Posts from the ‘Features, Articles and Recipes’ Category

Jan 26

Biscuits, Finger Update And A Different Look

Biscuits

I haven’t really cooked anything for a while now, my finger injury has sort of taken my life and turned it upside down. I was hoping that by now, a month since the injury I would be well on my way to normalcy but unfortunately thats not the case. I decided to try making biscuts this morning with one and a half hands, wouldn’t recommend it. The biscuits came out ok, it’s a good recipe but it was hard. Biscuits have long been my nemesis and still to this day I haven’t found what I consider the perfect biscuit. Growing up my Mom made everything from scratch, at least almost everything, biscuits came from a can in the refrigerator section of the supermarket and I really liked them. Maybe thats why I have unattainable expectations from my homemade biscuits. I like them more like bread than a quick bread texture. These biscuits are a recipe from Julia Child, it’s very good, not perfect but very good.

My favorite biscuit recipe is from Food52, Cheese Biscuits. They are wonderful but I couldn’t grate cheese otherwise I would have made these. Totally Yummy!! If you do make them, reduce the salt, just a hint!!

Baking Powder Biscuits

Makes 1 dozen

Pre heat oven to 425 degrees

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup cake flour

1 2/3 tbs baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 tbs sugar

3/4 cup vegetable shortening (I like spectrum organic) Note: You can also use butter or a mixtire of butter and shortening – I use both

1 cup whole milk

Measure dry ingredients into large mixing bowl, whisk together. Cut in the shortening/butter until the mixture resembles crumbs. Gently fold in the milk just to wet. DON”T KNEAD OR OVERMIX. Turn out onto work surface and gently pat into a 1/2 inch thick circle. Use biscuit cutter or glass and place on ungreased baking sheet or baking pan. Brush the tops with cream or melted butter and bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Now for my finger, well it has not healing well, I went to the doctor the other day and I need to start physical therapy going several times a week for 8 weeks, we are hoping that will help the joint to re align, it’s still out of whack. I am keeping it splinted in place, the cartilage and ligaments were badly damaged and cannot hold my finger in place. It’s painful and for me very discouraging. I need my finger back, it’s 100% unusable at this point. Here is a photo of the most recent x-ray.

My poor finger

I am also changing the theme for my blog, what do you think of the new look?

Jan 15

61 Comments

Oats for Breakfast- Two Quick And Easy Recipes That I love!!

Oatmeal Pancakes

When I first started my blog I tried every month or so to feature another blogger and one of their recipes, I really enjoyed doing that and it was a great way to introduce those who read my blog to someone they may not know. I don’t really know why I stopped doing that and I am going to start again. So to start out 2014 here is my first entry, I’m sure many of you know both and if you don’t you really should visit their blogs.

One of the blogs I love and follow is Shashi the “Runninsrilankan“, she is a super fit Mom writing about fitness and food, her recipes are delicious, healthful and easy to prepare from ingredients most of us have in our pantries. I saw her most recent post, Oatmeal Pancakes, read the ingredients and directions and thought WOW, these are easy to make, healthful and who doesn’t love pancakes for breakfast (or lunch or dinner). I had an appointment yesterday so whipped up a batch before I left and had a wonderful breakfast that really stuck with me. Honestly, I like these better than pancakes made from wheat flour. Now I did make one minor change to her recipe, instead of almond milk I used whole cows milk, next time I will use the almond milk. I’m telling you this is such an easy and delicious recipe, it has been placed in my regular breakfast rotation. Now Shashi said the recipe is for 1 serving but I made 4 pancakes which for me is 2 servings. Yesterday I had for breakfast and dinner, in the morning I had it with blueberries and in the evening with a nice knob of butter and grade B maple syrup. Yes, I had them twice in one day, they are that good. You can find the recipe by clicking here. Note: I found that letting the batter sit for an hour or so makes for a thicker fluffier pancake.

Overnight oats

The second recipe is from Tamara at Pretty Bitches Can Cook Too, I was instantly drawn to this because first of all it’s healthful, second there is no cooking and third you make it the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator all night and in the morning grab and eat. It’s also really delicious and you can tailor to your taste. I made two of them one strawberry and one blackberry. Tamara makes with greek yogurt and coconut milk, I used plain kefir and instead of the agave I used a couple of tsp’s of honey in each, I also added some almonds that I whizzed in the food processor. This is such a satisfying meal that is no fuss at all. You may remember Tamara from a few months ago, I did a guest post on her blog and she sponsored a give away of her fabulous salsa. Visit her site here to find the recipe. You have to give this a try, its fantastic.

Jan 13

19 Comments

3rd Grader Erases All Doubt About Organic Produce

I love Cooking Up the Cure and follow every single post, always so informative and interesting. This is amazing, please watch the video included in the post. The little girl is great and if you had any doubts about buying organic as opposed to the other non organic vegetables this will make the decision for you.
Enjoy!!

Jan 12

95 Comments

Second Anniversary Or Is It Blogoversary!

