Showing posts with label Dinner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dinner. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Make-Ahead Lettuce Wraps

**adapted from Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites

These were so easy to make, and it was really wonderful to have dinner ready in, literally, three minutes tonight. I would suggest that you have your older kids make the freezer meals so you don't even have to do that. If you buy a whole rotisserie chicken and a bag of green onions, you could probably make two or three meals out of it. I think it would be great with a few dashes of Sriracha, but the foetus would not like that. This will serve four. More if you add rice and sides.

1 C teriyaki sauce
1/3 C honey
1/2 C chopped green onions
2 C deboned and shredded rotisserie chicken
1 C cashews, blended for a few seconds
1 head lettuce

Put the teriyaki, honey, and chopped green onions in a quart freezer bag. Put the shredded chicken in a labeled gallon freezer bag. Put the cashews in another sandwich bag. Put the little bags into the big chicken bag. Freeze.

Thaw this the morning of your busy day and then, at dinner time, pour all the stuff into a bowl. Microwave the whole thing for about three minutes to heat through. Wrap with lettuce. Bingo.


Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Greatest Waffles Ever Made

Don't doubt me.

From It's All American Food by David Rosengarten

2 C flour (I have used all-purpose and pastry, both are good)
1/4 c + 2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
3/4 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
4 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 C milk
1 C sour cream
1/4 lb (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 1/2 t vanilla

Preheat waffle iron.

Sift dry ingredients (except for 2 T sugar) and set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat egg whites on low speed until foamy, then add the 2 T sugar and increase speed to medium and beat until soft peaks form.

In another bowl, whisk together yolks, milk, sour cream, butter, vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in egg whites. DO NOT OVER STIR.

Spray waffle iron, pour about 3/4 c onto iron and close. Cook until almost crispy (steam will stop coming out of iron when they are just about done.)
Makes about 10-12 waffles, depending on the size of your iron.

These freeze well, but you really and truly won't have any leftover. We eat them for dinner at least once a week, lately. The egg white and sour cream make the texture almost like a souffle. So freaking awesome.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Pulpeta

Let me preface this by saying that there are two strong reasons for cooking Pulpeta: One, there was an entire Cosby Show subplot involving Claire keeping Dr Huxtable from eating Pulpeta because she wanted him to have one leaf of lettuce and a rice cake; Two, it is Cuban, and therefore delicious, just like my husband. Pulpeta is, essentially, a braised and fried meatloaf stuffed with eggs and covered with bacon. Now that I typed that, I realize that I don't need to preface that at all. It should speak for itself. Here is how I make it:



1 pound of ground meat. (You can use a combo of meats, or just stick with what is in your fridge.)
1 T salt
1 T pepper
1 t Mural of Flavor from Penzeys, or just use Italian seasoning and a little extra garlic.
Liberal dump of powdered garlic (not garlic salt.)
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 beaten eggs
2 C Panko or fine bread crumbs
2 hard-boiled eggs
Olive oil
1 (Or more if you are big onion eaters) large onion, thinly sliced
6 bay leaves (If you are cheap with your bay you can reduce this.)
1/2 C water or apple juice
1 C beef stock
Bacon

Mix all of the meat and spices (not the bay leaves) and W sauce together in a big bowl. Use your hands. Add the beaten eggs and enough Panko to make it thick and roll-able.

Flatten it out into a 10"x4" rectangle. Put the hardboiled eggs in the middle. Shape the meat around it, and mold it into a loaf, making sure the ends are all sealed up. Roll it in more panko.

In a heavy casserole pan pour some oil and heat until fragrant. Brown the loaf on all sides, and take out of pan.

In the same pan, sautee the onions until they are golden. Add the loaf back in, pour the liquids and the bay leaves in. Artfully stick some bacon slices on top of the loaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes. (If you are freaking out about meat, use a meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked through. You baby.)

Remove loaf from pan, let sit for a few minutes, then slice into thick slices and serve with the hot sauce. Or serve cold as a sandwich. Either way, while you eat you must discuss how Fidel is ruining the homeland for everyone and how you want to punch those kids who wear Che TShirts in the throat.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Burritos Para Ti

I just came across this blog and am directing you to it--because if you are like me you like ghetto burritos at odd hours of the day.
Breakfast and Dinner Burritos to make ahead of time

Friday, November 09, 2007

Tonjiru - soupfest part 2

I fell in love with this soup two winters ago when I ate it at one of the schools I was working at. I was smack dab in the middle of having morning sickness, but for some reason this warm winter soup was something I could down without fear of any retribution from my stomach. It is GREAT, but depending on your location within the US you may or may not be able to get some of the ingredients.

