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Category Archives: Side Dishes

How to Roast Peppers

Posted on October 18, 2010 by amydeline

Roasted peppers are a sweet and delicious addition to many meals. My favorite thing is to build a little sandwich of roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction on ciabatta. Then, I wrap it up in foil and pop it in the oven until the cheese gets a bit warm and melty. Mmmmm! I’m drooling just thinking about it.

Roasted peppers are a cinch to make at home, so save yourself the money and make your own, rather than buying those jarred peppers. Here’s a little photo guide on how to easily roast your own peppers. Then, check out my Italian Mac and Cheese recipe (coming up later!) for a tasty way to put them to use!

Start with firm, fresh peppers. You can use any kind of pepper. My favorite variety for roasting are Red Bell Peppers.

Cut the pepper in half. Use the edge of a spoon to remove the seeds and ribs.

Pour a drizzle of oil over the pepper halves and rub to evenly coat the skin side. Place the peppers, cut side down, on a baking sheet.

Cook in a 425 degrees oven for 15-20 minutes, until the top appears lightly browned and the skin begins to pucker.

Remove from the oven and place the hot peppers in a sealed ziploc bag. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes. This step will help the skins to release from the peppers.

Peel the skin away from the peppers. If necessary, use the tip of a paring knife to release an edge, then simply peel the skin away.

Enjoy your homemade roasted peppers!

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Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Chicken on the Side

Posted on October 12, 2010 by amydeline

It felt like the right time for a roasted chicken, rubbed and stuffed with tons of fresh garlic. Something about the aroma of roasting chicken and garlic seems to instantly warm the house on a crisp autumn day; the same effect as a fireplace ablaze with crackling logs in the winter or a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. Comfort. My husband remarked that the scents which fill our house will leave lasting impressions on our kids. Someday, when they’re all grown up, they’ll catch a whiff of garlic somewhere and think of home. That’s a thought which comforts my heart.

Roasted chicken with garlic always makes a tasty meal, but the brussel sprouts became the surprise star of this show. One bite of the brussel sprouts and the chicken quickly became relegated to side-dish status. Don’t get me wrong, the chicken was delicious. But it paled in comparison to these brussel sprouts; these lovely, lovely brussel sprouts.  If you think you don’t like brussel sprouts, I implore you to try this recipe. It’s inspired by a similar dish, which my local Wegmans carried in their prepared foods section, last year. It was the first time I’d ever tried roasted brussel sprouts and I became an instant fan. The roasting process develops a vibrant, nutty flavor and pleasant texture, which is nothing like the bland, boiled brussel sprouts you may be familiar with. Tossed with crispy bacon and toasted walnuts, these brussel sprouts become a heavenly autumn feast.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Walnuts

Ingredients

  • 1.5 Pounds Brussel Sprouts
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 5 slices Applewood Smoked Bacon, chopped*
  • 1/3 cup Walnuts, chopped
  • Salt and Pepper

*I prefer Applewood Smoked Bacon for it’s flavor. Plus, it’s uncured and nitrate free! If applewood smoked bacon isn’t available, regular bacon will work fine.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off the ends of the brussel sprouts, slice them in half lengthwise, and remove any browned or yellow leaves. Toss the sprouts in olive oil and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place the brussel sprouts in a baking dish and cook  for 45-60 minutes (depending on the size of the brussel sprouts). Occasionally toss the brussel sprouts as they cook, to promote even browning.

While the brussel sprouts are cooking, prepare the bacon and walnuts. Warm a pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned and slightly crispy. Carefully pour off the excess bacon fat, leaving a tablespoon or two in the pan. Add the walnuts and continue cooking for another minute or two.

