Saturday, March 22, 2008

Italian Easter Pie

Italian Easter Pie
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2004
Show: Emeril Live
Episode: Irresistable Sweets

For the crust:
3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons cold milk

For the filling:
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese, drained well
3/4 cup sugar
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate
1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts or almonds

Make the pie crust by sifting the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter and shortening and, using your hands or a pastry blender, work the fat into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl whisk together the eggs and vanilla and add to the crumb mixture. Work the mixture with your hands, adding only as much milk as is needed to form a dough. Work only until the dough just comes together; do not overwork. Divide the dough into two portions, one slightly larger than the other, and wrap both portions in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Remove the larger portion of dough from the refrigerator and, on a lightly floured surface using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to a thickness of 1/8-inch. Fit the dough into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch deep dish pie pan. Trim the edges so that an inch hangs over the sides and refrigerate. Roll out the second portion of dough to a thickness of 1/8-inch and transfer to a baking sheet and refrigerate, wrapped in plastic, while preparing the filling.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the ricotta cheese with the sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the orange zest, cinnamon, chocolate, and pine nuts and stir to combine.

Pour the filling into the pastry-lined pie pan. Using your fingers, lightly moisten the edges of the pastry with a bit of cool water. Place the second portion of pastry over the top of the pie and cut the edges to match those of the bottom crust. Press edges together then fold inward to make a raised edge. Crimp the edges decoratively using either your fingers, a fork, or a crimping tool. Make several small slits in the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape while baking.

Bake the pie for 1 hour, or until the pastry is light golden brown and the filling is just set. If the edges of the pie begin to get too brown, shield them with a piece of aluminum foil wrapped around the pie.

When the pie is set, remove it from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve the pie either slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Riceballs Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups Short-grain rice

1 1/3 cups Water

2 teaspoons Black sesame seeds

50g Smoked salmon, chopped

2 tablespoons Finely chopped pickled ginger

2 Finely chopped onions

Method:

Wash the rice thoroughly in a sieve under running water until the water runs clear. Place the rice in a heavy-based pan with the water and bring it to the boil. Reduce the heat to very low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and stand, with the lid on for 20 minutes. Dry-roast the sesame seeds in a frying pan over low heat, constantly shaking the pan, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the seeds begin to pop. Combine the salmon, ginger and spring onion in a small bowl. Using wet hands, form 1/3 cup rice into a ball; push 2 teaspoons of the salmon mixture into the center of the rice and reform the ball around it. Repeat with the remaining rice and salmon, keeping your hands wet to prevent the rice from becoming sticky. Arrange the balls on a serving platter and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Apple Chicken Stir Fry recipe

recipe is ready in < 30 minutes Ready in: < 30 minutes
recipe difficulty 3/5 Difficulty: 3 (1=easiest :: hardest=5)

Serves/Makes: 4


Ingredients:
1/2 cup onion, vertically sliced
1 medium Fuji or Winesap apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 pound cubed boneless, skinless, chicken breast
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1 cup fresh or frozen Chinese pea pods
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon water
2 cups cooked rice


Directions:

Stir fry cubed chicken breast in 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil in non stick skillet until lightly browned and cooked. Remove from skillet. Stir fry onion, carrots and basil in oil in same skillet until carrots are tender. Stir in pea pods and water; stir fry 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in apples. Add to chicken. Serve hot over cooked rice.

This recipe from CDKitchen for Apple Chicken Stir Fry serves/makes 4

Tucker Surprise Jerky recipe


2 hrs"> Ready in: > 2 hrs
recipe difficulty 3/5 Difficulty: 3 (1=easiest :: hardest=5)

Serves/Makes: 3 lb

Ingredients:
1 cup Soy sauce
4 ounces Mesquite smoke (hickory works well also)
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Cayenne pepper
3 pounds roast


Directions:

Go to the butcher and have them slice a 2 or 3 lb rump roast into slices as thin as bacon(It sometimes takes a while to convince them that you really want it as thin as bacon) put soy sauce and mesquite smoke in a gallon size ziplock bag. if the smoke came in a 4 oz bottle, use the water to rinse the bottle, pour water into bag. Add pepper. Close bag and let sit for a couple of hours. Trim all fat from the beef. Add beef to the mixture. Let sit for 5 or 10 minutes(I've not had any trouble if left overnight) Remove meat from bag one or two at a time, and lay on trays from dehydrater(I've never made it without a dehydrater). Put trays in dehydrater, opening vents to about half.

Egg strip bundles recipe

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon White sesame seeds

10 Spring onions

5 Eggs

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon White pepper

3 teaspoons Cooking oil

2 tablespoons Rice vinegar

2 tablespoons Japanese soy sauce


Method:

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the pan gently, until the seeds are golden brown; remove from the pan at once to prevent burning. Trim the white ends from the spring onions and discard; take off the outside layer and discard. Make a bunch of the green stems, then trim them all to the same size, cutting off the skinny tip. Plunge 2 spring onions at a time into a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds or until softened. Remove with tongs and place in iced water. Repeat for all the spring onions. Drain well and dry lightly on paper towels. Cut each spring onion in half lengthways using a small sharp knife.

