Month: February 2014

Indian Parantha

Published on by Dawn4 Comments

Indian Parantha

What a week…and I can’t believe it is only Wednesday.  I am only posting this tonight because I need a break from the madness.  Yes, there has been some serious madness going on this week.  I have probably two of the most important meetings I will have all year – tomorrow.  Isn’t that always the way things go?

And just when I didn’t think I could take anymore – tonight my daughter went to her new middle school she was redistricted to next year.  We have all been trying to look on the bright side of this move, but seriously, I see very little positives at all.  The worst part of all is that the majority of her friends will not be joining her.  Tonight they invited current 6th and 7th graders to come and talk about their new school, and what electives they would like to see.  This will be the first of a series of meetings with the kids – because at this point, they still have nothing but a Principal and a couple of teachers.  When she got in the car, she started telling me about how depressing it was.  The school is horribly old and run down, the science classrooms are from the dark ages (unlike her current school that was renovated a few years ago, and is beautiful) – and there won’t be an orchestra room (we are still crossing our fingers for an orchestra – there are 5 in her current school).  She said at one point the principal asked them to write down what they like about their current school – and one of her friends wrote this:

MY FRIENDS

Thanks for taking them away from me

I almost burst into tears.  I guess the principal saw this, and told the girl that they were supposed to be focusing on the positives, and to please turn that piece of paper over.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  My daughter said they are just looking for a way to get out their feelings – and I completely agree with her.  They need to be a little sensitive about this change…geez.

So – as you can see, I am in fine form right now, and trying to get out of this funk in preparation for tomorrow.  So now it is time to switch gears and talk about something that puts a smile on my face.  Indian Parantha.  The other week I took a class at my favorite Community Kitchen – all about making Indian breads.  One of my very good friends is from India and when I was pregnant she would bring me to her house so she could cook for me.  This was one of the things she would make – and she make them so easily – and beautifully.  I have to admit – they were not that difficult to make, and boy did they taste delicious – particularly with some ghee brushed on top.  Maybe if I can get through tomorrow, this will be my treat afterwards.  Personally, I think I will need something a little stronger, but this will be a nice accompaniment…

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour (Chapatti Atta in the indian grocery stores)
  • 3/4 cup cool water

Preparation

Using your hands, bring this together in a large mixing bowl to form a ball.  Knead it in the bowl for a minute until the dough comes off your hands.  Let the dough rest at room temperature for 5 minutes.

Preheat a cast iron griddle on medium low.  You will have to adjust the heat after the first roti depending on how fast or slow it is cooking, every stove is different.

Divide the dough into 10 equal portions.  Place one portion of dough in the palm of your hand and knead it with your other hand 10 times, roll it into a ball and flatten it slightly.  Pinch it into a flat disk about 3″ in diameter, lightly dust it in dry flour. On a lightly floured wooden cutting board or smooth countertop roll out to a 6″ diameter circle. If it starts to stick, pick it up and dust with more flour. Place the roti between the palm of your hands and shake off any extra flour. Place the roti on the grill for approximately one minute.  When the color of the roti has changed to a slightly deep tan flip the roti. There should be no brown spots on the other side. If there is, lower the heat until light brown spots appear all over the other side. Cook for another minute gently pressing down on the roti with a folded tea towel until light brown spots appear all over the other side.  Flip roti one more
time and cook for another minute gently pressing down with a tea towel slightly turning the roti. The roti should fill with hot air. Continue pressing gently, remove from heat and serve immediately with a dab of butter.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Indian Parantha

Lentil Salad with Soft-Cooked Eggs

Published on by Dawn4 Comments

Lentil Salad with Soft-Cooked Eggs

Lunch has never been my favorite meal and I think I know why.  At home on the weekends, it seems to be more of a chore than anything else.  The girls are usually not starving, because they had a late breakfast – and they never know what to eat.  If it were up to them they would have a brunch every day – with eggs, pancakes, bacon, etc…  At work, although I am starving, I have to force myself to get to the cafeteria just to get something healthy in my body.  Then I just march back up the five flights of stairs just to sit in my office and eat while I catch up on email.  How is that healthy?

When I am traveling in Europe it is completely different.  Even when I am in the office we take the time to go to the cafeteria and sit down and eat – that is if we don’t get out of the building and eat somewhere else.  Even when we have meetings, we take the time to have lunch.  When I studied there during college, I remember that was the only meal that I didn’t eat with my French family – that was their family time – the kids left school to go home for lunch, and that was the big meal of the day.  It makes sense – you have hours to burn off the food and then you eat a light dinner before going to bed.

