Thursday, January 12, 2012
It's Been Awhile
For example: The many different "best ways" to properly boil an egg so it can be peeled easily. Google that and you will be shocked! Oh, and I dismantled/broke down/cut-up/butchered/dismembered two whole chickens last week. Wait until you see the pictures - it's carnage!
I also owe you a new Recipe of the Week. I've got one in mind that I think you are going to love!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Oh yeah....that's another post I can add!
Anyway....my goal is to get a post out there tomorrow. Promise!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Recipe of the Week
This is used to replace the body that the bones connective tissue would have added to the sauce.
Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 300 degrees. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until smoking. Add half of the beef and cook, without stirring, until well browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Turn the beef and continue to cook on the second side until well-browned, 4 to 6 minutes longer, reducing the heat if the fat begins to smoke. Transfer the beef to a medium bowl. A bowl is important here to catch all of the juices. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the remaining meat.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Classic Macaroni and Cheese
Servings: 6 to 8
This is by far the very best recipe I have found for Mac & Cheese. It's rich (but not too rich) and creamy and the kids (and adults) can't get enough.
Courtesy of: "The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook"
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Food processor
Large pot - More than enough for 4 quarts of water
Colander
Whisk
Broiler-safe 13x9-inch baking dish
INGREDIENTS:
Bread-Crumb Topping
- 6 slices high-quality white sandwich bread, torn into quarters
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 5 cups milk
Whole, low-fat, and skim all work well
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (2 cups)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)
For the bread crumbs: Pulse the bread and butter in a food processor until coarsely ground, 10 to 12 pulses. Set aside
For the pasta and cheese: Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the broiler. Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and the macaroni and stir to separate the noodles. Cook until tender, drain, and set aside. It is crucial to cook the pasta until tender - that is, just past the al dente stage.
In the now-empty pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour, mustard, cayenne (if using), and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and whisk well to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add the milk; bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly (the mixture must reach a full boil to fully thicken), then reduce the heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the cheeses until fully melted, Add the pasta and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a broiler-safe 13 by 9-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Broil until deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, then serve.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Turducken
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Eating Raw Cookie Dough
I've honestly never thought about the fact that I am actually eating raw eggs along with my wonderfully yummy raw dough. Raw eggs are potentially hazardous because they can serve as sources of harmful bacteria, including salmonella, which can cause serious illness. Apparently, unpasteurized flour can also be harmful.
What kind of mother AM I? Will Dairy Queen take the Cookie Dough Blizzard off the menu?
So what about making cookies from scratch? According to some, if you use pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products, you should be ok. I think I might just give my little guys a warm, soapy bath before cracking them.
As for the store-bought dough, scientists are urging manufacturer's to reformulate their products to make them safer to eat raw. You can see the entire article here.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Funny Celebrity Chef Moment
You can purchase a copy of Anne's new book here.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Potato Gratin with Mushrooms and Gruyere
8 to 10 Servings
Prep: 1 Hour Total: 2 Hours
Courtesy of: Bon Appetit, November 2010
Recipe by: Diane Rossen Worthington
Photograph by: Hans Gissinger
I served this rich and creamy side dish last year for Christmas dinner and everyone loved it so much, they requested that I bring it to our Thanksgiving potluck this year.
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Large skillet
Large pot
13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish
Cheese grater
Aluminum foilColander (optional)
Mandoline (optional)
Baking sheet (optional)
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cups finely chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only, about 3 large)
Rinse whole, paying special attention to the roots, where dirt can cling. Lay on a cutting board and trim away the root end and the tough, dark green portion of the leaves. Cut the leaves away at an angle to avoid losing the tender light green leaves at the center of the stalk. Now cut lengthwise quarters. Rinse under running water, gently separating its leaves to flush out grit and sand.
- 1 1/2 pounds 1/2-inch cubes assorted mushrooms (such as crimini and stemmed shiitake; about 10 cups)
Clean just before preparing them and with as little water as possible; they absorb water like sponges, which can interfere with cooking. If they are relatively clean, you may only need to rub them gently with a cloth or soft brush. If they are very dirty, put them in a colander and rinse in cool water just long enough to remove any dirt. Drain well on layers of paper towels before you cut them. As a general rule, remove all stems.
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
I use a mondoline to insure consistent thickness.
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon (or more) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (or more) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup coarsely grated Gruyere cheese
THE TECHNIQUE: GRATIN
Parboil sliced potatoes in whipping cream, then layer them with mushrooms and top with Gruyere. Your end product has great texture and flavor through and through-the cheese gets browned and toasty in the oven, and the layers of creamy potatoes and mushrooms are rich and satisfying.
PREPARATION: Heat 1/4 cup oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks; saute until soft and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add mushrooms, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and saute until soft and liquid evaporates, 7 to 8 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. DO AHEAD Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
Preheat oven to 375. Pat potato slices dry with kitchen towel. I line a baking sheet with paper towls, spread them out in one layer and gently pat the tops with more paper towels. Combine cream, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in large pot. Add potatoes. Be sure your pot is large enough for the cream to completely cover the potatoes. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, 10 minutes, stirring occasinally. Remove lid; simmer until cream is reduced by about half and potatoes are partially cooked, stirring often and watching closely to prevent mixture from burning, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Brush a 13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with oil. Transfer half of potato mixture to dish, spreading out in even layer. Spoon mushroom mixture over in even layer. Spoon remaining potato mixture, over spreading in even layer. Sprinkle cheese over. Cover with foil, tenting in center to prevent chesse from sticking to foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover, bake until potatoes are tender and top is blown, 20 to 25 minutes longer. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
For nutritional information, please visit Bon Appetit.com.