Wednesday, April 23, 2014

April 23, 2014 Ricotta dumplings with red pepper sauce and asparagus stew all by Jaques Pepin

Delicious doesn't have to be hard - colorful and easy is always good.

Ricotta Dumplings with red pepper (and tomato) sauce from Jacques Pepin's video Cozy Carbs as well as his book Essential Pepin page Page 102


video 
http://blogs.kqed.org/essentialpepin/2011/09/10/episode-108-cozy-carbs/

Jacques Pepin has shared this recipe in the New York times, Food and Wine and other magazines so I can share it here:

Early this afternoon I pre-measured everything so I could take little time to cook.

Ricotta dumplings with red pepper sauce according to Essential Pepin

Sauce
1 6 oz red bell pepper cored seed and cut into 1 inch pieces *
1 6oz of tomato cut into 1 inch chunks *
1 cup water *
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon Potato starch (or corn starch) dissolved in 1 Tablespoon water (cold)
1-1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

(*my changes... I used 6 ounces of drained jarred whole roasted peppers and 6 ounces canned whole San Maranzo Italian tomatoes with 1/2 cup (depending on your preference of thickness) of the juice from the can of the tomatoes- puree in a blender - I didn't strain it or use a hand blender because I used the the regular blender) (what can I say I was lazy) 

"Put the red pepper and tomato in a saucepan with the water and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and boil gently for 8 minutes.  Put the mixture through a food mill or sieve to remove the skin and tomato seeds (you should have 1-1/4 cups)
   Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan and sitir in the s/p and dissolved potato starch.  Bring to a boil andd the butter and oil and emulsify with a hand blender (or use a food processor) for about 10 seconds. Set aside." (JACQUES PEPIN)

Dumplings
"Bring 4 quarts of water to a simmer in a large pot.  Preheat oven to 160 degrees."

In food processor with blade place:

"8 ounces (1 cup) ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 large egg
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup grated Gruyere or Emmenthaler cheese
2 Tablespoons minced fresh chives
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese"

Process for "10 seconds"
"transfer the dumpling batter to a bowl and mix in" 2 Tablespoons minced fresh chives".

"Make the dumplings in 2 batches, dropping the batter about 1 Tablespoon at a time, as quickly as possible, into the simmering water.  Let the dumplings cook at a low simmer for 10 minutes, they will rise to the top of the water and float as they cook.  Lift the dumplings from the water a slotted spoon or skimmer, drain well, and arrange on a platter.  Keep warm in the oven while you make the remainder of the dumplings."

"Meanwhile, reheat the sauce.
When the second batch of dumplings are cooked, add to the platter with the first batch or divide all the dumplings among individual plates.  Spoon on the warm red pepper sauce and serve sprinkled with the Parmesan" jacques Pepin

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I also made Asparagus stew from Jacques Pepin New complete Techniques page 81 
Very good.. good flavors that bring out the fresh flavors of the asparagus! 
Sorry the recipe isn't Printed anywhere so I can not share it. 










L'Etoile in Madison, Wisconsin

If you want to taste truly amazing food (with a price) I recommend L'Etoile in the center of Madison, Wisconsin.  One of my daughters attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and I was thoroughly surprised at finding a top restaurant by her school.

Creative, sublime, thoroughly thought out dishes that will make your taste buds dance.  Farm fresh and seasonal surprises await their customers.  I Am not an envious person but I walked away full and happy, jealous that I would never be able to cook like these masters.   L'Etoile is lovely.

http://www.letoile-restaurant.com


 Chef Tori Miller Co Proprietor 


 sous chef Andrew Kroeger 

Itaru Nagano, Sous Chef
 Melinda Dorn pastry chef

If money isn't a concern and you are in Madison, Wisconsin plan to stop by E'toile - also realize that the plates will be small than the many "regular" places but you have multiple courses that will fill your soul and your body -tou will walk away knowing you just had a remarkable experience. . And of course one can not be disappointed by their marvelous  amuse bouche which comes between courses - delectable!  They also have lovely wines and an extremely knowledge Sommelier. 

massive fails happen. laugh and move on -



Recently I made three quiches for Easter for my dear sister-in-laws party... My ego imagined oohs and aaaahs (not really lol) over my lovely interpretations of quiche Lorraine - lol NOT!!!



, Bobby Flay's Chorizo and goat cheese quiche (can you say FAIL) it looked lovely but still fail! 

, and my onion quiche with thyme (way too much thyme.. and where was the bacon.. everything is better with bacon).

look how pretty it looked (was it good - no but it sure looked good


MY QUICHES NEEDED TO STAY HOME. .  -I didn't even make my crust - who doesn't make their crust... just kidding.

(One of my dear sis-in-laws make an awesome egg dish.  If all we had was that dish and  my other dear sister-in-laws hash brown casserole that would make Easter for me.

So many cooks (especially new cooks) are afraid to cook for others because they are afraid of moments like I had. ALL COOKS HAVE MOMENTS LIKE THIS.  I just admit it any time it happens - I sometimes will take a bow! yes yes ... not the best... thank you.


I like moments like this because it teaches me so much! I love cooks that show their mistakes as well as their successes.  Even chefs cookbooks have items that are not outstanding to everyone.  There are websites that show fails - move on - learn from mistakes and don't be afraid to try again.

http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-cooking-fails/

we all make mistakes and that's how we learn: Julia Child - flipping a potato pancake (ends up mostly on the stove) It's going to happen.. embrace it and move on.



Cooking Mistakes happen!

