Friday, March 30, 2012

Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs (Basic & Options)
(12 halves)


Ingredients:

6 Whole Eggs, boiled & peeled (see note)
1/4 cup Mayonnaise
2 tsp. Mustard (your choice on type)
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. White Pepper
Sprinkle Smoked Paprika

Directions:

Slice eggs in half the long way and remove the yolk from each half and place in a medium size bowl.  Using a fork, begin by mash the egg yolks before adding the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper to the bowl.  At this point you could add other ingredients as mentioned in one of the notes below.  Mix thoroughly before portioning back into the egg whites.  Sprinkle each egg with a little paprika for color and an added taste.  Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.  They can be made the day before using.

Note:               To boil eggs:  Place the eggs in a medium sauce pan and cover
                           with water to 1 inch above the eggs.  Then heat on medium-
                           high and bring to a slow boil.  Once the water is boiling, lower
                           heat to keep at a slow boil, time for 3 minutes, remove pan
                           from heat and let eggs rest for 9 minutes in the hot water.
                           Pour off the hot water and cover eggs with ice water for another
                           12 minutes.  Drain the water off the eggs and remove the shells.
                           To peel eggs, crack the shell all around the egg and start at the
                           larger end.  There is usually an air space between the egg and the
                           shell at that end.  Peel the shell from egg carefully.  It is best to
                           do this in a sink and under running water.

Note:               For the mustard, you can use any flavor that you enjoy.  Most use
                           the plain yellow mustard, but spicy brown, Dijon, dill or other
                           flavors add a little different taste.

Note:               You can add in other ingredients too.  Some like to add a few
                           drops of their favorite hot sauce.  Maybe you would like to
                           try jalapenos, bacon bits, chives, BBQ sauce, salsa, pickle
                           relish, onion (any type) or chopped olives.  Be inventive with
                           your eggs and serve 2 or 3 different styles at your function.
                           Remember to top them with these ingredients to let people
                           know what type they are eating.  If you are adding moisture to
                           the recipe, then cut back on the mayonnaise by the amount
                           you add (roughly).

Note:               In filling the egg whites with your mixture, you can use a spoon,
                           a pastry bag with a special tip or fill a zip-lock baggie and cut
                           off a small corner and use as a pastry bag to fill your eggs.
                           Your presentation can be as simple or elegant as your wish
                           to make it.

Ideas for Future Efforts
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham
(servings - depends on size but there’ll be leftovers)


Ingredients:

½ cup Brown Sugar
¼ cup Spicy Brown Mustard
6 – 8 lb. Bone-in Ham Butt

Directions:

Combine brown sugar and mustard in a small mixing bowl.  Remove ham from packaging including plastic cap over the cut bone.  Rinse and dry the ham before using your hands to rub the brown sugar mustard mixture all over the ham.  Place in a baking dish, cut side down.  Add enough water to cover bottom of dish by a ¼ inch and then cover with foil.  Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes per pound.  Remove from oven when done and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing.  Serve immediately.

Note:               I don’t like the spiral cut hams because I believe the solid ham
                           gives you better options for other dishes with the leftovers.
                           However, you can use a spiral cut ham.

Note:               I usually go for the bigger ham.  That way I can cut off a few
                           large chunks and freeze for future dishes.  The bone-in ham
                           also gives me the key ingredient for my “Ham & Bean Soup”
                           recipe in the cookbook.  It is one of my favorite soups.

Ideas for Future Efforts
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

What's Cooking for Easter?

Easter is coming fast and if you are the one(s) hosting Easter Day, you better start planning.  The two meals that are big on Easter Sunday are a great brunch or a big holiday dinner.

A good brunch usually includes mainly breakfast dishes and one or two dinner items.  I have some great recipes in my cookbook for an Easter Brunch.  You might want to try the "Double Cinnamon Baked French Toast" or the "Quiche Lorraine" as the star dish.  Serve both if you want, but you could add the "Breakfast Casserole" or "Matt's Ham Strata" to the mix.  If you don't do the casserole, try the "Scrambled Eggs Deluxe" for your egg dish.  You should serve either bacon or link sausage (or both) too.  Then for a dinner dishes, try the "Brown Sugar/Mustard Ham" (blog recipe tomorrow) and "Connie's Hash Brown Casserole."  Because Asparagus is already in season, it would make the perfect vegetable to go with this meal.  A recipe for Asparagus is in the cookbook too.  As you think about this meal, remember your oven only holds so much.  Most of the items above are needing the oven.  So you might want to ask guests to make a dish and give them one of the recipes that you've picked for the brunch.  Don't get stressed about this day.  Remember to have fun with it and invite help from those attending.  It makes for a great time even if there are a few screw ups during the day.

If you are having a full fledged dinner, the two most popular meats are ham and lamb (I have limited experience with lamb so we will save that for another day) for the main course.  I'd recommend trying the "Decadent Mashed Potatoes" (from cookbook), "Spicy Cream Corn" (blog) and the "Mandarin Orange Pudding" with tomorrow's ham recipe.  Add the "Deviled Eggs" from this Friday's blog for an extra touch.

So that you don't kill yourself and/or spend days cooking, remember you can always buy a few meal items to help balance everything.  If you have a good bakery and/or ice cream place, buy rolls or special loaf bread and maybe an ice cream cake for the out of the norm dessert.

It's all about planning and sharing the fun.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Cookbook Available at Another Location

This has been the most unusual March I've witnessed.  Our flowers are opening quicker then the fast breaks of March Madness Basketball.  All our Tulips are in bloom as of the 24th of  March.  All the Dutch heritage towns in the Midwest that have Tulip Festivals are worried.  They may not have any Tulips blooming come May.  However, they really do look great this year.

