apuginthekitchen

Feb 12

Valentines Day – Part 2 – The Basics: Dessert, A Vanilla Souffle

Deflated a bit

I hit the publish button by accident this was supposed to be published on Friday but here it is today. The posts will now be out of order, sorry!!

The Souffle, it can strike fear in the heart of almost every cook (including me) truth be told I have never made a souffle. I have eaten my fair share and really love them but have never actually made one. This is Julia’s base Vanilla Souffle recipe that I varied slightly, she does give several different variations and I took creative license and added what I wanted. The variation is minor, instead of vanilla extract I used vanilla paste that has the beans in it and I added cognac. Served with chocolate salted caramel ice cream. Well, they did not turn out as I hoped they would, the rise was not sufficient, they tasted great though. This was my first attempt at a souffle and I did it with a bit of a handicap, I whisked with my injured hand and I probably did not whisk well enough. Also note if you make individual souffle’s reduce baking time to 12 – 15 minutes. They deflated pretty quickly and I was not able to get photo’s fast enough, although the rise was a bit higher it still was not as I imagined a souffle to be. I also did not use a collar because I could not attach because of my hand.

Vanilla Bean Cognac Souffle

Makes a 6 cup souffle or 3 individual 8 oz and one 4 oz souffle’s

3 tbs flour

1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup + 2 tbs sugar

4 egg yolks

2 tbs butter softened (optional)

5 egg whites

2 tsp vanilla paste

3 tbs cognac or brandy

Note: The original recipe calls for 1 tbs of vanilla extract.

Preparing the souffle dish: Choose a straight sided baking dish or a charolotte mold. Smear a light coating of soft butter over the inside of the dish, covering bottom and sides. Dust with granulated sugar covering the bottom and sides, shake out excess.

The collar: If you are using a collar cut a length of parchment paper or aluminum foil long enough to wrap around the dish with a 2 inch overlap. Fold in half lengthwise and butter one side. Wrap the collar around the dish buttered side in. Secure in place with butchers twine or straight pins.

Prepare your souffle dish as directed. Slide the oven rack into the lower third of the oven and pre heat to 400 degree’s.

Whisk the flour and milk in a saucepan and add 1/3 cup sugar, whisk until well blended and lump free. Bring to a boil and slowly boil whisking constantly for 30 seconds. This is now a bouillie. Remove from heat, let cool for a moment, then, one by one beat in the egg yolks and the optional butter.

Whip the egg whites to soft peaks sprinkle in the 2 tbs of sugar and beat until stiff shiny peaks form. Whisk the vanilla and cognac into the sauce base then whisk in a quarter of the whites to lighten it. Delicately fold in the remaining whites and turn the mixture into the prepared dish or dishes, filling all the way to the top of the dish. Using the tip of a paring knife or even a scrupulously clean fingernail run the knife or finger along the side around the circumference of the dish, not all the way down the sides just around the top, this will create the slight well around the souffle. NOTE: I forgot to do this and this could possibly be a reason why my souffle did not rise as well as it should have.

Set in oven and immediately reduce heat to 375 degree’s and bake until the souffle has begun to puff and brown – about 20 minutes for a large souffle and 12-15 minutes for individual. Rapidly slide out rack and dust with confectioners sugar. Continue baking until it has puffed high into the collar. Tips for when your souffle is done. If it has a collar, rapidly release it just a bit to check – if the puff sags re-fasten the collar and bake a few more minutes. When a skewer is plunged down in the side of the puff and comes out with a few particles clinging, the souffle will be deliciously creamy inside but will not hold up long. If the skewer comes out clean, it will hold up a little longer. The souffle should rise about 3 inches above the rim.

Serve immediately.

With ice cream

Feb 11

42 Comments

Valentines Day – The Basics: First Course – Part 1 Leek And Potato Soup And Variations

Leek, potato and watercress soup

With Valentines Day fast approaching I decided to break the meal into separate posts, 3 recipes, first course, entree and dessert. Two of the recipes will be in line with my basics posts. The first is from Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom.

Julia Child calls this a primal soup, a basic soup that is uncomplicated and adapted into many variations. Leek and Potato soup is your most basic soup, it is elegant and delicious and wildly popular for many years. This recipe has withstood the test of time and has many variations. I am making the basic soup and adding watercress, this adds a little green, a peppery bite and if you are a fan of watercress you will love it. I made it exactly as written, you can add a little butter if you wish while pureeing. It’s delicious as is and is vegan friendly by simply omitting the sour cream or creme fraiche garnish.

