Tag Archives: dinner

Jan5

Spiced Tongue

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pork tongue plate Pork Tongues

Spiced Tongue

6 servings for a 3 pound beef tongue

Ok, I bet a lot of you are going EWIE, but I know that some of you are going to be interested in this recipe.  I remember when I was a little girl being totally freaked out when my mother brought to our dining table “the tongue” and it was a big one—unpeeled.  She peeled it in front of me and I thought that I would get sick.  But I braved it and ever since have enjoyed the lesser loved dishes including sweet breads, liver, kidneys, snails and well, you get the picture.  So, when I saw 4 pork tongues at the grocery

store the other day, I was happy indeed.  This was my first experience with pork tongues.  They turned out delicious however they were much harder to peel than the other tongues I had encountered.  There are many ways of cooking a tongue but this recipe is one which ends up having a nice sweet sauce on it and I think that even first timers may enjoy it.

Ingredients for boiling the tongue:

  1. One fresh beef tongue (3 lbs.) but I cooked my 2 lbs. of 4 pork tongues
  2. 1 Tsp. salt
  3. 1 onion studded with 3-4 cloves
  4. 6 sprigs of fresh parsley
  5. 3 celery stalks with leaves
  6. 2 peeled carrots cut into large pieces
  7. Few whole pepper corns
  8. 1 bay leaf
  9. Water to cover

Instructions for boiling the tongue:

  1. Place the tongue and the ingredients above in a tall pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover the pot and simmer until the tongue(s) are fork tender—about 2 ½ to 3 hours.
  2. Remove the tongue(s) from the water and cool slightly.
  3. When cool, if need be, cut of bones and gristle at the thick end; slit the skin from the thick end to the tip on the underside.  Use a paring knife to loosen the skin at the thick end pull and peel off the skin from the thick end to the tip.
  4. At this point you can slice it and serve it with mustard, horseradish or whatever you enjoy with tongue.  You can eat it hot or cold.  However, after slicing this is what I do if I don’t feel like just having slice tongue with a homemade mustard, horseradish,  piquant or nice vinaigrette sauce:

Ingredients for the spiced tongue sauce:

  1. 3 strips of lemon peel
  2. 1 Tsp. cinnamon
  3. 2 Tsp. brown sugar
  4. 1/8 Tsp. freshly ground pepper
  5. 2 C. white wine or dry vermouth
  6. 1/2 C. raisins (optional)
  7. 1/2 C. Blackberry or currant or cranberry jelly or sauce (optional)

Instructions for the spiced tongue sauce:

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2.  Simmer (but don’t boil) the sauce ingredients so that they are mixed well.
  3. Place the tongue slices in an oven proof casserole dish and add the sauce ingredients and bake, covered in the 375 degree oven until the meat absorbs nearly all the liquid—about 35 minutes.
  4. I serve this with roasted fingerling potatoes and a nice side vegetable.
Dec30

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

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sour cream mashed potatoes

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Serves 8

Sometimes plain is the best.  Mashed potatoes are one of those dishes where this axiom may hold tried and true.   In this recipe, one who is watching his calories can use low-fat milk and fat-free yogurt but frankly, I like the more decadent version.  As a last note, my daughter makes some really good mashed potatoes and she actually uses bakers.  She scrubs them well and leaves the skin on.  Then she boils them and when they are tender proceeds with the recipe below.  They are delicious and after beating them with an electric beater, you barely note that the skins were left on.

Ingredients:

  1. 2 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes or other boiling potatoes peeled and quartered-I used Yukon Gold and left on the skins
  2. 1/2 C. milk or half and half
  3. 1/2 C. sour cream
  4. 1/4 C. chopped fresh chives
  5. 1 egg well beaten (optional)
  6. S&P to taste
  7. Melted butter to float on top at the end (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water to barely cover.  Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.
  2. Drain and place them back in the pot to mash by hand or with an electric mixer
  3. Add the milk and mash or mix until blended and fluffy.
  4. Stir in the sour cream, chives, S&P.
  5. If you wish you can add the one egg, beat some more and then put the potatoes in an oven proof dish.  Pour some melted butter on top and place under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes or until the top has browned somewhat.  The egg addition is a very old tradition and the reheating of the potatoes will ease your worries about the raw egg addition.
Dec16

