Cook

Sweet Potato Pancakes
by

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Lyn wanted some sweet potato puffs or tater tots and because it was not on the list we forgot. We also forgot where we saw them. The list is becoming very important these days for two reasons, it keeps our impulse buys to a minimum “not on the list, not in the carriage” (In theory at least) and recently if it is not on the list we tend to forget about it. Hey, we talk as we shop and we forget things, that is until we are putting away things. That’s Ok because shopping for food ideas is one of our favorite things so we tend to hit a lot of grocery stores on the weekends. So I thought quickly and came up with this as a substitute and served with my Herb Marinate flank steak. She gave these a thumbs up on her second one.

 

Ingredients:

I eyeballed most of this

  • 1 Sweet potato or yam (this one was white) grated
  • 1 tablespoon (estimated) fresh flat leaf parsley chopped fine
  • 1 Shallot finely minced
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese – depends on how finely grated could be more or less.
  • Salt and pepper to taste- I went light on the salt and then sprinkled more on them when they were done.

sweet potatoe pancake

How

Micro wave the potatoes for 3 minutes and let cool, when cool enough to touch where it will not cook the egg then proceed.

Combine all ingredients

Heat small amount of canola oil in pan

fry them up

Form pancakes and flatten on pan

Brown on each side turn when necessary.

Sweet potatoe pancakes

I did it in batches so as not to lose the heat of pan which would have been steaming

I kept the ready ones on a pan on cookie rack in low oven to keep crisp

eat

BTW – these made a great topper in my Dill Chicken sandwich the next day.

Missi’s Dill Chicken with Tomato-Dill Relish
by

Missi’s Dill Chicken with Tomato-Dill Relish

I’ve been relatively quiet these days, outside cleanup has taken a lot of my time just getting outside without bundling up is great. Lyn and I took a road trip, the ultimate test of the Prius, and gave a new meaning to a tank full of gas trip. We drove from Milford MA to Washington DC on about 10 gallons of gas about 58 MPG. Spent more of tolls than gas, heck spent more on what they pass off  as food at service areas than on gas. You get closer to DC and it is rural and you soon come to the realization that there is nothing at the exits and the service areas are the only choice.  Traffic gods were nice to us on the way down but on the way back they laid out one traffic jam after another. Amazingly enough after all these years of together we can still stay in a confined place together for long periods of time. Anyway we made it to DC and Missi even gave up her parking spot for us she guided us in over the phone as we drew close. It was a wonderful visit laid back and comfortable, individually they are great, together they are pretty perfect. Missi gently pounded the chicken as the 4 of us along with the cat and dog sat around the kitchen talking. Ever notice that the kitchen is the hang out room?  This chicken immediately made it to my favorite list and yesterday we tried to duplicate, did a good job but I just could not duplicate that missing ingredient “Missi Love”.

Simple and delicious

Ingredients

  • 4 (6-ounces) skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped dill
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
  • 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

ingredients

How:

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas)

Pound chicken 1/4 inch thick between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with flat side of a meat pounder or with a rolling pin.

pound chicken (1)

Whisk together oil, dill, shallot, mustard, and vinegar in a large bowl. Set aside 1/4 cup.

vinergarette

Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then add to dill mixture, turning to coat.

tuen to coat

Toss tomatoes with reserved dill mixture and salt and pepper to taste if you want.

quarter tomatoes add sauce

toss

Grill chicken, turning once, until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes total.

grill

Serve topped with relish.

cover

palted

dill chicken

Pork Carnitas in a Pita Pocket
by

Pork Carnitas in a Pita Pocket

With the warm weather sneaking in everyone started to talk about ribs, pulled pork and the likes. I love pulled pork, saw this recipe and pinned it for another time. Well today my last day of vacation was that another time. I am so glad I did, I did to have any taco or tortillas but we did have some pita pockets worked just fine. I will warn you this is a slow cooking meal and the smell is like a brisket on a cold winter day it fills the air and it is hard to keep your stomach quiet.  I made the double mistake of doing some outside choirs then walking into the house.

