BEANO!!

  I bet many of you remember shouting that word out during a childhood game of the same name, and to be rewarded with a kewpie doll. Well then again, maybe not. I remember the game but not the doll, as the name of the game now called Bingo. Beano was a popular board game for many years, starting in the first quarter of the 20th century in an undetermined Southern state. It was played basically the same way as Bingo is today, but one would place a dried bean on the number called and when they had completed a complete line of numbers either vertically, horizontally or diagonally, they would win. 

  The name Bingo was inadvertently shouted late one night instead of Beano, and there you have the rather dull beginnings of this time honored game. 

  Beans also are considered rather a dull protein-packed meal as well. They are also time-honored and for good reason. Beans were a lifesaver to our ancestors who came over to this new land in the 17th century. Many were given huge lots of land simply for coming over and settling. And beans, along with pumpkin and corn, were grown by everyone because they could grow in the rockiest of soils and were cheap. 

  Beans were more often than not the center of a Puritan meal, with meat as a side dish. So throughout the ages, beans of ever kind have held a true comforting appeal to many, as well as this chef.

  Find below 3 recipes that are not your usual take on the bean, but still a comforting taste whose protein quickly fills and warms you up.

Spicy Charro Beans 

  Literally meaning Cowboy, Charro is usually served as a soup, or with a soup-like consistency, but I find this recipe perfect the way it is. Charro beans are loved by all Mexican 'horsemen' and you will see why with one flavorful bite. 

1/4 pound bacon, diced
1/4 pound Chorizo sausage, diced
1/2 small onion, minced
2(15-ounce)cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1(7-ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 tablespoons molasses
1/2 cup your favorite salsa
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 cup whole kernel corn
4 cups hot cooked rice, if desired.

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add the bacon, chorizo and onion. Stir to combine and cook until the onion is softened and the bacon has cooked to your liking. Drain fat and add remainder of ingredients except rice. Continue to cook and stir until heated through. Serve hot as is or over rice.

Cheesy Italian Baked Beans 

A tasty Italian rendition to the Baked Beans we enjoy in New England, but taking a fraction of the time to prepare. Although the Native Americans in New England used corn as a support-base for growing the common bean(as part of the Three Sisters), in Italy the Romano bean was used in their version of the Three Sisters. This fiber-rich bean are most often found in Minestrone soups, fagioli dishes and poultry cooked in the style of all'uccelletto. It is one of the few hearty bean varieties that pair perfectly with pungent and bold Mediterranean spices, such as listed below.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon crushed garlic in oil
1/2 onion, minced
1(28-ounce)can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1/2 teaspoon each dried rosemary, basil and oregano
3(16-ounce)cans Romano beans, drained well*
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded, smoked provolone cheese
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat until shimmering hot. Add garlic and stir well while cooking for 1 minute. Add onion, continuing to cook and stir until onions are tender, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and herbs, stirring well. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium.
Cook 8-10 minutes, or until the liquid is starting to reduce and thicken. Add beans, half of both cheeses, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper, stirring to combine.
Transfer contents of pan to a 2-quart baking or casserole dish, top with remaining cheese and bake until all cheese is melted and the entire dish is bubbling. Remove from oven to serve hot.

* Or use cannellini beans if desired.  

Makes 4(1 1/2-cup) servings

Savory Pork Stew with Sweet Potatoes

So thick you can actually eat this winter time bowl of goodness with a fork. White potatoes or even that leftover pie pumpkin works easily here as well. I don't pretend this is a gourmet meal, nor do I tout this simple recipe as something that will garner accolades around the globe. But it is a comforting dish of piping hot, warm your belly kind of meal that the kids will enjoy as well.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small onion, minced
1 small bell pepper, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
1(28-ounce can) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
2 cups chicken broth
3 cups diced, raw sweet potato
1 1/2 cups frozen corn
Juice from 1 orange and 2 teaspoons grated rind
4 cups cooked pasta or noodles of your choice, kept warm

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. When hot, add pork, onion and bell peppers, stirring well. Cook and stir until pork is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add remainder of ingredients, stirring well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, uncovered, or until potato is tender and  pork is cooked through. Stir a few times. This will make a very thick stew so for thinner, simply cover before simmering.
Makes about 4 good-sized servings

It's Just That Simple!™

I have noticed the past couple of weeks that more and more large, food companies are altering their labels to identify with the consumer demand for simplicity. People not only want to know what is in their food products, but be able to at the very least, pronounce them. There is a huge wave of tidal opinion, as well, for food products to get rid of complicated and extended ingredients in the simplest of foods.

Our government tried this back in 2008 to combat obesity but to be honest, take a look at the stats,                                                                 
                                                " It ain't workin' ! "

When I see some famous faces on television, such as Robert Irvine(and he is just one of the many dozens)salt fish before dumping it seasoned bread crumbs(with salt in the seasoning) and deep fry it. Only to add even more salt on top before eating it, I cringle. There is simply no reason to keep dumping salt in our bodies to such an extent.....period!

And then you have the kitchen "experts" tell you certain salts are better for you than others, such as sea salt versus table, or Himalayan salt versus Fleur de Sel or smoked salt versus Kosher.......you get my drift! Salt is salt my friends, let's stop relying on it so heavily in our diets or the death rate from not only obesity but illnesses as a result from high blood pressure will continue to skyrocket.

It is very difficult NOT to use a cake recipe, for example, that doesn't have some salt in it, nor pie recipes.

Now the argument is that salt enhances the sweetness of these desserts. Give that some thought for a minute.............Done?

Yes, I am guilty of creating recipes that truly are not the best, nutritionally, for you but just use some common sense when eating them. Take smaller portions or make these dishes sparingly. My goodness, there are so many other desserts and entrees you can make that makes use of natures flavors to enhance your food.

And when you take a look, or even prepare any of my recipes, I will let you know if a certain lower fat ingredient cannot be substituted, but overall, if a recipe calls for cream, milk or even fat-free evaporated milk is a perfect alternative.

To plug my second cookbook, Refreshed, you will notice not only lower fat recipes, but I utilize fruits and vegetables to a wider extent than most chefs. I also take advantage of fruit purees, fruit juice and fruit itself to lend a sweet touch where sugar is the norm.

Sugar adds sweetness.............THAT IS ALL! The items I just mentioned add sweetness AND flavor.

So toss that extra salt aside and make use of nature's abundant supply of healthy alternatives. If not for yourself, than for the ones you love. Here is a great example of a superbly simply and explosively flavorful dessert that showcases the taste of berries without added sugar. It may take a few tries to understand what true fruit flavors are, but a content smile beats all *$%# out of a guilty frown.

