Went to California for 8 days. It was lovely. I really wasn’t in California for an uber-culinary experience. I was there to relax and have a good time, which I did. For once, meals were secondary.
Nevertheless, there was some good food, good times and good memories. Over the next week or so I’ll be rolling out several short posts.
Here's the first.
Dodger Dog and Blinky Beer
The first thing I ate when in LA was a Dodger Dog and beer from a hard plastic pilsner that pulsated blue light. It was touristy, overpriced, and delicious.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Uses for Pesto, part 2
Update: Was on vacation in California. Food review of that trip forthcoming.
3. My garlic scape pesto is so concentrated with garlic flavoring that it's a great add-in when you need to, er, OK, I'll say it, kick it up a notch. Bonus: The scape pesto does not have a pronounced herby flavor like basil- or parsley-based pesto does.
I've used the pesto to enliven a bowl of canned tomato soup, to mix with sour cream for a chip dip, and as a topping for gaspacho.
4. Use it to make garlic bread.
5. Condiment for prime rib or other steak, instead of horseradish.
6. Add a little more olive oil, and use as green cocktail sauce.
It's good stuff. Next year, if you see those wierd curly-Q stalks at the farmer's market, dig out your food processor and give garlic scape pesto a try.
3. My garlic scape pesto is so concentrated with garlic flavoring that it's a great add-in when you need to, er, OK, I'll say it, kick it up a notch. Bonus: The scape pesto does not have a pronounced herby flavor like basil- or parsley-based pesto does.
I've used the pesto to enliven a bowl of canned tomato soup, to mix with sour cream for a chip dip, and as a topping for gaspacho.
4. Use it to make garlic bread.
5. Condiment for prime rib or other steak, instead of horseradish.
6. Add a little more olive oil, and use as green cocktail sauce.
It's good stuff. Next year, if you see those wierd curly-Q stalks at the farmer's market, dig out your food processor and give garlic scape pesto a try.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Uses for Pesto: Part 1
These aren't recipes. Too easy, too much room for experimentation.
1. Alfredo noodles done al dente, with a few tablespoons of pesto mixed in. No meat need apply.
2. Good quality crusty bread-French, Italian, or sub sandwich bread. Spread one side thickly with pesto, then top with good mozarella. The kind you slice yourself, that comes in globes, not bricks. Slice tomatoes thinly, place on other side. Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper. Bring two sides together. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Weight down sandwich for 10 minutes, or let it sit for an hour. Unwrap and eat.
1. Alfredo noodles done al dente, with a few tablespoons of pesto mixed in. No meat need apply.
2. Good quality crusty bread-French, Italian, or sub sandwich bread. Spread one side thickly with pesto, then top with good mozarella. The kind you slice yourself, that comes in globes, not bricks. Slice tomatoes thinly, place on other side. Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper. Bring two sides together. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Weight down sandwich for 10 minutes, or let it sit for an hour. Unwrap and eat.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Garlic Scape Pesto
The key to a really good pesto isn’t the freshness of the ingredients or the ratio of oil to nuts to cheese.
It’s a food processor.
Now, I’m sure that a large part of the reason that last night’s garlic scape pesto was so amazing was because the garlic scapes were locally and organically grown, the parmesan was real parmesan, and the olive oil was grown on a small family farm in Lebanon.
But the food processor was what allowed everything to come together quickly and homogeneously.
I tried to make pesto last year with my blender. Bad idea. The blades couldn’t stand up to the crunchy, chunky ingredients. And it made everything taste bitter. In fact, it was inedible, no matter how much parmesan I added into it at the end.
And as much as I like “slow” food, I wasn’t going to try the mortar and pestle.
If you’re going to make pesto, folks, a food processor is essential. Otherwise, don’t bother.
Now, onto the recipe.
Garlic Scape Pesto
A garlic scape is the shoot of a garlic plant which is cut off in early spring so that the garlic bulb will grow better. It’s kind of like a cross between a chive and a stalk of asparagus. It’s got a strong garlic flavor but is not as harsh as a clove of garlic. The scape season is pretty short, but they last pretty much forever if kept in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
A arge bunch of garlic scapes
about a cup of olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
two large handfuls of almonds
1/2 cup (at least) grated Parmesan cheese
Cut the ends of the garlic scapes. Make sure to remove the flowering end to avoid bitterness. Roughly chop scapes into 2 inch pieces or so.
Add scapes, almonds, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to food processor. Run processor until mixture is more or less uniform. While processor is running, drizzle in oil in a fine stream. Keep drizzling until the mixture starts to become more liquid and turns a lighter green in color. Stop the processor occasionally and check for thickness. Because the garlic scapes are tougher than, say, basil, this mixture will never be as smooth in texture as regular pesto. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Fold in grated Parmesan. Keeps about a week in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
If freezing, don't add the cheese. Put into freezer-safe container, and add a little bit of oil to seal the top. After thawing, add the cheese just before serving. (Cheese doesn't do well being frozen).
Expect some pesto recipes from me the rest of the week. I've got about 2 cups of pesto to use up, so we'll see what I can do.
It’s a food processor.
