Beer Can Chicken
INGREDIENTS
½ Cup Chopped Onion
5 Garlic Cloves
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 Large Roasting Chicken (Approx 4 ½ Pounds)
1 Can Of Your Favorite Beer (14 Ounce Can)
Preheat the oven to 400° F and move the rack to the bottom of the oven.
Combine the onion, garlic, oil, chili powder, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender. Remove any innards or other items from inside the chicken. Rinse the chicken inside and out in cold, running water. Rub the chicken inside and out with the combined mixture. Make sure to get the mixture under the skin as well.
Open your can of beer and either drink or pour out ¼ of it. This prevents bubbling over during cooking. Punch a few extra holes in the can. Holding the can upright, place the chicken on top of the can, inserting the can as far as it will go into the cavity of the chicken. Position the chicken legs in front of the chicken to help steady the chicken. Place chicken into the oven proof pan and tent the chicken with foil for the first hour to prevent over browning. Put chicken on the bottom oven rack. Reduce oven to 350° F after ½ hour. Cook 1 ½ to 2 hours (depending on the size of your chicken). Rotate chicken at about 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven when chicken is done, use tongs and an oven mitt to separate the chicken and the beer can. Carefully remove to a separate platter and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
Pour any remaining beer into the dripping to make a sauce if you wish.
Cut up the chicken and serve. Serves 4
Recommended Cooking Times (at 350°):
2 ½ to 3 Pounds – Cook 1 to 1 ¾ Hours
3 ½ to 4 Pounds – Cook 1 ½ to 1 ¾ Hours
4 ½ to 5 Pounds – Cook 1 ½ to 2 Hours
5 to 6 Pounds – Cook 1 ¾ to 2 ½ Hours
Greek Salad
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Ripe Tomatoes
1 Thinly Sliced Small Red Onion
1 Seeded & Sliced Green Bell Peppers
1 Sliced Small Cucumber
5 Ounces Cubed Feta Cheese
8 Black Olives
6 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pinch of Dried Oregano
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Cut the tomatoes into quarters lengthways and cut out the stalk pieces. Cut the quarters into bite sized wedges and put in a medium sized bowl. Add the onion, bell pepper, cucumber, feta cheese, olives, olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper. Toss to coat with the olive oil and infuse with the oregano. Keep at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serves 6
New England Clam Chowder
In the 16th and 17th centuries, fish chowder was enjoyed by the French as well as by the Native Americans. In America, by 1751, recipes for fish chowder began to appear in newspapers. Many were prepared by “layering chowder ingredients.” Each ingredient was placed in a pot in a layer of uniform thickness, then slowly cooked. By the mid-18th century, chowder was a mainstay throughout the Northeast. Clams and other shellfish were added to chowders largely because of their great availability, as all one had to do along the shore was to dig them up. When the 1896 edition of the Boston Cooking School Cookbook contained three recipes for chowder, it was clear that chowder was here to stay.
INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 ½ Cups Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock
4 Pounds Scrubbed Litleneck Clams (About 1 ½ Dozen Large Clams)
3 Slices Chopped Bacon
1 Finely Chopped Medium Onion
1 Tablespoon Unbleached Flour
¼ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
1 Pound Peeled & Chopped Potatoes (About 3 Medium Potatoes)
2 Cups Half & Half
1 Cup Milk
¾ Teaspoon Salt
In a medium saucepan, heat water to boiling over high heat. Add clams and heat to boiling. Reduce heat slightly. Cover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until clams open up. Transfer clams to a bowl as they open. THROW away any clams that have not opened. When the clams are cool enough to handle, remove them from their shells and coarsely chop. Throw away the shells. Strain clam broth through a sieve lined with paper towels into a measuring cup. If necessary add enough water to equal 2 cups.
In a medium stockpot cook bacon over medium high heat until lightly browned. Remove bacon to paper towels. Add onion to bacon drippings and cook until tender – stirring occasionally. Stir in flour, pepper and salt until blended and cook for about a minute. Gradually stir in the clam broth until smooth. Add potatoes and heat to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender (for about 20 minutes). Stir in half & half, butter, milk, bacon and chopped clams. Heat through, but do not boil. Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
16 Ounces Ziti Pasta
4 Cups Marinara Sauce
15 Ounces Ricotta Cheese
8 Ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – Divided
¼ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Preheat oven to 350° F. Boil pasta for 10 to 20 minutes or until done. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. Drain pasta, but reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Mix marinara sauce, ricotta cheese and ½ cup pasta cooking water in a large bowl. Add the pasta and ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese and lightly mix. Spoon pasta mixture into a 13×9 inch baking dish that has been greased with olive oil. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 8
Classic Marinara Sauce
INGREDIENTS
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Cloves Grated Garlic
16 Ounces of Crushed Tomatoes
½ Cup Red Wine
½ Cup Water
1 Teaspoon Water
1 Teaspoon Salt
6 Torn Fresh Basil Leaves
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low heat and sauté grated garlic for about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Just as the garlic begins to turn brown, remove the skillet from the heat. Allow pan to cool and add the tomatoes, wine, water and salt. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil. Serves 4
**You Can Use Canned Tomatoes If You Wish
Italian Meatloaf
INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Red Pepper (Seeded & Diced)
1 Diced Onion
4 Grated Garlic Cloves
1 Pound Ground Sirloin
2 Eggs
¾ Cup Bread Crumbs
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Basil Leaves
1 Tablespoon Chopped Parsley Leaves
1 Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 Cup Marinara Sauce
Preheat oven to 350° F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat and add the onions, garlic and peppers. Cook until just soft and remove to a plate to cool. When the peppers, garlic & onions are cool, combine all of the remaining ingredients together except for the marinara sauce. Pack the meat mixture in a greased loaf pan. Top with the marinara sauce making sure to spread evenly over the top. Bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve. Serves 4
Pad Thai
INGREDIENTS
6 Ounces Rice Flour Noodles
2 Tablespoons Fish Sauce
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
Juice of Two Limes
1 Teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
½ Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 Teaspoon Peanut Oil
1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Shallots
3 Cloves Minced Garlic
2 Cups Bean Sprouts
2 Cups Shredded Savoy Cabbage
2 Cups Julienned Carrots
4 Medium Scallions (White & Green Parts)
7 Ounces Extra Firm Tofu (Cut Into Thin Strips)
1 Large Egg (Lightly Beaten)
¼ Cups Chopped Dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts
½ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
Place the noodles in a large bowl. Cover with warm water and soak for up to 5 minutes. The texture should be soft, but al dente. Drain.
