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Jul 4

THE ULTIMATE ICE CREAM TREAT-THE SODA

Happy 4th of July!!

Last week I talked about how perfect a food Ice cream seemed on this holiday. It reminded me that exactly one year ago, I wrote one of my most popular posts about that most iconic of ice cream treats, the ice cream soda. At one time, sodas were the epitome of ice cream confections. They were easily and quickly made, actually built, and always served at once. Unfortunately, that was probably part of their downfall. They couldn’t be made ahead and poured from a spigot for the ‘fast food’ trade. The ice cream soda disappeared with soda fountains and the white capped ‘jerks’ who manned them.

However, all homes have freezers now, ice cream is available in stores, as is a wide range of syrups. Above all, people are interested in preparing foods. There is no reason not to reinvent the ice cream soda, in a whole new variety of flavors and enjoy them once again.

So in memory of the ice cream soda, and in hopes of hastening its return, I’m re-printing my post of June 28, 2018 rather than re-writing it because I couldn’t say it any better now than I did then.


“HEY REMEMBER ICE CREAM SODAS?

I got one of those ‘Do you remember?’ Facebook messages yesterday, about soda fountains. I don’t remember them in their hay day, when Soda Jerks made coke by the glass from syrup and seltzer, but I do remember the iconic Ice Cream Soda. Nowadays, the only way we sip ice cream through a straw is with milk shakes. I like shakes but most are made from a prepared mix, not from scratch by blending ice cream, syrup and milk to a froth, as they used to be.

Sadly, sodas seem to have disappeared from popularity along with the fountains. The Ice Cream Soda was a special treat, built by hand, opulent, gleaming and overflowing the glass, served with an ice tea spoon and a straw, it took time to eat. It offered contrasts in taste and texture down to the last drop, and left you feeling satisfied, not just filled.

It always seemed the ideal dish for the Fourth of July, as appropriate to the holiday as pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving. My association is also linked to childhood memories. My Aunt and Cousin always arrived July 1st for the summer and every Friday night, they, my Grandmother, my Mother and I went to the movies and afterward to a popular ice cream parlor for sodas. Nothing tasted so good as the soda on that first Friday, which was always within a few days of the 4th.

I can still remember the choices. My cousin and I stood by our usuals, chocolate for me, strawberry for her, but the women varied their orders regularly. Grandmother liked all vanilla, or asked for peach ice cream or one scoop peach and one strawberry. My Aunt picked a chocolate soda with a ripple ice cream, fudge, caramel or peanut, because she liked the taste tweaks as she ate. My Mother chose a chocolate soda with coffee, pistachio or mint chip ice cream, creating different flavors.

Every so often, at this time of year, I used wax nostalgic and make sodas for my kids and their friends, but mine didn’t generously overflow. I wasn’t into cleaning dippy messes and something else was missing. The kids loved them and were always happy I made them, but to children used to soft-serve cones and take-out shakes everywhere, to whom an ‘ice cream fix’ was opening the freezer door, the ‘special’ magic wasn’t there.

I really would like to see the Ice Cream Soda make a comeback. Anyone can make one. All they need is an ice cream scoop and the flavor options are limitless. If my relatives could consider 11 combinations normal in those conservative food years, when Howard Johnson’s 28 flavors was thought exotic, imagine what could be concocted today. Moreover, it’s easy to create new ones with home machines.

There are also many favors of syrups in the markets now. Additionally, we may not be the basic ’from scratch’ cooks our grandmothers were, but we are adept at accessorizing our dishes and that includes making syrups. I make coffee syrup frequently for Tiramisu. Simple syrup is equally easy and can be flavored with pureed fruit and/or extracts. Lemon curd is available and it’s always possible to turn to old standbys like maple syrup or butterscotch sauce to improvise.

Then there’s the huge variety of flavored seltzers in markets today, white grape, peach, raspberry, lime to name just a few. They can provide interesting contrasts in tastes as well. Using flavored soda isn’t a novel idea either. The famous ‘Brown Cow’ was chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream and coke.

Which brings me to the ‘kissing cousin’ of the ice cream soda, the Float;simpler than the soda, it’s simply a soda pop, originally, I think, root beer, or other carbonated beverage even beer and ale, poured over a scoop of ice cream. Does anyone still remember root beer? Apparently, however, floats aren’t such dinosaurs as ice cream sodas. Guinness features one made with ale in its current recipe book.

So here’s an idea. July 4th is this week. Why not celebrate a truly American holiday by remembering a traditional American drink? You can even make a party of it, kinda like a sundae party, by offering different ice creams, a variety of seltzers and syrups, even some toppings, whipped cream, cherries, jimmies. Line up the options and let people make their own. It doesn’t have to be a large group, in fact smaller is better, but it is festive.

Just one tip; in choosing the ice cream for a soda, think twice about varieties with larger add-ins, like nuts and candy. They don’t fit in a straw, or worse, clog it, making eating difficult. I wouldn’t advise cookie cough either, not just for that reason, but the soda will partially dissolve it and, being heavy, it will sink, leaving a gummy mass in the bottom of the glass.

Happy Fourth of July all!

RECIPES

Basic Ice Cream Soda Recipe:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
3 Tbs. flavored syrup or + to taste
2 scoops of ice cream
Chilled club soda, seltzer water (Not sparkling mineral water) or other carbonated drink, cola, ginger ale or other pale soda pop.
Pour the syrup into the bottom of the glass; add about of 1 oz. soda and 1 scoop of ice cream. Stir gently around the sides of the ice cream lifting the syrup up around the scoop. Slowly add more soda to fill the glass ¾, mixing the contents gently as you pour. Add the other scoop of ice cream, and fill the glass with the soda water, creating bubbles.

It provides vitamins useful web-site viagra 100mg for sale and minerals to augment potency, libido as well as the flow of blood to the penile organ. Is it Possible to be taller after a Certain Age? at the age of 18 or after 18 the rate of growth becomes too slow. it ceases after the age of 22 or 23. so, if you have crossed viagra prices your teen age how can you gain height? we must have to know some of the useful tips on how to look after genital health during ED?. There were participants who asked Kenyans to not resort to street violence, but turn to the courts instead to seek justice, but they expressed their optimism about a peaceful resolution. cheapest price for viagra Dare we say that Kobe Bryant looks cialis prescription browse around content old and washed up? That really is the case right now the Black Samba, as he only scored 23 points on Wednesday, marking one of the central reasons that many people today can not stay married life. Basic Ice cream Float:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
1 scoop ice cream
Carbonated beverage, including beer or ale.
Fill the glass about ½ full with the liquid, add the ice cream and then pour over the liquid to fill.

Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Combine and heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. If it seems thin, cook to evaporate water until desired consistency.

Brown Simple Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
Follow above directions.

Coffee Syrup:
Method 1) Make either above syrup with strong coffee in place of water
Method 2) Add 1 Tbs. or to taste, instant coffee as you make it. I like Instant Espresso for flavor depth.

Vanilla Syrup:
While cooking simple syrup add from 2-3 tsp. or more vanilla to taste. This amount will also be determined by whether pure extract or imitation is used. The main thing is not to let it dilute the syrup recipe, so the length of cooking time will depend on the degree the fluid needs reducing to achieve the right consistency.

Fresh Fruit Syrups:

Examples of how fresh fruits can be used. Always store chilled. Traditionally these directions would have included straining, but I like the rustic appearance of a rougher texture.
Strawberry
Marinate sliced berries in sugar as for shortcake topping, then puree.
Peach
Method 1) about ½ cup peeled, sliced fruit and 1Tbs. simple syrup, or to consistency, pureed
Method 2) Roasted peach half(halves-depending on quantity wanted) pureed with simple syrup, if needed. Gives a more intense flavor

Blueberry
½ cup blueberries and 1+? Tbs. simple syrup microwaved at 1 min. intervals for 3 min. or until soft, then pureed.

Feel free to experiment—perhaps chopped apple, with cinnamon treated as blueberries or plums substituted for peaches. A few drops of liqueur or extract or a pinch of spice can add to the taste as well.”

Jun 21

 

 

Jun 27

FANCY ICE CREAM DESSERTS TO MAKE AT HOME

If July 4th had an iconic food like other holidays, I bet it would be ice cream. Cold, fun, refreshing, and readily available it’s wonderfully satisfying in hot weather. More than that, it’s easy to create a huge variety of fancy desserts at home and experiment with flavors using commercial ice cream.

Years ago, I bought an ice cream machine. I lived in an area famous for blueberries, loved cranberries and had been mashing bananas in softened vanilla ice cream, then refreezing the mix in popsicle molds for ages. I thought it would be easier to create ice cream in those flavors from scratch and I wanted to try using herbs and spices.

Well….my efforts were successful, but the machine…not so much. The process was too time-consuming and the machine took more freezer space than was justified by the results-only about 1 quart of ice cream. It took days to make enough ice cream for a full family dinner, it wasn’t easy and in no way could I have the choices I wanted always available. So the machine sits on a shelf, except for occasional request. I didn’t want to go back to the old, totally, handmade methods yet I did want way to easily make fancy ice cream desserts at home, which weren’t run-of-the-mill.