Blackberry Foolish Moose

 

 

3 cups fresh blackberries
1 cup apple juice
1 cup cranberry juice
2 envelopes plain gelatin
2 cups whipped topping

Add blackberries and juices to a food processor or blender and puree, on high, until as smooth as possible. Strain through a wire-mesh strainer into a medium saucepan, pressing the pulp against the sides to extract as much juice as possible. You will end up with about 2 cups.

Bring to a boil over medium heat. While mixture is boiling, lightly sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid, whisking at the same time. Do this slowly or the gelatin will clump up.

Continue whisking vigorously and cooking an additional minute.

Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until cooled and starting to thicken.

Remove from refrigerator and whisk in whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate until set and completely cold.

　

Makes about 4 servings

　

　

It's Just That Simple!™

 

Button Up and Belly Up

Puff Dough Recipe

This recipe is perfect for that pot pie you have been wanting to make or a great substitute for any recipe using puff pastry. It cooks up tender with a slight puffiness and layers of flakiness that works every time.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick(1/2-cup) cold butter or margarine
1/2 cup cold sour cream

　

In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking powder well. Add the butter, in pats, and mash into flour mixture using a fork or pastry cutter until it is half the size of peas. Using a sturdy wooden spoon or equivalent, vigorously stir in the sour cream until well incorporated.

On a well floured work surface, with additional flour at hand, begin kneading for a minute or so, until smooth, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking.

Roll out dough into a rectangle with a rolling pin, with the dough about a half inch thick. Fold over one of the ends a third of the way, repeating with the opposite end. Roll out again to the same size as the original rectangle, working quickly.

Repeat this step 4 more times. fold over one more time without rolling out. Wrap tightly with a couple of pieces of film wrap as airtight as possible. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 days before using.

To use, roll out to desired shape and size while cold between two large pieces of film wrap to prevent sticking.

Pork Button Pie

 

A true meat pie but the mushrooms are the star of the show here. Instead of flavoring this pie with meat, I flavored the mushrooms with this spicy Italian sausage.
　

1 Puff Dough recipe, above
4 small shallots, thinly sliced
1 link hot Italian sausage, casing removed and crumbled
2 pounds button mushrooms, sliced thick
1/2(6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

　

Make Puff dough and refrigerate 60 minutes. Meanwhile, make Pork Button Filling.

Using a large skillet over medium high heat, add shallots and sausage, stirring to break up sausage. Cook, while stirring frequently, until sausage is cooked through. Drain fat and add mushrooms, stirring to combine. Cook until all the moisture has come out of mushrooms and they are cooked, about 10-12 minutes.

In a bowl, whisk together tomato paste and broth. Add to mushroom mixture and continue cooking until thickened, another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in crumbs and season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool until ready to fill pie.

Roll out half the dough between 2 sheets of film wrap until large enough to cover a 9-inch pie pan; set aside. Repeat with remaining dough. You may also dust work surface with flour and roll out accordingly.

Place one dough circle in pan, empty mushroom mixture on top, spreading out evenly. Top with remaining dough and crimp edges. Poke holes in the top to vent, brush egg over the top and sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.

Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until well browned on top. Remove to cool slightly before cutting to serve.

Lest We Forget.....

.....the deliciousness of tapioca. I remember as a child, tapioca pudding could be enjoyed at most restaurants, school cafeteria's and at home. We never blinked an eye when we were served this "soft-lumped" sweet, vanilla-tinged pudding. But that was the extent of the flavor...vanilla!

I don't even remember anything but a firm glob of whipped cream sitting on top, only to be folded in before we lifted a spoonful into our mouths.

I do believe, however, that it is a sign of the times that we rarely see this pudding served anywhere and anymore. Not because our palates have changed, per se, but because parents do not cook at home nearly as much as they did many years ago. Don't you agree?

It was a treat to have home baked cookies, pies, cakes and puddings because not only did our parents take the time to cook for us, but the array of sweet treats found at any store was miniscule compared to today's inventory.

With the vast array of candies, pastries and sweets found on counters, next to the cash registers, now, our taste transcends just simple and sweet. We have choices of flavors that we didn't have a generation ago, but those flavors are manufactured.

And because of our "fake food" indulgences of today. our bodies are slowly begging for change. Accepting the man-made treats with ingredients that are manufactured in a lab, is universally accepted by our bodies, forgoing anything natural and homemade.

Let's take a few minutes and prepare this classic dessert, but with something that compliments this dish, and ingredients our body desires.....fruit and flavor!

Beautiful Lemon-Coconut Pudding 

 

 

Such a gorgeous presentation, only "one-upped" by the flavor of lemon, coconut and strawberries, all mingling on your tongue as brightly as the visual impact of this Brazilian-inspired dessert. The coconut water is widely available in most supermarkets and if desired, add a couple drops yellow food coloring to the pudding before refrigerating.



Nonstick cooking spray
3 cups coconut, plus more for dusting
3 cups small pearl tapioca *
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups fat free or low fat sweetened condensed milk
1 1/4 cups coconut water, divided
Grated rind from 1 lemon
Juice from one lemon
1 cup lemon curd
1 pint fresh strawberries
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Lightly grease a 9 x 12-inch pan(or equivalent) with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine coconut, tapioca and sugar; set aside. Bring milk, 1 cup coconut water, lemon rind and juice to scalding over medium heat, stirring frequently. When just starting to come to a boil, immediately remove from heat and pour over coconut mixture. Blend in the curd completely and pour into prepared pan. Cover(without film wrap touching the pudding)and refrigerate until completely cold and firm.

Meanwhile, hull strawberries, slicing and setting aside 3 of them. Roughly chop remainder and add to a small saucepan with cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly and add remainder of coconut water. Mash with a sturdy fork while bringing to boiling over medium high heat. Once boiling, remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

To assemble, cut firm pudding into 12 equal-sized squares. Place 1 square on a serving dish, add a couple tablespoons macerated strawberries and top with another square of pudding. Repeat and serve cold, dusted with additional coconut.

