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holiday meal recipes: shish kabob armenian style & armenian pilaf

April 11th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Entrées | Meals | RECIPES - (1 Comments)

We have an eclectic holiday celebration.  This year we decided on serving lamb for the second night of Passover and my traditional Easter.  Lamb and specifically lamb Shish kabob is my favorite meal.

My dad would cut the lamb himself but I cheated and asked the butcher.  This was my father’s meal… he was the butcher, the prep cook and the chef.  We watched and waited for a taste of luscious lamb sizzling off the skewer.  It was like waiting for a piece of crisp skin when cutting the turkey at Thanksgiving.

The metal skewers we use are from my Grandmother’s kitchen stored in an old bag made from a remnant piece of carpet. The large pan is also from Grandma’s… it serves a crowd. This recipe can easily be doubled and the veggies can stay about the same.

I serve this with a wonderful unleavened Armenian bread you may call lahvosh and Armenian pilaf.  Of course we added salad and fruit.

 

This really is a complete meal… enjoy!

 

RECIPE: Armenian Shish Kabob

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS:
• 5 lbs cubed leg of lamb
• Juice of 3 lemons
• 1 onion diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes diced
• 2 hot banana peppers diced (Use only one if you don’t like the heat!)
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• Salt and pepper

I ask the butcher to precut my cubed leg of lamb.  I prefer domestic lamb as it is less gamey than New Zealand lamb. Marinate the lamb with the above ingredients.  Then add kosher salt and pepper.  Marinate the day before, this is important to get the best taste.

• 8-10 small ripe tomatoes
• 6 cubanella peppers (sweet peppers)
• 4-6 red peppers
• 4 green peppers
• 4 hot banana peppers
• 8 onions small white or sweet

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Clean the vegetables, cut the peppers in quarters to skewer cleaning out the seeds.

• The next day prepare a “hot” grill.

• Skewer the lamb separately from the veggies… skewer the onions, tomatoes and peppers   each on different skewers.  Have a large covered Dutch oven ready.

• Grill the meat and veggies alternating when done slice off into large pan.  As you do this      you will quarter the onions, and tomatoes.  The mixture will look like stew when                  everything is grilled and in large covered pot put it on the grill at a lower heat to simmer.

• Serve with pilaf and enjoy!

 

RECIPE: Armenian Pilaf  (Click to Read)

 

Wine Suggestions for this Meal (Click to Read)

 

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pantry staples: grapeseed oil

April 9th, 2012 | Posted by admin in PANTRY STAPLES - (0 Comments)

For years I used canola oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil and olive oil.  Then I ventured into the better extra virgin olive oils and realized I can tell the difference.  But what about all those other oils on the shelf?  I think grapeseed oil is worth discovering.  It’s lighter than olive oil, a bit nutty and easy to fry with or it makes a great salad dressing.  I use it as I do olive oil with a bit of vinegar or lemon, some Dijon and salt & pepper, a great light dressing.  It has become a pantry staple.

 

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pantry staples: san marzano crushed tomatoes

April 7th, 2012 | Posted by admin in PANTRY STAPLES - (0 Comments)

After making a quick pasta sauce the other day I know I needed to add another Pantry Staple, San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes.  I always keep a can or two in my pantry.  This is the best product to use for homemade sauce when you are not crushing your own garden tomatoes.  All you need is good olive oil, minced garlic, salt & pepper to taste and a can of these crushed tomatoes… for a start to a great sauce.

 

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recipes: casual dinner party meal

April 4th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Appetizers | Entrées | Meals | RECIPES | Side Dishes - (0 Comments)

A night out with good friends, all great cooks, is always the best way to spend an evening.  My dear friend invited us over for a casual meal and basketball games!  As usual our small group seemed to keep growing which just makes the evening all the better.  A group effort, the menu started with steamed artichokes, hummus and veggies.  The crock pot barbecue beer chicken sliders were accompanied by sweet potato fries, kale salad and fruit salad.  I have to note that martini’s, wine and vodka were another side special.  We finished with two different brownie recipes, one a deep chocolate cake-like brownie, oozing with melted morsels, and my best ever Alice Medrich’s chocolate, almost caramel like fudgy,             classic brownies.

 

 

RECIPE: Sweet Potato Fries

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Slice and cut three large sweet potatoes into fries.

• Place on cookie sheet, do not overlap fries.

• Drizzle with canola or olive oil and kosher salt.

