Month: April 2013

Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes
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Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes

By Joan Nathan

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds russet (baking) or Yukon Gold potatoes

russett

  • 1 medium onion

onion

  • 1/2 cup chopped scallions, including the green part

scallions

  • 1 large egg, beaten

egg

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying

How:
1. Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a grater or a food processor coarsely grate the potatoes and onions. Place together in a fine-mesh strainer or tea towel and squeeze out all the water over a bowl. The potato starch will settle to the bottom; reserve that after you have carefully poured off the water.

2. Mix the potato and onion with the potato starch. Add the scallions, egg, and salt and pepper.

3. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and coat with a thin film of vegetable oil. Take about 2 tablespoons* of the potato mixture in the palm of your hand and flatten as best you can. Place the potato mixture on the griddle, flatten with a large spatula, and fry for a few minutes until golden. Flip the pancake over and brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately. You can also freeze the potato pancakes and crisp them up in a 350-degree oven at a later time.

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*I like really big pancakes so my pick show much larger ones, maybe 4-6 tablespoons. remember I am a pinch of this or handful of that kind of cook.

Variation: If you want a more traditional and thicker pancake, you can add an extra egg plus 1/3 cup of matzah meal to the batter.

Pther Posts

Big Fat Cod Potato Pancakes

Crispy Oven Baked Russet Fries

 

 

Endive, Radicchio, Fennel, and Watercress Salad
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Endive, Radicchio, Fennel, and Watercress Salad

Lyn reminds me that I forgot to mention the salad and also the Wholefoods Cranberry multigrain rolls we had at our Eastover feast. Laurel once made a similar roll but they are much better perhaps someday I will get the recipe but we were there and convenience sometimes rules. We recently decided that Wholefoods bakery is not so good again convenience sometimes rules. I rarely bake to exact a science for me. Although I usually say ½ cup or 2 Tbsp. of this I am guessing for others sake I am really a handful of this a pinch of that kind of guy. Anyway…….

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, Celery root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Ingredients:

  • 4 endive, thickly sliced on the diagonal

BelgianEndive

  • 1 large bulb fresh fennel, fronds removed and bulb very thinly sliced

fennel

  • 1 bunch watercress, stems removed

watercress

  • 1/2 Head of Radicchio sliced crosswise thinly

radichio

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Zest of one Meyer lemon
  • Juice of 1 Meyer lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

How:

In a bowl, combine the endive, fennel, radicchio, watercress and Meyer lemon zest then toss gently to mix.

add Myer lemon zest

Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add half of the dressing and toss gently to coat thoroughly. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and serve immediately..

toss

THE HISTORY OF  WATERCRESS

watercress about 1

From http://www.watercress.com/history.aspx

Watercress is the most ancient of   green vegetables known to man and its use can be traced back to the Persians,   Greeks and Romans. In fact, a famous Persian chronicler advised Persians to   feed cress to their children to improve bodily growth. He also strongly   recommended its use to the Greek and Persians soldiers of that time.Although these eminent rulers knew   nothing of such matters as mineral content and vitamins, they did observe   that their soldiers were in better condition when this plant was made part of   their daily diet. The Romans, too, looked with favor upon Watercress as a   salad. The common method of preparation in those days was with oil and vinegar.   It was also served with pepper, cumin seed and lentiscus…leaves of the mastic   tree.

When Hippocrates founded the first   hospital on the Island of Kos around 400 BC, he grew wild watercress in the   natural springs and used it to treat blood disorders.

It is reported that Nicholas   Messier first grew watercress in Erfurt, Germany, in the middle of the 16th   century. English cultivation started in early 1800, when a farmer near London   began to give cress attention as a product of Agriculture to be used in salads.   It was not long before its popularity spread and it became increasingly   difficult to meet the rather sudden increase in demand for watercress.

The herbalist John Gerard extolled   watercress as an anti-scorbutic (remedy for scurvy) as early as 1636. No doubt   in those days it was far easier to come by than oranges – a foreign   extravagance.

According to the book ‘James Cook   and the Conquest of Scurvy’, Captain James Cook was able to circumnavigate   the globe three times, due in part, to his use of watercress in his sailors   diets. And watercress is recorded as being on the menu for the vary first   Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the American Indians.

Wherever Watercress has been   reported in history, it has been common to eat the crisp green sprigs out of   hand, combined with other tender greens in salads and as a garnish on hot and cold dishes. In addition,   certain nationalities have made a particular watercress use famous in their   country.

