quick pasta for friends

Woah- its been a while since i posted! No-- i didn't stop cooking, and i have no excuses! i just don't spend a killer amount of time online like some bloggers.... but i vow to do better!

this pasta was so good, i just had to share. the sauce was creamy, the pasta was perfect, and the little pearl onions added excellent flavor and texture to the dish. the sensation of these perfectly cooked onions popping in your mouth with the flavors of the pasta was divine. the celery-which seems out of place, was a last minute addition-and provided some more texture, and reminded me of really good chowder. This simple pasta, with a few great ingredients is in contention for being my favorite pasta... ever.

Linguine with caramelized pearl onions, shrimp and a white wine cream sauce.

1 pound linguine
1 pound cleaned shrimp
2 cloves garlic, minced finely (about a tbl)
1 cup good, dry white wine- good enough to drink
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded asiago cheese
1 bag frozen pearl onions
1 stalk celery, cleaned and diced finely
1 yellow pepper, cleaned and diced finely
2 teaspoons dried herbes de Provence
olive oil
salt and pepper
(a couple tablespoons water or dry sherry/white wine)

caramelized pearl onions
1 bag frozen pearl onions
1 tablespoon sugar
pinch salt and pepper
olive oil to coat pan
(1 or 2 tablespoons water, or sherry/white wine if you're feeling fancy)

In a (not non stick- for the love of god- use a stainless- you'll want the extra flavor of the bits that stick for the sauce-but nothing burned) large pan heated over medium heat, add oil, and when oil is shimmering- saute frozen pearl onions for 5-6 minutes. when the onions start to show some color, add salt and pepper. saute for another couple minutes- the salt will help pull some juices from the onions, and help them caramelize. add sugar, and keep cooking. when the onions are a beautiful brown caramel color, and soft all the way through, remove the onions from the pan and set aside. If you have some sticking happen- don't add more oil- add a little water, or even a little sherry to the pan and scrape the bottom. you only want to add enough to prevent burning- and keep the integrity of the onions. this process can take some time- so i usually like to do some dishes, or clean up the kitchen a little while they're cooking-- but don't worry, it'll be worth it in the end.

in the same pan, heat a little more oil, and saute diced yellow pepper and celery. when they are about 1/2 way cooked, add minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. at this point, you should have a nice amount of coloring (called fond) in the bottom of the pan- good work!

Shrimp
make sure that your shrimp has been peeled completely, and is clean and washed. pat the shrimp dry and add a pinch of salt and a couple grinds od pepper. take the dried herbes de Provence in your hand and rub the herbes to release their flavor. add a drizzle of oil to the shrimp, and toss the shrimp with your hands, coating each with a little of the oil, salt, pepper and herbes.

cook the shrimp on medium in the same pan you've been using, and remove from the pan and set aside just before they're done- pink with a little grey- only about 1-3 minutes. We'll be cooking them a little more in the sauce (following).

in the pan with all the yummy bits, deglaze with white wine- scraping up the bits. once the wine has reduced by half, add your cream and simmer for 10-15 minutes-- just the right amount of time to cook your pasta. you'll want to cook your pasta in boiling water with a good amount of salt- but no oil. cook the pasta to your liking (al dente, or with just a little bite left for me and my friends) and drain- saving about a cup of the cooking liquid before you drain.

at this point- your sauce should the thick and creamy. add your cheese, and stir until melted. add your cooked veggies and shrimp- and any juices. stir, and season with salt and pepper if needed. add your pasta back to the pot, and pour the sauce over the pasta. mix well. if the pasta sauce seems too thick- add a little pasta water- about a quarter cup to thin it out. the starch in the water will help bind it together.

serve immediately, and enjoy, because i know you will.

Vegan triplet pasta feast

This weekend was the celebration of Best Friends Day 8. To ring it in right, one of my best friends came to town and as we always do when she visits me, i made a huge dinner for her and all our friends. It was hot, and at one point i was using all burners, the oven, a fan and a food processor at once-- and blew a fuse! a first in my kitchen- and a slight badge of honor. Thank goodness for my pizzalicious sister and her friend for coming to my rescue as impromptu sous chefs- and for letting me bark orders at them as i cooked myself in the heat of my kitchen, fried my blender motor, blew fuses, and ran out of counter and sink space so fast i contemplated using the floor.