 Ingredients

  • 4 pound boneless pork butt, fat trimmed and cut into 2 inch cubes
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 onion, peeled and halved
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 Tb fresh lime juice
  • 2 C water
  • 1 medium orange, juiced and keep the spent halves

ingredients

How

1.  Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat to 300 degrees.  Combine all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven, including the spent orange halves and juice.  Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, uncovered.  Once it simmers, cover pot and transfer it to the oven.  Cook until the meat falls apart when prodded with a fork, about 2 hours.

cut into 2 inch chunks add all ingredients to dutch oven

2.  Remove the pot from the oven and turn on the broiler.  Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and place it on a large foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Remove and discard everything from the pot except for the cooking liquid.  Place pot over high heat on the stove and boil until thick and syrupy, about 20 minutes.  You should have about 1 C of liquid remaining when it is finished.

simmer for about 2 hours break into 3 eaqual parts

3.  While the liquid is reducing, use two forks to pull each cube of pork into three equal sized pieces.

reduce to about 1 cup break into 3 eaqual parts

Once the liquid has become a syrup, gently fold in the pieces of pork into the pot.  Try not to break up the pork any further.

fold meat back into sauce

Taste and add additional salt and pepper.

4.  Spread the pork back onto the foil lined pan and evenly spread the meat around so there is a single layer of meat.  Place the jelly roll pan on the lower middle rack of the oven and broil until the top of the meat is well browned and edges are slightly crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes.

remove from pot to cookie sheetUsing a wide metal spatula, flip the pieces of meat and broil the other side until well browned and edges are slightly crisp, 5 to 8 minutes.  Serve immediately in a tortilla with all your favorite toppings.

Serve2

I intially thought it would be too dry but that was not an issue this was moist and tender no topping required.

Note: I squeezed some extra lime juice on it just before serving.

Bread Pizza with Avocado Slices
by

Bread Pizza with Avocado Slices

Next to work is a bakery called Ray and Dicks and they make a great bread or sheet pizza. The sauce is heavy tomato paste base and when slightly warmed it melts in your mouth. My wife does not care for it likes the Portland style sheet pizza better. I will buy one for work every once in a while freeze in single servings of the left overs to reheat and top with whatever is left over or in the frig that hits me when I open the door. This week it was in celebration of avocado season.

 

So this is simple reheat top and eat!

 

100_1602

 

Related articles

100_1603

by

Continuing with my avocado celebration how about a turkey rollup

Sorry this post was supposed to go up Monday but with the excitement  of the new season you know….

Ingredients

  • Avocado sliced
  • Store roasted turkey sliced thin
  • Romaine lettuce shredded
  • Cranberries
  • Thinly sliced tomato
  • Whole wheat wrap

 

How

Layer lettuce, cranberries, turkey, tomato and avocado roll tightly

Cut the wrap in half, or don’t bother–it’s ready to eat

2013-04-13_12-54-26_524

sorry forgot to take picture took this with my camera

How To Roll Up A Wrap

Picture borrowed from Entre Fogones con Mimi!

how-to-roll

 

You can make an open-ended wrap or a closed one.  And everyone seems to have their own best way to wrap a wrap.  This is how I wrap a wrap.

Smear sandwich cranberry within an inch of the perimeter of the tortilla.

Layer makings in a wide swath down the center of the tortilla and to within a couple inches of the left and right edges—kind of a rough rectangle.

 

To make a closed end wrap, fold both the right and the left edges over the goodies and roll from the bottom.  To make an open-ended wrap, fold only one edge.

 

If I make a closed end wrap, we cut the wrap in two at an angle and eat half at a time, or share with my honey.

 

If the tortilla is a little stiff and hard to wrap and keep closed, try microwaving the tortilla under a paper towel for 15 to 20 seconds.  It will be more pliable

Related articles
Salad with Strawberry, Pineapple and Avocado
by

Salad with Strawberry, Pineapple and Avocado

Salad with Strawberry, Pineapple and Avocado

So its lunch time and every day I bring a salad for lunch. Usually on Sundays make one huge base salad and store in a container that you can give CPR to the top and it pushes the air out of it.freshvac

I don’t put in things like cucumbers or other things that tend to spoil quickly just the base salad. Then in the morning I grab a bunch put it in my container and add my condiments if you will. saladshakerThe condiments are things cukes, tomato, whatever I had left over from dinner last night.  My handy little container has a compartment for dressing which for me is just plain ole 18 year old balsamic vinegar.