For instance, the French are noted   for delicious thick soup made of potatoes and watercress, Potage Cressionniere.   This is usually served hot, though it is delicious served cold.

The English, of course, are   responsible for popularizing the watercress sandwiches. These are now practically standard service, appearing at   daily family teas and high teas alike. The Italians, too, did their bit by   adding shortcut sprigs of Watercress to their minestrone and other satisfying   and hearty vegetable soups. The Chinese have long used watercress sprays in their egg drop,   wonton and of course watercress soup.

Here in America, B&W   Watercress, Inc. has not only made watercress available easily, but we also   developed interesting recipes for using Watercress. These include: watercress   salad, soups and sandwiches, dips, entrees and of course the vegetable   dishes.

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watercress2

It’s Avocado Season!!
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It’s Avocado Season!!

When I was younger so much younger than today I lived in Temecula California doing under the table asphalt work for Rich McDonnell’s uncle I think. We lived in their country house so to speak and whenever he had a job down our area we were readily available   workers. It was a tough life we had to take care of the 2 horses a dog, got   the old Willy jeep working and explored the area. It was what they called mud flat desert and it went on for miles and miles. We once found a small town somewhere out in the middle of nowhere with the sing Welcome to “sorry Can’t remember the   name” 12 happy and 3 grumpy residents. Temecula was not a huge town and in   fact if you remember the Clorox commercials away from…. well Temecula was one   of those towns. We made 104 people in the town and maybe 8 of them used   Clorox. It was in the height of the gas rationing odd even days and we never   knew it since the gas station was only open 1 day a week. Anyway when a crew came in to build hydroponic I struck up a friendship with the contractor a fellow Yankee but from NJ and was soon working there.  What has this got to do with avocados, my god when he said he was a flow of thought writer he was not kidding here it is….I love avocados whether in everybody’s favorite guacamole or sliced with a drizzle with 18 year old balsamic vinegar, mixed in a tuna melt, in salads and am always looking for new ideas. Temecula is next door in desert terms the Avocado capital of the world or at least California, Fallbrook CA. I used to joke playing with the old wives tale that a lobsterman could legally shot you for pulling up his trap that the same was true with avocado ranchers and picking from their trees.I got this notice from California Avocado Commission.

Ah, April! The month that brings us   spring also means the start of the other season we’ve been waiting for all   winter-California Avocado season has begun! Starting this month, you can find the premium, hand grown fruit at your local market. Look for California on the avocado label to make sure you’re selecting this fresh, California-grown fruit. If you are unable to find them, let your produce manager know of your preference!

avacoda season

No matter the meal, the occasion or the flavors you’re craving, California Avocados consistently deliver the fresh and creamy taste that makes any dish a delight. Refresh your palate with this chilled soup recipe from one of our growers: Abbott Family Gazpacho with   California Avocado. Try the simple, yet elegant Fresh California Avocado Crepe Wrap for lunch. Or, find a new love for springtime salads with this hearty and flavorful Fried Chicken Breast Salad with Avocado, Corn, Basil & Housemade Ranch Dressing from Chef Hugh Acheson. The season is ripe for the tasting-start now!By the way I met someone recently that tells me Temecula is now a booming retirement community.

 

avacoda about

Is avocado a fruit or a vegetable

I’ve always been fascinated by avocado. It is such a delicious, creamy and rich treat that’s pretty versatile. You can enjoy it savory as well as sweet dishes. It’s rather healthy but also incredibly rich and fatty. One of the questions that often comes up is this: Is avocado a fruit or a vegetable?

Since it grows on a tree (the avocado tree) and is part of the reproductive organ of the plan that also carries the seed, it is technically / biologically a fruit. We do tend to think of it more as a vegetable though because of the way we use it in the kitchen.

Most of the time we use it in savory dishes and salad. And since avocado aren’t naturally sweet, we don’t think of them as fruit. We add it to salads, make cold soups from it or use it as a sandwich spread. Of course then there’s the ever popular guacamole, a simple avocado dip. Here’s my favorite recipe.

 
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Blueberry Oatmeal Bread

Richard at the office is into baking  he has made some out of this world banana breads, cakes and muffins. He stuck a piece of this in front of me today and said this is great and he was not lying.

This is Heidi from Go bold With Butter  – She must love Ina Garten who uses a lot of butter while cooking.

I’m a lover of quick breads. Pulling together a few ingredients that can be mixed by hand and dumped into one simple pan, then placed in a hot oven to produce a sweet blueberry surprise topped with a pat of butter is what I call a great weekend treat.

