Thought for Food

Prep. Time: 1:50
Serves: 4

Ingrediants:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
20 chicken wings split
1/2 cup butter OR margarine
1/2 cup hot sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Insturctions:
Combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, and paprika in bowl.
Coat chicken pieces in flour mixture. Reserve leftover mixture.
Refrigerate coated chicken for at least 1 hour.
-Coat chicken for a second time in leftover flour mixture.
-In a saucepan, heat butter, hot sauce, pepper, and garlic powder just until butter melts, then keep warm.
-Deep-fry the coated chicken in 375 degree oil for 13 minutes.
-Drain chicken.
-Pour half the hot sauce mixture over chicken and toss to coat.

Serve with Bleu Cheese Dressing

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Appetizers, Hooter's Hot Wings, Copy-Cat Recipe

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 cup real mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. buttermilk
1 Tbsp. crumbled bleu cheese
1/8 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
1 Tbsn. minced onion
1 clove garlic finely chopped

-Stir together all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
-Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Bleu Cheese Dressing, Salads

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

I needed to make something for an office bake sale, so I gave this recipe a try. The cranberries and chocolate chips are a variation from the standard recipe. They came out well (and sold quickly).

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
1/2 cup melted shortening
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon molasses
1 3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
* In large bowl stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
* Stir in remaining ingredients.
* Drop by teaspoon 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased sheets.
* Bake for 12 minutes or until brown.

Technorati Tags: Baking, Recipes, Cookies, Cape Cod Oatmeal Cookies

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 06:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's an excellent couldn't-be-easier soup recipe -- just three ingrediants +butter -- from Cooking With Amy

2 leeks (white and pale green parts only) cut in half lengthwise, then thinly sliced
3-4 potatoes peeled, cut in half then sliced
1 T butter
4 cups chicken broth or water or combination (home made broth is best of course)
salt & pepper to taste

To clean the leeks, chop them then place in a bowl of water and swish around until the leeks are clean.

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat with butter. Cover saucepan; cook until leeks are tender, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes. Cover and cook until potatoes begin to soften, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add liquid. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes.

Puree soup in batches in processor until smooth or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Thin with additional broth, water or milk if soup is too thick. This soup can be very smooth or chunky as you prefer. Season with a good amount of salt and a little pepper. Top with a swirl of creme fraiche or sour cream if you desire.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Soup, Leek and Potato Soup

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 slice bacon cut into small pieces
1 onion chopped
2 carrots peeled and cubed
2 stalks celery chopped
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast diced
6 cups chicken stock
1 tbsp. fresh dill
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups small egg noodles
1 cup frozen peas

Sauté bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon.

Add onion, carrot and celery and cook until the onion turns translucent. Add chicken and the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 30 minutes.

Add dill, paprika, salt, pepper, egg noodles and peas and simmer for 15 minutes or until noodles are tender.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Soup, Recipes, Chicken Noodle Soup

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 01:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Simply Recipes: Simple Salsa Recipe
  There are two basic types of tomato-based salsas - salsa made with fresh tomatoes and salsa made with cooked tomatoes. When cooking salsa, as we do when we make enchiladas, we always use the cooked-tomato version, not the fresh.
  (tags: Recipes, Mexican, Salsa)
• Solar Roasting Coffee
  Solar Roast is the most environmentally friendly method of coffee roasting created to date.
  (tags: Coffee Roasting)
• Thai red chicken curry
  easy to make
  (tags: Recipes Curry Chicken Thai One+Pot+Meals)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 head savoy cabbage, cored, cleaned, and shredded
1 (2-inch) piece slab bacon, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the gratin dish
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 bunch fresh chives, finely chopped to 1/4 cup
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds baking potatoes, unpeeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch), see Cook's note*
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 cups grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Finely shred the cabbage. Cut the bacon into 1/2-inch chunks. Place a small skillet over medium-low heat and fry the bacon, until crisp. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Add 1 tablespoon butter to bacon fat in frying pan. When it has melted add 1/2 the garlic and give it a quick stir with a wooden spoon to soften. Add the cabbage and coat it with the butter. Slowly let it wilt. Add the bacon. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and add most of the chives, reserving a little for the garnish.