When I am home on the weekends, my go-to-lunch is an egg sandwich.  I tend not to eat eggs for breakfast, but by lunch time that is exactly what I need.  I have been staring at the lentils in my pantry for quite a while now, when this recipe flew out of the stacked pile from Cooking Light.  A big light bulb went off in my head.  Instead of my typical egg sandwich, why not take the time to make this lentil salad that I can enjoy a few times this week, and cook a soft boiled egg to go on top – just like the beautiful picture next to the recipe.  I swear, it was calling me.

My egg was probably a little softer than the recipe called for – but it was perfect for me.  The yolk drizzled over the top of the arugula and the combination with the lentils was to die for.  By the time this was done, the girls had already eaten, and were upstairs – so I had the kitchen to myself.  It was almost luxurious – sitting there with my beautiful salad. Not having to get up and get something for someone.  I took my time, and savored every bite.  Now I can see why lunch is so appealing – if only life always quieted down during the middle of the day.  Keep dreaming…

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups dried petite green lentils
  • 6  large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 1/4 cups diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 8 cups baby arugula

Preparation

Place lentils in a medium saucepan. Cover with water to 3 inches above lentils; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain and keep warm.

Add water to a large saucepan to a depth of 3 inches; bring to a boil. Add eggs; boil 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Drain. Plunge eggs into ice water; let stand 5 minutes. Drain and peel.

Combine oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Set aside 2 tablespoons oil mixture. Add lentils, bell pepper, onions, and celery to remaining oil mixture; toss gently to coat. Place reserved 2 tablespoons oil mixture and arugula in a large bowl; toss to coat.

Place about 3/4 cup lentil mixture and about 1 cup arugula mixture on each of 6 plates. Cut eggs in half lengthwise; top each serving with 2 egg halves. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Lentil Salad with Soft-Cooked Eggs

Creamy Queso with Sausage

Published on by Dawn2 Comments

Cream Queso with Sausage

There is a time and place for just about everything.  My mother loves to entertain – and she took after her mother.  One of the many dishes I remember her making when I was growing up was her chili con queso dip – there were two main ingredients as far as I can remember – a can of Hormel chili without beans and Velveeta cheese.  I am not exactly sure what was in that chili if it didn’t have beans, but whatever it was – once it was mixed with that velvety fake cheese, magic happened.

It has been years since I have even thought about Velveeta cheese – but I found this recipe in Bon Appetit, and would you believe that was one of the ingredients?  I know Velveeta is nothing but processed cheese – and eating a hunk of Velveeta cheese is definitely not something I am interested in doing.  In fact, I seriously never imagined myself buying a stick of Velveeta ever…but there is really nothing like melted Velveeta cheese when you are making a dip.

The other weekend when I was trying to figure out what to make for the Super Bowl, I kept coming back to this recipe.  Part of me wanted to just make the recipe that my mother had engrained in my head – but this recipe looked even better.  It had a combo of Velveeta and real cheese – and some sausage.  Well, this dip was just about the best I have ever had.  I could have easily just sat down with a bowl and a spoon…but I was good and stuck to the chips – but let me tell you, there was no way to stop at just one.  Fortunately I wasn’t the only person that felt that way, so it went pretty quickly – otherwise I seriously would have eaten it all.  Velveeta – I’m sorry for ignoring you all these years, and thinking that I was done with you.  I just had to find the right time…and now that I have, there will be a place for you always.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 6 oz. fresh chorizo, casings removed
  • 2½ cups half-and-half
  • 8 oz. Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
  • 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
  • 8 oz. sharp cheddar, grated
  • 2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo
  • 1¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon ancho chile powder
  • ¾ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • 2 oz. crumbled Cotija cheese or queso fresco

Preparation

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until browned and crisp, 8–10 minutes; set aside.

Heat half-and-half and Velveeta in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until Velveeta is melted, 6–8 minutes. Add Monterey Jack and cheddar; cook, stirring, until mixture is smooth. Mix in chipotle chiles, salt, and both chile powders.

Transfer queso to a warm dish and top with Cotija cheese and reserved chorizo.

DO AHEAD: Queso (without toppings) can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Creamy Queso with Sausage

Mocha Cake with Fluffy Frosting

Published on by Dawn5 Comments

Mocha Cake with Fluffy Frosting

I have a little bit of a split personality when it comes to following recipes.  I am either all in, or not at all.  For the most part when it comes to baking, I follow the recipe completely – unless I really know what I am getting myself into, and feel completely comfortable with the substitutions.  For example, I am pretty confident now in my ability to substitute coconut milk for milk in pretty much any cake.  When it comes to cooking, there are no rules – and I am always making little changes here and there.

It was time to get back into my dairy-free baking mode – and what better to do that with than a chocolate cake.  My husband’s favorite dessert is a big chocolate cake – and it had been a while since I had made one.  I found this recipe in Cooking Light – and for some reason the title really got me.  Who doesn’t love fluffy frosting?  If you know me at all, I am not a frosting person – unless it has cream cheese in it – or it is marshmallow.  I read the ingredients, and this was neither – but I couldn’t get past the fluffy frosting.

