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March 30, 2006

Cheese Blintzes

Basic Crepe Batter

1 ¼ cups (340 mL) all-purpose flour
pinch salt
pinch nutmeg
3 eggs, beaten
1½ cups (375 mL) milk
2 tbsp (30 mL) butter

Place all ingredients in a blender or mixer and beat well. Let batter stand for 1 hour for more perfect crepes. Fry crepes using vegetable oil and a small pan. Lightly fry both sides of crepes. Separate crepes using parchment, waxed paper or plastic wrap until ready to use. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze. Makes 2 dozen crepes.

Tip: For a dessert crepe, add 2 tsp sugar and substitute 1/4 cups milk for 1/4 cup brandy.

Tip: Chicken or beef stock can be substituted for all or part of the milk. The addition of onion, garlic or celery salt can also create a tasty crepe.

Cheese Blintzes

½ lb (250 mL) dry curd cottage cheese
1/3 cup (75 mL) sour cream
3 tbsp (45 mL) sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) flour
½ tsp (2 mL) vanilla
½ tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated orange rind
½ tbsp (7 mL) orange juice concentrate
¼ cup (55 mL) reconstituted raisins
2 dozen crepe shells
¼ cup (55 mL) butter

Puree cheese and sour cream together. Add sugar, flour, vanilla, lemon juice, grated orange rind, orange juice concentrate and blend well. Add more flour if mixture is too runny. Stir in raisins by hand.

Place two tbsp of cheese filling on a crepe (toward one end, not the centre). Fold in back edge, then sides and roll, with final edge on the bottom. Melt butter and sauté until golden brown. Serve with sour cream and fruit sauces.

For every dozen blintzes: 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup fruit sauce

by Gail Hall

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March 24, 2006

6 Steps to Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

A few simple steps will go a long way to ensuring you brew a great cup of coffee each time.

  1. Keep your equipment clean. A solution of vinegar diluted in water will prevent impurities tainting your coffee.
  2. Measure your portions. Two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. Be consistent in this measure, regardless of the number of cups you are brewing.
  3. Use fresh-ground coffee. Oxidization is the enemy of freshness. Grind the coffee immediately before brewing.
  4. Use filtered water. Coffee is mostly water: the better the water, the better the coffee.
  5. Use the correct temperature. Coffee should be brewed with water at between 195 and 200 degrees F.
  6. Store in an air-tight container. Brewed coffee stays fresher longer when kept in an air-tight thermal carafe.

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March 21, 2006

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March 20, 2006

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Tzatziki

Ingredients:
3 cups of plain, unsweetened yogurt
2 medium-sized cucumbers
4 cloves of garlic
2 tbsps of olive oil
dill (fresh is great, as is a bit of cilantro, but dried dill or basil - in small quantities - will both taste good)
salt to taste

Directions:
1. Drain yogurt completely.
2. Clean and grate cucumber, then drain (in a cheesecloth or clean tea towel).
3. Crush garlic.
4. Put yogurt in a large bowl, add cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil and salt.
5. Mix together gently.
6.Refrigerate for half an hour before serving.

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March 19, 2006

Potato Bacon Cheddar Tart

Michael Smith whipped this up on Chef at Home; an easy dish, with lots of flavour.

Ingredients:
* 3 x baking potatoes, sliced one quarter inch thick
* 1 lb. of thickly sliced bacon
* 1 lb. of orange cheddar cheese, grated
* Salt and pepper

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Line a 6-inch non-stick fry pan with bacon slices, arranging them in a radial pattern and starting with one end of bacon in the centre of the pan and the other end draped over the edge. When the entire surface of the pan has been covered, sprinkle with pepper and add a layer of sliced potatoes to cover the bottom. Sprinkle with grated cheese and pepper and repeat layers until they are slightly above the top of the pan.
3. Fold the bacon, one slice at a time up and over the potato mound toward the centre. Carefully overlap each slice and repeat until the top is completely and neatly covered with bacon. Press down and cover with a lid.
4. Place tart on a baking sheet, which will catch any drips during cooking. Bake for 3 hours."

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From: FoodTV : Recipes : Potato Bacon Cheddar Tart 2

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March 18, 2006

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 small sweet green pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, smashed,
  • 1 small tomato, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 19 ounce tins black beans, rinsed
  • 3 cups vegetable stock or water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooked rice

Sofrito:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, de-seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

Garnishes:

  • Salsa
  • Grated jack cheese
  • sour cream

Directions:

  1. Heat up vegetable oil in saucepan, then add onion and pepper. Cook until the onion becomes translucent and the pepper is soft. Add the garlic and the tomato and cook for a couple of minutes longer.
  2. Add the chili powder, cumin and cinnamon. Stir for another minute.
  3. Add the black beans, vegetable stock, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil while stirring. Cover pot and simmer for a half hour.

Sofrito:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan. Add the onion, both peppers and the cumin. Cook over medium heating for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
  2. Add the cilantro and lime juice and bring to a boil.
  1. Remove the bay leaves, add the Sofrito to the beans and simmer for a further 15 minutes.
  2. Process in batches in a blender, or in the pot with an immersion blender, until smooth.
  3. Serve over a scoop of rice, garnish with salsa, sour cream and cheese. 

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March 17, 2006

Irish Soda Bread

A little something for St. Paddy’s day.

INGREDIENTS:
* 4 cups all-purpose flour
    * 4 tablespoons white sugar
    * 1 teaspoon baking soda
    * 1 tablespoon baking powder
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1/2 cup margarine, softened
    * 1 cup buttermilk*
    * 1 egg

DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
3. Bake in pre-heated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

*In the absence of buttermilk, put 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a measuring cup. Fill with milk to the 1 cup mark and let sit for ten minutes before using.

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March 16, 2006

Curried Potatoes

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cups potatoes, cubed and boiled
1/2 cup vegetable stock
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Melt butter in large saucepan, over medium heat.
Add onion a cook until transperant, 5 - 7 minutes
Add the potato cubes, and stir until
potatoes completely coated with the butter
Add vegetable stock, curry powder lemon juice,
and salt and pepper to taste.
Cook until all the stock has been absorbed by the potatoes.

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March 14, 2006

Sloppy Joes

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 stalks celery, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 10 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vinegar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted

1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef, onion, garlic, celery and green pepper until the meat is not longer pink and the vegetables are tender; drain excess grease. Add the remainder of the ingredients; mix well. Simmer, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. To serve, spoon 1/2 cup meat mixture onto each bun.

Makes 4 servings

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March 11, 2006

Beef and Lentil Stew

I whipped this up a couple of nights ago, but I'm not sure what to call it; maybe some type of Middle-Eastern...? Any suggestions?

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 lb. ground beef
1 19 0z. tin lentils, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chili sauce (I used the Heinz brand)
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. dried chili seeds
1/2 cup beef stock
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
cooked rice or couscous

Heat oil in fry pan and onions and saute over medium heat for 5 - 10 minutes. Stir in turmeric, cumin and cinnamon cook for another minute. Add ground beef. Break up with spoon and cook until meat is no longer pink. Stir in lentils, chili sauce, fennel seeds, chili seeds and stock. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. Add lemon juice and fresh mint and cook for five more minutes. Serve over rice or couscous.

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March 10, 2006

Ketchup (Catsup)

1 28 oz tin whole tomatoes
1 8 oz tine tomato paste
1 large onion chopped
1 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsn sugar
1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp paprika
2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp cayenne
salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients together in saucepan. Bring to a boil while stirring, then reduce heat and simmer the mixture is reduced by half. Remove from heat, let cool and then puree with an immersion blender.

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Italian Sausage Oven Stew

(Serves 4)
1 lb Mild Italian Sausage cut into 1 inch pieces
4 medium potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes
1 medium red onion chopped
2 carrots sliced
1 sweet bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
1 14 oz tin diced tomates
2 gloves garlic finely chopped
1 tbsn fresh rosemary finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cover with tin foil and place in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove the tin foil, stir ingredients and cook for a further 15 - 20 minutes uncovered.