Serves about 4 people

4 cups water
2 tsp. dashi(Japanese kelp/fish bullion) or follow the directions on the box..you need it to make 4 cups(see above water) of broth
1/2-3/4 lb sliced uncooked pork.
1-2 carrots sliced and then quarter the larger slices
10 cm(5 inches....remember your high school science people) of Japanese diakon radish, sliced and then quartered
15 cm burdock root cleaned, sliced and soaked for a few minutes( it turns the water black so you soak it separate first)...this is COMPLETELY option, and totally tasty without this. If you go for super authentic though, you need it.
1 bunching onion(REALLY big green onion...use regular green onions in a pinch) sliced in 1/4 slices
1 pack of firm tofu, cut up into cubes
3-4 small taro root potatos, peeled and cut into cubes
1 regular potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 bunch of Bunashimeji mushrooms(small and brown....sliced shiitake also taste good if you want).
3 Tbs. miso paste

1. Turn the stove on and heat up the water with the dashi stock. As you cut up the veggies throw them in and begin to cook them.
2. Add the pork and finally the tofu. Once everything is almost cooked, add the miso by dissolving the paste in a ladelful of soup. If you find you want a strong miso taste, feel free to add more.
3. Let simmer/very low boil until the veggies and meat are completely cooked
4. Serve!

Some hints: If you can find miso with dashi already in it, WOW does that make your life easier, but I have no idea what gets imported over there. I've added links to pictures, so you know what you are looking for. It is a lot easier than it may seem at first glance.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Japanese Curry Rice

Yep more crockpot goodness. I've wanted to add this for a while, but have been far too lazy. Let me first add this caveat, I HATE Japanese curry almost 95%+ of the time, but I LOVE this recipe. We got it from "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook". That has been a great book. I'll try to post a desert to die for from there in a few days...but here we go.

3 medium potatos peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
3-4 medium carrots cut into bite sized chunks
1 lb. beef stew meat cut into 1 inch cubes(though I REALLY dig chicken, it may even be better than beef!)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 cups beef broth(chicken for chicken)
2 cups water
6 Tbsp flour(the original recipe called for 3, but it was too little)
2 Tbsp curry powder(the original recipe called for 1, but it was too little)
1 cup frozen peas thawed(optional)

cooked white rice for serving

1. Pop the potatoes in the slow cooker and than layer the carrots on top.

2. In a skillet brown the meat with some oil and transfer to the cooker. Then put the onions and garlic in the skillet with some more oil and cook until softened, add salt and pepper and cook for an additional 2 to 3 min. Put the onions and garlic in the slow cooker. Transfer broth the the skillet and bring to a boil, scrap the brown bit stuck to the pan and pour into the cooker. Covere the cooker and turn on low for 6-7 hrs.(less for the chicken)

3. Mix the flour and curry powder together then slowly add about 1/2 cup of the broth(a bit at a time, stir until smooth and then add more liquid...avoid those clumps!) Pour the flour/curry/broth mixture back into the curry and turn on high for another 30 min. Add the peas at this time if you want as well.

ladel over the rice and enjoy.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Fruited Ham Slice (Crockpot)

Food snobs will turn up their nose at this dish because of one certain ingredient--fruit cocktail. But for Gen Xers who grew up believing fruit cocktail helped us meet our daily recommended fruit requirements, this dish is an amusing and yummy nod to earlier times. Definitely a dish for a sweet tooth.

1-1½-pound fully cooked ham slice, 1”-thick
8-10 whole cloves
Prepared mustard
1-pound can fruit cocktail, drained, with 1 cup syrup reserved
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed

Stud (gotta loves recipes that start with that word) edges of ham slice with cloves. Spread top with mustard. Place ham slice in slow cooker. In a bowl, mix together fruit cocktail, 1 cup syrup, and brown sugar. Spoon over ham. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours, or until ham is heated through but not drying out. (Note: instead of fruit cocktail use 2 cups of any of the following: canned pineapple chunks, sliced peaches, apricot halves)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Suck it, Rachel Ray!

La Yen's 30 minute Dinner: Herbed Salmon with Bulghur and Vegetable Salad

You need:
salmon fillets
1/2 C bulghur
2 C fresh green beans
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
Stinky Cheese (feta or whatever), grated or crumbled
1/2 c pine nuts
1/2 onion
butter
herbs of your choice
1/2 head romaine lettuce, torn into bites

MMMKKK--start your timer!

1. Put on about 2 C water to boil. When it is boiling, pour 1 C of it over the bulghur and cover it tightly, for about 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425. This should take about 15 minutes.

3. Steam your beans and let them cool down while everything else is cooking.

4. While the oven is preheating, put 2 T of butter and a generous helping of herbs in a baking dish (I use dill, garlic salt, parsley, and dried chives). Put the dish in the oven while it is preheating.

5. Mince the onion and saute it in butter, over medium.

6. When the onion is translucent add the pine nuts and toast for a few minutes.

7. When the oven is close to being preheated the butter should be sizzling and the herbs should be toasty. Add the salmon fillets. Bake for about 5 minutes, turn over, and bake for another 3 minutes or so. Then take out.

