John and Rick’s Belich Potato Casserole

Also called cheese potatoes

6 to 8 cups hashbrowns
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
One can cream of something soup
2 cups sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Combine everything in a 3 quart casserole
Bake uncovered at 375° for about one hour or until browned and bubbly

Grandpa’s twist: use a mandolin to slice potatoes really thin.
Use one whole onion but caramelize in EVOO before mixing with other ingredients

Cynthia’s pumpkin muffins

Too tasty... Too late!
Too tasty… Too late!

1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
One egg
One half teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cups cooked or canned pumpkin
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
3/4 cup raisins
3 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup port wine or Pepsi

Toss to coat raisins with port wine
Nuke raisins in microwave for about 30 seconds
Let’s sit while you prepare other ingredients

preheat oven to 400°
Cream butter brown sugar and eggs together
Stir in pumpkin
Stir together dry ingredients
Add milk to sugar mixture
Discard excess port and mix raisins in with dry mixture
Optional: add 1/2 cup chopped nuts to dry ingredients
Mix dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture
– Be sure not to over mix. Mix only to moisten
Turn into greased muffin tin
– We prefer to use muffin pan liner cups
You might want to try putting batter into a large bag and snipping the corner
– Use this as a piping bag to squirt into each receptacle
– Wipe up any spills that might be on the pan. It will make cleanup much easier.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes
Let cool at least five minutes or they will fall apart

If you have a cast iron pan, you can bake in here for a crisper crust. If it is a cast iron loaf pan or skillet, increase baking time. Bake until a toothpick or knife comes out clean.

Strata – Several Recipes

Onion and Gruyere Strata

  1. Slice one Vadalia, Maui or sweet onions thinly
  2. Add 2 tsp sugar, and salt and pepper to taste
  3. Put over low heat with 2 TBL butter
    While that cooks
  4. In a separate bowl, combine
    • 6 dozen eggs – beaten
    • 1/2 C chopped Spinach
    • 1/2 C Gruyere – grated
    • OPT: 1/4 C Cheddar, Mozzarella or Monterey Jack
    • Salt, pepper, nutmeg, Dijon mustard to taste
    • OPT:  Scallions, thyme
    • 1 tsp Grandpa’s Thunder Powder
    • 1/2 C Cream
    • 1 C Milk
  5. Add the sauteed onions to the spinach mixture
  6. Toss above spinach mixture with 1 C French bread crumbs or croutons – mix to combine
  7. Pour into a lightly greased baking casserole
  8. Bake at 325º for 60 minutes
  9. Put butter knife into the center.  If it comes out wet, cook for another 15 minutes; if it comes out fairly clean, go to next Step.
  10. Sprinkle more shredded cheese over top
  11. Return to oven for another 10 minutes

This feeds 3-4 people

Breakfast Monte Cristo Lasagna

Makes six individual personal lasagnas

Softened butter
One 1 1/4-pound loaf bakery white bread—crusts removed, bread sliced (about 18 slices)
1/4 cup grainy mustard
1 pound thinly sliced Virginia ham
2 tablespoons chopped tarragon, plus more for garnish
3/4 pound Gruyère cheese, coarsely shredded (3 cups)
3 cups milk
4 large eggs
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375°
Butter individual ramikens
Arrange a slice of bread in the bottom of the dish
Spread with mustard.
Add a layer of ham
Sprinkle with Tarragon and a scant handful of Gruyère cheese
Repeat the layering, leaving off the last layer of cheese.

In a medium bowl, whisk the milk with the eggs and season generously with black pepper.
Pour the custard evenly over the dish, pressing the bread to absorb the liquid.
Pat the remaining cheese on top and cover with a sheet of buttered parchment paper.
Bake the lasagna in the center of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned around the edges.
Remove the parchment and turn on the broiler.
Broil for about 3 minutes, just until the top is golden and bubbling.
Let rest for 10 minutes, then serve.