Lamb Shanks with White Beans-A Dish to Comfort

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lamb shank with white beans

Lamb Shanks with White Beans

Serves 2-8 if you don’t concentrate on the meat only

Newtown really got me down.  I needed some comfort; so I turned to this recipe.  First of all, it took me awhile to make but yet didn’t take too much concentration so that I could think and meditate about what a tragedy and horror had just happened.  Second of all, once made, it soothed me and helped me heal a bit.  We need recipes like this every now and then—and sadly enough, more often lately than not.  I hope that maybe you may take some solace in this recipe as well——

Ingredients for the White Beans:

  1. 1 Lb. dried white beans (I used the little ones but the larger variety are fine as well)
  2. 4 Cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped
  3. 1 C. Cored and chopped tomatoes—(canned and drained are fine)
  4. 1 Bay leaf

Herbs to be used for both the beans and the shanks: 

  1. 1 Tblsp. fresh sage leaves or 1 Tsp. dried sage and some left over for extra seasonings
  2. 1 Tsp. fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 Tsp. dried thyme
  3. A dab more thyme leaves for browning the veggies.

Ingredients for the Lamb Shanks:

  1. 4 Lamb shanks—3/4 to 1 Lb. each (mine in the picture was almost 2 lbs. WOW—what a lamb!)
  2. 1/3 – 1/2 C. olive oil
  3. Flour for dredging
  4. 1 Medium onion rough cut
  5. 3 Stalks of celery rough cut
  6. 2 peeled  carrots rough cut
  7. 1 clove garlic rough cut
  8. S&P to taste
  9. 1 Bay leaf
  10. 3/4  C. red wine
  11. 3/4  C. beef stock
  12. Minced fresh parsley or sage leaves or thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

Cooking the Beans

  1. Quick boil or soak the beans overnight (according to package directions).
  2. Place the beans in a deep pot and cover the beans with water.
  3. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil; skim the foam if necessary.
  4. Turn the heat down so that the beans simmer and add the garlic, tomatoes, bay leaf, and 1/3 of the herbs mentioned in this recipe.
  5.  Cook 1-1/2 to 2 hours —till they are tender.

Cooking the Shanks:

  1. Blender or Osterize chop the celery, carrots, garlic, onion into a small chop.  I do leave aside a couple of carrots and celery large cut just for the look of the dish-but doesn’t feel obliged to do this.
  2. Mix the remainder of the seasonings in enough flour to dredge the shanks a bit and rub it on the shanks.
  3. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and brown the shanks on all sides. (About 8-10 minutes). If you have a lot of shanks, you may have to do this in more than one session.  When browned, set aside on a separate plate.
  4. In the remaining oil (if you need more, pour a bit in), add and stir the veggies with a dab more of thyme over medium heat until they are glistening. (about 7 minutes)
  5. Put the shanks back in the pot on top of the veggies, add the wine and beef bouillon and a bay leaf; simmer covered on very low heat for 3 to 3 ½ hours or till when you insert a toothpick in the fleshy part of the shank, it’ll go in and come out easy (that almost sounds “risqué” doesn’t it.  Oh dear.
  6. Keep an eye on the shanks just to make sure they don’t need more wine or bouillon.

lamb shank with white beans

The Finished Product:

  1. At this point, I like to have a lovely country styled platter to take my beans out with a slotted spoon and some or all of its liquid as well and top it with my lamb shanks, veggies, sauce and all. I then garnish it with the parsley, sage, or thyme.
  2. There are 2 more ways  of finishing this dish so here it is:

Way One

  1. Don’t cook the beans till they are too soft because you are going to place them in an oven proof dish.
  2.  Pour the shank’s sauce among the beans and some or most of the bean’s liquid (depending how much is left), a bit more dried or fresh sage; then nestle the shanks in. Put the dish uncovered in a 350 oven for about 15 minutes.  Then garnish and serve.

Way Two

  1. Cook the lamb as directed; then take it all off the bone and shred it.
  2. Stir it back in the beans and top it with bread crumbs.
  3. Broil it carefully in the oven till the crumbs are light brown.
  4. Voila Cassoulet?