I love nothing more than to cook for a crowd. I love to cook for my friends and family, and it is one of the rare instances when i am social and friendly- completely natural and in my element. it lately seems like its pretty often that dinner for four turns into dinner for 8 in a few short texts.

I'm flattered by the fact that people think a seat at my table is a good bet- and it seems like I've never got a shortage of neighbors the minute that garlic hits the pan, and that familiar smell wafts through the house and neighborhood. This is normally true--except for last night, when i had so much leftover food i used just about every tupperwear container i had. I still had about 16 people in attendance- but it was clear that i had over cooked- even by my standards, and coming from my background, i was embarrassed by this showing of yummy vegan excess. But in the end- my friends and my friends friends' were seemingly happy and well fed, and no one ever complains about eating too little right?

My friend whom we were celebrating is vegan, and as is our tradition, whenever she visits i cook for her and our friends. I knew i wanted to do pasta, and i thought it'd be great to figure out how to veganize something really comforting, and cheesy. I had been quizzing all my chef friends, and foodie buds alike on how to best make a vegan alfredo sauce. i kid you not, i probably got 9 separate answers on how to make it best-- and was so overwhelmed in the grocery store, that i scratched the whole thing, and decided to play it safe and make something i know, and let the grocery store produce section inspire me. Sorry i forgot to take pictures- there was much eating and drinking involved.

Pasta Triplets
Butternut squash "Cheddar" shells
Penne with Popeye Pesto
Bow Tie Pasta with Dueling Vegetable Marinara

Butternut Squash "Cheddar" Shells
The butternut squash cavatappi, featured earlier this year on this blog was a perfect candidate for veganizing a dish, and it is something i love to make and eat. the orange of the roasted squash really looks like cheddar cheese, and the sweet and garlicky sauce is a real crowd pleaser.

I substituted 4 ounces of tofutti vegan sour cream, and 4 ounces of vegan cream cheese for the goat cheese listed in the original recipe. The roasted butternut squash sauce was quite a bit thicker than usual for some reason ( i guess the vegan cream cheese and sour cream really seized the mixture) i added about 4 times the normal amount of pasta water to the mixture than usual to thin it out, and used traditional medium sized shells - since i had a coupon.

Penne with Popeye Pesto
This deliciously green dish, usually served with a hard Italian cheese is equally good when the lemon and almond mixture steps up to the plate. Pesto to me screams summer-- when you just have to use all that basil before it turns. The sweet yet full flavor of the almond butter against the licoricey and grassy flavor of the spinach and basil is bright and light with just a hint of sharpness from the garlic and lemon. Perfect hot or cold, this dish would be an excellent side, and the pesto is great on boiled potatoes, as a sandwich spread when mixed with a little veganaise, grilled with tofu, in eggs, or on just about anything. I always make a little extra, and freeze some of my larger batches so I'll have a little summer-- even in the winter time.

3 cups baby spinach (packed)
1 cup basil, cleaned (packed)
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 cloves garlic
1/4-1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, cook pasta in salted boiling water until aldente.
in a dry pan over medium heat, toast the nuts (separately). once the almonds have toasted lightly, add them to a food process er with a tablespoon of oil and a little salt. Process the almonds until they are smooth like peanut butter. Remove the almond butter from processor and set aside. In the same processor add the basil, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, zest and toasted walnut pieces, pulse while drizzling in oil slowly, until the mixture is thick. Stir in almond butter, and salt and pepper to taste.

add the pesto to hot pasta, and serve immediately. if the mixture is too thick, you can add pasta water, or a little extra oil, but i like to add a little vegan margarine for some extra flavor and some shine.

Bow Tie Pasta with Dueling Vegetable Marinara
The two kinds of mushrooms provide beefy texture and an excellent counterpart to the tender and slightly crisp white and green asparagus. This dish makes for such a hearty bowl of pasta, you won't miss the cheese, and you won't be able to decide which asparagus or mushroom wins.

