Homemade Potato Chips
It is so easy to make your own potato chips. These chips are delicious. Make sure to season them while they are still warm and some residual oil for the spices to adhere to. I like to season with salt, pepper and finely grated Parmesan cheese. You could season with chili powder, ground cumin, toasted sesame seeds, minced herbs or anything that strikes you.
INGREDIENTS
2 Large Russet Potatoes
Peanut Oil
Salt
Pepper
Peel and slice into 1/8 inch slices on either a mandolin or other handheld slicer. In a large saucepan fill with the oil halfway and heat until the oil is 350° F. Add the potato slices in batches and fry for 3 minutes until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels and season with salt, pepper or any season that strikes your fancy.
If you prefer to bake the chips in the oven then preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl toss the potato slices with 5 Tablespoons of peanut oil. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and season lightly with salt. Bake for 14 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from the oven and season again with salt and pepper. Drain on paper towels and let cool for the maximum crispness. Serves 6
Ratatouille
Ratatouille (ratatouille niçoise) is a traditional French Provençal stewed vegetable dish that originated from Nice. Ratatouille is usually served as a side dish, but also may be served as a main dish. The secret of a good ratatouille is by cooking the vegetables separately so that each vegetable holds its own flavor. There are many versions of ratatouille, but here is my version.
INGREDIENTS
2 Large Onions
2 Medium Green Zucchini
1 Medium Yellow Zucchini
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Large Eggplant
8 Seeded Plum Tomatoes
4 Crushed Garlic Cloves
¼ Cup Olive Oil
½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Slice all of the vegetables and keep them separated. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy sauté pan. When the oil is hot add the onions and crushed garlic. Cook for 8 minutes over a high heat. Remove the onions and place in a large bowl. Repeat this process with all of the vegetables cooking them in small batches. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Layer the sautéed vegetables into a large oven safe pot or ceramic dish. Add the salt and pepper. You don’t need to add any water or stock as the vegetables will produce enough of their own juices so that they don’t burn. Cook for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve either as a side or main dish. Serves 4
Green Bean Salad
I love this salad!
INGREDIENTS
1 Large Sliced Sweet Onion
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Pound Trimmed Green Beans
1 Teaspoon Snipped Fresh Rosemary
½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Clove Minced Garlic
1 Cup Cooked Fresh Corn
1 ½ Cups Sliced In Half Cherry Tomatoes
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
In a medium sized skillet cook the onions in the hot olive oil over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Don’t overcook the onions. You want them just to begin to soften. Add the green beans, rosemary, garlic and salt. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more or until beans are crisp-tender. Remove from the heat and toss in corn, tomatoes and lime juice. Serve hot or cold. Serves 4
Pickled Red Cabbage
I find pickled cabbage is best eaten within a few days of being made as it does begin to lose its color and can become soft if kept too long. I love the fresh taste of newly pickled cabbage!
INGREDIENTS
1 Large Red Cabbage
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Water
2 Pints Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger (Bruised)
1 Ounce Whole Black Pepper
Take off the outer cabbage leaves and cut the cabbage into quarters. Remove the stalk, wash and then cut into very thin slices. Lay the sliced cabbage on a plate and sprinkle with the sea salt. Cover and leave sit for 24 hours.
After the cabbage has been sitting for 24 hours put the cabbage into a colander to drain. It may be necessary to wipe the cabbage clean. Place the cabbage into pickling jars and put aside. Now put the bruised ginger and peppercorns into a muslin bag and tie with a cooking string. Pour the vinegar into a saucepan along with the muslin bag and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Remove the muslin bag and pour the cooled vinegar into the pickling jars. Cover the jars with vinegar proof lids. Serves 4
Haricots Verts, Almonds, Cherry Tomatoes & Goat Cheese Salad
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ Pounds Haricot Verts
2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes
½ Cup Sliced Toasted Almonds
2 Thinly Sliced Shallots
3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
3 Minced Garlic Cloves
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
¼ Teaspoon Sea Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
¾ Cup Crumbled Goat Cheese
Steam the beans over boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove immediately and plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well and lay on paper towels to further dry. In a large serving bowl combine beans, tomatoes and toasted almonds. In a small bowl combine shallots, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Whisk well and pour over haricot vert mixture. Gently combine and top with goat cheese. Serve at room temperature. Serves 6
**To Toast Almonds – Toast In A 400° F. Oven On A Cookie Sheet For 4 Minutes.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Never refrigerate tomatoes as the cold temperature dulls the flavor and changes the texture.
