Monthly Cooking Thread - April 2020

[Jamestown1630]

When we were in the local Lidl last week, the meat counters were practically wiped out – especially the chicken. But if you’ve got chick, this from Food Wishes looks like a great, fast-to-put-together recipe:

Chicken a la Crema:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m457svJVDQw

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As I’m sure many have been, over the past weeks of teleworking I’ve experienced periods of furious (and frustrating) work; and many slow hours where nothing was happening or could be done.

The oddball things that one becomes interested in, while sitting at home with hours to fill, are fascinating. I happened to find some posts to YouTube about ‘Kennedy Steve’, an air traffic controller with a humorous and droll approach to his job. I was intrigued by the language used in that profession, and by what it really takes to DO a job like this. The subject has filled hours for me over the past weeks – and I’ve never even traveled on a plane, and probably never will.

Here’s a collection of his most humorous performances:

http://www.youtube.com/user/H89SA

And here is the Wiki on him:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Steve

Collection of ‘funniest ATC conversations’:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1hlp0DCE_8

There are people like this, doing essential jobs every day, whom we depend upon; and we usually never know their names or anything about what they do.

I hope that everyone remains healthy and safe, while we work through this difficult time.

(Sorry if the links aren't clickable - we're in the midst of changing out some of our components in order to work more efficiently at home; and some stuff isn't working yet.)

-JT

[V K Lee]

EAT YOUR BOOKS
https://eatyourbooks.com/
Do any here use this website, and if so, your opinions, please.
TIA

[MomwithHope]

Hugs and prayers for you! Love never dies.

[lizma2]

40 some years ago on a trip to New Orleans I bought a cookbook by Paul Prudhomme. He discusses browned butter.

OMG! The flavor change is fab! I don’t make toast in a toaster in anymore, I use I fry pan!

[boatbums]

Oh, yeah, browned butter is quite flavorful! I've seen recipes for gnocchi with sage and browned butter sauce. There's a fine line - usually a matter of seconds - between browned and burnt, though.

I loved the Julie and Julia line about everything being better with butter. I've watched that movie probably seven or eight times. It's been on Netflix recently if you have access. Great flick!

[lizma2]

Enjoyed the movie much.

My state (the Peoples Republic of Maryland) is considering taxing Netflix use. Along with Hulu and all internet purchases. In the middle of a pandemic.

Maryland’s elected official are the enemy.

[Liz]

Zinc is emerging as a key component in combating the virus. Examples of foods high in zinc include:

oysters, 3 ounces (oz): 74 mg.
beef patty, 3 oz: 5.3 mg.
Alaska king crab, 3 oz: 6.5 mg.
fortified breakfast cereal, 3/4 cup serving: 3.8 mg.
cooked lobster, 3 oz: 3.4 mg.
cooked pork chop loin, 3 oz: 2.9 mg.
baked beans, 1/2 cup serving: 2.9 mg.
dark meat chicken, 3 oz: 2.4 mg.

........and dark chocolate.......

Zinc Strengthens Your Immune System.....contributes to cellular immunity.

Mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, kale, and garlic also contain zinc.

[Jamestown1630]

Received today in an email from the Metropolitan Museum, a short video tour of The Cloisters (may give people some inspiration for their upcoming gardens):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH10Nv2lniw&feature=youtu.be

You can see the entire playlist of the ‘Met 360° Project’ here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8HAkqKX065Bm4la3BM3C3bSkn-Xxu8Hp

[mairdie]

I think Conservative Treehouse is trying to remind us of the days when we COULD get together for Easter but, for all that, here’s their Easter recipe thread.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/04/08/easter-recipes-2/

[Liz]

WIKI has a great bgrnd piece on the Cloisters.

The origins of the building, the religious artwork and reliquary contained therein.....and the financiers who made it possible.

[Jamestown1630]

I used to be able to get a great frozen challah - you just defrosted, allowed to rise, and baked. It was wonderful, both to eat and as a beautiful centerpiece for the holiday table.

When my lifelong-favorite supermarket chain was sold to a foreign corporation from the original Jewish family who founded it, I couldn’t find the bread anywhere anymore.