1 bunch thick green asparagus- peeled, and re bundled
1 bunch white asparagus- peeled, and re bundled
2 shallots
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces white button mushrooms, cleaned
6 ounces oyster mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed
1/4 cup dry sherry
1 12 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped roughly
1 large jar of premium quality marinara sauce- i used trader joe's tomato basil pasta sauce
Olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, cook pasta in salted boiling water until aldente. reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
In a pot of boiling salted water, blanch the asparagus for about 4 minutes. shock the asparagus in and ice bath, and slice each bunch into thirds.
Slice shallots thinly, mince garlic. In a large pan over medium high heat, drizzle enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. heat the olive oil, and saute the shallots and garlic. once they have turned golden brown, set aside. Slice mushrooms finely, and in the same pan you cooked the shallots and garlic in, add more oil to coat the bottom of the pan and bring to medium high heat. saute the mushrooms and keep stirring. don't salt the mushrooms yet, or they'll sweat. when the mushrooms are golden brown, add the sherry and deglaze the pan. once the alcohol has cooked off, add the roasted red peppers, sauteed mushrooms, blanched asparagus, and marinara sauce. stir well and add salt and pepper to taste. bring the sauce to a simmer, then add to hot bow tie pasta and toss well. add some of the reserved cooking liquid if needed

channeling julia

So my sister and a friend went to see Julie & Julia on Saturday. I was supposed to have them over for my waffles, but realized that i didn't have any flour, and lacked the amount of enthusiasm that it takes to put on clothes and leave the house, so we settled for a movie instead. It was great. I've read the blog years back, and then read the book, and was pretty stoked to see a movie based off of 2 great books, directed by the totally hilarious Nora Ephron. I had high hopes, and they were met and exceeded.

I cried The. Whole. Time. Like many foodies, Julia Child has a special place in my heart. JC (i can call her that because we're buds in my head) reminds me of everything i loved as a kid, and everything i love as an adult. She makes me miss my grandma, and makes me want to be better, try harder and work smarter.

When i was young, my mom was busy working, and going to school, and so relied on school to occupy us kids. So during the summer we'd take turns spending some time with our grandparents, help my mom out with the burden of single parenthood, and also help keep us out of trouble- at least for a little while. For a whole glorious month every summer, i would get dropped off at my favorite place on the planet to act like a single child- even just for a little while.

My grandpa and i would take long morning walks around the neighborhood, play checkers and watch Price is Right. My Grandma and i would cook every meal for him together, go to the library and read, watch Julia Child and ballroom dancing competitions on PBS. I have watched Julia Child on PBS since i can remember it seems like. I remember a particular episode where she showed us all the various sizes of lobsters. I must have been 12 or 13, just before i turned into a sulky and petulant pre teen, and before i thought i was too cool to watch PBS. I thought she was incredible. Fearless. Touching these angry, waving and snapping lobsters like they were mere bunnies. Throwing them around the cutting board, and muscling them into place. I wanted to be like that and i wanted to be her.

I have a distinct memory of sitting on my grandpa's shoulders on a vinyl couch with a zebra print cushion, and fashioning his white hair into a mohawk while learning the intricacies of pate choux. I remember my grandma's 70s mushroom wallpaper in the kitchen, and the smell the stove would make when we went to light the pilot with a match.

Grandma slept in rollers, smelled like powder, and was the very picture of a 50s housewife. She was the prettiest thing i had ever seen, and her bureau was a wonderland filled with jewelry, trinkets, and a big pink piggy bank that she let me count on her bed. Together every day, we made typical southern American food, fried chicken.... biscuits... cakes and pies. It was like magic watching her cook, and i loved that she always asked grandpa to open all the jars.

Watching Julia Child being so masterfully portrayed by the amazing Meryl Streep made me want to cook and love and celebrate all that I am. Because so much of what and who I am today are because of 3 incredible women, my mom, my grandma, and Julia Child.