The unbaked strata can be refrigerated overnight.
Let sit on counter for 30 minutes before putting into oven

Home made Hot Dogs and Taco Dogs

July is National Hot Dog Month

Basic Instructions for Taco Dog

  1. Preheat in water at low simmer
  2. Butterfly dog so that it will crisp up
  3. Heat corn tortillas
  4. Top with guacamole, salsa and cheese
  5. Roll together and secure with a toothpick
  6. Grill

Home-Made Hot Dog
Hot_Dogs2 pounds hamburger
1 pound pork
2 eggs
1 white onion
1 red onion

Get sheep, lamb, or beef casings at your local butcher store, depending on the size of hot dogs or sausage you want . in Arizona just ask for tripe.

soak casings in cold water for 15 minutes

In mixing bowl,add

2 tablespoons each
Paprika
Sugar

1 tablespoon each
Garlic powder
Dried mustard

1 teaspoon each
Salt
White pepper
Blackpepper
Coriander
Cumin
Liquid smoke
Marjoram

Cut the pork and beef into 1-2 inch cubes and grind it twice through the smallest plate on your meat grinder.

Mix everything by hand until they are uniform and well mixed.
Place the mixture into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Stuff the emulsified meat mixture into casings
Simmer in hot water for 20 minutes.
Links will get fatter, but will not get any longer as you boil them
Put in ice water to chill before you refrigerate.
Links will keep about 2 weeks, or you can freeze them at this point.

Growing herbs inside

Basic notes from P. Alan Smith Garden Style TV program

Herbs that grow well inside are Rosemary, onion chives, and basil.

Herbs that take a little more effort, but can still grow inside are thyme, cilantro, sage, and parsley

The main thing you need is sun, well drained soil, and consistent moisture.

Terra cotta pot with herb gardening soil.

If you use plants that have been grown in biodegradable peat pots, be sure to remove the top portion so that it does not stick out of the top of the soil. If it does, it will wick moisture away from the plants.

Also, break the bottom out of the pot to make it easier for the roots to grow into the soil.

Rosemary prefers warm, sunny and dry environment

Chives are very hardy but do you like occasional attention.

Basil grows well, but does not tolerate cold in the least. Make sure they are not outside if the temperature is going to drop below 40°. Basil likes lots of water.

Scandinavian Porterhouse Brick

Adapted from NewScanCook.com

Start with a three inch Porterhouse

Chop and mix together herbs to taste: oregano, thyme, mint, lemon balm, bay leaves, onions, garlic, canola oil

Put above in plastic bag and coat meat
Let set about 20 minutes
Coat meat with salt and pepper
Sear well on very hot grill about 8-10 minutes per side
Temp about 130° in the meat furthest from the bone

Meanwhile, dump bag of marinade into a hot non-stick skillet and bring up to heat – Put in sliced mushrooms to cook
Sprinkle salt as the mushrooms near completion

Pastata

Pastata
From Lydia’s Italy

Night before: start white beans soaking

Garlic, Rosemary, Chopped raw bacon
Emulsify
Render in hot oil in a cooking kettle
Carrots, onions . Blend
Add to cooking kettle
Salt, pepper
Move aside and put tomato paste on the hot spot
Toast tomato paste, then mix in
Bay leaves
Lots of boiling water . Make as soupy or thick as you prefer
Whole potatoes
Strained white beans
Simmer 1-2 hours . Use beans as your test point
Roughly mash the potatoes
Add salt
Add small elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta
Serve in 8-10 minutes
Top with grated parm cheese

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

Combine this recipe with previous recipe

Combine this recipe with previous recipe

Alternate meat pork loin

Pork marsala

Poke holes and top of meat and insert cloves of garlic

Cover top with several fresh bay leaves

Season before browning

Marsala Sauce
1 cup dry marsala wine or port
1 cup flour
1 cup broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
Reduce until sauce coats the back of a spoon
Add stuff like sage, rosemary, bay, etc.

