Week Nights

Pearls & Peas

November 14, 2012

Creamed Peas

Creamed peas are a Thanksgiving tradition in many households.  Here is a quick and classic recipe that will get you through your busy day of cooking. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Half & Half

3 Whole Cloves

1 Bay Leaf

2 Pounds Peas (Frozen)

2 Cups Pearl Onions (Fresh or Frozen)

4 Tablespoons Butter

2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt

2 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Cup Sour Cream

In a small saucepan add the half & half, cloves and bay leaf.  Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.  Simmer for 20 minutes to let the flavors come together.  Pour through a strainer into a bowl and throw away the cloves and bay leaf.  Cover the half & half with plastic wrap to keep warm.  In a large skillet add the pearl onions, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook over a medium high heat for 20 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  You will want all of the liquid to be gone and the onions are golden brown.  Transfer to a bowl and set aside.  In the same skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter over a medium heat.  Add the flour and whisk to combine the two for 1 minute.  Whisk in the half & half that you cooked earlier.  Cook over a medium high heat and stir constantly.  You will want the sauce to be thick and bubbly.  Stir in the rest of the kosher salt, pepper and nutmeg.  Add the pearl onions and thawed peas to the sauce mixture. Cook for two minutes and gently add the sour cream.  Cook another minute.  Remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl.  Serves 8

Cranberry Chutney

November 13, 2012

Cranberry Chutney

We all want to enjoy a fabulous stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.  Tiny New York Kitchen has you covered with recipes for turkey, side dishes and dessert.  This Cranberry Chutney is wonderfully fresh tasting unlike its canned cousin that most of us grew up on. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Pounds Fresh Cranberries

2 Large Diced Navel Oranges With Juice

1/2 Cup Water

2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup

3/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Minced Fresh Ginger

Peel the oranges and remove all of the white parts.  While you are dicing the oranges do it over a bowl so that you are able to keep the juice from the oranges.  In a large saucepan add the cranberries and water.  Cook over a medium heat and add the juice from the orange.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  You will want the cranberries to pop.  Add the maple syrup, sugar, brown sugar, ginger and diced oranges. Cook for another 7 minutes.  Remove from the heat and transfer into a serving bowl and serve warm.  Makes 5 cups

Tomato & Basil Pizza

November 12, 2012

Tomato & Basil Pizza

You can substitute unbleached flour for semolina flour. The best way to put the pizzas in the oven is with a pizza peel which is a flat, shovel like tool. Prepare the pizza on the peel and with a firm flick of the wrist, slide the pizza onto a preheated pizza pan.

INGREDIENTS

For The Dough:

1 Cup Water (About 110° F)

1/2 Teaspoon Sugar

1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast – 2 1/4 Teaspoons

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Olive Oil For The Bowl & Brushing

1 1/2 Cup Unbleached Flour Plus More For Working

1 Cup Semolina Flour Plus More For Dusting

2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt

For The Sauce:

28 Ounces Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes With Juice

3 Minced Garlic Cloves

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Chopped Shallots

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

For The Toppings

12 Ounces Sliced Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

1 Sliced Tomato

1 Cup Pitted Olives

2 Tablespoons Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

12 Fresh Basil Leaves

To make the dough, pour the water into a bowl.  Add the sugar and yeast.  Stir until the yeast has dissolved.  Let the yeast mixture stand for five minutes until foamy.  Add the oil, flours and salt.  Mix with an electric mixer until all of the ingredients are combined.  Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead a few times with floured hands until smooth and elastic.  Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft free, place for about 3 hours and the dough has doubled in size.  You can also let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight if you wish. 

To make the sauce, place the tomatoes in a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.  Set aside.  Put the garlic and oil into a saucepan and cook over a medium high heat for 40 seconds or until the garlic sizzles.  Add the shallots and cook for 1 minute.  Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper.  Reduce the heat to a medium low.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.  The sauce may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Preheat your oven to 450 F.  Preheat a pizza pan.  Punch down the dough and transfer to a floured work surface.  Divide the dough in half.  Set half of the dough aside and cover with plastic wrap.  Roll out the remaining dough to 12 inches round.  You will want your dough to be 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  Sprinkle the pizza peel with semolina flour and place the rolled dough on top.  Brush the top of the dough lightly with olive oil.  Spread with 1/2 cup sauce, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Top with half of the sliced tomatoes and basil. Top with half of the mozzarella.  Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan and season with pepper. 