Generously butter the bottom and sides of an ovenproof casserole dish.
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, 1 1/2 cups of cream, 1 cup of Parmesan, and the remaining garlic, Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Using your hands, place a layer of potatoes in the casserole dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan and repeat with 2 more layers. Spoon the cabbage mixture on top and spread it out evenly over the potatoes. Top it off with 2 more layers of potato and Parmesan. Pour the remaining 1cup cream over the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Leave for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chives.

*Cook's Note: Slice the potatoes immediately before using so they don't turn brown.

[Tyler Florence]

Del.icio.us Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Potatoes

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 07:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup of brewed coffee or espresso
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting
1/2 cup butter
2 tbs. cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1-1/2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 F and lightly grease a baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, coffee and cocoa. Stir constantly until heated to a boil. Pour boiling mixture over flour and sugar. Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla. Mix well, using a wooden spoon or high-speed mixer. Pour batter into baking pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until done in centre.

Meanwhile, prepare the frosting combining butter, cocoa and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until heated to a boil. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla and stir until smooth. Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as they come out of the oven. Cool and cut into squares.

Del.icio.us Tags: Baking, Recipes, Chocolate, Brownies

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 05:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

2 cups grated carrots
juice of one orange
2 tsps vanilla extract
1/4 cups canola oil (or 1/2 cup apple sauce)
1 cup honey
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup unbleached flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Mix the first six ingrediants together in a bowl. Mix the dry ingrediants together in a seperate bowl. Stir chopped walnuts into dry ingrediants.

Add the dry ingredients to the carrot mixture and stir until just mixed.

Pour into a greased and floured 8" square pan and bake at 350 degrees, for 45-50 minutes or until a knife blade inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven, cool slightly and turn out onto a plate.

Del.icio.us Tags: Baking, Recipes, Carrot Cake

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 (2-pound) package frozen white bread dough
6 cups thinly sliced napa (Chinese) cabbage
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 3/4 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 pound lean ground lamb
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons low-fat sour cream
Cooking spray
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

1. Thaw dough in refrigerator 12 hours.
2. Combine cabbage and salt in a large bowl; toss well. Let stand 1 hour. Drain well. Pat cabbage dry with a paper towel. Return to bowl; set aside.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 4 minutes. Stir in carrot; cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 8 minutes. Add lamb, cilantro, and garlic; cook, uncovered, over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain lamb mixture in a colander; pat dry with paper towels. Add lamb mixture and sour cream to cabbage; toss well.
4. Preheat oven to 350º.
5. Divide dough into 30 equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time (cover remaining portions to keep dough from drying out), roll into a 4-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons cabbage mixture onto half of circle. Fold dough over filling; press edges together with a fork to seal. Place turnovers on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray, and brush with egg white. Repeat procedure with remaining dough, cabbage mixture, and egg white.
6. Bake at 350º for 25 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Lamb, Russian

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A great French accidental cooking discovery from the early 19th century.

Ingredients:

* 6-8 Granny Smith apples
* 12 Tablespoons butter, cut into 1 tablespoon pieces
* 1 cup sugar

For the pastry:

* 1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 6 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 10 Tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the pastry:
1. Put the flour, sugar and salt in the food processor and pulse to blend. Add butter and pulse until the mixture looks like fine meal.

2. Stir the vanilla into the egg and add to the flour. Pulse a few times, just long enough for the dough to pull together.

3. Dump the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until it is pliable. Press into a ball, wrap with plastic and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. Just before using the pastry, roll it out into a 12-inch circle.

For the apples:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°.

2. Core apples preferable with an apple corer. Peel and quarter them.

3. Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over med-heat. Remove from heat and sprinkle the sugar evenly over the butter.

4. Tightly pack the apples, upright, around the inside edge of the skillet. They should be nestled tightly against each other. Return the pan to the stove and cook over high heat until the butter and sugar carmelize to a rich brown ~ about 15 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and carefully turn the apples over to the uncooked side with a fork. Return to the heat and cook an additional 5-8 minutes.

6. Remove from heat. Drape the pastry over the apples, tucking the overhang down between the apples and the inside edge of the skillet.

7. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Remove and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

To serve:
Loosen the edges of the pastry with a knife. Invert onto a platter quickly and carefully. Serve warm.

