Cooking Matters

I’ve had a busy couple of weeks.  Some of it has been relaxing, some busy, some well just overwhelming.

I have been helping my sister with my Aunt’s estate.  Overwhelming – and I only have a small piece of the “pie” so to speak, and so excited that my sister has a cookie in the Pillsbury bake off!  I’m going to bake it, take pictures and post it later on this summer, but I have so many other projects going on in the kitchen. (That news to come at a later date)

This past week I got the joy of volunteering at the KROC Center for the MSU Extensions Cooking Matters.  This particular version of the program is working with middle school teens on the basics of cooking.  Our first week has been organization and getting to know my teens.  And I’ve been told that the numbers could swell to 30 (15 each day)  so I’d best be prepared! 

Every recipe that we work on is a healthy recipe.  And it is important to get these young adults to try the food.  I remember Chef Campbell in culinary school telling us that you have to try a food numerous times, at least 13 to get your palate used to it.  Then you can form an opinion!  It’s hard to explain that to teens whose palate has been formulated by fast foods, boxed foods, and quick and easy.  I bless my mom for teaching me how to cook, and each and every time I work with someone new in the kitchen, I remember how slow and uncertain I must have been.  I didn’t realize it then, but now I do – my mom is a saint!  She had so much patience, and we always thought she didn’t!  What a few decades of perspective brings to the table!

Our teens made Northwest Apple Salad and Hearty Egg Burritos giving them the chance to use knifes, skillets, the stove top and EAT!

 

Northwest Apple Salad

 

2 medium Granny Smith Apples

2 tablespoons dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or currants)

3 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt

1 tablespoon whole, shelled walnuts

1 Tablespoon honey

 

Rinse and remove cores from apples.  Do not peel.  Cut into 1 inch pieces.  Place in medium bowl.  Add dried fruit and yogurt to bowl.  Mix well.

In a small Skillet over medium heat toast nuts until golden brown and fragrant.  Watch closely, so they do not burn.  Remove from pan and let cool.

Chop cooked nuts with a knife.  Add chopped nuts to bowl and add honey.  Toss and serve.

 

Hearty Egg Burritos

3 green onions

1 medium red or green bell pepper

1 medium clove garlic

2 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese

1 (15 ½ ounce) can black beans no salt added

1 teaspoon canola oil

4 large eggs

¾ teaspoon ground cumin divided

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

non stick cooking spray

4 (8i inch) whole wheat flour tortillas

1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt

¼ cup fresh cilantro

 

Rinse green onions and bell pepper.  Peel garlic clove.

Slice green onions.  Remove core and dice bell pepper.  Mince garlic

If using fresh cilantro, rinse and chop leaves now

Grate Cheese

In a colander, drain and rinse beans

In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil, add beans, green onions, bell pepper, and garlic.  Cook until peppers are soft, about 3 minutes.  Add ½ teaspoon ground cumin and black pepper.  Transfer mixture to a plate.

In a small bowl, crack eggs.  Add remaining ¼ teaspoon cumin.  Beat mixture lightly with a fork.

Wipe out skillet with a paper towel .Coat with nonstick cooking spray.  Heat at medium-low.  Add egg mixture.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are firm as you like.  About 3- 5 minutes.  If using cilantro add now.

Spoon egg mixture into center of each tortilla, dividing evenly.  Add beans and veggies.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  If using yogurt, add a dollop to each tortilla.  Fold over mixture and serve.

 

Vanilla Ice Cream for my Dad

 

 

 

Simple Vanilla Ice Cream, for my Dad

 

I miss my dad.  He died in September 2009.  He wasn’t one to mince many words, hence the “he died”, not passed away, not went to be with his Lord, not whatever the latest wording should be.  He was a gruff old proud Polish Man, a veteran of World War 2, provider for my mom and our family, hardworking, and in his own way amazing.

