tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36822053690027086532024-03-13T02:22:54.946-05:00Gourmet Goddess Pantry.......a culinary road less travelledGourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-19632631920878846652012-08-27T13:39:00.000-05:002012-08-27T13:39:15.290-05:00eat your chips !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyItJ7QVFsLWbWsL1S4D1asU4ekptByCsFyxtjnBvcvHwDGiXxl_MY5_SFnzV3RyQRE44HzA1iI9oc9iMFiOjhBWvq7YmqecDoW4ssNX5dXCGD1kdhS5jlbXjfD14X9WFSTupev3j9I9g/s1600/392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyItJ7QVFsLWbWsL1S4D1asU4ekptByCsFyxtjnBvcvHwDGiXxl_MY5_SFnzV3RyQRE44HzA1iI9oc9iMFiOjhBWvq7YmqecDoW4ssNX5dXCGD1kdhS5jlbXjfD14X9WFSTupev3j9I9g/s320/392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What to do with the plethora of zucchini and eggplants which are probably overrunning your summer garden . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With Autumn around the corner and the rather extraordinary summer we have had this year in the mid-west I wanted to find another exciting way to enjoy the constant zucchini harvest . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">During one of my Pinterest journeys I came across a recipe that was so simple , I had to re-read it . So simple I thought it cannot be that simple . So simple that when I made it ............ I regretted not making it sooner .</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMBtO-lUuZ277ygpvJJuh-Hens83PSMv_76ZZOe4yunqFB_RnHX3i6W7sIuzPtK143PZ3BKEggTLA5vNo3H2n1T4GmlivckdKKbd4Xma-xzo93zAUrdkj5BUvE090HMgjLv2Xv8rf2v97/s1600/393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMBtO-lUuZ277ygpvJJuh-Hens83PSMv_76ZZOe4yunqFB_RnHX3i6W7sIuzPtK143PZ3BKEggTLA5vNo3H2n1T4GmlivckdKKbd4Xma-xzo93zAUrdkj5BUvE090HMgjLv2Xv8rf2v97/s320/393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few very simple steps, plenty of <strong>hands off</strong> waiting time and you will enjoy the most delicious "chips" that you will be bugging your children and significant other , along with any picky eaters to indulge . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>This recipe is so simple , 3 simple steps to chip nirvana. </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>step one : procure zucchini and or eggplant </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>step two: buttermilk or regular milk </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>step three : panko breadcrumbs and grated pecorino cheese </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Preheat oven to 420F, place a cake rack ( lightly sprayed with canola oil) within a sheet pan and place to the side . Wash and dry your vegetables and slice about quarter inch , place in milk and toss to coat well. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Put enough panko breadcrumb in a bowl to coat and approximately equal amount of finely grated pecorino ( I happened to have that on hand) or parmesan cheese . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Take zucchini slice from bowl of milk, pat into breadcrumb mixture , pressing lightly , place on cake rack . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Place in oven for about 20-30 minutes , depending on your oven until they start to brown slightly and the smell will overwhelm your senses !!! You can flip them over if the underside is not browning. You can use the convestion setting , however they will need to be monitored a lot more closely and flipped half-way through the cooking process .</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Allow to cool slightly , enjoy at room temperature along with some tzatziki dip . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now how often do you tell your children to eat their chips !!!!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-63643272341358821262012-08-25T15:22:00.000-05:002012-08-25T15:33:34.345-05:00.... its a wrap !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cTEtZZc2SXpsUysABey3FbzHsElC_ZKIcNiJsdIHMDvKUJ1SogsXG4xsC1aTfI2uHq4nIshSXtGJMxhEzy9EM_I5BioEeqc4RRSKttuh0jZgaWYtJkLScNLXlRASRTA4JoWuZruavm_u/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cTEtZZc2SXpsUysABey3FbzHsElC_ZKIcNiJsdIHMDvKUJ1SogsXG4xsC1aTfI2uHq4nIshSXtGJMxhEzy9EM_I5BioEeqc4RRSKttuh0jZgaWYtJkLScNLXlRASRTA4JoWuZruavm_u/s320/103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Summer is coming to a close , the girls are back in school , and happy to be back in school . A family trip to Southwestern Michigan for a few days was a fitting way to end the summer vacation , rev up the relax button and recharge the batteries. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the past couple of weeks , my little gourmet and I ventured into Whole Foods where they had a promotion of healthy lunch ideas for children. If your child tried everything then they could rate the food item , spin the wheel and get a mystery prize . Well, my little gourmet tried everything , spun the wheel , got a mystery prize , the location of which is awol. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw6YhTDR1oVt0IDfnKnWCGHXgbcexep5aC4tLI2eRTNQBlgd6BKiU0NUQL_SYUAmnxh7QxiBBR_rU9JDRlvjyNX2fciT2uSkDAEbxOS171z_I3gy3LRyAVblsZ0T0YZCqDaW8jf1BzGH-/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw6YhTDR1oVt0IDfnKnWCGHXgbcexep5aC4tLI2eRTNQBlgd6BKiU0NUQL_SYUAmnxh7QxiBBR_rU9JDRlvjyNX2fciT2uSkDAEbxOS171z_I3gy3LRyAVblsZ0T0YZCqDaW8jf1BzGH-/s320/104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the lunch ideas was collard greens with red pepper hummous and a little cabbage salad. I was salivating just looking at the sample platter and was equally chuffed when my little gourmet gave me the thumbs up . Monday before school started we had to go to the supermarket to restock the fridge , so I tempted them with these wraps, and to my surprise they devoured them. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_wX8b1l4Mwq39yqHTuqujov7PjLk7V1AjvjQBylSAQ9Mm_MD8Mb-3NbdNyvHgl5dVoTd0B6ZvllqLBFq26eKxoRpfDbuocV1zcHMfe_0TMZhGutuQJetBdxO_UewdD79BAURQlnNsX21/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_wX8b1l4Mwq39yqHTuqujov7PjLk7V1AjvjQBylSAQ9Mm_MD8Mb-3NbdNyvHgl5dVoTd0B6ZvllqLBFq26eKxoRpfDbuocV1zcHMfe_0TMZhGutuQJetBdxO_UewdD79BAURQlnNsX21/s320/105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would suggest using organic collard greens, and as small a leaf as possible , that way they will be nice and tender . To make the wrap you remove the spine of the leave or else it will be hard to wrap , so essentianlly you end up with to halves of the collard leaf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I made my own hummous recipe, loosely based on a recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/hummus-recipe2/index.html" target="_blank">Ina Garten</a> ( I omit the garlic and tabasco and add a heaping tesaspoon of ground cumin) - this is the the only one the girls will eat and enjoy. I added some red bell pepper and made a slaw with a combination of red cabbage , grated carrot and parsley . I had made some homemade vinaigrette for a salad the day before and I used it to barely moisten the cabbage salad . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was delicious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was refreshing . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was devoured by both girls . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was requested for lunch . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I rest my case ............... and consider it a wrap !!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGKcwCMKvw3u2GNkHLxRxtmcb_0Mb4zqaO5HBmx8PEVbTJ1pDe0WZkjtz9-_t3jsQLf9y-JZHWjeWFXS7EOIeFDY5A7suFtFMsS3VWWztlc-mOVZahb-_nECWpiEW59Hs4ZSItTfDhm_G/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGKcwCMKvw3u2GNkHLxRxtmcb_0Mb4zqaO5HBmx8PEVbTJ1pDe0WZkjtz9-_t3jsQLf9y-JZHWjeWFXS7EOIeFDY5A7suFtFMsS3VWWztlc-mOVZahb-_nECWpiEW59Hs4ZSItTfDhm_G/s320/106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-41958565634460463012012-07-18T21:53:00.000-05:002012-07-18T21:53:35.346-05:00the harvest to come .....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDmCVL66F4sIHBr9W5BPOaNUnZ-nlr8VV5umggDc8CKkhmsdw1kpwpgDConjNQikiLffFHKKoX9yugYWN44ruKpx42QO7ylblIZOFId42AgXUmeYjB9mIRC-wiPYce7_2UbXDKYC6BUsZ/s1600/384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDmCVL66F4sIHBr9W5BPOaNUnZ-nlr8VV5umggDc8CKkhmsdw1kpwpgDConjNQikiLffFHKKoX9yugYWN44ruKpx42QO7ylblIZOFId42AgXUmeYjB9mIRC-wiPYce7_2UbXDKYC6BUsZ/s320/384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here is my little garden helper, trying her hardest to reach the top of the monster cucumber plant . This year my husband built me a raised garden bed for Mothers Day , and over the memorial weekend we both worked feverishly to complete the task and plant all these wonderful goodies. So the photos you will now view may shock some readers , because all these plants were planted the Monday of Memorial weekend ..... and by the 4th of July, were and are, completely out of control. We have had a casualty , my most favourite tomato plant in the world, the green zebra tomato ... sad to say had to me removed due to tomato wilt ..... but happy to report that the rest of the crop has escaped unscathed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please enjoy the following photos , showcasing my husbands handiwork , the pride of my little garden helper ( she actually ate the little tomato for dinner tonight ) and please allow the Chief Gardener a moment ....... to take it all in . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Happy summer and happy harvesting to all vegetable gardeners !!!!!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGwStM0O7TOwCfG5zX-VskkhIgw_tFQWmxYtATpDtqLzip-EAmUcguar0CoSGPM92gVObCE1MAsEmnFVun8SdY2JC77Lr-PUnLYBpLD31xYbv168poHjveGABpPVZpslLRR1YT8DKVFm6/s1600/373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGwStM0O7TOwCfG5zX-VskkhIgw_tFQWmxYtATpDtqLzip-EAmUcguar0CoSGPM92gVObCE1MAsEmnFVun8SdY2JC77Lr-PUnLYBpLD31xYbv168poHjveGABpPVZpslLRR1YT8DKVFm6/s320/373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favourite herbs ....... guess who is making some pesto tomorrow </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvkXms2-BEh0B2Nf2UVtZR_wtef4KKJqqrILkP6-UjSTqMXGFSQbuqfpgvZElLrN_OvMDubhSMnE02Pto52i5y1J7Xho4BJlIzjOPAp-TxHrU-D43dbggrmWrlk5krZb61FunVF451mH-/s1600/377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvkXms2-BEh0B2Nf2UVtZR_wtef4KKJqqrILkP6-UjSTqMXGFSQbuqfpgvZElLrN_OvMDubhSMnE02Pto52i5y1J7Xho4BJlIzjOPAp-TxHrU-D43dbggrmWrlk5krZb61FunVF451mH-/s320/377.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as you can see , this is not a huge plant <br />
and it already has at least 8 eggplants </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN8OgalDL7dHvqb1LikYZ2g4rrxEsFuJn75fQSeBKwAlHj5n5GTJdPkXQutq-LLEReoLX8kOa4lnEEQPN5xCEu84wHFGB6pFhcOjHTxzkORKC5AyGJCYEDeDgjT1oHljg77p58eE1H5U6/s1600/385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN8OgalDL7dHvqb1LikYZ2g4rrxEsFuJn75fQSeBKwAlHj5n5GTJdPkXQutq-LLEReoLX8kOa4lnEEQPN5xCEu84wHFGB6pFhcOjHTxzkORKC5AyGJCYEDeDgjT1oHljg77p58eE1H5U6/s320/385.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">graffiti eggplant .... and there are so many of them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cucumbers that go from a baby dill pickle size to a delectable sweet cucumber in a matter of days ... we harvested 7 yesterday and the second photo will be harvested in a couple of days </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQheuSY9PXJc9E5iAiCWTDtojVWPbvztxE9QK0MduGGZtNb-kPCf9Arjx-QIMpCjGk0YIMRrPJVCXbRhFIS9xZF50AOwZmeKixM6PolWsPCa_zndUgDwQ1FTWxJ6_GfTQind0icEZ0iPjQ/s1600/388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQheuSY9PXJc9E5iAiCWTDtojVWPbvztxE9QK0MduGGZtNb-kPCf9Arjx-QIMpCjGk0YIMRrPJVCXbRhFIS9xZF50AOwZmeKixM6PolWsPCa_zndUgDwQ1FTWxJ6_GfTQind0icEZ0iPjQ/s320/388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1jQBBHvsb0HZXu4uxXTXqnpAJHDFez9KoTCeNk8FyDy0MlKXrgZzDI6T85d6hFbuWaJOkXMrrAsfzvZme4C8b8xNzrqFEJ3nobjn3exQR8-Px2jcvsywgTIXDLZJdraxn2vKcs86t-F7/s1600/387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1jQBBHvsb0HZXu4uxXTXqnpAJHDFez9KoTCeNk8FyDy0MlKXrgZzDI6T85d6hFbuWaJOkXMrrAsfzvZme4C8b8xNzrqFEJ3nobjn3exQR8-Px2jcvsywgTIXDLZJdraxn2vKcs86t-F7/s320/387.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first tomato of the season , a sweet one hundred cherry tomato - and my little garden helper actually enjoyed it with her dinner .... without too many long faces .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnbpIzDAGP72oE8SS-JZeNGtC_KJ_AlCeGHTFuWmNYcUCM2Th6ATB753GeZGkZg1xzGDGPAHNoClbfEKjSj7dew9-az3HVcEhbmUgNHBr2J8JRelSnf-WBosWbD0HafoMZnhZuY1hp_Is/s1600/379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnbpIzDAGP72oE8SS-JZeNGtC_KJ_AlCeGHTFuWmNYcUCM2Th6ATB753GeZGkZg1xzGDGPAHNoClbfEKjSj7dew9-az3HVcEhbmUgNHBr2J8JRelSnf-WBosWbD0HafoMZnhZuY1hp_Is/s320/379.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pepper plant on the left is a cubanelo pepper , and we enjoyed the first one it was crisp and delicious and sweet . The one on the right is a red bell pepper , which I am patiently checking on daily hoping it will turn red soon .... I see a tinge .</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlh-lUV5kzrYl2Z2WPN2CLSIaeW_uRiX3dRU3HWoSxMhCv6LIMNtaOPwNA-7fJLfL_esOqKfKRMhCMLaZ4Qr7gejgA2f2fWeBtubE5ARDhPP9vFgpBshS6peo7m2VoKtxn_9QrgDNOD8N/s1600/378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlh-lUV5kzrYl2Z2WPN2CLSIaeW_uRiX3dRU3HWoSxMhCv6LIMNtaOPwNA-7fJLfL_esOqKfKRMhCMLaZ4Qr7gejgA2f2fWeBtubE5ARDhPP9vFgpBshS6peo7m2VoKtxn_9QrgDNOD8N/s320/378.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZR2FZily-AeGFZGfULnZ1f5sFVcknlbPcMW9VtEcA-G62jSwCrIL138PO4DBHyrjkDnMIv-M9IrcUDzNO6sFDDee_J-HYDcq6QMf3uti2xybBK9wBndknm3BXvqK2nBhkhjiZtPFOlew/s1600/380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZR2FZily-AeGFZGfULnZ1f5sFVcknlbPcMW9VtEcA-G62jSwCrIL138PO4DBHyrjkDnMIv-M9IrcUDzNO6sFDDee_J-HYDcq6QMf3uti2xybBK9wBndknm3BXvqK2nBhkhjiZtPFOlew/s320/380.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My four tomato plants , please meet ms san marzano pomodoro, ms sweet 100, my black russian and my german friend ..... I can only imagine what a caprese salad will taste when I harvest from these beauties.... </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnL1t-FsRaUTUjssvkKFfpFoDGWVOxoDlksHYV1VanIVCpqzpOEMPUISeuMR063OBZn5r65grtgX67i-6c0Dbw3vPYcXSIBXTyAjrm4YS1ZwNbYWIOxQ0Db1Na8VUMFzxt465A077oOkr/s1600/375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnL1t-FsRaUTUjssvkKFfpFoDGWVOxoDlksHYV1VanIVCpqzpOEMPUISeuMR063OBZn5r65grtgX67i-6c0Dbw3vPYcXSIBXTyAjrm4YS1ZwNbYWIOxQ0Db1Na8VUMFzxt465A077oOkr/s200/375.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T36bfQxF1tTo5b_qoXO8jThmGV1zJLWHogHY841E0GMMv77fCqzoGJWtD88DLxEBLNT3y-TqoaqVGbsVj9Hb99PEsf0VJw2m_yDmye2CVuHE_yy7t1DE4RkNNdIqq5B_WJzv_ax5w3WB/s1600/382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T36bfQxF1tTo5b_qoXO8jThmGV1zJLWHogHY841E0GMMv77fCqzoGJWtD88DLxEBLNT3y-TqoaqVGbsVj9Hb99PEsf0VJw2m_yDmye2CVuHE_yy7t1DE4RkNNdIqq5B_WJzv_ax5w3WB/s200/382.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBi6D46vexIBfdM9Fh4q8eMQL1F4mH_3sKezM8BI4hhVJJsVr_ax25ev7bt1Ze3guOUHn5bI4O3KD9jCvUaCo2Xr9ioRXDFw3fDXbF03i_vbWpmKpdH3bww1Ksa-QHV9jbSboauvKmdYr/s1600/381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBi6D46vexIBfdM9Fh4q8eMQL1F4mH_3sKezM8BI4hhVJJsVr_ax25ev7bt1Ze3guOUHn5bI4O3KD9jCvUaCo2Xr9ioRXDFw3fDXbF03i_vbWpmKpdH3bww1Ksa-QHV9jbSboauvKmdYr/s200/381.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfoBJjk3nP4teDdBHaAEkd4kogVt0SJrPB_JhGKHwV9PgNAfIyY3FqPKYCTAFf3WufSH8SuMF0IdJKh6ymTM3VSp1U9vvtUPj2ZXUQJP2y0XmSaKT7Qu-Gk_5c1bkxpqWYCi5fSqXijpO/s1600/376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfoBJjk3nP4teDdBHaAEkd4kogVt0SJrPB_JhGKHwV9PgNAfIyY3FqPKYCTAFf3WufSH8SuMF0IdJKh6ymTM3VSp1U9vvtUPj2ZXUQJP2y0XmSaKT7Qu-Gk_5c1bkxpqWYCi5fSqXijpO/s200/376.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My beloved herbs ....... basil, oregano ( buried next to the basil) rosemary, sage , parsley and mint .... and their cousin thyme sitting underneath a tomato plant above.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaD6n7NenmlvDwc9GtTWrZ5pbEEao5sgSZolw5w7InIy1c-U-GywRzsPueH6XuN6eSS0SRbl-tugEdpdjQAvLx5qS5UAKdquByoufhNm_CTNgLt257Bc39OlBEGF5JXcpueZyHQGNrxwD/s1600/374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaD6n7NenmlvDwc9GtTWrZ5pbEEao5sgSZolw5w7InIy1c-U-GywRzsPueH6XuN6eSS0SRbl-tugEdpdjQAvLx5qS5UAKdquByoufhNm_CTNgLt257Bc39OlBEGF5JXcpueZyHQGNrxwD/s200/374.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMP5_6VMdUazuwQ6KxtVewdq5_NQb0bt2L7BvYInNlJ2J_e-UJenBt8FxfjLSm3vhXxXG1uWSLO-kYXdQI-vbGqTh6-H8Vt2KsAazMJBmzKqTQ2gog9jFkaWKDNEjQ0QPwj7JE5M-ppyy/s1600/373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMP5_6VMdUazuwQ6KxtVewdq5_NQb0bt2L7BvYInNlJ2J_e-UJenBt8FxfjLSm3vhXxXG1uWSLO-kYXdQI-vbGqTh6-H8Vt2KsAazMJBmzKqTQ2gog9jFkaWKDNEjQ0QPwj7JE5M-ppyy/s200/373.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is my zucchini plant , ..... imagine these lightly steamed with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a splash of olive oil !!!!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ThQA83sR9zHgeK4LaIcmhMQXNmMFXUYyk_PUf3ZMraJr7jGUJGx_CNQ0qrZdYhth4d3uVXD3M8gEqITOcJie9xlBUhgljq1i-ALSYA7Fw_O_7OJitPkVbQH8IcKTmBhytEzgG-4GHtNp/s1600/390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ThQA83sR9zHgeK4LaIcmhMQXNmMFXUYyk_PUf3ZMraJr7jGUJGx_CNQ0qrZdYhth4d3uVXD3M8gEqITOcJie9xlBUhgljq1i-ALSYA7Fw_O_7OJitPkVbQH8IcKTmBhytEzgG-4GHtNp/s320/390.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sGm_S9oOFrshMLnj34SM4aY-jWlbTcNeeORzUOU_1nB8V5_EGgvX3c6Fj5FOagnDGBhL_H3wf4M9EjPKMNp4y5E-KV8IcucOGIpuDZVymzRqykUXbfKJuA-FrIDHvdgrFY2ZJKW-d0f-/s1600/391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sGm_S9oOFrshMLnj34SM4aY-jWlbTcNeeORzUOU_1nB8V5_EGgvX3c6Fj5FOagnDGBhL_H3wf4M9EjPKMNp4y5E-KV8IcucOGIpuDZVymzRqykUXbfKJuA-FrIDHvdgrFY2ZJKW-d0f-/s320/391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and finally my pride and joy ..... meet the broccoli family, patient and stoic , surviving the two heatwaves we just experienced , and I am about to harvest my first head of broccoli ..... can you see it just near the center of the photo ..... I was not expecting anything until late summer early fall . </span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrKmBvuUV5HXovFBpE33hESVv9obKol4qnfqV5uAXY39go9sRS4v-3oOYH95K-dnhwcdcJszsMOAjcy9MI3Ce9z9_q3k_qlvg5T4ezMK4ZjlD34YrZ4spxI1W3SKiFwE7DKgvMz5RW40m/s1600/370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrKmBvuUV5HXovFBpE33hESVv9obKol4qnfqV5uAXY39go9sRS4v-3oOYH95K-dnhwcdcJszsMOAjcy9MI3Ce9z9_q3k_qlvg5T4ezMK4ZjlD34YrZ4spxI1W3SKiFwE7DKgvMz5RW40m/s320/370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-10888230572498667462012-04-25T18:18:00.000-05:002012-04-25T19:05:46.479-05:00Birdseed Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrVgLczh4r60Dp809EyK-mdhfY7B57L19RkZOx3-jQ31NZZgw_td4j0WJkuKLnNjyOH7Fzab8ryK5OsKn8_phouBsnosN8Nx88lMWmk847w0RgYYlBqTDPa7wyBqjqCFONVVU8uOzgdAh/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrVgLczh4r60Dp809EyK-mdhfY7B57L19RkZOx3-jQ31NZZgw_td4j0WJkuKLnNjyOH7Fzab8ryK5OsKn8_phouBsnosN8Nx88lMWmk847w0RgYYlBqTDPa7wyBqjqCFONVVU8uOzgdAh/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am sure this title has caught your attention. Today was a clean out the fridge leftovers day . I had cooked some plain quinoa the other day ( you all know my obsession with that) then we had some birdseed rice monday with bbq pork tenderloin. I also enjoyed a beautiful Ina Garten inspired luncheon with a wonderful group of ladies , so dinner had to be light.