The beauty of this recipe is that it comes together so quickly I don’t even have to wait for the weekend to make it. In about the same amount of time it takes to make a morning omelet I can mix the ingredients, then take a quick shower, put on my face and have something fresh from the oven for my daughter before shuttling her off to school.

I love blueberry muffins so adapting the recipe for a quick bread was a natural. Adding heart-healthy oatmeal to the mix gives it a bonus kick start for my daughter’s morning, and a pick-me-up for my afternoon snack.

Blueberry Oatmeal Bread

richard 1
By Heidi
Makes one loaf

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries
2 cups flour, plus 1 tablespoon
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 eggs
½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup oats

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly butter and dust with flour.

In a small bowl, toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour to keep blueberries from sinking. In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix yogurt, eggs, melted butter and vanilla together and then fold into the dry ingredients. Add the blueberries and oats and gently combine.

Scrape the mixture to loaf pan. It will be thick and a little sticky. Bake for 50-55 minutes and golden brown and when a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes then cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Related post

Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Pancakes

Healthy Breakfast Scones

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Steamed Asparagus

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, Celery root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

 

Simple

Wash, trim and steam until they are as tender as you prefer

I added some lemon juice to the water

 

Asparagus

Steamed

Served

 

BBQ Grilled New York Strip Steak
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BBQ Grilled New York Strip Steak

When it comes down to it I am really a red meat person, I’ll eat the other stuff but if given the choice I will always reach for the red meat. With spring coming and Eastover here I decide that along with the Salmon there would be meat. So I grabbed a couple of NY Strips at Wholefoods and a bottle of A1 sauce for Lyn and grilled up those babies.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, Celery root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

 

Ingredients

Steak

Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients

How

Pat dry the steaks with paper towels.

liberally Salt and pepper the steaks, place in freezer for 15-20 minutes.

In the meantime prepare the grill

Cook the steaks about 4 minutes per side don’t touch just turn when ready, maybe 5 minutes on second side.

Remove from grill let sit for 8-12 minutes, slice and serve.

NY Strip

 

A1 Sauce

A1 is marketed as a steak sauce in the USA as a condiment for use with meat or game dishes. It was developed, produced and marketed in the United Kingdom as a brand in 1831 and was later introduced to the United States by G.F. Heublein and (&) Bros., and was officially registered as a trademark in North America in 1895. Widely available in the US, the sauce today is only available in selected Tesco stores in the UK its country of origin.

 

The original sauce upon which A.1. is based was created in 1824 by Henderson William Brand, a chef to King George IV of the United Kingdom.[2] A popular myth has it that the king declared it “A.1.” and the name was born.[3] It went into commercial production under the Brand & Co. label in 1831, marketed as a condiment for ‘fish, meat and fowl’, and continued production under this label after bankruptcy forced ownership of Brand & Co. to be transferred to W.H. Withall in 1850. It was renamed A.1. in 1873, after a trademark dispute between creator Henderson William Brand and Dence & Mason, who had since purchased Brand & Co. from Withall. It continued to be produced by Brand & co until the late 1950s at the firm’s factory in Vauxhall London.[4] It was introduced to the United States in 1895 under the ownership of G.F. Heublein & Brothers and marketed as A.1 ‘steak’ sauce’. In 1931, A.1. was introduced to Canada.

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Roasted Red Potatoes, Celery Root and Turnip

I can remember going to Rose’s house for the holidays and praying that she would make her roasted potatoes for at least one of her dinners. One of the few times that my parents were right in their assumption that if we were not at their house with the grandson we were at Rose and Mike’s ahhhh the in-law game. My favorite part was picking the caramelized bits and pieces of the side of the roasting dish. Like picking at the Chinese food after the meal sitting around the table we would sit chat and pick at the little bits and pieces. Unlike Chinese food everyone would always be fighting over it.

Rose’s was a simple dish, I made some modifications to the ingredients and you can too that’s the fun with cooking.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, Celery root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Ingredients

Approximately:

  • 1 lb. of red potatoes

Red Potato

  • 1 Celery root ball about a pound

celery root

  • 1 turnip or 2 small ones.

turnip

  • 1 or 2 carrots just for color
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • A few sprigs of fresh thyme or a good pinch or two of dried.(eyeball it)
  • I even added some Meyer lemon zest this time

How:

Preheat oven to 425

Peel the celery root and turnip. Cut potatoes, carrots, celery root and turnip into rough 1” pieces. Put all ingredients into a bowl add about olive oil to coat, just eyeball it and add fresh ground pepper, thyme, lemon zest and a little salt. I go light on the salt adding more after cooking, remember I am cutting back on salt. Note: I don’t use a lot of salt to begin with so cutting back is hard. Toss to coat and spread in one layer on a baking pan or in a roasting dish.

cut into 1 inch pieces and toss in olive oil salt and pepper and thyme

If you think it needs more olive oil add and toss again it does not need a huge amount maybe ¼ cup or less.