So I did some research which took me a step further in the direction of convenience (or laziness). I found that it was easy to make ice cream desserts at home using commercial brands. It converted with little effort into fancy, festive presentations. Some of the recipes below are adaptations, some are mine and a few are old classics but they’re all easy, delicious, decorative, homemade AND guaranteed to get you raves!

Don’t miss the special BONUS at the end of this post. It has 3 additional recipes which can help to make your ‘company’ desserts no-brainers in the future.

RECIPES

Truffle Bites: Yield 25- From The Three & Four Ingredient Cookbook by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow,
3 cups ice cream-flavor optional
7 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 oz. milk or white chocolate
¼ cup chopped, toasted nuts-almonds, hazelnuts suggested
Place a large cookie sheet in the freezer for 10 min. Scoop balls of ice cream with a melon baller and line them on the cookie sheet; freeze for at least 1 hr. Line a second cookie sheet with parchment paper and freeze it as well. Melt the chocolates in separate pots. Transfer the ice cream balls to the parchment covered sheet, and, gently spoon a little dark chocolate over half of them to cover, one at a time, and immediately sprinkle with chopped nut. Cover the other half of the balls with dark chocolate and drizzle with the milk or white chocolate. Freeze them as you go to avoid melting and keep frozen until serving.

Fruit Gateau: Serves 6-From- The Three & Four Ingredient Cookbook by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow,
3 ½ cups mixed berries or diced, skinned soft fruit-if using large strawberries chop to size
3 cups ice cream- flavor optional
2 Tbs. powdered sugar
4 oz. meringues = 1 small per cup of other ingredients or 6 here—See recipe below*
Dampen a 2 lb. loaf pan and line it with waxed paper. Put the fruit in a bowl with the sugar and toss until it begins to break up but don’t let it get mushy. Put the ice cream in another bowl and break it up with a fork. Add the broken meringues and the fruit. Fold the ingredients together until lightly marbled. Pack the mixture into the prepared pan and press down lightly to level. Cover and freeze overnight. To serve, invert on a plate, remove wrap and slice.
*NOTE: This is delicious with an interesting texture. However, it’s difficult to slice. I think I’ll make it in individual molds from now on, perhaps even use muffin cups

Peach Melba: Per portion
1 large scoop ice cream-vanilla is customary but peach or strawberry are options
2 meringues-see recipe below*
1 peach half- canned peaches can be used, but fresh, skinned ones are better.
3 Tb. raspberry sauce- see NOTE below**
Place the peach half in the bottom of a dessert dish, top with ice cream. Press a meringue into each side of the ice cream scoop and pour the raspberry sauce over.
**NOTE: Melba Sauce is sold in gourmet sections, but fresh berries tossed with sugar are better, so are frozen raspberries sweetened to taste.

*Meringues: Yield about 25 small or 12 large
Meringues are very useful . The only thing to beware of is that egg whites will not beat if there is even a trace of any other substance, including water but especially egg yolk, on the beaters or in the bowl. Tip: egg whites beat better at room temperature.
Cookie Sheet and Waxed Paper:
2 egg whites
½ cup sugar
2 drops cider vinegar
½ tsp. flavoring – – Vanilla is usual if used with other ingredients. I like Maple to serve alone
Cover the cookie sheet with the waxed paper. Carefully separate the eggs, putting the whites in a clean, dry bowl. It might be wise to break them separately, over another bowl, then transfer each white into the beating bowl. That way, if there’s a bit of yoke in the last white, you don’t have to start over. With clean, dry beaters, beat the eggs until they form soft peaks, @ 1 ½ – 2 min. Still beating, add the vinegar, gradually pour in the sugar, and continue beating until glossy peaks form when you lift the beaters. Add the flavoring, beat to mix.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Drop the meringue batter on the covered cookie sheet by the teaspoon or soupspoon depending on desired size, forming little mounds about 2 inches apart; cook 1 hour. While still warm, remove the meringues from the paper, and allow to cool on a rack.

*NOTE: Meringues are handy to have on hand. They can be eaten as cookies and are lower in calories. They keep in an air-tight tin for months. The batter can also be cooked flat or in shapes and used to replace pie crust or pastry shells.

Banana Popsicles: Makes 6 as per usual mold set*
2 cups softened vanilla ice cream
1 cup mashed RIPE banana=1 large or 2 small—dark spots from ripening don’t show after mixing
Mash the banana to a paste with a fork and stir into the ice cream until fully mixed. Freeze in molds. Rec
* Can substitute for the cream in the Cake recipe below

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(1 qt.) 32 oz. ice cream-vanilla—see Note for using other flavors
8 oz. caramel sauce
3/4 cup chopped toasted nuts-pecans, almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts
Soften the ice cream. Rinse and line a 1 lb. loaf pan with plastic wrap. Stir 1/3 of the ice cream into the caramel sauce and mix well, heating if necessary. Cool then stir in the nuts. Spread 1/3 the caramel mixture into the pan and top with ½ the ice cream. Repeat layers ending with the caramel. Tap to level the surface and freeze for at least 6 hrs. To serve, dip pan in hot water, invert onto a plate, remove wrap and slice.
NOTE: Only vanilla combines with the caramel sauce well taste wise. If using another flavor of Ice cream buy enough vanilla ice cream or substitute 2/3 cup whipped cream.

Ice Cream Cake: Serves 10-12
(1) 2 1/2 quart freezer proof mold or large round, deep mixing bowl
Layer pans, tube pan or sheet cake pan to bake the cake
1 box of cake mix, cooked according to directions, cooled and removed from the pan(s)
½ gal—Or 1.5 qt. container ice cream.
Bake the cake according to box directions, remove from pans and allow to cool.
Soften ice cream to consistency of whipped topping.
Rinse bowl or mold with water and shake out excess but do not dry. The film of water freezes and forms a protective coating on the container that makes it easier to unmold the finished dessert.
Smear a dollop of softened ice cream over the bottom of the mold. If it has a decorative top be sure to fill it all in. Then begin to fit chunks of the cake into the mold in layers. Be sure to separate the layers of cake, the pieces of cake in the layers and the cake pieces from the sides of the mold with enough ice cream that they don’t stick together or become exposed when the dessert is unmolded.
Also, have a thick enough layer of ice cream on the bottom of the mold to form a firm base when plated for serving.
Freeze the mold for several hours or overnight.
Remove from freezer and dip the mold in a larger bowl, or pan, of hot water, for the count of ten (10). Cover the bottom with a serving plate and invert to unmold.
Serve at once or store in the freezer until needed.
Pass any appropriate toppings: whipped cream, wet nuts, sauce, fruit etc. on the side.

Bonus
Chocolate Cups: Serves 6- From-The Three & Four Ingredient Cookbook by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow,
These are an elegant way to dress up a couple of scoops of ice cream. Just add whipped topping, some fruit or other decorations and you have a party dessert! Make them ahead and you’ll always be set.
8 oz. chocolate broken in pieces-dark, white or milk
Waxed paper
1 baking sheet
(1) 3 inch round cookie cutter—OR tuna fish cans, washed and open at both ends
Cover the baking sheet with waxed paper. Cut (6) 12 x 5 inch strips of waxed paper. Fold each in half lengthwise and roll to fit inside the cookie cutter when standing on the baking sheet and tape paper in circles. Stand the cookie cutter on the baking sheet, fit a paper roll inside it and, with a teaspoon, spoon a little chocolate inside, spreading it over the bottom to form a base and unevenly up the sides. Careful not to crack the chocolate shell, remove the cutter and go on to the next cup. This is where tuna cans make the job easier; they stay in place until the cups harden, allowing several to be made quickly.
Each cup holds 2 normal scoops of ice cream.

Coconut Ice Cream: Serves 6– This doesn’t belong in either of the above categories, but it’s a fun addition, especially with the current popularity of coconut.
14 oz. can coconut milk
¼ cup sugar
2 limes, zested and juiced
Toasted coconut shreds, toasted almond slivers and/or chocolate shavings for garnish
Boil sugar with 2/3 cup water to dissolve, stirring constantly; cool then chill well. Add lime and coconut milk. Pour into a freezer-proof container and freeze 4-6 hrs., beating or processing twice in between to break up ice crystals. Freeze until firm. Serve in scoops topped with choice of garnish.

Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream-An easy way to surprise people with unusual flavors.
3 cups (1 ½ pts.) half-and-half
(1) 14 oz. can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup lightly mashed fresh blueberries –OR other pureed or mashed fresh fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, bananas and raspberries*
Food coloring (optional)
COMBINE all ingredients in ice cream freezer container; mix well. Freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
REFRIGERATOR-FREEZER METHOD
Combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl; stir in 1 cup prepared fruit and food coloring, if desired. Fold in 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream (do not use non-dairy whipped topping). Pour into 9- x 5-inch loaf pan or a 2-quart freezer container; cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm.
*NOTE: I found blanching the blueberries slightly before mashing them softens them enough so their texture blends well with the cream when frozen.