Tarragon Rotisserie Chicken in the style of Poulet a la Broche, page 242 in Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume 1, edition 21.
A very good friend of mine spotted a *set it and forget it* style rotisserie cooker for $10 at a yard sale, and like the very good friend that she is, she bought it for me and set it beside my car door. My friends know me well. This chicken would be perfect for company, or just a couple friends. Perfectly moist, with a crisp brown skin, it sure hits the spot.

1 packet fresh tarragon- 1/2 packet chopped roughly
2 lemons, 1 zested and cut in half, other just cut in half
2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons room temp butter
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
1 5 pound organic chicken

In a bowl, mix together the chopped tarragon, lemon zest, salt, butter, pepper, and herbes de Provence with a fork until well combined. set aside
wash and dry the chicken, and loosen the skin from the meat of the breast, legs/thighs and back. massage the chicken all over with the butter mixture, inside the cavity, under the skin, etc and put tarragon stalks and cut lemons inside. Truss the chicken well(page 237 in MTAFC). Put the chicken on the spit, and set your rotisserie for the size of your bird-- generally about 12-15 minutes per pound, or tested with an instant read thermometer to 160 (temp will reach at least 165 after 10 minutes of resting).

after you let the bird rest for 10 minutes- carve this way making sure to carve off a little of the breast meat with the wings-- "the way the French do" according to JC.

accompaniments
Pommes de terre de persil (Parsley Potatoes)
Simple and comforting, its hard to resist this simple side dish.

1 bag baby yukon gold potatoes- or yukons cut into quarters, scrubbed, skins left on
1/2 cup minced flat leaf parsley
4 tablespoons butter, melted
salt and pepper to taste

in a large pot, fill with cold water and add potatoes. bring to a boil, and boil until done. potatoes are done when the tip of a paring knife inserted into a potato comes out with little resistance. drain potatoes well, and add back to hot pot. pour over melted butter, add parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.

Les Haricots Verts Indiens ("Indian" Green Beans)
I've been making a variation of these green beans with different curries and spices over the years, and garam masalla has been my favorite. these crisp little green beans are easy to make, and magically, taste better the next day, so i like to make extras, and add to salads, put on sandwiches, or just snack on them cold.

1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
2 shallots, sliced thin
2 teaspoons garam masalla spice
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1o grinds fresh pepper
extra virgin olive oil to coat

pre heat an oven to 400. on a large heavy cookie sheet (if you've got the flimsy sort-- you may want to use a roasting pan so it doesn't warp in the oven) add green beans, garam masalla, salt and pepper and a light drizzle of olive oil. using your hands, toss the beans well, and add more oil if you need to. the beans should just be lightly coated. roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Beans should be just lightly browned, and still have a nice crispness to them.

Pepper is "helping" in the kitchen

something worthwhile to post

Hey all my fans out there! man- its been a couple months since i posted anything! i guess the feeling struck me today, when i started reading about tomatoes.


Those who know me know that i am food obsessed and every summer I get giddy at the smell of tomato flowers/vines. For those of you who know that smell- know that there is nothing else like it in the world.


As a kid, my mom planted a ton of tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers and various beans every year. In addition to our seasonal garden, we had peach trees (3) for making homemade peach ice cream and collecting bee stings, an apple tree, an enormous blackberry bush where our foster box turtles always escaped to, a giant mulberry bush that continuously dotted the yard, the roof and my face with purple spots, wild strawberries and some “volunteers” as my mom called them—or things that started growing from the compost- melons and the like. Mom was dedicated to this urban hippy garden, and I recall once when the neighborhood kids started stealing our crop- mostly our favorite, ripe blackberries- which she usually saved to make jam. Mom was livid when she noticed that things started going missing. I remember that she and I walked down to the creek, gloves in hand, and retrieved poison ivy, which she planted on the outside of the fence to ward off unwanted guests.


