Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve never made gnocchi, the Italian potato-based ‘dumpling’ ; but recently while looking for recipes, I found this beautifully-presented and unusual style of ‘gnocchi’ done by my favorite YouTube chef, John Mitzewich of 'Food Wishes'. It makes a very pretty side-dish with little effort, and looks like real comfort food. You should be able to find semolina flour in the health-food store, or in some grocery stores – I’m sure it’s included in the Bob’s Mill range of grains. Here is Chef John’s recipe for ‘Roman Style Gnocchi’ (and please note that "no potatoes were harmed in the making of this video"):

https://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2016/10/roman-style-gnocchi-no-potatoes-were.html

Last week, Freeper KJC1  described a roasted ‘Salsa Verde’ that I wanted to try; so I looked for recipes that sounded similar. I found this, and it was wonderful with my husband’s pulled pork, which has become a staple here since we acquired an Instant Pot.

For my first attempt I used only poblanos; but now that I’ve got it down, I’m going to spice it up! This will go very well with tacos, pulled pork, or any other Mexican-style meal. This recipe suggests grilling, but we did it as KJC1 suggested, under the broiler; adding the cilantro when we whizzed it all in the processor.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/201856/roasted-spicy-salsa-verde/

-JT

[miss marmelstein]

b/c one year Ocean Spray decided to eliminate the ridges but there was such a nationwide hue and a cry, they had to start doing the ridges, again.

That’s hilarious. We humans are weird.

[Liz]

Nice story......

B&M is a common brand in New England....not so much elsewhere.

[Liz]

Once ate at a charming restaurant---a converted grist mill in New England.

No matter what you ordered, every meal came with a stack of "johnny cakes" (hoe cakes).

[miss marmelstein]

Those look amazing! At Mt. Vernon I had hoe cakes with country ham and hollandaise. Since then, I've ordered a Kentucky country ham and replicated the recipe. My hoe cakes were better than theirs.

[Liz]

I love the Mt Vernon Inn.

Another nice dish they serve.

[miss marmelstein]

Ooh! That looks good. It’s a very pretty inn and the shop is fantastic. I got a German cookie mold (Sprangele?) for $9 in the clearance area.

[boatbums]

I enjoyed the series called “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix recently. It is a sequel to his “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” show. Phil is a funny and sweet hearted mensch (he was/is a comedy writer for “Everyone Loves Raymond”. On one of the episodes, he went to Mexico City and went crazy for the mole’ sauces - among the other delicious street-food dishes. At one of the “upper” level restaurants was a chef whose specialty is an aged mole’ that the chef constantly reuses the leftover sauce from the day before and the day before, etc., and adds to it so that the result is a complex flavorful sauce. The special dish has a large schmear of the one sauce and a younger one on top of that. That’s all! A puddle of one sauce topped by another lighter colored one on a plate with tortillas to sop up the sauce. Phil was licking the plate it was so good! I don’t think I have ever tried a mole’ sauce so I don’t know what I’m missing.

[Liz]

Next time you're in the area, you might stop into Linda Tripp's Christmas Sleigh Shop.
Open year round in Middleburg VA. Crowded with German collectibles....her husband is German.

[boatbums]

I really liked that show! Many of the items I had never even heard of before much less made. I’m amazed at how talented non-professional cooks are in the UK. I learned some great tips to try.

[miss marmelstein]

You know, I’ve always wanted to do that! It looks beautiful. About a year ago I read an article that said she lived in a million dollar home. The photo of it looked really nice. Just shows that sometimes nice girls finish FIRST.

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks; big tomato cans I’ve got, from Costco ;-)

[miss marmelstein]

Any tin can will do. The problem is matching the quantities of the recipe to the size of the can! And don’t believe the stuff about filling the can only 1/2 - 2/3 full. It doesn’t rise much because you’re only using a scant amount of baking soda.

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve never made it, because I’m not really crazy about it. But I’d like to try other quick breads in cans; so the tomato cans will work. (I like the idea of ‘round bread’ - looks nice cut-in-half for little tea sandwiches :-)

[Liz]

She lives on a horse farm set in VA’s beautiful countryside.

[Liz]

Here's a morning Coffee Cake baked on a sheetpan. Dense coffee cake finished in oven.
Can be baked night before, then in the AM cinnamon sugar step added and baked 5 min.

Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake

METHOD Elec/mixer on No 3 speed, about 2 min, 1 1/2 c. sifted cake flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp
b/powder, 2/3 c sugar, 1/4 c melted shortening, egg, 1/2 c. milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla; scrape sides/bottom
while beating. Beat only til well-blended. Bake in sprayed sheetpan 350 deg 25 min. Set on counter.

FINAL brush generously w/ melted butter. Sprinkle w/ combined 1/4 c br/sugar/1/2 tsp cinnamon. Bake 5 min.

[miss marmelstein]

Just to remind people that this is orange season. I have been buying navel and blood oranges at Whole Foods and using them in salads. They are absolutely delicious at this time of year - full of natural sugar and Vitamin C. I take a large plate and layer it with baby greens and spinach, lay slices of the oranges on top, scatter over some mint leaves and use an olive oil/lemon dressing. We have it every night with our main meal.

[Liz]

CARNE ASADA FRIES SKILLET / servings: 2-4

PREP Clean/lightly scrub potatoes /w/ skins. Towel/dry; cut into fries; mix/ coat well w// olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika. Bake on parchment 450 deg 30-35 min til crispy and golden brown.

STEAK Marinate 20 min flank steak. s/p, chili powder, oregano, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, oj Heat cast-iron skillet with tb canola oil, Add steak; cook 3 minutes on both sides for med doneness . Set offheat for 10 min before dicing.

FINAL In ovenproof skillet, layer baked french fries, pepper jack cheese, diced carne asada; broil /melt cheese.

SERVE Topped with sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and cotija cheese.

Oven-Baked French Fries Ing 2 russet potatoes 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika

Carne Asada Ing ½ pound flank steak 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon oregano 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced ½ cup fresh orange juice ¼ cup lime juice

[Liz]

Glorious dish.......thanks for the recipe.

[miss marmelstein]

Get those oranges! You won’t regret it.

[miss marmelstein]

Oh, and a little scattered sea salt on the oranges slices will make them POP.