Sep 242007
 

randis-r-pound-cake.jpg randis-boxes.jpg 

I had mentioned I was working on a project with my pound cakes.  I was making boxes for a wedding shower and thought I would cut the pound cake into the shape of R in honor of the shower recipient.  I am pretty big on always trying to make things personnel. Needless to say I had tons of left over pound cake, actually three gallon zip lock bags full.  I thought about making a bread pudding but that just seemed too sinful and then I was given the idea of a trifle. I have never made a trifle before but have always enjoyed eating them. Now, I will be honest my first attempt did not turn out like I would have liked so I just went back to the drawing board and found a simple solution to my problem.

I did not have an actual trifle dish so I just used a large Souffle dish I had (32 oz). I am always up for getting new products for my kitchen but I have to be honest…I just have no more space in my tiny little place and just have to think a little outside the box!

cooked-berries.jpg berry-trifle.jpg

Berry Trifle

2 ½ Cups of Pound Cake

Lemon Cream

Cooked Berries

Lemon Cream

Lemon Curd

3 Lemons

1 Lemon Zested

2/3 Cup of Sugar

2 Egg Yolks

4 Tablespoons of Butter

Mix together Lemon Juice, Zest, Sugar, and Egg Yolks. In a saucepan over medium heat adding butter and stirring for about 7-10 minutes until mixture begins to thicken. Strain it through a sieve and let cool. This will make about 1 Cup.

Whipped Cream

½ pint of heavy cream

2 Tablespoons of Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

In mixing bowl whip the cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks hold.  Fold in a half a cup of Lemon Curd until well combined

Berries

Juice from 1 Lemon

3 Cups of Berries- I used Strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries

2 Tablespoons of Sugar

In a large saucepan combine all of the ingredient and cook liquids begins to bubble about 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool completely before assembling the Trifle

On the bottom of 32 oz Dish place ½ of the pound cake so that it is completely covering the bottom. Pieces fitting tightly next to one another. Evenly spread half of the berries over the pound cake followed by half of the cream. Repeat this process one more time. Finish my topping off the top of the trifle with some fresh berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 4-6

 

 Posted by at 7:16 am
Sep 132007
 

This summer I have definitely been obsessed with CORN- from Corn Muffins, Blue Corn Muffins, Corn Salad and now Corn Chowder. I think it is perfect timing as we are entering the transition period between summer and fall.  Also I was just in Denver earlier this week and it was 45 degrees definitely would have enjoyed this chowder I had made over the weekend!

5 ears of Corn (corn cut off from ears)
1 Red Bell Pepper (chopped into ¼ inch cubes)
2 medium Onions (chopped into ¼ -1/2 inch cubes)
2 small Leeks (sliced thinly)
1 Cup of Chopped Celery
1 Russet Potato (Peeled and cubed in ½ inch cubes)
6 Slices of Bacon
4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
2 Tablespoons of Butter
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
2 Cups of Milk
3 Cups of Vegetable Stock
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a fying pan cook the bacon. Remove and pat bacon dry and chop. Remove  1 tablespoon of the bacon grease from the frying pan in place it in the pot and add two tablespoons of butter. Sauté the Onions, leeks, and celery for about five minutes.  In two other separate pots cook the corn and potatoes- drain and set aside. Add Peppers to onions and sauté for about two minutes, followed by the potatoes, corn, and bacon. Pour stalk and milk with thyme and let simmer on low heat for about 20-30 minutes. I think it taste best when you let it stand for a while to let all the flavors combined with one another.

 Posted by at 5:58 pm
Sep 062007
 

pound-cake.jpg 

I have been working on a project involving pound cake. I got the cakes down. Now you will have to stay tuned to the next stage of this pound cake project and how it turns out.