Yes, reader- I know this sounds like I grew up deep in the country, far down a dirt road, and you’re probably imagining me as a little girl wearing denim overalls and my fuzzy tangled hair up in pig tales and covered in dirt like a little rascal. But I’m talking about Southside Richmond- near George Wythe high school. In a not so nice area back then, where gun shots were common, and poverty even more so. We were poor, and we knew it, but until I was in college- I thought everyone grew up this way, and ate vegetables all the time. As an adult, I started meeting friends who had never tasted asparagus, snapped fresh green beans, or knew the pleasures of a really truly fresh tomato- not the water logged, pre refrigerated forced ripened tomatoes anyone can get from any store.


Because we grew a lot of our own food, I ate so much squash and zucchini, I can’t stand to look at the stuff, and the taste still sort of revolts me. But Unlike Zucchini/ Squash, i did not have a tomato overdose as a child- even though they were probably as abundant, if not more so at least in variety.


There is just something so right about a perfectly perky red cherry tomato plucked right off the vine and popped into your mouth, exploding with flavor and texture... a beefy Hanover tomato dusted with a little salt and pepper on a BLT or just T sandwich, a zesty roma sliced thick and placed on top of cream cheese and bread, or my all time favorite- ultimate grilled cheese (recipe below).
While I only wrote one of these recipes the rest made me think of my childhood, and everything that I’ve become and love because of the food we grew, and the dishes I learned to make as a result. Never underestimate the power of a ripe tomato.




Maya’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese (makes one)The special ingredient in this is the honey- sounds odd, but it works. Balanced and sweet- it really pulls together that licorice-y flavor of the basil, cuts some of the sharpness of the cheddar and pulls in the sour flavors from the bread. 2 slices sour dough bread2 slices fontina cheese2 slices cheddar cheese2 basil leaves2 slices Hanover tomato- dusted lightly w salt and pepperDijon mustardhoney2 tablespoons butter
In a medium non stick sauté pan, heat pan on medium for 3-4 minutes. Assemble sandwichOn one slice of bread, smear mustard – as much as you like. Place the cheddar cheese on top. Put the tomato slices, and basil leaves on top, and drizzle with honey. Place fontina cheese on top, and 2nd slice of bread. Melt butter in pan, and grill on both sides on medium until cheese is melted. Cut in quarters and serve with carrot sticks.

All other recipes taken from Plateonline.com (a trade magazine)


RED AND YELLOW TOMATO SALAD WITH LENTILS, BASIL AND FRESH GOAT CHEESE
Chef Jeff Gaetjen
Bob Kinkead's Colvin Run Tavern - Vienna, Va., USA
Yield: 6 servings

Red tomatoes (Brandywine, Cherokee purple or other), large, ripe 3 each
Yellow tomatoes, large, ripe 3 each
French lentils 1 C
Vegetable oil 1 TBS
Celery, finely diced 1/3 C
Yellow onion, finely diced 1/3 C
Carrot, finely diced 1/3 C
Chicken or vegetable stock 3 C
Red lentils 1 C
Garlic cloves, minced 2 each
Extra virgin olive oil 6 TBS
Red wine vinegar 4 TBS
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves, cut into a chiffonade 9 each
Red onion, thinly sliced 1 each
Sugar 1/2 tsp
Fresh goat cheese, 9-Oz log
Walnuts, toasted, finely chopped 1/4 C
Fresh basil sprigs 6 each
Aïoli 3 TBS
Instructions:
1. Bring 8 cups salted water to a boil in a large saucepot. Core the tomatoes and score the bottoms with a paring knife. Plunge the tomatoes into the boiling water for 1 minute, and then shock in an ice-water bath. When cool, peel the tomatoes, cut into wedges and reserve, discarding skins.

2. Bring 1 quart of salted water to a boil in a saucepot and add the French lentils. Cook for 10 minutes, then drain. Combine the vegetable oil and the diced vegetables in a saucepot over medium heat and sweat for 3 minutes. Add the French lentils, 1 cup of the stock and 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender but not mushy, about 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and place in a stainless steel bowl.