* Or use 10 ounces(Four 2.75-ounce boxes) minute tapioca

Enough for 6 servings

Strawberries and Cream Tapioca

 

 

Tapioca is quite confusing. It is marketed in several forms, with each company portraying their product in different manners. To put all this in a nutshell, minute, quick cooking and instant are all the same. This is the type of tapioca I use in this "best of the best" strawberry pudding. There is also pearl tapioca, coming in small and large pearls. These can be substituted in this recipe as well by simply doubling the amount of tapioca and adding 1 additional egg. Cook as directed below, and you will have a treat even the hesitant children will love.
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled
2 1/2 tablespoons(25g)minute tapioca minute
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

　

Place the milk in a container that is marked with volume measurements, such as a large measuring cup or blender container. Slice strawberries into the milk to bring it up to 3 cups total volume. Puree until as smooth as possible. Transfer to a medium saucepan with remainder of ingredients, except vanilla. Bring to scalding over medium heat, stirring almost constantly as it heats up. When thickened and hot. remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pour into large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or until completely cold.

When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator and stir in as many chopped, fresh strawberries as desired. Spoon into serving bowls and add whipped topping if desired.

Serves 4

Foremothers, not Forefathers!

I don't think I have ever seen the word foremothers in print in any history book....ever! And what a shame. The work they did, along with the end result of cooking over a literal fire, must have been something to be proud of. (I know I hold them in the highest regard.) Using what little they had or could reap, the bellies of all family members were content and ready for each new day.

And if I could name just 2 desserts that screamed New England, they would be Brown Betty and Buckle. Of course Grunts, Cobblers, Crisps and Charlottes are at the top of the list, but because these two recipes have been almost entirely forgotten, they hold a sentimental place in my culinary thoughts.

My, the smells that must have been wafting through each household back "in the day" when our foremothers were cooking. And I am talking about the wealthy AND the backwoods, log cabins. The chatter that graced each table when they sat around enjoying not only the fruits of their labor, but as a family unit to boot harkens those days to my thoughts all the time.

And labor intensive they were. In order to make the Buckle, the wild berries needed to be hunted down(although I am sure most households knew where the picking was)and gathered. Making it home before eating them first must have been the hardest chore of all.

Once home, then the cooking began. But if you think I am frugal, households of old were much more careful with using ingredients, especially flour, sweetener and eggs. That is why Buckle is made with just enough batter to hold it all together.

As for the Betty, apples were plentiful in the countryside's of New England and most families had them on their own property. They weren't much to look at, with scabs covering half the skin, but once peeled, no one knew the difference.

So with wishful thinking and a salute to our forefath......err, foremothers, let's take a culinary trip back in time and enjoy age old recipes.

　

　

Real New England Apple Brown Betty

Brown Betty. Yet another New England original. The origin of the name Brown Betty is in dispute everywhere you look. Some say it is from some English teapot, while others ramble on and on. Again, this is one of those simple names with an equally simple beginning. The term brown obviously refers to the color of both the apples(when baked) and the bread topping. Breads in colonial America were brown because of the wheat used. So when you add them to this dessert, it goes without saying that the brown color seen throughout is par for the course. As for the name Betty. There can only be one answer. Like the dish itself, it came from whoever first made it, with word(along with the recipe itself)being shared and passed on. Simple, delicious and a great dessert that has withstood time and palates.

3 cups diced, firm apples
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup apple juice or cider
1 tablespoon molasses
Betty Topping:
3 slices bread, diced small
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons orange marmalade, optional *
Vanilla ice cream or whipped topping

Toss apples, raisins, cornstarch and cinnamon together well. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking pan. Whisk together apple juice and molasses and pour over the top. In a separate bowl, mix diced bread, cinnamon and marmalade so that all bread is moistened with marmalade, adding more if needed. Evenly sprinkle over the top of the apple mixture, loosely cover with tin foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are softened and the topping is crispy. Remove to cool slightly before serving with ice cream or whipped topping.

* If you don't use marmalade or even your favorite preserves, you will need to substitute the same amount of melted butter or margarine.

Triple Berry Buckle 

Not at all what other sites tout as authentic Buckle. This is truly the way to do it, with just enough cake batter to hold together the rich, syrupy fruit that is bubbling up through the batter that "buckles" as it is cooking. Enjoy this classic New England dessert as it should be made.

3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon apricot preserves
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups(1 pound bag)frozen or fresh berries *
1 tablespoon cornstarch

　

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Mix flour, baking powder and brown sugar until blended well. Add milk, egg, preserves and vanilla, stirring until just combined: set aside. (Lumps are perfectly fine.) In another bowl, toss berries with cornstarch and transfer to an 8-inch square pan. Pour batter over the berries evenly without mixing. Bake 34-36 minutes, or until browned on top and the liquid is bubbling up as a syrup. You will not be able to test doneness by touching because of the berries. Remove from oven to cool slightly before serving hot or wait until completely cooled for an even sweeter dessert.



* Any combination of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. As long as you use the correct amount, even one type of berry will work perfectly.

Tea-FREAKING Tasty!

There really isn't anything I can say about Easter that everyone doesn't already know. Nor is there anything food related that I should add about this Holiday......other than "Let's dig in!" using a great flavored egg as a base for a couple of remarkable recipes.

 

Tea Brown Eggs

Not only are these eggs great for your Easter get together, but equally enjoyed during the summer, whenever cookouts are on your menu. Use this umami-style egg recipe in lieu of regular hard boiled eggs for a multitude of recipes, including Simply Yanked Deviled Eggs and Fried Sriracha Deviled Eggs, found below.

6 eggs
3 cups water
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic in oil
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
6 orange pekoe tea bags

Boil eggs until hard boiled. Immediately submerse in cold water until completely cooled. Meanwhile, bring to boiling, over high heat, water, soy sauce, molasses, garlic and sesame oil. Whisk well, remove from heat and add tea bags; set aside. Peel eggs. Place eggs and tea mixture in a large bowl with a lid, or simply cover with film wrap. Refrigerate 24 hours, dunking eggs a couple times to marinate evenly. Drain, discarding marinade and tea bags and enjoy.

Simply Yanked Deviled Eggs   

A smoky, simple addition to any Easter dinner or picnic. If you don't have Chinese 5-Spice powder, simply make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon star anise, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, peppercorns and cloves. Pulse in a blender or coffee grinder.

6 Tea Brown Eggs
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tablespoon sour cream
1/4 cup shredded, smoked Cheddar or Gouda cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5-Spice powder

Split Tea Brown Eggs in half and scoop out the yolks. With the yolks in a bowl, mix in yogurt, 3 tablespoons cheese and Chinese 5-Spice powder. Fill each cavity of each egg half with cheese mixture, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving with remainder of cheese sprinkled over the top.