Chocolate Pound Cake

2 Sticks of Unsalted butter, softened
3/4 Cup of Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup of Sugar
6 oz. of Vanilla Yogurt
1/4 Cup of Whole Milk
3 Eggs
1 1/3 Cup of Flour
2/3 Cup of Cocoa Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
3.5 Ounces of Melted Dark Chocolate

Preheat Oven to 350

Generously butter loaf pan – 9- by 5- by 3-inch metal loaf pan

Whisk together Flour, Cocoa Powder,Baking Powder, and Salt. In a separate bowl beat together butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in zest, vanilla, and yogurt. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and milk  mixing until just incorporated. ( If you mux too much it will become more elastic the batter)

Spoon batter into loaf pan and bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean. About 60- 70 minutes Cool cake in pan on a rack 30 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.

Classic Pound Cake

This recipe I got from Gourmet and think is simply delicious.

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 sticks Unsalted Butter, softened
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 1/3 Cup of Flour
3 large Eggs
1 teaspoon fresh Lemon zest
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup whole milk,
Preheat oven to 350
Generously butter loaf pan – 9- by 5- by 3-inch metal loaf pan

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in zest and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and milk alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing until just incorporated.

Spoon batter into loaf pan and bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 60-70 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 30 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.

        

 Posted by at 1:08 pm
Aug 292007
 

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Having a fresh farm stand tomato is simply heaven. I am just so thrilled there is still more time in the season to enjoy them. It is hard to avoid them as they seem to be everywhere even in the New York Times “So Many tomatoes to Stuff in a Week” by, Mellissa Clark. As a child I did not fancy tomatoes, I know, crazy. How much I missed out on. One of the simplest ways to prepare tomatoes is roasting them. This is perfect because it can be added to all kinds of dishes: Salads, Pastas, and Sandwiches. Past recipes to check out too is Gazpacho , Bruschetta and Peeling Tomatoes.

Roasted Tomatoes
4 Pounds of Beefsteak Tomatoes (cut in half)
1 Cup of Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Salt
11/2 Tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar
5 Cloves of Garlic (Minced)
2 Tablespoons of Thyme

Preheat Oven 350
Arrange the tomatoes cut side up on a baking sheet that has been lined with tin foil. Coat the sheet with Olive Oil about 2-3 Tablespoons. Sprinkle Sugar and Salt evenly over the tomatoes and let stand for about 5- minutes. The sprinkle Garlic and Thyme over the Tomatoes and finish by drizzling the Balsamic Vinegar and rest of the Olive Oil over the Tomatoes. Bake for 3 hours if they start to brown to quickly reduced the heat.

1. The tomato is the world’s most popular fruit
2. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C
3. What makes the tomato red- Lycopene research thinks it might prevent cancer
4. There are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes
5. Don’t store ripe tomatoes in the fridge, lessens the flavor. Instead store tem in a cool, dark place, stem-side down.
6. If you must refrigerate take is out an hour before and let return to room temperature.
7. A good serrated knife is far better than a flat-edged knife when slicing tomatoes
8. Cherry Tomatoes- scooped out make a great edible cup
9. Plum Tomatoes are best used for sauces
10. Herbs that goes well with Tomatoes- Basil, Oregano, Garlic, Thyme. Pepper, Chives, Tarragon, Bay Leaf, and Celery Seed. Basically EVERYTHING!

 Posted by at 5:59 pm
Aug 212007
 

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We have all had that horrid experience of moving. I think probably one of the worst experiences is moving in New York City. I realize being young and living in a transient environment people move often but it is not so often that people buy their first home. I thought instead of bringing over flowers, a bottle of champagne or a welcome mat I would bring dinner for the happy couple. So they did not have to worry about cooking or ordering among all the boxes and can enjoy the comforts of their new home.
The Menu
Roasted Chicken
Sundried Tomato Pasta
Mesclun Greens
Roasted Peppers and Eggplant
Plum Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream
plum-tart-1.jpg
Plum Tart
This tart is simple and delicious. Perfect for when you are in a rush and need to impress!
1 Sheet of Puff Pastry (approximately 8.6 oz cut into three pieces)
4 Plums
3 Tablespoons of Apricot Jam
1 Egg (for Egg Wash)
Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream
Preheat Oven 425
Slice Plums 1/8 inch slices and cut in half. (So that they are in a semi circle) Layer the plum slices on the puff pastry, leaving the edges of pastry uncovered. In a separate bowl beat the egg and a tablespoon of water.  With a pastry brush the edges of the pastry. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes until the puff pastry is golden brown.
In a sauce pan melt the apricot jam on low heat. Once the tarts have been taken out of the oven brush the top of the tart with the jam. This will give a little more taste and have that professional glossy finish.
Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream

 Posted by at 4:46 pm
Aug 092007
 

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Fresh corn in the summer, is one of those great summer delights in my mind. This salad is simple and delicious. The taste of the cilantro will enhance over time. This corn recipe is light healthy and refreshing.

6 ears of corn

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 Medium Red Onion

2 Tablespoons of Cilantro

1 Lime

1/3 Cup of Olive Oil

3 Teaspoons of White Wine Vinegar

1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard

Salt and Pepper

Cut corn off from the ear of corn. (I find it easiest to hold corn standing up and cut kernels off from top down moving around the corn till all kernels are off) In pot of boiling water cook corn, drain and let cool.

Dice red pepper and onion and toss in with corn. Chop Cilantro and add to corn mixture.  In a separate bowl mix together Olive Oil, Vinegar, Mustard, Lime juice, Salt and Pepper. (Taste to make sure you like the vinaigrette- if to mild add some vinegar or lime juice) Pour vinaigrette over corn and make sure evenly combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. This is really perfect for any summer BBQ or Picnic!

 Posted by at 12:21 pm
Aug 022007
 

Busy, Busy, Busy is how I feel a lot of the time. I guess that is why NYC has the nickname “the city that never sleeps.”  Now I realize sometimes there is no time to cook or even make a restaurant reservation, so here is the solution.  A good friend of mine is starting this business called SUNDAY where you can have a personnel assistant for only $29 a month allowing you 30 requests.  They can provide anything from reservations, travel arrangements, wake-up calls with the weather as well as offering delivery services in the NYC area. (Sunday services are not limited to NYC and have customers throughout the US).  You can even have them look up recipes for you and email them to your Blackberry while you are on the way to the store!  If you can request it they can most likely figure a way to answer it.  So if you are one of those people that don’t even have enough time or don’t know where to begin in sending flowers, check Sunday out at http://www.asksunday.com

I was reading the New York Times and came across this great article by Mark Bittman, Summer Express: 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less.  I definitely think worth checking out. I lately find myself making omelets.  It is funny, I have a fully stocked pantry but nothing that is readily eatable so I am always snacking on the most random items.
Here are my Top 10 from the List:
1. Put three pounds of washed mussels in a pot with a half a cup of white wine, garlic cloves, basil leaves and chopped tomatoes. Steam until mussels open. Serve with bread.
2. Cut eggplant into half-inch slices. Broil with lots olive oil, turning once, until tender and browned. Top with crumbles goat or feta cheese and broil another 20 seconds
3. Upscale tuna salad: good canned tuna (packed in olive oil), capers, dill or parsley, lemon juice but no mayo. Use to stuff a tomato or two.
4. Frisee aux lardons: Cook chunks of bacon in skillet. Meanwhile, make six-minute or poached eggs and a frisee salad. Put eggs on top of salad along with bacon; deglaze pan with sherry vinegar and pour pan juices over all
5. Taco Salad: Toss together greens, chopped tomato, chopped red onion, sliced avocado, a small can of black beans and kernels from a couple of ears of corn. Toss with crumbled tortilla chips and grated cheese. Dress with olive oil, lime and chopped cilantro leaves.
6. Raita to the rescue: Broil any Fish. Serve with a sauce of drained yogurt mixed with chopped cucumber, minced onion and cayenne.
7. Grill or sauté Italian sausage and serve over store-bought hummus, with lemon wedges.
8. Miso steak: Coat beef tenderloin steaks (filet mignon) with a blend of miso and chili paste thinned with sake or white wine. Grill or broil about five minutes
9. Boil- and-eat shrimp, cooked in water with old bay seasoning or a mixture of thyme, garlic, paprika, chopped onion, celery, chili, salt and pepper
10. So-called Fettuccine Alfredo: Heat several tablespoons of butter and about a cup of cream in a large skillet just until the cream starts to simmer. Add slightly undercooked fresh pasta to the skillet, along with plenty of grated Parmesan. Cook over low heat, tossing, until pasta is tender and hot.

