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Sliders and Crispy Brussel Sprouts and oven Baked Fries
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Sliders and Crispy Brussel Sprouts and oven Baked Fries

I had these dinner rolls in the freezer left over from a recent holiday. We don’t eat much bread these days and did not want it to get freezer burned so I decided they were perfect for sliders.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef
  • Lettuce
  • cherry tomatoes halved
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Small Dinner rolls
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Baking potato

How:

Potatoes and Brussel sprouts – Prepare separately but you can cook together

Slice potatoes to about ¼ in width. Microwave for about 1-2 minutes

Slice Brussel sprouts in half

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle desired spices and herbs toss to coat well

Roast at 400-450 for 20-35 minutes or until done.

Sliders

Form patties and cook to desired doneness (grill, broiler, pan fried you pick)

Add cheese if you want to melt

Place on roll top with lettuce, tomatoes and condiment

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 Who invented Sliders? From Google answer

In the 1940s, Walter Anderson formed White Castle and made sure it’s image was as pure and clean as possible.

He also wanted his burgers to be as low cost as possible so he made them small and came up with his own streamlined and efficient cooking process that is still unique in the business today.

The small 5 cent burger that he came up with is what is now affectionately known as a Slider and has become its very own sub-category of burger. White Castle sells its own original burgers under the trademark Slyders, these will always be known as the first and the best.

Pan Seared Sea Scallops with roasted veggies
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Pan Seared Sea Scallops with roasted veggies

I think that I mentioned before that Lyn gets to pick a meal a week that is off her strict diet. She picked Pan Seared Seas Scallops. I had never made sea scallops had used bay in stir fry, I could tell you about someone making Szechuan scallops for their as it turned out to be in-laws and forgetting if they had put in the pepper and added again, boy was that spicy, but I won’t. Anyway….

Ingredients

  • ½ pound sea scallops (about 4)
  • 1 tablespoons Oil
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Balsamic vinegar – we have 18 year old, so sweet so good

How:

Turn on exhaust fan

Heat pan on high until hot

Tipping away from you add oil

Add scallops cook for about 2 minutes

Add butter and flip the scallops cook for about 2 minutes

Remove from pan and serve on bed of roasted veggies we had eggplant, zucchini, red pepper and tomatoes drizzle with some balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients

Ingredients

Sear for 2 minutes

Flip and add butter for another 2 minutes

Flip and add butter for another 2 minutes

Roasted eggplant, zucchini, carrots and baby roma tomatoes

Plate up

Plate up

Scallops

sea-scallop

sea-scallop

Bay scallops and sea scallops are closely related members of the same family of shellfish. Both make extremely good eating. Gourmets particularly prize bay scallops, which are much smaller than sea scallops, for their tenderness and the sweetness of their flavor. Because they are smaller, bay scallops require considerably shorter cooking times and benefit from gentler methods, while sea scallops stand up to fiercer heat. In both cases, overcooking renders them tough. Bay scallops are in short supply because of the degradation of their habitat by pollution. Vendors offer both types packed either “wet” or “dry.” Choose dry ones if possible—they are in their natural state. Wet scallops have been soaked in phosphates, which affects their flavor and causes them to absorb water which they give up in cooking.

bay-scallops

 
bay-scallops

Scallops are two-shelled marine mollusks that actively swim through the water, propelling themselves by opening and shutting their shells. The large round white muscle that they use to do this—sweet-flavored and naturally very low in fat—is the part that we eat (in Europe the delicately flavored orange roe is also highly prized). Unlike clams or mussels, scallops are unable to shut their shells completely, and cannot survive out of water. Harvesters therefore normally shuck them as soon as they are caught and place the meat on ice.

Dijon Myer Lemon Glazed Wild Salmon
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Dijon Myer Lemon Glazed Wild Salmon

Myer Lemons are in season again and Lyn absolutely loves them. We get looks when we practically empty the bin of them at wholefoods and Lyn always has a jar of fresh squeezed in the frig. We have a bag of Myer lemon ice cubes and another of frozen zest. Yes I guess you could say we or Lyn is hooked she is very possessive of her Myer lemons. Salmon was never one of my favorite dishes but I have learned to like it. I have a lot of recipes and this one is sure to be another one that I repeat.

 Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Myer lemon marmalade ( you could use orange marmalade)
  • 3/4 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
  • Cooking spray

Myer lemon glazed salmon

How:

Preheat broiler.

Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well. Place fish on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush half of marmalade mixture over fish; broil 6 minutes. Brush fish with remaining marmalade mixture; broil for 2 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

Meyer Lemons

Meyer lemons

Meyer lemons, so named because they were identified in 1908 by Frank N. Meyer, are thought to be a cross between Eurekas or Lisbons and a mandarin orange. They have a sweeter and more floral taste than other lemons and can even have an slightly orange tint. They also have very thin skins, making them difficult to transport and store. Most Meyers are grown in backyards, but rising demand and wide culinary interest means they are increasingly available at markets.

 

Meyer lemons are more seasonal than the ubiquitous Lisbon and Eureka lemons, with the limited commercial harvest running from December or January through May

2 Natchitoches Meat Pie Recipe
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2 Natchitoches Meat Pie Recipe

Official Natchitoches Meat Pie Recipe

While I was working for 20th Century Fox in New Orleans the movie theater in Natchitoches LA was one that I dealt with. I quickly fell in love with this town and my wife and I would travel there many times during the year. It was here that we discovered among other things wood duck decoys and meat pies. In the cook book “Cane River Cuisine” there are two recipes for the delicious pies not sure which ones I ate on my many trips to Natchitoches, LA one from Mrs. Charles E. Cloutier and the other Mrs. L.J. Melder.

From early Native American Indian inhabitants to the French explorers and priests to the American arrival in the early-1800s, Natchitoches has lived through hundreds of years. We came into the United States in 1812 and to this day the Indian, French, Creole, African American and Anglo cultures mix their cultures, traditions, and talents, and yet they remain distinct.

Natchitoches Meat Pie – Mrs. Charles E. Cloutier.

Ingredients:

Meat Pie Filling

  • 1 ½  pound ground beef
  • 1 ½ pound ground pork meat
  • 1 cup chopped green onions, tops and bottoms
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground red pepper
  • ½  teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

filling cooking

Meat Pie Crust

  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • 1/3 cup Crisco, not melted
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk

stuff

How:

Meat Filling: Combine first 6 ingredients in a large Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until the meat loses its red color. Do not overcook the meat. Sift the flour over meat mixture, stirring often, until well combine with meat. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Place meat in a large colander to drain off excess grease and juice.

Crust: Sift flour and cut shortening into flour. Add beaten egg and milk. Form dough into a ball. Roll about 1/3 of the dough at a time on a lightly floured board or pastry cloth. Cut dough into 5 to 51/2 inch circles. I use the top of an old coffee pot, which is exactly the right size (Steve says, that is a percolator Perculatorfor you younger ones out there. She must have a larger 16- 20 cups one) I find it easier to cut out all the circles for the pies and place them on a cookie sheet, separated by wax paper.

To Assemble: place a heaping tablespoon of the filling on one side of the pastry round. Dampen the edge of the pie containing meat with fingertips, fold top over meat and crimp with fork dipped in water. Prick with fork twice on top.

To Fry: Fry in deep fat fryer at 350 degrees until golden brown. These meat pies freeze beautifully uncooked if enclosed in plastic sandwich bags. When frying frozen meat pies, do not thaw before frying. Cocktail meat pies may be made the same way, using biscuit cutter and 1 teaspoon of meat filling. Makes 26 to 28 5 to 5 ½ inch pies.

Meat Pies – Mrs. L.J. Melder

Ingredients:

Meat Pie Filling

  • 1 teaspoon shortening
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork meat
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1 pod garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • Salt, black pepper and red pepper to taste

Meat Pie Crust

  • 1 quart plain flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup shortening + 1 T
  • 1 cup milk

How:

Melt shortening in heavy pot.  Add meat. Cook until pink is gone.  Add vegetables and season to taste. (Season well, as meat will lose seasoning during frying.) When meat is completely done and vegetables glazed, remove from heat and drain excess liquid.  Stir in 1 tablespoon flour.

Sift dry ingredients together.  Cut in shortening.  Beat egg and add to milk. Work gradually into dry ingredients until proper consistency to roll. Break into small pieces and roll very thin. Cut into rounds using a saucer as a guide.

To assemble: Place a large tablespoon of prepared meat along edge and halfway in the center of round dough. Fold the other half over, making edges meet and seal with water. Form edges with fork.  Drop in deep fat and cook until golden brown.  Drain and serve hot. Makes approximately 18.

crimp

Ready to serve

kid with pie

Most preperation pictures from  chadzilla
Whole Grain Mustard Encrusted Tenderloin Roast.
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Whole Grain Mustard Encrusted Tenderloin Roast.

Twas the Saturday before Xmas the gifts were all wrapped.

The son was coming home and the wife was all smiles.

Yet there was still a big problem, no meal was in play.

All factors were weighed out, all cost taken in to account.

She’s was breaking her strict diet the choice was too hard to make.

There was Meyer Lemon Brisket or Pan Seared Filets or Tenderloin Roast or Almond-Crusted Salmon.

The process has now taken over a week.

Her head was spinning what would she have me make?

I looked at a lot of recipes to get the idea how to cook this meal in the end I went with my gut almost simple but added a twist when I saw the jar of Trader Joe’s whole grain mustard in the pantry. I grew up with a roast beef that had silvers of garlic inserted in the layer of fat on top and was covered with yellow mustard then roasted, I think Paul of Paul’s Market (used to be in north Falmouth MA)  taught her how giving away his trade secrets to her warm smile. Anyway these days I have gotten more adventurous but found that back to the basic with this cut of meat works best. We by passed Wholefoods and went to Wegman’s they have pretty good quality and the prices seem lower. I hate shopping there just too many people all pushing and shoving, but every once in a while won’t hurt me. We still have to try the 6 AM shopping time we hear the aisles are pretty open at that time. Anyway….

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. center cut tenderloin roast
  • 1 jar of Trader Joe’s whole grain mustard – opened
  • Kosher salt, black pepper and olive oil

tie with twine

How:

Preheat the oven to 425 degree with rack in middle. I used convection cooking this time it affected my cooking time

Rinse and paper towel dry the meat

Season liberally with salt and pepper let and bring to room temp or there about

Pat dry again

Tie with twin every ½” or so to keep the roast evenly shaped for even cooking.

Don’t tell them but I trimmed the skinny side off the roast and stuck in freezer and will make a pan seared oven roasted filet meal at a later date for me, only for me just for me!!

Rub olive oil all over the meat and then season again with some salt and pepper

Spoon the mustard on roast and rub to cover liberally using as much as is required. I think I used about 1/4 to 1/3 cup

rub with mustard

Bring meat to room temperature or there about

Place meat on rack in shallow pan if convention or roasting pan if not

Roast until temp is 120 degree for rare 125 degree for medium rare

Most of the recipes I saw said cook for 25 minutes but it took me about 40-45 minutes in convection oven. Lyn says maybe because it cooks from inside out in convection.

Remove and let sit for 15-20 minutes uncovered.

Roast and let stand

Slice in ½ inch slices

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While this is cooking you can prepare your sides, in this case smashed garlic mashed potatoes and mixed vegetable in a butter sauce. Oh I had put the mashed potatoes in the turned off oven to keep warm and forgot to leave a pot holder on the handle when I took back out to put in serving dish. OW! Cooking battle scars are so much fun.

This was surprisingly easy to prepare and the roast melted in your mouth this got the three heads bobbing approval since Mike was here to share.100_1157

Passes Mustard from Trader Joe’s archives

Trader joe's

In the world of mustard, you’ll find everything from mild yellow to fiery hot brown, as well as varieties with added herbs and spices to enhance the flavor. What you won’t find anywhere other than Trader Joe’s is a mustard quite like our Whole Grain Dijon Mustard.

whole-grain-mustard

Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Dijon Mustard is made in the countryside just outside the city of Dijon, ancestral home of this style of mustard. We work with a mustard maker (moutardier) that’s been crafting quality Dijon mustard since 1840, and while the production techniques have been modernized over the years, the recipe is centuries old – so old, in fact, that it’s classified as à l’ancienne, or ancient. The ancients apparently knew how to make mustard. It’s made with carefully selected, all natural ingredients like brown mustard grains and just the right amount of white wine. Rather than completely grinding the mustard, as is common, the seeds are left whole in this version, giving the condiment a little crunch to go along with its pungent-yet-smooth flavor. Excellent on sandwiches, it’s also a rousing addition to salad dressings and sauces for chicken or pork. We’re selling each 12.3 ounce jar for the excellent price of $1.79, every day.

Culinary Curiosity: While associated with the French city of Dijon, Dijon mustard is not a protected designation under EU rules. Thus, many a mustard is called “Dijon” or “Dijon-style” when in fact it may be made elsewhere. Our Whole Grain Dijon? True to its name and historical origins, it’s made in Dijon, the historical capital of Burgundy.

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Grilled Dolphin(s)with Mango Salsa & South Florida Succotash

In honor of the final regular season game of 2012 at home against the Miami Dolphins

Grilled Dolphin(s) with Mango Salsa & South Florida Succotash

 No it’s not flipper!

 grilled dolphin

Ready

Lineup up your ingredients

  • Mango Salsa: 2 mangos diced; 1 red onion diced; 1 bunch of cilantro (chopped) juice of 3 limes; 3 fresh jalapeños diced (optional); 2 tomatoes diced; 1 oz of olive oil
  • South Florida Succotash: 2 large white onion small diced; 6 oz of Spanish chorizo or bacon small diced; 1 lb of black beans cooked; 3 T olive oil; 1 lb of corn cooked; 4 large tomatoes diced; 3 cloves of garlic (small diced)
  • Fish: 4 pieces of 6-8 oz Mahi-Mahi fillets

 Get Set

Prepare your entrée, rubs, dressing& sauces…..hut hut

  • Mango Salsa: Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Season with salt and pepper and let marinate together for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
  • South Florida Succotash: Heat up pan and add oil. Add Chorizo or bacon then render for about 5 min over high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until translucent. Add cooked beans, corn, tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Lower temp to medium heat and allow cooking until most of the liquid is reduced and the entire mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste and hold on low temperature until fish is ready. Fish: Place Mahi on plate and drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper.

 fisherman

Let’s Grill

Take it to the grill – Hike

  • Pre-heat the grill to 400 (Medium High). Place Mahi-Mahi on grill and cook for about 5-8 min on each side. Serve on a bed on succotash topped with salsa.

*************** 

Dwight Stephenson

Miami Dolphins

No. 57, Center

Pro Football Hall of Famer (HOF), Dwight Stephenson played for the Dolphins from 1980-87. Selected by Miami in the second round of the 1980 draft, Stephenson eventually became regarded by many as the best center of all time. With Stephenson as offensive captain, the Dolphin’s offensive line gave up the least sacks in the NFL for a record six straight seasons from 1982-87. In 1985, Stephenson was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

 Dwight Stephenson (HOF)

Lenny Judice

15th Street Fisheries

Executive Chef

 

 mahi1

The Florida Keys are well known for spectacular fishing. Islamorada is called the Sport fishing Capitol of the World, everyone knows about Hemingway’s angling exploits around Key West and Zane Grey made Long Key, in the Middle Keys, famous for catching bonefish and tarpon. Today they continue to be two of the most sought after fish in the Florida Keys despite that fact both aren’t considered good table fare. While “Catch & Release” has become standard practice throughout the Florida Keys, we shouldn’t forget there is a bounty of delicious seafood just waiting to please your palate. Whether you have been fishing the waters between Key Largo and Key West and brought home fresh seafood or have picked up your favorites at the local seafood market, the following recipes are sure to delight.

 The dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus, is an excellent food fish often marketed under the Hawaiian name Mahi Mahi and sometimes the Spanish name Dorado (for its Golden color). They are one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years.

Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

Muffaletta
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Muffaletta

While working for Twentieth Century Fox I spent 2 years in New Orleans. Went from 169 to 189 lbs, learn to suck-dat-head pinch-dat-tail (crawfish) learn that “y’all” is singular just like “you guys” is in the Northeast and most especially how to slow down and enjoy.  Here is a New Orleans original – the Muffaletta – is a deliciously melodious collaboration of cured meat, provolone cheese, olive salad and sesame seeded, white fluffy bread that is the sandwich’s namesake. Thank Sicily for the round sesame bread but the ingenious sandwich is a New Orleans invention. In 1906, Central Grocery, right in the French Quarter, developed the sandwich and has been the muffaletta headquarters ever since.  This is where Lyn and I discovered it on one of our Sunday morning ritual to the French Quarter for chicory coffee and beignets, the Sunday paper and a trip to the Zoo with a picnic lunch. We tried one for our picnic and it was soon added to the ritual. People stood in line on a daily basis for the sandwich, as well as the in-house made olive salad (a pickled concoction of olive, celery, carrot, cauliflower, olive oil and Italian spices). I wonder if it is still there. Make this New Orleans original sandwich at home with Chef Emeril’s recipe. It’s a great game day sandwich.

Muffaletta

Ingredients:

  • 5 ounces pimento-stuffed olives (1 cup), sliced, plus 2 tablespoons of liquid from the jar
  • 6 ounces chopped giardiniera (pickled Italian vegetables) (1 cup), plus 1 tablespoon of liquid from the jar
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers, plus 2 teaspoons of liquid from the jar
  • 3 ounces pitted Calamata olives (1/2 cup), sliced
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Pinch of dried thyme
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large loaf seeded Italian bread (about 1 1/4 pounds), split width wise  – halfway between top and bottom
  • 1/4 pound sliced fresh mozzarella
  • 6 ounces sliced capocollo or prosciutto
  • 1/4 pound sliced Genoa salami
  • 1/4 pound sliced mortadella
  • 1/4 pound sliced mild provolone cheese
  • Pepperoncini, for serving

How:

In a medium bowl, stir the pimento-stuffed olives with the giardiniera, capers and their respective liquids. Add the Calamata olives, garlic, shallot, oregano, parsley, thyme and crushed red pepper. Stir in the olive oil and let the mixture stand for 1 hour.

Olive Salad

Open the Italian bread on a work surface. Spoon the olive salad on both sides of the bread and spread evenly. Arrange the mozzarella slices on the bottom half of the bread, then top with the capocollo, Genoa salami and mortadella. Arrange the provolone cheese on the top half of the bread, covering the olive salad completely.

Building the sandwhich

Crispy Potato Latkes
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Crispy Potato Latkes

Hey it’s the season and PK got me going, she asked if we still celebrated Xmaschunak or something like that. My answer not really.  Since Mikie has grown up and out of the house we have kind of slipped away from Jewish traditions.  Now Lyn’s eyes light up Xmas, Hanukkah, Birthday, Easter ………. I was not the religious one in my family but there were some things I loved and still do.  Patti asked don’t you miss latkes? I do, but I can’t or should not or don’t eat like I used to, I’m sort of a good boy now, do you have a good recipe, she had peaked my interest! She replied Baked!! She is working on one for me. Then today I got an email from America Test Kitchen and the second one down Crispy Potato Latkes. Does PK have that much influence?

Latkes: Every now and then I will cheat and these would be something nice to do it with. I used to love tator tots and while growing up, these to me was like giant squished tator tots.

Published November 1, 2012. From Cook’s Illustrated.

How to Video here

Latkes come in all shapes and sizes. But the goal is always the same: lightness throughout, with a creamy interior encased in a crisp shell. To re-create this traditional Hanukkah dish, we selected high-starch russet potatoes and discovered a simple technique that yielded perfect texture, both inside and out.