Technorati Tags: Baking, Recipes, Pie, Desserts, Apples, Tarte Tartin

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

* 8 oz. NY strip steak
* 1 1/2 tsp. CORNED BEEF SPICES
* 3 TB. soy sauce, divided-we like Japanese style tamari soy sauce
* 16 sushi rice style slices of potato ( 4-6 good sized red potatoes)
* 2 TB. rice vinegar
* 1/2 tsp. sugar
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 6 TB. WASABI POWDER - we used Natural Wasabi powder for this recipe
* 4 TB. water (this is enough for 4 shamrocks and the little bit spread on the potatoes, cut in half to serve 2)

In a small saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a simmer, add CORNED BEEF SPICES, simmer for 15 minutes while preparing the beef and potatoes. Bring another pan with 4 Cups water to a boil for the potatoes. Peel and slice the potatoes into rectangles about the size of sushi rice balls, though a little thinner. They don't all have to be exactly the same length, just big enough to hold the slices of steak. Cook the potatoes as you would for potato salad, boiling 5-7 minutes until tender but not mushy. Rinse just to stop cooking but not to completely cool, toss with rice vinegar, sugar and salt, set aside. Cut the steak into thin slices, removing fat from the edges as desired. 16 total slices is what you are looking for without getting to the thin end of the steak. Before the final step of briefly cooking the beef, prepare the wasabi. Mix the powder with water, it will be quite thick. Roll three little balls for each shamrock, work into heart shapes and place on the plate with a fourth piece forming the stem. Bring the water with the CORNED BEEF SPICES to a rapid boil. Just before adding beef, toss the potatoes again, place four potato slices onto each plate and place a small dab of WASABI onto each potato. Cook the steak by dropping four pieces at a time into the water and cooking about 15 seconds. Remove from the water and shake off any excess liquid. Place on the potato pieces and brush with soy sauce. Serve extra soy sauce with the wasabi shamrock to make traditional Japanese dipping sauce. Repeat 3 more times and serve immediately.

Serves: 2-4.
Prep. time: 5 minutes plus simmering time.
Cooking time: 10 minutes total.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Beef, Sushi, Irish

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 9" unbaked pie crust
1 chopped onion
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dry oregano
2 Tbsp. ketchup
2 Tbsp. flour
2 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese

Brown together onion and ground beef in a heavy skillet. Drain any excess fat. Add oregano, pepper, ketchup and flour to skillet and cook and stir for 3 minutes. Turn this meat mixture into the pie crust lined pan.

Beat eggs and add cottage cheese. Pour this mixture over meat in the pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until filling is set, crust is golden, and topping is puffed. 8 servings

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Pie, Ground Beef

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My current, though ever-changing, list of food blogs:

Technorati Tags: Blogs, Blogging, Food, Recipes

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I made this Emeril treat for a group of friends Friday evening. Easy to make and went over very well. Being non-drinkers, I substituted some frozen orange concentrate for the grand marnier in the coulis.

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup chopped almonds, lightly toasted
1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes, lightly toasted
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed if frozen
1 large egg beaten with 2 teaspoons water to make an egg wash
No Cook Strawberry Coulis, recipe follows
Confectioners' sugar, garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a bowl, combine the chocolate, almonds, and coconut.

On a lightly floured surface, unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry. Roll out to a rectangle 8 by 16-inches. With a sharp knife, cut into 8 equal squares.

Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the chocolate mixture in the center of each square. With a pastry brush, brush the edges of the square with the egg wash. Bring the corners of the pastry up and over the filling, and twist and squeeze together to form a purse. Fan out the corners of the pastry and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and bake until golden brown and the filling is melted, about 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and arrange on dessert plates. Serve with strawberry sauce and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve hot.

No Cook Strawberry Coulis:
1 pint strawberries, hulled
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons grand marnier
2 tablespoons sugar, or more, to taste
Water, to thin

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Add a little water, if necessary, to thin. Strain into a clean bowl. [Emeril Live]

Technorati Tags: Baking, Recipes, Chocolate

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Serves 4-6

3/4 lb lasagnette (you can also use tagliatelle or fettucine)
1 lemon
4 T olive oil
4 shallots or 1 very small onion (about 1/3 cup chopped)
1 T paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Wash the lemon and grate the rind then juice the lemon. Peel and chop up onions or shallots. In a skillet saute the onion in the olive oil, when tender but not brown, add the lemon juice and grated rind and paprika. Toss the pasta in the pan with the sauce, adding some of the pasta water if needed. Season with salt and pepper. [Cooking With Amy]

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Pasta, Italian

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1-1/2 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes
1 pkg. baby carrots
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1-1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup apple juice

Combine everything in a 3-1/2 quart slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours (high for 4-5 hours). Discard bay leaf.