Now, I’m sure that a large part of the reason that last night’s garlic scape pesto was so amazing was because the garlic scapes were locally and organically grown, the parmesan was real parmesan, and the olive oil was grown on a small family farm in Lebanon.
But the food processor was what allowed everything to come together quickly and homogeneously.
I tried to make pesto last year with my blender. Bad idea. The blades couldn’t stand up to the crunchy, chunky ingredients. And it made everything taste bitter. In fact, it was inedible, no matter how much parmesan I added into it at the end.
And as much as I like “slow” food, I wasn’t going to try the mortar and pestle.
If you’re going to make pesto, folks, a food processor is essential. Otherwise, don’t bother.
Now, onto the recipe.
Garlic Scape Pesto
A garlic scape is the shoot of a garlic plant which is cut off in early spring so that the garlic bulb will grow better. It’s kind of like a cross between a chive and a stalk of asparagus. It’s got a strong garlic flavor but is not as harsh as a clove of garlic. The scape season is pretty short, but they last pretty much forever if kept in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
A arge bunch of garlic scapes
about a cup of olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
two large handfuls of almonds
1/2 cup (at least) grated Parmesan cheese
Cut the ends of the garlic scapes. Make sure to remove the flowering end to avoid bitterness. Roughly chop scapes into 2 inch pieces or so.
Add scapes, almonds, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to food processor. Run processor until mixture is more or less uniform. While processor is running, drizzle in oil in a fine stream. Keep drizzling until the mixture starts to become more liquid and turns a lighter green in color. Stop the processor occasionally and check for thickness. Because the garlic scapes are tougher than, say, basil, this mixture will never be as smooth in texture as regular pesto. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Fold in grated Parmesan. Keeps about a week in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
If freezing, don't add the cheese. Put into freezer-safe container, and add a little bit of oil to seal the top. After thawing, add the cheese just before serving. (Cheese doesn't do well being frozen).
Expect some pesto recipes from me the rest of the week. I've got about 2 cups of pesto to use up, so we'll see what I can do.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Recipe: Polish Wonton Soup
This started out as an improv recipe, but the results were so good that I've decided to write it up as a full recipe, and make it again. Thanks to The Mister for coming up with the recipe name.
Serves 4
1 pound pre-cooked Kielbasa polish sausage (refrigerator section)
4 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 mini pierogis, your favorite flavor
at least 2 cups of cabbage, or sturdy leafy green like kale, spinach, or collard greens
Splash of something alcoholic, like vodka (or the juice of one lemon)
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
sour cream and saurkraut for garnish (optional)
Heat chicken stock in fairly large pot. Meanwhile, dice Kielbasa into 1/2 to 1-inch cubes and roughly chop cabbage or greens. When stock reaches boil, add black pepper, kielbasa, vodka, and greens. Turn heat to low and simmer until greens are done, stirring occasionally. This may take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the green (Spinach cooks quickly, kale and cabbage take longer).
When greens are almost done, add mini pierogis to soup. Cook another 5 minutes. Add the sour cream (if using). Taste, and add a little more salt if needed.
Ladle into bowls. Try to get 2 mini pierogis in each bowl. Garnish with sour cream and saurkraut if desired.
If you can't get mini pierogis, use 4 regular sized pierogis. Cook them separately in water, then slice them in half before adding to the soup.
This isn't very Polish, or Chinese, but it's a filling, one-dish meal, and a great way to get your veggies. I made this in the heat of summer, but it's really more a winter recipe.
Serves 4
1 pound pre-cooked Kielbasa polish sausage (refrigerator section)
4 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 mini pierogis, your favorite flavor
at least 2 cups of cabbage, or sturdy leafy green like kale, spinach, or collard greens
Splash of something alcoholic, like vodka (or the juice of one lemon)
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
sour cream and saurkraut for garnish (optional)
Heat chicken stock in fairly large pot. Meanwhile, dice Kielbasa into 1/2 to 1-inch cubes and roughly chop cabbage or greens. When stock reaches boil, add black pepper, kielbasa, vodka, and greens. Turn heat to low and simmer until greens are done, stirring occasionally. This may take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the green (Spinach cooks quickly, kale and cabbage take longer).
When greens are almost done, add mini pierogis to soup. Cook another 5 minutes. Add the sour cream (if using). Taste, and add a little more salt if needed.
Ladle into bowls. Try to get 2 mini pierogis in each bowl. Garnish with sour cream and saurkraut if desired.
If you can't get mini pierogis, use 4 regular sized pierogis. Cook them separately in water, then slice them in half before adding to the soup.
This isn't very Polish, or Chinese, but it's a filling, one-dish meal, and a great way to get your veggies. I made this in the heat of summer, but it's really more a winter recipe.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Original Daiquiri Ice - clone recipe
My husband's favorite Baskin-Robbins item is the Daiquiri Ice. Unfortunately, in 2007, we learned that the recipe had changed. It is now LIME Daiquiri ice, and has a LOT more lime flavor, and is WAY too tart.
I searched high and low for a clone recipe, but there were none. So, I came up with one of my own. It’s a pretty good clone of the original recipe, and a light, refreshing dessert for a hot summer day.