The Basic Recipe for Leek and potato soup:

Makes 2 quarts or approximately 6 servings

3 cups sliced leeks, the white and tender green parts, cleaned thoroughly to remove any sand and grit.

3 cups peeled and roughly chopped “baking” potatoes (I used russet)

6 cups water

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a 3 quart saucepan. Cover and simmer 20-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Adjust seasoning. Puree and serve with a dollop of the sour cream or creme fraiche.

Variations:

Onion and Potato – substitute onion for the leeks

Cream of leek and potato soup – After you puree whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream

Watercress: Add a bunch of watercress during the last 5 minutes of simmering, Serve with a scattering of fresh watercress.

Cold Soup – Vichyssoise- puree any of the above, add 1/2 cup heavy cream and serve chilled. Top each bowl with minced fresh chives, parsley or watercress leaves.

Feb 10

26 Comments

Re-Blog Blueberry And Coconut Loaf From Bonheurcuisine

Blueberry coconut loaf

One of the blogs I love and follow is Bonheurcuisine, Viviana is an architect and Mom to 2 pre teens, she has some amazing and delicious recipes and her blog is written in both English and Spanish. When I saw this post today it made me happy, it was like Spring had come. It sounds incredible, blueberries and coconut baked into a light and flavorful loaf, look at that lovely crumb. Check out the recipe here. I love the recipes and photo’s and I know you will too. This loaf is made without oil, I had to read it twice but this really moist loaf has no oil or butter. It also contains almond flour and coconut milk. I think I would love this as muffins also. Visit bonheurcuisine, I know you will enjoy!!

Feb 9

33 Comments

Featured Blog-Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog

Sophie

As most of you may have surmised I am an animal lover and advocate. I am active in animal rescue and have a real soft spot in my heart for senior and special needs dogs and cats. I recently found the most wonderful and inspiring blog, Lessons from a paralyzed dog, this blog was started by Sharon an animal rights writer and co founder of an animal rescue group. Sophie is paralyzed and Sharon is the most amazing, generous and kind hearted person you will find. I also have special needs dogs and she invites her readers to tell their story, I did and she featured it on her blog. Click here to read it.

Sharon is an angel, helping spread love and find forever homes for helpless homeless animals. When I saw the photo of Sophie I was immediately touched and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to Sharon and her wonderful blog, please visit and subscribe. The stories are interesting and heartwarming, read Sophie’s story, after you do you will know what love is!

It’s important to give back and recognize acts of kindness and generosity. In my opinion those that give of themselves helping the helpless, innocent animals deserve accolades. Prepare to be inspired.

Feb 6

67 Comments

The Basics- Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise

Julia Child calls this one of the Mother sauces. I love Hollandaise, probably because it’s a crucial component for my favorite meal, Eggs Benedict and right there with that is asparagus with Hollandaise. It’s creamy, buttery, citrusy, I could almost drink it, well not really but I do really like it. The classic method of preparation is to whisk over a double boiler which is how the recipe will be written here. I can’t always be bothered to do this and I take a shortcut, blender Hollandaise, pouring the hot butter into a whirring blender or food processor (much like the mayonnaise) the hot butter heats the yolks and is blended into a delicious creamy thick sauce.

Asparagus with hollandaise

Hollandaise Sauce

Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups

3 egg yolks

big pinch of salt

1 tbs lemon juice ( I like it very citrusy so I add some lemon zest also)

2 tbs cold unsalted butter

2 sticks ( 8 oz) unsalted butter melted

salt and pepper to taste

Beat the egg yolks with a wire whisk in a stainless steel saucepan for a minute or two until they thicken lightly and turn lemon colored. Whisk in the salt and lemon juice and add 1 tbs cold butter. Set over moderate low heat and whisk continuously at moderate speed. remove pan from heat now and then to make sure the yolks aren’t cooking too fast. When they cling to the wires of the whisk and you can see the pan between strokes, remove from heat and stir in the 2nd tbs of cold butter. Start beating in the melted butter by little dribblets at first, until a good 1/2 cup of the sauce has thickened, then add the rest of the melted butter a little more quickly as the sauce thickens into the consistency of heavy cream. Taste and correct seasoning.