3. Bring the remaining 2 cups stock to a boil and pour over the red lentils. Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain and add to the French lentils. Stir in the garlic, 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the red wine vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and half of the basil chiffonade. Add the tomato wedges, red onion, sugar and salt and pepper to taste and toss. Let marinate for about 10 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Roll the goat cheese log in the walnuts and cut into 6 1- to 1 1/2-ounce rounds, each about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place the rounds on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes.

6. To serve, divide the lentil salad onto 6 chilled salad plates and top with alternating red and yellow tomato wedges in overlapping circles. Top each with some of the remaining basil chiffonade and a round of warm goat cheese. Garnish with a basil sprig and drizzle with the aïoli.

GRILLED HALLOUMI CHEESE, ONION AND TOMATO SALAD WITH HONEY LEMON VINAIGRETTE
Chef-Owner John Ash
John Ash & Co. Restaurant - Santa Rosa, Calif., USA

Yield: 4 servings
Halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 Oz
Peasant-style bread, crusts removed, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 each
Red onion, small, cut into 12 wedges, root end left on 1 each
Cherry tomatoes Extra virgin olive oil 1/4 C
Garlic, roasted or finely minced 2 tsp
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Arugula leaves, young, tender, lightly packed 5 C
Honey lemon vinaigrette as needed

Instructions:
1. Thread the cheese, bread, onions and tomatoes alternately on 4 skewers. Whisk the olive oil and garlic in a small bowl and brush onto skewers. Season generously with salt and pepper and grill over a multi-level fire, turning once until the bread is toasty, the vegetables and tender and lightly caramelized, and the cheese is lightly browned.
2. Toss arugula with a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette and divide among 4 plates. Gently push the cheese, bread, onions and tomatoes off the skewer onto each plate and serve immediately with additional vinaigrette, if desired.

WARM ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH COUNTRY HAM AND GOLDEN TOMATOES
Executive Chef Timothy Magee
South City Kitchen - Atlanta, Ga., USA

Yield: 4 servings
Cider vinegar 3 TBS
Vegetable oil 1/4 C
Shallot, minced 1 each
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Dijon mustard 1 tsp
Country ham, jullienned 1 Oz
Yellow tomato, thin slices of 12 each
Asparagus spears, thin 16 each
Vidalia onion, sliced 1 TBS
Tomato, chopped 2 TBS
Chives, cut as needed

Instructions:
1. In a stainless steel mixing bowl, combine the cider vinegar, vegetable oil, shallot, salt and pepper and Dijon mustard and mix thoroughly. Reserve.
2. Divide evenly and lay 3 yellow tomato slices onto each of 4 salad plates.
3. In a frying pan over low to medium heat, gently warm the ham. Add the asparagus, onion and chopped tomato; gently warm. Add the reserved vinaigrette and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Divide and arrange the mixture atop sliced tomatoes and garnish with cut chives.

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH ROASTED PLUM TOMATOES, BACON, BLEU CHEESE SPREAD AND LETTUCE
Chef-Owner Carol Watson
Milk & Honey Café - Chicago, Ill., USA

Yield: 4 servings


Chicken breast, whole, marinated 2 each
Ciabatta, loaf of 1 each
Extra virgin olive oil as needed
Bleu cheese spread 1 TBS
Plum tomatoes, roasted, halves 4 each
Bacon strips 8 each
Romaine leaves 4 each

Instructions:
1. Grill chicken on a char or outdoor grill.
2. Cut each chicken breast in half.
3. Slice ciabatta loaf into 8 slices. Brush each slice lightly with olive oil and toast either on grill or in a sauté pan.
4. Spread about 1 tablespoon of bleu cheese on each of 4 slices of toasted bread.
5. Place 1 piece of chicken on bread and top with a tomato half. Top with 2 pieces bacon and a romaine leaf and finish with other piece of bread. Cut each sandwich in half and serve.

Minty Buffalo Burgers

Last night i finally went grocery shopping. As I'm prone to do, i bought lots of odd things. I've been so busy that the grocery store had changed completely since the last time I had been. I bought lots of strange sauces, a couple vegetable oddities, and some buffalo meat. I've bought buffalo before, so that wasn't the strangest thing by far. I had recently seen on the travel channel a hamburger paradise episode where they steam their burgers instead of grill them. I decided to make some Greek inspired burgers-and steam them low and slow to see if that would help prevent toughening of the super lean buffalo meat.