 

When I was 10, I’m sure I didn’t think that!  My dad would do anything that he could for us, but he didn’t really spoil us, not like you see today.  Nope, he expected that we would graduate kindergarten and just go to first grade.  No party there, but when he did allow us to have a party, he was the best host that there ever could be.   I remember my first pool party, we were one of the only kids on the block with an above the ground pool, and he  made sure that there were mounds of “shake n bake” chicken (anybody remember that?), potato salad, towne pop (I got to pick out the flavors!) and my mom’s potato salad.  He also made the most amazing fried sliced potatoes in a cast iron pan, always crisp and tender, no burnt edges, seasoned with salt and pepper – he could mound those in that pan, and never make a mess!

We didn’t celebrate every birthday growing up, not like today, mostly we had a birthday cake, but every once in a while if our birthday fell on a weekend (not Sunday, though!) we could pick the restaurant – and it wasn’t fancy- big boys, A&W, or Stoney Inn.  We thought we were in heaven.

We couldn’t have mini bikes – the biggest rage ever back then, but we had a go cart, the only one on the block!  It had STP stickers; we thought it meant “stop teasing pollacks!”  He helped my mom every year with her garden, and we all had to pitch in, moving manure, planting, weeding and harvesting.  If my mom was sick, woe be us if we made too much noise.  He even did the dishes, and would mop the floor on his hands and knees when mom had a miagraine.  In turn we learned how to take care of other people, not by what he said, but by what he did. 

I remember he took me to my first “gig” as a musician, and stuck around all night long, brought me home, and told me I still had to be up to go to church that morning! He did that for many years, until I was old enough to drive, and he trusted where and who I was working a job with. 

   We waited dinner on my dad, no matter what; he worked a service job in refrigeration and would come home late.  My mom would hold dinner, we got to eat if it was approaching bedtime, but she would wait.  I still have dinner with my husband Jeff as much as possible, just because my parents did – they set the example.   A few years ago, I was walking my dogs, and one of my neighbors had a “refrigeration service vehicle” in his drive way, I don’t remember which one and I chatted with him.  Told him my dad did HVAC (proud that I know what the acronym stood for), politely he asked my dad’s name:  George Chmurynski:  to my surprise he said” Good Ole George!  How is he!  Best Freon man ever in the city!”  He went on to say a few more good things.  That was my dad, a hard working guy that tried to do the next the right thing.  

 He was a gruff ole guy!  The service counter at Leatherman’s hardware used to let the “newbee’s” wait on him, if they could survive good ole George, well they had a job!  They even asked me for a picture to hang on the wall when they heard he had died.  It’s there, above the register.  (Thank you Leatherman’s hardware).  To this day when I walk in and I hear:   “George’s daughter is here!”  I always smile.

 When I rescued a Rottweiler named Tiffany we had a tense conversation.  He was sure that I had lost my mind, why his granddaughter could be in danger;  what could I be thinking!  He stormed over, met her with the big brown eyes went directly to the pet store and bought the biggest box of dog biscuits!  The following week, I had a dog house complete with a picture window!  Zoe use’s it today!  He loved Jax and Zoe to, though he wouldn’t admit it! 

He supported me through my divorce, being single, getting married to the best man ever (Jeffery Rees – I love you!) and all the ups and downs of everyday life.

I went to culinary school and was introduced to wonderful foods and ideas: One being simple homemade ice cream, fresh strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar.   I don’t even remember the occasion, we seldom all got together, my two sisters their husbands and us, it just wasn’t a normal thing for our family which seems so abnormal to most other families, though in truth, I bet we are pretty much the norm!

I served vanilla ice cream with strawberries for dessert, got out my balsamic vinegar that I had just bought at Zingerman’s on a road trip – 50 year old stuff and added a few drops to my dad’s bowl.  “What are you doing?  Vinegar??? You are going to ruin it!”  No dad, just trust me, taste it, if you don’t like it I’ll scoop you up a fresh bowl of ice cream.  By the time I was done he had his bowl out in both hands, just like Oliver and said “more please.”

This one’s for you Dad - I miss you

 

Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

Garnish with Strawberries and the best Balsamic Vinegar you can afford!

1 ½ cups whole milk

1 cup granulated sugar

pinch sea salt

2 ½ cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

 

In a medium bowl,  whisk together the milk, sugar and salt until the sugar is fully dissolved.  Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.  Cover and refrigerator for 2 hours (or overnight is better!)  Whisk mixture together again before pouring into the ice cream machine.