 

Dec12

Braised Celery and Julienned Carrots Caribbean Style

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celery carrots caribbean

Braised Celery and Julienned Carrots Caribbean Style

Serves 2-4

This is such an easy and delicious dish.  Celery is rarely thought about other than enjoying it in its raw state which is too bad because it really is delicious when cooked.  So, give it a try in this recipe and enjoy.

 

Ingredients:

  1. 5 to 10 leafless stalks of celery—cut into small pieces
  2. 1 to 2 carrots–julienned
  3. 1-2 Tblsp. butter
  4. 1-2 Tblsp. olive oil
  5. 1-2 Tblsp. flour
  6. 1- 1 ½  C. chicken stock
  7. 1-2 Tsp. of the Caribbean Marinade Recipe found on my blog and here as well.
  8. Dash of soy sauce
  9. 1/4 to 1/2 C. slivered almonds which you have lightly browned in 1-2 Tblsp. butter.

Directions:

  1. In a deep wok like pan melt and heat the butter and olive oil
  2. Cook and stir the celery and carrots stirring for about 2 minutes.
  3. Season with S&P and sprinkle with flour.  Cook, stirring for about 2 more minutes.
  4. Add the stock, marinade and soy sauce, stir, bring to a boil then turn the heat to low. Cover and cook until the celery is tender but still a bit crunchy (about 10- 15 minutes).
  5. Uncover and if you think that you have too much liquid, boil off some of the liquid.
  6. When the mixture has a saucy garnish, add the almonds.  Perfection!!!

Caribbean Marinade

Makes about 1/2 to 3/4 Cup

  1. 1 head of garlic, peeled
  2. 2 Tblsp. oregano
  3. 2 Tsp. cumin seeds
  4. 1 Tsp. black peppercorns
  5. 2 bay leaves
  6. 1 Tblsp. olive oil
  7. 1 orange—rind sliced off and chopped small; orange juiced
  8. 1 ruby grapefruit-rind sliced off and chopped small; grapefruit juiced
  9. 1/4 C. lemon Juice
  1. In a food processor, put ingredients listed above.  The orange, grapefruit and lemon juice should add up to 1/2 cup total of juice.
  2.  Process so nice and smooth but still chunky.
Dec11

Roast Pork Shoulder with a Caribbean Fling with a Side of Braised Celery and Julienned Carrots Also With a Caribbean Fling

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celery carrots caribbeancaribbean on plate caribben pork in dish

Roast Pork Shoulder with a Caribbean Fling with a Side of Braised Celery and Julienned Carrots Also With a Caribbean Fling

 Serves 4 to 6

Cross country skiing here in Blaine County ID has been so marvelous this December.  Now that I am a Courtesy Patrol Person for the Blaine County Recreation Area, it’s even better because I get to meet all sorts of wonderful people.   However, I must say that I do come home hungry; so tonight, I made myself the most marvelous dinner and one that I want to share with you all.  I started the process this morning before I left for the trails and when I came home—it was a breeze to just stick in the oven and enjoy when done.

I also had some left over celery and one carrot which got me thinking about a nice veggie side dish.  A baked potato to add and that was all that I needed.  Perhaps a sweet potato or yam might have been more perfect—but I didn’t have that and I do enjoy baked potatoes.caribbean on plate

Roast Pork Shoulder Caribbean Style

Ingredients:

  1.  2 ½ lb. to 5 lb. bone-in pork shoulder
  2. 1 medium onion, thickly slices
  3. 1 head of garlic, peeled
  4. 2 Tblsp. oregano
  5. 2 Tsp. cumin seeds
  6. 1 Tsp. black peppercorns
  7. 2 bay leaves
  8. 1 Tblsp. olive oil
  9. 1 orange—rind sliced off and chopped small; orange juiced
  10. 1 ruby grapefruit-rind sliced off and chopped small; grapefruit juiced
  11. 1/4 C. lemon Juice

Directions:

