Author Archives: TempInnKeeper

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About TempInnKeeper

Margot loves people and is very energetic and organized. She is also a quick study. Her background includes having renovated, owned and operated an 1887 Victorian bed and breakfast in Paso Robles, CA for 5 years. Her guests loved her and she loved her guests. What a perfect combination. Margot’s marketing skills and love of people also was used in her career as a Realtor and in participating in many charitable non-profit organizations. Margot loves to cook and to offer concierge services to people. She was born in Geneva, Switzerland.; has lived all over CA. including Beverly Hills, in the Silicon Valley area, Paso Robles, the San Joaquin Valley as well as in Sun Valley, ID. She has traveled extensively throughout the world; is a CAL alumni (go Bears!); and also speaks French fluently and Spanish semi-fluently. Her interests are people, cooking, arts, books (look at the blog book club and join if you wish), travel, sports, gardening, painting, music, playing classical piano and animals. Margot Van Horn 208-721-3551 PO Box 3788, Ketchum, ID. margot6@mindspring.com TempInnKeeper@mindspring.com
Jul20

Ceviche and Margaritas To Enjoy On The Pavillion Lawn

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Ceviche 004

Ceviche ( a perfect appetizer) and Margaritas To Enjoy On The Pavillion Lawn

Serves about 4 -1 ½ Cups Each

Yes indeed the Sun Valley Summer Symphony is in full swing and I am loving it.  What fun to see everyone on the lawn relaxing, munching, imbibing and listening to the wonderful notes floating through the air! It’s a perfect time for family, loved ones and friends to gather together along with a sumptuous something on which to dine.  So, here are two easy something’s (which I borrowed) for you to make and treat your group.

Ceviche:

Ingredients:

1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces (I used the $1 frozen packaged variety from Albertsons)

1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, minced

1/2 C. lime juice

1/2 C. chopped fresh cilantro

1 Tsp. chopped fresh oregano

1/4 Tsp. salt

1 bell pepper green, red, or yellow or mixed, halved crosswise and thinly sliced

1 large tomato, chopped (make sure it’s tasty)

1/2 C. very thinly SLICED white onion

1/4 C. quartered green olives (yes, even if you don’t like olives)

1 avocado, chopped

Directions:

Place tilapia in a medium skillet.  Cover with water.  Bring to a boil over high heat, remove from the heat, cover, and let stand 5 minutes. (I slightly unfroze my Albertsons packaged tilapia first.)

In a medium sized bowl, place jalapeno, lime juice, 2 Tblsp. cilantro, oregano and salt. Whisk the mixture. Gently fold in the bell pepper, tomato, sliced onion, and olives. Finally, gently fold in the tilapia which has now cooled a bit and been cut into pieces into the mixture. Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes—several hours is even better, so make this in the morning of your picnic.

When taking to the picnic put the ceviche in a pretty dish topped with the remaining cilantro and avocado that has been sprinkled with some lemon to keep it from turning brown, and put a good spill proof cover on the dish. Serve this with warm corn tortillas. Warm the tortillas in some paper towels which have been moistened in your micro—just a minute (mas o menos), and then put them in aluminum foil to keep warm for later.  To serve, let everyone scoop a generous portion of ceviche in their corn tortilla. Or if you wish, you can make your own fat free tortilla chips (350 oven-place tortillas on rack-after 3 minutes or so see if crisp enough to break into chips) or buy some. Make sure you have some sturdy plates and good napkins as well.

Margaritas:

Buy some Lime or Lemon Sorbet, put in a freezer bag along with a baggie of ice cubes from your freezer; take a bottle of gold tequila; a bottle of club soda; some fun glasses; 3 plastic containers (large enough that your glass rim can fit in it), one filled with some lemon or lime juice, and the second with salt and the third with sugar for glass rimming,; straws and spoons for sipping, stirring, and perhaps just eating; and a small baggie with thinly sliced limes. (Hint: For glass rimming, dip your glass in the lime or lemon juice container first and then dip into the sugar or salt containers.)When you are ready for your Margarita, place a generous scoop of the sorbet in the glass and pour a jigger or so of tequila over it.  Stir just a bit with your straw————-and there you are. Add some ice cubes and club soda if it’s too vigorous for your palate. YUM but of course as always, remember, have a designated driver if you are driving.  For the DD, try the sorbet and a bit of sparkling water with some sprits/slices of lemon or lime or just let the DD enjoy spooning the sorbet directly in the mouth.