If anyone knows the name of the company who made it, or if it can still be found in the DC Metro area, I’d love to know.

[Liz]

These addictive Churro Chips are a good use for those half-stale tortillas or pita pockets hanging around your kitchen.
Whether you oven-bake or air fry them, they are beyond addictive. So simple to make, great for a last minute treat.
Coated in cinnamon and sugar they are perfect for dipping in cheesecake dip or in a simple chocolate ganache.

INGREDIENTS 6 medium flour tortillas cut into 48 triangles 4 tb melted butter. Cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 tb cinnamon

OVEN METHOD Toss tortilla triangles in melted butter, making sure both sides are coated.
Then toss in combined cinnamon/sugar. Bake single layer crispy, 8-10 min 425 deg. Cool on pan 5 min before serving.

FOR AIR FRYER Toss tortilla triangles in butter then into combined cinnamon and sugar.
Air fry in batches in basket in a single layer 375 deg 6 minutes.

[leaning conservative]

This looks so delicious. When I buy gruyere I have no self control. That nutty, salty, chewy end piece. Oh my......

[leaning conservative]

I am so sorry about your mother. And your job on top of the heartbreak. Sending love and ((hugs)) your way. Take care of yourself.

[Don_Ret_USAF]

I have the Nuwave elite oven and baked a Cornish hen. That was cut in half. Sprayed coconut oil on the half pieces and salt/ pepper each side. Used the 1 inch rack and placed the Crisper from the Gourmia air fryer on the rack. This holds the heat so that the bottom of what you re cooking bakes better. Bake for 20 minutes per side at 400°F. Started with the breast side down and flipped after first 20 minutes were up. The hen was cooked though and had a very crisp skin. Had mask potatoes. green peas and string beans along with a cup of herbal tea. A great supper that was less then an hour to prepare..

[Liz]

Gruyere is super tasty.....a harder type of Swiss cheese that originated in Switzerland, natch.......named after the town of Gruyères.

[Jamestown1630]

I like crispy chicken skin.
(You appear have a lot of cooking ‘gadgets’. I’ll have to look them up.)

My husband, who tends to be a ‘serial obsessive’, recently became fascinated with card and magic tricks. He showed me this tonight, and I think it’s one of the best TV magic tricks that I’ve seen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1XpqpaXqPI

(Look closely at the table top at every moment that it’s on screen.)

[Liz]

Crispy/cheesy......another recipe to rejuvenate past-their-prime tortillas.
Quick bread to serve w/ a vegetable main dish, and a healthy green salad.

CHEESE CRISPS

>

PREP brush melted butter on both sides 2-8" flour tortillas.
Bake on rack on sheetpan 325 deg 20 min, flip halfway thru.

ASSEMBLY top toasted tortilla w/ cup shredded cheese combo,
2 tb chp pickled jalapenos; bake/melt 500 deg 3-4 min.

SERVE hot and melty immediately....cut in squares.

[Liz]

Ridiculously easy---pedestrian ingredients rise to new heights of Asian deliciousness. Use 20-25 round gyoza
or square wonton wrappers. To test oil....drop bit wrapper into oil; ready when it sizzles/tans quickly.

Avocado Wontons / Apricot Soy Dip / nice appy

WONTON FILLING combine 3 chp avocado, tea ea l/juice, salt, 2 tb chp cilantro. Gently mash 1/2--leave rest chunky.

ASSEMBLY center small tsp Filling on wrapper; trace wet finger at long edge. Fold up/seal.
Fry golden less than a minute per side. Remove; drain.

SERVE warm w/ Apricot Dip.

DIP: equal parts soy sauce and apricot marmalade.

[Jamestown1630]

One of my favorite YouTube cooks is Steve Hall, aka ‘Shotgun Red’. Here, he tries to re-create the Wisconsin ‘Butter Burger’, from Solly’s Grille in Milwaukee (and it looks like the most delicious death-by-burger I’ve ever seen - add bacon and and change to blue cheese, and I’d be in heaven.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_8BAClRDU

[Liz]

Pour vous.