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Monthly Archives: February 2017
Tonight’s cocktail is based on a sale item I saw at the grocery store earlier today. Yet, to be honest, I was perplexed on what cocktail to make with it. So straight from the Chambord website comes this French Martini recipe. While some may debate the ‘martini’ aspect of this cocktail, I cannot deny the fact that this is a tasty drink. Having pineapple juice in a drink that is not island based or paired with rum is a bonus in my book. So with the sun setting here in the Pacific Northwest, I say it is time to start enjoying our Friday night cocktail, the French Martini. Come on, join me! Save Print French Martini Prep time: 5 mins Total time: …
Tonight I am going way out on a limb. I have never made kimchi before, but I had some napa cabbage to use up so I thought, “what the heck, why not?”. I found several recipes online and from them I settled on the tweaked recipe below. I have to say the process for this ‘easy kimchi’ was fun. And do you know what the best part is… I can say I made it! Now, I wonder what fun things I can make with my kimchi later this week? Save Print Preparing Kimchi Prep time: 120 mins Total time: 2 hours Ingredients 1 lb napa cabbage, cored and cut up into 1 inch slices 3 oz daikon radish, julienned 1…
Do you ever get a hankering for a certain flavor or dish? Tonight, I really wanted a robust yellow curry but did not feel like going out. So… I made it for myself. I increased the variety of vegetables and flavors with two types of peppers, pickled galangal and ginger, and sambal. I paired it with jasmine rice, but I bet it would work just as well with thin rice noodles. The results were delicious, if I say so myself. This dish really satisfied my ‘hankering’ for yellow curry. I can’t wait until I get that hankering again! Save Print Yellow Curry Chicken Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 35 mins Serves: 1 Ingredients…
I know, you can get this soup from a can. Campbell’s Chunky, Progresso, etc… there are plenty of options. Most are tasty and make for a quick meal. Yet, making clam chowder at home is really easy. I challenge you to try this recipe and even tweak it as you desire. I am positive you will enjoy the results. Since this recipe makes enough for two as a perfect first course or appetizer, maybe you can use this dish to get your Valentine’s Day dinner started off on a delicious note! Save Print Clam Chowder Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Serves: 2 Ingredients 6 oz chopped clams 1½ cups golden…
I am sorry I missed posting this cocktail last night, but I was enjoying a show at the 5th Avenue Theater with a friend. I think when you try this twist on that current rage – the Moscow Mule, you will forgive me. In a Mexican Mule, you simply swap the vodka with tequila. Of course, I had to tweak it just a little and I think the results are stellar! Give this cocktail a try… I know you will love it! Save Print Mexican Mule Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins Serves: 1 Ingredients 1½ oz tequila (make a good tequila like Herradura as pictured) 1 oz lime juice 3 oz of ginger beer ½ oz agave nectar orange…
As promised, here is the post on how I use leftover sauerbraten and gravy to make a stew. The stew aspect of this recipe is pretty straightforward – cook potatoes, celery, carrot, and onion in beef stock/broth with a little seasoning of summer savory and thyme. Then simply add the cubed leftover sauerbraten and gravy to heat through and meld the flavors. Easy? Yes, indeed. Tasty? Oh you bet! I don’t always do leftovers, but when I do… I want them to be fantastic! Save Print Sauerbraten Stew Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 3 hours Total time: 3 hours 15 mins Serves: 2 Ingredients 8 oz leftover sauerbraten, cubed 1 cup (more or less) leftover sauerbraten gravy 1…
Have a hankering for carnitas? Well, let me tell you that cooking it sous vide style will blow your mind! When cooking for one, portion control is the toughest aspect. If you make too much, you either fall prey to over-eating or having to ‘enjoy’ that same dish numerous days in a row or eventually you end up throwing the extras out as waste. Carnitas is a dish that I have not typically made since it involves cooking a pork shoulder for a long time over moderate heat. The results are wonderful, but it makes too much for one person in my opinion. Today, I used sous vide to help me overcome that issue while using a lean cut of pork. And the results were…
It snowed about 6 inches last night and in the Pacific Northwest, that means nearly everyone stays home. So I decided to take advantage of the ‘snow day’ and make myself a breakfast I haven’t made in quite a while. I am not sure why I don’t make this dish more often… and maybe I need to rectify that situation. This recipe is lightly spiced to augment the flavor of the apple and not overpower it. With a dough that puffs like a pop-over and true apple flavor, I think you will enjoy this simple and delicious dish. Let’s get baking this morning! Save Print Apple Dutch Baby Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 20 mins…
As promised in my Friday post, here is the rest (and the best part) of the sauerbraten recipe. Today we will cook this flavorful beef roast and create a rich gravy from the marinade/cooking liquid. I paired this sauerbraten with butter fried porcini egg noodles and roasted cauliflower. Other possible sides for sauerbraten are roasted potatoes, sweet and sour red cabbage, spaetzle, mashed potatoes, braised cabbage, and a host of other tasty dishes. Are you ready to enjoy this delicious German roast beef dish? I hope so because I certainly am… Save Print Sauerbraten Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 2 hours Total time: 2 hours 10 mins Serves: 2 Ingredients 1½ 2 lbs of marinated beef bottom round roast…
Here is my second attempt at Bob Lamson’s challenge. I am using a scaled down and tweaked recipe from the Creative Cuisine ‘Outstanding One Pot Meals’ booklet. Putting this Cuban style beef stew together was fairly easy and letting the Uno control the cooking in my rice cooker made it even easier. The effort is all in the prep and once done, all you do is place it all in your rice cooker and set the Uno for the time and temperature (yes, I actually set the timer this time!). A few hours later I noticed the wonderful fragrance from this dish. It was pretty incredible as I did not have to do anything but go about my business until the time was up…