Fried Sriracha Deviled Eggs  

 

 

Sriracha and chili sauce are basically the same thing. Made with chili paste, vinegar, garlic, a sweetener and a pinch of salt, it has been a staple in Thai cooking only for a short time since its first appearance less than a century ago. Always opt for the hot chili sauce, if substituting, because of the heat so often associated with sriraha.

6 Tea Brown Eggs
3 tablespoons sriracha or hot chili sauce
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon horseradish, optional
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Oil for frying

Heat oil(if using a deep fryer)according to manufacturer's instructions to 350-degrees F. Or use a sturdy pot, and 2-3 cups canola oil, and heat oil over medium heat with a thermometer attached to the side. Meanwhile, cut each egg in half and remove yolks into a bowl. Thoroughly blend with sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes and horseradish. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Whisk milk and eggs until well combined. Dip each egg half into milk mixture and into cornmeal. Dip it back into the milk mixture a second time and lastly back into cornmeal. Gently lower 3-4 breaded egg halves into hot oil and fry until golden brown all around, about 3-5 minutes, turning once or twice to ensure even cooking. Let oil get back to temperature before continuing with remainder of egg halves, Place fried eggs onto a serving plate with the cut-side facing up and evenly distribute prepared yolk filling. Serve immediately.

The Ultimate Decadense...Bar None!

Even though Chocolate Fondue is only a generation old, it seems that any type of fondue has been all but forgotten. A type of think ganache, chocolate fondue is the perfect Valentine's Day treat for your loved one. And guys, there is absolutely no excuse for having this ready for your gal on this special day because it is super simple to make.

　

Valentine's Day Fondues

Find, below, two of my all time favorite fondues. There truly is no better "sweetheart" dessert to enjoy WITH your loved one then decadent fondues. When you see the chocolate dripping down her chin or watching her have to lick the chocolate from her fingers......let's just say there is a reason why melted chocolate is perfect on Valentine's Day. And these recipes are foolproof, for that man who would much rather have a wrench in their hand than a whisk.

Mexican Hot Cocoa Fondue

1(12-ounce)can, or 1 1/2 cups, evaporated skim milk
1/4 cup red hot cinnamon candies, optional
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon and chili powder
2 cups dark chocolate chips *
Cake pieces, marshmallows or fruit

Simply heat whisk and heat the first six ingredients in a saucepan over low heat until scalding hot, stirring almost constantly when it is starting to get hot to prevent scorching. Place the chocolate chips in a large bowl. When the milk mixture is scalding, pour over chocolate, stirring once to allow milk to coat chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes, stir until chocolate is melted and pour into bowl. Serve with skewers and your choice of cake, marshmallows or fruit.

* Use whatever chocolate you desire, as long as it is broked into small pieces to melt. I find that at least 72% cacao chocolate works best for a strong chocolate flavor.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue

Your loved one crave peanut butter? Than this is the smoothest. Rich and oh so delicious, go ahead and add a little more milk at the end if you truly want this to drip down her chin!

3/4 cup evaporated skim milk
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread *

Add all ingredients to a saucepan over low heat and stir frequently. When chocolate has melted and fondue is smooth, transfer to a bowl with skewers and dipping items.

　

* Nutella is great here, but other alternatives(some are better tasting than Nutella)are Hershey's Chocolate Hazelnut spread, Natural Choco-dream, Noccialata or Barefoot and Chocolate

Yup, Going Against The Grain.....(or hops).....

I have, for years, pushed to keep liquor out of cooking because my pleasure in life is for everyone to enjoy each and every meal prepared. But, of course, their comes a time when an adult pleasure is warranted, especially in cooking during the colder months here in New England. Heck, even Benjamin Franklin said "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Not to mention that the original beer brewers were us Yankees.

Find, below, a useful guide to popular types of beer and at the end, enjoy a winter dish I think you will find extraordinarily perfect using beer.

Because of the craft brewing explosion in the past couple of decades, we are inundated with beer styles in liquor stores and neighborhood specialty shops. Today, the wide array of flavors run from the crisp and slightly hoppy pale pilsners to the creamy, sweet malt-flavors of English style brown ale. I truly remember the days when the only beer you could find was the monotonous American lager, so our choices were few and far between.

Now, not only are we poised to make a decision of what to drink, but which one to eat. Let me explain.

As the variety of beer flavors and styles mushroom, so have our options for pairing them with food, as well as adding these hoppy spirits to a variety of recipes.

Chefs everywhere are even expanding their menus and offering pilsners with truffles and caviar, a sweet stout with raw seafood, pale ales with stout, red meat and throwing out that cliche aperitif in lieu of porter ale to accompany desserts.


Here is a chart to help you identify the flavor components of some of the most widely brewed beer styles, example of which can be paired and cooked with any meal these days.

When choosing what beer to either drink or cook with, keep in mind the varieties of flavor, some subtle while some outstanding. For example, if you want a good stout beer but don't mind that "heaviness" that often accompanies it, drink cream or milk stouts, But if you enjoy stout but don't want to "fill up", try a bitter, less sweet stout. My favorites of each are listed both on the chart and below that accompanies the chart. I think you will find it quite usefull the next time you take that trip to the beer store.

1. Boulder Stout, Mackeson's Milk, Left Hand Milk and Sam Adams Cream Stout

2. Willoughby Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter, Hill Farmstead Everet, Night Watchman and Double Decker

3. Southern Pecan, Red Hydrant Ale, Turbodog and Newcastle Brown Ale.

4. Bigfoot, Old Foghorn and Old Backus Barleywine

5. Check out http://spencerbrewery.com/ for the best, and the only brewery in the US that is allowed to make this great alcohol. Certainly there are other, original and imported trappist beers, but don't bother!

6. Allagash White, Big Bison Ale, Russian River and New Belgium Abbey Belgian-Style Ale

7. Allagash White, Hop Sun, Pyramid Crystal Wheat Ale and Circus Boy

8. Goat Rancher, Andy Gator and Anchor Bock

9. Sun King, Hanger 24 and Sam Adams Pumpkin Oktoberfest

10. Sam Adams Double Bock, St. Victorius and Autumnal Fire

11. Gulden Draak

12. Scaldish

13. Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre

14. EKU 28

15. Black Sun and Portsmouth Black Cat Stout

16. Bitter Esters Dry Stout

17. Guiness Extra Stout

18. Palo Santo Marron, Coffee Bender and No Crust

19. Firestone, Sweetwater 420 and Stone Pale Ale

20. Maine Beer MO

21. Three Floyds Zombie Dust

22. El Toro, Camerons Cream Ale and Old Atyle(pabst)

23. Jack's Abbey Leisure Time Lager, Ballast Point Fathom IPL and Mama's Little Yella Pils

24. Abita Amber

25. Baba Black Lager

26. Samuel Adams Black Lager

27. Guiness Black Lager

28. Litovel Schwarzbier Premium Dark

29. Three Philosophers

30. Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock

31. Scaldia

Winter Stout Roasted Roots

 

Not only are you going to become enamored with the flavor of potato and cauliflower together in an awesome recipe, but one bite of carrots and parsnips roasted in stout will keep you wanting more. My favorite vegetable dish of all time, and I am sure you will love it as well. If stout isn't your thing, look at the chart to determine what beer best piques your interest.

