a baby who was nearly nine pounds), and I think I just about have her routine worked out so I may be able to get back to cooking.
For one more week, I'll be re-heating the pre-made meals, and just using the kitchen to make the bottles every day!
Thanks for your patience. Hope everyone has been well, and getting more sleep than we have!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sliced Veggie Pizza
One of my experimental pizzas recently turned out very well, and if I'm not mistaken, it has the added benefit of being quite good for you.
I sliced up yellow squash, potatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. I used the grill pan for all of the veggies, but you could use a regular grill. If I ever do it again, I will sauté the thin potato slices in a separate pan. It took a long time to get them cooked through on the grill pan, much longer than it ever has in a regular sauté pan (I do potato slices like this for frittatas or egg pies). I wanted all of the veggies pretty much done, and then just leave the cheese to be melted. I started in the middle of the crust, and alternated veggie slices in an outward spiral until the obsessive child inside of me was warm and swaddled. I mean, until I reached the edge of the crust.
I didn't use any sauce, because I thought the finished product would be kinda juicy by itself. I was right. It was very good with just some garlic and olive oil on the crust (I used Trader Joe's pre-made whole wheat Tabula Rasa crust) and the oil and seasoning I used to grill the veggies.
I sliced up yellow squash, potatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. I used the grill pan for all of the veggies, but you could use a regular grill. If I ever do it again, I will sauté the thin potato slices in a separate pan. It took a long time to get them cooked through on the grill pan, much longer than it ever has in a regular sauté pan (I do potato slices like this for frittatas or egg pies). I wanted all of the veggies pretty much done, and then just leave the cheese to be melted. I started in the middle of the crust, and alternated veggie slices in an outward spiral until the obsessive child inside of me was warm and swaddled. I mean, until I reached the edge of the crust.
I didn't use any sauce, because I thought the finished product would be kinda juicy by itself. I was right. It was very good with just some garlic and olive oil on the crust (I used Trader Joe's pre-made whole wheat Tabula Rasa crust) and the oil and seasoning I used to grill the veggies.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
Chris and I were watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (which we rent via Netflix) last night, and there was an episode in which Larry David gets a sandwich named after him. This prompted a discussion about what our sandwich would be. On a kosher menu, I'd have to go with chopped liver, maybe on rye, for mine, and not just so I could say, "What am I, chopped liver?!" Chris is undecided, though I think a nice lean roast beef suits him nicely.
Still, outside of a deli menu, I think my favorite sandwich is probably grilled eggplant, with buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh basil (which has been growing like crazy on a pot on our windowsill this summer) and roma or garden tomatoes, on good ol' french bread. I make the eggplant on my grill pan (though next time I will try the new gas grill outside), and just season it. I also brush on a little olive oil first. When you prepare it this way, you don't have to go through the whole salt and drain procedure, which makes the eggplant much more friendly.
Chris doesn't care too much for eggplant, and I love it. I continue to sort of ignore his preference to not eat it, hoping that one day he'll come around to it like he did with avocado and one or two other things. He's always been willing to eat anything (which I'm basically taking advantage of), but eggplant hasn't risen to one of his favorites yet. Still, he can make his sandwiches without it. More for me.
With the leftovers, I like to reheat the grilled eggplant slices until they are just warm to the touch (just above room temperature). It makes a great summery dinner or lunch, and a sandwich that could represent me any day: all the colors of Italy, rustic and straightforward but a little smart, and with a little bite that's maybe not for everyone.
Still, outside of a deli menu, I think my favorite sandwich is probably grilled eggplant, with buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh basil (which has been growing like crazy on a pot on our windowsill this summer) and roma or garden tomatoes, on good ol' french bread. I make the eggplant on my grill pan (though next time I will try the new gas grill outside), and just season it. I also brush on a little olive oil first. When you prepare it this way, you don't have to go through the whole salt and drain procedure, which makes the eggplant much more friendly.
Chris doesn't care too much for eggplant, and I love it. I continue to sort of ignore his preference to not eat it, hoping that one day he'll come around to it like he did with avocado and one or two other things. He's always been willing to eat anything (which I'm basically taking advantage of), but eggplant hasn't risen to one of his favorites yet. Still, he can make his sandwiches without it. More for me.
With the leftovers, I like to reheat the grilled eggplant slices until they are just warm to the touch (just above room temperature). It makes a great summery dinner or lunch, and a sandwich that could represent me any day: all the colors of Italy, rustic and straightforward but a little smart, and with a little bite that's maybe not for everyone.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
BBQ Beef Ribs in the Oven
Last summer, we weren't allowed to have anything but an electric grill on our balcony, and what's the point of that? We wanted to wait until we were home (house, specifically) owners and get a gas grill. So I made BBQ beef ribs the way any condo owner would: on the stovetop and in the oven.
I did beef ribs for a couple of reasons. I still did not eat pork if I could help it (which I will return to as soon as this meat-loving baby leaves my system), and my friend Lindsay was coming over. In her pregnancy, the smell of any pork made her sick. Funny how bossy these kids are in utero, eh? Upon shopping for my dinner party, I discovered that a gigantic slab of beef ribs are about SIX BUCKS. Wow! This is gonna be great, I thought! I'll feed everyone on the cheap, and please the whole crowd.
Well, mmm... Not so much. The recipe I used wasn't the problem. I wanted to poach the ribs first, then finish them in the oven, so that they are fall-off-the-bone tender. I'm sorry to say that I apparently did not print out the recipe as I normally do, and while I remember it being an Emeril recipe, I cannot find the exact one that I used. However, it was similar to this one, only not so complex. I basically covered the ribs in a large pot, using a lot of water, some broth, and a couple bottles of beer. I added peppercorns, a couple bay leaves, salt and pepper, and some rosemary (use a light hand with the dried rosemary -- the flavor REALLY comes through) and I think some carrots, celery and onions. I poached the ribs for about a half-hour, or until the meat started pulling away from the bones (per the instructions that I now cannot find.)
Next, I put them in the oven on a foil-lined pan. If memory serves, I did them with a light spice rub (salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, paprika and a little cayenne), and cooked them low and slow (250 degrees) for about 30-45 minutes, covered in foil on top. Then I removed the foil from the top, brushed on some BBQ sauce (yes, store bought), and finished them off under the broiler. You'll notice that in this particular Emeril recipe I'm linking to here, he boils them longer and skips the low-and-slow part to go straight to the broiler. Most poaching recipes I find for ribs do one or the other.
They were beautiful when they came out!
However, I found that the beef ribs had disappointingly little meat on them. After cooking, they were mostly bone. Guess there's a reason why those are so cheap!
Still, I would do a similar recipe the next time I do ribs. We are now the proud owners of a Weber gas grill at our new house, which get its maiden voyage today with a couple of steaks (I figured on starting slow.) When I do the ribs, I'm gonna use a recipe that's a combination of poaching, and low-and-slow cooking on the grill. Some folks say that ribs should have a "tug" on them, but I don't agree. I like them to be very, very tender.
But there will be potato salad! I've finally learned to use a very light hand when adding the mustard.
Our friends were gracious about gnawing on the big beef ribs, and Baby #1 seemed to enjoy the experience, too.
We'll let you know how the grill works out!
I did beef ribs for a couple of reasons. I still did not eat pork if I could help it (which I will return to as soon as this meat-loving baby leaves my system), and my friend Lindsay was coming over. In her pregnancy, the smell of any pork made her sick. Funny how bossy these kids are in utero, eh? Upon shopping for my dinner party, I discovered that a gigantic slab of beef ribs are about SIX BUCKS. Wow! This is gonna be great, I thought! I'll feed everyone on the cheap, and please the whole crowd.
Well, mmm... Not so much. The recipe I used wasn't the problem. I wanted to poach the ribs first, then finish them in the oven, so that they are fall-off-the-bone tender. I'm sorry to say that I apparently did not print out the recipe as I normally do, and while I remember it being an Emeril recipe, I cannot find the exact one that I used. However, it was similar to this one, only not so complex. I basically covered the ribs in a large pot, using a lot of water, some broth, and a couple bottles of beer. I added peppercorns, a couple bay leaves, salt and pepper, and some rosemary (use a light hand with the dried rosemary -- the flavor REALLY comes through) and I think some carrots, celery and onions. I poached the ribs for about a half-hour, or until the meat started pulling away from the bones (per the instructions that I now cannot find.)
Next, I put them in the oven on a foil-lined pan. If memory serves, I did them with a light spice rub (salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, paprika and a little cayenne), and cooked them low and slow (250 degrees) for about 30-45 minutes, covered in foil on top. Then I removed the foil from the top, brushed on some BBQ sauce (yes, store bought), and finished them off under the broiler. You'll notice that in this particular Emeril recipe I'm linking to here, he boils them longer and skips the low-and-slow part to go straight to the broiler. Most poaching recipes I find for ribs do one or the other.
They were beautiful when they came out!
However, I found that the beef ribs had disappointingly little meat on them. After cooking, they were mostly bone. Guess there's a reason why those are so cheap!
Still, I would do a similar recipe the next time I do ribs. We are now the proud owners of a Weber gas grill at our new house, which get its maiden voyage today with a couple of steaks (I figured on starting slow.) When I do the ribs, I'm gonna use a recipe that's a combination of poaching, and low-and-slow cooking on the grill. Some folks say that ribs should have a "tug" on them, but I don't agree. I like them to be very, very tender.
But there will be potato salad! I've finally learned to use a very light hand when adding the mustard.
Our friends were gracious about gnawing on the big beef ribs, and Baby #1 seemed to enjoy the experience, too.
We'll let you know how the grill works out!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Salad Week: Steak and Gorgonzola
I'd like to wrap up "Salad Week" by first starting with a little love note to two things I use in all my tossed salads. The first is Romaine lettuce (vs. iceberg lettuce). It has such a high nutritional value compared with the much less useful iceberg, stays fresh in the fridge for a very long time, lots of flavor and plenty of crunch, too. My future kids will never know from iceberg lettuce, because Mommy doesn't like it. Look how pretty!
And the second item is my salad spinner. I use the OXO Good Grips spinner, which I got as a wedding gift. I hadn't registered for one, I just got it as an office gift with other salad supplies. Now I wonder, how did I ever live without this thing? I find it is the easiest way to clean the lettuce. Spin it up, and "Bob's your uncle." Never any gross water in the bottom of your salad. Lots of gadgets are unnecessary, I find, but this one is a must for me. (No one is paying me to say that, but they are certainly invited to do so.)
Anyhoo, this salad uses an inexpensive cut of meat, and for the life of me, I can't remember what it is. I just grabbed a sirloin-something-or-other that cost under $4, and looked fairly lean. Two very small steaks were plenty for two people (salad stretches meat nicely). You could also use leftover steak. I marinated this one in chili oil, olive oil, chopped garlic and soy sauce. Then I grilled it in my grill pan, let it rest a bit, and sliced it up. I used gorgonzola crumbles, red apple chunks, carrot shreds, (yes, I buy pre-sliced apples and shredded carrots, and it is totally worth it), pecans, and scallions.
For the dressing, I like something light to balance out the "manlier" flavors in this one. I love Paul Newman's raspberry and walnut vinaigrette (even though he hasn't given me a dime, either... and I thought he was into charity cases?)
And the second item is my salad spinner. I use the OXO Good Grips spinner, which I got as a wedding gift. I hadn't registered for one, I just got it as an office gift with other salad supplies. Now I wonder, how did I ever live without this thing? I find it is the easiest way to clean the lettuce. Spin it up, and "Bob's your uncle." Never any gross water in the bottom of your salad. Lots of gadgets are unnecessary, I find, but this one is a must for me. (No one is paying me to say that, but they are certainly invited to do so.)
Anyhoo, this salad uses an inexpensive cut of meat, and for the life of me, I can't remember what it is. I just grabbed a sirloin-something-or-other that cost under $4, and looked fairly lean. Two very small steaks were plenty for two people (salad stretches meat nicely). You could also use leftover steak. I marinated this one in chili oil, olive oil, chopped garlic and soy sauce. Then I grilled it in my grill pan, let it rest a bit, and sliced it up. I used gorgonzola crumbles, red apple chunks, carrot shreds, (yes, I buy pre-sliced apples and shredded carrots, and it is totally worth it), pecans, and scallions.
For the dressing, I like something light to balance out the "manlier" flavors in this one. I love Paul Newman's raspberry and walnut vinaigrette (even though he hasn't given me a dime, either... and I thought he was into charity cases?)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Salad Week: Asian Salad
Here's another simple tossed salad, with some Asian-inspired flavors.
I marinated chicken breasts (pounded flat or purchased thin) in peanut oil and teriyaki sauce for about an hour. I grilled that, sliced it, and topped some mixed greens with it. I also added feta cheese, scallions, walnuts, and green apple chunks. For the dressing, I mixed a little sesame seed oil, olive oil (because the sesame seed is expensive, and you can taste it while not adding much), about two tablespoons soy sauce, and a chunky tablespoon of peanut butter. Whisk it all together, pour it on, and enjoy!
I marinated chicken breasts (pounded flat or purchased thin) in peanut oil and teriyaki sauce for about an hour. I grilled that, sliced it, and topped some mixed greens with it. I also added feta cheese, scallions, walnuts, and green apple chunks. For the dressing, I mixed a little sesame seed oil, olive oil (because the sesame seed is expensive, and you can taste it while not adding much), about two tablespoons soy sauce, and a chunky tablespoon of peanut butter. Whisk it all together, pour it on, and enjoy!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Salad Week: Ants on a Log, and Cambezola!
Is it a salad? Well, I think so. It ain't BBQ...
(Heeeyyyy... Check out those aging carrot sticks! Appetizing, no?) I don't remember where I first saw this snack called "Ants on a Log," but I think it's cute. I like to spread it not with whole peanut butter, but instead to make a lower-fat spread first. I empty a container of lowfat or fat-free cream cheese into a bowl, add a couple of tablespoons peanut butter, a couple tablespoons of honey, and beat it with the mixer. It spreads easier, and I don't feel guilty about eating several. Then, of course, I add raisins as the "ants." Do yourself a favor: just dump out a bunch of raisins and press the "logs" into them. Don't press them one at a time onto the celery... Duh. Guess who wasted precious eating time on that endeavor?
This is really a kid-type snack, but last time my brother visited, he and my husband were content to snack on these with a couple of beers while I made dinner. And no, my house is not nearly so misogynist as that sounds. Because I totally deserved the beating they gave me before that.
And here's a little "double," since I didn't post on Sunday (I was sweating my baby off at the Brewer's game. What was I thinking? Deadly heartburn set in from the nachos supreme, my hands got to be the size of boxing mitts, and my feet took on a Flintstone-like appearance. Fred, not Wilma. We left at the seventh.)
They sell a bastard cheese at Trader Joe's called Cambezola! (And no, I can't say that without the exclamation mark attached at the end. The name reminds me of some type of drug-fueled sixties happening.) It appears to be a combo of Camembert and Gorgonzola, and is quite good, and it makes a fantastic snack with green apples. You'll feel like you're eating... Well... salad!
(Heeeyyyy... Check out those aging carrot sticks! Appetizing, no?) I don't remember where I first saw this snack called "Ants on a Log," but I think it's cute. I like to spread it not with whole peanut butter, but instead to make a lower-fat spread first. I empty a container of lowfat or fat-free cream cheese into a bowl, add a couple of tablespoons peanut butter, a couple tablespoons of honey, and beat it with the mixer. It spreads easier, and I don't feel guilty about eating several. Then, of course, I add raisins as the "ants." Do yourself a favor: just dump out a bunch of raisins and press the "logs" into them. Don't press them one at a time onto the celery... Duh. Guess who wasted precious eating time on that endeavor?
This is really a kid-type snack, but last time my brother visited, he and my husband were content to snack on these with a couple of beers while I made dinner. And no, my house is not nearly so misogynist as that sounds. Because I totally deserved the beating they gave me before that.
And here's a little "double," since I didn't post on Sunday (I was sweating my baby off at the Brewer's game. What was I thinking? Deadly heartburn set in from the nachos supreme, my hands got to be the size of boxing mitts, and my feet took on a Flintstone-like appearance. Fred, not Wilma. We left at the seventh.)
They sell a bastard cheese at Trader Joe's called Cambezola! (And no, I can't say that without the exclamation mark attached at the end. The name reminds me of some type of drug-fueled sixties happening.) It appears to be a combo of Camembert and Gorgonzola, and is quite good, and it makes a fantastic snack with green apples. You'll feel like you're eating... Well... salad!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Salad Week: Herbed Chicken Salad
These salads are so simple, honestly, I had to post a week's worth just to avoid feeling guilty.
