With John Howland sharing his favorites recipes in the Malamute Saloon, I decided I needed to do the same. That British twit will not outdo me, not as long as I can hold a glass of red! If you do not like cooking, or eating & drinking, that's fine. No need to read further. If by chance you do...share with John and me your thoughts, your recipes, and your best gourmet experiences. Would also be nice if you'd share with us the name (and a sample bottle) of your favorite wine....if you don't mind.
I am not sure when I really started to enjoy preparing meals, but I suspect it was the result of my travels to Europe that pushed me over the edge. My thoughts on food prior to that were minimal, and meals were just something we all "had to partake of".
|
|
A mealtime in Europe is special, no matter if it's lunch or dinner. In France for instance everything closes down from noon to two for the mid-day meal, and it is not something to take lightly. I have heard of workmen installing a new roof in the rain, and when the noontime came, they were gone, rain or not. Likewise if you are traveling in the country you might as well stop and eat, because everything else is closed.
Big Macs in Europe are hard to find, and rushing through any meal is sacrilegious. Dinner, likewise starts somewhere around seven in the evening, and it too is a very important part of the day, with families sharing their day with each other. Long ago Fay and I adopted these practices, and we are saddened that here in the states mealtime is a hurry up affair, with "American Idol" the focal point of a family evening. We have yet to see one episode of this show, and don't plan to.
To me a big part of enjoying any meal is the actual preparation. Yeah, I can hear you all now saying "bulls**t"... Well, I am not sure how to explain it to you, but it starts with a plan and a recipe. Find one that sounds good to you, and look it over. If it is something you can cope with, something that is easy to understand and prepare, go for it! Get the ingredients, but be sure you buy some wine or beer to both accompany the meal, and to make the preparation go smoothly. If you are a grill fanatic, find something other than steaks or hamburgers, and give it a go.
Let me get the ball rolling with a very basic recipe I use for meatballs. Yes, plain ole meatballs. I was going to introduce you to a Lamb Shanks wth beans recipe, but will save that for next time in that it takes two hours. This recipe is easy, and takes about fifteen minutes of preparation and about 40 minutes of oven time. That allows for at least two or three glasses of red.
|
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Mix all the ingredients and mix well using both hands (unless you've just come back from detecting). Then shape into golf ball size pieces and place in a frying pan. Cover each meatball with spaghetti sauce, and pour one glass of red wine over the top. Bake for about 45 minutes, until cooked through. Finish with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve with Spaghetti.
How's that for easy? Granted it doesn't allow for two many beers or glasses of red, but those recipes are coming up soon
|
This is another very easy recipe, and utilizes very few ingredients. I had this first in Collioure, a coastal town in the southwest of France. It was a damp, cool day in October, and we had just arrived after a long drive. It was just after noon, and in France that translates into EAT! We found a parking place, and entered the first little bistro we saw. Nothing fancy with regards to atmosphere, but it didn't matter, because the meal we had was one of the simplest and one of the best we've ever had in this country.
The following recipe is merely "my take" on the sauteed calamari I had that day.....
Ingredients
Thaw out the calamari, if frozen, by submersing the sealed package in cool water. It will usually thaw in about 20 to 30 minutes.
After thawing rinse the calamari, tubes and tenticles, in cold water. Place on paper towels and pat dry. Once dry cut the tubes into rings about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. Cut off any stringy pieces attached to the tenticles.
Place the butter, olive oil and garlic in medium frying pan, turn the heat to medium. After a minute or two toss in the calamari and a little of the chopped parsley, half of the lemon juice, and saute for about two minutes. Do not overcook (squid becomes chewy if you cook too long). Repeat the process with the remaining squid.
Serve with a aoli sauce (easy version follows) few wedges of lemon, slices of crusty French bread, and a glass of your favorite wine.
Poor Man's Aoli SauceDirections
|
This recipe comes from my wife, and it's one we've enjoyed over and over. It's also inexpensive to prepare. You can serve it as an appetizer, or on the side with bowl of soup or simple pasta dish. You can decide on the quantities based on how many you will be serving.