A pug in the kitchen via pinterest

I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for two years now. I started the blog on January 12th and it took me two days to get the courage to write my first post and click publish. My very first post was on January 14, 2012. Seems like yesterday and eon’s ago at the same time. I have really enjoyed the ride. It was like jumping into cold water or venturing into the unknown, I wondered if anyone would read my blog. I was a little scared, fearing that if anyone did visit they would think it silly or uninteresting. Despite my fears I jumped in and was so relieved to find the most wonderful community of fellow bloggers, people I have so much in common with and consider my friends even though we have never met in person. I am thankful for the welcoming and kind comments. This blog has helped me in many ways, I feel like I am a better cook, writer and photographer and it has given my cooking a dual purpose, more than just nourishing myself and my family, I am cooking for a much larger crowd, the wonderful people who follow my blog and for that reason I am more careful and deliberate in the kitchen. So thank you everyone for being there for and with me on this journey. It has been fun and I hope to continue doing this as long as I can. During this two years I have received and given awards, participated in contests, participated in bake/cooking groups, had multiple potlucks at my house, been a part of charity food events, whew, this really has been a lot of fun and I want to thank you again because without your encouragement I would not still be doing this.

Here are some of my favorite photo’s and recipes a pictorial history of a pug in the kitchen:

.Mixed Citrus Curd

Mixed Citrus Curd my first post

Tender Yellow Cake

Tender Yellow Cake Photo by Food52

Angel Food Cupcakes With Chocolate Orange Buttercream

Angel Food Cupcake With Chocolate Orange buttercream

Beef Kebob on Flat Bread

Beef Kabobs on Flat Bread

Triple Chocolate Cake

Triple Chocolate cake

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi

Pizza Margherita

A thing of beauty

Moms Meatballs

Meatballs

White Cake with blackberry whipped cream frosting

White Cake With Blackberry Whipped Cream frosting

Mango cream tart

Mango Cream Tart

Chocolate Shortcake With Cognac Infused Apricots

Chocolate Shortcake With Apricots

Fig and goat cheese tart

Mosto Cotto Fig And Goat Cheese Tart

Brooklyn Blackout Semifreddo Cake

Brooklyn Blackout Semifreddo Cake

Flank Steak on Texas toast with chimichurri

Photo by James Ransom for Food52

Blackberry and nectarine galette

Galette

Vanilla ice cream

Vanilla Ice Cream

Farmers Market Finds

Kale Anyone? Ft. Greene Farmers Market

Figs

Lovely figs before roasting

Roasted Tomato and goat cheese tarts

Rectangular tart roasted tomato and goat cheese

Empanadas guest post

Spicy and flaky empanadas

Whipped Chocolate Caramel Ganache

Photo by James Ransom for Food52

Eggnog

Eggnog

Izzy And Nando

Jan 9

83 Comments

The Pugs

Veggies for the Pugs

Izzy and Nando, the pugs, are senior dogs with health problems. Both are diabetic, Izzy less than a year from diagnosis and Nando is 5 years living with Diabetes. He is blind and in frail health now, he is 13 years old and Izzy is 12 going to be 13 in April. Since I am not really cooking I thought I would give you a little peek into my life with the pugs. Izzy came from a breeder and Nando is a rescue pug, he was abandoned in Long Island and I adopted him from Pug Rescue.

Izzy and Nando have never had commercially prepared dog food I have cooked for them from the moment they came into my life. Their diet has changed as they have aged and their health issues surfaced. I probably would have given them a raw diet if I had known about it when they were younger but I did my best giving them healthful food, about 80/20 percent mostly protein with bone meal and supplements. Their diet now consists of skinless boneless chicken breast or lean beef, raw vegetables ground in the food processor, non fat plain yogurt, barley, bone meal and their supplements. Because of the diabetes I have to be very careful how I prepare the food, no fat at all the chicken is steamed and I dry roast the beef. I use only organic vegetables and the meat, well, when it’s on sale I get organic grass fed or pastured but it’s so expensive I try to get the best I can, antibiotic and hormone free. Both Izzy and Nando are insulin dependent, I have to give them injections twice a day every day at the same time all the time, schedules are very important when you have diabetes. I have to have a chart for each to keep track of which supplements each gets on a daily basis, keeps my mind sharp!

Supplements

I take them upstate New York to a fantastic integrative vet at Smith Ridge Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Seo saved Nando’s life and put me on the right path to keep him as healthy as possible given his medical problems. I also have a great vet here in the city that we see since Dr. Seo is about 2 hours away.

Stressed at the Vets

They have a good life in the city, the pugs are not really energetic outdoorsy dogs even when they were young and healthy, they always enjoyed laying around in the house or hanging in the backyard. In the summer I would put a kiddie pool there so they could keep cool.

Hangin in the yard

When they were younger they were even in a movie, they were transported by limo to Central Park. They enjoyed the star treatment.

On the set in Central Park

The food

Izzy, Nando and their BFF Daisey!

Dec 31

28 Comments

2013 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 30,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 11 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Dec 24

69 Comments

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Izzy And Nando

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you all for your kindness and support. I hope you all have a day filled with joy and love from family and friends and of course lots of delicious food. I look forward to 2014 and more delicious recipes and blog posts from all of you.