  1. Make several sharp cuts in the pork—all over.
  2. Pam spray a large round Pyrex bowl and place onions on bottom.  Then place pork on top.
  3. In a food processor, put the rest of the ingredients.  (The orange, grapefruit and lemon juice should add up to 1/2 cup total of juice.)  Process to make a nice marinade. Use only 1/2 of it for a 2 ½ lb. roast and save the rest for another roast, pork chops, etc.  Best of all, even if your roast is 5 lbs., save 2 tsp. of it for the veggies mentioned here.
  4. Rub the pork, all over, with the marinade making sure that it gets into your multiple cuts.
  5. Cover with wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
  6. Now’s the time to go cross country skiing (or whatever).
  7. When you are ready to cook this roast, preheat over to 450. If  you haven’t had time to remove the roast to get it to room temp, cook it at the 450 stage 5 minutes longer.  If it is at room temp  place the pork in the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes.  After the initial 30 or 35 minutes, turn down the temperature to 325 degrees and cook 30 minutes per pound total—until the internal temperature of the roast reaches 160.
  8. Remove roast from oven; allow roast to rest for 15 minutes before carving and discard onions.

celery carrots caribbean (2)

Braised Celery and Julienned Carrots Caribbean Style

Ingredients:

  1. 5 to 10 leafless stalks of celery—cut into small pieces
  2. 1 to 2 carrots–julienned
  3. 1-2 Tblsp. butter
  4. 1-2 Tblsp. olive oil
  5. 1-2 Tblsp. flour
  6. 1- 1 ½  C. chicken stock
  7. 1-2 Tsp. of the marinade used above
  8. Dash of soy sauce
  9. 1/4 to 1/2 C. slivered almonds which you have lightly browned in 1-2 Tblsp. butter.

Directions:

  1. In a deep wok like pan melt and heat the butter and olive oil
  2. Cook and stir the celery and carrots stirring for about 2 minutes.
  3. Season with S&P and sprinkle with flour.  Cook, stirring for about 2 more minutes.
  4. Add the stock, marinade and soy sauce, stir, bring to a boil then turn the heat to low. Cover and cook until the celery is tender but still a bit crunchy (about 10- 15 minutes).
  5. Uncover and if you think that you have too much liquid, boil off some of the liquid.
  6. When the mixture has a saucy garnish, add the almonds.  Perfection!!!
Dec8

Chicken Ball Biscuit Stew

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Chicken Ball Biscuit StewChicken Ball Bisquit Stew

Serves 4 easily

The name for this dish may sound  unique and it is; but I think that even though it is a bit more complicated in making than most of my recipes, the end result is worth it.  It’s also very versatile and lastly, the “ball” part can be used for any recipe requiring meat balls and the ” biscuits” recipe for any other dish requiring a light and fluffy biscuit topping. You don’t have to serve this dish with the biscuit topping, but I find it awfully good.  Also, I use the ground chicken sometimes, but the ground veal or lamb is even tastier. So, as I said, this recipe is very versatile.  This recipe is divided in 4 parts.

  • Vegetables for this dish
  1. 1 C. julienned carrots (1 large carrot will do)
  2. 1 onion thinly sliced
  3. 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  4. 3 Tblsp. olive oil
  5. 1/2 to 1 C. frozen peas (optional but I like them and the color as well)

Directions:

  1.  Sauté the above ingredients in the hot olive oil in a 10 to 12 inch oven proof skillet over medium high heat for about 5 to 8 minutes–till onions are soft and glossy.
  2. Remove to a bowl and set aside
  • Meatballs

Ingredients:

  1.  1 lb. ground chicken, veal or lamb for this recipe
  2. 1/4 C. milk or cream
  3. 1/4 to 1/2 C. plain bread crumbs (start with 1/4 C.)
  4. 1/4 C. minced green onions
  5. 1/4 C. minced fresh parsley or 1 ½ Tsp. dried parsley
  6. 2 Tblsp. of 1 beaten egg ( I fork beat it in a cup)
  7. 1/4 Tsp. allspice for this recipe (the spice generally used for any meatball recipe can be varied according to what recipe you are making. It can be nothing or contain ground curry, cumin, chili powder, minced mint leaves, cinnamon, dill, etc.)
  8. S&P to taste
  9. 2 Tblsp. butter or olive oil

Directions:

  1.  In a medium sized bowl, let soak the bread crumbs with the milk or cream for 5 minutes.  Start with 1/4 C. crumbs.
  2. When soaked, add the remaining of the ingredients, mix and then add your ground meat and mix well.  If your meat looks too soupy, which ground chicken can be, add up to 1/4 C. more crumbs.
  3. Make 1 ½ inch in diameter balls (there will be around 20 to 24 of them).
  4. In the same oven proof skillet brown your meatballs on all sides in the 2 Tblsp. hot butter or olive oil over medium high heat for around 10 minutes. Watch that they don’t get too brown.  For the chicken balls, make sure that they are not pink inside anymore. (You can also bake the balls in the same skillet in a 400 degree oven until done-15 minutes or so.)
  5. Remove the balls to a platter and place aside.
  • For the stew’s delicious sauce
  1. 2 Tblsp. butter or olive oil
  2. 2 Tblsp. flour
  3. 1/4 C. white wine or vermouth
  4. 1 ½ C. chicken broth
  5. 1/4 Tsp. of the following spices: curry powder, S&P, ground cumin and ground ginger
  6. 1 C. plain yogurt-non-fat is fine

Directions:

  1. Add the butter or olive oil to the same unwashed skillet over medium heat and stir in the flour till it’s well mixed (about a minute or two) and then over medium-high heat add the liquid ingredients and spices.  Once again stir slowly till the ingredients are well melded into the sauce.  At this point add your yogurt and once again stir till well combined and seems very smooth.
  2.  Put the skillet aside while you make the biscuits.  However, if you want to serve it without the biscuits, put the veggies in the sauce and top with the meatballs. Place in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.  Serve over rice or noodles.
  • Yogurt Biscuits

Ingredients:

  1. 1 C. flour
  2. 1 tsp. salt
  3. 1 ½ Tsp. baking powder
  4. 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
  5. 4 tsp. cold butter—cut into small pieces
  6. 1/2 C. plain yogurt—non-fat is fine

Directions:

  1. In a bowl whisk the flour, salt and powders till well mixed.
  2. Cut the butter with two knives in the dry ingredients. You can also use your blender at pulse to do this.
  3. When well blended use a large spoon to stir in the yogurt until the mixture forms a ball.
  4. Drop tablespoons of the dough on top of the stew.
  5. Now put your skillet in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes.
  6. Serve in the skillet with a pretty napkin tied around the handle.
  7. I serve it with a nice light green salad.
Nov22

Cranberries, Cranberries–4 nice and delicious recipes

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jellied cranberry sauce with fuji apple cranberry Clementine and Pumpkin Seed Conserve

 

 

 

Cranberries are so versatile and freeze easily and well.  They also are very healthy for you.  However, their grand color makes them a favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But don’t forget that “red” in Valentines day.  Frankly I think that this is a great fruit to use anytime of the year.  So please do enjoy these 4 recipes which are among my favorites.

Cranberry and Dried Fruit Compote (serves 6)

Ingredients:

  1. One 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
  2. 3/4 cup golden raisins
  3. 1/2 cup dried cherries
  4. 1/2 cup dried black mission figs, quartered
  5. 2/3 cup sugar
  6. 1- 1/4 cups water

Directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries with the raisins, cherries, figs, sugar and water.
  2. Bring to a boil and cook over moderately high heat until the cranberries burst, about 6 minutes.
  3. Place into a bowl and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.

Make Ahead: This compote can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Serve chilled or warmed.

Jellied Cranberry Sauce with Fuji Apple (serves 6)

(This turns out like a loaf that can be sliced with a serrated knife.)

Ingredients:

  1. One 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries plus more for decorating purposes
  2. 1 large Fuji apple, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
  3. 1 cup sugar
  4. 3/4 cup water
  5. 1 sprig or more of rosemary (for decorating purposes)

Directions:

  1. Line an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and spray the plastic wrap with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries with the apple, sugar and water. Bring to a boil and cook over moderately high heat, stirring frequently until the cranberries are completely broken down and the sauce is very thick, about 15 minutes.
  3. Place the cranberry sauce into the prepared pan and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours or longer, however, make sure to keep the loaf in the frig. before serving.  Don’t let it get to room temp before serving or you’ll be spooning it instead of slicing it.  No matter though, it’ll be good either way.
  4.  Invert the jelly onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap.
  5.  Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Slice with a serrated knife before serving.