For easy access and printing of this and past recipes, visit Margot’s blog http://blog.tempinnkeeper.com  Call Margot for personal cooking help @ 721-3551.

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.

Jul16

Kale and Spinach Get Together

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Kale and Spinach Get Together

Can Serve 4  portions, however, I can eat the whole thing

 

This is an easy and healthy dish to enjoy by itself or with almost any kind of entrée. Personally, I do love my greens so I’ll make this my whole meal.

 

Ingredients:

3 C. chopped fresh kale freshly water rinsed

2 C. fresh baby spinach freshly water rinsed with the kale

1/2 C. chopped onion

2 chopped garlic cloves

1/2 to 1 Tsp. crushed red pepper

1 Tblsp. olive oil

1/4 to 1/2 C. water or vegetable bouillon

1/2 to 3/4 C. of shredded 6 blend Italian cheese

Grated Parmesan for the topping

 

Directions:

Put the olive oil in a large pot over a medium high burner and when heated, put in the onion, garlic cloves and red pepper.  Stir until onions are translucent and garlic is slightly brown and add the freshly water rinsed kale and spinach and stir a bit more until they are somewhat wilted.  Then add the water or bouillon and let simmer without a cover for about 15 minutes. (If you need a bit more liquid, add some.)  Then add the cheese and let simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes. (Once again, if you need a bit more liquid, add some.) Place in a pretty dish and sprinkle the top with shredded Parmesan.

Variation: Instead of using the olive oil, chop some bacon and let gently fry in pot; remove bacon but leave the bacon oil and in it, sauté the onion, garlic and crushed red pepper. Then proceed as above and stir in the bacon with the veggies at the very end. Then sprinkle top with the Parmesan.

 

 

 

Jul6

Lemon Curd

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Lemon Curd

8 servings

Do you love the lemony taste the way I do?  For some reason, I never quite can get enough of it.  Here’s an easy, quick little recipe that you can make in a jiffy and serve in a pretty wide mouthed champagne glass topped with a little sprig of mint to make it look pretty; or actually spread it on your toast in the morn; or mix it with some yogurt to eat any time for a special treat. It’s also good with fruit-for instance with sliced bananas and chopped apple topped with a bit of coconut or almond slivers.  And homemade curd is much better than the kind you buy at the store.

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 C. sugar

½ C. fresh lemon juice

¼ C. butter

1 Tblsp. grated lemon peel

Directions:

In the top of a double boiler, beat the eggs and sugar with a wire whisk.  Stir in the lemon juice and peel.  Cook over simmering water for 15 minutes or until thickened.

Serve it warm or cold.  It lasts in the refrigerator for a long time so you can keep munching on it for ever how long you wish, but it’s so good, I’m sure you’ll devour it before long.

For easy access and printing of this and past recipes, visit Margot’s blog http://blog.tempinnkeeper.com  Call Margot for personal cooking help @ 721-3551.

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.

Jul6

Cassoulet with Lamb and White Beans

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Cassoulet With Lamb and White Beans

Serves 4

 

I love a good cassoulet and it can be varied using different kinds of meats, poultry, and beans.  Originally this dish originated in the South of France and was named after the traditional earthenware pot, a cassole that was used specifically for it.  It’s a slow cooking dish that traditionally contained pork, sausages, goose, duck, mutton, pork skin, and white haricot beans.  But it has transformed itself by cooks worldwide to now even containing fish.  I love the traditional version, but I also like this newer one.

 

Ingredients:

2 Tblsp. olive oil

2 lbs. lamb stew meat or pieces (I bought some Cedar Springs Lamb Arm Chops and cut them into pieces and included the bone in the cooking)

2 yellow onions, chopped

8 cloves garlic, minced

2 C. vegetable broth (or you can use water if you prefer)

2/3 C. white wine or vermouth

4 C. small white cooked beans (I made mine earlier with a bay leaf and chopped bacon)

2 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 Tsp. fresh rosemary

Several pepper corns

2 whole cloves

1 bay leaf

S&P

 

Directions:

Heat oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat.  Add lamb and brown well on all sides (about 5 minutes).  Transfer to a dish and set aside.  Add onions, garlic, and carrots to the pot and sauté until slightly browned (about 4 minutes).  Add stock or water and wine and bring to a simmer.  Add reserved lamb, beans, rosemary, bay leaf, cloves, and pepper corns.  Cover and simmer gently about an hour until the meat is tender when pierced with a fork. Discard the bay leaf, cloves, and pepper corns. Season to taste with S&P.  Spoon into 4 large bowls and serve with crusted bread.  If you wish you can put some fresh bread crumbs on top of each oven proof bowl and bake in oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

 

 For easy access and printing of this and past recipes, visit Margot’s blog http://blog.tempinnkeeper.com  Call Margot for personal cooking help @ 721-3551.