• Bake for 15 minutes, then toss fries to get all sides crisp… when they look cooked on all     sides remove from oven.

 

 

RECIPE: Kale Salad  (Click to Read)

 

RECIPE: Best Brownies Ever  (Click to Read)

 

RECIPE: Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken  (Click to Read)

 

 

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recipe: vodka bolognese

March 31st, 2012 | Posted by admin in Entrées | RECIPES - (0 Comments)

I had a mishap unpacking my groceries, as I opened the trunk of my SUV my grocery bag came crashing out and the new sauce I wanted to try splattered all over my garage floor.  I thought I’d cheat a little, make a pasta, add a few spices to it… dinner would be quick!  Well it was a great plan but now I had to make my own sauce.  So I quickly sauteed 3 minced garlic cloves in tablespoon of olive oil, with a ½ tsp of red pepper flakes.  I chopped up a cup of shitake mushrooms (caps only) and 1 small diced onion, added that to the garlic.  I cooked for approx. 2-3 minutes until the onions were translucent.  I then added 1 pound of grass feed ground beef and browned.  My next addition was a large 15 oz can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes, 1 cup of fresh grape tomatoes cut in half, ½ cup of heavy cream, 1/3 cup of vodka, 1/3 cup grated parmesan, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil.  I let this simmer for about 20 minutes.  I boiled my pasta; I used Barilla Cellentani, a twisted pasta that I love.  The final step was to mix the pasta and sauce and serve.

Everything I used in this recipe was something I had in the house… I just made it up as I went along.  This is the way a fast meal works in my house.  I don’t always follow a recipe but rather work from scratch with whatever I have on hand.  It usually turns out and it’s fun to play with what you have in the house.  Enjoy, remember you can make changes, additions or subtractions… have fun with it!

 

 

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spring planting continued

March 30th, 2012 | Posted by admin in FLOWERS | Outdoor - (0 Comments)

Anton’s in Highland Park, IL is another great garden spot.  I stopped by and picked up five plants to add to the container I planted the other day.  I did say I may add more plants.  I popped in two variegated Ivy to add some fullness and draping over the containers.  I needed some height so I kept in the purple hues and added a beautiful lavender columbine.

 

Note when I take the container off the roots I pull off some of the surrounding soil being careful not to break the roots but loosen them.  This enables the plant to take hold in your container and gives you room for more plants.

 

My last additions were two Nectarine Primula, a low plant that has a great strong leaf that surrounds a pop of double-flowered primrose.  I also love seeing primrose planted in the ground as an annual in our zone for spring and early summer.  All the plants do well in sun and part shade.  This container will stay put until June when I’ll change the spring plants out and keep the Ivy, Lamiastrum and Creeping Wire Vine.  Take a trip to your favorite nursery; decide on a color way and have fun.

 

 

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recipe: best brownies ever

March 30th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Desserts | RECIPES - (2 Comments)

The absolute best brownie recipe I have found is in the cookbook “Alice Medrich’s Cookies and Brownies”.  Alice Medrich’s brownies are a fudgy, chocolate decadent treat that elevates the normal cake-like brownie to a special dessert.  When making these brownies it is important to use a 13 x 9 metal pan.  I found this one in a cook store in Minneapolis; the brand is “Doughmakers”.  It turns out a perfect tray of brownies every time.  You can serve these brownies with fresh raspberries and whipped cream or caramel sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice cream.  I usually make a tray and keep them in the freezer so I always have a special sweet treat on hand.

 

 

Best Ever “New Classic Brownie” by Alice Medrich

I have doubled Alice’s recipe.  Serves 12-24 depending on how you cut them.

 

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 sticks of unsalted butter
• 8 oz of unsweetened chocolate (use semi-sweet and also ½ milk chocolate, it all works)
• 2½ cups of sugar
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• Optional: 2/3 cups of chopped walnuts or pecans (I have also used cashews)

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, position rack in lower third of the oven.

• I butter my metal pan and do not use parchment, but the recipe suggests lining the             bottom with parchment.  So try either way.  My pan works well without the parchment.

• First melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler stirring with a wooden spoon.  When   it is melted remove from heat and add the sugar, vanilla and salt.

• Next add the eggs one at a time stirring until each is incorporated into the batter.

• Finally add the flour mixing with a wooden spoon until the batter is glossy and smooth and   it comes away from the sides of the pan.

• Stir in the nuts if you are using.

• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the   brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.  The surface of the brownies will         look dry but if you use a toothpick the center will be gooey.

• While the brownies are baking take a large baking pan and fill with ice cubes and cold         water about ¾ inches deep.  This is your ice bath and a crucial component to making         these brownies!

• When the brownies are ready take them out of the oven and carefully place the pan in the   ice bath (you do not want to splash water on the brownies).

• Cool the brownies in the ice bath for about ½ hr.

• When cool slice the brownies.  I cut them in squares and then cut them on a diagonal.

• Dust with confectionary sugar and serve.

 

 

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spring planting

March 29th, 2012 | Posted by admin in FLOWERS | Outdoor - (0 Comments)

Spring has arrived I have to get to a nursery, garden center, anywhere I can find spring plants.  This is like dipping your toes into a cold lake for the first summer swim… I’m a bit hesitant but I so want to jump in!  I know there could be colder days ahead so I decide to just plant the small container on my little porch.  I won’t go crazy because I certainly want to save my pennies for summer stunners.  It felt so good to see all the colors and beautiful plants ready for spring at Chalet today.  My all time favorite spring annual (here in Zone 5) is Ranunculus.  It comes in red, white yellow, shades of pink and a hot orange I adore.  I decide on my pallet, a variety of purples with a bit of texture in accent plants and of course hot orange.

This planter contains two of each flowering plant, purple Osterspermum, Fantasy Blue Linaria an airy plant delicate in appearance, Angelart Orange Nemesia another smaller flower but lovely filler and Bloomingdale Tangerine Ranunculus.  The accent plants are Hermann’s Pride Dead Nettle and Creeping Wire Vine Muehlenbeckia axillaris, the coolest looking plant.  I added some curly willow as an arch above the planter and an old post of a girl with a bunny.  I could add another four plants easily, we’ll see.  My hands are dirty and I feel grand!  I am so thankful for this gorgeous day and the lovely flowers I get to enjoy.

 

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recipe: curried chicken salad & kale salad

March 28th, 2012 | Posted by admin in RECIPES | Salads - (0 Comments)

I am having a currant fixation… love them in everything.  They add a bit of sweetness, subtle and nice change of texture.  Both these recipes have currants in them so enjoy… use them as substitutes for raisins.  My plan is to make this chicken salad recipe and have it for lunch a few days during the week.  But the day I make it… it’s gone!  The Kale salad lasts another day but I’m not sure they (my family) have discovered how good it is yet.

 

 

CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD

This recipe is adapted from “Cooking My Way Back Home” by Mitchell Rosenthal.

 

INGREDIENTS:
• Four whole chicken breasts, skinless.  Prepare by either cubing or shredding chicken.  (You can poach and shred the chicken, saute or grill.)
• ½ cup currants (soak in warm water for 6 minutes and drain)
• 2 medium apples, diced
• ½ large fennel bulb, diced
• 4 stalks of celery, diced
• ½ cup of mayonnaise
• ½ cup dry roasted cashews chopped
• 1½ tablespoons of curry powder
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (I prefer meyer lemons)
• Salt & pepper to taste

 

DIRECTIONS:
• When your chicken has cooled and it is cubed or shredded mix with above ingredients.

• Mix and serve over mixed greens or on buns with greens.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

KALE SALAD

 

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 large bunches of Tuscan kale
• ¼ cup dried currants
• 2 tablespoons of pine nuts
• 1/3 cup of shaved parmesan
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
• 1½ tablespoons of honey
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Clean the Kale and chop do not use the stalks.

• Place in a large bowl.  Add the next three ingredients.

• Whisk together the remaining items… vinegars, honey and olive oil.

• Add salt & pepper to taste.

• Mix with Kale, currants and parmesan.  Ready to serve.

• If you dress the kale it will last for a couple of days.  This is a great healthy side for a           meat entrée, or serve with the chicken salad for lunch.

 

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kitchen girl

March 27th, 2012 | Posted by admin in UPDATES - (0 Comments)

This is Callie, my dearest friend who is always with me whenever I am in the kitchen.  Her usual perch is under the kitchen table beyond the island, where she can get a good look at things but not be in the way.  Her eyes will follow me for hours as I cook and clean up, and cook and clean up.  She keeps me company and warms my heart as I try new ideas, revisit old recipes and listen to music.  I am a dog lover… meaning my dogs are family.  They fill my life with unconditional love, warmth, humor and free therapy!  I wanted you to meet my kitchen girl.

 

 

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