8. Fluff up the bulghur, add the onions and pine nuts, chopped tomato, cheese, green beans, and lettuce. Drizzle with oil/juice and toss.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Tomatillo Chicken Tacos

So, one would think that there would be AMAZING Mexican food in the EP. And there is, but it is hard to find between the thousands of truly tasteless fast food rip-offs. So, in my quest to never leave the house, I opened my Rick Bayless book and tried the following, and it was FREAKING AWESOME.

Essential Simmered Tomatillo-Serrano Sauce (makes 1 1/4 C, but you might want to septuple it because it is delicious on EVERYTHING.)
8 oz (5-6 med) tomatillos, husked and rinsed
Fresh serrano chiles (2 is slightly more than Jooj can handle, but if you have no toddlers, hit 3), stemmed
1 1/2 T oil
1/2 med white onion, roughly chopped (I don't like white, so I used yellow. White is the preferred in Mexico, so do what you want with that information.)
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
1 C chicken broth
3 T cilantro, roughly chopped
salt to taste

1. Turn on your broiler. It is under your stove.
2. Roast the tomatillos and chiles on a baking sheet 4 inches below a very hot broiler until blackened and soft on one side (about 5 min) and then turn them over and roast on the other side. They will get messy and ugly.
3. Transfer (including ALL THE JUICE) to your blender.
4. Heat 1 T oil in large skillet over med. Sautee onion and garlic until golden. (Add garlic at very end, it only takes a minute). Add to blender. Puree medium coarse.
5. Heat the remaning 1/2 T oil in skillet over med-high. Add puree all at once and stir for about 5 min, until noticeable darker and thick. Stir in broth and cover, simmering for about 10 min. Stir in cilantro and salt.

For the rest of the dish you need:
12 corn tortillas
2 C greens (Any kind you want. Don't feel the need to get all fruity on us.)
1 1/3 C cooked, shredded chicken (about 2 breasts)
1/2-3/4 C Asadero or queso fresco cheese. (In the dairy. It is there. It is Mexican. Just look. If it is not there, you could use something like a romano combined with a smelly goat cheese, but it won't translate as well.)

1. Put your veggie steamer in a pot with about 1/2 of water and set it to boil. Wrap the tortillas ina heavy towel and let them steam in the steamer for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, and leave them in there with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
2. Bring the sauce to a boil and add the greens. Return to boil. Stir in chicken and simmer until greens are done. (less than 5 minutes.)

3. Make tacos out of it.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Sneaky "health" food

I felt so sneaky and "mom-like" after making this Crunchy mac and cheese recipe the other night!! The puree's were awesome!!!! I couldn't even detect them with my supersensitive, picky-pregnant-lady tastebuds. We did 1/4 cup orange and 1/4 cup white mixed in. Also, didn't feel like buying cereal just for this recipe so I just used a little over a cup of flaked wheat (love my Grain Mill!!!!) and added about twice the amount of parmesan. We'll definitely be adding this to our dinner rotation and I can't wait to try out the other recipes (got two tupperware's full of puree ready to go!) and puree's!

Speaking of crockpot chicken....

JAM CHICKEN

This is one of my fave's-especially since I always have fresh ginger on hand after following La Yen's advice to stick a root in the freezer! (I FINALLY got around to remembering to buy it!!)

2 T. jam* (heaping!!!)
3 T low-sodium soy sauce (or whateve's)
2 T. water
1 T grated fresh ginger
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast

Combine the jam, soy sauce, water and ginger in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add the chicken and toss so that is is covered with sauce. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350.

(For added flavor let the chicken marinate in the sauce-covered in the fridge- for 2-3 hours before cooking.)

Slow-cooker options: Place everything in the pot and cook on low for 4 hours (or longer if you want delicious-fall-apart-juicy chicken) If you don't have time to defrost before throwing in the crockpot, omit the water and be extra, extra generous with the jam.

*Most any jam can be used and will taste good. Our fave so far was a Von's brand apricot/pineapple jam. Marmalade and seedless berry jams also work well. Jelly does not work as well as jam due to its thinner consistency.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Carbonara--your favorite easy supper

Take a package of bacon (if you can get pancetta and you want to spend the big dough, go for it) and cut it into bite-size pieces. Fry it up in some olive oil.
Put a pot of pasta on to boil--I like to use Rotini, but anything you have will work.
Add a bunch of minced garlic, basil, and red pepper-flakes to the bacon.
In a separate little bowl beat two egg yolks. When the pasta is done, add a ladle-full of the pasta water into the egg yolks. Pour the whole eggy bowl into the cooked bacon pan, and add the drained pasta. Toss it vigorously so that the eggs don't turn scrambled. Pour on a ton of good Parmesan and toss. Salt and Pepper it to taste.