Suzanne, Izzy and Nando

NY Daily News Photo of Tree at Rockefeller Center 2013

Dec 12

28 Comments

More Awards, I Am So Thankful!!!

Award

Blog of the year

I want to thank Fae (Fae’s Twist And Tango) and Laura, The Seasoned Traveller and The Not So Creative Cook for nominating me for these wonderful awards. I have to be honest, I barely have time to enjoy a cup of coffee and post a blog, I wish I could do all that is required of me when nominated for one of these wonderful awards but I just don’t have the time right now. I read every post of every blog that I subscribe to and enjoy them immensely. I am constantly amazed at how everyone has the time to post often and do everything they do on a daily basis and even though busy come up with such great content on their blogs, sometimes it makes me feel inadequate. I feel it’s very important to acknowledge the bloggers that nominated me and I sincerely appreciate it, I also want everyone to check out their blogs, you will be happy you did. Every single person reading this deserves an award, because you care enough to share your life, your food and your time with all of us, thank you for that.

Please click on the links and check out Fae, Laura’s and Jhuls blogs, I look forward to every single post.

Dec 3

46 Comments

Thank You!

I am thankful every time one of my fellow bloggers gives and receives an award. We look out for each other, enjoy each others blogs, photo’s, stories and recipes. Nominating a blogger that we know for an award is our way of saying, we think you are fantastic!! So I want to thank The Seasoned Traveller for nominating me for the 2013 Blogger of the year award. In case you have never visited Laura’s wonderful blog you should rush right over there, you will be happy you did. I love her simple and delicious recipes and gorgeous photo’s. So thank you Laura for this award. I truly appreciate it.

Blog of the year award

Nov 27

67 Comments

Thanksgiving Pies And The Wine

I bake pies, lots of pies for Thanksgiving. Not just for me but for some friends as well. For my family it’s just a pumpkin and pecan. I am also making sweet potato, pumpkin and apple for friends. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without pie, it’s a staple and everyone loves it.

A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone that celebrates the holiday and to all that don’t I hope you have a wonderful day also. The holiday season officially starts after Thanksgiving and it’s a very short time until Christmas. Have a wonderful day with friends and family and enjoy a fantastic meal, there is so much to be thankful for and on this day we want to remember just how lucky we are to have each other, delicious food on our table and the warm home that we live in,

Sweet Potato Pie

I use Joy the Bakers recipe for the sweet potato pie. If you have never had one you should try it, it’s delicious. I actually prefer to pumpkin pie. Joy’s recipe is fantastic. I made a couple of very minor changes to Joys recipe, I bake the sweet potatoes until they are very soft and caramelized, then I process in the food processor until they are silky smooth. She uses two 5 oz cans of evaporated milk, I use 5 oz of half and half and 5 oz of heavy cream. I also omit the coriander. It’s very similar to Meta Givens Pumpkin pie rccipe which is what I use for my pumpkin pie. NOTE: The baking time for the sweet potato pie was different than that in the recipe. Joy has you bake at 450 for 10 minutes then reduce the heat to 325 and bake for 1 hour. well my pie was completely baked in 45 minutes and my oven temperature was accurate. Every stove varies so this doesn’t mean it will not take an hour for your pie but mine did not.

Pecan Pie

I also make Pecan Pie, I posted the recipe last year so click on the link to see the recipe. It’s tooth achingly sweet but that is the way pecan pie is and it’s absolutely delicious.

Here is my favorite recipe and at least for me it’s no fail pie dough or pastry whichever you would like to call it. It’s from the master, Julia Child and is simple and foolproof. She uses butter and shortening, all purpose and cake flour. I like to use leaf lard instead of the shortening. I gave instructions if you want to use a food processor, for me it’s by hand only for a flaky pie crust. I like to use the food processor for tart dough (pate sucre’)

Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom

Juilia Childs Pastry Dough

Makes enough dough for a double crust 9 inch pie

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup cake flour

1 tsp salt

6 oz cold unsalted butter cut into tbs size pieces

4 tbs shortening or leaf lard cold

1/2 cup ice cold water

You can make this either by hand or in the food processor. To make by hand, put flours, salt, butter, lard or shortening into mixing bowl, use pastry cutter to combine until it resembles pea size crumbs. Add water mix with fork, gather with your hands, divide dough into a 2 discs and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

In Food Processor, add the flours, salt, butter and shortening or lard into the bowl of the processor. Pulse a few times until the mixture resembles pea size crumbs. Add the water and pulse a few times until it becomes a cohesive dough. Divide dough into two discs and wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Apple Pie

For the Thanksgiving meal I feel like picking a wine is like a crap shoot. There is such a variety of dishes how do you pick something that compliments the meal? I know with poultry or fowl you usually pair white wine but I like red with my meal. I purchased a variety of wines but the star of the show for the meal will be 2010 Christian Bernard Fleurie Select Block Gamay – Beaujolais I got a magnum. I feel that it will not compete with the meal but compliment. Hope I’m right. I can’t take credit for picking out the wine, my friend and owner of Gnarly Vines in Brooklyn is the expert and he guides my choices. Excuse the messy table I quickly shot a pic of the wine before it went into the wine cooler. What wine are you serving with your Thanksgiving feast?