1 8-oz. carton sour cream (low fat is fine)
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Combine sour cream, water, and flour in medium bowl and mix well, using a whisk. Add 1 cup of the hot liquid from the crockpot to the sour cream mixture and stir until combined. Return the whole thing to the crockpot mixture and stir well. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes until thickened and bubbly.

Serve over hot cooked egg noodles.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Stew, Slow-Cooker, One-Pot Meals

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

1 cup table salt
4 Tbsp. coarse salt
1 Tbsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. oregano
2 Tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. celery salt
2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. ground rosemary
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. marjoram
1 tsp curry powder

Mix well and use according to taste.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Seasonings

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 pound fresh brussell sprouts
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 pound pancetta chopped
1/2 a red onion chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste.

Remove the outside leaves from the sprouts, trim the stem leaving just a bit to hold the sprout together and cut in halves.

Cook sprouts in boiling water for 3 minutes and drain.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in saute pan over medium high heat and add pancetta. Cook until crispy 5 - 6 minutes. Remove from pan.

Add red onion, reduce heat to medium and saute until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add the drained brussell sprouts and chopped garlic and saute until the sprouts start to turn brown.

Remove pan from heat and stir in the butter and pancetta. Sprinkle with lemon juice and add salt and pepper to tasted.

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Vegetable, Brussell Sprouts

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ingredients:
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. sweet paprika
16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
four 6-oz. pkgs. blue cheese, crumbled
four 6-oz. pkgs. camembert cheese, crumbled

Preparation:
Place all ingredients in a food processor and completely blend. Serve with crusty French bread.

Technorati Tags: Recipes, Appetizers, Cheese

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tongue: A variety of meat, rarely served because it clearly crosses the line between a cut of beef and a piece of dead cow.

Yogurt: Semi-solid dairy product made from partially evaporated and fermented milk. Yogurt is one of only three foods that taste exactly the same as they sound. The other two are goulash and squid.

Recipe: A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don't own, to make a dish the dog won't eat.

Porridge: Thick oatmeal rarely found on American tables since children were granted the right to sue their parents. The name is an amalgamation of the words "Putrid," "hORRId," and "sluDGE."

Preheat: To turn on the heat in an oven for a period of time before cooking a dish, so that the fingers may be burned when the food is put in, as well as when it is removed.

Oven: Compact home incinerator used for disposing of bulky pieces of meat and poultry.

Microwave Oven: Space-age kitchen appliance that uses the principle of radar to locate and immediately destroy any food placed within the cooking compartment.

Calorie: Basic measure of the amount of rationalization offered by the average individual prior to taking a second helping of a particular food.

Technorati Tags: Food Humour

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Uses for leftover mashed potatoes?
  (tags: Recipes, Potato, Leftovers)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Servings: 8

10 ounces lean pork cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons flour
salt and fresh pepper
2 medium Spanish onions, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
6 medium plum tomatoes, diced
3 cups homemade or canned, defatted, low-sodium chicken stock
2/3 cup Madeira (optional)
2 16-oz. cans chickpeas
1/2 cup green stuffed olives, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 cup golden or dark raisins (optional)
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or scallions

1. On a cutting board or in a plastic bag, toss the pork cubes with flour. Lightly coat a large nonstick Dutch oven or soup pot with no-stick vegetable oil spray and brown the pork cubes well over medium-high heat. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Remove the pork cubes and wipe out the pot.

2. Lower the heat to medium, add the onions and garlic, lift the pan off the burner, and lightly coat them for 1 to 2 seconds with no-stick vegetable oil spray. Saute for 5 to 8 minutes or until softened, adding a teaspoon of water if needed for moisture.

3. Add the cooked pork, plum tomatoes, stock, Madeira (if desired), garbanzos, olives (if desired), and basil. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally. Pour the liquid into a defatting cup and then pour the defatted liquid back into the pot.