 

Ingredients

  • Base salad
  • Organic Strawberries cut in chunks
  • Fresh pineapple cut into chunks
  • ½ avocado slices
  • Cumber cut into chunks
  • Cherry tomatoes
  •  18 year old Balsamic Vinegar (you could add oil but why dilute the vinegar.)

 

How

Place all in your handy take to work container along with an orange and banana maybe some celery or carrot sticks.

Release vinegar, shake or toss and eat!

100_1596

 

Related articles

4 Healthy Reasons to Eat a Salad Today

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

WebMD Feature

 

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Have you had your salad today? Eating salad almost every day may be one of the most healthy eating habits you can adopt — and one of the simplest, experts say.

 

Eating salads is a super-convenient way to work in a couple of servings of vegetables and/or fruit. Green salads are on the menu of almost every restaurant. You can even buy a side salad (with Romaine lettuce, carrots and tomatoes, available with fat-free or reduced-calorie salad dressing) for a buck at many fast food chains these days. And you can make a green salad at home in 5 minutes, armed with a bag of pre-washed salad greens, a few carrots or other veggies, and a bottle of light salad dressing.

 

Not only that, but salads are cool, crunchy, and fun to eat (lots of textures, colors, and flavors). Most people enjoy eating salads–even kids! You can customize them to include the fruits and vegetables that appeal to you the most, and whichever ones you have on hand.

 

Here are four health reasons to reach for a salad today:

 

1. Eat Salads for the Fiber

It’s hard to believe that something we can’t even digest can be so good for us! Eating a high-fiber diet can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation.

Read more…

Not only that, says Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan, eating more fiber can help you feel fuller, eat less, and ultimately lose weight.

 avacoda about

Avocado Health Benefits: The World’s Most Perfect Food?

It has achieved this distinction because many nutritionists claim it not only contains everything a person needs to survive — but it has also been found to contribute to the prevention and control of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.

The avocado (Persea gratissima or P. americana) originated in Puebla, Mexico and its earliest use dates back to 10,000 years B.C. Since AD 900, the avocado tree has been cultivated and grown in Central and South America. In the 19th century, the avocado made its entry into California, and has since become a very successful commercial crop. Ninety-five percent (95%) of U.S. avocados are gown in Southern California.

The avocado, also called the alligator pear, is a high-fiber, sodium- and cholesterol-free food that provides nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, is rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids), vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate) — as well as potassium.

Read more here

My California Burger, I guess
by

My California Burger, I guess

I already express my delight with the official start of Avocado season and in celebration I will try to use avocado in at least one meal a day until the 5 I bought are gone. Anyway last night I had a burger and Lyn took a look at it and said that’s a California burger. I don’t care what you call it, it sure was tasty.

avacado

Ingredients

  • 1 ground sirloin patty
  • ½ avocado, sliced
  • 3 grape cherry tomatoes sliced
  • 1 piece of ROMAIN lettuce
  • Some cheese
  • 1 all natural organic bun

How:

Cook the burger to your doneness, melt cheese on top

Arrange the lettuce, tomatoes and avocado on top.

Important note: you can pile up the avocado

You can top with any condiments you want, I choose none.

100_1593

Shhhhh don’t tell anyone I also took a potato pancake out of the freezer it became my giant tater tot.

avacoda about

 

Are you up to speed on your avocado nutrition knowledge?

This creamy, delicious fruit packs a punch! Read on for the tastiest top five facts about avocado nutrition:

  • Avocado nutrition fact #1: Avocados are naturally cholesterol free!
  • Avocado nutrition fact #2: When used instead of other fats, avocados can be a satisfying addition to a calorie-reduced diet.
  • Avocado nutrition fact #3: The avocado is virtually the only fruit that has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
  • Avocado nutrition fact #4: Avocados are included in dietary programs from some of the world’s leading nutrition organizations.
  • Avocado nutrition fact #5: California Avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit.

As you can see, avocados have more to offer than just great taste! Add California Avocados to your diet today.

Related articles
Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes
by

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.

100_1570

*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

 

 

It’s Avocado Season!!
by

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.

 
Related articles
BBQ Grilled New York Strip Steak
by

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.