I cut corners because I cannot really hand whisk so I thought why not try a blender or food processor. It comes together in minutes and works well. I whiz the egg yolks, lemon, lemon zest and salt until light and creamy, now add the 2 tbs of cold butter and whiz together and drizzle in the melted butter with the blender or processor running, stop when thick and creamy. If you have leftover sauce, refrigerate no more than a day or two and heat GENTLY in double boiler.

Troubleshooting Hollandaise:

If you have added the butter too fast for the egg yolks to digest it, or if you’ve kept the sauce over heat too long, it can thin out or separate. To bring back to a creamy state, whisk briefly to blend and add a tablespoon into a bowl, whisk in a tbs of lemon juice and whisk vigorously until creamy. Now whisk in very little dribbles of the turned sauce gradually increasing the amount until is is all creamed and has reconstituted.

Eggs Benedict

YUM!

Variation:

Bernaise Sauce with steak is one of lifes great pleasures. It is basically hollandaise with some vinegar, shallot and taragon. To make Bernaise to a small saucepan add 1/4 cup white wine vinegar and 1/4 cup white wine, 1 tbs minced shallot, 1/2 tsp dried tarragon, 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until it reduces to 2 tbs. Use this in place of the lemon juice and reduce the butter to 1 1/2 sticks. Optional add chopped fresh tarragon at the end.

Jan 31

87 Comments

The Basics – Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise

We should all have some basic recipes in our repertoire. Whenever I need a classic base recipe I turn to the master, at least in my opinion, Julia Child. I have several of her cookbooks but the one I turn to most often is Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom. I know I’ve mentioned this book before and it’s always worth mentioning again. It’s small but packed full of Julia’s master recipes from stock to bechemel, how to cook fish, shellfish, chicken and beef and vegetables, pastry dough and creme to a classic genoise. Over the next few weeks I will be featuring a base recipe along with a recipe that includes or uses it. There will be guest posts from some wonderful and extremely talented bloggers. I think this will be fun!

I love homemade mayonnaise, truth be told I don’t always or often make it. When I need mayo for a very special dish I will, but for every day use, Hellman’s is fine by me. That said, everyone (who likes mayonnaise) should know how to make it from scratch. It’s really simple, all you need is egg, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt and pepper and a blender, food processor or strong arm and a whisk. I really love customizing with different flavors, meyer lemon and herb are my favorites. You have probably heard of aioli, it’s the same principal but contains garlic and olive oil. When making mayonnaise you usually use a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed or plain vegetable oil. I always use a neutral oil with a tbs of good olive oil, just that little bit gives character to the mayonnaise

Mayonnaise

From Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom

Yields about 1 1/2 – 2 cups

1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks at room temperature

1 tbs lemon juice or white wine vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 tsp salt (I like to use sea salt)

several grinds of white pepper (I use whatever pepper I have on hand)

1 1/2 – 2 cups oil (neutral flavor) Optional + 1 tbs good olive oil

Add the whole egg and yolks to the blender or food processor and blend for 30-45 seconds until it’s thick and light yellow in color. With blender or processor running and through the feeder tube or hole add the lemon juice or vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Now slowly drizzle in the oil with the blender/processor running, after you have slowly added approximately 1/2 cup you can start adding the oil faster until you have added all of it. Taste and adjust the seasoning, you can add more lemon or vinegar, salt and pepper to suit your taste. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Hints:

1. It’s important for everything to be the same temperature

2. Don’t over beat or mix, when I make it I beat or mix the eggs, add the vinegar,mustard salt and pepper and if your oil is not ready to start drizzling I stop the blender. It is possible to over mix, it will liquify rather than emulsify.

3. The recipe calls for 2 cups oil, I never use that much, a cup and a half at the most. I find I don’t really need that much oil.

4. If for some reason your mayonnaise doesn’t come together, don’t despair and throw it out, that has happened to me numerous times. Pour the mixture into a measuring cup, clean out your blender or processor add 2 more egg yolks and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice and start over. Instead of adding oil slowly drizzle in the failed mayo. It will thicken up.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy homemade mayo is on a lobster roll, I didn’t have any lobster so I made my second favorite a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich. No recipe needed, you will need the bread of your choice, good bacon, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise. Sometimes I like to add a few slices of avocado.

BLT

Jan 26

123 Comments

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