 

Pour the mixture into the ice cream machine, turn your unit on and follow the manufacturer’s direction.  This should take about 40 – 50 minutes.

 

Garnish with Strawberries and Aged Balsamic vinegar

 

 

Quiona Salad

Quiona Salad

I love Quiona.  It’s a simple and hearty seed.  Complex protein, nourishing, and now it’s a very “cool” new/old food.  I’ve been using it for years. 

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me, as I’ve been fully engaged in my personal/chef catering business the infamous “tuxedo junction catering” and have struck out on my own and I’ve been helping my sister out, with my Aunt’ Mary’s estate

A good friend of mine Wayne, his daughter just got married, and I mean just – last night and I got the privilege of doing the rehearsal dinner.  It was a barbecue out on the pavilion of Tyler Creek Golf Course – so it was a bit rustic, and I wanted it to be as special as I could make it.  The Bride – Tara – told me she loved asparagus and could I incorporate that into something?

Our menu was burgers, brats, and chicken.  I wanted some fresh salads to go with that, (at least a bit healthy before the big day ) and cookies( her favorite are oatmeal raisin) and brownies- oh and some fresh watermelon.

 

 

I found out that day that they had been eating left over hamburgers from a bridal party/shower all week!  Boy, I was glad I had that chicken for them!  It was a group of about 30 people, and when you are catering in the country, you want to have everything possible, there isn’t a kitchen to go running to!

To my surprise the hit of the evening:  The Quiona Salad!  It's the one in front!

 

2 cups cooked Quiona (be careful, the tiny seeds can get everywhere) – you cook it like rice – 2 parts water to 1 part Quiona.

1 14 ounce can black beans – rinsed thoroughly

1 small red onion diced

1 large bunch asparagus – blanched and cut into small pieces

Salad dressing of your choice – I used a fat free tomato basil!

Combine.

 

Yes – that was it!  Just a simply easy salad, sometimes it’s the simple that makes it so good.  The funny part – if I didn’t just write this down and someone asked me about it 6 months from now – I’m not sure I’d remember what I put in it.  You can use anything that you like!  garbanzo beans instead of black beans, green beans instead of asparagus, no onion, white onion, almonds, your favorite salad dressing, or make one!  It’s endless.

 

Trent's Mom Brought beautiful flowers for the occassion!  It was a lovely touch to the buffet table!  Thank you Mom!

I hope you try this New/Old seed.  It’s been around for years, and it’s a complete protein.  It’s a great way to feed a vegetarian/vegan or sneak one of those into the daily meals without anybody knowing, unless the read this blog!

 

 

Deep Fried Asparagus

Deep Fried Asparagus

 

Its asparagus season here in West Michigan!  I Love ASPARAGUS!  A client of mine wrote:

 

Hi Terri

You should try this.

This is an awesome appetizer at Joe's Stone Crab. I tried to duplicate at home and can't come close to the amount of Panko breading that I can get to stick when frying in a thin layer of olive oil. It is then rolled in the asiago.

 

Any ideas?

Thank you very much

Wayne Walkotten

 

The challenge was on.  I got close, it’s a lot harder to bread, fry, roll and photograph asparagus when you are cooking, and well, Wayne’s wife Kelly is an award winning photographer, and let’s say I was a bit nervous.  I’m close, not quite what they had but I think very close.  The difference:  Professional grade fryers at the restaurant compared to my little home fryer.

 

Here’s what I did.  I blanched my asparagus.  This technique is used to firm or soften your vegetables and to set the color.  Bring a large pot of salted water to boil – for once, I was a bit short on the salt – when it comes to a boil drop your asparagus in, bring back to a boil for about 1 minute, and then immediately immerse into ice cold water to stop the cooking process.

 

I then set up a standard breading station, seasoned flour (with s&p, aka salt and pepper) an egg wash, 1 beaten egg with water, and the panko.  Next time I’m going to add the cheese to the panko.  Wayne thought it was rolled in asiago but I’m not sure.

 

I put several pieces of asparagus into the flour, then to the egg mixture, and then rolled it in the panko, pressing firmly. 