Slide the pizza onto the heated pan in the oven.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is golden and the cheese is bubbling.  Meanwhile repeat the process with the remaining dough.  Let each pizza cool slightly.  Cut into slices and serve.  Makes 2 pizzas. 

Baked Acorn Squash

November 10, 2012

Baked Acorn Squash

Baked acorn squash is so easy to make and delicious to eat.  A true fall comfort food.

INGREDIENTS

1 Acorn Squash

6 Teaspoons Butter

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

Chopped Pecans (Optional)

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds and strings.  Place in a baking dish with the cut side up.  Add a little water to the bottom of the baking dish.  Place 3 teaspoons of butter on each half.  Salt & pepper each half.  Finish off with sprinkling each with the brown sugar and chopped pecans.  Bake for 45 minutes until tender.  Remove from the oven and serve hot.  Serves 2

Pork Enchiladas

November 8, 2012

Pork Enchiladas

Now that the election is over how about whipping up some hearty pork enchiladas.  These babies are delicious. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Bunch Cilantro

1 Cup Sour Cream

7 Ounces Jalapeno Salsa

7 Ounces Prepared Green Chile Salsa

2 Pounds Cooked & Shredded Boneless Pork Chops

1 Diced Onion

12 Six Inch Flour Tortillas

4 Cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  To make the sour cream mixture puree the cilantro, sour cream, jalapeno salsa and 3 1/2 ounces green chile salsa in either a food processor or blender.  Set aside.  To make the pork mixture combine the shredded pork, diced onion and remaining green chile salsa in a large size bowl.  Mix well.  Pour enough of the sour cream mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish to coat the bottom.  Place 3 heaping tablespoonfuls of the pork mixture inside each tortilla, roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish.  Pour the remaining sour cream mixture over the top.  Place the shredded cheese on top and cover the dish tightly with foil.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the dish is heated through and bubbling.  Remove from the oven and serve hot.  Serves 6

Lady Bird Johnson’s Famous Lemon Cake

November 4, 2012

Lady Bird Johnson’s Famous Lemon Cake

Lady Bird Johnson was born Claudia Alta Taylor (December 22, 1912 to July 11, 2007) in Karnack, Texas. She was named for her mother’s brother Claud, but while a baby her nurse commented that she was “purty as a ladybird.”  A ladybird is a brightly colored beetle.  This nickname replaced her actual first name for her entire life.  Her family called her Lady and her husband called her Bird, which was the name she used on her marriage license.  Lady Bird Johnson was a lifelong advocate for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways.  She is responsible for the Highway Beautification Act and is quoted as saying, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”  Here is Mrs. Johnson’s recipe for her Famous Lemon Cake

INGREDIENTS

3/4 Cup Softened Butter

1 1/4 Cups Sugar

8 Egg Yolks

2 1/2 Cups Flour

3 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Cup Milk

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Grated Lemon Rind

1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice

Preheat your oven to 325° F.  Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.  In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until light and lemon colored.  Blend into the creamed mixture.  Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Resift 3 times.  Add the sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture in thirds, alternating with the milk.  Beat the batter thoroughly after each addition.  Add the vanilla extract, lemon rind and lemon juice.  Beat for 2 minutes.  Bake in a greased Bundt pan in the oven for 1 hour or until the cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting.  Serves 6

Lemon Icing

2 Cups Confectioners’ Sugar

1/4 Cup Softened Butter

Grated Rind Of 1 Lemon

2 Teaspoons Cream (Or More For Spreading Consistency)

Combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter and grated lemon rinds and beat.  Add the cream until desired consistency. 

