Rants and Raves

I just needed to let both of you know a few highs and lows in the culinary world of Texas.

First the rant... Sadly the Dublin Dr Pepper Plant was bought by Dr Pepper Snapple group a couple of weeks ago. I'll admit that I probably only had the sugary goodness a couple of times a year but there was something wonderfully special about the glass bottle, pure cane sugar, small batch production with the "original recipe" and it made me feel good to know that all the world is not a loss.... *sigh*

Dublin had no way to win against the corporate giant and gave in to their demands. Dr Pepper says they will continue to make pure sugar soda but I do not understand why they pursued this lawsuit so strongly. I love my DP, high fructose corn syrup and all, but I'm temporarily boycotting them.

Then the rave... Whataburger has spicy ketchup!!! I don't know if they even have whataburger in Colorado but it's my fav fast food burger (hello patty melt) and more importantly they have those dip cups of ketchup. Their ketchup is made in San Antonio proprietary for them and it's different from anyone elses, not too sweet, thick, tomatoey and tangy. I usually take a couple extra for the house. And now they upped the anty by making a jalapeno variety. They are keeping a close lock on it too, when I asked for some she handed me one. WTH. One. Really. I was like hey lady can I have three more I have two large fries here.

Dinner...

Last night I made chicken fried steak. Hand breaded, fried in the cast iron with some cream gravy - I felt like Paula Dean... but I really wanted to remind you about Spicy Braised Cabbage. Forgive me if we have already blogged about this.

4 strips of bacon - diced small
1 yellow onion diced
1/2 head cabbage    - chopped
1 Tb garlic
1 Tb red pepper flakes - more or less depending on how spicy you like it
1 small can tomato sauce
1 c. chicken stock

Render bacon until almost crisp, add onions and cook until soft, add red pepper flakes, garlic, and cabbage - I usually have a too small pot and too much cabbage so I cram it all in and make a mini mountain in the pot. Now I can't stir anything so I find a hole to pour in the chicken stock and carefully pour over the tomato sauce and a big pinch of salt. Perch the lid on top and allow to steam on medium heat. Once the cabbage has started to soften and break down I stir it up and allow to simmer in the tomato broth for 20 minutes or until tender.

Birthday Cake

There are two things in the World of Entertaining that I CAN NOT DO! One, wrap a gift. For example, this year I didn't have the correct tools so I used two types of paper and green painters tape to wrap Michael's gift. Second, frost a cake (this also falls under Pie Crust). I do have the tools a long slim spatula, wax paper to place underneath and remove after frosting to reveal a clean plate underneath, cake pans of all different sizes and shapes but still my 6 year old niece could do a better job. Today was no different. It's my birthday at the end of this week and I have been craving Pistachio Cake. I first had this for my birthday many years ago in Newport and have been seeking it out ever since. Now that was a professionally made 3 layer, butter cream frosting, made from scratch Pistachio Cake and believe me I cannot compete. But there are many recipes out there on the old Internet so I attempted one last week and one today. Last week the recipe called for a little Soda Water or Sprite. Today's did not. I liked today's cake better (Jello Pudding Recipe) it is fluffier but nothing like the little slice of Nut Heaven I had in RI. I must try this recipe again but "from scratch" with real ingredients and with my sister's by my side to Frost.

What's For Dinner Sister? 

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Green Beans (Real Simple)

6 tbls olive oil

2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced, 1 juiced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

3/4 lb trimmed green beans

8 small red potatoes, quartered

4 chicken breast (bone in, skin on)

Preheat Oven 450. Coat a large baking dish or cast-iron skillet with 1 tbls olive oil. Arrange the lm slices single layer on bottom. In a large bowl combine the remaining oil, lemon juice, garlic, S&P: add the green beans and toss to coat. Remove with slotted spoon or tongs and place on top of lm slices. Then toss the potatoes in olive oil mixture and remove those and place along the edges of the dish. Lastly, Place the chicken in the remaining mixture and/or pour over the chicken. Place in center of dish skin side up. Roast for 50 min. Remove the chicken and put the beans and potatoes back in oven for 10 more or until tender.

Meatless Mondays

OK, so I know it's Wednesday, but I have to post something or I may lose my sister card!  I made the executive decision that I wanted to go with a meatless Monday.  It's not that we eat a ton of meat, but I thought it might be a little healthier and maybe cost effective.  I am thankful that Rudy is OK with a meal without meat.  So 2 weeks ago I made a Tuscan Bean soup by Pioneer Woman.  She served hers with shrimp which I think would be yummy, but since Rudy doesn't eat shrimp we had it without.  I was actually a bit nervous about this meal because we all know that I have 3 picky eaters!!!  But they really liked the soup.  What they didn't care for but I really loved were the goat cheese biscuits I made to go with it.  They thought that the goat cheese made it too sour, but I loved the tang.

This week I made a tofu fried rice.  Everyone ate it, but Rudy thought it had a bit too much ginger.  I do appreciate the feedback and I am trying to consider it when trying to figure out what's for dinner .

Tuscan Bean Soup (adapted from  Pioneer Woman)

3 cloves garlic minced
1 medium onion diced
3 cans great northern beans rinsed and drained
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 c. tomato paste
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes (I used Italian style)
6 cups chicken stock
1 bag baby spinach

Basically saute onions until soft, add garlic and saute for 2 minutes more.  Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes then add red pepper flakes, add chicken stock, beans, and canned tomatoes and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Before serving add 1 bag baby spinach and let wilt into the soup (the recipe called for kale, but baby steps...)

Shave parm over the top when serving.

SO good in leftovers the next day.

Goat Cheese Biscuits (Art Smith)

I have seen this recipe a couple of different ways with AP flour and SR flour.

2c self rising flour
1t salt
4T cold butter
2oz, goat cheese
1c. buttermilk
1/4 c. parmesan cheese

Cut the goat cheese and butter into the flour and salt.  Add buttermilk and mix until combined.

Place in cast iron pan and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes when they come out of the oven sprinkle with the grated parmesan.

Tofu Fried Rice ( cooking light)

2 cups cooked brown rice cooled
14 oz package of firm tofu drained
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup green onions in 1/2 inch slices
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
2 cloves garlic minced
1 t minced ginger
1 T rice vinegar
3 T soy sauce
1/2 t sesame oil

Combine garlic, ginger, vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowel and set aside.

Cube tofu and drain with paper towel saute in pan with 1 T vegetable oil and remove when browned, cook egg in pan until done breaking eggs into small pieces - remove from pan.

Add 1 T veg oil to pan and saute onions, peas and carrots for 2 minutes

add rice to pan and cook for 2 minutes.  Add tofu, eggs and sauce to pan and stir to combine.

Pretzel Bites and Crack Bread

So I saw Alton brown make Pretzels and I was inspired to recreate. They are pretty simple with normal dough-like behavior and they came out with a soft interior but still chewy and salty. I opted for little pretzel nuggets and as I was rolling them out I  started thinking that I had some pepperoni and mozzarella cheese in the refrigerator and so I stuffed a few of them before boiling. I wish I would have stuffed all of them!! Yum.

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 Tb sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg yeast

Combine in mixer and allow to sit for 5 min
Add 4 c. flour and 2 Tb melted butter -may need more or less flour depending on the day

Allow dough to kneed for about 5 min.
Let dough rise about 1 hour or until double

I divided the dough into four parts and then rolled into long snakes, cut into small chunks, and let them rest on the counter for 10 minutes before I rolled them like dinner rolls about the size of a ping pong ball

Ok here's the magic part
Bring a large pot of water to a boil -I think Alton says 10 cups but I didn't measure.
Add 2/3 c. baking soda

Boil each pretzel for 30-45 seconds
Place on a sheet pan, brush with eggwash, and sprinkle with kosher salt
Bake in 375 oven until golden

I served them with spicy mustard and Poblano White Queso
Combine 1 # white american
1/2 c. milk
1/2 white onion diced fine
1 poblano pepper diced fine
1 bunch cilantro
Combine everything except cilantro and micro or crock pot until melted.
Add cilantro
(sometimes if Jon is grilling i will have him char the pepper and onion for more flavor)
Soooo much better than velveeta and rotel...

Ok, now onto Crack Bread - this is a pinterest find awhile back if you look at a picture you will get a visual for the grid... Sorry it was eaten too fast here at work for pics from me.

It's kind of like a crouton meets a potato skin...ish...

Take a bread boule (parbaked if possible) slice it into a grid about 1x1 but don't slice all the way through leave bottom intact

Then melt 6 Tb butter and combine with 2 Tb dry ranch seasoning

In between each bread "cube"  place your favorite cheese, I used shredded cheddar jack but I think blue cheese would be crazy good. Do the same with some chopped cooked bacon and scallions. Then pour the melted butter over the whole thing and bake for 15-20 min. Top will brown and cheese will melt. Then you can just pull apart the pieces and they are covered with cheese and bacon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm celebrating Today as My New Year's Day! I got a good annual checkup at the Doctor, hit the gym, did some last minute winter gardening, wrote Christmas thank you notes, and did a lil "cooking". So here's to 2012, I know It's gonna be a good one. It's still the Lunar New Year and citrus is usually given as gifts and eaten for luck this time of year - so I incorporated citrus into my meal. A Blood Orange Vodka Cocktail, a Super Salad with Tangerines, and a Meyer Lemon Tart for Dessert. I figured if I tripled it then some Luck had to stick! Found this website yesterday www.yummymummykitchen.com. She takes beautiful pictures of food and I found many recipes I'd like to try. But Today, I hit Whole Foods and stocked up on the Good for you Stuff. Broccoli, Fennel, Avocado, Pomegranate Seeds, Tangerines, and Walnuts make up this Salad.

 Detox Superfoods Salad

Lazy Lemon Tart

Cut 1 large Meyer Lemon into 8 pieces and place (skins too!) in a blender with 1 1/2 c superfine sugar, 1 stick room temp butter, 1 tsp vanilla and 4 eggs, and blend well. Pour into store-bought (Steph you can make your own) tart shell and Bake at 350 for 40 min or until set. I did 30 min and it got a lil brown on top so covered and then did 10 more.

 This Is Sooo Good and Simple. We had two slices each. Definitely adding to my repertoire.

Tortilla Espanola

I have a good friend Sarah who spent a year in Spain.  When I first met her she didn't do much in the kitchen.  Over the last 12 years of friendship I have seen her become this amazing cook.  I think her family rarely eats out.  A couple of years ago she showed me how to make a Spanish potato and egg omelet/frittata.  I tried it, failed and didn't attempt again until last night.  We had a busy weekend with cousins and I didn't want to eat out or go to the grocery store so I took a look in our pantry.  Several potatoes, a questionable onion and 5 eggs later we had dinner.  I made a big mixed green salad to go with it.  Rudy liked it, the girls were not as impressed.  But come on!  Eggs, potatoes, onions what's not to love?!?!

Tortilla Espanola
5 russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/8" slices
1 onion sliced
6 eggs  beaten

So you put your potatoes and onions in a bowl and salt, then fry them in a little olive oil until soft.  You really aren't looking to brown them. Remove potatoes and onions from heat and mix with your 6 eggs.

Add a little more olive oil to the pan and put the whole mixture in.  I turned up the heat a little because I read somewhere that the eggs won't stick if you start on high heat and then turn it down (Steph?)  I cooked for about 6 minutes then the moment of truth, you take a plate, put it over the pan,  and then flip the tortilla over and return it to the pan to cook for a couple more minutes.  Sarah says that you can eat it hot or more commonly at room temp.  We had a couple pf pieces left so I enjoyed it for breakfast with coffee.

On Saturday night I made dinner with my friend Jess.  We were looking for something healthy and fairly cheap.  We landed on Italian Wedding soup and it was really good!