Pour sauce over ground meat in the oven safe container
Add a dozen chestnuts around the perimeter
Cover with foil for first half of cooking time
Bake at 250° for 2 1/2 hours
Chef recommended 325° for an hour and a half
Or use Probe and cook to 150°
Plate think slices and cover with some of the sauce
Serve with polenta or baby potatoes

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

NLOF – Source

Braised beef . Rollover Cooking aka Leftovers
Basic 5 pound chuck roast
Brown all sides
Put in good red wine
Slow cook three hours . See recipe below

Two poached or baked chickens
Enchiladas, soup, chicken stew,

Beef
Hash
……….
Casserole
On top of meat, Layer of potato, followed by seasoning, sweated onion mixture, tomato, parm cheese… then repeat.
Onion mixture: Satuee onions with with stripped chopped rosemary, basil, evoo, garlic
Pour extra can sauces over top, evoo and basil
Slow cook three hours . About 250 degrees
Let set at least 30 minutes

This is your BASE

Chop meat and put on top of hashbrowns and then top with poached egg.

Roasted squash and red onions
Risotto in rounded bottom pot
Hot evoo, onion, one clove garlic
Wooden spoon
Non caramelized short grain rice to coat
Cook about 20 minutes
Add white wine
Heat stock or meat drippings a bit at a time
Add until creamy sauce NOT MUSHY
Add meat, onions and squash
Broccoli or asparagus… Maybe collards
Top with butter or evoo

Sandwich
Roma tomato, halved, seasoned, evoo
. Bake 350° for 20 minutes
Moist shredded meat
Tomatoes
Spinach or similar
Creamy cheese . Brie consistency
Cook in hot buttered skillet

Bolonaise Sauce
Sauté Mirepoix veggies
Add diced pepper and garlic
Add diced tomato, red wine, salt and pepper
Add leftover meat
Add Parmesan rind if you have it
Simmer until reduced and the meat is broken down

Shepherds Pot Pie
Stuffing and meat
Mashed potatoes and cheese topping

Carbonara . NOTES
2 eggs
Ham
Parm cheese
Bacon pieces
Hot Pasta

Left overs . Add
Cracked eggs and seasoning
Bacon
Parm
Start on stove top until edges start to cook
Sprinkle with extra cheese
Put in oven at 300° for 20 minutes
Turn out of the skillet and serve upside down

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

Bagels

Basic Bagel Instructions

  • 2 C High Gluten Flour
  • 1 TBL Yeast
  • 3 TBL Brown sugar
  • 2 TBL Honey
  • 1/2 Water (or as needed)
  • 1 egg yolk
    • MIX ALL TOGETHER FIRST AND THEN ADD
  • Salt (for later)
    • THIS IS FOR BRUSHING THE TOP JUST BEFORE BAKING
  • 1 egg white (reserved)

 

  1. Use pizza dough or bread dough – prepare as you would for bread
  2. Form into tennis ball sized pieces
  3. Form into donuts and place on spray-oiled piece of parchment paper
  4. Let rise 90 minutes
  5. Meanwhile bring hot water to boiling in a shallow pan with lots of salt and some honey plus 1 TBL baking soda to increase the pH of the water (to about 8-9) which will improve browning and texture by making it more chewy rather than dough
  6. Cut apart parchment paper so they don’t lose their rise
  7. Slide uncooked bagels into boiling hot water bath and cook 2 minutes per side
    • Parchment paper topside, then gently remove after two minutes, then flip
  8. Set aside to completely drain
  9. Sprinkle cornmeal on cookie sheet
  10. Place bagels on cookie sheet
  11. Brush top with egg wash
  12. Sprinkle with sesame seeds
  13. Bake at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes

Same Day Bagels

Bagels are better when they are allowed to rise overnight. This allows the dough to develop much more complexity. If you are in more of a hurry, use this recipe, otherwise, try Overnight Bagels for a better flavor