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Roast on middle rack for about 30 minutes and mix the vegetables, drop heat to 375 and continue roasting for 35-40 minutes until you believe they are done. I also turned on the broiler for about 5 minutes to crisp up at the end I like them crisper not hard just the outsides sort of crispy.

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About Celery Root

Celery root, also known as celeriac, is just what its name claims it to be: the root of the celery plant. This ugly brown hairball of a vegetable has a mild, celery-like flavor with a starchy, rather potato-like texture. It’s a surprising but winning combination. With “root” in its name, celery root is obviously a root vegetable. That means that it stores well, making it a real treat for local eaters in fall and winter.

Celery Root Season

Photo © Molly Watson

Celery root is often available year-round, especially in temperate climates, but is at its best in the cooler months of fall, winter, and early spring (except in cold climates, where you’ll find it during the summer and early fall). Freshly harvested celery root is sometimes sold with the stalks and leaves still attached, as pictured here.

How to Buy Celery Root

About 2

Photo © Molly Watson

Look for celery roots that feel heavy for their size. If any greenery or bits of stalk are discernible on the top of the root, they should be fresh looking and neither dried out nor slimy or wilted. Celery root are notoriously difficult to peel because of the hairy peel and its many nooks and crannies, so look for specimens with as smooth as exterior as possible (be warned: they only get so smooth).

If you see celeriac at the market with long bright green stalks still attached, snap them up! Freshly harvested celery root tends to be more tender and easier to peel. Pretty as the stalks are, be sure to cut them off and store them separately when you get the celery root home – both the root and the celery will last longer when stored separately.

How to Store Celery Root

Since celery root is a root vegetable, it stores well and for an amazingly long time if it is kept cool. Having spent most of its life underground, it also enjoys the dark. Kept loosely wrapped in plastic in the fridge it will last up to several weeks, even longer if it was freshly harvested.

For more information see Molly Watson’s article on celery root on About.com

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Broiled BBQ-Spiced Rubbed Salmon
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Broiled BBQ-Spiced Rubbed Salmon

Eastover Sunday rolls around but once a year in years past we used to have larger crowds but with everyone spread out all over the country and others watching from above well we are a smaller group these days. That’s fine with me because two of my favorite people came. Laurel and Mike (our son). In our combined families there are tons of Mikes so I have to distinguish which one when talking about a Mike. Laurel fills the air with excitement this visit she was showing off their new couch (pictures) and later the sweater she was knitting. She enjoys cooking as much as we do and show the correct amount of excitement when I pull out my new carving knife, yes a true foodie. Mike turned Lyn on to Snap Chat a program where you send a still or a 10 second video that once viewed by the recipient disappears forever. She gets so excited and nervous at the same time when she receives on and is remembering to keep pressing to view. She announced this morning that “I got a Snap Chat with Laurel modeling her new sweater!!” I teased and said let me see it. Each year we say the same thing this was the best meal since last Eastover and to me the company made it!  For us this recipe was originally in Sonoma Diet cook book, I can’t believe I never posted it we make it often. When you Google it, it shows up under many names and faces and it should it is quick easy and simply delicious spread the news.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.
Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, celery root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Ingredients

  • 6 – 4-ounce fresh or frozen skinless, boneless salmon fillets, about 1 inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika or ground ancho chile pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Ingredients  Salmon

Note: This rub is good on steaks also.

How

Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. Measure thickness of fish. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine sweet paprika, smoked paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, and oregano. Transfer spice mixture to a piece of waxed paper. Gently roll fish fillets in spice mixture to coat.

BB Spice Rub 1BB Spice Rub 2 Salmon and RUB

Brush about half of the olive oil in the bottom of a broiler pan or 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Place fish fillets in prepared pan; turn any thin portions under to make uniform thickness. Drizzle tops of fish with remaining olive oil. Broil fish 4 inches from the heat for 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, carefully turning once halfway through broiling. Whoops I forgot to do this, this time no wonder Lyn and I remembered crispy skin.

Broiled BBQ-Spiced Rubbed Salmon

This picture does not do it justice, sorry.