1 pound each parsnips or rutabagas
1 pound turnip
1 cup cream stout *
1 teaspoon crushed, dried thyme leaves
8 cups vegetable broth or water
2 pounds potatoes
3 cups cauliflower florets, uncooked
6 ounces(about 2 cups)baby carrots
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Salt and black pepper to taste
Nonstick cooking spray

Peel and cube potatoes, place in a medium saucepan along with cauliflower florets. Cover with broth and cook, on medium, until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes. Drain well and mash with butter, salt and pepper: set aside.
Meanwhile, peel parsnip and turnip, placing in another saucepan with carrots and remainder of broth, adding water if needed to cover. Boil over medium-high heat until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Toss vegetables with beer, thyme and salt and black pepper.
Preheat oven to 375-degrees F. Spray a 2-3 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides with mashed potato mixture. Add cooked turnip mixture in the center and bake 35-45 minutes, or until the top is starting to brown. Remove from oven to serve immediately.

NOTE: This recipe is great done a day ahead of time as well. Simply line the casserole dish with potatoes, cover and keep in refrigerator. Keep remainder of cooked vegetables with beer and seasonings in the bowl and cover to refrigerate. When ready to roast, toss the turnip mixture well and "dump" into the center of the potato mixture. Add an additional 15 minutes to the cooking time.

* Or substitute 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup apple juice, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, whisked well.

Making Wine Out of Vinegar

Brussel sprouts.....ugh! I know many of you think that way about these little green beebees and all too often, reminding you of why you don't eat cabbage. So in order to "re-acclimate" your taste buds, we need to rid this veggie of that aftertaste.

We don't merely want to mask the bitterness with a ton of fat and bacon, or to put layers of seasonings to it. We want to rid it of bitterness.

Relatively new in the flora department, brussel sprouts have only been cultivated, as such, for consumption since the early 1500s, but mentioned in the country of popularity, Belgium, 300 years earlier. The bitter taste of each 'bud' has been a bane to palates since that time, cooks offering their own solutions to make them more palatable.

The predominant reason for eating brussel sprouts, too many, is the outrageously beneficial properties, especially in the antioxidant department.

To begin with, when using brussel sprouts, make sure they are small, rock-hard little orbs. This means they are young with less of the bitter taste to deal with.

But if it is the flavor you savor, minus that bitterness, there is a new way of subduing, or even eliminating, this off-taste. It is the acidic compound known as thiocyanates that are released that is the issue. Certainly boiling them in water releases these compounds, reducing the unpopular flavor. But it is still obviously there.

There IS an alternative to severely cutting the bitter taste, almost eliminating it, and you will see it first here, by The Yankee Chef.

The key is substituting one ill-tasting acidic element with a sweet tasting acid. I like to use apple juice first and foremost. It is one of the highest acidic fruits, believe it or not, with the perfect flavor to transform brussel sprouts. The ph level in apples ais generally 3.3, which is almost equal to orange juice.

To start, always cut them in half first and cut off any visible stem. This not only helps to leach out some thiocyanates but also helps the sprout to absorb the good acid, apple juice in this case. If you want to experiment, use orange or cranberry juice, tamarind or even the top acidic fruit of all, a star fruit. A good reference would be the higher the Vitamin C level, the higher the acidic level will be.

So back to the preparation. After you have cut your brussel sprouts in half, place them in a pot of apple juice and let them soak for at least 2 hours, then boil them in the same juice for only 2 minutes, just enough to barely warm them through. Drain well and use in any preparation you desire.

Now for a great recipe that is packed with flavor, without masking the the overall taste. I have yet to taste any bitterness every time I use the above method or the recipe below. I highly suggest you stay away from frozen brussel sprouts. Freezing completely destroys the texture, almost to the point where they are soft the moment you thaw them.

Brussel Sprouts Amaro a Dolce

Simply meaning 'bitter to sweet' in Italian, these sprouts are absoltely the perfect accompaniment to any turkey, pork or Prime Rib you will be having on the table this Holiday season. You may even get the kids to try them. A beautifully arranged taste of New England with Italian accents.

　

1(12-ounce)bag fresh brussel sprouts(about 2 cups)
2 cups 100% apple juice
1-2 strips bacon, diced
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Large pinch each ground cloves and red pepper flakes
1/2 cup apple jelly*
Dash apple cider vinegar

Prepare brussel sprouts by cuting off any protruding stem and cut each head in half. Place in a large bowl with apple juice, using more if needed to completely cover. Soak at least 2 hours at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. Transfer brussel sprouts and juice to a large saucepan and boil 2 minutes. Immediately drain, discarding liquid; set sprouts aside. Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until just done but not crisp. Remove from heat and discard fat. Add brussel sprouts; set aside. In a bowl, whisk together apple jelly, cloves, red pepper and vinegar. Pour into pan with brussel sprouts and toss to evenly coat. Transfer to an 8-inch pan and roast 40-50 minutes, or until browned on top. Half way through cooking, stir them well. If desired, place them under the broiler for a minute to brown even more. Remove from oven to serve immediately.

Makes 4(1/2-cup)servings

　

*Maple syrup is a nice substitute in this recipe as well

Holiday Soup Shooters

Serving hot soup as shooters? Yup! I created these soups in order for uyou to be able to quickly, and simply, prepare them with minimal effort, but with extraordinary kick. Serve these in small shot glasses in order to correctly live up to the name, or ladle them in large bowls to savor even longer.

Mexican Caliente

Although a churro is a sweet, cinnamon snack throughout Central America, this soup is the perfect vehicle for a touch of churro-flavored vodka. For those of you who aren't keen on parsnips, you will enjoy this great flavored soup because of the abundance of other flavors working so well together.