My worst mistakes as I learned how to be a home cook. (my dear husband can attest)

as a young mom: I bought these beautiful stuffed chicken breasts and placed them in the oven.. the chicken was glistening and I was so proud.  My dear husband came in and asked what smelled like plastic... the chicken was glistening because I forgot to take the plastic wrap off. 

So practice, practice, practice...don't take things so seriously.. and expect to make mistakes!!! Have fun. Life is an adventure! 


Look at this... oh my gosh it looked terrible (my dear husband took the picture) who would eat this.. but you know it tasted great.. go figure.  Picture Fail!!!  lol. It was worth it because my family laughed over this!













I have




Tuesday, April 22, 2014

April 22, 2014 menu: tequila chicken (Ina), Pico de gallo, tomatillo sauce, corn pancakes (JP)

Tonight's menu at our house:

Ina Garten's Tequila Lime Chicken http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tequila-lime-chicken-recipe.html
with Pico de Gallo by Curtis Stone
Jacques Pepin's Crispy Corn Pancakes  served with Tomatillo sauce
Salad with bought chipolte ranch dressing

not the best picture. There was only one small piece of chicken left after everyone took their share. 

Ina Garten's copied directly from her link (Ina Garten's property)

"1/2 cup gold tequila
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 to 6 limes)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded)
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (3 cloves)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 whole (6 split) boneless chicken breasts, skin on
Directions
Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Refrigerate overnight.

Heat a grill with coals and brush the rack with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, sprinkle well with salt and pepper, and grill them skin-side down for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Turn the chicken and cook for another 10 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove from the grill to a plate. Cover tightly and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature."

My cooking:  

I used a meat thermometer to check internal temperature of the chicken - the chicken cooked in less time for me...

I used the tomatillo sauce for more flavor - I did think the chicken was okay to good - I have had other marinades that I like better - it is important in this recipe to keep the skin on and marinate the chicken over night or 24 hours;  my chicken was much better with the tomatillo sauce or the pico de gallo.  

----------

Jacques Pepin's Crispy Corn Pancakes page 426/427 of ESSENTIAL PEPIN - I do not post recipes from any chef unless they have shared their recipes on line or on video.  (simple nice pancake) 

Here's some pictures though:  





Tomatillo sauce: 

cast iron fry pan heat
1 to 1-1/4 lbs. tomatillos 
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup cilantro leaves loose 
1 tablespoon canned mild (chopped) jalapeno 


my cast iron pan looks like this but any will do great



1 to 1-1/4 lb. tomatillos with skins removed (then rinsed and dried) 


 tomatillo with paper skin 

 without skins 


     
Place tomatillo's in a preheated cast iron pan that has heated a bit on high 

heat (letting the tomatillo's to blister - turn so other sides get blistering as well (cook about 5 - 7 minutes in total) then place in an oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes (take out of oven and let tomatillo's cool for about 5 - 10 minutes. 


In a food processor or blender: place 1 cup chopped onion, 1 tablespoon (or more to suit your taste) of canned mild chopped jalapenos, 2 teaspoons level kosher salt, and the cooked tomatillos. Process until smooth to your taste. 
---------------------------------------------------

Pico de gallo: I love Curtis Stones Pico de Gallo. http://www.curtisstone.com/recipe/grilled-fish-pico-de-gallo (I also love his fish tacos) 

Martha Stewart's Pico de gallo : http://www.marthastewart.com/336938/pico-de-gallo

Bobby Flay:      http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pico-de-gallo-recipe4.html










Saturday, April 19, 2014

Summer is coming

Even with Great Lakes only being defrosted 37 % signs of spring are definitely in the air...
Frost bite sailing has begun! Summer is coming even if the water is 38 degrees.

one of my children getting the first chance to sail again. 

my photo Northwestern University 

Time to think of picnics and fun with family 

Friday, April 18, 2014

not everything works - Beets and Rhubarb, olive oil, s/p roasted

today I made a souffle but I wanted something different with it.  In Martha Stewart's Living magazine, May issue, there was a recipe for baby beets with Rhubarb roasted with olive oil and s/p.  It was different and tonight I wanted different! Well...


My first thought was that beets would roast slower than the Rhubarb would, so I cut them smaller in hopes the beets would cook at the same time as the rhubarb. (they didn't) -


If I would have looked at the picture in the magazine, (above from Martha Stewart's Living Magazine - May Issue 2014, page 43),  I should have looked to see how "baby" those baby  beets actually were.  In other words, the rhubarb melted before the beets cooked.

What I and my family thought:
-The rhubarb did not get the natural sugars from the beets as described by the magazine - according to my youngest.. keep the rhubarb for pie.
-I do like the rhubarb roasted though.. tart of course; but the roasting brought out a nice flavor in the rhubarb.
-Personally I may have roasted the beets first a bit and then add rhubarb with just a pinch of sugar. and maybe some fresh herbs.

Oh well you can't win them all.

souffle I made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFAjJif7OoY
by Julia Child

Always delicious! 



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

A must go to when in Barrington, Illinois Ambrosia's

http://www.discoverambrosia.com

If you ever have a taste for stunning and delectable European and American pastries and you are in the Far Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, a must visit is to

Ambrosia's Euro-American Patisserie!

 Located at 710 West Northwest Highway in the Foundry of Barrington Shopping area it is my must go to shop where I can spoil myself and visiting friends and family.

I highly recommend Amrobrosia's: wonderful pastries, genuinely kind and involved owners, and a lovely staff make this a must go to. 

(On many Saturday mornings, the patrons can see live music while enjoying your pastries.)


from there website: 

Not my photos: