Foie de Vie

cheese cuddler

so i decided to get another job. (for those of you who remember that show "In Living Color" yes, i am like the crazy Jamaican family with a billion jobs) i am working part time as a cheese monger. (Sierra keeps calling me a cheese cuddler)

i have to say, it is quite a little adventure. for those of you not "into" cheese, let me just say, the world of artisanal cheese is a vast one. in fact, one can spend YEARS learning about cheese and only scratch the surface of all there is to know. so, it is a hobby with the benefit of a pay check.

so to help me build my knowledge, there is no better way for me to learn, than to teach. so stay tuned for some follow along cheese courses right here. until then... happy eating!

a ramen for all seasons

what can you do with a 10 cent bag of ramen?

here is a bowl of my "too lazy to cook, ramen 2.0" while the ramen cooked, i added some fried garlic and sriracha sauce. once done, i ladled the hot soup over julliened lean beef and topped it with a hardboiled egg and some chili sprinkles, served with a squeeze of lime.

other fun additions include, spam, green onions, leftover roasted chicken, bean sprouts, baby bok choy, shrimp, corn, mixed frozen veggies, peas, diced ham, and croutons. not bad for a dime!

Recipe: Quick Grilling Marinade

this is simple but flavorful. the best part. . . it only needs to marinate for a very short time! [perfect for those last moment dinner ideas] TRUST ME, as simple as it sounds... it imparts a lot of flavor! try it on beef or pork. this is enough for about 2 lbs of meat.

• 1 large lime - rolled and squeezed
• 1T fish sauce
• garlic powder [NOT garlic salt]
• pepper
• steak or thin pork chops

combine wet ingredients in a bowl. lay out meat into a glass pan. sprinkle generously with garlic powder and pepper. Pour over wet ingredients and coat all the meat. set aside while you heat up your grill. and fire away. do not let this sit for too long or it will break down the meat too much. (up to an hour is ok)

recipe: Dutch Babies aka Puffy Pancake

it looks even better within the first 3 min. out of the oven! this is a yummy, but still easy breakfast. EXCELLENT with some sausage.

you will need:

a 13x9 glass pan

• 1 stick butter
• 1C milk
• 4 eggs
• 1C flour
• 1/2C sugar
• powdered sugar for dusting

preheat the oven to 425.

once the oven is hot, place the butter in the pan.. and put into the oven to heat.

combine the wet ingredients and gently whisk to combine, add the dry, all at once and stir to combine. some lumps are ok. once the butter is completely melted, pour that batter into the pan.

bake for 16min. until lovely golden brown and puffy! SERVE immediately dusting with powdered sugar or a bit of jam.

recipe: hamburger pie

this recipe is inspired by a Moroccan version of this pie. my family however is not fond of strong Moroccan flavors... so i made this as a breakfast/brunch dish.

you will need

• 9 sheets of prepared filo - thawed
• 1 stick butter melted
• 1# ground beef
• 1 med onion, small dice
• 5 eggs, lightly beaten
• fresh parsley minced (about 2T)
• salt & peppa
• fish sauce (optional)

preheat oven to 400

heat pan over med. high heat, add onion and meat. brown and season heavily. remove from heat and add paisley and allow to cool while you assemble the crust.

create a star shape by layering the filo sheets one by one in a criss cross pattern. be sure to brush generously with butter between each layer. Transfer to a large glass pie pan. add cooled meat mixture and eggs. now fold over the over hanging filo over the top creating a rustic pouch.

Bake for approx. 20 in. until eggs are set and filo is golden. Dust with powdered sugar. (yes, trust me)

*note: this would also be excellent with the addition of parmesian cheese, spinach, and almonds.

a simple side

Here is a simple recipe, a great way to use up those canned veggies I have stored up in my pantry. The result is a lot less heavy than you may thing looking at it. I served it along side some grilled chops.

6 slices bacon
2 cans corn
1 can white hominy
1 T. butter
1/4 c. cream
kosher salt/ fresh cracked pepper

Cut up bacon into small pieces, place into pan and cook until crisp. Drain oil and set aside.
Gently melt butter into pan, add corn and hominy. Heat over Med. High heat until hot, add cream, and reduce for about 1-2 min. until cream is mostly absorbed by corn. Stir in bacon... remove from heat and season to taste.

A wonderful read

As part of my January renewal... I decided to grab a couple new cookbooks. One book I picked up, has become a fast favorite...

I have tried several recipes in here.. and I have to tell you... they are solid. NOT that I expected anything less. I really enjoyed the little story that is told with each recipe, the wit and wonder of it all. It really fired my passions for food of all kinds. Anyone who loves food, or wants to understand those who do... would benefit from this useful and meaningful book.

why i love you tube....

a recipe request

So was your Turkey day as awesome as ours was? Here is the recap. And some recipes, now, I know they would have been handy about a week ago, but some of these make great sides for Chirstmas as well.

Ana's Pinapple Cranberry sauce for people who dont like Cranberry sauce (yummy for sandwiches)

stuff you will need:

• 1 bag fresh cranberries
• 3/4C sugar
• 1/4C brown sugar
• 1 can crushed pineapple
• 1 C juice (I use the juice from the can and add orange to make 1 C)
• 1T vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over med heat. reduce heat to low, and simmer until the berries pop. Turn off heat, stir in Vanilla. Chill in freidge overnight to let all the flavors blend. Serve. *if you are a nut person, add some nuts right at the end. personally.. i like it as is.

Heart Attack Potoatoes

stuff you need

• bag of yukon gold potatoes (we use about 5lbs)
• 1C heavy cream
• 1# unsalted butter
• 8oz cream cheese

peal potatoes... boil in salt water. (cover potatoes with water, add enough salt so that it is salty to the taste) Boil until barely tender. Drain, and let sit for about 5min to completly dry.

plasee remaining ingredients into large bowl, mash potaotes into mixture, and mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Serve hot. (i like to use a ricer or an old fashioned masher)

I would love to post my other recipes.. but they are out for possible publishing... so until I find out for sure, I will have to hold off.

 

this year's menu

• Roast Turkey with a wine and butter brine
• House gravy
• Ana's Famous cornbread and sausage dressing
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoe and Pineapple puree
• House baked rolls
• Funeral Broccoli ala Maureen
• Rich Corn Spoonbread
• Mamas Macaroni Salad
• Pancit
• Coconutgoddess Cake
• Pumkin Cheescake Bars
• Frog Eyed Salad

it's alive

so this weekend we made some yummy utah scones. they are basically fried dough, much like a doughnut. this is what happens when you let the dough rise in too small a bowl.

and yes, i will post the recipe later this evening.