 

First batch test fried!  A little weak on the coating, but tasty!

 

The second batch, I did a “double dip” – I started with the egg wash, then the flour, back to the egg wash and then to the panko.  It set much nicer.  I think if I would have let the asparagus set in the refrigerator to cool, it might have adhered better.  I’m going to try that next time.

 

I then deep fried my asparagus, let it drain for about 5 seconds and rolled it in the asiago.

 

Not bad, a bit closer, needs some work.  I definitely will add the asiago/shredded cheese directly into the panko, that’s how I do Parmesan Chicken!  I think it would work.  All in All a tasty snack for the day!

 

Ingredients

Asparagus

A bit of flour with salt and pepper added

1 egg beaten with water

Panko with asiago cheese!

 

That’s it!  I hope you enjoy – let me know how it works for you!

 

I

Pan seared steak with rissotto

It has been an interesting week and a half.  My daughter Jennifer and her husband Colin came in (a.k.a the “kids” – though they are adults!)  Jeffery ran the riverbank, it was Mother’s day, my Aunt passed away, the dogs got sick at night and we had not one but two water leaks in the house.

There was a bunch of brightness in the week, though the temperatures plummeted.  We got three new friends – a new Weber Summit Grill and Smith & Wesson (ok that counts as one) – a bunch of ammo and I have a date night with my hubby this week to learn gun safety!

 

My amazing husband trained for the riverbank starting in January 2013 with the Striders run club.  Every Saturday, rain, snow, sleet or nice, he got out there and ran.  He lost weight, I gained weight!  I should’ve gone with him, but honestly, it didn’t seem like a hubby/wifely “let’s do this together” idea.

He ran it in darn good time, for an old guy!  He had some interesting stories once he caught his breath and finished.  To celebrate, I dug out some beef tenderloin left over from a previous party and finished out the dinner with some risotto: one of our favorites.

 

I pan seared my tenderloin steaks-just a little salt and pepper (or S&P as we call it in the industry!  It’s important that you have your pan ripping hot, and then put your steaks down.  They will caramelize nicely, you may need a touch of butter or oil, but that’s it.  Why ruin a good steak.

 

 

The risotto can be done so many different ways.  I know of people who tell me it’s to hard, time consuming and I don’t like to stir it!  Less than 30 minutes and Jeff and I sat down to dinner.

 

 

The goal in risotto (which is really a style of cooking normally thought of with Arborio or short grain rice) is to toast the rice, and the broth slowly until it absorbs one ladle at a time, and then nacre it (a fancy word for finish with butter) at the end.

I had to do something special for Jeff, he’s a special guy!

 

 

 

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!

 

Metro Health Farmers Market

Opening day at Metro Health Farm Market

Center of the market, what a gorgeous day!



 

 

I love this market!  It’s close to home (I could walk, but this trip I didn’t!), they have lovely vendors, it’s not too big or crowded (yet), and it has really nice vendors! 

Last year I got to share the market with my mom several times, she’s 87 now and living in Florida with my older sister.  This visit, I really missed her, she grew up on a farm, and did organic gardening, before it was a “hip” term!  I remember the cow manure coming to the house on Groveland Ave, and it stunk up the whole neighborhood.  We forgot about it as kids, when we got to harvest all of the veggies.  More times than not, lots of it went into our mouths and not into the baskets and bags for dinner!  We didn’t worry about germs, dirt and bugs (well that’s not true; we all hated the bugs, except for my sister Sue!)

 

 

 

 

My mom would talk with the vendors, and taste a bit, and if I was lucky let me buy a few goodies for her. 

 

This year I went to scope it out on opening day – just to see what’s there, and I had the day off!  It’s going to be another great market!  I love the honey, and oils, and fresh veggies!  Little kids running around, and this year there was live music!  And I knew the song the guitarist was singing, The Tennessee Waltz!  I’m sure not to many of you know that song! 

 

I was looking at all of the hanging baskets, and fresh herb plants!  Oh how I wanted some, but I haven’t really planned out my garden space yet, this weekend I will and then – watch out, I’ll be buying some!

 

If you get a chance, check out your local farmers markets!  There are lots of them around town now, and nothing beats knowing where you’re food came from and talking with people who lovingly grew, gathered, picked and harvested your food.

 

 

Cinco De Mayo 2013

Cinco De Mayo

 

Yesterday I taught a class in “Mexican” Cuisine in honor of Cinco De Mayo.   Really, I thought it was an Independence day celebration, but when I researched the day, it’s in remembrance of The Day of the Battle of Puebla  which occurred in 1862.   This was a battle of Mexican’s unlikely victory over French forces!  Mexican’s “independence day” is actually celebrated on September 16^th!

 

Needless to say, some of you know that I am polish by heritage, and I love Mexican food.  I went to some true sources; recipes that my friend from culinary school Juan Carlos has given me, Patty’s Mexican Table, and my all time favorite Rick Bayless.  I always give credit where credit is due!

 

If you haven’t been a regular of my classes at Spartan Stores, you should!  The students start scoping out the recipes early, in search of what they may want to try making. Everyone gets to taste all of the recipes, and bring a packet of recipes home with them, sometimes we even have leftovers!  The experience allows you to taste recipes, well frankly, that you may not have thought of before! 

 

The day’s recipes were, well rather aggressive for the time period.  A class generally is 3 hours long, including the best part, the tasting!  We had lots of chicken and pork shoulder to cook, and some short cuts were taken!  We also tried our hands on two different tamales, and well – we surprised ourselves with the results!  They were rather tasty.

 

One of my favorites is the cold Chicken and Avocado Salad with Chipotle Chile.  Long title, but a wonderful salad and I hope that you get an opportunity to try it sometime soon!

 

 

Cold Chicken and Avocado Salad with Chipotle Chile

Pollo, Aguacate y Chile Chipotle en Frio

Yield: about 3 1/2 cups, enough for 12 tacos, serving 4 as a light main course

The chicken for this salad can be prepared 1 or 2 days in advance and then mixed with the dressing just before serving. Great for a summer picnic.

 

Also, buy the chicken “pre-cooked”  a roasting chicken from the store is a great way to save some time!  This can be served as a salad, or as a filling for tacos!

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Ingredients

1 chicken leg-and-thigh quarter or 1 large breast half
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 small (about 6 ounces total) boiling potatoes like the red-skinned ones, halved
2 medium (about 6 ounces total) carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 to 4 canned chiles chipotles, seeded and thinly sliced
1/4 small onion, finely diced
4 large romaine lettuce leaves, sliced in 3/8-inch strips, plus several whole leaves for garnish
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 slice of onion, broken into rings, for garnish

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Directions

1. The chicken mixture. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan, add the chicken and salt, skim off the foam that rises as the water returns to a boil, partially cover and simmer over medium heat—23 minutes for the dark meat, 13 minutes for the breast. If there is time, cool the chicken in the broth.

Boil the potatoes and carrots in salted water to cover until they are just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Rinse for a moment under cold water, strip off the potato skins, if you wish, then cut the potatoes and carrots into 3/8-inch dice. Place in a large mixing bowl.

Skin and bone the chicken, then tear the meat into large shreds and add to the potatoes. Skim off all the fat on top of the broth, then measure 3 tablespoons of broth into a small bowl. Stir in the vinegar, oregano and salt. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and add the sliced chiles chipotles and chopped onion. Stir, cover and let stand for 45 minutes, refrigerated or at room temperature.

2. Finishing the dish. Shortly before serving, mix the sliced lettuce and diced avocado into the chicken mixture. Drizzle with oil and toss lightly. Taste for salt. Line a serving platter with the remaining romaine leaves and pile on the chicken mixture. Decorate with the onion rings and serve.

Ingredients
Chiles Chipotles: In Mexico City, dishes like this often utilize pickled (not adobo-packed) chipotles. Without any chipotles at all, this dish loses many of its special qualities, though a nice salad can be made using pickled jalapeños and chopped fresh coriander (cilantro), if desired.

Timing and Advance Preparation
The active preparation time is less than 45 minutes, though you’ll need to start a couple of hours before serving. The chicken mixture can marinate overnight, covered and refrigerated; complete the final dressing within 15 minutes of serving.