 

 

Jun 6

SH0RTCUT DINNER RECIPES MAKE RELAXED MEALS

Shortcut dinner recipes are favorites of busy people all year, but when the weather heats up, they’re everybody’s go-to. These are recipes modified, primarily, to make the cook’s kitchen time easier, and more comfortable. They aren’t necessarily faster, but they achieve the desired dish with less effort. After all, nothing is quicker than sautéing or pan broiling a chicken tender or fish fillet and making a pan sauce but it does require standing over a hot stove, which can be tedious even with air-conditioning.

Creating a shortcut recipe often involves adjusting ingredients, usually altering prep and, almost always adapting cooking methods. Frequently, microwaving becomes involved for at least part of the cooking. However it’s achieved, three things are required of the finished product. It must mirror the original in taste, texture and appearance. The Popovers and Sherbet do this. If it’s a new creation, then it must fit seamlessly into its category. The Chocolate ‘Crazy’ Cake and My Key Lime Pie are examples of this.

Below are 16 shortcut recipes for you to see. Most are from other sources, some are general knowledge and a few are my own. Several may seem inappropriate going into summer, but I’ve included notes to make them seasonal. If you study them, you’ll begin to see patterns emerge which you can relate to some of your favorite recipes and find ways to shortcut them.

If you try them you’ll never go back to the original recipes. Popovers, reputed to be so difficult are a cinch now; spaghetti sauce in half an hour? And the chocolate cake not only doesn’t need beating, it doesn’t need eggs or shortening either making it truly low-cal-about 146 cal. per portion.

RECIPES

Quick Popovers:

Yield 8
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
Combine ingredients and mix well. Fill greased custard cups or popover tins* ¾ full. Place in a cold oven and bake at 450 deg.30 min. DON’T PEEK or they won’t rise!
*NOTE: Regular muffin tin cups aren’t deep enough to allow the dough to rise to the point of forming the large central air bubble which is the hallmark of popovers. They will still be good but they won’t have the hollow center or be so light.

Flour Tortillas

Quick Crackers or Dippers-Cut a 3-4 inch. diameter circle in the center of a 10 inch flour tortilla and divide it into 6 wedges. Cut the remaining ring in 1 ½ inch segments. Place the pieces on a cookie sheet, lightly spray with oil and sprinkle with seasonings of choice-salt, garlic powder, paprika etc. Bake at 300 deg. until dried and crisp-about 10 min.
Pizza Crust– Tortilla size depends on servings. Lightly brush one side of a flour tortilla with water and press a second on top. Build the pizza as per usual with desired ingredients, leaving a 1 inch margin. Bake at 425 deg. for 12-14 min. until bubbling and golden.

SOUPS: In summer, as in winter, soups make great meals when paired with sandwiches and/or salads. Top: Try the popovers. The recipes below are from The Complete Book of 400 Soups by Anne Shesby

Cucumber Bisque:

Serves 4
3 large cucumbers, seeded and sliced but not peeled
1 small onion-diced
4 cups chicken stock
(4) 4-5 oz. salmon fillets or 16 large shrimp-optional
Salt and pepper
Sour cream for garnish-optional
Chopped chives for garnish
If using, poach the salmon or shrimp in boiling water until cooked-the salmon about 8 min. and the shrimp about 4 min. (or buy cooked) Peel the skin off the salmon or clean the shrimp, leaving tails on and chill. Boil the vegetables in the broth until soft, about 15 min. Blend until smooth and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve in bowls with seafood on top, garnished with sour cream and chives or, if not using seafood, just cream and chives.

Arugula and Blue Cheese Soup:

Serves 4
8 oz. arugula leaves—any heavy spines removed
5 oz. blue cheese
2 ½ cups chicken or vegetable stock
2/3 cup light cream
Heat stock and add arugula until leaves wilt about 3 min. Crumble the cheese into the pot and stir until it starts to melt. Blend the mixture until smooth. Return the mixture to the pot and stir in the cream, heating only until well incorporated. Remove from heat and chill. Stir well and serve cool, garnished with chives or paprika. Don’t refrigerate long or cheese will congeal and change the texture.

Bean, Tomato and Pesto Soup:

Serves 4
(2) 14 oz. cans lima beans rinsed and drained-or a white bean, but no other colors
¼ cup tomato paste
1/3 cup pesto
3 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable stock
Sour Cream for garnish
Place all ingredients but cream in a pot and simmer gently about 8 min. Blend the soup until slightly chunky and chill. Serve swirled with dabs of cream.

MAIN DISHES

Tuscan Bean Salad:

Serves 2—For more, simply double (leftovers make good brown bags)
(1) 6 oz. can of tuna- drained-solid or chunk white preferred—oil or water optional
(1) 15 oz. can cannellini beans – or navy or Great Northern white beans – drained
2 Tbs. salad or canola oil
1Tbs. balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. lemon juice
¼ cup fresh basil leaves-chopped or 1 tsp. dried
Oregano-to taste- optional
Whisk the last 6 ingredients in a bowl. Rinse the beans under running water and drain. Stir in the drained tuna. Allow to stand a few minutes for the flavors to meld and/or refrigerate up to 8 hrs.

Spaghetti:

There are as many recipes for spaghetti as there are for tuna salad. This is my own quick version with two twists I learned in Italy. The first is in the recipe, the second is the use for it below.*

1 lb. sausage or turkey sausage roll

(1) 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

2 Tbs. oil

2 small carrots, peeled and sliced thin (1/8 to 1/16 inch)*

½ cup raisons

2 tsp. garlic powder – or to taste

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. pepper and salt to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste-optional

1 lb thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta.

Grated Parmesan

In a stockpot, over medium heat, brown the meat in the oil, when all pink in gone, add all the other ingredients, but the pasta, Simmer about 40 min. until the sauce reduces a bit and the carrots are very tender. Cook the pasta in a separate pot just to al dente. Drain and put in the pot with the sauce, toss briefly, THEN turn the contents out into a serving bowl. Pass the Parmesan.
Spaghetti sauce freezes beautifully, so make extra if you wish, and freeze it in separate containers of the size your family needs for a meal, or in single servings for quick kid’s meals. If not thawed, put a few tablespoons of water in the saucepan as you start to reheat it to avoid sticking, but once it’s thawed, it can heat while the pasta cooks.
*A favorite cold meal for Italians is Spaghetti Pie and it’s a handy use for leftovers as well. In fact it started with farm wives frying the leftover dinner pasta into a ‘cake’ which they could slice and place in the lunch pails of the men working the fields.
1)Toss the pasta with the sauce and for each ½ lb. mix in 1 egg lightly beaten
2) Store chilled overnight
3) Choose a skillet that will hold the pasta, compacted, to almost its full depth
4)Pour at least 2 Tbs. oil- more for larger pans-into the skillet and swirl.
5) Heat the skillet until a piece of pasta sizzles when dropped into it. Pour in the pasta and place over low flame
6)Allow the pasta to stay on the heat, undisturbed until the bottom loosens and the top is firm
7) Invert the pie twice, so it’s plated top side up
8) Chill and slice in wedges to serve.

Salad Nicoise:

Serves 4-6 Ideally this should be made with grilled Tuna steaks thinly sliced, and all fresh vegetables but canned works well. Just be sure the tuna is solid white Albacore.

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¾ lb. redskin or new potatoes—OR (2) 15 oz. canned tiny whole potatoes- drained

¾ lb. whole green beans—10 oz. bag frozen whole green beans or cut will do

4 hard boiled eggs – peeled, halved lengthwise and chilled

1 large red or Bermuda onion in fairly thin slices

3 large or 4 medium tomatoes peeled (optional) cut in medium slices and chilled

(1) 2 oz. can anchovy fillets drained oil reserved for dressing

(1) 5 oz. can colossal pitted ripe olives – drained

(2) 7 oz. cans solid white Albacore Tuna in water – drained

Kosher salt

White wine

Dried tarragon

Fresh ground black pepper

Cut the potatoes in quarters, or halves, depending on size. Boil them separately or together with the beans until the potatoes are done and the beans still crisp @ 10 min. Drain well, run under cold water to stop the cooking and cool.(Microwave the beans as package directs and drain the potatoes) Place the potatoes and beans in an oblong container, so they can spread to marinate, with ½ cup white wine and 2 tsp. dried tarragon. Allow to marinate at least ½ hr. or all day. Separate the lettuce leaves, wash well and allow to air dry. Cover a large platter with the leaves. Pile the tuna, topped with the anchovies in the center, and attractively arrange the other ingredients, in separate sections, in a surrounding circle. Sprinkle with the salt and fresh pepper.