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Birdseed rice is mix of brown rice, white rice, black beluga lentils , barley, wild rice , dehydrated carrots and peas along with some dried herbs ..... I am sure there are more grains in there I cannot fully identify . I purchase this deliciousness at Costco , at this moment the correct name escapes me, but it is always a hit with the family . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, with leftover quinoa and this birdseed , I imagined making veggie burgers along with a baby kale leaf salad and some yoghurt. However , as I started putting the mixture together it started to evolve into this beautiful salad , a little bit of this , a little bit if that and lots of love :-)) . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIv-9xBGb8wBtdBy6ajPdivOnKqLfarxKmhVp_DP7IaZdY6eUbvMUqCFXQaXskHnR897hnjls1lgjLzCEnhbflo4EVv6aNqzm7MntviWAfnCWNydyTHqs_a4O5q0v0EIg12KP3hEigWf7/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIv-9xBGb8wBtdBy6ajPdivOnKqLfarxKmhVp_DP7IaZdY6eUbvMUqCFXQaXskHnR897hnjls1lgjLzCEnhbflo4EVv6aNqzm7MntviWAfnCWNydyTHqs_a4O5q0v0EIg12KP3hEigWf7/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can you resist this and not dive in head first, it makes all carnivores jealous with envy. It was light , flavourful and every ingredient could be identified and enjoyed. I also had some red curly kale ( another new and latest obsession) which I sliced very finely , along with fresh chives and chive flowers from my spring garden . I dressed it very simply with the juice of one fresh lemon , a couple of dashes of curry powder - I always find this to be the perfect pick me up with any salad that has lentils. Of course, if you have an aversion to curry powder - omit , the salad will taste just as good. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMEma2rCp4R2kX2WuRodHoiCLNSGGg5N4Z6nKo6ARdz3d8Flw0W3wDX2q9Yn18gANbPK_RfFg5qHq7xyAf9XTPf8sybPxVF5iF-rPCcMtFRYpMHTyz9Dg99Ij8mLm3xu3uotX0ED0hmAq/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMEma2rCp4R2kX2WuRodHoiCLNSGGg5N4Z6nKo6ARdz3d8Flw0W3wDX2q9Yn18gANbPK_RfFg5qHq7xyAf9XTPf8sybPxVF5iF-rPCcMtFRYpMHTyz9Dg99Ij8mLm3xu3uotX0ED0hmAq/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the time we sat down to enjoy this salad I sprinkled some fresh chive flowers on the salad , and this made it so much more festive and spring like. The highlight for me is that it appealed to my little gourmets ..... they devoured it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Enjoy this salad year round with whatever is seasonal and appeals to your family . </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Birdseed Salad</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a gg original recipe</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">quinoa - cooked according to instructions </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">mutligrain mix or combination of cooked whole grains </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">red onion - finely diced</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">red bell pepper - small dice </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">flat leaf parsley - finely diced</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">small handful of garlic chives and flowers ( if in season) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">grated carrot </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">red curly kale - fine chiffonade</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">fresh lemon juice</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">curry powder to taste </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">kosher salt and freshly ground pepper </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">olive oil </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss , taste and adjust accordingly - allow to sit for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to marry.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-1733231676318170742012-04-06T19:47:00.000-05:002012-04-25T18:19:08.640-05:00Feta and Chive Baked Potato salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Clj65__ghH104jWVRkgGl20W3_aqtEKjHGLyZv4IyOP55DvG6GVM42iZHYaRtk4OVN2mC3dCV7-djaUa9bL0VvJyW_QE9hXB7BsyUoHMt8qZlfvhuruHAooABKcH3UH1NZNFkRF8RPd/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Clj65__ghH104jWVRkgGl20W3_aqtEKjHGLyZv4IyOP55DvG6GVM42iZHYaRtk4OVN2mC3dCV7-djaUa9bL0VvJyW_QE9hXB7BsyUoHMt8qZlfvhuruHAooABKcH3UH1NZNFkRF8RPd/s320/074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The phone rang the other day , one of my neighbours was overloaded with "sweet onions" .... had asked hubby to go to the supermarket and get some onions, came back with a bag of 12 <strong>HUGE</strong> onions ..... what to do , but share with neighbours , I promptly adopted 2 of them and proceeded to make tomato-basil soup. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next day and an email comes through, <em><strong>"..... willing to share 15LBS of yellow potatoes ... please come and take some ...... delivery available"</strong></em>.... this neighbour did not ask her husband to do the shopping ..... it is an equally funny story though!!! ...... I promptly turned up at her doorstep and adopted 10 of them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point I was just laughing out loud and heartily , to my neighbour trying to offload the potatoes , I suggested collaboration with our other neighbour and start making vichyssoise soup</span> . <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These potatoes were my favourite yellow potatoes and I have long wanted to try making a baked potato salad. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The potatoes were washed and scrubbed , chopped into bite size pieces with the skin on , tossed with some olive oil , kosher salt , freshly ground pepper and dried oregano. The whole mixture was tossed with my hands to ensure every morsel of the potatoes was coated . I then placed them in a oven proof dish and an 420F oven and roasted until slightly browned and cooked through to fluffy goodness.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjlDtzpxgV7JWYIuPdxAnvpbdpr_X2cusPKlSYYirCD6cAKJKVUa1C2xU4JmCmjBRswKOhdDbBNF8aEW_AP2IqJItYfVfCyAo3hl16HlAYsHmXRbAj77YNk3ptLFAUZ7pRyhfr6b79J_k/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjlDtzpxgV7JWYIuPdxAnvpbdpr_X2cusPKlSYYirCD6cAKJKVUa1C2xU4JmCmjBRswKOhdDbBNF8aEW_AP2IqJItYfVfCyAo3hl16HlAYsHmXRbAj77YNk3ptLFAUZ7pRyhfr6b79J_k/s320/072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once they were cooked , I let them cool slightly , tossed them slightly and sprinkled some Maldon sea salt flakes , crumbled feta cheese and chopped garlic chives from my garden . Tossed gently to combined and enjoyed them for dinner. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go ahead and make them and allow yourself to try different toppings, here are some suggestions : </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> crushed garlic (to taste) , grated pecorino cheese and more olive oil to coat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thinly sliced red or yellow peppers with capers. kalamata olives and fresh flat leaf parsley , with a squeeze of lemon juice</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let just say perfect <strong><em>to go</em></strong> salad for the hot summer days ahead !!!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Feta and Chive Baked Potato Salad</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">.... inspired by many a cookbooks</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Yellow potatoes, scrubbed with skin left on </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">kosher salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">freshly ground pepper</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">dried oregano ... or herbs de provence </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">olive oil </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">feta cheese </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">fresh garlic chives</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Maldon Seal salt flakes</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Firstly, this recipe has no quantities because you can add as much or as little of what suits your meal purposes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Cut potatoes into bite size pieces , place in oven proof dish , toss with olive oil , salt and pepper and dried herbs of choice then , tosse well to coat and place in 420F oven .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Bake for about 25minutes or until slightly browned and cooked through. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Allow to cool slightly before adding topping of choice , in this case crumbled feta and garlic chives .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">the reason we allow the potatoes to cool slightly iss so that you do not "cook" the fresh herbs and the cheese only melts , just slightly. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-46767134029698250672011-08-27T09:48:00.006-05:002011-08-27T13:29:23.657-05:00Pizza Bianca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNspUdzjwWZlfWJEuacyq6dBMRENQ_B6E1_jtDitMuceW-CnnYIEbGOwoGaPK5M3a9vTsU8e5VXzHsCU_5HYnCLu0APteZ36T6U6wHd1_jHTNI1_dY6oZM7p9St00TKSkAWT8UWj6zTl1/s1600/DSCN3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNspUdzjwWZlfWJEuacyq6dBMRENQ_B6E1_jtDitMuceW-CnnYIEbGOwoGaPK5M3a9vTsU8e5VXzHsCU_5HYnCLu0APteZ36T6U6wHd1_jHTNI1_dY6oZM7p9St00TKSkAWT8UWj6zTl1/s320/DSCN3380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello readers , I know it has been a very long time between posts , so much has happened , so many travels to far flung corners of the world. However , we are home now and ensconced in everything that a new school year brings. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I was preparing dinner last night , the phone rang and I was asked " are you home, I have something for you ?" ... of course said I ........ minutes later there was a knock on the door and I was greeted with this spectacular pizza bianca delivered in rustic fashion , enveloped in a beautiful tea towel.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My eyes needed time to digest everything , as they started to absorb this vision of perfectly cooked dough with hills and dales and little pools of olive oil and sprinkles of rosemary , it was sheer politeness that stopped me from tearing into this pizza , immediately. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Over the summer my friend Lara was privileged to receive lessons from a good friend of hers on bread making and all its facets, from making this pizza, to no-knead bread etc. Where was I ??? ...... not in that kitchen silently taking in the moment and enjoying the experience of working with flour, water and yeast . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When the whole family gathered for dinner, it was with a flush I presented the pizza at the dinner table , after fighting off hubby ( who also wanted to tear right into it upon his arrival from work) ....... lets just say when everyone started eating some if this pizza - silence befell the dinner table. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FLu15fkapG6mo-atppvgyUo5nRY0iV3SqaAfmv_SjboJbo7VDrn2RAzvNaz-W-iofdcITuLpybik4ZfIrt5V8neIHHqN_m-WjdDcVWWJBdvFqJiW1uYQJ1GM9QCR5d0xMOJc8dE54gxy/s1600/DSCN3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FLu15fkapG6mo-atppvgyUo5nRY0iV3SqaAfmv_SjboJbo7VDrn2RAzvNaz-W-iofdcITuLpybik4ZfIrt5V8neIHHqN_m-WjdDcVWWJBdvFqJiW1uYQJ1GM9QCR5d0xMOJc8dE54gxy/s200/DSCN3381.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJannK_yXi65xuOdAF-0BWY2AYF3Awggx1-aD5S0uYHHqaxqhkgbH9bqLi6tY1faouYuJdB7njwzmtvAEEY5cV0teYa7rJ3cNeEcvuRaxkv8WHsyLB5ZypMc3vxp14_BDdZ_Y4BIBaLKy/s1600/DSCN3379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJannK_yXi65xuOdAF-0BWY2AYF3Awggx1-aD5S0uYHHqaxqhkgbH9bqLi6tY1faouYuJdB7njwzmtvAEEY5cV0teYa7rJ3cNeEcvuRaxkv8WHsyLB5ZypMc3vxp14_BDdZ_Y4BIBaLKy/s200/DSCN3379.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerZJbUzofmuB6WwsrrLIJ93WSuwVU-ohMfFbLfWXh2tExXTq8-0T2QXiTKX_ZxG-WL9dQOfYGEKyh6jQg6ryLIRDMFZ3SuHRaXMGujuX2yr-N5OH2BAotj36_Vg_Ll8y8XRAflEi6wckN/s1600/DSCN3383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerZJbUzofmuB6WwsrrLIJ93WSuwVU-ohMfFbLfWXh2tExXTq8-0T2QXiTKX_ZxG-WL9dQOfYGEKyh6jQg6ryLIRDMFZ3SuHRaXMGujuX2yr-N5OH2BAotj36_Vg_Ll8y8XRAflEi6wckN/s320/DSCN3383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I urge everyone who loves pizza to go out and invest in a pizza stone and peel - they are lifetime investments you will never regret and make this pizza. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pizza bianca does not have sauce , it is usually served with a drizzle of good olive oil , a sprinkle of fresh herbs of your choice - I would recommend rosemary as it is the most flavourful and screams pizza, in Rome this pizza is usually eaten in the morning in the same way that we enjoy toast. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Pizza Bianca </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">made with love by Lara from </span> <a href="http://www.ecookbooks.com/p-23809-my-bread.aspx">this book</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">3 cups bread flour , plus additional for dusting </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1/4 tsp instant or other active yeast </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 tsp table salt </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">3/4 tsp sugar </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups cool water (55 to 65 F) </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup extra virgin oil , plus additional for coating the bowl and brushing </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 tsp coarse sea salt </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">3 sprigs fresh rosemary , leaves removed </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">In a medium bowl stir together the flour, yeast , table salt and sugar. Ass the water and using a wooden spoon or your hand , mix until you have a wet sticky dough - about 30 seconds. Lightly coat a second medium bowl with olive oil and place the dough in it . Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature until the surface is dotted with bubbles and the dough is more than doubles in size 9-12 hours. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">When the first rise is complete , generously dust a work surface ( a cutting board is useful here) with flour. Use a bowl scraper or rubber spatula to scrape the dough out of the bowl in one piece . Using lightly floured hands fold the dough over itself two or three times and nudge it into a loose rather flat ball . Brush the surface of the dough with the olive oil and sprinkle with the coarse seal salt - this will gradually dissolve onto the surface/ Put the dough in a draft-free spot and let rise until doubled 1-2 hours.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Half an hour before the end of the second rise , preheat your oven to 500F with a rack in the center, place a pizza stone , of at least 14 inches on the center rack. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Generously dust a pizza peel with flour and place the ball of dough in the middle. Spread out the dough using your fingers like an outstretched claw, do not puncture the dough - you want to create dimples to become a haven for the olive oil and rosemary and stretch out the dough across the pizza peel to approximately 12 inches. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top and sprinkle with fresh rosemary leaves. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">At this give the peel a little tug , the dough should move ever so sightly - a better word would be hydroplane - that way it will be easy to slide on to the hot pizza stone. Should it be sticking at any point , gently lift the corner of the dough and sprinkle more flour underneath. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Shake and slide the pizza onto the pizza stone, and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown on the mounds but pale in the dimples . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Remove from the oven with the peel , allow to cool a few minutes before slicing and serving. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-41913438909959798832011-02-25T13:19:00.006-06:002012-04-25T18:18:45.295-05:00............ thank you Ina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYw2OM1t0mGf0pbMP3jADLWU5iUvznfLJhSPuZBuDbInswzxvPlB8okvvpkB4CEINT8Gvp2OKoORUjoR59_kFdcpISYNGOLepObStgnukFnlmP8SzDsxAinPQH7Esqa3TeBIhhEi_YXfZ/s1600/DSCN3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYw2OM1t0mGf0pbMP3jADLWU5iUvznfLJhSPuZBuDbInswzxvPlB8okvvpkB4CEINT8Gvp2OKoORUjoR59_kFdcpISYNGOLepObStgnukFnlmP8SzDsxAinPQH7Esqa3TeBIhhEi_YXfZ/s400/DSCN3040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For many that know me well , know that I am not a baker.<em> </em>I enjoy cooking , everyone says I cook well ( thank you) - however <strong>"baking"</strong> mortifies me . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Being an aquarian , there is a free spirit within us that does not like to be sequestered. Rules are made to be broken and does it really matter if I put in one teaspoon of this or half a teaspoon of the same thing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the world of baking it does.You see baking is a precise science, it involves accuracy , it involves good chemical reactions between baking soda and buttermilk which produce the fluffiest cakes , and precise ratios of liquids that help a cake rise and impress. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjstylhAy7YP8VYpyHLjxeLr0kXRmsERzWA_4c4rXSNAqrrvwTn7B2AkEpU0Jcs9VIcxjVOZXUzkqDutUh3TlTIngsRHrkYxgy5C5K00p3lxorMwrlR1QzTwou79sY8B5BumHtxfWn_xUL/s1600/DSCN3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjstylhAy7YP8VYpyHLjxeLr0kXRmsERzWA_4c4rXSNAqrrvwTn7B2AkEpU0Jcs9VIcxjVOZXUzkqDutUh3TlTIngsRHrkYxgy5C5K00p3lxorMwrlR1QzTwou79sY8B5BumHtxfWn_xUL/s320/DSCN3042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">However , I have started to overcome my phobia of baking, by tackling baking recipes that involve mixing together wet and dry ingredients. How difficult can that be ? I ask myself. Not difficult at all , to me a marriage made in baking heaven . There <em><strong>is</strong></em> room for a little extra of this and smidge of that . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, I now welcome you to the world of Ina Garten , one of the cooks I idolise , whose recipes never fail me, but always impress . She is famous for starting all cake recipes with a pound of butter and in an effort to lighten things up she makes this delicious Lemon Yogurt cake - which is so mind boggling simple I don't know why I did not make this sooner. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The other day I adapted her recipe and turned it into a Lemon- Blueberry Cake - yummy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then I was eating one of my favourite oranges, the Cara-Cara orange. So deliciously sweet and juicy , I thought I would try and adapt her recipe and make it with oranges , and for an over the top finale, decorate the top of the cake with glazed orange segments . The inspiration for this came from watching Jamie Oliver's new cooking show ( travelling around europe) where he made a Honey and Pistachio Cake during his trip to Greece. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSy7-atx3IGNbyJdbQwcEEQ_xLTGF-DS20ajhKUq5SHE242gmdMT-2dsBCpbjIIb_cMoqwLHARqLUnsAXHo485qBk5UT71ErK5WZ9F7kBavf2FZN1iCfLmzfXLFKdqHUTtN1rWIy1BVwM/s1600/DSCN3038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSy7-atx3IGNbyJdbQwcEEQ_xLTGF-DS20ajhKUq5SHE242gmdMT-2dsBCpbjIIb_cMoqwLHARqLUnsAXHo485qBk5UT71ErK5WZ9F7kBavf2FZN1iCfLmzfXLFKdqHUTtN1rWIy1BVwM/s320/DSCN3038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, with yoghurt at hand, I used low fat , 2 sturdy mixing bowls , and quite literally 5 minutes of your time ( it takes longer for the oven to reach temperature) - you will make a cake that will impress everyone and give Top Pastry Chefs a run for their money. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This morning I enjoyed sharing this cake with my wonderful neighbour Lisa - goes perfectly with a nice cup of coffee and wonderful conversation.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Cara-Cara Orange Yoghurt Cake with Glazed Oranges</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">adapted from an Ina Garten recipe and inspired in part by Jamie Oliver</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">2 teaspoons baking powder </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 teaspoon kosher salt </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 cup low-fat yoghurt *** </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">3 extra large organic eggs at room temperature ( very important) </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">zest of one cara-cara orange </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 cup vegetable oil </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">the juice of half an orange </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Glaze </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 cup confectioners sugar </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">2 tablespoons freshly squeezed cara-cara orange juice </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Glazed Orange Segments </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups sugar </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups water </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">half a cara-cara orange thinly sliced </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Preparation:</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Preheat oven to 350F and spray a non-stick loaf pan with some canola oil and dust with flour - guaranteed not to stick . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">In one bowl measure out the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt, place to the side. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">In another bowl place the yoghurt, 1 cup sugar, room temperature eggs, orange zest, vanilla extract and the juice of half an orange. Whisk until well combined .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Pour the batter in to the floured loaf pan and place in oven, bake for 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Meanwhile, make the Glazed Orange Segments. Place the water and sugar and water in a saucepan and add the orange slices . Bring to boil then immediately turn down to a simmer , you want the syrup to thicken slowly and cook and soften the orange slices in the meantime. Keep an eye on this step , if it looks like the water is evaporating too quickly , add a splash of hot boiling water and stir gently and continue to cook for approximately 15 minutes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Once the syrup has been almost absorbed by the oranges turn off the beat and allow to cool . Should the orange glaze become hard and stuck to the saucepan, gently reheat to loosen up the sugar syrup , then place on top of the cake for decoration after you placed the glaze and it has set slightly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">While the orange segments are been cooked make a thin glaze for the cake, Mix 2 tablespoons orange juice into 1 cup confectioners sugar and mix well until you have a nice runny consistency. Pour over the cake once it has been removed from the loaf pan and cooled. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">*** I use the Mountain High brand Low-fat yoghurt. It is best to use a thick style greek style yoghurt , and there are plenty easily available in the supermarkets. A lot of low-fat yoghurt tends to be a little runny and this will ruin the consistency of the batter .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">NOTE: you can also make this cake with regular oranges , just not too sure if they will be as sweet as the cara-cara oranges.</span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-8951392392596761982011-02-21T11:26:00.005-06:002011-02-26T12:00:54.482-06:00Tilapia Fish Burgers with Lemon Caper Mayonnaise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIGiwDUp8gT3uXwjfQCIUJMx4-dOPcw5ImxBDkWvUALin4yCqQfp_0Rb8q5xzqCoo9V5SRHcDaN72jdezLwYzW4YmwOJ8kQpWXn98ZPMBrqNCJd7tL8reFSxXeQUz5uMzSE8fpPUbaMCP/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIGiwDUp8gT3uXwjfQCIUJMx4-dOPcw5ImxBDkWvUALin4yCqQfp_0Rb8q5xzqCoo9V5SRHcDaN72jdezLwYzW4YmwOJ8kQpWXn98ZPMBrqNCJd7tL8reFSxXeQUz5uMzSE8fpPUbaMCP/s320/068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In an attempt to make eating fish a lot more fun , I started to make fish burgers. I enjoy nothing more than baking tipalia in the oven , simply dressed with olive oil , a sqeeze of fresh lemon, sprinkled with salt and pepper and herbs de provenance ..... hhmmmm . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">However, once I placed the fish it on the dinner table, I could swear I heard a silent collective groan of "fish again ????" . So when I put on my deceptive mummy cook hat on, I started to think of more interesting ways of serving fish . With some leftover tilapia fillets one day , I played around with interesting and fresh ideas to make a more healthy and interesting burger. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You can add whatever you like to this mixture , it is not caste in stone. You can also use whatever fish fillet your family enjoys. I selected tilapia because it is readily available and is generally a mild fish , be careful if you are using cod as it has a very strong taste and may over power all the other ingredients. Look a this recipe as a guide. The mixture should look colourful and with a nice balance of fish and vegetable ingredients.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I enjoy them in a lightly toasted bun with some lettuce a nice shmear of tartare sauce or a nice piquant lemon caper mayonnaise. By keeping all the ingredients chopped and diced small there is no real cooking involved because the fish is cooked and we are merely browning the outside of the burger and heating through all the ingredients. The other secret ingredient is the use of japanese panko breadcrumbs , they keep the burgers light and moist and add a nice little crunch to the outside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsidAMYbdkf6cdYyvSpprRNxbOfmaCtzK3RQJ190YfdWxTwaKoHsMyDaCHvXgpnKuUJW8grdnDJhz4ou8WXLkHblg4R6IYCMDYtqBqJYGqvtdpedQWETDVoiHvItFo37c6M_lUsmDPGmOO/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsidAMYbdkf6cdYyvSpprRNxbOfmaCtzK3RQJ190YfdWxTwaKoHsMyDaCHvXgpnKuUJW8grdnDJhz4ou8WXLkHblg4R6IYCMDYtqBqJYGqvtdpedQWETDVoiHvItFo37c6M_lUsmDPGmOO/s320/071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The burgers were devoured by the whole family , second helpings were going on, which I loved .You can always serve these with a green salad, a nice <a href="http://gourmetgoddesspantry.blogspot.com/2010/04/quinoa-pilaf-with-cranberries-and.html">quinoa salad</a> or bean salad. And as always in classic burger tradition - toasted bun, lettuce and a some condiments - and please not ketchup here - it would be totally sacrilegious. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">They would make an excellent starter to an elegant dinner party , served simply on a spring lettuce mix, gently tossed with olive oil and sea sea salt and a few grinds of pepper and a lemon wedge. They can be enjoyed just out of the oven or at room temperature ( my favourite) and they can go a long way for a buffet and or family style dinner. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The burgers are light, refreshing and healthy ..... but please do not mention all the health benefits to the family - that way, you will sell them on the idea of eating a burger - how good they are for them will be between you and me. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Tilapia Fish Burgers</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">a gg original recipe</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">4 tilapia center cut fillets (or fish of choice)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">olive oil </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">salt and pepper</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">herbs de provence</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">red onion </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">red bell pepper </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">fresh flat leaf parsley </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">2 green onions</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 tablespoon dijon mustard</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 egg </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 cup good quality mayonnaise </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">panko breadcrumbs </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">skim milk ( or whatever you use at home)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">canola oil </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">lemon wedges</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Place the tilapia fillets in an oven proof bowl, coat with a little olive oil, season with salt , pepper and herbs de provence , add a splash of cold water and bake in a 400F ( 200C) oven for about 12 minutes or until cooked through and flaking easily. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Remove from oven allow to cool, then place in a bowl and flake with a fork, try to keep the pieces a little chunky ( as you would for crab cakes) so that you can identify the fish pieces in the burger. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finely chop the red onion, bell pepper, parsley , green onion and add to the fish along with everything else</span> <span style="font-size: small;">except the panko breadcrumbs, milk and canola oil.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Place about 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumb in a bowl and enough milk to soften the breadcrumb but not become a soggy mess. Allow the breadcrumbs to absorb all the milk then add to the fish mixture. If you end up with too much milk in the bowl- sometimes this is hard to judge - just squeeze the breadcrumb in your hand , place that in the fish mixture and discard the excess milk.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Combine well , your mixture should be moist and just holding together , you may need to a touch more mayonnaise - but be prudent as you do not want a soggy mayonnaise mess. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Place in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up before forming into burgers. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remove from fridge , form into burger approximately 3 inches wide and no more than 1/2 inch thick . You do not</span> <span style="font-size: small;">want these to be too thick or they will fall apart in the cooking process and you will end up burning the outside of the burger and the middle part of the burger will be "uncooked".</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Preheat a non stick frypan and coat the bottom of the pan - barely, with some canola oil , meanwhile form the burgers and press the outside of each burger in the panko breadcrumbs and shallow fry until a light golden colour. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Place in a pyrex or ovenproof dish and bake in a 400F or 200C oven for about 8-10 minutes until heated through. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Squeeze a fresh lemon before serving.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Lemon Caper Mayonnaise </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">a gg original recipe adapted from many a cookbook</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 cup good quality mayonnaise </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">the zest and juice of one lemon </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 tablespoon capers - roughly chopped </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">a pinch of salt to taste </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">a few grinds of pepper </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">a splash of olive oil </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 very small garlic clove crushed ( optional) </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Combine all of the above and adjust seasoning as needed , allow to develop flavours for at least 6 hours or overnight int he fridge. Spoon on top of the burgers and enjoy.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-72100335347093574412011-02-07T17:19:00.003-06:002011-02-26T11:19:56.891-06:00Fresh Tomato and Feta Pasta Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wHI4hb0GAbppANytb2pF86tgbe1gdZCH6zQRcv1y3XXvEKllead8BKx1yLugHg2neZsKSlzZE98owKGs-y9Y4pBf2e6XBuRCcU2QdgHzeHIWb3Ch1ZpxYNpd4ibUr-ZY62yVfYFgOdEd/s1600/IMG_4042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wHI4hb0GAbppANytb2pF86tgbe1gdZCH6zQRcv1y3XXvEKllead8BKx1yLugHg2neZsKSlzZE98owKGs-y9Y4pBf2e6XBuRCcU2QdgHzeHIWb3Ch1ZpxYNpd4ibUr-ZY62yVfYFgOdEd/s320/IMG_4042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The snow is piling up outside , we endured the blizzard of 2011 last wednesday ,it is now monday and mother nature has felt the urge to continue to dazzle us with "dancing snowflakes" .... read ..... more snow !!!! read .... more shovelling ...... read " how soon is spring coming ????"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point in winter I start to crave freshness in my everyday food. Not that I can walk out onto my patio and pick fresh herbs or pluck a fresh tomato from the vine. Somehow fresh tomato and fresh basil screams summer - fresh tomato with feta cheese and olives etc has a more heartier feel and this screams winter - and the view from the window is definetly winter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, what to do with some grape tomatoes that needed to eaten, feta cheese that also needed to be eaten ...... and a jar of kalamata olives , staring me in the face everytime I open the fridge - fresh pasta sauce !!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yesterday was Superbowl Sunday , a lazy day in our household . For reasons I cannot explain we were not hooked on the Super Bowl, our team did not make it - therefore, my big gourmet was non plussed about watching the game . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dinner was therefore lazy and quick , spaghetti with a basic prepared tomato basil sauce for those who wanted that and spaghetti topped with my tomato and feta sauce for those that wanted something a little different. I did not have any capers in the pantry , or else they would also have been a nice touch. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_krUH-BLOdtm51NmIK5PU7uG6rllfAIEpOaB8t-XiikIQCLtf4A76aTQUCQEF9QQpkKWSv0cyZv5CjnUe4sAzgDPCM9R0s3vt6lG8vmW3j9MeGr8LE-4dwATNfeeLWBYw3nGOjhAZHFO/s1600/IMG_4048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_krUH-BLOdtm51NmIK5PU7uG6rllfAIEpOaB8t-XiikIQCLtf4A76aTQUCQEF9QQpkKWSv0cyZv5CjnUe4sAzgDPCM9R0s3vt6lG8vmW3j9MeGr8LE-4dwATNfeeLWBYw3nGOjhAZHFO/s320/IMG_4048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This sauce is gutsy and bold, the flavours will develop the more it sits . It was a heavenly aroma that hit me as soon as the sauce and its beautiful oil marinade hit the hot pasta . For me it did not require any more cheese , the taste was heavenly and filling. In summer you could use the same concept and use tomato, fresh bocconcini, and fresh basil for the penultimate fresh summer sauce. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So for now give this a go and enjoy it with your family . </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Fresh Tomato and Feta Pasta Sauce.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">a gg original recipe </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1 packet grape tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">handful of feta cheese roughly cubed </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">handful of Kalamata olive - without the stone </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">freshly ground pepper </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">a pinch of Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">good quality extra virgin olive oil </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">splash of white Balsamic Vinegar </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">a pinch of good quality Greek dried oregano </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">tablespoon of capers (optional) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Chop up the tomatoes in a bowl , then add the rest of the ingredients .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Toss to combine and taste. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Meanwhile prepare spaghetti of your choice according to packet directions, drain well , drizzle with a splash of olive oil so it does not stick then serve in individual bowls with the fresh sauce and a spoonful of the delicious marinade that has developed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This recipe quantity can be adjusted according to the ingredients you have on hand . Be generous with the olive oil - as this becomes the glue that hold the whole dish together.</span> </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-41769530391759515152011-02-05T13:50:00.002-06:002011-02-25T19:15:27.118-06:00Filete Rodrigo with fresh Tomatillo Salsa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB7lZop9OFojb65xTHrlRzTE17Fq535dtkPEXMCv0z-9t-kOVo-4FJ5p1cBVEdaxM1YPP-LqxwmUTh03u1QAN1VUANpjh31FjAxaLh9B1gRJsQzgd7omTHbp9AKyVjLkRKweOl0q6PmxU/s1600/IMG_4025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB7lZop9OFojb65xTHrlRzTE17Fq535dtkPEXMCv0z-9t-kOVo-4FJ5p1cBVEdaxM1YPP-LqxwmUTh03u1QAN1VUANpjh31FjAxaLh9B1gRJsQzgd7omTHbp9AKyVjLkRKweOl0q6PmxU/s320/IMG_4025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Mexican food , I enjoy the cuisine for its very simplicity and fresh approach. Last Tuesday , with an impending blizzard headed for Chicago, I met up with my expatriate friends and we cooked up another storm of wonderful recipes. While a meteorological storm started brewing outside, safe in the kitchen we ignored the elements , talked about the latest happenings in our families, lent moral support where needed , all the while, whipping up three fantastic dishes , the first of which I am blogging about is "filete Rodrigo".</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The name alone intrigues me. hope the photos do it justice - photographing indoors in a Chicago winter - presents several challenging technical problems. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Q9IWyrI3aPghBBpaHJKqGGd4BaxyrN6WxLBDB98lv2SxuelhvwWzN2HCeugrM7KAtPeV5LtN_XVVZ6xxUbQgKKpMhpgo-xIDqlusDiMlBCBHwkc5Spi-cKW6JMlWWQY2OkC9Tg15xrQz/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Q9IWyrI3aPghBBpaHJKqGGd4BaxyrN6WxLBDB98lv2SxuelhvwWzN2HCeugrM7KAtPeV5LtN_XVVZ6xxUbQgKKpMhpgo-xIDqlusDiMlBCBHwkc5Spi-cKW6JMlWWQY2OkC9Tg15xrQz/s320/IMG_4031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I do not know much about the origins if this specific dish, just enough to say that it is named after the chef who created it and bless him, because it is an outstanding little morsel of goodness. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a great meal to be enjoyed family style, presents well ( as pictured above) as an appetiser and I guarantee you .... absolute WOW factor at your next cocktail party . We enjoyed it family style on some warmed corn tortillas , smothered with the fresh tomatillo salsa, which was superb . When I got home because i did not have any tortillas I thought it would make a nice presentation on blue corn tortilla chips. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The fish mixture was a savoury combination of tilapia, white onion, fresh cilantro and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggi">maggi seasoning</a> ( secret ingredient ) if you do not have any a touch of tamari soy sauce will do the trick - or you can omit all together. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The salsa was fresh, vibrant in colour, spicy in flavour that made your mouth come alive - the salsa was good enough to enjoy with tortilla chips or tostada. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Next time it is taco night at your home , consider serving a very light and healthy fish taco night where I am sure even the pickiest eater will be challenged to completely convince themselves that this is not worthy of eating. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So thank you to Teresa, my mexican friend, for preparing such a delightful dish to enjoy and giving us another authentic taste of mexican cuisine.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Filete Rodrigo with fresh Tomatillo Salsa</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Salsa</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">6 large tomatillos - husks removed </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">3 jalapenos peppers</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">2 serrano peppers ( optional) </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">small white onion</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">salt and pepper to taste </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">fresh cilantro </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Wash and roughly chop the tomatillos and place in a bowl, use a hand held blender to make into a coarse puree. Add the jalapenos seeds included - check for spiciness and add the serano peppers if you would like more heat to the dish. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">At this point depending on the heat level of the jalapeno peppers you can add more jalapeno or more serrano. When we were making this dish the jalapenos lacked spice so we added the serranos which certainly made up for the lack of spiciness and made the dish more tasty.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Once you get the desired consistency of salsa add some finely diced white onion and chopped fresh cilantro. Add salt and pepper and check for taste - adjust is needed then allow to sit on the side to allow the flavours to develop.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Filete Rodrigo</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">4 pieces tilapia fillets</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">salt and pepper </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">olive oil</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">white onion small dice</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggi">maggi seasoning</a> a few shakes of the bottle</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">white vinegar to sharpen the flavour </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">fresh cilantro</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">corn tortillas</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Season the tilapia with salt and pepper and cook in a non stick pan with a little olive oil , until is is cooked through and flakes easily. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Place in a bowl and allow to cool . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Meanwhile , finely dice one small white onion, add to the flaked and cooled fish along with a splash of both maggi seasoning and white vinegar. toss to combine then add the chopped cilantro - check for seasoning and adjust accordingly. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">To serve family style, warm up some corn tortillas add some of the fish mixture then top with the salsa and enjoy the incredible taste sensation.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-89800544626992755552011-01-30T13:48:00.001-06:002011-02-25T19:15:50.516-06:00Caramelised Pear and Cardamon Tart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhyphenhyphenDyS1Vn_3RhRtOvXmY3r8XWxCOMYNcv77lizdCqXMaVRXyRQ0KrjfdOQio9myP4FjWx-T_MBBPiMmqU-CiZmJPwaF_9agC2Q6tIqFJvZ3ijYoeuKJhtJPi677moPt-8qNOtWxLmCYKY/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhyphenhyphenDyS1Vn_3RhRtOvXmY3r8XWxCOMYNcv77lizdCqXMaVRXyRQ0KrjfdOQio9myP4FjWx-T_MBBPiMmqU-CiZmJPwaF_9agC2Q6tIqFJvZ3ijYoeuKJhtJPi677moPt-8qNOtWxLmCYKY/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not too sure if you can possibly have a sense from the photo of what this tart tastes like?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Exotic ...... incredible ..... delicious ......sophisticated ..... mmmmmm </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Just before Christmas last year, I had a get together with my expatriate friends and we cooked up another storm. I enjoy these sessions because they allow us to forge a friendship and enjoy each others company and try something new - be it directly form each others culture or what ever we fancy. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SKYcI-z3EeV6FRR-Go1y2YH76G543H34dRDJkV_HbQPWw90tf_c1c_tfzrjd1v-zFLlhUR9dhoNsNiUJ2pwAo8WzprV_Eo2Bok-SsG_-qRPsNgd0Rg_9Z1wroFUsXKi4qPFSm6F6VlE1/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SKYcI-z3EeV6FRR-Go1y2YH76G543H34dRDJkV_HbQPWw90tf_c1c_tfzrjd1v-zFLlhUR9dhoNsNiUJ2pwAo8WzprV_Eo2Bok-SsG_-qRPsNgd0Rg_9Z1wroFUsXKi4qPFSm6F6VlE1/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Rose-Anne brought along this little treat in a really beautiful pie plate holder/carrier ( which I regret not photographing) and we enjoyed this with some coffee and good laughs, just before the arduous task of cooking for fun began. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">It is a play on the classic french dessert <em><span style="color: red;">tart aux pomme</span></em> . It does not require a heavy cast iron pan , it was made in a ceramic quiche dish . You could easily substitute any type of pan dish . The combination of pears and cardamom is exotic and intoxicating and by using prepared store bought puff pastry - putting it together is easy. I loved its rustic look but was completely blown away by its silent sophistication. I especially loved the delicious syrup it basted itself in. If you were to take this dessert to any dinner party, believe me when I tell you - you will be elevated to Dessert Goddess status in a heartbeat. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Please make this tomorrow, pears are in season and are often overlooked for desserts. Here, they can outshine all other fruits used in baked desserts. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Long live Regina Pear !!!! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Caramelised Pear and Cardamon Tart</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><strong>from a collection of recipes from expats</strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup softened but not melted butter </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup caster sugar - or fine granulated sugar </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">seeds from 10 cardamon pods or 1/2 teaspoon cardamon powder </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">8 oz puff pastry </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">5 ripe pears recommend using Bosc or Bartlett pears ( make sure they are ripe) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Preheat oven to 400F. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Distribute the butter evenly on the bottom of your tart tin, sprinkle with the sugar and cardamon pods - I would recommend the use of cardamon pods over using ground cardamon powder. Place in the oven so that the sugar caramelises a little ( be careful not to let it burn). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Peel the pears , cut them in half and arrange the pears round side down. Place the softened puff pastry on top then fold down in a rustic manner around the pears. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Bake for 25 minutes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Cool the tart in the pan for 5 minutes . Place a larger platter on top of the tart pan then carefully invert onto platter. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Serve on its own hot or at room temperature and or with fresh cream . Some good quality vanilla ice cream will also be a good accompaniment.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">You could substitute ground cinnamon or vanilla extract for the cardamon. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana;">Enjoy. </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-50098430021840783642010-11-23T11:12:00.005-06:002011-02-26T11:17:23.912-06:00Good-bye Summer ...... it is time to go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQO0gy3ZH-sZKdAAKYnLyAT3s-q4eyAB9vSz6kCB6lo7PH31oXYRj3SskEpqIUMe_KJd-C9_j3nd-2FYqzclfPIUfkU51RsmAckS0KAVCn2F3N4M5kqPCn69gL9XMAy6c6XXi8znfLnbW/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQO0gy3ZH-sZKdAAKYnLyAT3s-q4eyAB9vSz6kCB6lo7PH31oXYRj3SskEpqIUMe_KJd-C9_j3nd-2FYqzclfPIUfkU51RsmAckS0KAVCn2F3N4M5kqPCn69gL9XMAy6c6XXi8znfLnbW/s320/039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Summer ,</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have hung around long enough. As we woke up this morning to a shivering below freezing temperature , I think you finally realised it was time to move on . Yesterday you tempted us with temperatures that defy the month of November , temperatures that made us think it was still ok to wear stylish flip flops and squeeze in one more pedicure , and question whether it is really Thanksgiving on thursday. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I nostalgically looked through my photos I came across photos of my purple bell pepper harvest , and the most delicious tasting basil pesto I have ever made ...... Can you taste food through a photo ?? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMVZqovtymj_ZBDUsxyjpS5CXvlVITm26kCIenCQ0q2JbTVQLgr0r1W-fesmA4x2JLHHo4LHP5O0l4izrbYaNRiKSNlHB2ESk_sktq2iC1JzBGZlBWW4BCtrZKXQtZsjiKPi4AF3xZYjt/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMVZqovtymj_ZBDUsxyjpS5CXvlVITm26kCIenCQ0q2JbTVQLgr0r1W-fesmA4x2JLHHo4LHP5O0l4izrbYaNRiKSNlHB2ESk_sktq2iC1JzBGZlBWW4BCtrZKXQtZsjiKPi4AF3xZYjt/s320/IMG_3717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realise am not the greatest photograher , I really have to get to know my camera a lot better , however I just stared at this basil pesto for days ..... it was that good . When we finally enjoyed it a few days later in a simple dish of fettucine and pesto - I died and went to heaven . </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Tomorrow is Wednesday , the day before Thanksgiving and the day my girls have dedicated to baking . I do not cook for Thanksgiving , I am only just coming to terms with pumpkin pie ( will it be as good as</span><span style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://gourmetgoddesspantry.blogspot.com/2009/11/spiced-pumpkin-pie.html"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">last years attempt</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #444444;">? ) I will let you know . The recipes have been resourced, the ingredients cross checked - there is always a last minute run to the store ..... and the energy is palpable .</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving everyone ..... and hello Old Man Winter ..... we are more than ready for you !!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">regards </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GG </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">**** For some great ideas go to my November 2009 archive for something a little different.**** </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-42974420867460720942010-11-03T14:09:00.002-05:002011-02-25T19:21:51.672-06:00Tale of Three SoupsFriendship is defined by not having to explain yourself . True friends can pick up where they left off and connect in a way that does not require any explanation.<br />
<br />
With this in mind I recently re-connected with two wonderful ladies, I got to know through my catering business - and we got together to do what we know best - make soup !! It has been a while since I have had an opportunity to escape the gulag of work and cook soup , but soup it was spanning three very different cultures . <br />
<br />
I think everyone understands the nurturing side of soup , the comfort it brings to everyone and the fact that simple ingredients can make outstanding soup . The menu was as follows, pumpkin soup, tortilla soup and miso soup - a very diverse selection which in the end tasted sensational . I did not have my own camera handy , I took the photo of the pumpkin soup the next day ( as i was about to enjoy it for lunch ) the tortilla soup refuses to correct itself and turn right side up - but you get the picture and the miso soup was taken by one of my friends.<br />
<br />
The pumpkin soup was delicious and savoury - most recipes I have come across tend to make this soup on the sweet side - by adding apples or apples juice - still love your recipe Ina Garten ..... however it was refreshing to try this soup made with butternut pumpkin, carrots, onion along with fresh tomatoes and hot chili peppers. Simple clean ingredients but with a powerful flavour punch . <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHZBQEIco3wz9WMApedOKprs1lRhqlPWrlBxJfOOVXpiHGi9Qxuz1XcQxf4Mh7PqslYDwyvDxsS1otz4znS81DTdc6r84QzsMoUgZgvgLnOsaqjpDmqWAfk2vf4sY764TVHhvoX31Lgx_/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHZBQEIco3wz9WMApedOKprs1lRhqlPWrlBxJfOOVXpiHGi9Qxuz1XcQxf4Mh7PqslYDwyvDxsS1otz4znS81DTdc6r84QzsMoUgZgvgLnOsaqjpDmqWAfk2vf4sY764TVHhvoX31Lgx_/s320/062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we made Tortilla Soup , one of my all time favourite mexican soups - and I came to the realisation that all I have eaten in the past is an americanization of the soup . This soup was made authentic , it was full of the mexican flavours we all love and after tasting it gave me a greater appreciation of corn tortillas and the correct way of cooking with them . The soup is basically a very flavourful broth made with dried ancho chilis ( all seeds removed) , onions , corn tortillas and fresh tomatoes with chicken broth . One secret ingredient was added to the soup called - espazote - and intensely flavoured herb/green used very sparingly in mexican cooking . The jewel of this soup is in the embellishments we add afterwards like fresh avocado, shredded chicken, queso fresco ( yummy factor +10) crispy tortilla strips and the same of the ancho chilis. The finale to this soup was a touch of mexican crema and a squeeze of fresh lime . OLE !!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUZorDDKQwOSLpBZeWcoyDo9qkhYEIxT4U28pD8DPujtwepe58Z6OTiUDsKmqdm1XFdwzriHX5sBJLyMhJKtwkdQc9LXsLq1cb_K0ZPhhCY3pMmjFDCc4faj-f35lTdVVzKc_4fShCDSZ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUZorDDKQwOSLpBZeWcoyDo9qkhYEIxT4U28pD8DPujtwepe58Z6OTiUDsKmqdm1XFdwzriHX5sBJLyMhJKtwkdQc9LXsLq1cb_K0ZPhhCY3pMmjFDCc4faj-f35lTdVVzKc_4fShCDSZ/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The last soup to be made was Miso Vegetable soup with Tofu and Soba Green Tea Noodles. You know those days when you feel a little run down , those days when you crave a nice clean crisp flavoured soup - then this is the equivalent of jewish penicillin , chicken soup for the soul - the defining pick me up . A flavourful broth of lemongrass and ginger is prepared and allowed to marry for a depth of flavour - to this we added shitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, carrot and celery ( the vegetable component) and then enhanced the flavour of the broth by adding miso paste, soy sauce and a touch of salt . The delicate flavour of the shitake mushrooms is magical in this soup - I would not recommend the regular everyday mushrooms - they will just turn out to be boring and uninteresting and not do justice to the soup . The pick me up finale for this soup is a handful of freshly chopped cilantro and green onions along with a squeeze of fresh lime . </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBMW-Ja6tuAXNaOSYoem3GIKEkTbGuZD6v-lz_dTROB1CZ7pPsKLMXo8fma6JUMlD413g5MdfZ8NGJfVoOjNxHa7BzWAWB2gLriKXRC5ztE1IhtLOp3GL12VKG83YR3aN1IASZACezusx/s1600/miso+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBMW-Ja6tuAXNaOSYoem3GIKEkTbGuZD6v-lz_dTROB1CZ7pPsKLMXo8fma6JUMlD413g5MdfZ8NGJfVoOjNxHa7BzWAWB2gLriKXRC5ztE1IhtLOp3GL12VKG83YR3aN1IASZACezusx/s320/miso+soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end of this session , we had a taste test of the soups we concurred that they were all delicious, they were all diverse and we all went home with dinner ready for the rest of the family to enjoy . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong>Recipes : </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><u><strong>Pumpkin Soup with Tomato and Chili </strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">1 lge butternut pumpkin - cubed </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">2 large spanish onions</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">6 vine ripened tomatoes - chopped</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">4 large carrots</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">3 red chilis </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">2 cloves of garlic </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">salt </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">flat leave parsley - for decoration </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Saute the onions to soften slightly then add the rest of the ingredients , saute for a couple of minutes then cover with just enough water , bring to a boil then simmer until soft . Blend with a hand held blender to a smooth consistency . adjust seasoning if required - serve and sprinkle with some parsley. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><u><strong>Tortilla Soup </strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">1/2 large spanish onion </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">2 cloves garlic </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">4 dried ancho chiles - deseeded </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">3 corn tortillas </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">4 plum tomatoes </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">salt </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">chicken broth </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">espazote - one small sprig (optional)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">mexican oregano </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">toppings: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">fried corn tortillas </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">fresh avocado </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">queso fresco </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">shredded precooked chicken </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">mexican crema </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">friend ancho chili strips </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">fresh lime </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">First deseed thoroughly the 4 ancho chilis, put 2 to the side then snip two of them into strips . then gently saute them on some canola oil to soften and release the flavour. remove from pan and keep for the toppings later. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Next slice the onion and saute along with the chopped garlic in some canola oil until just softened and aromatic. Roughly shred the 3 corn tortillas and add to the onion mixture and saute , stirring all the time - you need to toast and cook through the tortillas - this will be your thickening agent for the broth . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Add the chopped tomatoes , saute for a few minutes then add the broth , bring to a boil , then simmer for about 15 minutes until the tomatoes have started to break down. remove from the heat and blend with a hand held mixer until smooth . Bring back to a simmer then add the sprig of espazote and a good pinch of mexican oregano . Simmer for about 10 minutes then turn off the flame and allow the flavours to marry . In the meantime prepare your toppings and add them at serving time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong><u>Miso Vegetable soup with Tofu and Green Tea Soba Noodles</u></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">2 small stalks fresh lemongrass </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">fresh ginger - about the same as 1/2 cup </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">shitake mushrooms </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">oyster mushrooms </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">1 med carrot - peeled </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">2 stalks celery </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">miso paste </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">soy sauce </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">salt </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">fresh cilantro </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">green onions </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">extra firm tofu </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">fresh lime wedges </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">thai bird chilis ( optional)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">This soup is all made with approximations. Depending on the size of your pot you adjust the quantity accordingly. Peel the outer layers of the lemongrass stalks and slice into very thin rings , peel the knob of fresh ginger and then slice very thinly and again across the grain - you need to end up with very fine slivers of ginger . add both the water and bring to a boil - then simmer for at least 20 minutes to all the flavours to meld together . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Meanwhile , start slicing the mushrooms thinly, sale for the carrots and the celery - all the vegetables should be the same size as the shitake mushrooms - both for convenience of equal cooking time and for presentation . Once the broth has developed some flavour add the carrots and celery for a few minutes then add the mushrooms and a small handful of soba noodles . Stir to combine - then add the miso paste and soy sauce along with a pinch of salt . At this point you need to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning by adding more miso, salt or soy sauce . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Allow to simmer for no more than 5 minutes , then add the cubed extra firm tofu stir to heat through and off the heat add the chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onions. Serve with a wedge of fresh lime and some thinly sliced thai bird chilis - for those that like the extra heat .</span></div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-39071168113682748232010-08-20T18:50:00.002-05:002011-02-26T11:20:17.939-06:00Stir Fried Snake Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjhIkOHeSYhcjyY7SVND2JsXFYtoRBqxL0DVoMnlKbQIUElb5-pdsbG-FtsGH11ASeRdkNi5MQZ5AoDXEsU6U095DLdaS7CLuzeYJuAU3Kbcj7KX_owd0avUFOWugvztwl2to2XSW9Pbq/s1600/DSCN2961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjhIkOHeSYhcjyY7SVND2JsXFYtoRBqxL0DVoMnlKbQIUElb5-pdsbG-FtsGH11ASeRdkNi5MQZ5AoDXEsU6U095DLdaS7CLuzeYJuAU3Kbcj7KX_owd0avUFOWugvztwl2to2XSW9Pbq/s320/DSCN2961.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the heat is on , you need to avoid turning on the oven at all costs and you need to conserve energy . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that summer is high grilling season , however I have to confess that this is the second summer I have been without a grill , so the Gourmet Goddess has had to improvise on many a recipe . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That been said, I also feel that summer is a high octane carnivor carnival. Don't get me wrong , I love nothing more than a piece of nicely grilled meat , grilled vegetables and dinner is done in an instant . But by far the quickest meal in my repertoire is stir fried vegetables and jasmine rice . You can eaily add your favourite protein to make this more substantial and sometimes I enjoy it without rice or meat , just on its own . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The secret to a good stir fry is a nice composition of vegetables and not the kitchen sink . I know for many people this is a great way to use up old vegetables forgotten in the bottom of the fridge. But I feel strongly enough that good quality vegetables make for a better stir fry .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One vegetable I always like to include in my stir fry is snake beans , I am sure many of you have seen them in the international markets and wondered how you would cook them . I tried them out one day , as an experiment and have not looked back since . They are not snappy like the classic green bean rather they are limp and sad looking - but they pack a powerful flavour punch . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In this recipe I also included an eggplant , and much to my surprise it really brought the whole dish together and was sweet and delicious. Add all of these ingredients tp a very hot wok , a touch of ponzu and hoisin sauce and you have a delicious dish that can be enjoyed hot or at room temperature .... or should I confess - standing at the fridge door !!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is a recipe without precise measurement and or ingredients . Use whatever your family likes and the sauces to your taste or liking. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stir Fried Snake Beans </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">a GG original recipe</span> </span></span><span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 med spanish onion </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">canola oil</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">fresh ginger </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">2 garlic cloves </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">ponzu sauce </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">tamari low-sodium sauce </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">hoisin sauce </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">carrots</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">red bell peppers</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">broccoli</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">eggplant </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">snake beans </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">sesame seeds (optional) </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">cooked jasmine rice </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prepare Jasmine Rice according to package directions and desired quantity - while that is cooking you have to time prepare and cook the stir fry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Heat your wok until it is very very hot . Add some canola oil to the base and allow it to heat through , then add your spanish onion which has been sliced medium thickness, allow to soften a little then add the fresh ginger and garlic clove which have been peeled and sliced thinly . Stir until fragrant - do not allow the garlic to burn or it will taste bitter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Add the vegetables in the longest order of cooking time , by that I mean carrots and peppers will take longer to cook that the beans . After you have added the beans , add a few splashes of ponzu or tamari , keep the vegetables moving , so they do not scorch . If at any time the vegetables look a little dry add a splash of water to the wok to keep things steaming along.When they are almost done add 1-2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce thinned out with a little water to bring the whole dish together and warm through . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Place on a platter and sprinkle with some black and white sesame seeds and enjoy . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Note : Tamari is a wheat free soy sauce and I find it more flavourful than regular soy sauce , I tend to use the low-sodium bottle because it is not as salty. Ponzu sauce , is again a soy sauce , but very light , not as salty and has a hint of citrus. This is delicious on steamed rice and or cooked wontons . </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-24004648011644837082010-08-05T15:51:00.003-05:002011-02-25T19:22:35.573-06:00Peach Salsa with Ruffled Basil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFozglrc0grMyEQQZp2wgHPbmGnFuzrm-KLoiN8yOmI3R6fg8uX4U-E5pS2uyy5vSc3CI4_U1qOLRkWEOZEVd4aQC1Zcu0Y2C_BB_fdEHDkRxrwxZqfzIqrWvsiRtN5XAARA7vtXVFj3O/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFozglrc0grMyEQQZp2wgHPbmGnFuzrm-KLoiN8yOmI3R6fg8uX4U-E5pS2uyy5vSc3CI4_U1qOLRkWEOZEVd4aQC1Zcu0Y2C_BB_fdEHDkRxrwxZqfzIqrWvsiRtN5XAARA7vtXVFj3O/s400/117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon our return from the road trip to the land of maple leaves and maple syrup I was craving something fresh, seasonal and inspiring. Do not think for a minute we did not enjoy beautiful meals in Canada, but as always I miss my kitchen after a few days , and I enjoy creating something with a Gourmet Goddess twist. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As you can imagine we are in the peak season of stone fruit and there is abundant basil in the gardens ..... I get inspiration just looking at the raw ingredients . Firstly, I love stone fruit , I anxiously await the arrival of apricots , peaches and nectarines every summer. My only proviso is that the fruit is firm and not soft and squishy ( we all have our quirks). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After visiting my fresh market I saw peaches that beckoned me , merely with their heavy scent and gorgeous colour . Having sampled fruit salsa during several trips to Whole Foods ( you know the pineapple and serrano pepper one ..... next to the guacamole bar !!!) , I thought it was now time for the Gourmet Goddess to give her spin on a summer staple. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My basil crop was abundant and thriving , the classic green genovese basil perfumed the patio area with its intoxicating aroma . I also planted purple "ruffled" basil this year and I have to say I was surprised by its intense aroma and flavour . I would not consider making a pesto out of this - the colour would put me off. However it was perfect for salads or salsa , because it could stand up better to the rigors of home made dressings and did not turn black and or taste bitter. The leaf was much thicker than your classic green basil and unlike thai basil ( which is also purple leaf coloured) this had a very intense basil aroma and taste - therefore a little went a long way . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This salsa was enjoyed with some grilled pork tenderloin and baby potatoes. It should be a sinch to put together as almost eveything in it should be pantry staples. If you are able to buy yellow and white peaches from your farmers markets - that would also be a great combination and look equally colourful . Of course, it held up well in the fridge for a couple of days and tasted even better on day 2 . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please hit the farmers markets and enjoy the seasonal bounty upon us - this would also taste delicious with some blue corn chips and an ice cold beer on the patio ........ it is truly delicious. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Peach Salsa with Ruffled Basil</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">a GG original recipe</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">2 yellow and or white peaches </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 cup finely dices red onion </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">small handful of fresh basil - green and or ruffled - chiffonade</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">sea salt to taste </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">freshly ground pepper - a couple of twists of the pepper mill </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1-2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 teaspoon olive oil </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">finely diced serrano chili or jalapeno peppers ( optional and to taste) </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Wash and dry the fruit and proceed to dice in a small to medium size . Add the onion and bell pepper along with the fresh basil chiffonade ( you can substitiute flat leaf parsley if you do not have basil) . Toss to combine - the mixture should look colourful , you can adjust any of the ingredients to your taste . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Add a few sprinkles of sea salt , I recommend <a href="http://www.maldonsalt.co.uk/">Maldon</a> it is brand I have been using for years it is a finishing salt and it is surprising how it makes the peaches taste more like peaches . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">White balsamic vinegar is readily available and it adds a beautiful sharpness and sweetness to the dish , add one teaspoon at a time and balance this with olive oil .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Allow the dish to develop it flavours , toss occassionally and the peaches will release their own sweetness with time. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Enjoy with grilled meats, tossed in some cous cous , quinoa or orzo pasta . </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-66765955355238906772010-08-04T16:01:00.017-05:002011-02-26T11:17:51.213-06:00Road Trip<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTSxJgDceF_km34YY6rI3couocePuOR4CMNTuvu4vPu3pfMPwVKyPp0Zjdawp2QmlgIv7vq4gnOqNysxB4S_JkARLewx4IL4AE9gxh085Gr3eqkbrWkJ0txA3oWhpD342nlv29OQoahhJ/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTSxJgDceF_km34YY6rI3couocePuOR4CMNTuvu4vPu3pfMPwVKyPp0Zjdawp2QmlgIv7vq4gnOqNysxB4S_JkARLewx4IL4AE9gxh085Gr3eqkbrWkJ0txA3oWhpD342nlv29OQoahhJ/s320/010.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was road trip time in our household , plans had been hatched many a time over the last ten years , and we finally made good our promise and descended upon the beautiful city of Toronto Canada.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As usual, in keeping with the frenetic pace of my life at times , we departed our hometown of Chicago at a moments notice and within 48 hours we were on the road to Toronto. The car was packed , mapquest directions printed, Penelope (our cat) was left in charge of the household with a list of last minute instructions. The drive was uneventful , at times picturesque, filled with naps, songs and times of silence that needed no explanation . We took in the dulcid tones of Shirley Bassey, Elvis Presley and Santana ..... along with obligatory snippets of baseball scores. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While in Toronto we were expertly guided by <strong>Andrew T-Tours</strong> a personally handpicked tour guide providing us with all the ins and outs the city had to offer . Several of the photos included in the post are courtesy of <strong>Andrew T-Tours</strong> ........ highly recommend his services . </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We enjoyed a tour of the island directly opposite the downtown area of Toronto , as a member of the garden club I was completely enamoured with the stunning garden beds and beautiful parkway . There was a beach and a lagoon within the park which was enjoyed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbVRNm2WXhAihiHKL-i-3b0kx8lLpmbyCFQBeDc4F7qCo8PWK031AWCk3Jwo1rcJtLbvngIvzYa6zixB535Ljix-84o35dIcc5wThcK9PZL214XyaiPyoSBM3ZgFKqTV0nkhEyysmTluw/s1600/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_037%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbVRNm2WXhAihiHKL-i-3b0kx8lLpmbyCFQBeDc4F7qCo8PWK031AWCk3Jwo1rcJtLbvngIvzYa6zixB535Ljix-84o35dIcc5wThcK9PZL214XyaiPyoSBM3ZgFKqTV0nkhEyysmTluw/s320/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_037%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">entering the waters of lake Ontario</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU02XpLbZNI9wkFZMVJfCJFGnMN6XKoaEbb4Kche9Y3zCs0VgLhrxRBUZF2c6zZXRiokhYLcxLFCvwqqshvOmlhbO9wK7XFskdV2M4qAfn3_ma90LO5RFQV0-3N8FpgvgQjb-21wEYmpNC/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU02XpLbZNI9wkFZMVJfCJFGnMN6XKoaEbb4Kche9Y3zCs0VgLhrxRBUZF2c6zZXRiokhYLcxLFCvwqqshvOmlhbO9wK7XFskdV2M4qAfn3_ma90LO5RFQV0-3N8FpgvgQjb-21wEYmpNC/s320/046.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">getting ready to tackle the lagoon ....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWcwNepBHlanjWLcrrLkJXX7mQaYCNkFHX6qq-nZ9si91rZQHk3PNQrEBpCja1hvDIYddvB0oSVFBS2F00_Z8HhyphenhypheneyOFLoY9qykP1PjBDSLm5dvNUtrezxhoFNydoa92UYb9t8VFEiBzZ/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWcwNepBHlanjWLcrrLkJXX7mQaYCNkFHX6qq-nZ9si91rZQHk3PNQrEBpCja1hvDIYddvB0oSVFBS2F00_Z8HhyphenhypheneyOFLoY9qykP1PjBDSLm5dvNUtrezxhoFNydoa92UYb9t8VFEiBzZ/s320/052.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">taking it easy with dad at the helm !!