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Monthly Archives: December 2016
Want to kick things up a little bit? Then this dish is for you. Last night’s dinner was based on Thai crab fried rice, but I wanted more than the delicious dish I can get at any number of Thai restaurants in the area. So I mashed up a simple beef stir fry with crab fried rice to create Surf and Turf fried rice. This way I incorporated vegetables into the meal, paired the richness of the crab with some beef, and created something new (I think). This dish is a great shareable since it definitely makes enough for two… or you could just enjoy leftovers next day! So now that I have your attention, let’s get it done! Save Print Surf and…
Another Friday night, another cocktail – albeit a little later than I had hoped. Tonight let us get into the holiday spirit and what better way than to relax with a nice glass of egg nog. But wait, isn’t this a cocktail post? Why yes, yes it is… so I am boosting the basic egg nog with brandy, creme de cacao, and cranberry bitters. To keep the cocktail smooth like egg nog and not watered down, I will add a little bit of heavy cream (ok, who’s counting calories during the holidays… not me!). Time to mix and start making merry, Christmas is only a week away! Save Print Nog Alexander Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins Serves…
We all have told, seen or heard jokes targeting the much maligned fruitcake. Which is really a shame, because the brick/lead weight/anvil connotation is probably not fairly earned if we base it on the plethora of European ‘fruit cakes’. These fruit cakes include Italy’s panettone and Germany’s stollen which are light and flavorful with sweetness from fruits and citrus. I consider both wonderful treats during the holidays and today I want to share with you a quick and easy (read ‘non-yeast’) recipe for stollen. This recipe is based on one I found on the King Arthur Flour website – which of course, as usual, I modified. So, preheat the oven to 325 degrees because this dough comes…
Tonight I made a delicious and simple Hungarian stew based on a recipe I found online from Chef Clara Czegeny. This dish uses Hungarian spicy smoked sausage like Csabai Kolbász and potatoes as the primary ingredients. Add to those basics two different types of Hungarian paprika and you can imagine the wonderfully robust flavors you are about to enjoy. Of course, I tweaked the recipe slightly – adding diced roasted red pepper and a sectioned carrot – because I wanted to incorporate just a slight sweetness to balance out the spice and earthiness. This dish comes together quick and easy, so it is perfect any night of the week. Are you ready to take a quick trip to Hungary to satisfy your hunger? I am! Save Print…
Per request, here is the large group (i.e. family/party) gumbo recipe. This gumbo is a crowd pleaser whenever I bring it to parties or impromptu ‘pop-up’ dinners. This recipe takes some effort and planning, but the results are the best. I make the recipe in segments and complete the cooking in a slow cooker/crock pot. So without further ado… Debby, this recipe is for you! Save Print Chicken, Andouille, and Prawn Gumbo Ingredients 2 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound andouille sausage, cut crosswise ½ -inch thick pieces 1½ pounds chicken breast tenders, cut into ¾ -inch thick pieces 1 lb of prawns (26 – 30), shelled and deveined 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning ½ cup butter ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 cups…
Here is my latest experiment – a poppy seed roll! This post is just a picture post… please enjoy the results visually while I enjoy them by sampling! Save Save…
This dish is something I have made for parties or impromptu ‘pop-up’ dinners with friends, always getting rave reviews and recipe requests. But the challenge was how to make this for myself? Well, after a little testing, I came up with this recipe. It is a great meal for cold fall or winter nights here in the Northwest. I think this recipe makes the right amount of gumbo; rich, flavorful and containing substantial ‘goodies’ (andouille and prawns). It takes a little effort and time, but is well worth it. Once prepared, the gumbo simmers for an hour to meld the flavors before adding the prawns and serving when they are done. I like to pair this dish simply with white or yellow rice…
Tonight I decided to use my new quick pizza dough recipe in a skillet pizza. Think deep dish (sort of Chicago style) pizza. I am really liking this new pizza dough recipe – it is fairly simple and the results are fantastic. I tweaked my pizza sauce recipe as well and think it is a winner too. Just remember to allow it to cool sufficiently or else the pizza will fall apart (I couldn’t wait and experienced this issue first hand!) Save Print Skillet Pizza Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 30 mins Serves: 1 Ingredients Pizza dough Pizza sauce Toppings 5 oz Canadian bacon 8 oz can pineapple chunks, drained 2 – 3 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded…
When you feel like really enjoying a pizza, nothing beats making it yourself. Take out, take and bake, and delivery are all OK, but there is something about making it yourself – especially when paired with my pizza dough recipes – Pizza Dough and Proscuitto, Ricotta and Basil Pizza. So, here’s a very simple, yet extremely tasty pizza sauce you can make at home. Save Print Pizza Sauce Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins Serves: 1 Ingredients 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted tomatoes, drained 3 oz fire roasted red peppers ½ tsp minced onion ¼ tsp minced garlic ½ tsp Italian Herb Seasoning (or dried oregano) ¾ tsp basil ½ tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp tomato paste ⅛…
Another experiment based on a published recipe from Fleischmann’s and once again I tweaked it. I have made this dough several times now and I like it with the substitution of bread flour for part of the all purpose flour. Give it a try, you won’t be dissapointed! Save Print Pizza Dough Prep time: 1 hour 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 1 hour 30 mins Ingredients 1 cup bread flour 1 cup all purpose flour 1 packet (1/4 oz) pizza crust yeast 1½ tsp sugar ¾ tsp salt ⅔ cup warm water (120 – 130 degrees) 3 tbsp olive oil Instructions Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Add bread flour, ¾ cup of all purpose flour, yeast…