DRESSING RECIPE

Wisk all ingredients together well

4 Tbs. minced shallots – onions will substitute

2 Tbs. dry mustard powder-OR 1Tbs. prepared hot mustard

5 Tbs. red wine vinegar

3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

2 ¼ cups olive oil plus the oil from the anchovies

2 tsp. dried tarragon

Taste and add some of the marinating white wine if it won’t dilute too much

Marinating Made Easy
One easy way to cut marinating time, is to start the meat or fish, marinating in a plastic bag in the refrigerator at time of purchase. If it’s to be used at a later date, freeze the bag, marinade and all. The time needed to freeze and to thaw, usually is enough to marinate. If the recipe requires overnight marinating, refrigerate it for a few hours before freezing. If using this technique to marinate lamb or veal cook the meat partially frozen, because when those meats thaw, they release their juices and tend to dry and toughen.

SIDES

Microwave Ratatouille: Serves 2-Slice 2 medium zucchini and/or yellow squash and 2 small onions into a microwave safe bowl. Top with 1 Tbs. oil, and ½ tsp. lemon pepper. Microwave 3 min. Add ¾ cup salsa * or (½) 15 oz. can diced tomatoes or an equal amount of peeled, chopped fresh tomatoes, and a sprinkle of red pepper, if desired, and microwave an additional 2 min. Optionally tip with grated cheese.

Spinach Tart: Serves 4- (2) 10 oz. boxes, chopped spinach. Drain, put in a greased pie plate or shallow casserole. Mix with 2 raw eggs and 2 packets chicken or beef flavored bouillon granules. Top with a sprinkle of nutmeg, and bake along with meat .for 30 min. at 250 degrees, or 20 min at 350 degrees. Can also be microwaved for 1 ½ min. on high

DESSERTS

My Easy Plum Sherbet: Serves 4-This can be done with any fruit
(1) 30 oz. can of purple plums, pits removed, OR any other canned fruit
Pinch ginger-optional OR seasonings appropriate to the fruit used
Process the fruit to a puree, adding enough syrup to get the proper texture-more equal cream than water. I use all of it with plums, but not with pears. (Save any extra syrup to flavor a granita.)
Place the puree in a sealed container, freeze to almost firm. Reprocess until the mixture lightens in color and becomes very smooth. Refreeze.
For ‘creamier’ texture stir in about ½ cup whipped topping before refreezing.
Keep sealed in the freezer. Keeps as long as a commercial product.
NOTE: This can be made into an elegant dessert by punching a hole in the center of a scoop with a wooden spoon handle and filling it with a complimentary flavored liqueur.

My Key Lime Pie

I always had trouble with Key Lime Pie, despite many recipes, even “authentic” ones from the Florida Keys, until devised this, which seems to be foolproof, perhaps because it’s so easy. The lime juice is best fresh, and, if possible, of the “key” variety. Key limes are small, dark green, very smooth with rounded ends. Their juice has an intense flavor, without the biting acidity sometimes found in regular lime juice. I understand the juice is sold in the baking supply aisles in some stores, but have never encountered it. The limes themselves, can often be found, usually labeled and bagged, in Supermarkets, especially ones with large Hispanic sections. It requires at least 15 to yield enough juice for one pie. If you can’t find them, the common Persian variety limes will do, but I might increase the amount of juice in the pie by a tablespoon or more. Test to taste the strength of the acidity and flavor of the juice. Do NOT use concentrated juice unless it’s labeled Key Lime, or lime drink mix.

(1) 9 inch baked pie shell. Home made or purchased, regular or graham cracker.

(1) 14 oz. can Sweetened Condensed Milk MIXED WITH
About 2/3 cup sour cream-sufficient to equal 2 cups

½ cup fresh Key Lime juice OR see above

1 Tbs. lime zest

½ envelope unflavored gelatin
Whipped cream, extra lime zest or chopped mint leaves for garnish
Soften the gelatin by soaking 5 min. in the lime juice. Combine the condensed milk, sour cream and zest in a bowl. Dissolve the gelatin by heating the lime juice 30 sec. in the microwave. If it doesn’t dissolve

easily, heat it an additional 5 sec. or so, but be sure it is completely liquid before proceeding. Add the lime juice with gelatin to the bowl with the milk, sour cream and zest. Wisk well to incorporate. Pour the filling mixture into the pie shell and chill at least 2 hours until well set. Serve garnished.

Crazy Cake:

Serves 14-16
1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
1tsp. baking soda
Pinch salt
3 Tbs. baking cocoa
1 Tbs. vinegar
3 Tbs. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup water
Sift the first 5 ingredients, the dry ones, into an ungreased cake pan. With the back of a soup spoon, make 3 depressions into the top of the mixture. Pour each of the next 3 ingredients into a depression. Then pour the water over the top and mix well with a fork until batter is completely incorporated and smooth. Bake at 350 deg.35-40 min. until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before slicing. Can be left in the pan or plated, iced or plain; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips can be added to the batter. Recipe doubled makes a sheet cake or 2 layers. Keeps well.

 

 

 

 

May 23

FOOD FACTS FOR MILLENNIALS

A basic knowledge of food facts is a universal survival necessity. Nowadays, with the increased interest in ethnic cuisines and constantly increasing varieties of new products available, even seasoned kitchen veterans need a refresher occasionally. For the graduate, newlywed or anyone opening a new page, setting up housekeeping, learning even fundamental food facts, can be daunting, especially on a busy schedule. The supermarket can be scary, wondering what to choose, how to use it, how much to buy, which brand is the ‘right’ one with the prospect of ‘register shock’ or worse budget deficit looming over head.

Food Facts for Millennials helps calculate your needs before you start to market, and, being mobile, goes with you on your phone to answer your questions while shopping. It makes food preparation in general, easier and fun for both newbies and old hands. The fact that it’s mobile was the inspiration for the title-Millennials are never without their phones and rarely seek information from other sources.

Even though I had years of experience in managing a home, I was terrified when I opened my chef service. I had to satisfy my clients, virtual strangers, to make my business work. The largest group of customers seeking a chef service consists of working parents who want to maintain a traditional lifestyle. The second largest are people dealing with special diets due to allergies or medical restrictions. For both groups, an understanding of nutrition is important.

My first few clients were in the second group. Having relatives with regimented diets, I knew the chief ‘red flag’ foods are easily isolated and examined in the baking category, dairy products, sugar and recently flour, so I began making notes on substitutions, new items from ethnic cuisines and product options for reference. When my paper pad became bothersome to carry, I switched to digital notes. Showing them to a friend, her newlywed daughter asked for a copy and added a request, with prices rising, for a book on meats to find optional cuts. That led to books on poultry and seafood detailing food facts on those categories.

Then I heard a woman explaining a new low-carb diet which banned all white foods, including onions, because they are high in carbohydrates. I realized that poor carbs were still getting a ‘dirty rap’ and wrote another book explaining that carbs are the body’s fuel and all foods have them, with the exception of oils and some shellfish. It’s understanding that there are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex, which function differently, that separates the ‘good carbs’ from the ‘bad’ ones and should determine our choice in consuming them.

By now I had five books of food facts on my web site, Etsy store and Kindle. It seemed natural to write a sixth on sauces and gravies, tying them all together as they do foods on a plate, especially with the current popularity of pan sauces and/or gravies. First, there is a difference between the two. Second, like carbs, there is a general misunderstanding about them. They do not all have a high fat content, that depends on the base and the ingredients used. A ROUX base begins with melted butter, and then the thickening agent and liquid are added. A SLURRY base consists of the thickening agent dissolved in a bit of fluid, then stirred into the main liquid, which could be a skimmed broth or juice. The book also examines the five Mother sauces of classic French cuisine and the derivation of their ‘offspring’ for three generations as well as listing the different grades of sauces, gravies and soups.

Although the six books are available separately on the site’s Bookshelf and Kindle, I decided they would be more convenient for quick reference gathered in one volume. So, in addition to the reason stated above, I called the book Food Facts for Millennials because it’s about food facts and ‘for Millennials’ partly because they are the ones now starting out on their own but particularly because they are true ‘foodies’. They want high quality, fresh ingredients and are willing to pay more for less to have them. They’re interested in exploring different cuisines, creating new taste experiences and maintaining nutritional balance.

However, the book is a handy reference guide even for us old hands in the kitchen, who need to check food facts now and then. It’s even available in mobi, so you can take it to market with you on your phone.

Here is a list of the six digital books, with a summary of the contents of each and individual prices as listed on this blog and kindle.