During the last 15 minutes of the brussel sprouts’ cooking time, pour the bacon, walnuts, and remaining bacon fat over the sprouts. Toss to distribute. Continue cooking until the brussel sprouts are tender, but not mushy. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

For the Chicken: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove and discard the giblets from a 5-6 pound roasting chicken. Rinse the chicken, inside and out, and pat dry. Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour about two tablespoons of olive oil over the chicken and give it a little massage to evenly coat. Rub a couple smashed garlic cloves all over the skin. Gently loosen the skin on the top. Insert a few garlic cloves under the skin. Throw a handful of garlic cloves inside the chicken. Generously season with salt and pepper. Place the roasting pan on a lower rack in the oven. Roast for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, as measured by inserting an instant-read meat thermometer into a deep section of the breast. (My almost 6-pound chicken took about 90 more minutes.) Occasionally baste the chicken with the juices which will begin to collect in the bottom of the pan. When cooked, remove the chicken from the oven. Loosely cover with foil and allow it to rest for about 15 minutes. Carve and serve. *Save the carcass for chicken soup. An easy chicken soup guide will be coming up soon!

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Smoked Salmon Potatoes Au Gratin

Posted on October 8, 2010 by amydeline

I’ve got a tasty little twist on potatoes au gratin for you today. Typically, potatoes au gratin is composed of thinly sliced potatoes, baked in seasoned cream until it’s hot, bubbly, and delicious. Sometimes, cheeses such as gruyere or cheddar are added for a super yummy flavor and an extra golden crust. Potatoes au gratin makes a really delicious side dish and works great for large groups and dinner parties.

There’s a passionate love triangle going on in my little twist on potatoes au gratin. You see, I decided to throw in some smoked salmon. Well, smoked salmon and cream cheese are sort of madly in love with other, so I added some cream cheese too. Turns out that cream cheese has also got a little thing for potatoes. And don’t tell the cream cheese, but I swear I saw the potatoes winking at the salmon. The result is a harmonious marriage of flavors; creamy, savory, and thoroughly satisfying.

Smoked Salmon Potatoes Au Gratin

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds Russet Potatoes, peeled and very thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 4 ounces Smoked Salmon, chopped
  • 1 bar (8 ounces) Cream Cheese, chilled and chopped into small pieces
  • 3 Green Onions, sliced
  • 2 cups Half and Half
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • Pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use the side of a knife to smash the garlic clove. Rub the cracked clove of garlic on the sides and bottom of a 13×9 baking dish. Then, rub the inside of the baking dish with butter. Arrange about a third of the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Scatter 1/2 of the cream cheese, salmon, and green onions on top. Arrange another layer of potatoes. Scatter with the remaining cream cheese, green onions, and salmon. Top with the remaining potatoes. In a bowl, whisk together the half and half with the salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the potatoes. Push down gently on the potatoes to ensure that the top layer is lightly covered with the half and half. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Approximately every 15 minutes, use a spatula or spoon to push down on the top layer to moisten it with the cream and prevent it from drying out.

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Mission Fiesta

Posted on September 24, 2010 by amydeline

Tomorrow afternoon we will celebrate my little one’s second birthday. Where in the world did two years go?? It seems like only yesterday that I was waddling around, anxiously awaiting his birth. And now he’s this tiny little man. So utterly perfect.

I really love throwing birthday parties. There’s a good possibility that I actually enjoy throwing the party more than the kids enjoy celebrating the party. And with a little bit of thoughtful planning, I find it to be a relatively stress-free and enjoyable experience. In my opinion, a stress-free party is all about planning a menu which can be mostly prepared the day before and requires minimal fuss on the day off. I like dishes served cold or at room temperature or trays of food which can be reheated in the oven, while still maintaining their fresh taste and appearance. I avoid things like burgers, which need to be cooked in batches during the party and usually result in people standing around waiting for the platter to be refilled. I think burgers are great for barbecues, but for birthday parties, I like all the food to find its way to the table at the same time. Just my personal preference.

I also like to vary our party menus so that there’s always something new for our guests to enjoy. I’ve also got a few party standards, which I make again and again, like the Dinosaur Bar B Que Macaroni Salad. For this little fiesta, I’ll be serving an assortment of sandwiches and salads. Hopefully there will be a little something to delight everyone’s tastebuds.