Beat the eggs with the salt and pepper until they are foamy. Brush a medium sized frying pan with the oil, and place it over medium heat. Pour in half the eggs, cover and coco for 2 minutes. Run a spatula around the edge of the omelet to loosen it, then turn the omelet over and cook it for a further 2 minutes. Remove the omelet from the pan and cook the remaining egg mixture. Trim the curved edges from the omelets to make a square shape. Cut thin strips of omelet about 7 cm long and 5 mm wide.

Gather together 8 strips of egg, carefully wrap one piece of spring onion 4 or so times around the middle of the bundle, tucking in the ends. Repeat with the remaining egg strips and arrange the bundles on a serving platter. Combine the vinegar, Japanese soy sauce and sesame seeds, drizzle over the bundles and serve.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Nasi Goreng

2

1/4 teaspoon

1/3 cup

3 cloves

1

2

1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon

1/2 teaspoon

400g

200g

1 cup

2 teaspoons

1 tablespoons

4

1/2

1

3 tablespoons

Eggs

Salt

Cooking oil

Finely chopped garlic

Finely chopped onion

Seeded and very finely chopped red chilies

Shrimp paste

Coriander seeds

Sugar

Raw prawns, peeled and deveined

Rump steak, finely sliced

Long grain rice, cooked and cooled

Kicap manis (sweet soy sauce)

Soy sauce

Finely chopped onions

Finely shredded lettuce

Thinly sliced cucumber

Crisp fried onion

Method :
  • Beat the eggs and salt until foamy. Heat a frying pan and lightly brush with a little of the oil.
  • Pour about one quarter of the egg mixture into the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes over medium heat until the omelet sets.
  • Turn the omelet over and cook the other side for 30 seconds.
  • Remove the omelet from the pan and repeat with the remaining egg mixture.
  • When the omelets are cold, gently roll them up and cut them into fine strips; set aside.
  • Combine the garlic, onion, chili, shrimp paste, coriander and sugar in a food processor or mortar and pestle, and process or pound until a paste is formed.
  • Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok or large deep frying pan; add the paste and cook over high heat for 1 minute or until fragrant.
  • Add the prawns and steak and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they change color.
  • Add the remaining oil and the cold rice to the wok. Stir-fry, breaking up any lumps, until the rice is heated through.
  • Add the kecip manis, soy sauce and spring onion and stir-fry for another minute.
  • Arrange the lettuce around the outside of a large platter. Place the rice in the centre and garnish with the omelet strips, cucumber slices and fried onion.
  • Serve immediately.

Chasen's Shirley Temple Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 5 ounces ginger ale
  • 1 ounce grenadine
  • 1 slice oranges(to garnish)
  • maraschino cherries(to garnish)
  • ice cubes, to taste
  • Directions

    1. Place a few ice cubes in a highball glass.
    2. Add ginger ale and grenadine, stir gently; add enough additional ice cubes to fill the glass.
    3. Garnish the glass with a split orange slice that straddels the side of the glass.
    4. Add a maraschino cherry and serve with a straw.

    Wednesday, March 12, 2008

    INGREDIENTS:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 6 large eggs
    • 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
    • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
    • 3/4 cup milk
    • 3/4 cup chopped cooked ham
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • dash pepper
    • ketchup

    Method:

    In skillet melt butter. Beat eggs and whisk in remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into hot skillet. Cook, stirring to cook evenly. Turn and cook other side. Serve while still somewhat moist and creamy.

    Saturday, March 8, 2008

    Roasted Buddha Chicken


    4 (3-inch) pieces galangal
    24 cloves garlic
    8 Thai chiles, finely chopped
    24 shallots, roughly chopped
    1 cup cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish
    24 ounces coconut milk
    12 ounces sweet Thai chili sauce, plus more for drizzling
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    3 pounds skin-on chicken pieces, leg and breast only
    2 tablespoons canola oil
    12 ounces chicken stock
    1 recipe Buddha Chicken Chili Sauce, recipe follows
    3 ounces unsalted butter
    4 limes, peeled and sliced

    Method:
    Choi Sum, recipe followsIn the bowl of a food processor, combine galangal, garlic, Thai chilies, shallots, 1 cup cilantro leaves, coconut milk, chili sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse on high for 30 seconds or until mixture is a smooth puree. Place chicken in a bowl and pour marinade over chicken, turning the chicken several times to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

    Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. In a large oven-safe saute pan on medium high heat, add canola oil and sear chicken, skin side down. Let chicken cook, undisturbed, for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned well. Place pan in oven for 12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, in the same saute pan, add chicken stock and Buddha Chicken Chili Sauce and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to incorporate any browned bits. Let mixture simmer for 6 to 8 minutes. Add butter and stir to incorporate.

    While the sauce is simmering, French the chicken pieces: using a kitchen towel, hold the wing tip of the chicken and scrape the meat toward the breast until the bone is bare. Repeat the process with the drumstick and thigh portion and set aside.

    To serve:
    Using square plates, shingle slices of peeled sliced lime, top with some Choi Sum, place the chicken on top, and drizzle with more sweet Thai chili sauce, if desired.