Make Ahead The cranberry sauce can be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Serve chilled.

Cranberry, Clementine and Pumpkin Seed Conserve

Ingredients

  1. 3 Clementine
  2. 1 1/4 cups sugar
  3. 1 cup water
  4. One 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
  5. 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds  (see note below how to roast seeds)

Directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, cover the Clementine with water. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderately high heat until the skin softens, about 8 minutes. Drain and let stand until cool enough to handle. Coarsely chop the whole Clementine and discard any seeds. Wipe out the saucepan.
  2. In the same saucepan, combine the chopped Clementine with the sugar and water. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat until the Clementine peel is sweet, about 30 minutes. Add the cranberries and cook over moderately high heat until they burst, about 6 minutes.
  3. Put into a bowl and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.
  4. Fold in the pumpkin seeds just before serving.

Make Ahead The conserve can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks however, don’t put the seeds in till just before serving.

Note: To roast seeds, place seeds in a large sauté pan so there’s only one layer and cook over medium heat, shaking and stirring oven, till seeds brown and pop (anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes). They are best done right before using; however, you can store in a tight container for a day or so.

Compote of Ruby Cranberries with Sun-Dried Cherries(serves 6)

I love this recipe because it has a zing to it

Ingredients:

  1. 2/3 C. dark brown sugar
  2. 12 oz. fresh or thawed cranberries
  3. 4 oz. sun-dried cherries
  4. 12 whole black peppers
  5. 1 C. water
  6. A pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. In a medium-size heavy saucepan put 1 C. water, brown sugar, a pinch of salt and 12 whole pepper corns.
  2. Bring to a boil; add cranberries and cherries and return to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened.
  4. Cool to room temp, cover and refrigerate till cold.

Make Ahead The compote can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Nov12

Napa Cabbage Apple/Nut Salad and Apple Delight Nut and Cheese Salad

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salads

Napa Cabbage Apple/Nut Salad and Apple Delight Nut and Cheese Salad

 This question below from my dear long time friend Benecia, and below I believe is the answer:

Margot, Do you remember the recipe for the Napa cabbage, apple, pecan salad? Benecia”

Hope the following answers your question Benecia.

Napa Cabbage Salad with Chopped Apples and Pecans

Salad Ingredients and Directions:

1 Napa cabbage sliced thin or shredded regular round green cabbage

5 green onions chopped

Chopped Pecans or other nuts that may appeal to you—as many as you desire

1 or 2 Pipin or other green apples–chopped

1 ½ pack of Ramen noodles—crunched and browned briefly under the broiler

Directions for salad:

Mix these ingredients in a large salad bowl

Dressing Ingredients:

1/3 to 1/2 C. sugar

1/2 C. olive oil

1/4 C. white vinegar (I use rice vinegar) but you can use another white vinegar

Sesame seeds (optional)

Put in blender and mix well.  Toss with salad ingredients from above.

Apple Delight Salad

Salad Ingredients and Directions:

2 heads frisee lettuce, tough outer leaves discarded

2 Gala apples

2 Tsp. fresh lemon juice

S&P

½ C. walnut halves

1/4 C. plus 1 Tblsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for the top

8 oz. blue cheese, cut into 1/2 inch chunks

Directions for Salad:

  1. Halve and core the apples.  Cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch matchstick strips.  Toss the strips with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
  2. Separate the frisee leaves and rinse them in cold water.  Drain and pat dry.
  3. Place the frisee in a large salad bowl.  Season with S&P; then toss with the walnuts, 1/4 C. chopped parsley and blue cheese. Toss the salad with the dressing below.
  4. Place the apple strips atop the salad and sprinkle with the remaining parsley.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette:

1/4 C. cider vinegar

2 Tsp. Dijon-style mustard

S&P to taste

1/4 C. olive oil

Directions for dressing:

Place ingredients in a blender and whiz to blend well and use on the Frisee salad above.