Why this recipe works:

We wanted latkes that were light and not greasy, with buttery soft interiors surrounded by a shatteringly crisp outer shell. To achieve all of these goals, we needed to remove as much water as possible from the potato shreds by wringing them out in a kitchen towel and to minimize the release of what remained by microwaving the shreds briefly to cause the starches in the potatoes to form a gel. With the water taken care of, the latkes crisped up quickly and absorbed minimal oil.

Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish

We prefer shredding the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater, but you can also use the large shredding disk of a food processor; cut the potatoes into 2-inch lengths first so you are left with short shreds. Serve with applesauce and sour cream.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed, and shredded
  • 1/2 cup grated onion
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position, place rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 200 degrees. Toss potatoes, onion, and 1 teaspoon salt in bowl. Place half of potato mixture in center of dish towel. Gather ends together and twist tightly to drain as much liquid as possible, reserving liquid in liquid measuring cup. Transfer drained potato mixture to second bowl and repeat process with remaining potato mixture. Set potato liquid aside and let stand so starch settles to bottom, at least 5 minutes.
  2. Cover potato mixture and microwave until just warmed through but not hot, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring mixture with fork every 30 seconds. Spread potato mixture evenly over second rimmed baking sheet and let cool for 10 minutes. Don’t wash out bowl.
  3. Pour off water from reserved potato liquid, leaving potato starch in measuring cup. Add eggs and stir until smooth. Return cooled potato mixture to bowl. Add parsley, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and potato starch mixture and toss until evenly combined.
  4. Set wire rack in clean rimmed baking sheet and line with triple layer of paper towels. Heat 1/4-inch depth of oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (350 degrees). Place 1/4-cup mound of potato mixture in oil and press with nonstick spatula into 1/3-inch-thick disk. Repeat until 5 latkes are in pan. Cook, adjusting heat so fat bubbles around latke edges, until golden brown on bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until golden brown on second side, about 3 minutes longer. Drain on paper towels and transfer to baking sheet in oven. Repeat with remaining potato mixture, adding oil to maintain 1/4-inch depth and returning oil to 350 degrees between batches. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.
  5. TO MAKE AHEAD: Cooled latkes can be covered loosely with plastic wrap and held at room temperature for up to 4 hours. Alternatively, they can be frozen on baking sheet until firm, transferred to zipper-lock bag, and frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat latkes in 375-degree oven until crisp and hot, 3 minutes per side for room-temperature latkes and 6 minutes per side for frozen latkes.
Crunchy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
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Crunchy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

When I was younger oh so much younger than today, sorry could not resist, I did some landscaping on Cape Cod. For those of you familiar with the cape, back then it was very much a summer vacation area and one of the functions we would provide was a nice garden full of those fresh vegetable and such for the owners to enjoy during the summer. One thing we always put in was Brussels sprouts, knowing that it was a September harvest and who would be enjoying these long after the residents were gone for the winter and we came back for our promised turning of the soil etc. etc. There were other crops but this is about the sprouts just the sprouts.

 

Ingredients

  • About 3 pound Brussels sprouts
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lemon juice 1-2 Tbsp.
  • Poppy seeds 1 tsp.
  • Lemon zest

 

How

Preheat the oven to 450.

Clean up the Brussels sprouts cutting off the ends and removing the outer leafs.

In a shallow baking dish or roasting pan, toss the sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper until combined. Roast, stirring occasionally, 15 to 18 minutes.

Sprinkle with the poppy seeds and add lemon juice and toss just before serving.

Garnish with lemon zest.

A variation I have done is cutting the sprout in half then following the steps above.