1) BAKING BASICS AND OPTIONS

Have you ever been confronted by a baking recipe and wondered which product to choose? Ever needed to cook for people with allergies to gluten, wheat, eggs or perhaps are diabetic or have another medical condition? Maybe you wanted to bake something to please a guest from another culture, or just felt like trying a recipe from another cuisine. This book answers any questions with facts about regular ingredients used in baking, helps you understand unfamiliar ones and choose the right options if necessary. It also offers various uses for different ingredients and suggests ways to use the remainder of any exotic ones you may buy for a special purpose before expiration. ($2.99)

2) THE POULTRY PLACE $3.99

Scientists have http://appalachianmagazine.com/2018/09/10/could-hurricane-florence-be-another-hugo-for-appalachia/ purchase cheap viagra determined that there are fewer risks. Alcohol certainly provokes the http://appalachianmagazine.com/2016/11/22/why-conservative-america-will-ultimately-loathe-donald-trump/ order viagra online sexual desire, but it inhibits your sexual performance. Side effects: Stomach cheap viagra online upset, diarrhea/loose stools, nausea, vomiting, or stomach/abdominal pain may occur. Powerful herbs in this herbal pill uk generic viagra offer effective cure for impotence. This book discusses modern changes in breeding methods; why we’re assured of tender birds and the “stewing” chicken and capon are obsolete. It explains the differences in terms between generic, brand-name birds as found in the supermarket, free-range and organically raised. There is complete information on Salmonella and how to avoid it. This advice extends to a section on the safe handling and use of eggs, and another section on reasons to clean and brine all poultry. There are detailed instructions on preparing all types of birds for cooking. Listed are descriptions of all domestic fowl and the most universal of game birds, along with several recipes for each. Also included are time and temperature charts for general knowledge and detailed instructions for carving and serving each type of bird. It’s a complete run-down on food facts about poultry. Nothing is left to chance. ($3.99)

3) SAVVY SAUCES and GRAVIES

This book is a “Cliff Notes” of food facts on sauces and gravies. It starts by defining the differences between the two and goes on to explain the various ways to thicken them for serving, examining the different ingredients that can be used and giving recipes and directions to do so. It describes the different types of gravy and gives directions on how to make each from scratch as well as shortcuts. Outlined are ALL the different types of sauces and their uses from salads to meats to desserts and gives step-by-step advice on how to make and use each. Special attention is given to the 5 Classic French “Mother” sauces—the ones found on menus not in packages. Each is described in detail and instructions given for making and using them, as well as for the many varied second and third generation sauces they inspire.
As the way sauces evolve is explained, it becomes clear they can be adapted to fit dietary requirements, be they medical, religious or cosmetic. This leads to explaining how simple it is to create shortcuts for the inexperienced or rushed as well as how easy it is to individualize them. Recipes illustrating the different types and applications of sauces are included along the way and tips to DIY sauces at will. ($3.99)

4) HOW TO CONTROL CARBOHYDRATES – SO THEY DON’T GO TO WAIST

Take the “Black Hat” off carbohydrates and learn the facts about how to use these foods to your advantage. In this book you will learn the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates, how each works and why complex ones are so important to a healthy diet. You will see that it’s virtually impossible to cut carbs out of your diet completely, because they exist to some degree in almost all foods. The trick in avoiding the damage they can do to your waistline is in knowing which ones, and how many you need daily. The major source groups are explained in detail and broken down into types as are the “hidden” groups so often overlooked. It’s important to know which is which and how to combine them to your advantage. For example, a baked potato with sour cream constitutes a balanced meal, do you know why? There are cooking tips and some suggestions for uses and recipes included as well. ($2.99)

5) ALL ABOUT SEAFOOD

As seafood becomes increasingly valued as a healthy food source, and thanks to the growth of aqua farming and improved transport, ever more varieties are available to and being consumed by an increasing number of people. Questions naturally arise as to the facts about these foods, concerning the buying, prepping, storing and cooking of the different types of seafood and actually as to the types and classifications of the items themselves. This book addresses many of those questions by explaining the general rules for safe handling fish and other forms of seafood; cleaning, skinning, shelling or shucking; proper storage until cooking. There are definitions of each classification of seafood in general and descriptions of the members of each category and specifically of the species within each one listed. There are guidelines as to proportions to buy and suggestions as to substitutions within species. Included is also a section on the serving of canned fish. ($2.99)

6) THE MEAT STOP

Years ago the family neighborhood butcher knew the customers’ preferences and often anticipated their needs. Now we’re on our own and have to be a lot better informed about the food facts as to what we’re buying in every way. Anyone who has peered into the supermarket meat counters realize there are decisions to be made over and above which meat to choose. We have to know the cut or cuts to use for the dishes we plan, how to pick the right one and which is the best buy. We need to judge color, grain, fat dispersion, often bone mass and general appearance. Moreover, we have to know what to substitute if we can’t find what we want. For this we have to know how to prepare and cook different cuts, even different meats. The book contains charts on beef, pork, lamb and veal advising which cuts are more tender, which are tougher, which are fattier and why. Then there are additional charts telling how to cook, carve and serve them. The book is a great guide to learning about meats and a great kitchen aid. ($3.99)

FOOD FACTS FOR MILLENNIALS – The collection ($ 17.94) – both epub and mobi
A collection of all 6 books for handy reference.

 

May 16

MERINGUES – DESSERTS FOR ALL SEASONS

When I say that I like meringues, I’m usually greeted with a look of pity for being so old-fashioned but I do like them. They’re easy to make, have a long shelf life and are fun to work with. Notice I use the plural, meringues not meringue, there is a difference.

Meringue is a 17th century, arguably Swiss, Italian or French, concoction of sugar and egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks mostly used as a topping for pastry. Meringues are sweet molded, confections made by baking meringue until it forms a hard crust.

Both forms were popular until the mid-20th century. After WWII, frozen or packaged products replaced hand-made ones and meringues don’t freeze or ship well. There is a powdered version, but it’s as labor intensive as ‘from scratch’. Meringue topping lasted a while longer, until salmonella awareness led to avoiding raw eggs. Lemon Meringue pie was an American favorite, on menus from diners to elegant restaurants, but it too has disappeared. Whipped cream, and more often, whipped toppings have replaced meringue.

Actually meringue topping can be quite safe if baked until the top is golden and browned in spots but brulee torches quickly flame brown the top without baking. They’ve become common kitchen utensils and I’ve even seen them recommended for Baked Alaska, another vanishing dessert. Each year, I make a pumpkin meringue pie, but I place it in a 500 deg. oven for 5 min.to brown the top and cook the eggs.

However, none of those worries apply to meringues, which are baked in a low, 250 deg. oven for a couple of hours, until a hard shell forms. It’s the shell that allows meringues to hold a shape and makes them so versatile. Piped into rosettes, shaped into swans, simply spooned onto a baking sheet, they are wonderful small treats. Shaped into pie shells, cake layers, Parfait cups and even bird’s nests, meringues can turn other ingredients into elegant dessert presentations.

Better yet, meringues are fat- free, so they’re low in cholesterol as well as in calories. With fruit they’re the perfect healthy dessert and by replacing batter or dough, remove some of the guilt from ice cream and custard fillings. Best of all, they are truly simple to make needing only a bowl and a beater. Once in the oven they demand to be left alone until done. That sounds more like a modern approach to cooking than an antiquated item to me. See for yourself in the recipes below. You’ll be glad you did because meringues are perfect all year long. They appear frosty giving them a seasonal appeal in cold weather and a cooling appearance when it’s warm. They’re perfect for the low-maintenance spring and summer holidays ahead.

RECIPES

Basic Meringues:

Yield about 25 small or 12 large-recipe doubles or triples easily
IMPORTANT The only thing to beware of is that egg whites will not beat if there is even a trace of any other substance, including water but especially egg yolk, on the beaters or in the bowl.
TIP: egg whites beat better at room temperature.
Cookie Sheet and Waxed Paper:
2 egg whites
½ cup sugar
2 drops cider vinegar
½ tsp. flavoring**
Cover the cookie sheet with the waxed paper. Carefully separate the eggs, putting the whites in a clean, dry bowl. It might be wise to break them separately, over another bowl, then transfer each white into the beating bowl. That way, if there’s a bit of yoke in the last white, you don’t have to start over. With clean, dry beaters, beat the eggs until they form soft peaks, @ 1 ½ – 2 min. Still beating, add the vinegar, gradually pour in the sugar, and continue beating until glossy peaks form when you lift the beaters. Add the flavoring, beat to mix.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Drop the meringue batter on the covered cookie sheet by the teaspoon or soupspoon depending on desired size, forming little mounds about 2 inches apart; cook 1 hour. While still warm, remove the meringues from the paper, and allow to cool on a rack.
** Vanilla is usual if used with other ingredients. I like Maple to serve as individual treats. It’s also greaton autumn to give a seasonal presentation and taste.
NOTE: meringues are handy to have on hand. They can be eaten as cookies and are lower in calories. They keep in an air-tight tin for months. The batter can also be cooked flat or in shapes and used to replace pie crust or pastry shells.

Peach Melba:

Per portion
1 large scoop ice cream-vanilla is customary but peach or strawberry are options
2 meringues-see recipe above*
1 peach half- canned peaches can be used, but fresh, skinned ones are better.
3 Tb. raspberry sauce**
Place the peach half in the bottom of a dessert dish, top with ice cream. Press a meringue into each side of the ice cream scoop and pour the raspberry sauce over.
**NOTE: Melba Sauce is sold in gourmet sections, but fresh berries tossed with sugar are better in spring as are frozen raspberries sweetened to taste.