Italian Wedding Soup
1 onion chopped
3 carrots diced
4 cloves of garlic minced
1 Parmesan rind + 3 T grated parm
3 1/2 c chicken stock
3 1/2 c water
1 lb ground pork
2t  fresh sage
2t Worcestershire sauce
4 c. Spinach
salt and pepper

In a large pot saute onion and carrots, after soft add garlic and saute for 2 minutes more.  Add chicken stock, water, parmesan rind, 1t worchestershire sauce, let simmer for 10 minutes until carrots are tender.

Make meatballs:
combine pork, 1t sage, 3 T parmesan, 1t wochestershire sauce, 1clove minced garlic,  salt and pepper make into 1" meatballs

Turn heat on soup to medium high and bring to boil, add meatballs and cook until they float (about 5 min)  Add spinach and cook until wilted.

Serve with a grating of more fresh parm and a piece of crusty bread

SO yummy!

Nenad's Dodad's

This Post is a tribute to Grandma "Nenad". I have very fond memories of my Grandma Ruby and Enid's house and spent a large amount of time either under their feet in the kitchen or begging to help garnish the relish platter. I've finally got a list going of my favorites and added a new favorite, Snowballs, which I have never had before but my mom and uncle remember them fondly...and for good reason they are delicious and festive. Please Enjoy!

JEZEBEL SAUCE
18 oz Pineapple Preserves
18 oz Apple Jelly
1 small jar horseradish (5 oz jar)
2 oz tin of dry mustard like Colmans

Combine all ingredients and mix well. After it sets awhile, taste, then you can add more horseradish if desired (I Desire).

Spread cream cheese on a Ritz (has to be Ritz) then top with a spoonful of Jezebel Sauce. You can also eat with Ham or simply plain like my father-in-law.

The next "Dodad" is Soda Pop Pears (I have not made these but might try this weekend)

SODA POP PEARS
6 Pears
1 liter (4 cups) cola-flavored carbonated beverage...can you tell from the language this is "retro"
1/3 c whipping cream
2 (8 oz) pkg reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/3 c sour cream
1/4 c whipping cream
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Garnish Fresh Mint

Peel Pears, leaving stems intact; cut a thin slice from rounded end of each par so pears can be served standing upright. Place pears and cola in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 30 Min or until pears are tender. Cool pears and cola in pan. Remove pears; set aside. Bring cola to a boil, and cook over med-high heat until cola is reduced to 1 cup. Add 1/3 cup whipping cream, and boil 1 min. Beat cream cheese in a med bowl at med speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; add source cream. 1/4 cup whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla, beating well. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly in center of 6 plates; stand 1 pear on mixture, and top with cola sauce

BROCCOLI PUFF
1/2 of a 10 oz pkg frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
4 tsp fine dry bread crumbs
1 c cream-style cottage cheese
3 eggs
1 1/2 c shredded swiss or cheddar (6 oz)
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c butter, melted
1/4 tsp onion salt
1/8 tsp finely shredded lemon peel

Oven 350. Cook broccoli in boiling water for 4 to 5 min or til crisp-tender; drain well. Grease a 1 qt souffle dish or casserole; sprinkle with bread crumbs. Set aside. In a bowl combine cottage cheese and eggs. Add shredded cheese, flour, butter, salt, and lm peel. Beat with an mixer, or in a food processor until smooth. Stir in Broccoli. Transfer mixture to the prepared dish. Bake in a 350 oven about 1 hour or til a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

It says serves 6, but Eli and I could eat the entire dish I Swear!

SNOW BALLS
2 eggs, beaten                                                              1 box Vanilla Wafers
1 stick butter, softened          
1 c sugar                                                                      1 sm carton Cool Whip
1 Tbsp flour                                                                 Shredded Coconut
1 sm can (8oz) crushed pineapple drained

Cook over med heat, stirring constantly until thickened (opt. stir in 3/4 c pecan pieces)

To Assemble: layer wafer, mixture, wafer, mixture, wafer

Refrigerate until mixture is firm then Coat with Cool Whip & Shredded Coconut


PINK SALAD
8 oz Cool Whip
8 oz Cottage Cheese
8 oz (dranined) crushed pineapple
sm box *strawberry jello (*or any flavor you want)

I really like this version because of the smooth texture. I would also add finely diced maraschino cherries just because I love them.