The Sunday Project – February 24, 2013

Tuscan Bread Soup

Sometime ago I need a “go to” soup, one that I could whip up and would be fantastic every time for my position at Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, MI.  I was in charge of 6 course meals for the Frank Lloyd Wright museum owned and operated by Steelcase.  I had the privilege of serving guest around the world. 

The position of “chef” at the house was a wonderful first spot out of Grand Rapids College’s Culinary Arts Program, as I got to work with almost anything that I wanted.  I did, as we all do, have to be cost conscious, and put out wonderful food but I was also allowed to be creative.

I went to my friend and mentor Jorge Sanchez and asked one time if he would share a soup with me.  Now I know lots of chef’s who think that sharing is a “no-no” and Chef Sanchez is not one of those!  So I give credit where credit is due.  This is his version of Tuscan Bread Soup.  Why his version you ask?  Well I’ve learned over the last several decades, that not much is really “new.”  Oh, the products might change, but in reading recipes in books (and now on line) everyone has a favorite that they may have tweaked a little bit, but in essence lots of recipes have been created over and over again in the family home.  I even have some of those recipes, though believe it or not, some of them had a can of Campbell’s soup as a base!  My mother is frugal, knew how to garden, and could whip up a meal quickly. 

 

Here is Chef Jorge Sanchez’s Tuscan Bread Soup.  I made a version this week for Davenport University’s Dining Hall, and it was rather tasty!

Thank you Jorge for being a good friend and mentor and reminding that simple food  is so good!

Tuscan Bread Soup

6 tablespoons	EVOO
6 cloves garlic	Crushed
1 12 ounce can	Peeled whole tomatoes
Sea salt/ground pepper	To taste
48 oz	Chicken broth
½ loaf	Day old French or Italian bread/drier the better
10 fresh	Basil leaves, torn not chopped

In a medium pot, medium heat add ½ olive oil and the crushed garlic, when the garlic infuses with the oil, add the whole tomatoes and crush into chunks with spoon, or your hands.

Add Salt and pepper to taste

Make this “saltier” than you think.  The bread will be added, and this will adjust the salt.

Add Broth and stir

Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.

 

With your hands, pull the bread into bite sized chunks, and add them to your bowls.  Ladle soup into bowls, and add basil to the top of each bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risotto

 I made Risotto tonight for dinner, lovely, simple, some say time consuming, but not me.  Today's was just mushroom risotto, served with sauted pork chops and corn.  Simple, yes, but oh so good. 

Risotto

Serves approximately 4

 

5 cups chicken stock - simmering

2 tablespoons oil

1 garlic clove crushed

1 leek, white part only sliced

1 fennel bulb thinly sliced

2 cups Arborio rice

½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

 

 

 

To make the risotto

Heat the oil and garlic in a large heavy based sauce pan, add the leek, and fennel – cook over medium heat until slightly browned.  Add the rice and stir for approximately 3 minutes, until translucent and smells kinda like popcorn.

 

Add the stock 1 cup at a time and stir constantly until the liquid is absorbed.  Continue adding liquid ½ cup at a time until all the stock has been incorporated, and the rice is al dente.  This will take about 30 – 40 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.  Let cool slightly.

 

 

Note:  you may omit the fennel and the leek and use a medium white onion.  Risotto is very versatile, you can add mushrooms, asparagus, almost any vegetable about 5 minutes before it is done!

Chocolate Pomegranate Pistachio Bar

Chocolate Pistachio Pomegranate bar

 

I’m teaching a Valentine’s class tomorrow, and I love to give my guest a little something to remember me.  This time it’s a chocolate bar.  I was wondering how I would get the time to make truffles, and remembered how easy it was to make chocolate flavored bars.

 

I used about 2 pounds of chocolate chips, melted them down, and spread them on a Silpat, a special baking sheet, but you can use parchment paper or wax paper.  I then spread this wonderfully delicious Gluten Free nut blend snack that I had found with Pomegranate, pistachios, almonds, cherries and black pepper.  I smoothed it out, pressed the nut mixture in and let it set back up again over night.

 

Then, I broke it into pieces to package it up in these cute Chinese take out boxes that I have.

 

I bet that you wish you were in my class!  Maybe I’ll see you next year.

 

Valentine's Day - A Tie Breaker!

Valentine’s Day, it’s coming up.  I never really got into the holiday, but for the last 5 years I get to teach a Valentine’s day class at the Spartan Culinary Classroom.  I’m also learning about social media (facebook, sorry not twitter yet) and blogging. 