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK6ZAJREW-GTZxVeMW-RLIe-Mhy32oUKoPqZVaq6gePOFvZVv714Lt-_gZ2JJnW5ywJlXXLyY9-Fgm_ZEEw2DFrrooWew3kVa3gZ0OZj6l4f6lqTjW46wkB1k1KIfI6mCFv_gXT22OY6p/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK6ZAJREW-GTZxVeMW-RLIe-Mhy32oUKoPqZVaq6gePOFvZVv714Lt-_gZ2JJnW5ywJlXXLyY9-Fgm_ZEEw2DFrrooWew3kVa3gZ0OZj6l4f6lqTjW46wkB1k1KIfI6mCFv_gXT22OY6p/s200/024.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">one day my garden might look like this. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxYmcHQm3_eO_nY3Akv7pA9vmPxG7H4ujhDP1aLiChOmWr8sTh_kBGINaLm5J1Us-q2g8OCAfdXAza_idUUHlDt1JYu8pa80QYw5aMf6hXNlXlHVGkoz18OQdJVpgKW0MiIDVmBiHMymd/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxYmcHQm3_eO_nY3Akv7pA9vmPxG7H4ujhDP1aLiChOmWr8sTh_kBGINaLm5J1Us-q2g8OCAfdXAza_idUUHlDt1JYu8pa80QYw5aMf6hXNlXlHVGkoz18OQdJVpgKW0MiIDVmBiHMymd/s200/016.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what to they feed the plants ??</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also took a drive to Niagara Falls , enjoying a beautiful drive through vineyards, a quick stop at Niagara on the Lake , a beautiful picturesque town with adorable gift stores and places to eat . Again the garden beds were stunning : </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nzWq7ZMuJwgU1sPNsd6_NtxahNUHTfQej7wu6-8bJkVCnVr13VWlV606M1RH6jsFGzx58ZRqHxzsj-EvwaLatcXP3lGmNPSXnS7VIl_TmQDWTHJkd9xehREseuzhcvgs5MDQSXNBj7jr/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nzWq7ZMuJwgU1sPNsd6_NtxahNUHTfQej7wu6-8bJkVCnVr13VWlV606M1RH6jsFGzx58ZRqHxzsj-EvwaLatcXP3lGmNPSXnS7VIl_TmQDWTHJkd9xehREseuzhcvgs5MDQSXNBj7jr/s320/087.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPLlMIHwr0iBZaTg9XU6NqD-csSRem4B-_VmbBihWScywQrREUo76pjN2qhXa4wmNqV0LgTDtZ9IpPZpbjUY6nbJunBgdwA-_4-oguONo1PJs2-9_z-KeSPLyyBE4HRjjDMMdJr3Ge0XR/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPLlMIHwr0iBZaTg9XU6NqD-csSRem4B-_VmbBihWScywQrREUo76pjN2qhXa4wmNqV0LgTDtZ9IpPZpbjUY6nbJunBgdwA-_4-oguONo1PJs2-9_z-KeSPLyyBE4HRjjDMMdJr3Ge0XR/s200/090.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhRKFF94G3L43lXiNzuim7UE6_J2zOUD5jl6Mo4qRw5oEfSf4qYz5lNpqgQg7aub0veO5oXExu-4mFife9U6d8S4hj3JSCZz13Tepsx6uhCRQs0toUSevv7XXQcnBLjpmz0UvgRFS8Inb/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhRKFF94G3L43lXiNzuim7UE6_J2zOUD5jl6Mo4qRw5oEfSf4qYz5lNpqgQg7aub0veO5oXExu-4mFife9U6d8S4hj3JSCZz13Tepsx6uhCRQs0toUSevv7XXQcnBLjpmz0UvgRFS8Inb/s200/083.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then took a walk down to the Niagara river and were met by two mermaids sitting on the rocks : </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsCXbQ7tRcTi1W7fZA4ohh31TkxQ5TNEWseJDar_n87cK8-ncKBJzzSslNGLJ-WXiSlreJ9VXYLshS6GHJUeGaSgCVllDCskCIL1y1heGKCMhWeSTR6ujHzbAjt8X1ooq7ORB3WEgL-TR/s1600/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_142%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsCXbQ7tRcTi1W7fZA4ohh31TkxQ5TNEWseJDar_n87cK8-ncKBJzzSslNGLJ-WXiSlreJ9VXYLshS6GHJUeGaSgCVllDCskCIL1y1heGKCMhWeSTR6ujHzbAjt8X1ooq7ORB3WEgL-TR/s320/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_142%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzgaihVGe8DazXSVZMuflLEVOgIlflERnTDMllf1j9uHt6pO8y6Fq6NPNZ-HxWnRU4FUGoz4nkWVcoGqeic_Hff1pxxOYW-WYYTVxKKCSSYo7Ruq0CVnW5_Stec70eKpli43ZsIEJblHR/s1600/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we drove to the falls we stopped and <strong><em>admired</em></strong> ...... I use that word loosely - because my heart was in my mouth and I was dizzy just watching- the boat tackle the whirlpool caused by the water from the falls. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmKXKzNtNqzqEcsCZOSL-Syg6t6NLJUfJQX1A5xGMdgIrTRNCevKimiVxNOaBA5tx-NJko_jkTYWNWmUWdHYSm1mLBQ3ANTwM713kg66vhtevXvcK2l32Rzr31oJSuBp2BuZKTSsaZHLQ/s1600/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_149%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmKXKzNtNqzqEcsCZOSL-Syg6t6NLJUfJQX1A5xGMdgIrTRNCevKimiVxNOaBA5tx-NJko_jkTYWNWmUWdHYSm1mLBQ3ANTwM713kg66vhtevXvcK2l32Rzr31oJSuBp2BuZKTSsaZHLQ/s320/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_149%5B2%5D.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once we got to the falls all I can say is - they are loud and the water moves quickly and they are a sight to behold. I do not think any photo I could take would ever do them justice - it was overcast and rainy by the time we arrived there - so I will spare you the photo of us looking like drowned rats . Take time to listen to the video and hopefully this will give a feeling of what the falls are like.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_lVEN3OZgzzQeUZGQr5gcnu1i6N31Rmoug5FsNEt3NFGGle-Rh2ZIUnRtTa860w2Pg7RO4fVJ8TCyoUMrA3PGTLNsSg7yhFY_nH0nStIW33-WKm2SdVsVYQkK0JoLHJV_gsd72mKCi_S/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_lVEN3OZgzzQeUZGQr5gcnu1i6N31Rmoug5FsNEt3NFGGle-Rh2ZIUnRtTa860w2Pg7RO4fVJ8TCyoUMrA3PGTLNsSg7yhFY_nH0nStIW33-WKm2SdVsVYQkK0JoLHJV_gsd72mKCi_S/s320/109.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw5KL5m7kSlQBCL-x2u5pIYLEbh6RETPn8THZgGzxmi06XlmO73yDUbE2AlTdP5dwjHPSvYWsR6H8fKxsXb8A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We enjoyed a trip to the Science Museum , highlight of the trip was the Harry Potter exhibition. We enjoyed eating in some great restaurants - a <a href="http://www.shopsatdonmills.ca/en/centreinfo/Pages/GlowFreshGrillWineBarputsemphasisoneatingandlivingwell.aspx">"glowing"</a> review to follow in a future post . We enjoyed getting to know long lost family members, we enjoyed quality family time and above all it was great to get away for a few days .</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Needless to say we were hounded relentlessly by papparazzi and along the way brushed shoulders with some famous people ..... also had some funny moments. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHJqUQdGm4VlVxTNXFhqrgVsSOQB-6-HujdLGfxxem9nFT9vBfLeTZRMX95Z0o3Y_y-0M7JDH3LcJ3FN46hrFv2tOdCNs9NvMrrdebf93BYIsS-syY5ZqvH-dyqUGRusODLMD8GpoemJL/s1600/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_002%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHJqUQdGm4VlVxTNXFhqrgVsSOQB-6-HujdLGfxxem9nFT9vBfLeTZRMX95Z0o3Y_y-0M7JDH3LcJ3FN46hrFv2tOdCNs9NvMrrdebf93BYIsS-syY5ZqvH-dyqUGRusODLMD8GpoemJL/s320/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_002%5B2%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">could this be Jackie O ???</span><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0yhoEpafeL-hsmy6AqD7rkZtYYOrC0Gh8ufEPSJJO8r0cf9DiiqlIA_tkU-FdaUHZOQpqbnZgglETiQh_7z6NGseeNNzPPE78aoHSgWC0SZRBUqKZZB0sb0ymUVX2I2h_O_OfwTS5pPG/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0yhoEpafeL-hsmy6AqD7rkZtYYOrC0Gh8ufEPSJJO8r0cf9DiiqlIA_tkU-FdaUHZOQpqbnZgglETiQh_7z6NGseeNNzPPE78aoHSgWC0SZRBUqKZZB0sb0ymUVX2I2h_O_OfwTS5pPG/s320/077.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">air dried our hair at the CN tower .... who needs hairdyers ??</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbJmerOIiExHYinD4lcuUsXYFHK974MmeqTd1_7ISCnns0SghRVIiHqGg1jSuq-zzG9T3kqAawhD3cAO95VdWmcO9UggB91540s0gef0y1Up0hly1XQrdgzkXxl39sw7CQE1Bygbhtl1C/s1600/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_038%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbJmerOIiExHYinD4lcuUsXYFHK974MmeqTd1_7ISCnns0SghRVIiHqGg1jSuq-zzG9T3kqAawhD3cAO95VdWmcO9UggB91540s0gef0y1Up0hly1XQrdgzkXxl39sw7CQE1Bygbhtl1C/s320/Alexakos_in_Toronto_2010_038%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I specifically asked for a personal shopper, limo to the hotel and fresh cut flowers upon my arrival...and all I got was this hoodie!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy travels everyone ....... summer is fleeting make the most of the days to come !!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-69256528788127011912010-07-17T19:44:00.003-05:002011-02-26T11:18:17.864-06:00The heat is on .....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HCV9a_Vs2K4q65-sh6PaeSiV-TbscNAyz2BHiOHKHvbyIXVLe6NSNPoF-U_mp_fp5vu4rSzJu5os401DFjZeDa8UkKZojUlHDpHuwnE5I0xGxbNOBjbKUB1C3wZGjnjqCVzFPqAuglut/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HCV9a_Vs2K4q65-sh6PaeSiV-TbscNAyz2BHiOHKHvbyIXVLe6NSNPoF-U_mp_fp5vu4rSzJu5os401DFjZeDa8UkKZojUlHDpHuwnE5I0xGxbNOBjbKUB1C3wZGjnjqCVzFPqAuglut/s320/IMG_3440.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer has arrived with a vengenance this year . We are recording 90+ degree days like sand through the hour glass. My vegetable garden is growing in abundance, the basil is out of control - considering last year it refused to grow , turned a sad colour of yellow then curled up and died. My cucumber plants are seeking gold medals by outgrowing their cages and my tomato plants are growing in leaps and bounds. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago my eldest daughter had a few of her bff's over for a summer party - they all enjoyed these delicious fruit slushies . I cannot tell you how refreshing they were and perfect for an afternoon of summer fun . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watermelons and strawberries starred in these delicious drinks , a little simple syrup and plenty of icecubes. Of course you can tailor these to your specific favourite fruits. I like to keep things seasonal - because nothing tastes better than watermelon and strawberries in the peak of summer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course these can be made more enticing for adults by adding your favourite vodka or tequila ..... we have now elevated them to happy hour drinks - because it is always 5 o'clock somewhere . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy these drinks in the spirit of summer fun the perfect cooling beverage for the whole family .</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Fruit Slushies </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>inspired my many a recipe </strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>watermelon , cubed </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>strawberries - hulled and halved </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>simple syrup ** </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>cold water </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>ice cubes </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>decorative drink umbrellas and fruit of choice </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>My preference is for seeded watermelon as they have more flavour , take the time to take out all the seeds , cube to about the same size as your icecubes . Wash and hull the strawberries them cut them in half . Place the fruit in the freezer for about an hour - to make them very cold - that way they will not melt the icecubes. </strong></span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place 2 handfuls of icecubes in your blender along with some water , the partially frozen fruit and blend. Add a little simple syrup and cold water to adjust the thickness of the drink - you want to be able to drink it through a straw - basically they need to be margarita consistency. You can adjust the ratios of fruit to your personal taste . If the fruit is sweet enough you can omit the simple syrup .</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place in a cold glass and decorate with whatever you have on hand. </span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">** Simple syrup recipe. </span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a saucepan place equal parts sugar and water , bring to boil then simmer for 5 minutes. allow to cool them store in a glass jar in the fridge until you use it all up . </span></strong>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-47895527271075575612010-07-11T21:06:00.003-05:002011-02-26T11:18:47.974-06:00Pesto and Mozarella Meatballs with Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBuG3PqDfEwwnhM8Z2_5ZD05JEWE2cQzr399bNPQbJollAxDSKhdJfyt8SC0yOOufXSBRlz1pvy6Qgr1rzRFehiY11behyphenhyphenokzdUMOXNBf5qQoj-Vs9_2pqNJ6N3P9sqhRl4_SYWpFwdBI/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBuG3PqDfEwwnhM8Z2_5ZD05JEWE2cQzr399bNPQbJollAxDSKhdJfyt8SC0yOOufXSBRlz1pvy6Qgr1rzRFehiY11behyphenhyphenokzdUMOXNBf5qQoj-Vs9_2pqNJ6N3P9sqhRl4_SYWpFwdBI/s320/IMG_3505.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I have found my new go to quick family meal . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will spare you the details of who eats what when I make the traditional pasta and meatballs. Who wants spaghetti , who wants penne , who wants sauce and who only nibbles at their meatballs before they declare they are full to the hilt and who looks at the sauce under a microscope before they will even contemplate eating the meal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again we sat down to a meal that sought of came together in stages , when my little gourmet declared " you have to put this on your blog" . Mind you, this was after I had served everyone , I looked into the bowl and there was barely enough left to qualify a well presented dish ....... but taking into account how much I am flying by the seat of my pants lately, we should be grateful for small miracles. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So , out comes the camera and with the light of the evening dinner table , and everyone collectively holding their breaths - I took the photo. Once again please forgive and understand presentation is lacking in this photo - but taste is certainly not lacking . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Welcome to pasta with turkey meatballs , made with basil pesto and fresh mozarella. They are delicious and light, a wonderful break from the traditional tomato based sauce and a hit with the whole family . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I started making turkey meatballs with pesto and provolone cheese for customers when I had my catering business happening and they were always a hit . In this particular case I knew I wanted meatballs, I had excess fresh mozarella left over from pizza night and I am staring at my basil plants in the pot contemplating beautiful dishes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Confession up front, the pesto is store brought however the meatballs have fresh basil from my garden . My preference of late is ground turkey , I am sure this recipe will also work well with ground beef - I would recommend a mix 50/50 of ground sirloin and ground round. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So go ahead and make this dish - enjoy it during these summer months and I am sure it will become a family staple. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Pesto and Mozarella Meatballs with Pasta </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>a GG original recipe </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1lb ground turkey meat 93% lean</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 large fresh mozarella ball </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 -3/4 cup coarsely grated parmesan/asiago /pecorino mix , or to taste </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kosher salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">freshly ground pepper </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 large fresh basil leaves , julienned </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 cup panko bread crumbs </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fat free milk - to moisten the breadcrumbs </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">basil pesto </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">canola oil</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pasta of your choice </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Combine all ingredients except the basil pesto. Add the fresh mozarella to the mixture by cutting it up into little chunks with your hands - they do not have to be perfect a shape. Or you can grate it coarsely on a box grater . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once you have combined all of the above ingredients - flatten out the mixture in the bowl slightly, then drop dollops of the pesto over the mixture - then with your hands fold the meat mixture into itself gently so that you do not end up with a green meatball mixture - but rather little pockets of pesto , little pockets of mozarella . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place the mixture in the fridge for a couple of hours before forming into meatball. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile prepare your choice of pasta according to packet directions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat your oven to 400F and preheat a non stick pan , add a little canola oil. Remove the meatball mixture form the fridge and form into meatballs either using a small- icecream scoop or free form . Shallow fry in the canola oil then finish cooking them in the oven for about 8-10 minutes depending on their size. They will not be cooked in any sauce therefore you need to make sure they are cooked thoroughly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the pasta is cooked , add some pesto ( to taste) in the bottom of the bowl and add the pasta with a little bit of the pasta water to the bowl ( this helps to loosen up the pesto) - toss thoroughly to combine then place the pesto meatballs on top and serve with a salad. </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-73206133956206763372010-07-04T17:18:00.003-05:002011-02-26T11:19:13.748-06:00Cuban Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn98V-uvSZBb6vH88UHaUrvWlvJ2iT9IbQyeP_ms-mrLr3L6zhXGzblGYTYWERKr8aZ_EDWIdCqrG6sB_5jAKzkrvpsXVnKHBBnzGLmt0Rwl0o3VHTfQqvJTV7TOn8e6A5G1eVgDnr1o_7/s1600/DSCN0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn98V-uvSZBb6vH88UHaUrvWlvJ2iT9IbQyeP_ms-mrLr3L6zhXGzblGYTYWERKr8aZ_EDWIdCqrG6sB_5jAKzkrvpsXVnKHBBnzGLmt0Rwl0o3VHTfQqvJTV7TOn8e6A5G1eVgDnr1o_7/s400/DSCN0285.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am writing this post in the recovery phase of 4th of July festivities . Just got back form a wonderful lunch with friends , which we have enjoyed for the past few years, following the parade through our village streets. </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several weeks ago , I lamented the fact that I had not posted anything for May , of this year , and half the battle , excuse was because I would make something then eat it - then , realise I did not take a photo of the meal - and it was super delicious ....... </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So , a few weeks ago I purchases some ground turkey for burgers , has just flicked through a Sara Foster cookbook and was inspired by her Cuban Turkey Burger recipe. Because I always like to put my own twist on the everyday mundane , I thought it would be nice to incorporate some interesting flavors to what is otherwise an <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">american</span> summer staple. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to turkey burgers with a gourmet goddess twist.</span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uIdbqyoS1EFcqKGUTnzZ22b_xSlMW097ntp0IUOu5ap1EacAJtmB6_g8D9QjYOZmaS23VBl1Z2hRF-0FRyAtQlQPfzoYCYH-7MW_7FjcnAB4Tzj2GIq8fPDcAgBI8mgrGVyHM3bK3_Gv/s1600/DSCN0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uIdbqyoS1EFcqKGUTnzZ22b_xSlMW097ntp0IUOu5ap1EacAJtmB6_g8D9QjYOZmaS23VBl1Z2hRF-0FRyAtQlQPfzoYCYH-7MW_7FjcnAB4Tzj2GIq8fPDcAgBI8mgrGVyHM3bK3_Gv/s200/DSCN0276.