Put tomatoes, capers, olives, chopped parsley and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add a splash of red wine vinegar. Toss together and let sit for about 30 minutes.
Place pieces of cheese on top of grilled bread. Put in a hot oven (about 400 degrees) or under the broiler until the cheese melts. Top with the tomato mixture. Be sure to use the juices that have mixed with the oil in the bottom of the bowl. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and top with coarsely ground black pepper.
Garnish with parley sprigs and serve.
Bon Appétit!
|
Got an email today from another old friend in the UK, John Castle, with an attached recipe for the Poor Gourmand link. I've known John now for some time, and he is a treasure hunter's treasure hunter. John was a longtime associate with Joan Allen Ltd, in London, and is the author of "Hunting for Treasure", first published in the UK, 1996. If you travel to England, looking for information on where to search, what you can find and much more, be sure to track down a copy of this book. From one who has hunted there, it will be well worth the investment.
John reminded me that he is not the "primary" cook at home, but the primary beverage tester. His wife Maureen does the honors at the stove. Ha, well nothing earth shattering here.
Directions
Cut the rabbit into pieces, and stew for about 90 minutes. Take the meat off the bones. In a pan fry the onions in a bit of oil for about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the carrots and the rabbit. Fry for a further 10 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the evaporated mile, drained sweetcorn, salt and pepper to taste, herbs, and the crumbled stock cube.
Cook until the liquid thickens. Leave to cool. Put everything into a pie dish, and cover with a pastry lid. Bake for about 30 minutes at 180 or 190 degrees C (350 F), until golden brown.
You can use chicken or turkey in place of the rabbit if you desire
|
|
This is a favorite of mine and comfort food at it's best! It makes a lot, and can be prepared ahead and reheated in the oven for a crowd. Prepare a salad, some garlic bread, pour a little Chianti and you have a great meal.
Directions
In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat, and add the meat (break up with a fork) and cook until no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Remove the sausage and discard all but 1 Tbsp. of fat. Reduce the heat to low and add the onion and garlic. Stir occasionally until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the wine and cook until it almost evaporates (about 5 minutes). Stir in the sausage, tomatoes, and salt. Simmer covered for 10 minutes. Add the pepper, parsley, and cream.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to directions on box. Toss with the sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese!
|
If you love potatoes (and who doesn't?) give this recipe a try. It's quick and easy, and the horseradish adds a new dimension to this side.
Cut potatoes into quarters. Cover with water and boil until tender (about twenty minutes). While potatoes are boiling, saute the chopped onion in vegetable oil over medium heat, until onions begin to brown. Add the garlic and continue to saute until onion pieces are well browned.
Drain water off cooked potatoes. Add the browned onions and garlic, and all remaining ingredients. Mash by hand with a potato masher, until all the ingredients are well combined, and potatoes are mashed, but still chunky.
Taste for seasoning.... add more horseradish and/or sour cream if desired. Serve hot.
|
|
This recipe first appeared in the Dallas Morning News (Jim Romanoff/Associated Press), and it's become one of our favorites. It's easy to prepare and has an intense tomato flavor.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Place the tomatoes cut side up and drizzle with 1 Tbsp of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 1 hour, or until the tomatoes are shriveled and beginning to brown on the bottom.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the remaining oil (we use 2 tbsp.), parsley, thyme and garlic. Remove the tomatoes from the oven, and place a small dollop of the herb mixture on each tomato half, and use the back of a spoon to gently spread on the tomatoes. Return to the oven for about 15 more minutes, or until the herbs are just beginning to brown. Makes 24 tomato halves.
Toast baguette slices, spread with goat cheese and top with a tomato half.