The recipe – which I copied exactly below – called for a 9×13 pan.  Ordinarily I wouldn’t have thought twice, but for some reason I thought that a double layer cake might be even better.  We were having friends for dinner, and I figured it would be nicer to serve – so I found the 8″ round cake pans.  It didn’t hit me until I was making the frosting – of course, there is no way this can be a double layer cake.  This truly is FLUFFY FROSTING that will just sink if I layer another cake on top.  Duh.  So I ended up freezing one of the cakes, and just using the other and mounding the frosting on top. Of course that didn’t impact the taste what so ever – this cake was as moist as can be – and the fluffy frosting was like biting into a cloud.  I drizzled some caramel on top that I had brought back from Paris, and boy was this delicious.  Maybe my way was the right way – now I have another one in the freezer just waiting for an opportunity to pile some clouds on top…a little slice of heaven.

Cooking Light

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 9 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup canola mayonnaise (such as Hellmann’s)
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 cup hot strong brewed coffee
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • Cooking spray

Topping:

  • 9 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large egg whites
  • 1/3 cup light chocolate syrup

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare cake, weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through 1/2 teaspoon salt) in a large bowl. Add mayonnaise and oil; beat with a mixer at low speed until well blended. Slowly add brewed coffee and vanilla; beat with a mixer at low speed 1 minute or until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips; pour batter into a 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

To prepare meringue, combine 9 tablespoons sugar and next 3 ingredients in the top of a double boiler. Cook over simmering water 2 minutes or until candy thermometer registers 150°, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat. Beat egg mixture with a mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form; beat at high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over cake. Store cake, loosely covered, in refrigerator. Drizzle each serving with 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Mocha Cake with Fluffy Frosting

Spiced Hot Chocolate

Published on by Dawn1 Comment

Spiced Hot Chocolate

It doesn’t snow in Seattle all that often.  Maybe once a year, if we are lucky, we get a decent storm, and that means only a couple of inches.  And when that happens, the city usually shuts down.  You can basically guarantee that schools will be cancelled if there is any snow on the ground.  Of course on the east coast where I grew up, things were a little different  – and I actually had to learn how to drive in the snow.  Here they don’t plow the roads, and the hills are so steep that it can get pretty treacherous quickly.  So, it is really best just to stay home.

This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland.  Even though there was only a few inches on the ground, it was enough to cancel Sunday School, and for all the neighborhood kids to get outside and have some fun. Of course now most of the snow is already gone, but we still have remnants of a snow man in our back yard.  While the kids were outside, I was inside making pancakes for breakfast, and some special hot chocolate.  I saw this recipe in Bon Appetit, and I decided to make it kid-friendly, so omitted the alcohol and the chiles.  I knew it would be delicious, but I really had no idea I would get the reaction I did.

The kids were just about to go down the street to play more when I called out and told them that the hot chocolate was ready.  I quickly took them out of these colorful mugs, and put them into some paper cups that they could take with them.  They all grabbed a cup, said thanks and took off.  An hour later when they appeared back at the house – the first thing they said was how amazing the hot chocolate was.  I guess all the neighborhood kids were trying to guess what I had done – they decided it was not ordinary cocoa.  Score for mom!  I think I just need it to snow more often, and I will be elevated to super-mom status in no time…I knew my cooking would help me out eventually.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1  cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup  sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cacao), chopped

Preparation

Combine milk, cream, sugar, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat, cover, and let steep 15 minutes.

Remove cinnamon stick and vanilla pod; discard. Add chocolate and heat over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove hot chocolate from heat and add serve hot.

DO AHEAD: Hot chocolate can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat and serve.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Spiced Hot Chocolate

Smoky Quinoa and Bacon Salad

Published on by Dawn3 Comments

Smoky Quinoa and Bacon Salad

My kids love Top Chef.  It is one of their favorite shows on television.  It is hard for me to put myself in their shoes – when I was their age I was watching Little House on the Prairie.  The only cooking shows were on PBS, and I don’t think there were many to choose from.  Today with DVRs, On Demand, and the Internet, you can basically watch any show you want whenever you want.  Life is very different – and my children take full advantage of the choices available.

Tonight is the season finale of Top Chef, but since we rarely watch a show when it actually is aired – I am sitting here typing this blog post – while they are finishing their homework.  Hopefully this weekend we will see who wins, if we don’t find out beforehand.  So why are my kids so fascinated with Top Chef?  Well, I think for many reasons.  They love a good competition.  They love finding out what the challenges are.  And they love Padma and Tom.  But seriously, who doesn’t?