Pat Nixon’s Casserole

November 3, 2012

Pat Nixon’s Casserole

Pat Nixon was born, the day before Saint Patrick’s Day (March 16, 1912 to June 22, 1993), Thelma Catherine Ryan in the small mining town of Ely, Nevada.  Her father was of Irish descent and gave her the nickname “Pat” referring to her birth date.  Upon entering college in 1931 she dropped her first name and replaced it with Pat, occasionally calling herself Patricia. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Large Package Cooked Noodles

2 Cups Chopped Celery

4 Cups Cooked Chicken – Cut Into Large Chunks

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 Jar Button Mushrooms

1 Teaspoon Onion Juice

Salt to Taste

4 Hard Boiled Eggs – Cut Into Large Chunks

1 Cup Grated Cheese

Potato Chips

2/3 Cup Sliced Almonds

2/3 Cup Bamboo Shoots

2/3 Cup Water Chestnuts

2/3 Cup Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

1 Small Jar Pimientos

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Cook quantity of desired noodles.  Cook the celery just slightly.  Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, onions, pimento, salt and chicken soup.  Grease a casserole dish.  Put a little of the mixture in the bottom of the casserole dish. Layer the noodles then the chicken chunks.  Scatter some of the hard boiled eggs and repeat until the casserole dish is filled having covered each layer with the soup mixture.  End with the soup mixture on top.  Spread the grated cheese over the top.  Sprinkle with the sliced almonds and crumble potato chips.  Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until bubbly and heated through.  Serves 4

Jacqueline Kennedy’s Beef Stroganoff

November 2, 2012

Jacqueline Kennedy’s Beef Stroganoff

Often, a First Lady was asked for a recipe with her name on it, usually for charity or for newspapers and magazines.  Jacqueline Kennedy was set on serving only the best, especially to visiting dignitaries.  Here is her recipe for Beef Stroganoff.

INGREDIENTS

2 Pounds Boneless Beef Sirloin

4 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

3 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour

2 Cups Beef Broth

1/2 Cup Sour Cream

3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

1/4 Cup Grated Onions

1/4 Cup Fresh Sliced Mushrooms

Cut the beef into strips.  Season the beef with the kosher salt and pepper.  Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 2 hours in a cool place.  In a large size skillet, whisk the flour and 3 tablespoons of butter over a low heat until the mixture bubbles and forms a smooth paste.  Slowly add the beef broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.  Let boil for 2 minutes.  Reduce the heat and add the sour cream alternately with the tomato paste.  Keep whisking.  Simmer slightly for 1 minute.  Do not let boil.  In a separate skillet, quickly brown the beef, mushrooms and onion in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over a medium heat.  Add the contents of the meat pan to the sauce.  Simmer very gently for 20 minutes.  Serve over wide noodles.  Serves 4

Martha Washington’s Crab Soup

November 1, 2012

Martha Washington’s Crab Soup

Tiny New York Kitchen will be honoring voting day by sharing with you First Lady recipes. Women's magazines did not exist back in the 1700s, but America's First Lady did have to entertain the President's guests.  This recipe has not only survived the centuries, but was a favorite of the Roosevelts and Eisenhowers. Here is Martha Washington’s Crab Soup recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Crab Meat

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 1/2 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour

3 Mashed Hard Boiled Eggs

Grated Zest of 1 Lemon

4 Cups Milk

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Pepper

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

1/2 Cup Sherry

Dash Worcestershire

In a large saucepan, combine the butter, flour, eggs, lemon zest, salt and pepper.  Boil on low heat and pour the milk in slowly.  Add the crabmeat to the milk mixture and gently cook for 5 minutes.  Add the cream and remove from the heat before it reaches a full boil.  Add the sherry and Worcestershire.  Transfer to bowls and serve immediately.  Serves 4

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

October 31, 2012

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Make this excellent treat for Halloween today!  If you are fan of peanut butter and chocolate then you and your little goblins will surely love my No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars. 

INGREDIENTS

10 Tablespoons Softened Butter

1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Unbleached Flour

1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

8 Ounces Coarsely Chopped Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Line an 8inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.  In a large size bowl beat together the peanut butter, butter, kosher salt, flour and powdered sugar.  Beat for 4 minutes while stopping to scrape down the sides occasionally.  Spread the mixture into the baking pan and press down to spread evenly as well as compacting it.  In a double boiler melt the chocolate.  If you don’t have a double boiler then bring a pot of water to a simmer and place the chocolate into a heatproof bowl.  Put the bowl over the pot of simmering water and cook until the chocolate is completely melted.  Pour the chocolate into the pan over the peanut butter mixture and spread evenly.  Let cool to room temperature and then put into the fridge for 2 hours.  Remove from the fridge and cut into bars.  Makes 18 bars.

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