1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 pound parsnips, peeled and sliced
1 apple, peeled cored and diced
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup Smirnoff Cinnamon Churros Vodka*

　
Place oil in a large saucpan over medium heat. When hot, add onion and cook 4-6 minutes, or until softened. Stir in curry powder and parsnips. Continue cooking an additional 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add apple and broth, bringing to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes, or until parsnips are very tender. In batches if needed, transfer to a food processor or blender and pulse on high until as smooth as possible. Place back into pan and keep warm. . Remove from heat and evenly divide among cordial, appertif or shot glasses. Drizzle vodka into each glass and serve.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups total volume

*Or use any cinnamon flavored vodka or liqueur.

　

'Jacked' Oyster-Gouda Bisque

 

 

This is my favorite soup shooter. The smoked Gouda and oysters are satisfying to my primal instinct while the cider brings out the best Yankee in me. This entire preparation works perfectly together.

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup hard apple cider *
1(7-ounce)can smoked oysters, drained


In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add flour and stir until thickened and combined well. Add chicken broth and milk. Whisk well and continue cooking over medium heat until thickened and hot, about 4-5 minutes. Add cheese and continue stirring until cheese has completely melted. Remove from heat and blend in the oysters. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among cordial, appertif or shot glasses and drizzle desired amoung of hard apple cider on top of each. Serve immediately.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups by volume.

*Or use Applejack liquor

　

Citrusy Spiked Butternut Soup

 

There is just something about the flavor of orange with squash that just seems natural. Enjoy this low fat soup that has so much working for it, I would be here babbling too long trying to explain it. It is the perfect soup to begin a Holiday meal.



1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur *
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 small butternut squash, about 1 pound, peeled, seeded and diced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup plain yogurt
Sprinkle nutmeg

Add cranberries and liqueur to a bowl, cover with film wrap and microwave until liquid is hot, but not boiling. Remove to let sit for at least 1 hour before continuing with recipe.

Add oil to a large saucepan over medium high heat. When hot, add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add carrot and continue to cook and stir an additional 5 minutes. Add squash, broth, bay leaf and salt and black pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer about 20 minutes, or until vegetables are quite soft.

In batches if needed, transfer to a food processor or blender, removing bay leaf. Pulse on high until as smooth as possible. Carefully strain soup back into pan and bring to scalding. Remove from heat and stir in plain yogurt. Evenly divide among cordial, appertif or shot glasses and place some soaked cranberries in the middle of each, sprinkling with nutmeg before serving.

* This was a tough decision but use whatever orange liqueur you enjoy the most. Here are a couple of ideas though. Cointreau, Grand Marnier(although Cognac dominates the flavor of this alcohol and will darken the color of the soup) Orange or Blue Curaçao and Triple sec are the top choices for this recipe.

　

Damn Pumpkin Shooters

 

A great touch to these shooters would be to sprinkle some Cinnamon Schnapps into each right before serving.

1 cup pumpkin ale
1/4 cup dried figs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup skim milk
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoon maple syrup
Salt and black pepper to taste

Warm the pumpkin ale in a large saucepan over low heat. Add figs and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove figs from liquid; set aside. Add remainder of ingredients to ale and whisk well. Increase heat to medium and bring to scalding, stirring frequently.

When ready to serve, Add ale mixture and soaked raisins to a food processor or blender and puree until as smooth as possible. Transfer to soup, stir well and divide among cordial, appertif or shot glasses. Garnish with some chopped figs on top if desired.

　

　

Yuletide Chestnut Cheer

 

Named for Fra Angelico, who was a hermit known for his unique, liquor-based recipes, the hazelnut flavor of Frangelico goes perfectly with the chestnuts in this soup shooter. Second on Santa's list would be Amaretto. Be it almond or hazelnut, this soup is quintessentially Yuletide.

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic in oil
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 rib celery, sliced
1(24-ounce)can or jar chestnuts, drained
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup creme fraiche
Frangelico or Amaretto

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, carrots, celery and chestnuts. Cook, stirring often, for about 15 minutes, or until vegetables are starting to brown. Add broth and apple juice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables and chestnuts are completely tender. In batches, puree in a blender or food processor until as smooth as possible. Strain into another saucepan and stir in creme fraiche. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour into shot glassses and drizzle Frangelico or Amaretto into each glass. Serve immediately.

　

　

　

Holiday(Anyday)Sweet Flavored Butters

These butters are great for toast, bagels or muffins and are equally at home melted over pancakes or waffles. Many chefs will tell you to use unsalted real butter for flavored butters, but that's foolish! I rather enjoy the slight salty with the sweet and I think you will as well. Listed from top to bottom, enjoy any of these sweet spreads anytime.

Salted Caramel Butter

 

This is where the salty nature of plain butter or margarine is perfect with caramel.

5 caramel candies
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
1 stick(1/2 cup) butter or margarine, room temperature

Unwrap caramels and place in a bowl with maple syrup. Cover and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until caramel is melted and it is slightly foaming. Be careful when removing the cover to stir, it will be extremely hot. Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes, or until room temperature. Place in refrigerator if desired to hasten cooling. Beat butter with caramel mixture until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

　

Pecan Fig Butter

This is a slightly tricky recipe, Not for the preparation, but because of the type of fig you can use. If using dried figs, pour boiling water over them and let sit for about 30 minutes to soften. Drain well, pushing out the liquid from each fig before continuing with recipe. If using fresh figs, follow the recipe below, but be forewarned. You will not use an entire fig for this recipe, So I guess you will just have to eat the remainder of the unused, sweet, delicious fig. You can also purchase jarred or canned figs as well. Simply squeeze the daylights out of them before continuing with recipe. Raisins can be successfully substituted here as well. Simply treat as dried figs.

1 fresh fig
1 stick(1/2 cup) butter or margarine, room temperature
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon chopped pecans

It is as easy as removing the stem, and peeling fig if desired before mashing with a sturdy fork and adding to a bowl with remainder of ingredients. Beat until as creamy as possible. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Apple Cinnamon Butter

What on earth could I possibly say about this butter that the title doesn't already? My favorite butter for everything from muffins to pork chops.

1 stick(1/2 cup) butter or margarine, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup apple jelly, whisked smooth
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat until as creamy as possible. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

　

Maple Cranberry Butter

Think you've had cranberry butter before? Wait till you try this one!

1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup apple juice or cider, boiling
1 stick(1/2 cup) butter or margarine, room temperature
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pour boiling juice over cranberries and let soak for at least 30 minutes. Drain well, squeezing cranberries to remove as much liquid as possible. Place in a bowl with remainder of ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

　

Orange-Lemon Butter

Sunshine in the morning! Besides coffee,(and percolated coffee at that)the fresh taste of fruit first thing always brings a smile to my face.