101_simple_meals_in_10_minutes_or_less.pdf

 Posted by at 5:16 pm
Jul 262007
 

The day finally came and my sister’s wedding has come and gone. I am still exhausted from it all as the festivities went on for days. But everything came off beautifully due to countless hours of work and coordination done by my mother and sister. I found it difficult to choose on what to write about as there were days of parties. So for now I will just stick to the actually wedding day.

paper-plate-with-names.jpgwedding-table.jpg

I have to give kudos to my sister and her now husband on their table arrangements. A daunting task when you are not only placing people at a table but also seating them.   Here is one trick that they were given in this process. Take a paper plate and cut it into pie slices. Have the number of slices match the number of people at the table.  Then put the invites names on the slices. This makes it easy to move people around and visually see it, before actually writing it down.
happy-couple.jpgbridesmaid.jpg the-wedding-cake.jpgfather-daughter-dance.jpg mom-and-bridesmaid.jpg

 Posted by at 6:28 pm
Jul 162007
 

picnic-chicken.jpg

Picnics are a lot of fun and I think should happen more often in the summer. Although, my luck has been such that each time I plan one for one of Central Park’s events, the skies open up. This chicken is flavorful, simple, can be served cold or warm and can be made in small or large quantities.

20 Chicken Drumsticks (Really this would work on any kind of preferable chicken pieces)
4 Tablespoons of Butter
3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
I large Shallot Chopped finely
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 ½ Tablespoons of Fresh Thyme
Juice and zest of a Lemon
1 Cup of Breadcrumbs

Preheat Oven 425

In a sauce pan melt the butter and olive oil. In a separate bowl mix the Shallot, Thyme, Mustard, Lemon, and Lemon Zest together and then add 1/3 of the Butter mixture.  Spread this mustard mixture over the chicken. Then cover the chicken with the bread crumbs and drizzle the remaining butter over the chicken and bake. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes and then reduce to 375 and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
(I let the chicken stand covered for about 1 hour to let mustard shallot mixture marinate a little.)

 Posted by at 6:08 pm
Jul 162007
 

I got the recipe. These are a little different from the Corn Muffins I made, but is what got me started on my Corn Muffin Kick! They are for blue corn skillet stars from Stephan Pyles New Tastes from Texas,

Absolutely delicious!

1 Stick of unsalted Butter

8 Tablespoons of shortening

4 serranos, seeded and minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Cup of Flour

1 ¼ Cup of Blue Cornmeal

2 Tablespoons of Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

1 ½ teaspoon of Salt

3 Eggs

1 ¼ Cup of Milk

3 Tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro

Olive Oil for brushing

Pre Heat oven 400

Place a well seasoned cast iron star mold in the oven to warm for at least 5 minutes.  (a cast-iron skillet or muffin pan will work as well) Gently melt the butter and shortening in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the serranos and garlic, and sauté for 10 minutes. Sift together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.  Beat the eggs lightly in a medium bowl.  Add the Serrano mixture and stir in the milk. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients; beat just until smooth.  Add the cilantro. Remove the cast –iron cornbread mold from the oven and brush generously with the oil. Reheat the mold for about 2 minutes, then fill with the batter.

Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cornbread is lightly browned but still blue and springy to the touch.

 Posted by at 6:04 pm