I asked the question for the Sunday recipe of the week,  breakfast in bed, or dinner?  I got a tie!  It was only 8 votes, but still a tie!  So this week there will be two recipes!  I hope some of you try these, as they are wonderful; and pictures of these should appear shortly after Valentine’s day as these will be featured in the 2013 Valentine’s Class!  I hope that you enjoy.

 

I made this for a brunch this summer for a client of mine.  It was a huge hit, and of course, I give credit where credit is due!  We had sautéed apples to fill the pancake and Mr. Jim (that’s all I’ll give away!) had several helpings!

·         Dutch Baby

·         Recipe from: The Best of America’s Test Kitchen 2011 – Cooks Country

·         Ingredients:
2 tbsp vegetable oil (I used canola)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tsp grated lemon zest plus a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (for serving)
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups skim milk
1 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp powdered sugar

·         Method:

·         Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Pour the oil into a 12-inch oven-safe skillet and make sure the bottom is coated and brush some along the sides, making sure it’s completely coated. Place the skillet in the oven while it’s preheating until the oil is shimmering, which takes about 10 minutes.

·         In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, lemon zest and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs until they are frothy and light. Whisk the milk, butter and vanilla into the eggs. Whisk 1/3 of the egg mixture into the dry mixture until no lumps remain, then add the rest of the egg mixture and mix until smooth.

·         Open the oven and pull out the rack, keeping the skillet in the oven on the rack. Pour the batter into the heated skillet and push the rack back in and close the oven. Bake until the edges of the Dutch Baby are deep golden brown and crisp, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and powdered sugar (it’ll deflate, don’t freak out). Cut into wedges. We served ours with syrup drizzled on, it was really good!

·          

 

This one I love for dinner.  I’m a flank steak kinda gal when I can get it reasonably priced!  Flank can be tricky, you have to slice it against the grain or you’ll be sorry, it’ll be tough and you will hate it.  Of course, you don't have to brave the snow outside here in Michigan to enjoy this.  Just use a saute pan, and you'll get great results, so good, you won't want to wait to get to a grill this summr!

 

Horseradish Rub w/ Flank Steak with grilled onions and tomatoes

 

This is a great rub to add heat to whatever you're grilling or smoking. Don't worry too much about the horseradish; the heat is taken out by the cooking process.

Note:  you can use a grill pan in winter to get those nice marks on your flank, or just use a hot frying pan or griddle!  Anyway, it’s wonderful, and the heat is great for Valentine’s Day!

 

 

Yield: Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup freshly grated horseradish root
• 1/2 cup finely chopped garlic
• 1/4 cup kosher or canning salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container and refrigerate

 

Serves 5 - 6

2 – 3 pounds Flank Steak

Salt and Pepper

 

The flank steak comes from the underbelly of the cow, near its rear portion.  Because of its texture and shape, it marinates well, and is easy and fast to grill!

 

Rub the horseradish spice into the flank steak and let marinate for 1 hour or overnight. 

 

 

Meanwhile heat the grill to medium high – if using coals start about 45 minutes before you need to feed the masses!  Cook for 3 – 4 minutes per side for medium.  Let the steak rest for 5 minutes.  Cut on the bias, mound on a platter and garnish with grilled onions and tomatoes  

 

Grilled Onion Slices

2 large yellow onions

Salt/pepper to taste

EVOO

 

Slice onions into1/4 inch rounds.  Sprinkle with EVOO, salt and pepper.

While the flank steak is resting, place the onion slices on the grill, turning to prevent burning, until tender.

 

Remove and garnish the steak platter with grilled onions.

 

Grilled Cherry Tomatoes

 

2 pints cherry tomatoes, cleaned and hulled

Extra Virgin Olive Oil to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons Champagne Vinegar

 

 

Toss the cherry tomatoes with the olive oil

Place in a grill basket and then on a hot grill.  Let the tomatoes “char” briefly until the pop open.  Remove and toss with the vinegar and the salt and pepper to taste.

 

 

Superbowl Sunday Buffalo Chicken Dip

It’s almost Superbowl Sunday, and I am probably the only person who doesn’t know who’s in the game!  Jeff and I have been invited to a Superbowl Party.  It’s not Sunday, but here’s an easy recipe for you.  Go shopping on Saturday; otherwise the stores will be crazy on Sunday!

p.s. This one is from my Executive Chef Steve Welch!  I hope you enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 pound cream cheese

1/3 cup bleu cheese

¼ cup red hot

1 ½ pounds cooked shredded chicken (buy a rotisserie chicken and save some time!)

¼ cup diced celery

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Place in an ovenproof baking dish, approximate 8 x 8

Blend all ingredients together and bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes, or until you reach at least 165 degree!

 

Serves 6 – 8 people with pita chips, celery sticks, Tostitos etc….