Sandwich and Salad Party Menu

Sandwiches

Waldorf Chicken Salad on Pain de Campagne

Egg Salad on Marble Rye

Honey-Roasted Turkey Breast with Lorraine Swiss, Thinly Sliced Pears and Honey-Mustard on Mutligrain Baguette

PB&J on White

Roast Beef, Cheddar, and Apple with Horseradish Sauce on Onion Rolls

Prosciutto and Figs with Gorgonzola Cream on French Baguette

Fresh Mozzarella and Roasted Red Tomatoes with Basil Pesto on Ciabatta

Salads

Dinosaur Bar B Que Macaroni Salad

Greek Couscous Salad

Ambrosia Salad

Napa Cabbage  Salad

Today’s mission was simple. Prepare as much of the food as possible.

I started with the Ambrosia Salad. Ambrosia is a childhood favorite of mine. Seriously, it’s hard to disappoint kids with a salad whose main ingredient is marshmallows. My Aunt Theresa is the queen of ambrosia, so I use her recipe, which couldn’t be simpler. There are no set measurements and it’s almost impossible to mess up. Simply mix a bag of mini marshmallows with a can or two of strained mandarin oranges and a can or two of strained pineapple tidbits. Then mix in about 1/2 cup of sour cream. If desired, throw in a cup of shredded coconut. Stir and refrigerate. Make a few hours or a day ahead of time. If desired, garnish with marashino cherries.

Next, I got to work on the Greek Couscous Salad, another simple and delicious side salad. Simply cook some couscous according to package directions. Allow it to cool for a few minutes. Then, I made a greek vinaigrette using lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, a bit of greek seasoning, salt and pepper. Toss the couscous in the dressing. Throw in some crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes.

The macaroni salad is one of my recurring regulars. I use the Dinosaur Bar B Que recipe, found in their cookbook. As I’ve mentioned before, I have a bit of an aversion to mayonnaise. So, I tend to avoid salads dripping in mayo. The Dinosaur recipe is hands-down my favorite macaroni salad, since it incorporates a good amount of creole mustard into the dressing, which cuts the mayo consistency. The flavor is fantastic! The salad starts with a pound of small pasta shells. Throw in some chopped celery, tomatoes, and green peppers. For the dressing, combine a cup of mayo (Hellmans, of course) with 1/4 cup of Creole Mustard. (I tend to add a bit more mustard). Add a teaspoon of brown sugar, 4 cloves of minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the dressing with the pasta and veggies, then refrigerate to cool.

My egg salad recipe couldn’t be simpler. Hard boil some eggs. Cool the eggs under cold running water. Remove the shells and cut the eggs in half. Remove the yolks and place in a bowl. Use a fork to crush the yolks. Combine with enough mayonnaise and mustard until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Chop the egg whites and add to the bowl. Slice a few green onions and add. Stir until well mixed.

I prepared my recipe for Waldorf Chicken Salad, which you can find here and my Basil Pesto recipe, which you can find here. To keep things simple tomorrow, I also sliced the mozzarella and the figs and prepared the honey-mustard sauce, horseradish sauce, and gorgonzola cream for the sandwiches.

For dessert, I baked my little guy a giant cupcake, using my favorite chocolate cake recipe, found here. I decorated the top with a dumptruck and candy rocks, per his request.


I made a double batch of the cake batter, so that I could bake some cupcakes. But, I way overfilled the cupcake pan, which caused the cakes to overflow. They began to fall apart when I tried to remove them from the pan. They were not in any condition for frosting. So, rather than waste the perfectly tasty cakes, I made Muddy Cups; a perfect addition to the Construction theme we’ve got going on. I stuffed the slightly mangled cupcakes into the bottom of small plastic cups. Then I covered them with a scoop of chocolate pudding and sprinkled them with crushed Oreos and candy rocks.

I’ll also be serving a Caramel Apple Cake and Peanut Butter and Jelly Baklava. Those recipes will follow at a later date.


It was a productive day and we’re in good shape for tomorrow’s party. All that remains for tomorrow is composing the actual sandwiches, baking the Caramel Apple Cake, and decorating, of course! Should be a fun, stress-free, and tasty party!

