Monthly Cooking Thread - July 2022

[Jamestown1630]

There are many inventive recipes to celebrate our Independence Day, but I don’t think any are more expressive that the simple ‘Flag Cake’ that can be made with berries. This one from the blog ‘Cake is Love’ looks like it can be adapted very easily to using packaged brownie (or cake) mix and icing:

https://blogcakeislove.blogspot.com/2012/07/4th-of-july-american-flag-brownies.html

***************************************************

***************************************************

Lucile Wright was a renowned caterer in Savannah, Georgia, who became even more well-known when she was featured in the book ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’, by John Berendt and in the film of the same name. She was especially famous for her tomato sandwiches.

I don’t think these would be very good unless you have good, big home-grown tomatoes; and then they’re wonderful:

From Mercados Life Lessons, Miss Lucile’s recipe:

https://mercadoslifelessons.blogspot.com/2013/08/miss-luciles-tomato-sandwich.html

***********************************************

This recipe for a Pasta Primavera is something my husband frequently makes in the Spring when the asparagus in the stores is good:

Chicken Primavera

¼ Cup Butter

1 lb. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into strips

18 spears Asparagus, cut into one-inch pieces

2 Leeks, cleaned and trimmed, and the white part only cut into ½ inch slices

1 Cup sliced Mushrooms

1 red Bell Pepper, cut into strips

4 T. Vermouth, or dry white wine (I think it’s better with the wine)

½ Cup Whipping Cream

1 T. Dijon Mustard

¼ Cup grated Parmesan Cheese

½ tsp. Freshly ground Black Pepper

1 lb. Fettuccine or pasta of choice, cooked and drained

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until it is cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from skillet and keep warm.

Add Asparagus, Leeks, Mushrooms, Red Pepper, and 2 T. of Wine to the skillet; cook for 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and keep warm.

Add Whipping Cream, remaining 2 T. of Wine, and the Mustard, to the skillet. Cook until thickened and bubbly, stirring constantly. Add the Cheese, Black Pepper, and reserved Chicken and Vegetables.

Stir to combine, and taste for seasoning. Serve over the cooked Pasta.

***********************************************

This pastry 'Sunflower' - or 'Tarte Soleil' - is visually beautiful, but not that difficult to make. You can do it with a wide variety of fillings, and sweet or savory.

Here’s a recipe from ‘Italian Food Forever’ using a spinach filling:

http://www.italianfoodforever.com/2016/07/sunflower-spinach-puff-pastry-tart

and from ‘Entertaining with Beth’, a video showing the technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIF-6CFsYxk

-JT

[Liz]

I like it.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Nice to see you, Stranger! Hope all is well with you. :)

[Liz]

MISSED YOU ALL.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Public Service Announcement!

[Jamestown1630]

Of course I would see this AFTER we did our shopping today...

(For people with Instant Pots, there are lots of recipes for making cheesecake in them, though you will need a pan that fits your pot. Also, there are lots for low-carb or Keto cheesecakes, which are often no-bake.)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I saw my favorite Aunt a week or so ago. She went on and ON about Cheesecake in the Instant Pot.

I’ve got to check that out. Two people have raved to me about it now. Must be A Sign From Above. :)

[Jamestown1630]

I’ll find the recipes I’ve saved, and post in the August thread.