INGREDIENTS

  • PROOF YOUR YEAST
    • 1/4 CU PLUS 1 TBL warm water or broth
    • 1 TBL sugar
    • 1 tsp Instant Yeast (not quick rising)
  • IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL, SIFT TOGETHER
    > DRY INGREDIENTS
  • 1 CU all purpose flour
  • 1/2 CU whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • scant salt
    > THEN COMBINE THE OTHER WET INGREDIENTS IN A SEPARATE BOWL
  • 1 TBL vegetable oil
  • 1 egg yolk (reserve the white)
    > YOU WILL USE THESE THINGS AFTER THE BAGEL HAS BAKED
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons water
  • Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)

STEP BY STEP

  1. PROOF THE YEAST – Combine water, sugar and yeast into a small glass bowl, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so that the yeast can thoroughly dissolve. You should see lots of bubbles forming.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together the six dry ingredients
    OPTIONAL: Mix in onion powder or garlic powder
  3. Mix the egg yolk and vegetable oil in a small mixing bowl
    The next steps will happen quickly.  Read Step 4, 5 and 6 before going any further.
  4. COMBINE EVERYTHING that you’ve done so far into your large mixing bowl.
  5. Stir to quickly combine. If you do it too slowly, the flour will absorb the moisture unevenly and be harder to mix completely.
  6. Remove the dough ball from the mixing pan and place on a floured surface and knead it with floured hands for 10 – 15 minutes, using additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. When fully kneaded, the dough will be firm but supple and should hold the imprint of your finger.
  7. OPTIONAL: Let rise for 1 hour, then beat down and proceed with Step 8
  8. Form two balls of dough into a ball, and then flatten into a doughnut, making a hole in the middle.
  9. Lay the doughnuts on a plate sprinkled with corn meal.  Sprinkle some also on the top.
  10. Cover lightly with a piece of plastic wrap, then a lightweight dark cloth and let rise in a warm place for at least two hours
    DO NOT compress them with the plastic, or they won’t be able to rise.
  11. While bagels are warming and rising, fill a large soup pot about two thirds with water. and start it boiling.
  12. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  13. Gently (and very carefully) tip or slide bagels into boiling water and boil about 45 seconds on each side. They should float, but don’t worry if they sink initially – they’ll quickly rise to the surface.  Try not to deflate them with over handling.
  14. Using your slotted spoon, transfer the bagels to a greased or floured baking sheet, leaving space between them.
  15. The bagels will bake on the center oven rack until they are deep golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes.
  16. Meanwhile, make a glaze by whisking half egg white and half water in a small bowl until frothy.
  17. Transfer the bagels to a wire rack to cool once baked
  18. Using a pastry brush, coat the surface of the bagels with the glaze.
  19. Sprinkle on sesame seeds or poppy seeds, if desired.

MORE NOTES

  • FLAT BAGELS ? – Collapsing breads lack insufficient protein to form the protein chains needed. Bagel dough should be stiff and you must knead it for a long enough period to form the gluten required. By hand, this is at least 15 minutes.
  • Make smaller batches if you are hand kneading the dough. It can get tiresome.
  • By mixer: knead 7 minutes at least.
  • An old technique was roll the dough into a 12 inch rope then overlap the ends to form the bagel. This would insure sufficient gluten in the dough and provide a chewy texture.
  • Another tip would be to use vital wheat gluten (available at many supermarkets) and add ¼ cup to your recipe to provide the gluten needed.
    Reduce your flour by ¼ cup
  • You can also use a high-gluten flour like King Arthur’s High Gluten flour or a bread flour.
  • If you want a stiffer dough, cut back on the liquid by 1/8 cup.  A higher flour to water ratio will give you a chewier and heavier bagel, which many prefer.
  • Mix spices or other items into flour prior to combining with water: (eg) garlic, onion powder, blueberry

Overnight Bagels

Bagels are better when they are allowed to rise overnight.  This allows the dough to develop much more complexity.  If you are in more of a hurry, make Same Day Bagels.