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Surf and Turf – Anniversary Style

Posted on September 10, 2010 by amydeline

Five years ago, on a sunny early-September afternoon, I married my best friend. And what a beautiful five years it has been. As I sit here reflecting on the past five years, I am eternally thankful for all we have. Love, trust, respect, humor, empathy. We are acutely aware of how fortunate we are.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

After a long dating relationship, begun during our college days, we decided to formally tie the knot, which we’d informally tied long before. We carefully crafted all of the details of our wedding to represent our tastes and the result was a memorable wedding day, which our friends and family continue to remark on.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

We married at the Thomas Birkby House in Leesburg, Virginia; a lovely property, circa 1770. We said our vows in front of the carriage house, where 130 or so of our closest friends and family had gathered. The bridesmaids wore warm autumn brown and carried rust colored Leonides roses. I carried a bouquet of ivory roses with moss green hydrangeas.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

Immediately following the ceremony, our guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in the courtyard to the sounds of a harpist. Hors d’oeuvres were passed and guests mingled while enjoying the assortment of wines and specialty beers we’d hand-selected.

Passed Hors d’oeuvres Menu

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Tangy Cocktail Sauce

Little Washington Tartlette ~ Melange of Virginia Country Ham, D’Anjou Pear, Baby
Arugula and Parmigiano-Reggiano,

Dried Figs with Gorgonzola garnished with a Poached Cranberry

Smoked Salmon on Sweet Potato and Apple Pancakes

Crispy Tomato Toast with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

Following the cocktail hour,we moved into a large white tent with a ceiling of soft, gathered fabric and a brass chandelier, where the pièce de résistance of our wedding awaited; the food. Of all the details we’d carefully planned, the food was our highest priority. Well, at the very least, it was my highest priority. And when it came down to planning the meal for our wedding, our plan was certain. Skip the traditional multi-course dinner in exchange for a wider assortment of unique, carefully-crafted, decadent hors d’ouevres; arranged on tables scattered throughout the tent. Casual but elegant. Enough food to fill everyone’s bellies, all in bite-sized portions. My favorite way to dine.

Stationary Hors d’oeuvres Menu

Domestic and Imported Cheeses

Savory Cheese Torte with Sun-Dried Tomato

Creamy Brie with Apricot Preserves

Saga Bleu Polenta Rounds with Beef Tenderloin

Smoked Duck on Pecan Crackers with Red Currant Chutney

Bouchees with Brie, Chutney, and Almonds

Miniature Maryland Crab Cakes on a Bed of Creole Slaw with Red Remoulade Sauce

Sate Station – Grilled Beef, Chicken, and Pork with Hot Mustard, Indonesian Barbecue and Peanut Sauces

Scallop Tostada – Seared Sea Scallop on a Salpicon of Lump Crabmeat and Sweet Yello Corn with Poblano Pepper Aioli

Baby Vegetable Crudite with Yellow Pepper Thyme and Black Olive Feta Dips

Butternut Squash Bisque with California Fruit Chutney and Crunchy Cheese Straws

The surprise standout of the menu was the bisque, which we added to the menu at the last minute after enjoying an amuse bouche of pumpkin bisque at a local restaurant sometime during the months preceding our wedding.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

We used a wonderful Washington DC area caterer, Ridgewells, who made our vision become reality. Ridgewells is well known in the DC area and they more than fulfilled our expectations. They even worked with us to design custom hors d’ouevres, including a special Little Washington Tartlette, based on one of the courses we enjoyed at The Inn at Little Washington on the evening we got engaged.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

Oh, and the cake! The cake, the cake, the cake! Honestly, while planning the our wedding, the cake was not incredibly high on my list of priorities. I had an idea for the design and, of course, I wanted it to taste good, but I felt no need to run around to various bakeries looking for the perfect wedding cake. We’d tasted a few of the cake selections which Ridgewells offered and it was enough for us to feel comfortable having them provide the cake. We requested a Rich Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Filling. I remember the moment the first bite of that cake entered my mouth. It was a complete surprise. I had expected wedding cake. Know what I mean? Doesn’t it seem like wedding cake always tastes like wedding cake? Well, not this wedding cake. I was floored by how rich and moist and utterly delicious our cake was. Seriously the best wedding cake I’ve ever tasted.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

In honor of our 5th anniversary, I decided to prepare two of the items from our wedding menu, entrée style. An anniversary surf and turf duo of Beef Tenderloin on Sage Blue Polenta garnished with Julienned Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake on a bed of Spicy Creole Slaw.