This one came out quite well, and made me feel just a little French. (And since I'm not a redneck, I'm okay with that.)
I pulled some chicken off a grocery store rotisserie chicken (or use leftover chicken), combined it with several diced and boiled Yukon Gold potatoes, and added lowfat mayonnaise (or regular) until it looked right to me. I diced and added scallions, parsley, and dill, then salt and pepper. You could really use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand, because the rest of the dish is "tabula rasa."
I like to serve a few big scoops of it on top of some greens, and drizzle dressing around the outside. Keeps in the fridge for over a week!
This one came out quite well, and made me feel just a little French. (And since I'm not a redneck, I'm okay with that.)
I pulled some chicken off a grocery store rotisserie chicken (or use leftover chicken), combined it with several diced and boiled Yukon Gold potatoes, and added lowfat mayonnaise (or regular) until it looked right to me. I diced and added scallions, parsley, and dill, then salt and pepper. You could really use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand, because the rest of the dish is "tabula rasa."
I like to serve a few big scoops of it on top of some greens, and drizzle dressing around the outside. Keeps in the fridge for over a week!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Salad Week: Chop Salad
Some folks call this one "garbage salad," but... ucchh. I can't cope with that. Let's never speak of the un-tasty name again. It's too pretty!
The great thing about a chop salad is that you can alter the ingredients easily according to what you have. Change the type of berry, add some cold pasta (like rotini or farfalle) to stretch your lettuce out (seriously), add croutons, use any kind of cheese, switch to beef, whatever. Check out the good stuff in this guy:
chopped Romaine
chopped turkey bacon
green onions
diced breaded chicken
diced avocado
pecans
strawberries
feta cheese
I just whisked up some balsamic vinaigrette (1 part vinegar to four parts olive oil) with lemon juice, Italian seasoning, pinch of salt & pepper and a little sugar to taste, but this would go with lots of different kinds of dressing.
Chop your heart out! (Eyw, that's worse than the other phrase...)
The great thing about a chop salad is that you can alter the ingredients easily according to what you have. Change the type of berry, add some cold pasta (like rotini or farfalle) to stretch your lettuce out (seriously), add croutons, use any kind of cheese, switch to beef, whatever. Check out the good stuff in this guy:
chopped Romaine
chopped turkey bacon
green onions
diced breaded chicken
diced avocado
pecans
strawberries
feta cheese
I just whisked up some balsamic vinaigrette (1 part vinegar to four parts olive oil) with lemon juice, Italian seasoning, pinch of salt & pepper and a little sugar to taste, but this would go with lots of different kinds of dressing.
Chop your heart out! (Eyw, that's worse than the other phrase...)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Salad Week: Buffalo Chicken
Are you ready for something fun and exciting? I THOUGHT YOU WERE. And I'm here to help.
In honor of this mother of a hot summer, and in honor of the fact that my beloved lettuce no longer makes me sick to look at, I'm posting a new salad every day for a week. Because we've been eating a lot of them, because they keep you regular, and because dang, did I mention? IT IS FREAKING HOT OUTSIDE.
First up is the fattiest salad of the bunch. Still, when you consider that every time I eat this, I don't have my fat ass over at Hooters with my face in a platter of chicken wings, it's almost like a diet food.
I've got Romaine lettuce, diced celery, full-fat Marie's bleu cheese dressing, a few chow mein noodles, shredded cheddar, and about three diced buffalo-style chicken fingers on this sweet baby. And I think I'm gonna have this one again tonight. Not for the faint of heart! You could lighten it up by using vinaigrette and a few bleu cheese crumbles instead of the Marie's (and no cheddar), but I won't be messing with that until after baby arrives, because studies show that higher-fat dairy products are good for pregnant women (and women who are trying to conceive). Jealous?
In honor of this mother of a hot summer, and in honor of the fact that my beloved lettuce no longer makes me sick to look at, I'm posting a new salad every day for a week. Because we've been eating a lot of them, because they keep you regular, and because dang, did I mention? IT IS FREAKING HOT OUTSIDE.
First up is the fattiest salad of the bunch. Still, when you consider that every time I eat this, I don't have my fat ass over at Hooters with my face in a platter of chicken wings, it's almost like a diet food.
I've got Romaine lettuce, diced celery, full-fat Marie's bleu cheese dressing, a few chow mein noodles, shredded cheddar, and about three diced buffalo-style chicken fingers on this sweet baby. And I think I'm gonna have this one again tonight. Not for the faint of heart! You could lighten it up by using vinaigrette and a few bleu cheese crumbles instead of the Marie's (and no cheddar), but I won't be messing with that until after baby arrives, because studies show that higher-fat dairy products are good for pregnant women (and women who are trying to conceive). Jealous?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My Fancy Hostess
While getting larger and larger, I think Chris has lost more and more weight "stepping and fetching" for me: because getting up off the couch is just hard right now. While sick in the first trimester, I didn't get up much at all. I'd like to say that I'm just as active as I was before I got pregnant, but contrary to my high expectations for myself, taking a slow walk for a half hour is a real source of pride for me right now. When I used to be heard saying, "Hey! I did FIVE miles in under 45 minutes today!" you might now hear me saying, "Hey! I totally got up and walked after my nap today, instead of just eating and going back to bed!" I need a t-shirt that says, "Just Happy to be Ambulatory." And maybe it should have one of those slow-moving alert triangles on the back.