INGREDIENTS

  • PROOF YOUR YEAST
    • 1/3 CU warm water or broth
    • 1 TBL sugar
    • 1 tsp Instant Yeast (not quick rising)
  • IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL, SIFT TOGETHER
    > DRY INGREDIENTS
  • 1 CU all purpose flour
  • 1/2 CU whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp gluten (optional)
  • scant salt
    > THEN COMBINE THE OTHER WET INGREDIENTS IN A SEPARATE BOWL
  • 1 TBL vegetable oil
  • 1 egg yolk (reserve the white)
    > YOU WILL USE THESE THINGS AFTER THE BAGEL HAS BAKED
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons water
  • Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)

STEP BY STEP

  1. PROOF THE YEAST – Combine water, sugar and yeast into a small glass bowl, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so that the yeast can thoroughly dissolve. You should see lots of bubbles forming.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together the six dry ingredients
    OPTIONAL: Mix in onion powder or garlic powder
  3. Mix the egg yolk and vegetable oil in a small mixing bowl
    The next steps will happen quickly.  Read Step 4, 5 and 6 before going any further.
  4. COMBINE EVERYTHING that you’ve done so far into your large mixing bowl.
  5. Stir to quickly combine. If you do it too slowly, the flour will absorb the moisture unevenly and be harder to mix completely.
  6. Remove the dough ball from the mixing pan and place on a floured surface and knead it with floured hands for 10 – 15 minutes, using additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. When fully kneaded, the dough will be firm but supple and should hold the imprint of your finger.
  7. OPTIONAL: Let rise for 1 hour, then beat down and proceed with Step 8
  8. Form two balls of dough into a ball, and then flatten into a doughnut, making a hole in the middle.
  9. Sprinkle the doughnuts with corn meal (to keep from sticking) and let rest on a small plate
  10. Cover lightly with a piece of plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for at least two hours or overnight.
    DO NOT compress them with the plastic, or they won’t be able to rise.
  11. The next morning, cover with a dark cloth and move into the sunlight (or other warm place)
  12. While bagels are warming and rising, fill a large soup pot about two thirds with water. and start it boiling.
  13. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  14. Gently (and very carefully) ease bagels into boiling water and boil about 45 seconds on each side. They should float, but don’t worry if they sink initially – they’ll quickly rise to the surface.
  15. Using your slotted spoon, transfer the bagels to a greased or floured baking sheet, leaving space between them.
  16. The bagels will bake on the center oven rack until they are deep golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes.
  17. Meanwhile, make a glaze by whisking half egg white and half water in a small bowl until frothy.
  18. Transfer the bagels to a wire rack to cool once baked
  19. Using a pastry brush, coat the surface of the bagels with the glaze.
  20. Sprinkle on sesame seeds or poppy seeds, if desired.

MORE NOTES

  • These are best when you make them the night before, refrigerate, and bake the following morning, but you can make them that very morning if you wish.
  • At step 11, just forget the words “The next morning.”
  • FLAT BAGELS ? – Collapsing breads lack insufficient protein to form the protein chains needed. Bagel dough should be stiff and you must knead it for a long enough period to form the gluten required. By hand, this is at least 15 minutes.
  • Make smaller batches if you are hand kneading the dough. It can get tiresome.
  • By mixer: knead 7 minutes at least.
  • An old technique was roll the dough into a 12 inch rope then overlap the ends to form the bagel. This would insure sufficient gluten in the dough and provide a chewy texture.
  • Another tip would be to use vital wheat gluten (available at many supermarkets) and add ¼ cup to your recipe to provide the gluten needed.
    Reduce your flour by ¼ cup
  • You can also use a high-gluten flour like King Arthur’s High Gluten flour or a bread flour.
  • If you want a stiffer dough, cut back on the liquid by 1/8 cup.  A higher flour to water ratio will give you a chewier and heavier bagel, which many prefer.
  • Mix spices or other items into flour prior to combining with water: (eg) garlic, onion powder, blueberry

Homemade Tostada Shells

1.5 C Masa Harina or Maseca
Salt
1 C water . Just enough to bring it together

Sprinkle some salt into harina
Add cold water and mix until it comes together
From into fat disk, wrap in plastic, and put in refrigerator for 30 minutes

Cut into eight pieces
Roll each piece into a ball
Heat cast skillet to medium high
Flatten in a press
Cook 20-30 seconds per side

For a tostada shell cook in oil

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

Salmon Benedict

Chad McDonald from The Provence Restaurant located in The Westin Phoenix

Prepare salmon the day before
Buy fresh salmon and remove fillet
Curing mix is four parts salt, one part cracked pepper and three parts sugar
Spread 1/4 cup curing mix in bottom of a dish
Set salmon on bed
Top with curing mix
Let cure in refrigerator for 24 to 36 hours

Prepare Hollandaise sauce. See recipe this website.