I seasoned the tenderloins with salt and pepper and seared them in a hot pan with a bit of olive oil. Then, I placed them several inches under the broiler and cooked in the oven until they reached our desired doneness. After allowing the beef to rest for a few minutes, I sliced the steak, which I served over warm polenta. To the polenta, I added some Saga bleu cheese. Any other bleu cheese would be delicious as well. I garnished the steak with thin slices of sun-dried tomatoes.

For the crabcakes, I used my recipe for broiled jump lump crab cakes, which you can find here. I served the crab cakes on a bed of creole slaw, which added the perfect amount of crunch and spice to the dish. Leftover crabcakes and slaw make to-die-for sandwiches the next day.

Creole Slaw

Ingredients

  • 6 cups Cole Salw Mix (Shredded Cabbage and Carrots)
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 Tbsp Worchestershire Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Creole Mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

Directions

Combine the mayo, vinegar, worchestershire, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired. Toss with the cole slaw mix. Make several hours or a day ahead if possible.

Photograph courtesy of Tamela Kemp Photography ~ http://www.tamelakemp.com

Later this morning, we take off to New York City for our 3-night getaway, courtesy of Bertolli. Tonight we’ll be attending a welcome dinner at Aureole, which is certain to be a treat! We’ll have a chance to meet the winners of the other categories and the Bertolli team. Tomorrow evening we’ll get dolled up to attend the Zac Posen show, followed by the afterparty, where my winning Braised Lamb Shanks will be served in passed hors d’oeuvres form. Should be a very exciting weekend! Stay tuned for more details.

In totally unrelated news, my little man started nursery school yesterday. Unbelievable.

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Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

Posted on September 4, 2010 by amydeline

I recently read somewhere that cooking burns 180 calories in an hour. So, cook up a storm and eat yourself silly. That’s my philosophy anyway!

The girls came over last night to teach this lifelong ponytail-wearing girl how to style my hair for the Bertolli Fashion Week event. In return for their hard work, I shared some of Thursday’s ‘Funny Bone’ cupcakes and one of my favorite little hors d’oeuvres, stuffed mushrooms.

Stuffed mushrooms are one of the first hors d’oeuvres I learned how to make as a youngster. I remember begging my mother for the opportunity to make the mushrooms for family gatherings. And boy did I beam with pride when they were served! There’s just something about that kind of positive recognition that is so encouraging. Those experiences are a large part of the reason I enjoy cooking as much as I do. It’s so much more than just the food.

My recipe is an adaptation of the recipe I made as a child. I’m not sure where the original recipe came from. It was just something my mom made. My husband is anti-mushroom, so I haven’t made stuffed mushrooms for years. I don’t remember the exact proportions and I’m not even sure I remember all of the ingredients. Had I the foresight, I might have called home to get the recipe, but I remember the taste, so we’ll figure it out.

The original recipe does not call for bacon, but since I have a bowl of cooked, crumbled bacon, leftover from my Baked Potato Soup, I’m throwing some in. Everything’s better with bacon, right?? If you’d rather keep it a vegetarian dish, just omit the bacon. They will still be delicious!

The stuffed mushrooms can be prepared fully ahead of time, up to the baking step, which makes this a great option for entertaining or potluck parties. Simply prepare the stuffed mushrooms, refrigerate, and bake before serving!

Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds large Mushrooms (about 20 large mushrooms)
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1/2 small Onion, finely diced
  • 1 tsp Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
  • 1/2 cup Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • Leaves from 1-2 sprigs fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 4 Tbsp Butter, melted
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Black Pepper
  • 1/8 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • Paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Clean mushrooms with a damp cloth and carefully remove the stems. Place the mushroom caps in a single layer in a baking dish. Finely chop the mushrooms stems and place them in a bowl. Add the sour cream, diced onion, garlic, bread crumbs, parsley, and half of the melted butter. Mix to combine. Taste and season, as desired, with salt and pepper. Generously stuff the mushrooms caps with the mixture. Drizzle a few drops of the remaining melted butter onto each mushroom. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned and tender.

 

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Tomato-Cucumber Salad

Posted on August 27, 2010 by amydeline

One of the benefit’s of making yesterday’s Pulled Pork and Peach Pizza is that you’ll end up with a mound of leftover pork…perfect for a few pulled pork sandwiches.

I can’t think about pulled pork without thinking of Dinosaur Bar B Que, our local barbecue biker bar. It’s definitely a place we like to bring visiting friends. Really delicious, authentic barbecue is the name of their game. It was even voted America’s best barbecue on ABC’s Good Morning America in 2009 and it will be featured in an upcoming episode of Travel Channel’s Man v. Food with Adam Richman.

Dinosaur Bar B Que’s smoked pulled pork puts mine to shame. It’s so very good. You can never go wrong with the Big Ass Pork Plate. Excuse my language, please. I blush a little every time I order it. Dinosaur’s Big Ass Pork Plate comes with a huge mound of pork, a chunk of their Honey Hush Corn Bread and two of their many delicious side dishes. One of my favorite side dishes is their Tomato-Cucumber Salad. It’s always a nice fresh balance to the pile of meat on the other end of the platter.

So, with my dinner of leftover pulled pork, I’m mixing up my take on this classic summer side dish. Simple, summer-fresh flavors are always a win in my book.

Tomato-Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/4 red onion, diced fine
  • 1 pound rom tomatoes
  • 1 large, seedless cucumber

Directions

Depending on the size of the tomatoes, cut them into fourths or eighths. Remove the seeds. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then in half lengthwise again, to form four long quarters. Slice the cucumbers into small fan-shaped pieces. Combine the vinegar, oil, garlic, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Pour the dressing over the tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Toss to combine.

If possible, make the salad a few hours before eating to allow the veggies to get comfy in the dressing.

If you’re feeling saucy, a batch of my Sweet Honey Corn Bread would work beautifully with this meal! Click here for that recipe.

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Schnitzel and Spaetzle, Oh My!

Posted on August 23, 2010 by amydeline

We’re home. Time to get cooking!

In my last blog entry, I posted a picture of the Cheese Spaetzle which my husband and I enjoyed during one of our delicious Chicago lunches. This led one of my friends to wonder exactly what spaetzle is. Spaetzle, or Spätzle, is a type of egg noodle often found in German cuisine.

I ♥ spaetzle.

I ♥ German cuisine.

So, inspired by my friend’s question and in order to show you what spaetzle is, I decided I’d cook it for the first time. Though I’ve eaten in many times in German restaurants, I’ve never actually made it myself. I wasn’t even quite sure how it was made. Since I was pretty clueless about the spaetzle-making process, I decided to search for a recipe. I landed upon a Tyler Florence recipe, which appealed to me for its simplicity and for the fact that it didn’t call for any special spaetzle-making equipment. If you’ve got a colander or spoon with large holes, you’re ready to make spaetzle.

Large-holed colander sitting atop boiling water

I picked a colander which rested nicely on one of my saucepans. I filled the pan with water just high enough that it didn’t reach the bottom of the colander. This way, I was able to scoop a bit of the spaetzle batter into the colander and use a spatula to push it through into the boiling water. This worked beautifully. The batter dropped through the colander holes into the boiling water below and formed perfect little noodles. Just be sure to get right to work at pushing the batter through before it begins to cook on the bottom of the colander (which is exactly what happened to me while I paused to catch a picture). Tyler Florence’s recipe, found here, worked out perfectly. Excellent flavor and texture. Very easy to make! A definite winner in my book.

Spaetzle Cooking in Butter

Once I’d settled on making the spaetzle, it didn’t take me long to decide on making schnitzel; Jaegerschnitzel, to be exact. Schnitzel is simply meat, typically veal or pork, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. Jaeger translates to Hunter, which refers to the type of brown mushroom sauce which is served over the schnitzel.  Pork Jaegerschnitzel is, without question, one of my favorite German dishes and it makes a perfect accompaniment to the spaetzle.

As far as my Jaegerschnitzel recipe goes, I can’t speak to its German authenticity. Some references refer to Jaeger Sauce as a creamy mushroom sauce. I did not use any type of cream in my recipe. Feel free to add a bit of heavy cream, sour cream, or creme fraiche if it strikes your fancy. I was led by my Jaeger taste buds and authentic or not, my taste buds were quite pleased. Quite pleased indeed.

Jaegerschnitzel

Ingredients

  • 4 Boneless Pork Chops, about a pound total
  • 1/2 pound Bacon, chopped
  • 2 cups Mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil, plus more if necessary
  • 1/2 cup Flour, for dredging
  • 2 Eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup Bread Crumbs, plus more if necessary
  • 4 Tbsp Butter
  • 4 Tbsp Flour
  • 3 cups Beef Stock or Beef Broth
  • Salt and Pepper

To prepare the pork, cut each pork chop in half through the middle to create two thinner pieces out of each chop. You should end up with 8 thin-cut pork chops. Place the pork chops in a ziploc and pound, with a mallet or heavy flat-bottomed pan, to flatten to about 1/4 inch thick. Season each piece with a bit of salt. Then dredge the pork in the flour, dip in the lightly beaten eggs, and coat in the bread crumbs. Set the breaded chops aside.

In a large pan, over medium heat, cook the bacon until it just begins to get crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Set the bacon aside.

Add the mushrooms to the bacon fat remaining in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat until the mushrooms are tender and lightly browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove the mushrooms and set aside.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the bacon fat remaining in the pan, so that you have a very thin, even layer of bacon fat/oil. Add the breaded pork cutlets and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, over medium heat, until lightly browned and cooked through. Cook in batches, adding more oil between each batch, if necessary. Set the cooked pork aside.

**If the pan has any burned bits on the bottom, clean the pan before proceeding or use a new pan for the following steps.

Add butter and flour to the pan over medium heat. Whisk to combine. Cook for a minute or two. Then, gradually begin whisking in the beef stock. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 5 minutes, whisking frequently. The sauce will thicken. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add the cooked pork cutlets, mushrooms, bacon, and any juices to the sauce. Gently move the pan to coat the pork in the sauce. Cook for a minute or two to reheat all components. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Serve with warm butter-sautéed spaetzle.

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Chicken Marsala with Garlic Sauteed Broccolini

Posted on August 18, 2010 by amydeline

I’ve been meaning to make this dish for a while. I rarely order chicken when we go out to eat. It’s not that I don’t like chicken. I enjoy it quite a bit, but there’s just always something else which sounds better to me. There’s always some thick cut of filet mignon smothered in bernaise sauce or duck confit with a cherry-balsamic reduction calling my name. But there is one chicken dish that has the power to distract me from thick cuts of red meat and duck in sweet fruity sauces. That dish is Chicken Marsala. I rarely make it though. It’s not that it’s labor intensive or complicated to prepare. It’s simply that Chicken Marsala requires Marsala wine, which requires me to make a trip to the liquor store, which requires me to escort two extremely active toddler boys into a fun house of glass bottle towers. I avoid that situation like the plague.

But, my hubby stopped by the liquor store to pick up wine for last night’s steak dinner feast and I had him grab a bottle of Marsala. So, it’s Chicken Marsala for dinner tonight!

Marsala sauce is another in a family of wine reduction sauces that bring pure joy to my heart, like my beloved Bordelaise and Madeira sauces. We’ll start with a bit of Marsala wine, then simmer it down until it reduces to a thick, concentrated wine base. To that, we’ll add chicken stock and continue simmering to concentrate the flavors. The flour and oil remaining in the pan from cooking the chicken will act as our roux to help thicken the sauce. Mushrooms and thinly sliced garlic complete the sauce.