Milano Style Cookies

This is sildenafil tablets 50mg see that store now a very bad thing as this can lead to divorce, breakup and conflicts in relationship. This combo can ensure sildenafil tablets australia overall reproductive health improvement and can turn around the youthfulness in man. We have impotence when unfulfilled sexual acts are the cialis generic order majority when almost never you can satisfy yourself and your partner. The Vata dosha and Pitta dosha in levitra tablets the body is primarily responsible for causing weak erection in men. Place the batter on the paper lined sheet with teaspoons or tablespoons maintaining the egg shape of the spoon. Bake as directed in the master recipe. When cool, spread jam or icing of choice on the flat side of half the meringues and cover with the remaining halves.

Fruit Parfaits

Mound the meringue in high piles on the cookie sheet and make deep wells in the center of each with the back of a spoon. Bake as directed in the master recipe and before serving fill the wells with fresh fruit, pie filling and/or custard. For extra stability try the recipe below for nests.

Meringue Rounds:

Use plates to draw templates on waxed paper. The rounds can be layered like cake separated by different fillings. Cook as for meringues in the recipe above.

Angel Nests:

Add 1 Tbs. flour and 1 Tbs. cornstarch to just 3 egg whites per cup of sugar. Shape them on a template, using the back of a fork to raise the sides into nests. Bake at 250 degrees for 60 min. Leave in oven for 30 min. Cool on a wire rack. Store in a dry place until ready to use, up to a week. Fill centers with fresh fruit and serve with whipped cream, or topping, on the side. These can also be made in individual portions, and are most attractive. Judging by the timing to cook basic meringues, I don’t think there would be much adjustment to the directions either. Something you might want to try.

Meringue Pie Shells

Follow the directions for the dacquoise below, omitting the chocolate and reducing the recipe by 1/3 if only one pie is needed. Fill with custard, fruit or mousse.

Chocolate Dacquoise:

Serves 6-8
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
8 oz. semisweet chocolate
4 Tbs. shaved chocolate
Line (3) inch pie tins with waxed paper. Separate eggs, make meringues of whites and sugar. Melt 2 oz. chocolate and add to beaten whites, mixing well. Divide egg mix between the tins spreading evenly. Bake at 275 deg.60-70 min. until crisp. Melt 6 oz. chocolate with 2 Tbs. water until smooth-keep warm. Heat yolks and 2 Tbs. water in the top of a double boiler, whisking to increase volume and cook slightly. Fold yolks into chocolate mixing well. Place one meringue layer on serving plate. ‘Ice’ with 1/3 of yolk mixture, repeat with second meringue layer and then the third, ending with yolk mix. Garnish with chocolate shavings over the top. Cool and serve in wedges cut with a serrated knife.

Fruit Gateau:

Serves 6
3 ½ cups mixed berries or diced, skinned soft fruit-if using large strawberries chop to size
3 cups ice cream- flavor optional
2 Tbs. powdered sugar
4 oz. meringues = 1 small per cup of other ingredients or 6 here—See recipe below*
Dampen a 2 lb. loaf pan and line it with waxed paper. Put the fruit in a bowl with the sugar and toss until it begins to break up but don’t let it get mushy. Put the ice cream in another bowl and break it up with a fork. Add the broken meringues and the fruit. Fold the ingredients together until lightly marbled. Pack the mixture into the prepared pan and press down lightly to level. Cover and freeze overnight. To serve, invert on a plate, remove wrap and slice.
*NOTE: This is delicious with an interesting texture. However, it’s difficult to slice. I think I’ll make it in individual molds from now on, perhaps even use muffin cups

 

 

 

 

 

May 9

DESSERTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Restaurants love Mother’s Day because it’s traditional to gift Mom with a dinner where she can select what she wants and enjoy in a purely social setting. However, times and people change. Now most Mothers work away from home, not in it. With the availability of neighborhood bistros, take outs, from gourmet to fast food and frozen entrees, commercially prepared dinners are a regular option.

In addition, our growing obsession with foods, cuisines, and popular diets has sparked an interest in cooking. Moreover modern home design merges the kitchen into social areas. Everyone nowadays feels comfortable in a kitchen and most know how to use one. Fixing dinner is usually a family affair.

Although it’s still pleasurable for Mom to choose exactly what she wants and consume it at leisure with her family in a relaxed, chore free environment, there’s a growing desire to make it a ’special’ occasion once again, not just another dinner out. The easiest way to do that is to ‘personalize’ it by making a physical contribution.

Of course the family can always make the whole dinner at home. However, a better solution to this dilemma, especially for children, is to leave the restaurant after the entrée and surprise Mom with an elegantly ‘fancy’ dessert, a dessert made especially for her by her family, even the youngest members. If the gathering includes an extended family, this provides a wonderful chance to extend the visit.

Below are 9 delicious, glamorous desserts which are easily made and allow ample opportunity for children to help, with only minimal supervision. All are spectacular enough to impress a finicky guest so imagine how they’ll please a mother!

There are 3 pastry desserts, 3 cakes and 3 torts. Most can be made ahead, all assemble quickly and several can be created from pre-cooked ingredients. About half require a bit of basic baking, but nothing a teen-ager couldn’t handle. So take a look, I bet once you do, you’ll want to try more and want to repeat them often.

RECIPES

Fruit Pizza:

Serves 8-10

If making the crust: mix 1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, cut in 2/3 cup shortening, add 3 to 4 Tbs. ICE water to form dough, and roll to a 12 inch round. To fit a pizza pan-disposable ones are fine.
If buying; purchase a roll of sugar cookie dough, not pie dough. Roll dough to fit a pizza pan, prick several times with a fork and bake as for cookies, 350 degrees for 10 to 12 min. until lightly browned, or as directions on package state.
Cool completely in pan.
1 ½ lb. raw fruit- seasonal preferred, frozen acceptable
1/4 -1/2 cup clear jelly –see directions
Water
Decoratively arrange raw fruit over the crust. The amount you will need depends on the chosen fruit, roughly about 1 ½ lbs. In spring or summer use a combination of strawberries and blueberries. Peaches, kiwi, grapes are all good in season.Top with a glaze made from a clear jelly, apple or current, melted with 1 Tbs. water per ¼ cup jelly. Optionally double this amount. Flat fruit slices take less. Chill until completely set. Serve in wedges and optionally pass whipped cream, or ice cream.

My Key Lime Pie:

Serves 8
I always had trouble with Key Lime Pie, despite many recipes, even “authentic” ones from the Florida Keys, until I developed this, which seems to be foolproof, perhaps because it’s so easy. There is one universal rule in making this pie however, the lime juice must be fresh, and, if possible, of the “key” variety. Key limes are small, dark green, very smooth with rounded ends. Their juice has an intense flavor, without the biting acidity sometimes found in regular lime juice. I understand the juice is sold in the baking supply aisles in some stores, but have never encountered it. The limes themselves, can often be found, usually labeled and bagged, in Supermarkets, especially ones with large Hispanic sections. It requires at least 15 to yield enough juice for one pie. If you can’t find them, the common Persian variety limes will do, but I might increase the amount of juice in the pie by a tablespoon or more. Test to taste the strength of the acidity and flavor of the juice. Do NOT use concentrated juice unless it’s labeled Key Lime, or lime drink mix.
(1) 9 inch baked pie shell. Homemade or purchased, regular or graham cracker.
(1) 14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk MIXED WITH
Sufficient sour cream to equal 2 cups – about 2/3 cup
1/2 cup fresh Key Lime juice
1 Tbs. lime zest
1/2 envelope unflavored gelatin
Whipped cream
Soften the gelatin by soaking 5 min. in the lime juice. Combine the Condensed milk, sour cream and zest in a bowl. Dissolve the gelatin by heating the lime juice in the microwave 30 sec. If it doesn’t dissolve easily, heat it an additional 5 sec. or so, but be sure it is completely liquid before proceeding. Add the lime juice with gelatin to the bowl with the milk, sour cream and zest. Wisk well to incorporate. Pour the filling mixture into the pie shell and chill at least 2 hours until well set. Serve topped with whipped cream.

Wonton Fruit Cups:

Serves 12
24 wonton wrappers
2 Tbs. melted butter
1/3 cup fruit preserves—flavor complimentary to fruit filling
1 cup lemon yogurt or instant pudding-pie filling, flavor optional
1 ½ cups diced fruit
Line a 12 cup or (2) 6 cup muffin pans with a wonton wrapper. Brush with ½ the butter. Place a second wrapper diagonally across the first and brush with remaining butter. Bake in a preheated 350 deg. oven 10 min. or until golden. Remove and cool. Spread 1 tsp. fruit preserves in each cup. Fold yogurt or pudding with 1 cup fruit and spoon into cups. Garnish with remaining fruit.

Dump Cake:

Serves 12
4 cups blueberries or strawberries, halved if large or 2 cans pie filling (other chopped fruits can be used later in the season)
½ cup sugar-if using fresh fruit
½ cup melted butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
(1) 18.5 box of cake mix-flavor optional
Place fruit in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan and mix with sugar and cinnamon. Scatter dry cake mix over the top and pour melted butter evenly over it. Do not stir! Bake in a preheated 350 deg. oven about 30 min. until golden on top. Serve with ice cream or whipped topping.