Minty Buffalo Burgers- makes 4 burgers
1 pound of ground buffalo meat
2 tablespoons dried spearmint
2 teaspoons garlic Powder
4 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter
salt and fresh ground black pepper
4 slices muenster cheese
1 tablespoon basil oil

4 potato buns toasted, with a little Dijon mustard spread on each piece.

Remove buffalo meat from the fridge- and let it come to room temperature. preheat a non stick skillet over medium low and heat up basil oil. in a bowl, add ground buffalo meat, mint, garlic powder and about a teaspoon of pepper and a pinch of salt. mix the meat well- but don't over mix. divide into 4 quarters, and flatten out the meat in the palm of your hand. place a tablespoon of butter in the center of the meat, and fold the meat over the butter until you have a patty. repeat with the rest of the meat. cook the burgers in the skillet turning once after about 6 minutes. and cooking on the other side with a slice of muenster cheese you don't want a lot of browning- just making sure the meat is medium well. assemble your burgers and enjoy.

I served this burger with steamed green and yellow beans, and i poured some leftover hambuger juices/fat over the beans and tossed well.

French Roasted Chicken

A friend of mine charged me with the task of teaching her how to make a whole chicken. My mom had recently taken a trip to Provence, and brought me back authentic Herbes de Provence. One of the strongest flavors was the lavender, and I had never cooked with it before. When I was a kid, my mom used to make “chicken with and an egg” which was a whole roasted chicken stuffed with a whole lemon. I mixed the idea of this dish, and used a new ingredient that I had procured, and the results were memorable. This is by far, the best roast chicken I’ve ever had, and I think you’ll agree too.


French Roast Chicken feeds 5 comfortably
Ingredients
1 whole chicken 4-5 pounds
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2 garlic cloves chopped roughly
5 tablespoons Herbes de Provence
1 tablespoon dried mint
2 teaspoons white pepper
3 tablespoons sea salt
5 tablespoons cold butter
1 lemon cut into quarters
6 tablespoons fresh lavender
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 450
Wash the chicken and pat very dry. Set aside. You’ll want the chicken to be room temperature, and the butter ice cold. Using the back of a fork, mash together lemon zest, garlic, herbs, white pepper, salt and butter. Once you have a paste, separate the skin from the chicken breast and legs. Rub the herbed butter mixture all over the bird- inside and outside of the skin and inside of the cavity. Place on a roasting pan and stuff the chicken with the quartered lemons. Turn the chicken wings under and tuck the tips into the side of the chicken. Secure the wings and the legs/back with a piece of twine.
Roast the chicken breast side up for 10-15 minutes at 450 or until the breast is a light golden brown. Turn the heat down to 350 and roast for 45 minutes to one hour or until the internal temperature is at 165 at the thickest part on the chicken—in a leg or through the breast, making sure not to touch bone. Baste with any juices as needed- but don't for the last 15 minutes- you'll want the skin to be crispy. As you’re checking on your bird, if you start to notice that the skin is getting to dark, cover with foil, taking care not to keep the oven open too long.

Remove the chicken and tent for 10-15 minutes to let it rest. Carve the chicken and serve with your favorite sides. I like to serve this dish with roasted parsnips and beets or make it ahead of time for the best chicken salad you’ve ever had. Save me a leg!

thin mints

One of the best things about working where i work is that i have constant access to really interesting food stuffs. BUT only once a year, Girl Scout Cookies make their way into my kitchen.

this year- i have a glut of thin mints, and i want to do something with them. What do you think i should make? got any suggestions?

Chocolate silk pie with a thin mint crust?
mini ice cream sandwiches made with thin mints?
thin mint coated cheese ball?
mint chess pie with thin mint topping?
some sort of tiramisu?

I've cured my itch for girl scout cookies.. now i've got to do something about this cooking rash.

get your girl scout cookies here