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.

 

 

Jun25

Granny Smith Green Apple Clafouti

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Granny Apple Clafouti 001Granny Smith Green Apple Clafouti

8 servings

It was a leisurely gorgeous Sun Valley Sunday with two dog walks with Hugo, my toy poodle,  and a glorious bike ride North on Hwy.75, so I had planned a really nice dinner for myself—shrimp and linguine with an olive oil/butter/garlic/fresh parsley sauce; however, my tooth, yes that one, the sweet one, was craving a desert.  I had just bought some nice green Granny Smith apples and so had that in mind.  Actually, what I had in mind was a memory of my mother’s every Sunday fabulous apple pie that she made.  So, I thought something less complicated like a clafouti would be very good.  And it was!!! Well, I didn’t eat the whole thing————but I could have.

Ingredients:

3 to 4 Granny Smith or Pippin apples

1 lemon- rind finely grated

¼ C. Marsala Wine (or Madeira)

3 eggs

2/3 C. half & half

1/3 C water

1/2 C. granulated sugar

1/2 C. all-purpose flour

5 Tblsp. melted sweet butter

1/2 Tblsp. vanilla

1/2 Tblsp. almond extract—(if you don’t want the almond flavor, just use 1 Tblsp. vanilla)

1/8 Tsp. salt

1/4 C. currants or raisins (optional)

1/4 C. slivered blanched almonds (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Pam-spray a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
  3. Pare and slice apples in thin slices. I leave the skin out—but that’s up to you.
  4. Drop the apples in a medium sized bowl and pour over them the Marsala and the  grated lemon rind. Mix and let stand 10 to 15 minutes or longer if you wish.
  5. In a blender, combine eggs, milk, sugar, flouw, melted butter, vanilla, almond extract, and salt; whirl until smooth.  With a slotted spoon, transfer the apples to the baking dish. Pour remaining wine into egg mixture and whirl again to blend.
  6. Lightly mix into the fruit the almonds and currants/raisins.
  7. Pour egg mixture over fruit.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven on the middle or top third rack until puffed and set to the touch in the center—55 to 65 minutes.  It’ll settle slightly as it is cooling.
  9. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top before serving.
  10. I also serve European Style yogurt (Straus) with it.  But ice cream or crème fraiche will do as well.
Jun22

Pear Clafouti or Pear Cobler—for a friend in need

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pears in a bowlJust what I love—getting an emergency email from a friend who needs a recipe-quick- please!!!

 Subject: Pear Tart
>>
>>
>>> Hi,  I am at my friends house for dinner and we were remembering a pear
>>> desert we used to make like peach cobbler but healthy with pears.  Do you
>>> ever make anything like that ?? Maybe pear,almond?  Thanks, J
>>
Answer from Margot
>> This is not exactly a tart, but it’s delicious.  It’s a Clafouti—a
>> French peasant dish using the left over fruit from their orchards.
>>
>> 1 1/2 lbs pears (I leave the skin on and slice thin)
>> 1/4 C. sweet white wine such as madeira
>> 3 large eggs
>> 1 C. whole milk
>> 1/2 C. granulated sugar
>> 1/3 C. all-purpose flour
>> 3 Tblsp. unsalted butter, melted
>> 1 Tblsp. almond extract (or 1/2 vanilla and 1/2 almond)
>> 1/8 tsp. salt
>> Powdered sugar for dusting
>>
>> 1. Preheat oven to 325.  Butter or pam spray a shallow 2-quart baking
>> dish.
>> 2. Place sliced pears into a bowl.  Add wine and mix gently.  Let stand 5
>> minutes
>> 3.  In a blender, combine eggs, milk, sugar, flour, melted butter, almond,
>> and salt.  Whirl till smooth. With a slotted spoon, transfer fruit to
>> buttered baking dish.  Pour remaining wine and juices into egg mixture and
>> whirl again to blend.  Pour egg mixture over fruit.
>> 4.  Bake calfouti in upper third of the preheated oven until puffed and
>> set to the touch in the center–55 to 65 minutes.
>> 5.  Serve warm (it will settle slightly as it cools). Sprinkle powdered
>> sugar over the top before serving.
>> 6.  Ice cream or creamy yogurt or sweet creme fraiche over it makes it
>> extra yummy
>> 7.  You can also add some raisins or currants with pears when soaking in
>> the wine. And you can add some slivered almonds on top at the end.
>>
>> Bon Appetit!!!!
>>
>> Here’s a Cobbler recipe I just got on-line that you might try:
>>
>> 1/2 Cup butter
>> 1 C. flour
>> 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
>> 1 C whole milk
>> 1 C sugar
>> 1/2 to 1 tsp tsp almond (or vanila) extract
>> 2 C. sliced pears (or can be peaches)
>>
>> Preheat oven to 350
>>
>> Place butter in 13 X 9 inch baking dish.  Place dish in oven to melt
>> butter. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.  Stir in milk,
>> almond or vanila extract and sugar to form batter.  Revmove baking dish
>> from oven and pour batter into it.  Spoon pears (peaches) and any juices
>> evenly over batter. Bake until batter rises and brown on top–about 30
>> minutes.
>>
>> YUM!!!!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >>
Jun20

Lentils and Kale Delight-Think Single

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Lentils & Kale Delight—Think Single

Servings: for one or possibly two people

 

I am a single person with a wonderful toy poodle and a lovely Green Singing Finch. Most of my days, I eat my main meal in the middle of the day (following my Swiss heritage I guess) and a little something more in the evenings.  This is a wonderfully EASY, quick, tasty, and healthy dish to make for your evening meal (or any time of the day for that matter)

Ingredients:

1/2 C. lentils (the packaged brown kind)

1 or 2 chopped garlic (I actually use the jar kind)

1/3 C. chopped red onion

4 or 5 sprigs of whole parsley

1 or 2 sprigs of fresh thyme

3 or more mint leaves (chopped)

1/2 Tblsp. cumin seeds

2 C. chicken broth

1 C. or more of chopped fresh kale

Shaved Parmesan cheese for topping

Additional ingredients you can add are:

One diced boiling potato to make a perfect protein with the lentils (you might want to add a bit more liquid if so).

For the naughty at heart, a bit of diced bacon from the start.

In a good sized pot, place the above mentioned ingredients and bring to a nice simmer. Place a lid on top but tilt it—and simmer for anywhere from 20 to 25 minutes depending how tender you wish the lentils and kale to be.  You can adjust the herbs to your taste. I felt that I didn’t need to add S&P—but do whatever inspires you.  That’s what cooking is all about—a little experimenting and lot of enjoying.  Use a lot of the right side of your brain when it comes to cooking.  It should be creative and fun.

Place in a beautiful soup bowl and top with freshly shaved Parmesan.

By the time I have cooked this, my toy poodle is hungry for his meal. So of course, I give him a bit of chicken stock and parmesan, all of which he loves and well appreciates. Then for Bandit, the bird, he gets some fresh kale.

For easy access and printing of this and past recipes, visit Margot’s blog http://blog.innkeeper.com  Call Margot for personal cooking help @ 721-3551.

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.

 

 

 

 

Jun19

Minty Salad

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Minty Salad

(This recipe serves 4 but you can easily make more or less)

I love fresh salads however, I must admit, I have not thought much about using chopped fresh mint in them.  This healthy ingredient has just recently been brought to my attention and so of course I had to look up (once again) to see the beneficial health properties that it contains.  They are briefly among others that aren’t mentioned: a relief for indigestion, heartburn and IBS symptoms; an antioxidant; a bacteria and fungus inhibitor; breathing, respiratory and congestion aide; a mild sedative and combatant for bad breath.  And besides all of that, it smells so fresh and adds a special zest to a salad. I think that as I, you will really enjoy it.  So, this is a salad that I’ve concocted to share with you.

Ingredients:

Fresh mint chopped (about ½ C)(or more if you wish)

1 C. watercress leaves-stemmed

1 C. baby arugula

1 C. chopped green cabbage

1/3 C. chopped red onion

5 or more baby tomatoes sliced

1/2 fresh avocado bits (I spoon mine out of the shell.  Don’t throw it away and keep the seed. Put it back together as if it were never cut, wrap it in seran wrap, put in frig. for further use.)

Further ingredients that you can add are:

Chopped hard boiled egg

Shrimp

1/4 C. cooked Millet

Parmesan cheese shaved or goat cheese

For the dressing I use:(please use the amounts that suit your individual taste)

Rice Vinegar

Olive Oil

 

Bon Appetit

 

For easy access and printing of this and past recipes, visit Margot’s blog http://blog.innkeeper.com  Call Margot for personal cooking help @ 721-3551.

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.

 

Jun19

Salmon and Corn Chowder with Fava Beans

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Salmon and Corn Chowder with Fava Beans

Serves 4 generous servings.

Have you noticed?  Our wonderful Hagerman Corn is back.  It’s plentiful and priced right.  YUM!! I say.  Salmon has also been well priced lately and the weather is sort of cool so that makes me think of a good chowder.  Here’s one I like a lot and darn it, when I make it, it’s like potato chips—I can’t stop eating when I should.

Ingredients:

1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips

1 onion, chopped

4 boiling potatoes—I used the white kind, I didn’t peel, cut into ½ inch dice

3 C. chicken broth

1 3/4 Tsp. salt

1/4- 1/2 Tsp. dill

1/4 to 1/2 Tsp. thyme or several sprigs

1/4 Tsp. fennel seeds

1 or 2 bay leaves

1/4 Tsp. coarse style pepper

4 ears corn kernels (you can use frozen, but why?)

1 lb. salmon filets—with skin taken off

1 Cup fava beans (you can substitute lima beans or even green peas)

3/4 C. half and half (I do use this and don’t use milk)

for a topping, you can use chopped chives or scallion tops

Directions:

In a LARGE pot, cook the bacon till crisp.  Remove it with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.  If necessary, pour off all but 1 Tblsp. of the fat (my bacon was so lean, I had to add a little olive oil) and add the onion.  Cook over moderate/low heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent (about 5 min.)

Add the potatoes, broth, drained bacon, and the S&P and the other herbs to the pot and simmer, covered for 10 min.  Put the corn kernels in the pot and cook, covered, until the potatoes and corn are just done (about 5 minutes more).

Add the salmon, fava beans and bring back to a simmer.  Don’t overcook the fish! At this point, stir in the half-and-half and serve the chowder topped with the chives and with a crusty baguette.

Note: It’s even better the next day.

 

 

 

Jun7

Spicy Meatball Curry

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Spicy Meatball Curry

Serves 4

I loved traveling through India. It was so exotic and the people so loving. Also I thought that the food was terrifically good as well as healthy.  You just had to watch where you ate. Now, I often add curry and similar spices to my foods. Here is one recipe that I really think is tasty.  You don’t often think of India and meatballs since it seems to be more traditionally an Italian or even Hungarian dish, however, India has a myriad of recipes for their meatballs—some stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, others with dried plums and raisins.  So, here’s my take on an Indian Meatball Curry.  It’s a two step process with a lot of versatility and tasting as the dish progresses.  All depends on your taste buds.

Ingredients for the meatballs:

1 lb ground turkey (I use freshly butchered ground turkey, but if you insist, you can use beef or lamb)

2 chopped garlic cloves

Salt to taste

1/4 C. chopped fresh mint leaves

1/4 C. chopped fresh parsley

1 ¼ tsp. paprika

1 ¼ tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. coriander seeds (you can also use the ground variety; I prefer the seeds)

1/4 C. plain bread crumbs

2 Tblsp. olive oil

A 2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated

4 Tblsp. chopped onion

Meatball direction:

Combine all the meatball ingredients and with damp hands, form about 24 meatballs.  At this point you can refrigerate them for several hours to have the ingredients meld but if you don’t have the time to do this, don’t bother.  They will still be very tasty.

Ingredients for the curry sauce: (This is the shortcut way and I think it’s very good and easy.)

One Kitchens of India Paste for Butter Chicken Curry in the 3.5 oz. package

2 C to 3 C water (or a bit more if you wish the sauce to be a little thinner and less spicy)

1 two inch stick of cinnamon

4 Tblsp. plain yogurt (I use the Greek kind and it can be either fat or non-fat)

4 whole cloves

2 to 4 heaping Tblsp. of medium heat Chipolte Salsa (depending how spicy you wish it to be)

2 or more tablespoons of currents or raisins

Sauce direction:

1. Put sauce ingredients in a large skillet and slowly heat on top of stove on medium heat.  Stir till all ingredients are well blended and simmer with a tight fitting top for about 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Then add meatballs in a single layer in the sauce and simmer with the top on for 50-60 minutes.

3. Shake pan occasionally or very gently stir being careful to not break up the meatballs.  I turn the meatballs over in the sauce very carefully about 3 times during the whole cooking time.

Serve with rice or Nan.  Top this dish with a generous dab of  yogurt to set off the spices and decorate it with some left over mint and parsley.