Pan Cake:

Makes 16 brownie sized squares from a square pan ** or 8 full slices from a round one
1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
3 Tbs. baking cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
Sift these ingredients into an ungreased 8 inch cake pan. Using the back of a spoon make 3 well in the flour mix. Into each of the wells pour:
3 Tbs. vinegar-I like white
3 Tbs. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
Pour 1 cup water over all
Stir with a fork until very well mixed. Bake at 350 deg. for 35-40 min. Cool and remove from pan or bake and serve from a baking dish. Can be iced or sprinkle 2 Tbs. powdered sugar over the top. Can also be served with whipped topping or ice cream
*NOTE: This is a treat for those watching their calories. Only 116.5 per square (with sugar topping=197) per slice=233 calories (with sugar topping 394)
*NOTE: Doubled this recipe makes a wonderful sheet cake. I baked it for several years for the birthday and also graduation of a relative allergic to eggs. I took it to a local supermarket to be professionally iced and no one ever guessed that it was a diet recipe.

Easy Berry Cream Cake:
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Serves 6-10
This a quick, elegant answer to the problem of providing a nice dessert when there isn’t time to prepare one from scratch, and a tasty end to a meal anytime. Any berry will work, as would peaches, but blueberries tend to discolor the cake, and peaches offer a rather bland appearance. The best options are strawberries or raspberries.

The full recipe below uses a whole angel food cake:

A) Quicker version can be made with:

1 lb. loaf pound cake (commercially made is fine)
the same amount of berries
(2) 8 oz. containers whipped topping
Cut the cake in 2 or 3 layers, depending on size, spread with topping and scatter with berries-See directions below for treatment of berries.

B) Full Recipe:

1 Angel Food cake – purchased or made from a mix
2 pkgs. frozen strawberries – with juice
1 box Vanilla Pudding mix
1 pt. whipping cream
Cut the cake into 3 layers using toothpicks, a ruler and a knife. (See Tips this week) Select, and put aside a few choice berries to use as garnish. Combine the pudding mix and berries with juice in a saucepan and bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and chill.
Whip the cream and fold into the chilled berry mixture. Spread on the three cake layers. Garnish the top one with the reserved berries.

Brownie Torte:

Serves 8-10
9 oz. chocolate brownies-crumbled
11 oz. white or milk chocolate broken in pieces
2 ½ cups heavy, whipping cream
Unsweetened cocoa for dusting
Line the base of a spring-form pan with waxed paper. Sprinkle the brownie chunks over the bottom and slightly up the sides pressing to form a dense base. Melt the chocolate gently with 2/3 cup of cream, stirring until smooth. Pour into a bowl and cool. Whip the remaining cream and fold into the chocolate then pour into the base. Tap gently to level, cover and freeze overnight. Remove from pan, plate and transfer to the refrigerator about 30 min. before serving. Just before serving dust top with cocoa.

cream. Repeat layers ending with the caramel. Tap to level the surface and freeze for at least 6 hrs. To serve, dip pan in hot water, invert onto a plate, remove wrap and slice.

Java Torte:

Serves 8-10
2 packages Ladyfingers – separated
1 rounded Tbs. instant coffee
½ cup water
(1) 1 lb. bag mini marshmallows
1 ½ pints whipping cream
¼ cup toasted slivered almonds – see Recipe # 6
In a bowl, microwave coffee and water until coffee is dissolved. @ 1 min. Add marshmallows and stir until melted and mixture is smooth. Stand Ladyfingers around the sides and cover the bottom of a 10 inch spring form pan, leaving no spaces. Whip cream and fold into the coffee mixture, making sure it is fully incorporated. Pour the cream mixture into the prepared pan. Freeze until firm. Remove sides of pan and top with almonds to serve.
Tip—If the marshmallows cause difficulty dissolving in the coffee mixture, gently microwave the liquid in 15 sec. intervals until they do. Add up 1 Tbs. water, by the teaspoon, if and as needed.

Easy Go-Litely Tiramisu:

Serves 8-10
(2) 3oz packages of Ladyfingers = 21 pieces required*

(2) 8oz containers frozen non-dairy whipped topping

(2) 8oz containers of whipped cream cheese Or Mascarpone**

½ cup Cream Sherry – Kahlua, Amoretto, or Rum may also be used***

2 Tbs. sugar dissolved in – –

½ cup triple strength coffee = 3 tsp. instant to ½ cup water microwaved 30 sec.

4 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder

Shavings of semi-sweet chocolate about 2 Tbs. curls****

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

Plastic Wrap

Line a Loaf Pan 9 inches x 5 inches x 3 inches with plastic wrap leaving several inches of overhang. Separate the ladyfingers lengthwise into 42 pieces. Make coffee syrup of sugar and coffee. Soften the gelatin in ¼ cup of the liqueur. Heat the other ¼ cup in the Microwave and combine the two to dissolve the gelatin. If not completely dissolved, return to the Microwave for 5 sec. intervals until it is. Beat the whipped topping, and cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy, add the gelatin mix and beat until well incorporated. There are 42 Ladyfinger halves, 18 will be used for the bottom of the pan and to divide the layers. Line the pan bottom with 9 ladyfinger halves. Stand the remaining 24 upright to line the sides of the pan using 4 on each end and 8 along each side. Reserve 9. Brush half the coffee syrup over the ladyfingers on the bottom of the pan, then fill the pan half way with the cheese filling, and sprinkle it with 2 Tbs. of the cocoa powder. Next, place the reserved 9 ladyfingers in the pan, brush with the coffee syrup and sprinkle the other 2 Tbs. of cocoa powder over them. Fill the pan with as much filling as will fit leaving only the tips of the ladyfingers exposed. Chill for several hours until firm, then using the plastic wrap edges; carefully remove from the pan to a plate. Do not invert. Remove the plastic. Cover with chocolate shavings.

*Cut up, purchased, lightly toasted pound cake can be used in place of the ladyfingers, but the dessert is heavier and left-overs can become soggy

.

**Italian Mascarpone Cheese is the correct way to make Tiramisu, but it isn’t always available. If you can get it, wonderful, but if you can’t soft cream cheese will do.

May 2

NO STRESS RECIPES FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Ever since Mother’s Day was declared a holiday in 1914, its purpose has been to provide Mother with a day free from work. The main focus is to present her, as guest of honor, with a lovely dinner, a tradition which has grown over the past century. In fact, Mother’s Day has become the busiest day in the year for restaurants.

However, times have changed and most mothers now work out of the house or away from it, rather than IN it. Dinner out isn’t the special treat it used to be. Many families want to personalize Mother’s Day by taking an active role in the dinner. The idea is fine but the success of the venture depends on the kitchen experience but more importantly the attitude, of the others involved. Without proper guidance this can be a disaster and a nightmare for Mother and everyone else, not a delight.

‘Proper’ in this case means ‘responsible’ and even a kitchen novice can pull off a great dinner if they are serious about doing it, have a bit of patience and can read. I realized this several years ago when two neighborhood children heard I was ”in the cooking business” and asked if I’d help them make a nice day for their mother, while their father was deployed in the military overseas. The experience inspired No Stress Recipes for Mother’s Day, a book of adult pleasing recipes modified for easy preparation and for child-friendly participation with monitoring.

That holiday’s menu was so successful, that their father appealed to me the next year. He had been transferred and the family was moving within days. He asked me to plan a Mother’s Day menu that would give his wife a break, but wouldn’t interrupt their schedule by stopping to go out or require them to unpack any utensils. I’ve included those menus, recipes, itemized costs, detailed directions and complete explanations of all decisions for both years in the book as illustrations of the fact that lovely meals can be made even by children, for very low cost, with a little help and that a lot of equipment isn’t always necessary. See for yourself….

Year 2012

Eggs Adeline

Ham, Tomato& Lettuce On Italian Bread

Cornish Game Hens and Wild Rice

Easy Berry Cake Cake/Berries & Whipped Cream

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Year 2013

Toad in the Hole

Family Choice

Stew on the grill

Grilled pound

The other recipes in the book cover not just dinner but all three meals plus desserts, to give Mother a full day away from the kitchen. Some of the dishes include: Baked Eggs in a Cloud, Fast Fruit Crisp, Breakfast Turnovers, Greek Pita Pockets, Spaghetti Squash Primavera, Tuna and Bean Salad, Pork Loin with Apricot Glaze, Chicken in Orange Sauce, Salmon with Mustard, Chocolate No-Cook Bars, Easy Berry Angle Cake #1 and #2, Zebra Cake and many more to choose from-all simple to make and delicious to eat.