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4KcO9bUO81wCRvWe1kT2dn2PzUov5rJT-znZeiCWtJMKPtUlr52SNUjlCvcY-pTp_BJFpZ53wPVwV04csrell2A3memfH315zk1sB12H7tMbZ-iU_PPlEB-QOXtdHTuc-0UwxgHy5cGt/s1600/DSCN0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4KcO9bUO81wCRvWe1kT2dn2PzUov5rJT-znZeiCWtJMKPtUlr52SNUjlCvcY-pTp_BJFpZ53wPVwV04csrell2A3memfH315zk1sB12H7tMbZ-iU_PPlEB-QOXtdHTuc-0UwxgHy5cGt/s200/DSCN0277.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Firstly , let me say that I have grown to love turkey meat for burgers - more than beef burgers . Not only for the health aspect of less fat - I feel that have a more delicious flavour and you can add more things to them , that many times just do not work out for beef burgers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make these Cuban inspired I have added some basic Latino staples such as black beans, cumin, cilantro, red onion and bell peppers . I know you are probably reading this and wondering how this all works . They were delicious . Approved by my little gourmets, raised eyebrows with my picky gourmet (a.k.a husband...... love you <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Deno</span>) and absolutely inhaled by the gourmet goddess . But wait there is more - a secret ingredient ..... and the secret ingredient was <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">bbq</span> sauce - homemade no less !!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did not follow a recipe and neither did i adhere to strict measurements. I just added things as I went along and looked at the colourful combination created and adjusted accordingly . I have to say that the addition of cumin and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">bbq</span> sauce really added a depth of flavour and deliciousness that made the ordinary hamburger - extraordinary.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8tZvm-Vt180_DhYRHDNhYlBHtAJPiIfHpv9UruuxDHjW31zXLVnJoGwLV7fyDs4CU1xRkt4N1-uX2RLYXHrTyO4VEUxH7PoppNRrpDJHsH3t-z2f9N-segpf3bXF6v6alBO0sujCtaue/s1600/DSCN0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8tZvm-Vt180_DhYRHDNhYlBHtAJPiIfHpv9UruuxDHjW31zXLVnJoGwLV7fyDs4CU1xRkt4N1-uX2RLYXHrTyO4VEUxH7PoppNRrpDJHsH3t-z2f9N-segpf3bXF6v6alBO0sujCtaue/s320/DSCN0279.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpU9Np1TgZmlQZ0Fn8uUJDHgBBOelnHWcdzrAkOStObv82Lopk1TwH-28mkvTCjV3vYvAP99V6SjxB3qy2f036kxAe2DloIdz9xPK85zsJ8-MfwEwh_cDR3wT9T9i6PgzEEB3UYXEDn1L/s1600/DSCN0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpU9Np1TgZmlQZ0Fn8uUJDHgBBOelnHWcdzrAkOStObv82Lopk1TwH-28mkvTCjV3vYvAP99V6SjxB3qy2f036kxAe2DloIdz9xPK85zsJ8-MfwEwh_cDR3wT9T9i6PgzEEB3UYXEDn1L/s200/DSCN0278.JPG" width="190" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8tZvm-Vt180_DhYRHDNhYlBHtAJPiIfHpv9UruuxDHjW31zXLVnJoGwLV7fyDs4CU1xRkt4N1-uX2RLYXHrTyO4VEUxH7PoppNRrpDJHsH3t-z2f9N-segpf3bXF6v6alBO0sujCtaue/s1600/DSCN0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope over the coming summer months you have a chance to enjoy the chance to experiment with different flavours and textures for turkey burgers - we enjoyed these on a nice sourdough buns, lettuce and a smear of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">bbq</span> sauce on the bun and some yummy organic blue corn and flax seed tortilla chips.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy summer and burger and eating . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Cuban Turkey Burgers </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>ground turkey meat ( 93% lean) </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>black beans - rinsed and drained </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>red and yellow bell peppers - small dice </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>red onion - small dice </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>2-3 green onions , green parts as well </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>small handful of fresh cilantro - sprigs only </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>1 teaspoon ground cumin </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>salt and pepper </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">bbq</span> sauce , of choice </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">panko</span> breadcrumbs </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>fat free milk</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>lettuce leaves</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>provolone or cheddar cheese , to put on top </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>sourdough or very hearty wholewheat buns </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>blue corn chips</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This recipe is just guidelines , depending on the amount of ground meat you want to use you adjust the other ingredients accordingly. Place the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">panko</span> breadcrumbs in a bowl and cover with the milk , stir to combine and allow the breadcrumbs to absorb all the milk . they should be moist and not dry before you add them to the burger mixture , add more milk if needed.</span> </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grill accordinly to well done and with a slight char on the burger , toast the buns a little - it makes then a lot more tasty . </span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you prefer your burgers not to have breadcrumbs - just omit - and look more to the melting pot of flavours rather than the strict adherence to amounts.</span></strong></div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-26213900172423133072010-07-03T10:31:00.006-05:002011-02-26T11:19:38.562-06:00Albuquerque Dip to die for<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw984mKX71rmLtW3antgC2grJe9Flw1-a6AGJCpkdxgv7izK2jG5UNCi-eTNwsMw63cF-dpkz44EzTPhrpNljHkj05bU5L8Ke2HDofVwA0PDNIDHPdO44RtAd0CNdKe5T0K0zvM0M5zYm2/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw984mKX71rmLtW3antgC2grJe9Flw1-a6AGJCpkdxgv7izK2jG5UNCi-eTNwsMw63cF-dpkz44EzTPhrpNljHkj05bU5L8Ke2HDofVwA0PDNIDHPdO44RtAd0CNdKe5T0K0zvM0M5zYm2/s320/065.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi everyone . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy 4th of July , the weather is July perfect , rising humidity, rising heat and frazzled parents . Well, I enjoyed drinks on my patio the other day with my friend Sharon , and somehow we managed to put away one bottle of wonderful organic Malbec , dip , chips and conversation in a timeframe of 2 hours - and still keep our heads clear . Hence , I cannot explain the touch.... hint of blurriness of the photo . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharon came bearing gifts , one of which was this delicious dip - with a post-it note stuck to it - letting me know I could not enjoy this deliciousness for at least 24 hours . What is a gourmet goddess to do - but bide her time , it looked very colourful and smelt amazing . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The recipe has travelled along way , all the way from Albuquerque New Mexico , via a friend of Sharons, from a restauruant which escapes everyones memory . To this restaurant , I acknowledge you and thank you for inventing this wonderful dip . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is not your typical soft serve dip , it is chunky, it is moreish and received outstanding approvals from both my little gourmets. It is a collusion of Mediterranean and Mexican flavours , you have olives, balsamic ( in this case it was made with red wine vinegar - due to allergies .....I still think it tasted awesome) corn, cilantro and beans. I tweaked it a bit because I think kalamata olivess would give a greater taste than tinned olives - and I urger you make it with deli brought olives rather than tinned ones .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This would be great served as a side dish with any grilled meat , served with rice - but we enjoyed it on its own with blue corn chips. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I urge you all make this , put it away in your fridge and enjoy it tomorrow with your 4th of July festivities . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Albuquerque Dip</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>from a restaurant in NM</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>3 tbls Balsamic vinegar </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>1 can small chopped green chilies</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>3 tbsl taco seasoning </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>2 ripe diced tomatoes </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>3 tabsp olive oil </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>1 tbsp sugar</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>2 garlic cloves ( finely chopped or put through a garlic press ) </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>1 cup pitted kalamata olives , sliced</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>1 cup pitted green olives roughly chopped</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>1 bunch green onions chopped - white and green part</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>1 15 oz pinto beans </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>10oz bag of white frozen corn - try making it with the yellow and white corn</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>1-2 cups Mexican shreddes cheese * read my note in the method</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Put everything in a bowl except the cheese , I would recommend the prepackaged Mexican cheese mix , or you can really make it special by crumbling some Mexican Chichuaua cheese . If you are not a huge fan of balsamic you can swap it out for good quality red wine vinegar .</strong></span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-82206717238130463552010-06-23T20:21:00.002-05:002011-02-26T11:22:21.402-06:00Chicken Pesto Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPdS4pt4jYRNsuGfaoJq0b9URp03x4JDN0z4qvP8sWlPLQecZHAVQA-UAqrtedAA-OvtmvJx9pX2zhVeTgSYN-qRvrkOzrVaqV-UGk9_oZ9nxqpG7fBBM5047yEPS_UBNvKKxgt6LhybK/s1600/DSCN0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPdS4pt4jYRNsuGfaoJq0b9URp03x4JDN0z4qvP8sWlPLQecZHAVQA-UAqrtedAA-OvtmvJx9pX2zhVeTgSYN-qRvrkOzrVaqV-UGk9_oZ9nxqpG7fBBM5047yEPS_UBNvKKxgt6LhybK/s320/DSCN0243.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I am back , it has been a while since my last post . Cannot even believe I allowed May to pass me by without even an attempt at posting........ needless to say many a delicious dishes were made and consumed in this time . Believe me when I tell you , I felt pangs of bloggers guilt for not sharing even an insight into what we were enjoying at the dinner table .<br />
<br />
May, as a rule is probably the busiest month of the school year . Why? I hear you ask - well it is when everything and I mean everything , except school wraps up for the year . It is a month filled with recitals for .... let me see (1) chorus, (2) piano , (3) school play .... etc etc etc . Mum is run ragged running from one rehearsal to another , the miles on the car are piling on , and all I can think about as I am waiting in the pick up line is ..... " what are we having tonight for dinner ?" and will I have time to at least photograph it ???<br />
<br />
Hence , from my lack of postings you have all figured out the answer for the past month . <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgH9jJff8iRsnbGpm_dE_rzb3BHq84dhwjCVfTnKq-Fbe6QPQl-a6tGJg3fiRvZcWYOAHH1h6tdbTFgkaIH6bzVRy9pBPJLXdnRXp1gNUhHbh5m0w7zaxEL0EnqKK444vcRNGxZqRI2FR/s1600/DSCN0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgH9jJff8iRsnbGpm_dE_rzb3BHq84dhwjCVfTnKq-Fbe6QPQl-a6tGJg3fiRvZcWYOAHH1h6tdbTFgkaIH6bzVRy9pBPJLXdnRXp1gNUhHbh5m0w7zaxEL0EnqKK444vcRNGxZqRI2FR/s320/DSCN0244.JPG" /></a>I did promise myself that June would not be like that - I now had no excuse - or let me refrase that , limited excuses for not posting anything . I did actually achieve one goal of photographing a few dishes , and I am embarrassed to say it is only a few dishes. This dish was bourne out of both desperation and inspiration and trying to get dinner on the table in a "one dish" affair. So, you may well be asking yourself why it is not plated nicely, why does it look like the bottom of the salad bowl when I took a picture !" . Because it was at this moment I realised this salad needs to be posted and photographed . </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The first time I made this dish it was just me and my little gourmets for dinner , hubby was working late - deadlines to be met and dinner does not wait when there are hungry little gourmets to feed. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In an effort to broaden their palates , expecially my little little gourmet , I have instigated a rule that when I ask them about ingredients I put in a dish , to which they concur they will eat , then they have to eat it . </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This dish combines eveything I love with a nice balance of protein, carbohydrates and delicious crunchy vegetables . It has been ispired by a myriad of tv chefs, magazine articles and visits to beautiful food bars. There are no rules as far as quantities go , or what you would like to include in your salad . I always say make a dish look pretty and your stomach will be happy with the anticipation.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This dish actually made my little gourmets eat with ravenous speed , sugar snap peas - in their raw and deliciously sweet state . I would have to say that was my secret vegetable ingredient. The dressing is nothing more than pesto - pure and simple. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Feel free to make your own salad , it stores well in the fridge , it is great enjoyed straight from the fridge or you can allow it to come to room temperature. You can change the colours of the peppers- you can add some feta cheese or shavings of parmesan , olives etc etc - you are inhibited only by your imagination. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>GG Chicken Pesto Salad</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">an original GG dish </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">1 packet penne pasta </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">chicken tenders or rotisserie chicken </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">yellow bell peppers</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">sugar snap peas </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">cucumbers </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">red onion </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">basil pesto </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Cook pasta according to packet directions , drain and rinse slightly to get rid of the starchy water . Allow to cool . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">Prepare chicken tenders to your family's liking or use a store brought rotisserie chicken, shredded into large bite size chunks.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana;">In a large bowl add all the vegetable ingredients you are using , add the pasta and chicken, toss to combine then add as much or as little pesto you would like. Toss well to combine and serve. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-21846504092970449542010-04-25T20:14:00.003-05:002011-02-26T11:20:52.515-06:00Mushroom and Zucchini Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnIig7-BWYcOVBUviGt99yB0pP1v12x3EVk6umC6tCga9z5wuGbEx1aRO8N3ax7U76KMI5elWh6hPYBVhSF4_hE8a_gxxO_FrWrgQ2stGi96rKRDfIzQlKvrQE_PYOPqIwBJF78o_aFNY/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnIig7-BWYcOVBUviGt99yB0pP1v12x3EVk6umC6tCga9z5wuGbEx1aRO8N3ax7U76KMI5elWh6hPYBVhSF4_hE8a_gxxO_FrWrgQ2stGi96rKRDfIzQlKvrQE_PYOPqIwBJF78o_aFNY/s320/017.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>It is spring time in the Midwest , or at least trying , if you stepped out right this minute you would think that we regressed to November weather , rather cold, rather dismal and a tad dreary . By now we have already experienced a couple fo 80F days , we have been teased with good weather , but a gently reminder of who is the boss - mother nature always wins .<br />
<br />
Around this time we have become a little tired of comfort food , albeit homemade mac and cheese, soups stews - you get the picture . You look at the calandar , you look outside and realise that regardless of what mother nature throws our way - it time to shed the blankets and think spring like recipes and lighter fare . I took the brave step of planting some lovely spring flowers in planters - to remind us that it is indeed nearly the end of April , and regardless of the weather they are standing tall . Note to all - the picture with the CD/Disc flower is courtesy of my little little gourmet's school art project and in fact she also took the flower pictures .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA7X69uSRslY58CMJMEU8IlrOKkNBoMP3Exb2horfekgZC4QL4uKSHaRjDamu-kLCu5dCEwS7j05MXuQBk16v7UJ_SCuUwOewi2g7jAfIrq17csuwj-YVvjLfIgnCGSSG-D6lhqMJOqHX/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA7X69uSRslY58CMJMEU8IlrOKkNBoMP3Exb2horfekgZC4QL4uKSHaRjDamu-kLCu5dCEwS7j05MXuQBk16v7UJ_SCuUwOewi2g7jAfIrq17csuwj-YVvjLfIgnCGSSG-D6lhqMJOqHX/s320/005.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQBr8_Fey4lakq-gnl8NkVcqidLUX__lSTD0WndTIFdIkCxNJZqNI2FSruljNbxaY54r9CoGLN4VX2XU1a5AaE2fLBjaMCVa1AfcYw-f4uLzUaonF1Bq2HVGTe0YbeLjeFmZq6F71pOrQ/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQBr8_Fey4lakq-gnl8NkVcqidLUX__lSTD0WndTIFdIkCxNJZqNI2FSruljNbxaY54r9CoGLN4VX2XU1a5AaE2fLBjaMCVa1AfcYw-f4uLzUaonF1Bq2HVGTe0YbeLjeFmZq6F71pOrQ/s320/008.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>Let me introduce you to Mushroom and Zucchini salad , for all the people squeemish about eating raw mushroom or zucchini - steel yourselves . You are about to experience a taste sensation , your taste buds are about to go into overdrive. This dish does not require exotic mushrooms, but rather the simple plain jane everyday mushrooms you buy at a food market and or supermarket . The key to the success of this salad is that the mushrooms are very fresh, ie, with a white and dry feel ( no slimey mushrooms allowed) , heavy to hold and a little bit of organic matter will not kill anyone and as tight a cap as possible. I prefer the slimmer sized zucchinis as there is less chance they will have started to produce a lot of seeds inside- again make sure they are very fresh and tender.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9kuaGKh832IW8UTWIq32ZminmziHPq8V9fSPiDQf72jw4-S4mBHtroC6Wpxy1ShX8EX3snmtcGoa1rzazgDKZs01RN53uAP7FMezBuK7Jni2x3VToCJlH3ROES5xFzle7aADyBDq8cqW/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9kuaGKh832IW8UTWIq32ZminmziHPq8V9fSPiDQf72jw4-S4mBHtroC6Wpxy1ShX8EX3snmtcGoa1rzazgDKZs01RN53uAP7FMezBuK7Jni2x3VToCJlH3ROES5xFzle7aADyBDq8cqW/s320/016.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>To sqeemish foodie readers ,<strong> <em>PLEASE</em></strong> ...... and I beg you <strong><em>PLEASE</em></strong> , do not rinse the mushrooms under running water , <strong><em>OR</em></strong> soak them in a bowl of water - to clean a fresh mushroom you need nothing more than a just damp paper towel and brush the organic matter off the mushroom..........<strong><em> that is it</em></strong> ...... many decades on, I am living proof that I have not suffered physical harm from eating fresh mushrooms. <br />
<br />