To further disappoint those who haven't yet walked a half-mile in a pregnant lady's overstuffed shoes, I must also admit that I've fallen into the habit of a little something sweet and a big glass of milk before bed. I sleep so much better this way. And I've been watching a lot of cook shows, like "Next Food Network Star" since the nausea left town. I think it is rubbing off on Chris, because he fancied up my snack the other day. Dig the chocolate swirl!
The plates are some that I found on deep discount after last Halloween at Jewel. They were in stacks as sets, with the black crow figure interchanged with a black cat silhouette, a jack-o-lantern, or a spider. I mined out all the crows that I could find and just bought those (and I don't remember where I acquired the Miss Piggy "Pigs in Space" Welch's glass, but she's been with me a long time.)
Thanks, Chris, for all your stepping and fetching. You'll get your wife back, at least somewhat, before the year is out!
To further disappoint those who haven't yet walked a half-mile in a pregnant lady's overstuffed shoes, I must also admit that I've fallen into the habit of a little something sweet and a big glass of milk before bed. I sleep so much better this way. And I've been watching a lot of cook shows, like "Next Food Network Star" since the nausea left town. I think it is rubbing off on Chris, because he fancied up my snack the other day. Dig the chocolate swirl!
The plates are some that I found on deep discount after last Halloween at Jewel. They were in stacks as sets, with the black crow figure interchanged with a black cat silhouette, a jack-o-lantern, or a spider. I mined out all the crows that I could find and just bought those (and I don't remember where I acquired the Miss Piggy "Pigs in Space" Welch's glass, but she's been with me a long time.)
Thanks, Chris, for all your stepping and fetching. You'll get your wife back, at least somewhat, before the year is out!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Marinara Sauce from Scratch
I have some friends who, since the advent in recent years of competitive cooking shows, have flattered me by saying that I should try out for one of those shows. The truth is, I am really just someone who likes to eat, and experiment at home. I have no clue as to certain types of cooking technique. There are areas I just haven't ventured into yet (see the following), and areas I never intend to venture into (why would I try and make great Chicago-style pizza at home when Lou Malnati's makes the perfect pie?) I would be sure to make a total ass of myself on national television. Want a for instance? Here is my shame: until last summer, I never ever made marinara sauce from scratch - meaning, from real, whole, fresh tomatoes.
But you can't say that about me now!
I have friends, blog-reading friends, and adamant strangers tell me that (especially as an Italian) I should be loaded into a cannon and shot straight into hell for not making my sauce from scratch every week. Maybe they're right. But how do you sustain this 100% of the time? Humbly and truly, I just do not get it. The sauce I was taught to make comes from canned tomatoes. That's not really "from scratch." (Maybe that's what some of these people mean, as opposed to jar sauce. Well, if that's what they mean, then THEY'RE not making sauce from scratch, either.) Anyway, that's all I've ever done: either dad's sauce or marinara from canned tomatoes, or a good jar sauce when in a hurry, sick, or hung-over. (I know, I know. But don't throw your tomatoes. Save them for sauce!)
Here's what happened. Ma came to visit, and brought (sorry Ma) a SHIT-ton of beautiful, fresh tomatoes and a lorry-load of okra. What I usually do with tomatoes from her garden is grab a salt shaker, slice, and eat. But this was more than we could have gotten through before the fully ripe beauties went bad. We ate our fill (she, Chris and I) at every meal, and I still had a ton left when she left. So I called my brother and said, "How the hell do I do this?" He said to wash up the tomatoes (natch) and to dip them for a minute or two in boiling water. Then you could peel off the skin, and seed them. These garden tomatoes were so ripe, I just had to run them under hot tap water. I peeled off the skin, split them open in my hands, and scooped out the seeds with my fingers. I set them all aside in a bowl.
I heated a deep skillet with some olive oil, then heated some garlic in it. I finely diced as much onion as I wanted in it, then heated that. I added some "baby bellos," (small portobello mushrooms), and sweated those. Then I added the tomatoes, as much fresh oregano and basil as I thought proper, and some red wine. I kept letting it cook down, adding salt, pepper and about a bit of sugar as I went (it cuts the acid). I just kept tasting it, and soon it was definitely sauce. Whoopee! The bellos are optional, and I like to add a bit of red pepper flakes, but if you don't care for a spicier sauce, you could leave that out, too. You could add green pepper but... guh. Not for this kid.
I had plenty of sauce left over for pizza and pasta throughout the week, so perhaps if I ever get a deep freeze and the garden going next year, I can make enough over a summer to ALWAYS make my sauce from scratch (or at least defrost it that way).
But you can't say that about me now!
I have friends, blog-reading friends, and adamant strangers tell me that (especially as an Italian) I should be loaded into a cannon and shot straight into hell for not making my sauce from scratch every week. Maybe they're right. But how do you sustain this 100% of the time? Humbly and truly, I just do not get it. The sauce I was taught to make comes from canned tomatoes. That's not really "from scratch." (Maybe that's what some of these people mean, as opposed to jar sauce. Well, if that's what they mean, then THEY'RE not making sauce from scratch, either.) Anyway, that's all I've ever done: either dad's sauce or marinara from canned tomatoes, or a good jar sauce when in a hurry, sick, or hung-over. (I know, I know. But don't throw your tomatoes. Save them for sauce!)
Here's what happened. Ma came to visit, and brought (sorry Ma) a SHIT-ton of beautiful, fresh tomatoes and a lorry-load of okra. What I usually do with tomatoes from her garden is grab a salt shaker, slice, and eat. But this was more than we could have gotten through before the fully ripe beauties went bad. We ate our fill (she, Chris and I) at every meal, and I still had a ton left when she left. So I called my brother and said, "How the hell do I do this?" He said to wash up the tomatoes (natch) and to dip them for a minute or two in boiling water. Then you could peel off the skin, and seed them. These garden tomatoes were so ripe, I just had to run them under hot tap water. I peeled off the skin, split them open in my hands, and scooped out the seeds with my fingers. I set them all aside in a bowl.
I heated a deep skillet with some olive oil, then heated some garlic in it. I finely diced as much onion as I wanted in it, then heated that. I added some "baby bellos," (small portobello mushrooms), and sweated those. Then I added the tomatoes, as much fresh oregano and basil as I thought proper, and some red wine. I kept letting it cook down, adding salt, pepper and about a bit of sugar as I went (it cuts the acid). I just kept tasting it, and soon it was definitely sauce. Whoopee! The bellos are optional, and I like to add a bit of red pepper flakes, but if you don't care for a spicier sauce, you could leave that out, too. You could add green pepper but... guh. Not for this kid.
I had plenty of sauce left over for pizza and pasta throughout the week, so perhaps if I ever get a deep freeze and the garden going next year, I can make enough over a summer to ALWAYS make my sauce from scratch (or at least defrost it that way).
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Salad Dressing for Dinner
Why is blogging so difficult? Seriously, I'm going to try not to bore you with the details, but I am slowly trying to get one chunk done at a time on my current project: making it so I can easily blog from UPSTAIRS on the laptop. See, the big ol' computer is downstairs in Chris' office, and I don't like sitting in the basement. But until recently all the networked files couldn't be accessed until I turned on that computer. Now I don't have to, but there are still some bugs to work out! Shih.
Anyway, one of the tastiest things I'm stuck on lately is a new way to do a chicken cutlet around here. I've been taking a package of the Perdue Fit 'N Tasty thin-sliced chicken breasts (you could pound them yourself if you're so inclined), putting them in a large Ziploc with salad dressing and olive oil, and letting them marinate in the fridge. I like honey mustard or ranch dressing. It works great with leftover dressing -- you know, the large containers you get with other stuff? I had a couple of containers of honey mustard from some "big salads" I got at some places, and some ranch dressing at another time from our new favorite pizza place, Wayne's. We get the ranch dressing with the cauliflower bites that they have. Yum. Too good to waste!
You just mix up the dressing and the olive oil by hand after you seal the bag. When you open it, you dredge the chicken in a little Italian breadcrumb, and lightly fry it in a little oil, then drain it on paper towels. "Winner winner, chicken dinner!" It is so moist and delicious, I've been making it once a week.
I serve it with brown rice and a veggie. I cooked up the brown rice, and I happened to also have some Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger dressing also on hand. I mixed some of that into the rice, and hey presto! An asian side dish.
Anyhoo, sorry about the kinks in the system. I'm working them out, and if not, I'll try and get over my fear of the basement and post more often!
Anyway, one of the tastiest things I'm stuck on lately is a new way to do a chicken cutlet around here. I've been taking a package of the Perdue Fit 'N Tasty thin-sliced chicken breasts (you could pound them yourself if you're so inclined), putting them in a large Ziploc with salad dressing and olive oil, and letting them marinate in the fridge. I like honey mustard or ranch dressing. It works great with leftover dressing -- you know, the large containers you get with other stuff? I had a couple of containers of honey mustard from some "big salads" I got at some places, and some ranch dressing at another time from our new favorite pizza place, Wayne's. We get the ranch dressing with the cauliflower bites that they have. Yum. Too good to waste!
You just mix up the dressing and the olive oil by hand after you seal the bag. When you open it, you dredge the chicken in a little Italian breadcrumb, and lightly fry it in a little oil, then drain it on paper towels. "Winner winner, chicken dinner!" It is so moist and delicious, I've been making it once a week.
I serve it with brown rice and a veggie. I cooked up the brown rice, and I happened to also have some Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger dressing also on hand. I mixed some of that into the rice, and hey presto! An asian side dish.
Anyhoo, sorry about the kinks in the system. I'm working them out, and if not, I'll try and get over my fear of the basement and post more often!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Oscar's Chicken Salad
This post features two vintage pics! Whoopee! Check out my growth as a photographer...
When I was at Hull House, I worked with a lot of cool people. It almost made it okay that the president's secretary was an out-of-hand, psychotic bitch who would forget that she asked you to do something, and then scream at you for doing it. Almost. Anyway, there was this guy named Oscar who made the greatest chicken salad for the potluck occasions.
I know it may not look that appealing, but it is really tasty. He would boil a chicken, pick it, then add mayo, cayenne to taste, lots of paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, a drained can of peas and carrots (you heard me right), and chopped boiled potatoes. When I make it, I pick a cooked rotisserie chicken. I ain't boiling no chicken.
I like to serve a couple scoops of it on a bed of romaine lettuce with some French or Western dressing drizzled around the edges, like so:
The salad is like a one-dish chicken dinner, and it is never too hot outside to eat it.
Is it a Mexican thing to do to put the peas and carrots in salads? I'm wondering, because when I was in school last year, I saw another student eating tuna salad that her husband had made. It had peas and carrots in it, and I said, "Is your husband Mexican?" She said, "Yeah! How did you know?" Huh!
When I was at Hull House, I worked with a lot of cool people. It almost made it okay that the president's secretary was an out-of-hand, psychotic bitch who would forget that she asked you to do something, and then scream at you for doing it. Almost. Anyway, there was this guy named Oscar who made the greatest chicken salad for the potluck occasions.
I know it may not look that appealing, but it is really tasty. He would boil a chicken, pick it, then add mayo, cayenne to taste, lots of paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, a drained can of peas and carrots (you heard me right), and chopped boiled potatoes. When I make it, I pick a cooked rotisserie chicken. I ain't boiling no chicken.
I like to serve a couple scoops of it on a bed of romaine lettuce with some French or Western dressing drizzled around the edges, like so:
The salad is like a one-dish chicken dinner, and it is never too hot outside to eat it.
Is it a Mexican thing to do to put the peas and carrots in salads? I'm wondering, because when I was in school last year, I saw another student eating tuna salad that her husband had made. It had peas and carrots in it, and I said, "Is your husband Mexican?" She said, "Yeah! How did you know?" Huh!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Hooters Hot Wings
Chris and I both like buffalo wings. My favorites are actually the ones my brother used to fry up in the kitchen at Ruby Tuesday's, when he and I both worked there. That was twelve years ago now (wow.) He would always make his crazy off-the-menu hot, not so hot for me.
Now Ruby's is under new ownership (the whole chain, that is), and I dunno if their wings are the same or not. Chris likes the wings at the Ram Brewery, and they are actually the ones that remind me most of the ones that David used to make back when. But you know what? I think my favorites are the buffalo wings at Hooters. (I'm taking you to the menu here, sparing you the chatty waitress on the homepage. Click on "chicken wings.") They are breaded (you can get them without), and more like fried chicken. The hot sauce is sort of inside the breading, so you don't get the sauce all over your face (but if you're me, you get the bleu cheese there, anyway.)
Remember when opening a new Hooters was the talk of the town? I remember a big hoopla when they first opened one in Champaign. I dunno why people complained. I'm not really into women being objectified or anything, but I'm just saying that no one seemed to have a problem with the strip clubs just outside of town. The Hooters waitresses are dressed, after all. Somewhat.
I started eating at a Hooters when I lived in Nashville. It was literally in my backyard. I was shy about going in at first, and soon I was going by myself to sit down to a beer and some wings on the way back from work. The menu was more limited then... I seem to remember maybe burgers, an open-faced steak sandwich, the wings, and not much else. Chris likes their burgers.
Now Hooters has salads, healthier options, blah blah blah. I'll probably never try any of those things, because I don't know if I can go in there and not get the hot wings.
Chris accompanied me on a recent trip to get a replacement part for a sofa I had purchased out at Woodfield Mall (I can never buy a piece of assembly-required furniture that doesn't have a broken piece, it seems) and I practically hijacked the car when we drove past Hooters. I know he's been worried about the amount we've been eating out/driving through lately, but what can I do? When baby wants wings, baby wants wings.
Actually, I wonder if it was the hooters baby wanted...
Now Ruby's is under new ownership (the whole chain, that is), and I dunno if their wings are the same or not. Chris likes the wings at the Ram Brewery, and they are actually the ones that remind me most of the ones that David used to make back when. But you know what? I think my favorites are the buffalo wings at Hooters. (I'm taking you to the menu here, sparing you the chatty waitress on the homepage. Click on "chicken wings.") They are breaded (you can get them without), and more like fried chicken. The hot sauce is sort of inside the breading, so you don't get the sauce all over your face (but if you're me, you get the bleu cheese there, anyway.)
Remember when opening a new Hooters was the talk of the town? I remember a big hoopla when they first opened one in Champaign. I dunno why people complained. I'm not really into women being objectified or anything, but I'm just saying that no one seemed to have a problem with the strip clubs just outside of town. The Hooters waitresses are dressed, after all. Somewhat.
I started eating at a Hooters when I lived in Nashville. It was literally in my backyard. I was shy about going in at first, and soon I was going by myself to sit down to a beer and some wings on the way back from work. The menu was more limited then... I seem to remember maybe burgers, an open-faced steak sandwich, the wings, and not much else. Chris likes their burgers.
Now Hooters has salads, healthier options, blah blah blah. I'll probably never try any of those things, because I don't know if I can go in there and not get the hot wings.
Chris accompanied me on a recent trip to get a replacement part for a sofa I had purchased out at Woodfield Mall (I can never buy a piece of assembly-required furniture that doesn't have a broken piece, it seems) and I practically hijacked the car when we drove past Hooters. I know he's been worried about the amount we've been eating out/driving through lately, but what can I do? When baby wants wings, baby wants wings.
Actually, I wonder if it was the hooters baby wanted...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread
Well, hello dere!
I am officially back from hiatus. I am a bit over four months pregnant now, and mercifully over my nausea. I can look at food, and eat food (and now I can post about food). It is wonderful. For the last two weeks I have felt blessed every day.
I have a lot of photos to catch up on. I'm going back to Christmas, here! The organization is probably going to take me most of the day today. But we've moved to another town, and first I have to find the USB cord to my camera...
Well, here's one that was already in the hopper. Are you familiar with Amish Friendship Bread? Someone makes you a live yeast starter. They give you a bag with the dough starter and the live yeast in it, plus a set of instructions. Most days, the instruction is, "Mush up." Then you add some flour and sugar: once during the proliferation phase, and once again right before you bake.
The batter will bubble up in the bag, showing you that the yeast is growing. It just sits on the counter and does its thing. At the point of baking, you are to split the starter off into several new bags. Then you have some new starters to give to other people, and one to bake with yourself (that's why it's called friendship bread.) Who knows where these things actually got started, or how many times these little yeasties have gone around the country?
My friend Kira first made me the Amish friendship starter when I lived in Peoria... And I was too broke to buy a new bag of flour and sugar to actually make the bread, so sadly my little yeasties died unfufilled. I didn't see another starter for several years. You don't have to wait for someone to hand you a starter, however. Here are directions for creating your own starter. You can do this with packaged yeast. Just remember the cardinal rule of Amish bread (which as it turns out, is probably as Amish as I am): no metal spoons! No metal bowls! And no wire hangers! EVER!
Just be ready when you get into this. I last made this when my boss and his wife went out of town, and she trusted me to perpetuate her starters. They were gone long enough that I had to turn the starters over twice. That means shucking myself of six total starters, and making four loaves for myself. Finding "homes" for the starters is not always easy. I don't have a lot of friends who are into baking. I tried to give the first set to family members, and they were all like, "Ucchhhh..." The responsibility! You don't want to let the little microbes die, and then YOU have to find three people to give the starters away to. And a lot of people, it turns out, are not into having living things on their countertops. Several people I asked in my playgroup were convinced that bacteria was growing in there. My arguments that a proliferation of yeast suppressed any blooms of bacteria fell on dead ears. Folks don't realize that there is yeast in most any bread they are eating, either. You have to eat things that were once alive, people. Rocks are not an option.
Anyway, if you are successful in giving the starters away, I think it is worth it. The bread is very good! Here is the recipe I used:
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp.
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 c. oil (I used 1 cup applesauce instead)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large package instant pudding (any kind)
1/2 c. milk
optional: 1 c. raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips
I went for the chocolate pudding, and added chocolate chips and walnuts. I also used whole wheat flour (just at this last add: I didn't want to mess with the chemistry the other times in case there was less gluten in the wheat flour.)
You generously grease two loaf pans, combine 3 T. sugar and 1 T. of cinnamon, and dust the sides and bottom of the pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, and you are done!
The bread was great toasted in the morning with a little light butter. I froze the second loaf until I was ready for it, and it worked very well.
My second time around, I used butterscotch pudding, and butterscotch chips instead of the chocolate version. It didn't have a butterscotch flavor, just very sweet. This one was good with pumpkin butter.
That one was tasty, but I think I preferred the chocolate. Good luck with your bread, and if you start a starter, you can always give one to me! Next time I get one of these, I may make all eight loaves, freeze them, and just share THOSE with my friends ("Or eat them myself," said the Little Red Hen...)
I am officially back from hiatus. I am a bit over four months pregnant now, and mercifully over my nausea. I can look at food, and eat food (and now I can post about food). It is wonderful. For the last two weeks I have felt blessed every day.
I have a lot of photos to catch up on. I'm going back to Christmas, here! The organization is probably going to take me most of the day today. But we've moved to another town, and first I have to find the USB cord to my camera...
Well, here's one that was already in the hopper. Are you familiar with Amish Friendship Bread? Someone makes you a live yeast starter. They give you a bag with the dough starter and the live yeast in it, plus a set of instructions. Most days, the instruction is, "Mush up." Then you add some flour and sugar: once during the proliferation phase, and once again right before you bake.
The batter will bubble up in the bag, showing you that the yeast is growing. It just sits on the counter and does its thing. At the point of baking, you are to split the starter off into several new bags. Then you have some new starters to give to other people, and one to bake with yourself (that's why it's called friendship bread.) Who knows where these things actually got started, or how many times these little yeasties have gone around the country?
My friend Kira first made me the Amish friendship starter when I lived in Peoria... And I was too broke to buy a new bag of flour and sugar to actually make the bread, so sadly my little yeasties died unfufilled. I didn't see another starter for several years. You don't have to wait for someone to hand you a starter, however. Here are directions for creating your own starter. You can do this with packaged yeast. Just remember the cardinal rule of Amish bread (which as it turns out, is probably as Amish as I am): no metal spoons! No metal bowls! And no wire hangers! EVER!
Just be ready when you get into this. I last made this when my boss and his wife went out of town, and she trusted me to perpetuate her starters. They were gone long enough that I had to turn the starters over twice. That means shucking myself of six total starters, and making four loaves for myself. Finding "homes" for the starters is not always easy. I don't have a lot of friends who are into baking. I tried to give the first set to family members, and they were all like, "Ucchhhh..." The responsibility! You don't want to let the little microbes die, and then YOU have to find three people to give the starters away to. And a lot of people, it turns out, are not into having living things on their countertops. Several people I asked in my playgroup were convinced that bacteria was growing in there. My arguments that a proliferation of yeast suppressed any blooms of bacteria fell on dead ears. Folks don't realize that there is yeast in most any bread they are eating, either. You have to eat things that were once alive, people. Rocks are not an option.
Anyway, if you are successful in giving the starters away, I think it is worth it. The bread is very good! Here is the recipe I used:
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp.
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 c. oil (I used 1 cup applesauce instead)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large package instant pudding (any kind)
1/2 c. milk
optional: 1 c. raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips
I went for the chocolate pudding, and added chocolate chips and walnuts. I also used whole wheat flour (just at this last add: I didn't want to mess with the chemistry the other times in case there was less gluten in the wheat flour.)
You generously grease two loaf pans, combine 3 T. sugar and 1 T. of cinnamon, and dust the sides and bottom of the pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, and you are done!
The bread was great toasted in the morning with a little light butter. I froze the second loaf until I was ready for it, and it worked very well.
My second time around, I used butterscotch pudding, and butterscotch chips instead of the chocolate version. It didn't have a butterscotch flavor, just very sweet. This one was good with pumpkin butter.
That one was tasty, but I think I preferred the chocolate. Good luck with your bread, and if you start a starter, you can always give one to me! Next time I get one of these, I may make all eight loaves, freeze them, and just share THOSE with my friends ("Or eat them myself," said the Little Red Hen...)
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