Make sure to finish all chopping before soaking the noodles as they become mushy during cooking if they are soaked too long. I have learned this lesson the hard way!
Meanwhile, whisk together the fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil and red pepper flakes.
Heat a wok (or a deep skillet) coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the peanut oil, shallots, garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, and scallions and cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add the sauce, tofu, drained noodles and cook, stirring constantly for 2 more minutes. Now make room for the egg by pushing everything to the side of the wok. Add the egg to the wok and reduce the heat to medium. Stir until the egg begins to scramble (about 1 minute). Fold the egg into the noodles and stir a few more times. The noodles should be soft. Remove from the heat to a serving bowl. Top with the peanuts and cilantro. Serves 4
Veal Marsala
INGREDIENTS
½ Ounces Dried Porcini Mushrooms
½ Cup Boiling Water
¼ Cup Unbleached Flour
¼ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
1 Pound Veal Scallops – Pounded to 1/8 Inch Thickness
3 Teaspoons Olive Oil
10 Ounces Sliced Mushrooms
1 Finely Chopped Shallot
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
½ Cup Dry Marsala Wine
¾ Cup Beef Broth
1 Tablespoon Butter
4 Teaspoons Chopped Fresh Parsley
Place the dried porcini mushrooms in a small bowl and pour in the boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes until softened. Drain & chop.
Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a large plate. Dredge the veal in the flour mixture to coat. Shake off any excess flour. Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the veal and cook until browned, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and add the sliced mushrooms and shallot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms start to brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add any leftover flour, the porcini mushrooms and the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until the garlic starts to brown. Pour in the marsala and broth. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened (2 to 3 minutes). Return the veal to the skillet and cook, turning once, until hot (1 to 2 minutes). Remove the skillet from the heat. Swirl in the butter until melted. Serve sprinkled with the parsley. Serves 4
The Original Caesar Salad
During Prohibition, a popular spot for a night out was Caesar’s Palace in Tijuana, Mexico. On the evening of July 24, 1924, Caesar Cardini had just about run out of food. He improvised by putting together a salad with what was on hand: romaine lettuce, olive oil, some cheese and eggs. He then prepared the salad tableside, creating an immediate sensation.
Chicken Caesar Salad
INGREDIENTS
12 Ounces Boneless Chicken Breast
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4Teaspoon Salt
Caesar Dressing
10 Cups Torn Romaine Lettuce
2 Cups Garlic Parmesan Croutons
14 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Heat skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. In a medium bowl toss chicken with oil and salt until evenly coated. Add chicken to pan and cook, turning once, just until chicken loses its pink color throughout (4 to 5 minutes).
In a large bowl toss lettuce, dressing, croutons and Parmesan. Add cooked chicken to salad and toss again. Sprinkle with pepper. Serves 4
Caesar Dressing
3 Garlic Cloves
3 Anchovy Fillets
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1/2 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Hard Cooked Egg Yolk
In a blender (or food processor) combine the three garlic cloves, the anchovy fillets and lemon juice. Cover and blend until mixture is nearly smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Add oil, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cooked egg yolk. Cover and blend until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours.
Parmesan Croutons
Cut four 1/2 inch thick slices of French bread into 3/4 inch cubes and set aside. In a large skillet melt 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder. Add bread cubes, stirring until cubes are coated with butter mixture. Spread bread crumbs in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 300° F oven for 10 minutes and stir. Bake about 10 minutes more or until bread cubes are crisp and golden. Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Makes 2 cups
French Onion Soup
INGREDIENTS
2 Large Thinly Sliced Yellow Onions
3 Tablespoons Butter
4 Cups Beef Broth
2 Tablespoons Sherry
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Fresh Ground Pepper to Taste
6 Slices Toasted French Bread
1 Cup Shredded Swiss Cheese
In a large saucepan cook onion in hot butter over medium-low heat for 8 minutes or until tender and golden. Stir occasionally. Stir in broth, sherry, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Arrange toasted bread slices on a baking sheet. Evenly divide cheese among slices. Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat for 3 minutes or until cheese is light brown and bubbly. Top each serving with a bread slice. Serves 6