Serve with garlic toast.

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March 07, 2006

Insalata Caprese

INGREDIENTS:
4 large red or yellow tomatoes
¼ cup Balsamic Reduction (see recipe)
Salt and Fresh black pepper to taste
1 pound Fresh Mozzarella
Good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 bunch fresh Basil, chiffonade

DIRECTIONS:
1. Wash and trim tomatoes, and cut into slices ¼-inch thick.
2. Cut the mozzarella into ¼-inch slices.
3. Alternate the tomato and cheese slices on a large plate orplatter.
4. Sprinkle with salt, and coarse freshly ground Black Pepper.
5. Drizzle with a few drops balsamic vinegar reduction.
6. Drizzle with the oil.
7. Sprinkle the basil chiffonade over the top.
8. Let sit at room tempurature for 15 minutes for flavors to develop.

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Beef with an Onion/Couscous Salad

INGREDIENTS:

* 1-1/2 lbs. beef fillet
* 1 Tablespoon olive oil
* freshly ground black pepper
* 1 5-oz pkg. baby spinach

FOR THE COUSOUS SALAD

* 2 Tablespoons olive oil
* 4 onions, very thinly sliced
* 2 cups couscous
* 2-1/2 cups hot beef stock
* 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 2 Tablespoons olive oil
* 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
* sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTION:
Preheat the grill
1. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the oil and onions. Cook for 10 minutes or until the onions are golden and very soft.
2. Coat the beef with the olive oil and season with the pepper. Cook on the grill to the desired doneness. Remove and keep warm. (May also be prepared on the stove: cook in a skillet over med-high heat.)
3. Put the couscous in a bowl and pour the hot broth over them. Cover and allow to stand for 5 minutes or until all the stock has been absorbed.
4. Whisk together the mustard, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and salt.
5. Add the onions to the couscous. Pour over the vinaigrette and toss to coat.

To serve:
Divide the spinach leaves among 4 plates. Top with the couscous. Slice the steak and lay the slices on top of the couscous to serve. Pass around some extra Dijon mustard.

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March 06, 2006

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March 03, 2006

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10 Good Reasons To Grow Your Own Food

It’s been many years since I lived in a place where I’ve been able to plant a garden. Now that we’re in our own home, we are working on developing a garden. Last year was limited to several tomato plants and a small herb garden. This year we are going to expand on that effort.

The Urban Farmer lists some good reasons to growing your own food.

  1. Great tasting, fresh, and nutritious food right outside your door.
  2. Practice good “economy”.
  3. Nurture your physical, emotional and spiritual health.
  4. Create beautiful, aesthetically pleasing spaces.
  5. Conserve wilderness, natural areas, and bio-diversity.
  6. Connect with your own bio-region.
  7. Learn and preserve endangered wisdom and essential knowledge for living.
  8. Contribute to world food security.
  9. Help to preserve diverse seed stocks.
  10. Reduce climate change.

Read the entire article at The Urban Farmer ~ Edible Landscaping

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Lentils Con Prosciutto

Yield:4

* 9 oz prosciutto, cubed (250g)
* 2 x white cooking onions, thinly sliced
* 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (120ml)
* Sprig of rosemary
* 2 x hot peppers, diced
* 2 x 19 oz canned lentils, drained and rinsed (2 x 540ml)
* Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Sauté prosciutto and onions in a frying pan with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary and hot peppers on high heat until the prosciutto and onions are browned.
2. Add lentils to pan. Cook for a few minutes so that the lentils absorb flavours of the other ingredients. Add a pinch of salt but be cautioned that the prosciutto is already quite salty.
3. Remove rosemary sprig and plate. Serve warm or at room temperature

[David Rocco]

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March 02, 2006

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March 01, 2006

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Emeril's Essence

Yield: 2/3 cup

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

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