So if you want to try making a dinner for Mother at home or simply want to add some restaurant quality, simplified recipes to your repertoire and/or get the family involved in making delicious meals here’s your chance. No Stress Recipes for Mother’s Day is the guide you need. Find it on this site’s Bookshelf and Kindle. Price $3.99

Apr 12

 

Apr 25

VERSATILE DIPS FOR SPRING

Dip appetizers are popular especially at this season, because of the four spring holidays in the U.S. only the first, Easter and Passover are internationally observed. The others are national and of relatively recent origin, mid 19th and 20th century. Unburdened by traditions, we’re free to personalize those celebrations, make them as casual or low-key as we please. With the weather improving each week as summer nears, that often leads to spontaneity. Parties tend to shift outdoors, especially cocktail parties or the cocktail portion of a dinner party.

Casual parties and small family get-togethers are accepting of impromptu moves and they should be anticipated when planning the food for these gatherings. Easily servespringd, temperature stable dishes are a good solution. It’s even better if the recipes are simple and the ingredients pantry accessible but it’s the very best if any leftovers can be used in other ways.

Enter the dip, spread, pate, by any name this form of appetizer is the answer to the menu problem at these spring parties. Depending on their base, they can stand heat for hours, be made from stocked pantry supplies in desired quantity as needed and later serve as either the flavoring condiment or filling in sandwiches. Moreover, there’s such variation in the recipes, that several can be served at the same affair and not seem boring.

The following recipes fill all those requirements. The first two are bean based, the second two vegetable. Then there’s a selection of cheese based recipes that are heat tolerant and contain no ingredients which cause them to spoil. Finally, there are two cooked dips which, obviously aren’t affected by the temperature. So welcome spring with good taste.

After the recipes, I’ve added some recommendations for dippers. Aside from having a potato chip break off in the dip, nothing irks me more than to sample a dip and be left with a large piece of dipper. Double dipping isn’t an option, I don’t need the extra carbs and I usually discard it somewhere. If I’m the hostess, I realize that half my dipper supply ends up in the trash. One solution is to provide spreaders, even a butter knife with the dip but there are other simple solutions needing only a bit of effort because the answer is providing smaller dippers. See them after the recipes.

RECIPES

Bean Based Dips:

The best known of these is garbanzo based Hummus. The recipe is all over the web, and the product is available in every market, both ready in tubs and in mixes. So I’ll only add a few tips on making the commercial appear home-made. To10-12oz. of dip, add ¼ cup chopped mint leaves and a few drops fresh lemon juice to taste. Stir in don’t blend. It’s the contrast in tastes that is interesting.

Cannellini Bean Dip:

serves 4-6 From Three and Four ingredients by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow
(2) 14 oz. cans cannellini beans rinsed and well drained
2 oz. grated cheddar cheese
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
3 Tbs. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Blend beans into a chunky paste. Stir in the other ingredients and chill well. Serve with a swirl of oil on top and fresh parsley.

Buttered Nut and Lentil Dip:

Serves 4-6-From Practical Party Food by Parragon Publishing
4 Tbs. butter
½ cup dried lentils
1 small onion chopped
1 ¼ cups vegetable broth
¾ cups blanched almonds
½ cup pine nuts
½ tsp. EACH cumin, coriander and ginger
1 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro- for garnish
Sauté the nuts in ½ the butter until golden remove from pan and set aside. Saute the onion in the rest of the butter until golden, add the broth and lentils and bring to a boil, then lower heat and cook for about 30 min. until beans are soft. Blend beans, onion, broth, nuts and spices until smooth. Chill and serve garnished with cilantro.

Vegetable Based:

Artichoke and Cumin Dip:

serves 4-6- From Three and Four ingredients by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow
(2) 14 oz. cans artichoke hearts-drained
2 garlic cloves
½ tsp. cumin
Olive oil as needed
Salt and pepper
Blend all ingredients with enough oil to make a smooth consistency. Serve chilled

Smoked Fish and Potato Dip:

Serves 4—From Quick and Easy by Parragon Publishing
1 lb. starchy potatoes-peeled boiled and mashed
10-12 oz. smoked fish- skinned and boned, flesh flaked-see note*
3 oz. white grapes-microwaved, covered for 1 min.in 1 Tbs. water then drained
2 Tbs. EACH sour cream and lemon juice
1 Tbs. EACH capers, chopped dill pickle and chopped fresh dill OR1/2 tsp. dried +to garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Blend the flaked fish meat and potatoes until smooth, add the sour cream, lemon juice and grapes and pulse to incorporate. Stir in the other ingredients. Chill for 2 hrs. to meld flavor.
*Whiting or Mackerel available whole in the Deli counter of most supermarkets.

Cheese Based

Sundried Tomato Pate:

Serves 6-8—From Tea Time Journeys by Gail Greco
½ cup oil packed sundried tomatoes-drained, save oil for another use.
8 oz. cream cheese
¼ cup butter
½ cup grated parmesan
¼ cup butter
¼ tsp. EACH dried oregano and basil
½ tsp. rosemary
Blend everything until smooth. Chill at least 6 hrs. before serving.

Some of the methods to increase content of high fiber and not only it improves your digestive health, it improves the health of your heart sildenafil 100mg tab and ensures blood sugar levels. Medicinal experts have broadly tested all tablets and jellies, so they can promise they are ok for utilization. cialis 5mg discount http://djpaulkom.tv/dj-paul-weekly-mix-week-6/ Popularly, these medicines are known as erectile dysfunction drugs and facilitated in different brands like Kamagra, cialis in österreich, viagra, viagra prescription, Silagra, Caverta etc. are supposed to be easy means of treatment. When you are sexually aroused, messages from the brain to the circulatory blood vessels in the viagra online ordering http://djpaulkom.tv/realizing-rapscallion-casinos/ penis. Marinated Feta with Lemon and Oregano:

Serves 4-6- From Three and Four ingredients by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow
7 oz. Greek feta cheese
¼ cup oregano leaves
1 lemon in wedges
1cup extra virgin olive oil
Drain and dry the feta and cut it in chunks. Marinate in the oil, oregano and lemon wedges covered and chilled for at least 4 hrs. (the longer the better.)

Basic Dips:

Each serves 8-10
To 8 oz. cream cheese, 12 oz. sour cream, salt and pepper add:
1) 2 Tbs. dill and 1Tbs. grated onion
2) 1 ½ oz. onion soup mix and 2 Tbs. chopped chives
3) 6 oz. salsa and ¼ cup EACH chopped cilantro and chopped black olives
4) 1 mashed garlic clove, 3 scallions-white part only-sliced thin and 3 Tbs. finely chopped mixed, fresh herbs
For each recipe, blend ingredients and chill well to let flavors meld before serving.

Cooked Dips


Caponata:

Serves 8-10-From the Everything low-Carb Cookbook by Patricia M. Butkus
½ cup olive oil
6 medium zucchini in ½ inch slices
1 red bell pepper in medium dice
6 cloves chopped garlic
2 cups diced tomatoes
½ cup tomato paste
¼ cup capers-drained
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
Salt and pepper to taste
Saute the zucchini in the oil until golden on both sides about 5min. over medium heat. Add the other ingredients, except the nuts, and simmer for 15 min. stirring often to prevent sticking. Season to taste and chill covered in a glass or ceramic container overnight. Serve at room temperature garnished with the nuts.

Chorizo and Garbanzo Tapas:

Serves 4-6 –From Special Occasions by Parragon Publishing
9 oz. chorizo sausage
½ cup olive oil
(1) 14 oz. can garbanzo beans rinsed and drained
Salt and pepper
Fresh oregano to garnish
Whisk 6 Tbs. of oil. salt, pepper and the vinegar to taste in a non-metal bowl. Cut the sausage in ¼ inch slices and cut the slices crosswise. Sauté the onion in 2 tbs. oil until soft, add the sausage and cook 3 min. more until done. Drain on towels and stir into the marinade with the beans. Allow to cool completely, and chill, covered if not serving at once. Serve at room temperature garnished with oregano.

Dipper Ideas:
1) Roll slices of packaged bread, whichever kind compliments the dip it accompanies, very thin and cut in 4 pieces-triangles, squares or slices. Toast on both sides in the oven and allow to sit out to dry and crisp before serving.

2) Spread an 8 inch tortilla, corn or flour lightly with oil and sprinkle with seasoning or herb of choice. Cut a 4 inch circle out of the center and divide into wedges. Cut the outside rings in 1 inch intervals. Bake in a 350 deg. oven for 10 min. or until dry and crisp. Cool completely.

3) Do the same with pitas, opening each into 2 rounds and dividing each round into 8 wedges

4) Buy grissini, the very thin bread sticks. They snap into 2 inch pieces cleanly and appear a culinary choice rather than an economy measure.

5) Make your own bread sticks. Buy frozen bread dough. You probably won’t need more than 1 loaf per event but working with 1 loaf at a time, divide it in 3 and roll each piece in a 16 inch rope. Cover and allow to rise. Cut that into 1 inch segments and roll each to 6 inches. Lightly brush it with oil, milk or egg white and roll in seeds or sprinkle with kosher salt. Divide into (3) 2 inch pieces and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. When all are done, bake at 450 deg. for15 min. until crisp and golden.

Store all of these items in an air tight container.

May 3

 

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