4. Add the raisins (if desired), pimentos, capers, oregano, and parsley or scallions and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Source: Lowfat Cooking for Dummies

Technorati Tags: Cooking, Recipes, Low fat, Stew

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

9 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
9 oz. milk chocolate, chopped
3 cups sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla

Melt the two kinds of chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. When the chocolate is almost melted, remove from heat and stir until smooth. Using a wire whisk or electric beater, beat in the sour cream and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This will generously fill and frost a 9" two layer cake.

Technorati Tags: Baking, Recipes, Frosting, Cakes

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ingredients:
1 cup / 250 ml. - butter (2 sticks), softened (do not use margarine)
1 cup / 250 ml. - sugar
2 large - egg yolks
2 cups / .5 L. - all-purpose flour
pinch - salt
1 cup / 250 ml. - walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup / 125 ml. - strawberry preserves

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9" by 9" metal baking pan.

2. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until mixed, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Increase speed to high; beat until light and fluffy.

3. With mixer at low speed, beat in egg yolks until well combined, constantly scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Add flour and salt and beat until blended, occasionally scraping bowl. With spoon, stir in walnuts.

4. With lightly floured hands, pat half of dough evenly into bottom of pan. Spread strawberry preserves over dough. With lightly floured hands, pinch off 3/4-inch pieces from remaining dough and drop over preserves; do not pat down.

5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. When cool, cut into 3 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 10 pieces.

Technorati Tags: Baking, Recipes, Cookies, Czechoslovakian

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Table of Contents
  (tags: Government Regulations Health)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From Busy Cooks @ About.com

• Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry
  This simple and delicious recipe is a perfect dish to introduce you to the flavors and techniques of stir frying.
• Beef and Vegetables
  Use leftover roast beef for this super easy recipe, or buy some sliced beef from the deli.
• Asian Apricot Chicken
  Apricot jam is the secret ingredient in this colorful, healthy, and delicious stir fry meal.
• Kung Pao Pork
  Purchased broccoli slaw and Szechuan stir fry sauce combine with pork loin for a hot and spicy super easy meal.
• Vegetable Stir Fry
  This elegant and simple recipe uses fresh vegetables and is topped with cheese, making it a bit different from traditional stir fry recipes.
• Orange Chicken Stir Fry
  I love this easy recipe. All you have to do is cut the chicken into strips, then cook, and dinner's ready in 10 minutes.
• Beef and Snow Peas
  If you're really into stir frying, try different brands and flavors of purchased stir fry sauce to find your favorite, then keep it on hand for instant meals, like this recipe.
• Stir-Fried Chicken and Peppers
  Frozen peppers and onions are the shortcut ingredient in this colorful and healthy recipe.
• Pork and Onions with Orange Glaze
  Orange marmalade and chili sauce are the secret ingredients in this easy stir fry recipe.
• Chicken Fried Rice
  Stop off at your local Chinese restaurant and buy some cooked rice to make this colorful stir fry even easier!
• Chicken and Vegetables Stir Fry
  Enjoy your time in the kitchen and cut up the vegetables yourself, or stop by a salad bar and buy prepared vegetables for a really fast meal.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1. Have a blank grocery list
2. Get everyone involved
3. Keep it simple
4. Relax
5. Fill in the blanks
6. Protect your masters
7. List what you need to buy on a separate sheet of scrap paper
8. Get the groceries in the house
9. Lay out your ingredients
10. Celebrate eating by working together

Read the entire article at FoodTV: Top 10 Tips for Successful Meal Planning

Technorati Tags: Tips and Tricks, Meal Planning, Shopping, Recipes

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Gingerbread AT-AT
  (tags: Gingerbread Star+Wars)
• Pita-chos - Mediterranean nachos - Slashfood
  (tags: Recipes Pita Mediterranean)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This was an experiment that worked well with Sunday's roast of beef. This rub would work well for all cuts of beef and might even be tasty on pork or lamb. The coffee should be ground to as fine a consistency as possible.

3 teaspoons finely ground coffee
1/4 tsp. sweet paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dry parsley flakes

Blend the ingrediants together well, cover the surfaces of the meat with the rub and let stand in refrigerator for at least and hour and up to eight hours. Cook according to the method for the cut of meat: roast, bar-b-q, grill, etc.