Prepare Eggs
Hard boil at 185° for five minutes
Set aside in cool water

Start small pan of boiling water, and preheat skillet
Toast English muffin face down in hot pan with EVOO
Put egg into boiling water to reheat
Set muffin side and sauté spinach in same pan
Top muffin with sautéed spinach
Thinly slice salmon and place on spinach
Create indentation for poached egg
Drain poached egg and place on Salmon
Top with hollandaise sauce
Sprinkle lightly with pepper or paprika

Turkey Tureen

This is a good things for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. While the turkey is still slightly warm, but not hot, shred the left over meat off the carcass.

Put the shredded meat into a small cottage cheese container. Pack it gently, but to the top.
Pour all of the turkey drippings into the container on top of the meat. Bring the liquid level just up to the top of the meat.
Put the lid on the container, and set the container on a paper towel in the refrigerator.
Serve this in the center of a salad tray with pickles, olives, celery, crackers, etc.

Salsa – COLLECTION

Grandpa’s Salsa

Grandpa’s Salsa


Salsa Tips and Tricks

Tips: Salsa


Shopping List Salsa

Shopping List Salsa


Other Salsa Recipes


Simple Salsa

Simple Salsa


Avocado Salsa

Avocado Salsa


Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde


Home-Made Store-Bought Salsa

Homemade Store-bought Salsa


Party Salsa – Brief

Party Salsa – Brief


Quck Green Salsa

Quick Green Salsa


Green Tomato Salsa

https://www.grandpacooks.com/recipes/green-tomato-salsa/


Salsa Tropicál

Salsa Tropicál


Tomatillo Salsa

Tomatillo Salsa


Salsa Boracha (Drunken Salsa)

Salsa Boracha


Salsa Fresca – Basic

Salsa Fresca – Base Recipe


Salsa Fresca Caliente

Salsa Fresca Caliente


Salsa Fresca no Caliente (not hot)

Salsa Fresca no Caliente (not hot)


Salsa Fresca muy Caliente

Salsa Fresca muy Caliente (Hot)


Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa

Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa


Fernando’s Salsa

Fernando’s Salsa


Salsa del Sol – Mexican Cantina Salsa

Salsa del Sol


McDonald’s Salsa – Copy Cat Recipe

SALSA – McDonald’s Copy Cat


Robert’s Salsa

Robert’s Salsa


Nancy McAfferty’s Salsa Pie

Nancy McAfferty’s Salsa Pie


 

Rachel Ray’s basic stuffing

Rachel Ray’s basic stuffing
Serves 5 people

2 C Chopped Apple
1 C Celery
1 C Onion
2 TBL thyme
1 bay leaf

One stick of butter melting in large sauté pan
Chopped ingredients into butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook at medium heat for about 20 minutes
One half bag Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
2 cups turkey stock
Mix lightly until most liquid is absorbed

Chestnuts, 1/2 LB ground Italian sausage
Deglaze with brandy

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

Holiday pie

Holiday pie

Make 3-2-1 pie dough from scratch
three parts flour, two parts butter, one part salted water … And a little bit of sugar

Start dried cherries and/ or raisins cooking in sauté pan in Brandy, molasses and Karo syrup.
Let simmer for 10 minutes until brandy evaporates

Mixed together pie dough being careful not to overmix
Wrapped in plastic and set aside for 30 minutes
Roll out to 1/8 inch thick.