    Buddha Chicken Chili Sauce:
    8 ounces sweet Thai chili sauce
    2 ounces sugar
    3 ounces lime juiceIn a medium non-reactive bowl, dissolve sugar in lime juice and mix well. Add chili sauce and mix to combine. Place the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth, about 15 seconds.Choi Sum:
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    Ice cubes
    16 ounces choi sum, or bok choy
    4 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
    6 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic
    6 tablespoons finely diced sweet white onion
    16 tablespoons sweet Thai chili sauce
    1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
    3 limes, juicedIn a medium pot, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Place ice cubes in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. When water is boiling, add choi sum and cook for 10 seconds. Remove from water and add to bowl with ice cubes to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, remove from bowl and place onto paper towel lined plate to drain excess water.

    Just before serving, heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sweat for 15 seconds. Add choi sum, chili sauce, sugar, and lime juice, and continue to cook for 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

    Asian Chicken Salad


    Ingridients:
    4 coins fresh ginger
    2 sprigs coriander
    3 scallions
    1 small carrot, halved
    1 1/2 pounds skinless chicken breasts halves, on the bone
    4 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
    2 kirby cucumbers, seeded and diced
    1/4 medium jicama, peeled and diced
    1/2 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
    1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
    1 scallion (white and green), thinly sliced
    1/4 cup toasted cashews, chopped


    Method:
    Put the ginger, coriander, scallions, carrot, and chicken breasts in a medium saucepan. Cover with the broth, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat to very low and cover. Poach the chicken for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover, and cool the chicken in the liquid, about 30 minutes. Bone and pull the chicken into bite-size pieces. Save the broth.

    Toss the chicken with the remaining salad ingredients and toss with the dressing. Wrap about 1/3 cup of the salad in a lettuce leaf. Serve 3 to 4 lettuce leaves per person with a wedge of lime if desired.

    Low Fat Ginger Dressing:
    1 lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
    1 tablespoon freshly grated peeled fresh ginger
    1 tablespoon soy sauce
    1 teaspoon Asian chili paste, such as sambal oelek
    2 teaspoons Southeast Asian fish sauce
    1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    1 tablespoon broth from poaching chicken
    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    Whisk the lime juice, ginger, soy, chili, fish sauce, salt and broth in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a dressing.

    Grabbed From: http://www.foodnetwork.com

    Sashimi



    Ingredients:

    500g Very fresh fish such as tuna, salmon or trout

    1 Carrot

    1 Daikon

    Japanese soy sauce, to serve

    Wasabi, to serve


    Method:

    Use a very sharp, flat-bladed knife to remove any skin from the fish. Place the fish in the freezer and chill it until it is just firm enough to be cut thinly and evenly into slices, about 5 mm in width. Try to make each cut one motion in one direction, taking care not to saw the fish. Use a zester to scrape the carrot and daikon into long fine strips or cut them into fine julienne strips. Arrange the sashimi pieces on a platter. Garnish with the carrot and daikon and serve with the soy sauce and wasabi.


    Grabbed From: http://www.asianhomerecipe.com

    Mile-High Turtle Pie

    Mile-High Turtle Pie Ingredients

    Ingridients:
    1 jar Caramel ice cream topping 12.25 oz
    1 cup Pecan halves toasted and divided
    2 bars Milk chocolate candy 1.55 oz each broken into small pieces1 container Butter pecan ice cream 1/2 gal divided
    12 Pecan shortbread cookies finely crushed 1-1/4 C crumbs1 container Chocolate ice cream 1/2 gal divided
    3 tblspoons Butter or margarine melted

    Instructions for Mile-High Turtle Pie

    In a microwave safe dish, combine the ice cream topping and the chocolate pieces. Microwave on high for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
    Oil the inside of a springform pan. Line the sides of the pan with 2 inch wide strips of parchment paper.
    Place cookies in a resealable plastic bag or a food processor and crush into fine crumbs. Stir the melted butter into the crumbs and press firmly onto the bottom of the springform pan. Place in the freezer.
    To toast the pecans: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on a small baking pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until lightly toasted. Cool completely. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pecans for topping. Coarsely chop the remaining pecans and set aside.
    Scoop half of the butter pecan ice cream over the crust, pressing into an even layer. Drizzle with one third of the caramel-chocolate sauce and half of the chopped pecans. Scoop half of the chocolate ice cream over the first layer. Drizzle with half of the remaining sauce and sprinkle with the remaining chopped pecans. Scoop the remaining butter pecan ice cream around the outer edge of the pie. Scoop the remaining chocolate ice cream into the center, filling it. Top with the reserved pecan halves and drizzle with the remaining sauce. Wrap loosely with aluminum foil; place in the freezer.and freeze until firm, about 4 hours.
    Before serving, refrigerate the dessert for 30 minutes. Release the collar from the pan; carefully remove the parchment paper. Cut using a sharp knife dipped into warm water. Wipe and dry the knife after cutting each wedge.
    This dessert can be made and kept frozen for days before serving. Enjoy!

    grabbed from: http://www.asian-food.tv