Add to sandwiches or panninis
Use as a pizza topping
Coarsely chop and toss with pasta, some additional olive oil, and parmesan cheese
Toss with a green salad
Add to scrambled eggs or omelet
Chop and use to garnish grilled chicken or fish
|
Whenever we visit our friends Michel and Joelle Toque in France we always anticipate the " fruits de mer" (Fruits of the sea)....a dish famous on the Brittany coast. Why do I mention it? Because I would encourage you to visit this country where food and family are the preferred status.
|
Got a recipe today from my good friend Dee Sperling, who lives in the greater northwest, and who is the newsletter editor for the Hood Canal Detectorists Club, The Olympic Peninsula Treasure Hunters Club and the Metal Detecting Association of Washington. Actually it's her husband Rick's recipe, and Fay and I have it scheduled for Thursday of this week. Have a feeling it's going to be good just by looking at the ingredients, and the best part? It's heart healthy.
|
Options? 5 drops of Tabasco (or more to taste), and for a heartier soup try adding some barley, but be sure to add the carbohydrate count if you are diabetic.
In a large saucepan add oil, and saute the onions, carrots and celery for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and then stir in the broth and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and Tabasco. Cover and simmer 10 more minutes. Ladle into bowl and enjoy!
This recipe can be doubled and tripled for group potlucks. It also holds well in a crockpot.
|
You will need.....
Then what?
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Heat oil in skillet over high heat. Add the scallions and saute until just wilted. Add the Spam and salsa and blend. Remove from the heat.
In a separate bowl, combine the olives, cheese and sour cream.
Lightly grease the bottom of a pie plate or baking dish. Place one tortlla in the center of the plate and top with a layer of the Spam/Salsa mixture. Place another tortilla on top and spread it with a layer of cheese and olive mixture. Repeat the layering until cake is complete, ending with a layer of the cheese and olive mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow it to stand for a few minutes. Cut into wedges and serve. Goes great with an iced cold beer.
Did the dumbest thing the other day.....weather was hot, with temps in the 105 range, and I decided I felt like some hearty stew. So....I made it. My favorite stew recipe uses Barley, and suspect that's because it's similar to pasta. In any case here it is....
|
Ingredients
Instructions:
1. Dredge the beef in flour, shake off excess, and brown with onion in oil.
2. Put into a deep pan along with the broth, barley, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, pepper and carrots.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until carrots and barley are tender.
4. Add parsley before serving.
Accompany with a good French bread, and either beer or a red wine from the south of France (Languedoc region preferably)
|
Ingredients
Instructions:
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour and shake off excess.
In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. When the butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to a plate.
Melt two more tablespoons of butter and another 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and repeat the above process with the next two pieces of chicken. Remove pan from the heat and add chicken to the plate.
Into the pan add the lemon juice, chicken stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients
Preparation:
In large frying pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat.
Put the pan over moderate heat. Add the onions, the thyme, the red-pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are brown (about 10 minutes). Remove from the heat.
In large pot of boiling water, cook the linguine until just done, about 9 or 10 minutes. Reserve one cup of the pasta water. Drain the linguine, and toss with the bacon, onions, 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water, the Parmesan, parsley, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of salt and the pepper. If sauce is too thick add little more pasta water. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.
Goes great with Beer, or wine...enjoy!
PS: Always use a decent Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself (forget the sawdust in the jar). Likewise, use Italian parsley, not the curly.....
|
Ingredients
Preparation....
1.Cook tortellini according to package directions
2.Melt butter in skillet and cook garlic for 1 minute.
Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer...
5. Add nutmeg and simmer until cream is thickened and reduced by half.
6. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan and peas..
7. Stir in reserved cooking liquid and tortellin and toss to coast.
8.Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve and enjoy.......
|
Indredients
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add the onions, carrot, celery, mushrooms, barley, thyme, salt and pepper and sauté, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms begin to brown... about 10 minutes.
Scrape the mixture into a shallow 2 1/2 quart baking dish, and add the boiling vegetable stock.
Cover tightly and bake 60-75 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. (Be careful of the steam when removing the cover.)