This salad marries well with beef - I would not exclude making it for chicken , pork or fish - but for some reason I always feel it just goes better with good ole beef . For the vegetarians and or raw foodies , this will also taste great on a bed of spring greens . The beauty of this salad is that it does not need last minute preparation and loves to sit around for at least a hour before been eaten . I would not recommend you leave it longer than that or the lemon juice will soften up the salad too much. So if you are invited to a picnic in the park - or a bbq in the country make this salad and allow it mature to perfection as you drive to your destination . <br />
<br />
Any week now in different parts of the nation Farmers Markets will begin to surface and I am sure they will have wonderful fresh produce to enjoy - too early for zucchini - but I am sure the mushrooms will be molto fresca!!! . <br />
<br />
Enjoy the recipe and I hope you all enjoy this first ode to spring fare . <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong>Mushroom and Zucchini Salad </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-small;"><strong>a GG original recipe</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 packet white button mushrooms or loose white mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1-2 small zucchinis</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">3 spring onions </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1/2 bunch italian flat leaf parsley</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 large very juicy lemon </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">extra virgin olive oil </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">kosher salt </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">freshly ground pepper </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel, and slice into quarter inch slices. Wash and dry your zucchini then slice about the same thickness as the mushrooms- either at an angle or round discs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">The juice of a large lemon or two, if they are not very juicy, some olive oil to balance the tartness of the lemon juice . Sprinkle a couple of pinches of salt and plenty of freshly ground pepper - or to taste . Toss the salad to combine at this point , as the marinade starts to soften the vegetables just keep on tossing the salad. About 15 minutes before serving add the finely sliced green onions and chopped parsley. This way the lemon juice does not discolour the spring onions and parsley and the salad looks vibrant and you get to enjoy the freshness of the herbs. At this point check the seasoning of the salad , it should not taste bland or too salty. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">You can alter the ratio of mushroom to zucchini according to your taste - it is a very forgiving salad. You can substitute red onion ( very finely sliced) or fresh chives instead of spring onions , if that is what you have on hand or in your garden. The red onions can be added straight away to the mushrooms and zucchini and they will take on the marinade and impart a lovely flavour. </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-28545802899507353712010-04-23T20:33:00.008-05:002011-02-26T11:21:12.218-06:00Caulifower Toastie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgP2Q8kTAT1ZilT7tyr4_A8JkE-Ab8TCrMNSzJSaimcReQYVHoeB_-eYKm0YC6LdUq48Y48zz09ZXbHC4c2n_nmb_ipNkznadW4pXeB885LS_uO8ld5UYWLRO-TGL8LecSWfGy1uKwSYu/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgP2Q8kTAT1ZilT7tyr4_A8JkE-Ab8TCrMNSzJSaimcReQYVHoeB_-eYKm0YC6LdUq48Y48zz09ZXbHC4c2n_nmb_ipNkznadW4pXeB885LS_uO8ld5UYWLRO-TGL8LecSWfGy1uKwSYu/s400/056.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There are not many people with an affinity for cauliflower . Try as you may , that it is a long lost cousin of the broccoli , you will still struggle to win over any friends . However , one of the buzz words for healthy eating , high in anti oxidants and a good fighter against cancer is anything from the cruciferous family - and I believe cauliflower falls in that catergory . <br />
<br />
I grew up eating steamed cauliflower with a simple adornment of freshly squeezed lemon juice and only the best extra virgin olive oil . A spectacularly simple and delicious side dish , that I still enjoy to this day . <br />
<br />
As the quest of motherhood came upon me and raising little gourmets followed close at hand , I have pondered many ways of how to introduce this wonderful vegetable to the family . Then I remembered reading about this simple and unusal take on cauliflower , from a book that escapes my memory. It is a fusion of steamed caulifower florets, some mayonnaise, good dijon mustard, tiny little cubes of celery and red onion and freshly ground pepper and a sprinkle of salt. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBkU1HeA4TK9KTfTA5c9XUQ6rGqFowLSclI4u9uB2n5QnntSG4kp_YLdl8DW0-NTjd86djkArj2CdXmHf_PnLMg5lsQgjeCV5O6D2mqkKSRoIlMNfdTWbyKqvaKCBy36w2IlG2TcLBpWp/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBkU1HeA4TK9KTfTA5c9XUQ6rGqFowLSclI4u9uB2n5QnntSG4kp_YLdl8DW0-NTjd86djkArj2CdXmHf_PnLMg5lsQgjeCV5O6D2mqkKSRoIlMNfdTWbyKqvaKCBy36w2IlG2TcLBpWp/s320/044.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNVSlDCKtfjW3mt_qlVOSearN5ufx_8DoxZyhBjtVE23MmvQJ9da1PfxcPY4IKhucTH4NNvwVcgoQHhyHFTeI1vC497myT9nnyyayO5aaOfbneSVFwNxsQ0pL2u-GtesV-0U7aVayeXss/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNVSlDCKtfjW3mt_qlVOSearN5ufx_8DoxZyhBjtVE23MmvQJ9da1PfxcPY4IKhucTH4NNvwVcgoQHhyHFTeI1vC497myT9nnyyayO5aaOfbneSVFwNxsQ0pL2u-GtesV-0U7aVayeXss/s320/043.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEgLMW-V3rzPq0wlIHilrxWmsbQGuOjKgI3WmOWhGl6dI02Es3UJtaCv-CZ4dwnJgdMRWiv0WangOMp2Tdu9oSanwT_-iktm_ZXSUGp_RxMdQgbKd1wMO3KR2-4ZAkvMQV3X8pdxCm1aS/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEgLMW-V3rzPq0wlIHilrxWmsbQGuOjKgI3WmOWhGl6dI02Es3UJtaCv-CZ4dwnJgdMRWiv0WangOMp2Tdu9oSanwT_-iktm_ZXSUGp_RxMdQgbKd1wMO3KR2-4ZAkvMQV3X8pdxCm1aS/s320/050.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One day , with much trepadition , I purchased a beautiful white head of cauliflower, came home, and with much aplomb cut off the florets and proceeded to steam them ,until fork tender .You add to this a fusion of </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">aromatics ,toast some nice hearty whole wheat bread, pita or sourdough bread and proceed to slather on this delicious spread . You can also elevate this to super health food snack ( thus momentarily forgetting the much maligned use of mayonnaise ) by topping the delight with some grated carrot and sprouts. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I must confess that I have yet to serve it with these accroutements , to my immediate family - as we at baby step stage - when we reach toddler stage Iwill break out the frills and spills. </div><br />
But more importantly , I was completely floored when the family scoffed this down without a second of hesitation . I am still in recovery - I was expecting resistance from my little little gourmet - more like downright refusal- and to my complete delight she thoroughly enjoyed eating it like this . Needless to say my little gourmet cannot eat enough of this - I am sure she will be the first to embrace the accroutements as mentioned above . And daddy enjoyed it also - he falls in the slot just before my little little gourmet when it comes to pickiness ..... somehow this dish has won everyone over . <br />
<br />
It is not a dish with exact measurements, it is made with a little bit of this and little bit if that and commonsense . <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40DUEfiMFCwq3_ZmUlv98qh5qpp9GXZvWZ6Ni-yk_sBhpL5-ftxQikfXu1A0g1nZaoEQgnHiwihGJYMwqvn_7prt_1aKBzTtMGaI8FckCkzOGVfNQhiBY4PpEPEEHI4AWdVgTQtyOnxRZ/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40DUEfiMFCwq3_ZmUlv98qh5qpp9GXZvWZ6Ni-yk_sBhpL5-ftxQikfXu1A0g1nZaoEQgnHiwihGJYMwqvn_7prt_1aKBzTtMGaI8FckCkzOGVfNQhiBY4PpEPEEHI4AWdVgTQtyOnxRZ/s320/059.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
I urge you all to give this a try and I am sure you will in wover fervent haters of cauliflower and it will become a staple, quick , go to meal/snack for your family and friends . <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Cauliflower Toastie</span> </strong></span></div><strong><em><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: xx-small;">a recipe inspred by a book that escapes my memory !</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 head of cauliflower - florets only </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">mayonnaise </span></div><span style="color: #45818e;">1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - or to taste </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 stalk celery - diced</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">1/2 scant cup red onion - diced</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">small handful of chived - fine dice ( optional) </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">salt and freshly ground pepper </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">whole wheat breat or pita - toasted </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Cut florets from the cauliflower head and steam to fork tender. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Meanwhile ,clean and wash a stalk of celery , then cut down the length of the celery long strips and then crosswise into very small dice . Fine dice your onions and fresh chives if you are using them . Place all the ingredients in a large bowl , add the mustard and about 1/2 cup of mayonnaise - to begin with . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Once the cauliflower is cooked , remove from the steamer and place on a chopping board to cool down , at this point you can also start to roughly chop through the cauliflower - this will accelerate the cooling down process . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Once it has cooled down enough - you can then mash it with a fork or continue to finely chop it with a kitchen knife . Add the cooled cauliflower to the rest of the ingredients in the bowl . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Do not add the caulifower to bowl , steaming hot as it will make the mayonnaise go runny and par cook the onion and celery and the mix will not have the crunch it needs . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">If you see that the mayonnaise is not enough - just add more so that it coats the cauliflower but does not swim in it . </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Toast some of your favourite bread or Pita - or you can even enjoy it with some Wasa Crispbreads. </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">This can be enjoyed at room temperature or kept in the fridge and enjoyed cold as well</span> . </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-50989788068984023632010-04-18T14:06:00.003-05:002011-02-26T11:21:54.747-06:00Quinoa Pilaf with Cranberries and Almonds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_9uogZ11ZFD51Mjw3iiGup3lqqGM4ug-Xi-P7D_rsH3kowiM2zs3kyJVpy9f0w3B6R_LuUv2rfunFUunXENtDZfnDLKCJGu1ZSNZTGLbtCMmbiIklfttrbQ9T1ewcPKEbcCqQugxIKU3/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_9uogZ11ZFD51Mjw3iiGup3lqqGM4ug-Xi-P7D_rsH3kowiM2zs3kyJVpy9f0w3B6R_LuUv2rfunFUunXENtDZfnDLKCJGu1ZSNZTGLbtCMmbiIklfttrbQ9T1ewcPKEbcCqQugxIKU3/s320/051.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
Have you tried <strong><em>Quinoa</em></strong> ? I am sure many of you have heard of this grain and all its "super" powers. It is the preferred grain of the Inca Gods and a staple of south american cuisine specifically , in Peru, Chile and Argentina . At the risk of repeating myself it is also my absolute favourite whole grain of all time . <br />
<br />
I thought cous cous was an easy fix and a great foundation for many a side dish .To the uninititated quinoa is a whole grain , a complete protein containing all the amino acids our body requires - therefore a perfect "protein" for vegetarians. It looks like a plump sesame seed and comes in white, red and a rare hard to find black colour, it has a bitter outer coating ( nothing life threatening) just an odd taste if it is not rinsed properly - note to all : make sure you rinse your quinoa well before you start cooking with it . <br />
<br />
I personally can eat quinoa 24/7 ........ 365 days a year and I am not exaggerating. If you suffer from gluten intolerance - the perfect solution for your wholegrain needs. I swear I eat so much of it and I have never felt bloated or stuffed , maybe this is the secret Inca Gods did not want us to know . <br />
<br />
I featured a quinoa dish back in November 2009 - this dish was a super hit with all my clients and a beautiful and colourful dish . This time I used quinoa in pilaf style , ie you start with a saute of onions and carrots and peppers then add the quinoa and cook all together , once it finishes cooking you add some other aromatics and nuts . I usually add the dried cranberries in the last few minutes of cooking - the steam will help reconstitute them a little and then add the chives and almonds at the very end .<br />
<br />
So if you are trying to tweak your diet, trying to introduce a whole grain that is a little more fun than brown rice , I urge you try Quinoa - and I will be posting more wonderful dishes in the coming months . <br />
<br />
Have I told you I even eat this pilaf for breakfast !!!! mmmmmmmmmm<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong>Quinoa Pilaf with Cranberries and Almonds </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">a GG original recipe</span> </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">2 cups Quinoa </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">4 cups water </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">2 tbsp olive oil </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 medium size spanish onion (approx. 1.5 cups) </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 medium size carrot (approx 1.5 cups) </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">1 medium red pepper (approx 1.5 cups) </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">salt and pepper to taste </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">good handful if dried cranberries </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">good handful of whole unroasted almonds </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">small bunch of fresh chives </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">feta cheese (optional) </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">kalamata olives - pitted (optional) </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Measure out the quinoa , place in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under running cool water for several minutes . Allow to drain while you start the base of the pilaf . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Preheat a heavy based dutch oven add the olive oil , then chop the onions , carrots and red pepper to a medium dice. Add these to the olive oil and stir until the onion becomes translucent and the carrots and pepper have softened . Season liberally with salt and pepper - remember you are also seasoning the quinoa . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Add the quinoa and toss for a few minutes then add the water and cook according to packet instructions. About 5 mintes before the pilaf cooking time is finishes add the dried cranberries on top of the pilaf- do not mix through . When the pilaf finishes cooking fluff with a fork and allow to sit for about 20 minutes. Can be served warm or at room temperature . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">You can add some crumbled feta and chopped pitted kalamata olives if desired . </span>Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682205369002708653.post-88189259736285267942010-04-02T13:25:00.006-05:002011-02-26T11:22:47.060-06:00Red Eggs ........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0GrXe-MmDf9FbOnyDV2qowsb-M80OI4GPiwL1j7eRIKmkF6sKcWytmil7refH-yOxtHWiVgVpwiMf1nLssYNBmpxobiO8VMtBbYBt2CrxqGAwiJ2FdJJI6HyNyXUxRPAKJQXZ3ujgbrI/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0GrXe-MmDf9FbOnyDV2qowsb-M80OI4GPiwL1j7eRIKmkF6sKcWytmil7refH-yOxtHWiVgVpwiMf1nLssYNBmpxobiO8VMtBbYBt2CrxqGAwiJ2FdJJI6HyNyXUxRPAKJQXZ3ujgbrI/s320/049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This week for the first time in quite a few years we have a confluence of events. <br />
<br />
Firstly, it is spring break for our district , secondly, it is also Orthodox Easter coming up this sunday therefore making this week Holy Week . Add to this we hit 83F in Chicago yesterday ( this is not a typo !) ......... and it was also April Fools Day ..... aahhh mother nature how you tease us !!!!! . Before I forget it is also Passover ... which for reason I cannot explain at this point in time is always around Orthodox Easter. <br />
<br />
Easter is filled with many traditions , for the devout it is the highest point in the religious calendar . Far outstripping Christmas as a religious event , not completely lost in the mire if present shopping and decorations for house and anything that breathes , Easter is for many a time of reflection and introspection. <br />
<br />
Another time I will sit down and explain to one and all what Orthodox Christians do in preparation for Easter Sunday , for the sake of this post I would like to share and show off the fruits of the labours of my girls in preparing the eggs. <br />
<br />
As I mentioned , 83F in chicago yesterday - however in true tradition we had a small window of opportunity to prepare the eggs ( which signify "new life") , they can only be done on Easter Thursday or Easter Saturday . So , to the store we went and purchased 3 dozen Amish free range eggs , came home and boiled them . Allowed them to cool , then gave free range to my little gourmets and their friend Caroline , to decorate the eggs. <br />
<br />
The idea was given to me by my sister in Greece, who has started this tradition with her son and a few of his friends . It is fun , artistic and a great tradition to uphold. <br />
<br />
For the purists of egg dyeing - please look the other way , for mothers looking for a way to get their children involoved in a great tradition , please read on . <br />
<br />
<br />
Boil as many eggs as you will need . Remove from water and allow to cool . <br />
<br />
Meanwhile , prepare the red food dye in COLD format - this is only available form the international supermakets. <br />
<br />
Assemble the following wax crayon colours - white, dark blue, lime green and a regular green colour and a nice golden yellow colour. <br />
<br />
Now the fun begins , let the children draw different designs on the eggs , then place them carefully in the cold red dye and gently swirl around . Allow to sit for 20 minutes. Remove from the dye with a mesh spatula and place back in the egg carton to dry off completely. <br />
<br />
If you wish, once they have dried completely you can gently rub then with a soft cloth and some olive oil - I personally think they look just fine as is . <br />
<br />
I hope this has inspired you to begin a fun tradition , to the purists, the eggs still taste the same - but we have involved children in a tradition which has a lot of meaning .<br />
<br />
Happy Easter ..... Kalo Pasha .........Gourmet Goddess Pantryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979309316762379624noreply@blogger.com0