BASKIN-ROBBINS DAIQUIRI ICE CLONE VERSION
(this is NOT Lime Daiquiri Ice)
The key to getting the right tartness level is the citric acid powder. Usually, 1 teaspoon does the trick, but may need to be adjusted up or down depending on how sweet (or sour) your limes are. Err on the side of tartness, but not so much so that it makes your mouth involuntarily pucker. Of course, if you prefer things sweeter, use less powder to taste.
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lime (fresh squeezed, a little pulp is fine)
1 tsp imitation rum extract
Between ½ and 1 ½ tsp citric acid powder (sold under the brand name FruitFresh. Or you can go to a health food store or online for generic food grade citric acid)
1 drop green food coloring
Heat sugar and water just until sugar melts. Remove from heat and add ½ teaspoon citric acid. Stir until dissolved. Let mixture cool a couple minutes, then add rum extract, lime juice and food coloring. Taste, and add more citric acid powder as needed, a quarter teaspoon at a time. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Churn in an ice cream machine for 25 minutes. Spoon ice into freezer-safe bowl, and move to the freezer for an hour before serving.
Note: The recipe only makes a little over 2 cups, so you may want to double the ingredients.
I posted this on an anonymous food forum about a year ago. So, if you come across this recipe somewhere else on the Internets, it’s mine. This is a completely original recipe developed by looking at the ingredient list of the original Daiquiri ice, and by referencing Shirley Corrhier's Cookwise for information on how to set up a basic sorbet recipe.
Consider this recipe Creative Commons. Feel free to repost and redistribute, but please link to my blog or credit me if you do.
I searched high and low for a clone recipe, but there were none. So, I came up with one of my own. It’s a pretty good clone of the original recipe, and a light, refreshing dessert for a hot summer day.
BASKIN-ROBBINS DAIQUIRI ICE CLONE VERSION
(this is NOT Lime Daiquiri Ice)
The key to getting the right tartness level is the citric acid powder. Usually, 1 teaspoon does the trick, but may need to be adjusted up or down depending on how sweet (or sour) your limes are. Err on the side of tartness, but not so much so that it makes your mouth involuntarily pucker. Of course, if you prefer things sweeter, use less powder to taste.
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lime (fresh squeezed, a little pulp is fine)
1 tsp imitation rum extract
Between ½ and 1 ½ tsp citric acid powder (sold under the brand name FruitFresh. Or you can go to a health food store or online for generic food grade citric acid)
1 drop green food coloring
Heat sugar and water just until sugar melts. Remove from heat and add ½ teaspoon citric acid. Stir until dissolved. Let mixture cool a couple minutes, then add rum extract, lime juice and food coloring. Taste, and add more citric acid powder as needed, a quarter teaspoon at a time. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Churn in an ice cream machine for 25 minutes. Spoon ice into freezer-safe bowl, and move to the freezer for an hour before serving.
Note: The recipe only makes a little over 2 cups, so you may want to double the ingredients.
I posted this on an anonymous food forum about a year ago. So, if you come across this recipe somewhere else on the Internets, it’s mine. This is a completely original recipe developed by looking at the ingredient list of the original Daiquiri ice, and by referencing Shirley Corrhier's Cookwise for information on how to set up a basic sorbet recipe.
Consider this recipe Creative Commons. Feel free to repost and redistribute, but please link to my blog or credit me if you do.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Chicken Agumba #2
For backstory on the Chicken Agumba meme, see my post, Chicken Agumba #1.
Made a great Chicken Agumba yesterday, in the Crock Pot(TM). Even though I was bleary-eyed and not fully awake, it came out great.
Best guess at the recipe follows.
Chicken Agumba #2
3 or 4 frozen chicken breasts
1/2 can of roasted garlic salsa
a few tablespoons of olive oil (nothing fancy since it was gonna cook all day)
1/2 can of water
1/2 to 1 cup dried white beans
1 large (and we're talking large)onion, medium-to-large dice
Salt to taste
Tossed beans in first, then the liquid, then topped with chicken. Cooked in the crockpot about 8-10 hrs. Had The Mister stir it a couple times during the day.
The dish had a sweet, savory, almost a baked bean-y flavor. It was delicious. I'd add more liquid next time--probably a full can of salsa and a salsa can's worth of water. Maybe part or all of a beer if I had one lying around.
Made a great Chicken Agumba yesterday, in the Crock Pot(TM). Even though I was bleary-eyed and not fully awake, it came out great.
Best guess at the recipe follows.
Chicken Agumba #2
3 or 4 frozen chicken breasts
1/2 can of roasted garlic salsa
a few tablespoons of olive oil (nothing fancy since it was gonna cook all day)
1/2 can of water
1/2 to 1 cup dried white beans
1 large (and we're talking large)onion, medium-to-large dice
Salt to taste
Tossed beans in first, then the liquid, then topped with chicken. Cooked in the crockpot about 8-10 hrs. Had The Mister stir it a couple times during the day.
The dish had a sweet, savory, almost a baked bean-y flavor. It was delicious. I'd add more liquid next time--probably a full can of salsa and a salsa can's worth of water. Maybe part or all of a beer if I had one lying around.
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