1 stick(1/2 cup) butter or margarine, room temperature
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Place everything in a bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Merry Berry Butter

And here is a present from me to you. Such a simple butter and one I didn't think of until after I took the picture. This way you won't be looking for that elusive 6th spoon in the image. I dare say there is not one type of jam, preserves or all-fruit that you can't use with this recipe. Just choose and mix!

1 stick(1/2 cup) butter or margarine, room temperature
3 tablespoons berry preserves
1 teaspoon vanilla, almond, rum or mint extract

Place everything in a bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

A Gentle Giant

I am obliged to Christine Gilbert for these photos

There were few men in fact and fiction that could quite hold a stick to Maine's own Barnabus Coffin Beal. The only difference is that he was truly a living man, with the strength and only legends allude to.

A fisherman, lobsterman and a man who scooped up clams and oysters in order to sell and provide for his huge family. Born in 1836, he grew to become known as Tall Barney, with the strenght of an bear with the gentleness of a cub. One exploit set his name in the annals of history when he stopped in Rockland while out fishing one day. While on land, he was involved in an agument wheter any man present could lift a 1200-ound anchor laying on the dock. The men standing there tried but miserbaley failed. Someone asked Tall Barney to give it a try. Because he was never one to boast, he politely declined. Until, that is, someone bet him five dollars. It didn't take Barney long to realize that five dollars would go along way to feeding his brood back home in Jonesport, Maine.

The behemoth of a man walked over, bent over and lifted this anchor clean off the dock. Turing to his bettor, he was slightly taken aback when hewasn't paid. Never being a man with anger in his body, Barney bent back over again, raised that same anchor, walked to the edge of the wharf adn dropped it right through the bottom of the boat belonging to the man who had refused to pay.


'Tall Barney's' wife, Phoebe

His feats of strength were legendary in life, and the cause of his death. When out fishing , he would often haul his large dory up on the beach when through for the day, draggin it by the tow rope(or painter) all the way out of the water. One day in 1899, at the age of 63 years, he was dragging his boat out of the water at Pond island, Maine after a day of fishing. As he was almost clear of the water, and still a number of feet to go, he broke a blood vessel in his heart and died instantly.

You can read bout him in a poem by Alice Frost Lord, entitled "The Ballad of Tall Barney", publised in 1938 in the Lewiston, Maine Journal. I have only touched upon what is written about this gently giant and I urge you to read more of him.

　

Italian-Yankee Corn Cake

This perfectly sweetened cake creates its own type of crust around the edges that crisp up as it cools, transforming it into a toss between a cake and a pie actually. It is recommended to slice it into segments before refrigerating, otherwise the caramelized crust will be next to impossible to cut. Classical Italian Corn Cake uses almond extract, but vanilla works equally as well if desired.

　

 

Nonstick cooking spray
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 cups small dice apple
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
Juice from 1 lemon
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

　

Grease a 9-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Mix next 4 ingredients together until thoroughly combined; set aside. In a bowl, combine diced apple, orange juice and cinnamon; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. In a medium-sized bowl, blend cornmeal, coconut flour, sugar and baking powder until well blended. Stir in the milk, egg, lemon juice and melted butter. It should be mixed just enough to wet all ingredients, leaving it somewhat lumpy. Fold in the raisins and transfer to prepared pan, leveling out the top. Evenly divide apple mixture, juice and all, on top of batter. Sprinkle topping mixture evenly over the apples and bake 36-38 minutes, or until the center of the cake is firm. Immediately remove from oven to cool slightly before serving hot, or cover and refrigerate to serve cold.

Summer Sprouts

Yup. It's that time of year where we start thinking that we really shouldn't have had that extra slice of cake, that additional helping of lasagna or stuffed ourselves during the Holidays. But then again, it may have well been worth it. But for those of you who DO have that guilty conscience, this post is right up your alley.
For those of you who are lucky enough to have a high metabolism, try these recipes just because they are delicious, great for you and simply a great side to anything you have grilling this summer.

Summer Picnic 'Salad' 

A light meal that fits that "feel-good" category of recipes. And as for the Apple Vinaigrette? Let's just say this will be the last vinaigrette recipe you will make. Beautifully tart and reminiscent of that ol' Yankee charm, it is a keeper.

Apple Vinaigrette Dressing:

1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
"Salad":
1(7-ounce)bag bean sprouts(4 cups)
1 teaspoon minced garlic in oil
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup whole kernel corn
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/4 cup diced water chestnuts

Begin by adding apple juice, water, vinegar, honey and lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pulse on high for 10 seconds and keep it running. Slowly add the olive oil to the dressing until all ingredients are emulsified well; set aside.
Get 1 quart of water boiling over high heat. Gently add the bean sprouts and boil, stirring once, for 2 minutes. Strain well and transfer to a bowl; let cool to room temperature. When ready to serve, toss with garlic, chili powder, corn, apple, water chestnuts and Apple Vinaigrette Dressing.

Enough for 4 servings

Sautéed, Saucy Sprouts

 

This is one recipe you will eat all by itself. Loaded with protein, without added fat, it is one of those feel good meals. For an even higher boost of protein, without fat, add some cubed tofu. For those of you who want a little "meat with your potatoes", so to speak. add some chicken or beef cut up small while sautéing onions and garlic.

3/4 cup vegetable broth
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons canola or peanut oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic in oil
2 cups(8-ounces) sliced mushrooms
1 cup frozen lima beans, thawed
1(7-ounce)bag bean sprouts(about 4 cups)

　

Whisk together vegetable broth, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and sesame oil in a bowl; set aside. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add canola oil until it is shimmering hot. Add the onions and garlic and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or just until the garlic is becoming fragrant. Add mushrooms and lima beans. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender. Add broth mixture and bring to a boil. Stir in the bean sprouts and continue cooking and stirring for 2 additional minutes. Remove from heat to serve immediately.

Asian Shrimp Omelets

 

Every once in a while, I make breakfast for lunch or supper, never giving any thought to an alternative that is considered both in the 'other East'. Asian-style omelets are eaten throughout the day and after a few bites, you will see why.