Asian pears . Or other pair specifically selected for low moisture content and ability to withstand heat from baking
Toss in honey . Then in cinnamon, ground cloves, scant salt

This is the recipe from Sonoran living
Place pears in center of pie dough
Poor brandied cherries over-the-top allowing to spill over the inch

This is my adaptation
Mixed pears and brandied cherries very lightly
Pour mixture into center of pie dough

Fold edges up leaving some of the fruit showing through the top

Sprinkle top with crumbled cookies
Bake at about 350° for 30 minutes or until dough has finished browning

Cookie crumbles

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

Urban farm mashed sweet potatoes

Urban farm mashed sweet potatoes

Grab as many sweet potatoes as you can
Peel them . using peel your compost
Cut peeled sweet potatoes into 1 inch or smaller cubes
Rinse and steam them for 30 minutes
mix with one stick of melted butter, and sour cream and horseradish to taste
squish initially with a potato masher
put squished potatoes into kitchen aid with
beater attachment
turn on mixer and add buttermilk until creamy
season to taste with grated Parmesan cheese, salt and white pepper

Robert@RobertAndrews.NET

Swiss Chard Shakshuka

Shakshuka with Swiss Chard

  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 8

Cooks throughout the Middle East poach eggs in tomato sauce. Here, I’ve added some Italian flavors, like basil and Parmesan, to the classic recipe.

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  1. 4 ounces meaty bacon, minced
  2. 1 medium onion, minced
  3. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  4. 1 large bunch of YOUNG Swiss chard, stems minced and leaves reserved
  5. 32 ounces (4 cups) prepared tomato sauce
  6. 1 teaspoon dried basil
  7. Pinch of crushed red pepper
  8. Kosher salt
  9. Freshly ground black pepper
  10. 8 large eggs
  11. 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  12. 1/4 cup thinly sliced basil leaves
  1. For the entire recipe – – – Preheat the oven to 350°.
  2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil.
  3. Add the bacon, onion, garlic and (uncut) chard stems and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, adding just a bit of salt.  Cook for about 5 minutes.
  4.  Remove the chard stems
  5. Roughly chop the chard leaves.  Rinse and add to the pot. 
  6. Stir until softened – another 5 minutes.
    • AT THIS POINT, you can use this as a nice side for nearly any entree
    • however, to continue with this recipe . . .
  7. Add the tomato sauce, dried basil and crushed red pepper and simmer until the sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Add the mixture into ramekins
  9. Crack the eggs into the center of each ramekin. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake the eggs for 10 to 13 minutes, until the egg whites are just set and the yolks are still runny.
  10. If necessary, cook another two minutes
  11. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  12. Garnish the shakshuka with the sliced basil and serve immediately.
Serve With Crusty bread.

Suggested Pairing

Lively, light-bodied red wine.

Tips from America’s Test Kitchen

  1. Save rind from Parmesan cheese, store in freezer, and add to soup for extra flavor.
  2. For a quick cooking meats such as fish, sprinkle a bit of sugar over the top so that it will instantly caramelize when it hits the hot pan.
  3. For a bit of a meaty mystery taste, add a little soy sauce or anchovy. Something with umami .
  4. Season things to be served cold more aggressively. Use vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, lemon juice, etc. just before serving.
  5. Don’t over cook things with a chocolate base. As soon you start to smell them consider taking them out of the oven, or turning the oven off.
  6. Sautéed meat when it has been dried. If there is liquid, that will turn to steam and cook the meat, but will not brown it. This is called the Pallard reaction.
  7. Herbs fall into two categories. Those added early, and those added late. Herbs that are added early are things such as rosemary, Thyme… Full flavored herbs. Herbs that are added near the end are things such as basil, parsley, cilantro, and chives.
  8. If you are cooking something that uses butter or oil and other spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, etc., melt your butter and put the spices into the hot butter to more fully develop the flavor of the spices.
  9. When sautéing chicken, heat your skillet up to about 450° before putting the meat into it.
  10. When sautéing onions, use 1/2 tsp of baking soda to speed up the process.

 

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