INGREDIENTS
1 Small Sliced Very Thin Red Onion
¼ Cup Red Wine Vinegar
¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
3 Pounds Quartered Mixed Color Heirloom Tomatoes
½ Cup Chopped Chiffonade Basil
½ Cup Shaved Ricotta Salata
In a serving bowl, combine vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the olive oil and sliced red onion. Combine and let stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. This will soften the onion. Combine the chopped basil and top with shaved cheese and serve. Serves 6
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes probably didn’t originate as a Southern dish, but have become a Southern classic over the years. It is thought that they were introduced in the Midwest and Northeastern parts of the United States by Jewish immigrants. By the early part of the 20th century, Fried Green Tomato recipes began popping up in newspapers, magazines and restaurant menus (for breakfast, lunch and dinner).
INGREDIENTS
8 Slices of Bacon
1 Large Egg White
¼ Teaspoon Salt
½ Cup Cornmeal
¼ Freshly Ground Pepper
3 Medium Green Tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Chives
Cut the tomatoes into ½ inch thick slices and set aside. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until browned. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain. Crumble the bacon and set aside the skillet with the bacon drippings. In a pie plate beat the egg white and salt together. On a piece of waxed paper combine the cornmeal and ground pepper. Dip the tomatoes in the egg mixture, pressing so the mixture sticks to the tomatoes. Place on a separate piece of waxed paper. Heat the bacon droppings in the skillet over medium high heat. Cook the tomatoes for 1 ½ minutes on each side, in batches, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Place tomatoes on a serving platter and top with the bacon and/or chives. Serves 6
Cherry Tomato & Zucchini Gratin
A Great Way To Use Up Those Prolific Summer Zucchini!
INGREDIENTS
½ Cup Plain Dried Bread Crumbs
½ Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
3 Crushed Garlic Cloves
¼ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Pint Ripe Cherry Tomatoes
3 Sliced Shallots
2 Sliced Medium Zucchini
¼ Cup Butter
¼ Cup Freshly Chopped Basil
Preheat the oven to 425° F. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, pepper and oil until blended. Place cherry tomatoes, zucchini and shallots in a shallow 2 quart casserole dish. Cut the butter into pieces and place on top of the vegetables. Top with the bread crumb mixture and sprinkle with the chopped basil. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes until heated through and the bread crumbs have browned. Serves 6
White Bean Salad
INGREDIENTS
14 ½ Ounces of White Beans (If You Use Canned Drain, But Do Not Rinse)
2 Tablespoons Chopped Red Onion
2 Tablespoons Chopped Green Onion
1 Finely Chopped Carrot
3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Teaspoons Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Chop the onions and carrots. Squeeze the lemon juice over the chopped onions and carrots and set it aside. Combine all ingredients into a serving dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours and the flavors will combine. Serves 4
Vegetable Curry
INGREDIENTS
½ Medium Eggplant (Aubergine)
2 Small Carrots
1 Cup Peas
1 Cup French Beans
1 Medium Potato
½ Cup Freshly Grated Coconut
2 Tablespoons White Poppy Seeds
4 Fresh Hot Green Chilies
1 ¼ Teaspoon Salt
3 Medium Tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Plain Yogurt
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
2 Tablespoons Fresh Green Coriander
Place cut eggplant, carrots, peas, beans and potato in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Cover and turn heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. Do not overcook. Put the coconut, chilies, poppy seeds and salt in a food processor. Add 5 ounces of water and grind to a fine paste and set aside. When the vegetables are cooked, add the spice paste and another 5 ounces of water. Stir and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, yogurt and garam masala. Stir gently to mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 3 minutes. Turn into a serving dish and garnish with fresh coriander. Serves 4