Chicken Marsala pairs beautifully with angel hair pasta, garlic mashed potatoes, or sauteed veggies. Tonight, I’m blanching a bunch of crisp broccolini just until slightly tender, then sautéeing it in a bit of olive oil and garlic.

Chicken Marsala

Ingredients

  • 4 Thin-Cut Chicken Breasts
  • 3 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 cup Mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • Flour, for dredging the chicken
  • 3/4 cup Marsala Wine
  • 1 can (about 2 cups) Chicken Stock
  • Salt and Pepper

Directions

In a large pan, heat about half of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and the mushrooms. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are tender and brown and the garlic is lightly toasted. Remove from the pan and set aside. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour to evenly coat both sides. Heat the remaining olive oil in the same pan used for the mushrooms. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside. Add the marsala to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all of the tasty brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the marsala to a simmer, allowing the wine to reduce until about 1/4 cup remains. Add the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until about 1 cup of liquid remains. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return the chicken and mushrooms to the pan. Cook for a few minutes to coat the chicken in sauce.

Garlic Sautéed Broccolini

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch Broccolini
  • 2 tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper

Directions

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the broccolini, by placing it in the boiling water and cooking for 5-7 minutes. Remove from the boiling water and gently pat dry. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for a minute or two. Add the blanched broccolini. Toss in the oil and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste

Little Man in Big Shoes, keeping busy while Mommy cooks.

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Posted in Food, Main Course, Poultry, Recipes, Sauces, Side Dishes, Vegetable and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Steak Dinner. Yummy, yummy.

Posted on August 17, 2010 by amydeline

We’re enjoying a visit from my in-laws this week. Tonight I had the pleasure of preparing a tasty steak dinner for our dining enjoyment. I mean, we have to eat something. It might as well be steak!

We started with an appetizer of Warm Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Cherries, Mango, Mint, and Almonds. Simply dice a few cherries and some mango, chiffonade a few mint leaves, and mix. Spread goat cheese on slices of French baguette. Top with a bit of the cherry, mango, mint mixture. Garnish with a sliced almond or two. Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 8-10 minutes.

Click here to see my photo guide on How to Dice a Mango. Make the cuts close together for a fine dice.

Click here to see my photo guide on How to Chiffonade Basil. Use the same procedure to chiffonade your mint leaves.

I cooked our dinner as we enjoyed the warm goat cheese hors d’oeuvres. There was broiled flank steak, seasoned with salt and pepper, then broiled for 15 minutes. After allowing it to rest for 5 minutes, I cut thin slices across the grain.

Over the flank steak, we enjoyed a Roasted Garlic Sauce. To make the sauce, melt 2 Tbsp butter in a saucepan. Add 2 Tbsp flour and whisk together. Cook over medium heat for a minute or two. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups of milk. Bring to a gentle boil and continue cooking for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens. Season with a teaspoon of mustard, some salt, pepper, and a touch of nutmeg. Whisk in roasted garlic paste from one small head of garlic, until smooth.

Click here to see my photo guide on How to Roast Garlic. Once it’s roasted, squeeze out the soft garlic and sprinkle with a bit of coarse salt. Use the side of a knife to press the roasted garlic into a smooth paste.

On the side, we enjoyed Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic. Cut baby red potatoes into fourths or eighths, depending on their size. Toss with a bit of olive oil, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, salt, and pepper. Spread onto a baking sheet and cook in a 350 degrees oven for about an hour, until they are tender, golden brown, and surprisingly sweet.

We also enjoyed  a side of Green Beans Almondine, my absolute favorite way to prepare green beans!

Click here to see my recipe for Green Beans Almondine.

Add a little Chianti and it’s a lovely meal!

2 Comments

Posted in Beef, Food, Main Course, Recipes, Sauces, Side Dishes and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
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Beauty Awaits

The Gourmand Mom

Good food, seasoned with a dash of life