　
3-5 tablespoons oil, divided
3 green onions, sliced thin
1 rib celery, minced
2 ounces(about a cup) mushrooms, minced
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
8 eggs, beaten well
1/2 teaspoon each salt, black pepper and chili powder
8 ounces beans sprouts, chopped
8 ounces Maine or salad shrimp, chopped

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet. Add celery and onions, cooking until the celery is softened, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms and cook until soft, about another minute. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

In a small saucepan, whisk together broth, cornstarch, sugar and soy sauce and cook over medium heat until it boils and thickens, about 4-6 minutes. Set aside, covered, to keep warm.

In a large bowl, stir together eggs, spices, bean sprouts, shrimp, celery and mushrooms. Add a half tablespoon oil to a skillet over medium heat until hot. Pour in 1/4-1/2-cup measures of omelet batter to skillet and cook until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and continue until all omelets have been made. Pour soy mixture over the top and serve immediately.

Enough for 4 people

 

Shhhhhhhh.................

If you don't tell anyone that these are gluten free, they will never know.

I am not going to ramble on and on about these decadent gluten free recipes, other than to say that these are just a very few of the recipes that can withstand the addition of gluten free flour without the texture being altered. Classically called Florentines, these cookies have been around for a few centuries, but not from Italy. Go ahead and see if you can buy one in any Italian pastry shop. Now if you take a jaunt over to France, you will find them quite easily.

They are also classically styled as dainty and sticky. Enjoy these simple Lace(Florentines) cookies without any added filling. Drizzle each peanut butter cookie with chocolate as traditionally sold and marketed.

Gluten-free Chocolate Peanut Butter Lace Cookies

 

Although rolled oats are naturally gluten free, they are sometimes transported in tankers that have carried a wheat product previously, so it is best advised to actively seek out gluten-free oats. These cookies are absolutely no different than if you had made them with all-purpose flour. So for those of you who have had issues with texture and gluten-free recipes, you will be extremely happy with these treats, as well as the following two.

I must add, however, it is vitally important that you read every label with regards to gluten content. Even though these ingredients are gluten free, read the label first to ensure a satisfying, and relaxed, dining experience.

1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon canola oil
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup rice flour *
3/4 cup milk, divided
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1(11.5-ounce)bag chocolate chips

Line 2 large baking pans with tin foil; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. In a small bowl, add peanut butter and oil. Cover with film wrap and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir until smooth; set aside, covered. In a large mixing bowl. add rolled oats, sugar and rice flour, blending well. Stir in peanut butter mixture, milk, melted butter and vanilla until completely smooth. It should be just barely pourable and very thick. If not, add a tablespoon more milk. Drop by the rounded teaspoon on prepared pan, forming it into a circle as best as you can. Leave 3-inches between mounds. With the back of a spoon, flatten each mound as thin as possible, retaining the circular shape. Dip the spoon in water after flattening each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are turning dark brown. The top will not be browned much, but that is fine since it will be the inside of each sandwich cookie. Remove from oven to completely cool on pan. Meanwhile, melt chocolate by adding chips and oil to a small bowl and microwaving on high for about 2 minutes. Remove and stir until smooth.

Carefully tear off each cookie with the foil still attached to the bottom and peel off the foil. This will be easier than it looks. Dollop about a teaspoon or so melted chocolate onto one cookie and top with another, the crispy bottom on the outside. Enjoy!

* There are many other gluten-free flours that work equally as well, such as chickpea, amaranth, barley, arrowroot, corn, millet, oat, potato, soya and tapioca flours to name a few.

Makes about 22 filled cookies.

　

Gluten-free Tropical Lace Cookies

 

Filled with simple, mashed mango, these coconut-flavored cookies will leave you wanting more and more. There is just no need to add anything else to the pure sweetness of mangoes and all this in a gluten-free sandwich of crispness.

I must add, however, it is vitally important that you read every label with regards to gluten content. Even though these ingredients are gluten free, read the label first to ensure a satisfying, and relaxed, dining experience.

　

1(12-ounce)bag frozen mango slices, thawed
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup rice flour
2/3 cup milk
1 stick(1/2-cup) butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

　

Mash mangoes with a fork or in a blender or food processor; set aside. Line 2 large baking pans with tin foil; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. In a large mixing bowl. add rolled oats, coconut, sugar and rice flour, blending well. Stir in milk, melted butter and extract until completely smooth. It should be just barely pourable and very thick. If not, add a tablespoon more milk. Drop by the rounded teaspoon on prepared pan, forming it into a circle as best as you can. Leave 3-inches between mounds. With the back of a spoon, flatten each mound as thin as possible, retaining the circular shape. Dip the spoon in water after flattening each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are turning dark brown. The top will not be browned much, but that is fine since it will be the inside of each sandwich cookie. Remove from oven to completely cool on pan.

Carefully tear off each cookie with the foil still attached to the bottom and peel off the foil. This will be easier than it looks. Dollop about a teaspoon or so mashed mango onto one cookie and top with another, the crispy bottom on the outside. Enjoy!

Makes about 22 filled cookies.

　

Gluten-free Peach Melba Lace Cookies

 

Boy oh boy!!!! When you make a crunchy sandwich out of peaches and raspberries, you will be ready to make them again the next day. You will adore not only the healthy aspect of these simply made "Florentines", but the perfect blend of flavors. As mentioned in the first recipe, you can substitute all-purpose flour with zero distinction between the two. Chalk this one up for a remake!

1(12-ounce)bag frozen peach slices, thawed
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup rice flour
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup(1 1/2 sticks)butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raspberry all-fruit

　

In a bowl, mash peaches or use a blender or processor; set aside. Line 2 large baking pans with tin foil; set aside. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F In a large mixing bowl. add rolled oats, sugar and rice flour, blending well. Stir in milk, melted butter and vanilla until completely smooth. It should be just barely pourable and very thick. If not, add a tablespoon more milk. Drop by the rounded teaspoon on prepared pan, forming it into a circle as best as you can. Leave 3-inches between mounds. With the back of a spoon, flatten each mound as thin as possible, retaining the circular shape. Dip the spoon in water after flattening each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are turning dark brown. The top will not be browned much, but that is fine since it will be the inside of each sandwich cookie. Remove from oven to completely cool on pan. Meanwhile, melt chocolate by adding chips and oil to a small bowl and microwaving on high for about 2 minutes. Remove and stir until smooth.

Carefully tear off each cookie with the foil still attached to the bottom and peel off the foil. This will be easier than it looks. Dollop about a teaspoon or so mashed peaches onto one cookie and top with another, the crispy bottom on the outside. Enjoy!

In a small bowl, add the raspberry all-fruit. Cover with film wrap and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir until smooth. Drizzle over each cookie.

Makes about 22 filled cookies.