I don’t know a lot of famous people – meaning, if I saw Tom Hanks walking down the street – I would never know.  But get a celebrity chef – even just a local chef near me, and I know exactly who they are.  I have seen quite a few over the years, but have never met Tom.  He is one of the good guys – I really respect him as a chef and as a person – especially after reading my brother-in-laws interview with him.  I loved it.  I feel exactly the same way about my food – and I spend a lot of time getting my food from the places I feel good about.  And yes, I avoid hormone and antibiotics in my food any way that I can.

One of my favorite foods is bacon.  I have mentioned this many times before – but I am not sure I have mentioned where I get my bacon.  Skagit River Ranch has just about the best bacon in the world (in my opinion).  I have to go to the Farmer’s market to buy it – but let me tell you – it is absolutely worth it.  I don’t know what they do to their bacon, but it is salty yet sweet, and really meaty.  So of course when I saw this recipe in Food & Wine, I knew exactly where the bacon was coming from.  This salad was outstanding.  I love quinoa, and the bacon and caramelized shallots were a delicious combination with the nutty grain.  I adapted the recipe slightly below, but feel free to add even more ingredients – like a nutty green soy bean that I am thinking of…that goes perfectly with bacon.  So for those of you watching Top Chef tonight – I hope the best chef wins, and their life if filled with perfectly smoked bacon that is antibiotic and hormone-free.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • Pinch of kosher or sea salt
  • 8 pieces of bacon
  • 3 small shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

Preparation

Combine the quinoa, water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring the water to a boil, and after the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Gently simmer, covered, for 15 minutes (there may still be some water not yet absorbed).  Remove from heat. Keeping the pan covered, let it stand for 5 minutes, or until the remaining water is absorbed. Remove the lid and gently fluff the quinoa. Set aside to cool.

Crisp the bacon, drain and cut into 1-inch pieces. Set aside reserving one tablespoon of the grease.  Sauté the shallots in the bacon grease, then set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chipotle, salt and pepper. Set aside. In a large bowl, toss together the cooked quinoa, bacon pieces, shallots and parsley. Toss with the dressing and serve at room temperature or chilled.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Smoky Quinoa and Bacon Salad

Nacho Vidal

Published on by Dawn4 Comments

Nacho Vital 2

Our city is in a little bit of a frenzy right now – people are dancing in the streets – literally.  I have to admit that even I have a little Seahawk’s fever.  I think today was the first football game I ever sat through beginning to end.  I really wanted the Seahawks to win – for the kids.  They were all dressed up, made signs to cheer them on – even my younger daughter wore a sign around her neck all day with the number “12” on it.  Yes, we were all the twelfth man tonight, and it paid off.

Normally the Super Bowl is a day for me to make lots of fun snacks, and to spend the day in the kitchen.  Of course, nothing like my friend Kristy and her husband Mike over at Eat, Play, Love.  You should check out what they did today – extremely impressive.  11 hours in the kitchen for their annual Chopped Challenge!  What a fun way to spend a Sunday.

Our friends were hosting today, and they assigned us all different snacks to bring.  Mine was French Onion Dip and potato chips.  Yesterday my younger daughter was bored – so I let her make the dip all by herself.  She was very proud, even though all she did was take a package of Lipton Onion Soup and mix it with some Sour Cream.  Hey – everyone starts somewhere right?

I decided to bring a couple of extras – one being this Nacho Vidal.  When I saw the recipe in Bon Appetit for the shrub – I got very excited.  I have been wanting to make a drinking vinegar for some time now.  My husband cannot stand the smell of vinegar, so I waited until he was out of the house to try this one.  The drink came together beautifully – it was a cross between a Nigroni and a Margarita.   It was not too sweet, and you could not tell at all that you were drinking vinegar.  I absolutely loved it – and my neighbor said it was one of the best drinks I have ever served.  Score!!

If you do not drink alcohol, or you would like to make this for kids – you can easily enjoy this drink without the Tequila and Campari.  Just mix everything else together with 1 1/2 cups of Pomegranate juice and 2 cups of sparkling water – no shaking necessary.  It will be a nice refreshing treat.  Here’s to the Seahawks!!

Ingredients

Chile-Lime Shrub

  • 2 limes, halved
  • ¾  cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1½  teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Assembly

  • 2  cups tequila blanco
  • 1½ cups Campari
  • ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ cup fresh lime juice
  • 8 lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

Chile-Lime Shrub

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer until slightly reduced, 8–10 minutes. Let cool, then strain into a jar. Cover and chill.

Assembly

Combine tequila, Campari, lemon juice, lime juice, and shrub in a large pitcher.  Place 1½ cups tequila mixture in a cocktail shaker; fill with ice. Shake until frosty, about 30 seconds. Divide between 2 rocks glasses filled with ice; garnish each with a lime wedge. Repeat 3 more times.

Do Ahead: Tequila mixture can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here:  Nacho Vidal

CHT Melbourne