The barley should have a slightly crunchy texture when done.
If it is too hard after all the stock has been absorbed, add some boiling stock or water and cook 10 to 15 minutes more. Just before the casserole is done cooking, sauté or grill several pork chops.
|
Bring water, salt and bag of Zatarain's seasoning to a boil. (Do not take seasoning mixture out of bag). Add potatoes and reduce heat and cook until potatoes are nearly done. (Check by piercing with the tip of a knife). This will take about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
Add corn and simmer 5 minutes. Add sausage and then shrimp and simmer for another 5 minutes... and your meal is done!
Everyone peels their own shrimp to dunk in the melted butter.....
Be sure you have plenty of napkins!
|
Place breasts in the center of a plastic food storage bag or 2 large sheets of waxed paper. Pound out the chicken from the center of the bag outward using a heavy-bottomed skillet or mallet. Be firm but controlled with your strokes.
Defrost spinach in the microwave. Transfer spinach to a kitchen towel. Twist towel around spinach and wring it out until very dry. Transfer to a medium-mixing bowl.
Place a nonstick skillet over moderate heat. When skillet is hot, add butter, mushrooms, garlic and shallot. Season with salt and pepper and saute 5 minutes. Transfer mushrooms, garlic and shallot to the food processor. Pulse to grind the mushrooms and transfer to the mixing bowl, adding the processed mushrooms to the spinach. Add ricotta and grated cheese to the bowl and the nutmeg. Stir to combine the stuffing. Return your skillet to the stove over medium high heat
Place a mound of stuffing on each breast and wrap and roll breast over the stuffing. Secure breasts with toothpicks. Add 3 tablespoons oil to the pan. Add breasts to the pan and brown on all sides, cooking chicken 10 to 12 minutes. The meat will cook quickly because it is thin. Remove breasts; add butter to the pan and flour. Cook butter and flour for a minute, whisk in wine and reduce another minute. Whisk in broth and return breasts to the pan. Reduce heat and simmer until ready to serve. Remove toothpicks. Serve breasts whole or, remove from pan, slice on an angle and fan out on dinner plates. Top stuffed chicken breasts or sliced stuffed breasts with generous spoonfuls of the sauce.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until tender, but still firm to the bite, stirring occassionally, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the oil, Parmesan, and lemon juice in a large bowl to blend.
Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss with the lemon sauce, and the reserved cooking liquid, adding a 1/4 cup at a time as needed to moisten. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with lemon zest and parsley....
I made this recipe the other night, and really enjoyed it. Found it in "The Meatball Cookbook Bible", by Ellen Brown and published by Cider Mill Press. It's a great appetizer, and goes great with a cold beer and ballgame on the TV. It's also very easy to make.
Preheat the oven to 450. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil, and spray the foil with vegetable spray.
Heat oil in small skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently for 3 minutes, or until onion is translucent. While these cook whisk egg and milk in a mixing bowl, and add breadcrumbs, cheese, cilantro, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Mix well....
Add the vegetable mixture, beef and chorizo to the mixing bowl, season to taste with salt and cayenne, and mix well again. Make mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs, and arrange on the prepared pan. Spray tops of meatballs with vegetable oil spray.
Bake meatballs for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the pan from the oven, and serve immediately, accompanied by a bowl of Creamy Chipotle Sauce for dipping.Combine mayonaise, sour cream, lime juice, scallions, garlic, chiles, and adobo sauce in a mixing bowl. Whisk well and season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to use....
|
Don't ask me what prompted me to make this the other night given the extreme heat we have now. Just sounded like my kind of thing....turned out pretty decent.
Heat overn to 400 degrees F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large overnproof skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the sausage and cook, turning, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to plate.
Add the carrots and garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the chard and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the beans, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Nestle the sausages in the beans.
In a bowl combine the bread crumbs and the remaining teaspoon of oil. Sprinkle over the sausage mixture. Transfer the skillet to the oven; bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Goes great with a hearty Chianti or cold beer....