I have another location that is selling my cookbook, "More Than Your First Cookbook" as of Sunday.  Pickerman's of Sioux City, has started selling the cookbook.  A great thing about it selling there is you can have a great meal while you browse through the cookbook.  They have tasty sandwiches and soups in a friendly and nice atmosphere.  Be sure to check it out if you are in Sioux City, Iowa.

Easter is coming up quick and so tomorrow I will talk about some food ideas for your Easter dinner.  On Thursday, I have one of my favorite ways to cook a ham.  Then on Friday, with all those Easter eggs you have laying around, we have several variations of Deviled Eggs for you to try.

I hope everyone has a great week ahead and you better get started on planning your Easter weekend.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Pasta with Your White Sauce Creation

Pasta with Your White Sauce Creation
(4-6 servings)


Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Butter
2 cloves Garlic, fine chop
½ cup Shallots, fine chop (can sub onions instead)
1 cup White Wine
1 cup Heavy Cream
Your Creation Items (see note)
12 oz. Cooked Pasta, your choice

Directions:

In a large (3-5 qt.) sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add the garlic and shallots to the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.  Stir in the wine followed by the cream and bring to a boil.  Add your creation ingredients and heat through.  Combine the cooked pasta with the mixture in the pan, heat an additional minute and then serve.

Note:               Your creation ideas can include any item you like but use cooked
                           meats or protein.  This protein could be chicken, bacon, pancetta
                           or shrimp as some ideas.  Some other ingredients could be
                           mushrooms (your choice on type), roasted red peppers,
                           sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, spinach or other greens,
                           fresh herbs and various cheeses.  Use your imagination and
                           favorite foods.

Note:               If sauce is too thick, just add a little pasta water to help thin.  If it
                           is too thin, heat the sauce a little longer.

Note:               This whole cooking process should take you less than 30
                           minutes.  So this can become a quick meal for you that is
                           ever changing in taste and flavor.

Ideas for Future Efforts
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Friday, March 23, 2012

Pasta with Your Own Red Sauce Creation

Pasta with Your Red Sauce Creation
(4-6 servings)


Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Olive Oil (EVOO)
2 gloves Garlic, fine chop
½ cup Onion, fine chop
½ cup Red Wine or Pasta Water (your choice)
2 tbsp. Tomato Paste
14.5 oz Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
1 tsp. Dry Oregano
Your Creation Items (see note)
Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
12 oz. Cooked Pasta, your choice

Directions:

In a large (3-5 qt.) sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add the garlic and onion to the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.  Stir in the wine followed by the tomato paste and bring to a boil.  Next add the crushed tomatoes and oregano.  Bring the pan back to a boil and add your creation ingredients, pepper flakes (if using) and heat through.  Combine the cooked pasta with the mixture in the pan, heat an additional minute and then serve.


Note:               Your creation ideas can include any item you like but use cooked
                           meats or protein.  This protein could be ground beef, ground
                           sausage, link sausage, meatballs, bacon, pancetta or clams as
                           some ideas.  Some other ingredients could be mushrooms (your
                           choice on type), olives (your choice on type), anchovies, capers,
                           fresh herbs and various cheeses.  Use your imagination and
                           favorite foods.

Note:               If sauce is too thick, just add a little pasta water to help thin.  If it
                           is too thin, heat the sauce a little longer.

Note:               This whole cooking process should take you less than 30
                           minutes.  So this can become a quick meal for you that is
                           ever changing in taste and flavor.

Ideas for Future Efforts
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Pasta with Your White Sauce Creation
(4-6 servings)


Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Butter
2 cloves Garlic, fine chop
½ cup Shallots, fine chop (can sub onions instead)
1 cup White Wine
1 cup Heavy Cream
Your Creation Items (see note)
12 oz. Cooked Pasta, your choice

Directions:

In a large (3-5 qt.) sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add the garlic and shallots to the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.  Stir in the wine followed by the cream and bring to a boil.  Add your creation ingredients and heat through.  Combine the cooked pasta with the mixture in the pan, heat an additional minute and then serve.

Note:               Your creation ideas can include any item you like but use cooked
                           meats or protein.  This protein could be chicken, bacon, pancetta
                           or shrimp as some ideas.  Some other ingredients could be
                           mushrooms (your choice on type), roasted red peppers,
                           sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, spinach or other greens,
                           fresh herbs and various cheeses.  Use your imagination and
                           favorite foods.

Note:               If sauce is too thick, just add a little pasta water to help thin.  If it
                           is too thin, heat the sauce a little longer.

Note:               This whole cooking process should take you less than 30
                           minutes.  So this can become a quick meal for you that is
                           ever changing in taste and flavor.

Ideas for Future Efforts
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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Fettuccine with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

Fettuccine with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
(4-6 servings)


Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Butter
2 cloves Garlic, fine chop
2 tbsp. All Purpose Flour
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Heavy Cream
4 oz. Gorgonzola Cheese, cut to small pieces
1 ½ tsp. Herbes de Provence
4 handfuls Baby Spinach
12 oz. Fettuccine, cooked

Directions:

In a large (3-5 qt.) sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes before adding the flour.  Be sure to whisk in the flour and cook an additional 1 or 2.  Whisk in the chicken broth and then the cream and bring to a boil.  Stir in the Gorgonzola cheese and heat until melted.  Blend the Herbes de Provence into the mixture and continue to cook 3 more minutes.  Combine the cooked pasta and spinach to the pan sauce and serve immediately.

Note:               This recipe is adapted from one by DakotaEarth.com and Artisan
                           Italian.

Ideas for Future Efforts
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