Brussels sprouts – Wholefoods.com

What’s New and Beneficial About Brussels Sprouts

  • Brussels sprouts can provide you      with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will use a steaming      method when cooking them. The fiber-related components in Brussels sprouts      do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive      tract when they’ve been steamed. When this binding process takes place,      it’s easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of      your cholesterol levels. Raw Brussels sprouts still have      cholesterol-lowering ability — just not as much as steamed Brussels      sprouts.
  • Brussels sprouts may have unique      health benefits in the area of DNA protection. A recent study has shown improved      stability of DNA inside of our white blood cells after daily consumption      of Brussels sprouts in the amount of 1.25 cups. Interestingly, it’s the      ability of certain compounds in Brussels sprouts to block the activity of      sulphotransferase enzymes that researchers believe to be responsible for      these DNA-protective benefits.
  • For total glucosinolate content,      Brussels sprouts are now known to top the list of commonly eaten      cruciferous vegetables. Their total glucosinolate content has been shown      to be greater than the amount found in mustard greens, turnip greens,      cabbage, kale, cauliflower, or broccoli. In Germany, Brussels sprouts      account for more glucosinolate intake than any other food except broccoli.      Glucosinolates are important phytonutrients for our health because they      are the chemical starting points for a variety of cancer-protective      substances. All cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates and have      great health benefits for this reason. But it’s recent research that’s      made us realize how especially valuable Brussels sprouts are in this      regard.
  • The cancer protection we get from      Brussels sprouts is largely related to four specific glucosinolates found      in this cruciferous vegetable: glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, sinigrin,      and gluconasturtiian. Research has shown that Brussels sprouts offer these      cancer-preventive components in special combination.
  • Brussels sprouts have been used to      determine the potential impact of cruciferous vegetables on thyroid      function. In a recent study, 5 ounces of Brussels sprouts were consumed on      a daily basis for 4 consecutive weeks by a small group of healthy adults      and not found to have an unwanted impact on their thyroid function.      Although follow-up studies are needed, this study puts at least one large      stamp of approval on Brussels sprouts as a food that can provide fantastic      health benefits without putting the thyroid gland at risk.
One thing to do with butternut squash when on sale
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One thing to do with butternut squash when on sale

One of my fall favorites, Butternut Squash and Apple Soup then there is plain roasted, fries, replace sweet potato, mashed with a little butter and brown sugar, the list goes on. So when I saw that sale sign and a huge basket of butternut and acorn squash it was another case of my eyes were bigger than my menu. I had some room in the freezer so I did not panic just a quick blanch and freeze.

Mature winter squashes like the butternut have tough skin that protects their firm, yellow-orange flesh and allows them to last longer than their fleeting summer squash relatives. A butternut is so self-reliant that it doesn’t even need to be refrigerated, and can be stored in a cool dark place for several weeks. So how do you choose a good one? First, pick it up. It should be heavy for its size. Look it over and make sure its skin is firm and free of bruises. Check for brown frostbite scars, which can affect the squash’s texture and longevity, and punctures or cuts, which can let bacteria in and cause mold. I like to choose one with a longer neck, especially if I am cubing make life easier. www.cookthink.com

Ingredients

Butternut squash (Quantity depends on you)

 

How

Cut ends on and peel and scrap seeds out

Cut the squash into 1/2-inch cubes.

In a larger pot bring at least 8 cups of water to a full boil

 

Blanch the squash for about 3 minutes

Strain the squash in collider and then immediately put in large bowl of ice water to stop cooking

Place on a large cookie sheet and into the freezer until frozen about 30 minutes to an hour.

Place in freezer bag (we use Food Saver), suck it and back into the freezer.

Butternut squash is an edible member of the gourd family whose roots have been traced back to Mexico in 5500 B.C. (Along with beans and corn, squash is one of the “Three Sisters,” the cornerstones of Native American cuisine.)

A mature winter squash, it grows on a vine, and has a giant pear-shaped body, tough skin, rich-tasting, vivid yellow-orange flesh and a sweet flavor. (It can often substitute well for the sweet potato.) Butternut squash can be baked, steamed, puréed or simmered, and is often referred to by cooks as a “workhorse” because of its versatility. Once cooked, its dry flesh has a glossy and silky texture that makes it a favorite in soups, curries and other dishes. http://www.cookthink.com

 

The word “squash” comes from the Narragansett word that means “to eat raw or green.” You certainly won’t be eating your squash raw or green, and you must cook it even before you freeze it to make sure that the squash retains its color and texture once it is thawed. The process of cooking squash is called blanching. When you blanch squash, you boil it just long enough to stop the enzymes that cause squash to deteriorate. The process for preparing and blanching squash for freezing depends on whether you are freezing summer or winter squash. http://www.livestrong.com