Heres a very easy dinner... and the kids can join in making their own pizzas... or should I say "pitas".
In Fay's photo, the pita on the left is ready to go in the oven, and the one on the right is done baking. There is no specific recipe. Use what you have on hand or what you like on your pizzas. You could even add bits of leftover zucchini, black beans, butternut squash, etc.
Or you could use blue cheese, feta, or whatever kind of cheese you like.... we have made so many variations it's hard to remember. Be inventive!
|
Start with whole wheat pitas, split in half and place each half (rough side up) on a baking sheet.Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE, sauteed until cooked through and browned
GREEN PEPPERS, diced
MUSHROOMS, sliced and sauteed in a little olive oil
SCALLIONS, thinly sliced
ROMA TOMATOES, seeded and diced
BLACK OLIVES, quartered
MOZZARELLA CHEESE, grated (or you can use the mozzarella pearls... small rounds of mozzarella)
PARMESAN CHEESE, grated
GARLIC POWDER, ITALIAN SEASONING, OLIVE OIL....
Put all the ingredients in little bowls and let everyone help themselves as they make their own pitas. Layer the ingredients on the pita slices and top with mozzarella cheese and some Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Drizzle olive oil liberally over the pitas.
Bake for about 10 minutes... check frequently. They are done when the pita is crispy and the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired. Cool a few minutes. Slice into quarters and serve.
|
Made this last night, and it's darn good....great for chilly night. You can thank Emeril Lagasse for this one (Food Network).
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, sausage and Essence, and cook, stirring, until the meat is no longer pink. 6 to 8 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers, and chiles, and cook, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and salt, and cook for 1 minute. Add the beer and tomatoes, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent the chili from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add the pinto beans during the last ten minutes.
To serve ladle into large bowls, and sprinkle each serving with 1/4 cup of cheese. Serve tortilla chips on the side, and why not one more bottle of lager!
If Emeril's Essence in not available at your local grocer, this is the recipe.....
Combine all ingredients thoroughly......
|
Call me Mr. Pasta! Could eat it three times a day, 24/7. Decided to give this Emeril recipe a shot last night, and it was terrific. Please do use fresh shrimp. Makes all the difference in the world.
Toss the shrimp in a bowl with the Essence....
Place the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large 14 inch skillet over high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan, spreading them evenly in one layer. Cook for 2 minutes then turn them over and do the same. Removed the shrimp and keep warm. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds.
Add the wine, lemon juice, lemon zest and remaining 2 tablespoons of the butter and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and add to the pan, along with pasta, crushed red pepper flakes and green onions, tossing to coat well. Remove from the heat, add the parsley and toss to combine. Serve hot.....
If Emeril's Essence in not available at your local grocer, this is the recipe.....
Combine all ingredients thoroughly......
Sample the wine to check the quality. Take a large bowl, check the wine again to be sure it's of the highest quality. Pour level cup and drink. Repeat. Next turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the wine is still OK. Try another cup...just in case. Turn off the mixerer thing. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl, then chuck in a cup of dried fruit.
Pick the frigging fruit up off the floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried fruit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a screwdriver. Sample the wine to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt, or something... Check the wine. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Then add a teaspoon of sugar, or something. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the wine and wipe counter with cat. Go to Tesco and buy cake....!
Fay made this soup today, and it's fantastic. Takes a few ingedients but is well worth the effort......
Heat a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat until hot, about 30 seconds. Add the shallots and lemongrass and stir-fry for about 15 seconds...
Add the tomato, mushrooms, and sugar and stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
Add the shrimp, fish sauce, lime juice, and noodles and simmer for about 2 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and the noodles are tender. Using tongs, remove and discard the lemongrass. Add the bean sprouts and crushed red pepper, bring to a boil, and cook for about 1 minute, or until heated through.
Ladle into soup bowls, sprinkle with the scallions, and serve. Makes 6 servings.....
|