Technorati Tags: Recipes, Beef, Roasting, Dry Rub

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Unhealthiest recipe ever? - Slashfood
  (tags: Recipes Pie Snickers)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ghee, clarified butter or vegetable oil, plus 1/4 cup, plus extra, for frying
6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
1/2 cup chopped yellow onions
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 hot green chile peppers, minced
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
2 large baking potatoes, like russets, about 1 1/2 pounds, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch dice, and boiled until just tender
1/2 cup par-cooked and drained green peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:
To make the dough, sift the flour and salt into medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the clarified butter and rub the mixture between the palms of your hands to evenly distribute, letting the fat-coated flour fall back into the bowl. Continue until the flour is evenly coated. Add 6 tablespoons of the water, mix, and work until the dough comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4 minutes into a firm dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

To make the filling, in a large saute pan or skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of clarified butter over medium-high heat. Add the coriander seeds and cook, stirring, for 10 seconds. Add the onions and ginger, and cook, stirring, until starting to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chile peppers, garam masala, salt, turmeric, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the potatoes and cook, stirring until the potatoes start to colour and become dry, about 3 minutes. Add the peas and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro and lemon juice. Stir to combine, then adjust the seasoning, to taste. Let sit until cool enough to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 1 minute. Divide into 2 equal portions and roll each into a 1/2-inch thick rope. Cut each into 8 equal parts and roll into smooth balls. Place each ball on the floured surface and roll into a thin circle, about 6-inches in diameter. Cut each circle in half (2 semi-circles). Spoon about 2 teaspoons of filling in the centre of each semi-circle. Brush the edges with water and fold the dough over the filling. Press the edges together to seal. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Pre-heat the oil in a large pot to 350 degrees F. Add the pastries in batches and cook at 300 degrees F, turning, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Spaghetti and Meatballs
  Food Blog: February 2006 Archives
  (tags: Recipes Pasta Main+Dish Italian)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Skin a Pepper
  (tags: Cooking Tips+and+Tricks How+To Vegetables)
• Cook Eggs With Your Cell Phone
  Wymsey Weekend: A Guide to Mobile Cooking
  (tags: DIY Food Fun Hacks Phone Science)
• Real Texas chili, y'all: Cooking Live with Slashfood - Slashfood
  (tags: Chili Tex-Mex)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• Tres Leches Ganache Gelato >>Tenacious Flog
  (tags: Chocolate Low+Fat Sugar+Free Gelato Ice+Cream Dessert)
• Valentine's Cookies: chocolate-dipped orange macaroons - Slashfood
  (tags: Baking Cookies Chocolate Macaroons)
• Homemade Pita Chips - Slashfood
  (tags: Snacks Low+Fat Pita)
• How to Taste Olive Oil - 101 Cookbooks
  (tags: Olive+Oil How+To)

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

* 4 Eggs
* 4 oz. Margarine
* 4 oz. White sugar
* 4 oz. Plain Flour
* ¼ Teaspoon Salt
* ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
* 16 fluid oz. Milk
* 4 oz. desiccated coconut
* 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence

1. Place all ingredients in a blender at the same time and blend until mixed together.
2. Pour mixture into a buttered 10 inch pie dish and bake in a pre-heated oven for one hour at 350°.
3. When cooked, the pastry will be at the bottom, the custard in the middle and the coconut on top.

Technorati Tags: Recipes, Baking, Dessert, Pie

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1 c. raisins
1 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

Cream sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Last add oatmeal, nuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool. Makes about 6 dozen.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules, dissolved in 1 teaspoon water
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. In a large bowl, mix together butter and sugar until well combined. Add egg, egg whites, vanilla and coffee and stir until well blended and smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add to the egg mixture and stir by hand until just combined.
4. Spoon into mini-muffin cups that have been sprayed with non-stick spray.
5. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, until puffed up, but still soft to touch. Do not over bake!
6. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 09:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 cups Evaporated milk
12 packages Equal
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Directions:
Mix cocoa and salt together in the top of a double boiler. Add evaporated milk gradually, stirring constantly to keep mixture smooth. Cook over hot water until thick. Add Equal and vanilla. Pour into a glass jar and keep refrigerated.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)