For more salad, dressing and vinaigrette recipes, visit http://blog.tempinnkeeper.com

Nov9

Red and Green Salad Featuring Pears, Cheese and a Cranberry Vinaigrette

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5 pearsRed and Green Salad featuring Pears, Cheese and a Cranberry Vinaigrette

Serves 8

 

Ingredients:

Vinaigrette:

1/2 C. cider vinegar

splash of balsamic(careful! put balsamic in bottle’s cap before pouring into dressing; taste before adding more)

1/4 C. whole cranberries

1/4 C. olive oil

2 Tsp. sugar

1/8 Tsp. salt

Ground pepper to taste

Salad:

2 firm Bartlett pears or Anjou pears ( or apples if you prefer)

2 heads romaine lettuce, rinse dried, torn into bite-size pieces

2 medium heads Belgian endive, wash,dried, and chopped

Additional add-on ingredients:

1/2  C. chopped toasted walnuts

1/2 C. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese or other blue cheese

Instructions:

Vinaigrette:

  1. Combine vinegar and cranberries in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the cranberries are softened—7-10 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and add olive oil, sugar and S&P.
  3. Place in blender and mix until smooth.  Refrigerate until chilled.

Salad:

  1. Core and julienne one pear; core and dice the other
  2. Combine the romaine, endive, diced pears, walnuts and Gorgonzola in a large bowl.  Drizzle with enough dressing to coat and toss gently.
  3. Top with julienned pear.

Bon Appetit.

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.

Nov8

The Basic Recipe for Any Kind of Shanks

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beef shank stew (2)

The amount of servings is up to you

I do love, during winter, shanks.  It’s sort of like soul food-the kind that makes you feel good inside.   There are so many different ways of cooking them—stove top, in the oven, and even in the micro.  In fact I once made the micro version that turned out to be the best.  I need to look for that recipe. However, this is a basic recipe which I think always turns out tasty.  This time I used beef shanks because they were so reasonably priced.

Ingredients:

Shanks—any amount that you wish

Flour

S&P

Olive Oil

1 medium onion-chopped

2 large carrots-peeled and chopped in small bits

3 stalks of celery—washed and chopped into small bits

1 or 2 cloves of garlic—peeled and chopped finely

1 bay leaf

Oregano—dry or fresh-about 1/4 Tsp. dry or 3/4 Tblsp. fresh

Thyme—dry or fresh –about 1/4 Tsp. dry or 3/4 Tblsp. fresh

Red wine—probably not more than 3/4 C. for 2 shanks (for 4 shanks could be as much as 2 C.) (don’t forget to pour yourself a little glass as well.)

Beef bouillon—probably not more than 3/4 C for 2 (for 4 shanks could be 1 C)

Directions:

  1. In a plastic baggie, place enough flour, S&P and dried or chopped fresh oregano ; shake well to mix; then place the shanks  in the baggie; shake once more to lightly flour them. Make sure your shanks don’t have too much flour on them.
  2. In a large and semi-deep skillet place about 2 Tblsp. olive oil and brown the shanks on medium high heat on all sides (about 4 minutes per side). Transfer to a plate.
  3. You’ll probably want to add some more olive oil at this point to the hot skillet; add your veggies and the thyme.  Over medium heat  stir and brown your veggies for about 10 -15 minutes or till tender and translucent.  Make sure they don’t get too done.
  4. Put shanks back in skillet on top of veggies, add the wine and bouillon and simmer covered on very low heat (but where you see some heat bubbles rising to the surface) for 3 to 3 ½ hours or till shanks are tender and are almost falling off the bone.
  5. Make sure to keep an eye on this dish and don’t let the liquid evaporate too much.  If need be add more wine or bouillon. I usually add some more liquid about 1/2 way through.

I serve this dish with my no-trick popovers and a nice salad or veggies.  You can also serve it with cauliflower puree or mashed potatoes.   If you wish another variation for this recipe, you could add some chopped tomatoes—either canned or fresh if tasty. Or you can use white wine and rosemary as a seasoning.  Also, you can top this dish off with chopped parsley and even some lightly sautéed in butter mushrooms. Fun to experiment isn’t it?

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.