Omelets and Pizza

I started off the day with a nice omelet. I learned how to make omelets from Martha Stewart. Back when I was living with Lynn I would occasionally catch Martha's TV show. I don't remember why. But she gave a very simple explanation on how to make:

A Good Omelet.

Ingredients

• 4 oz sliced Baby Bellas
• 1/2 small onion diced
• 3 slices of deli ham, diced
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese
• 3 eggs
• Salt and Pepper
• butter

Instructions

1. Saute the onion and Baby Bellas (I don't know why Baby Bellas are cheaper than regular mushrooms).
2. Briefly beat the three eggs with the salt & pepper
3. Melt the butter in your best omelet pan
4. Pour in the beaten eggs. Use a spatula to move the edges of the cooked eggs in toward the center, while you tip the pan to spread the raw egg out around the edges.
5. When most of the egg is cooked sprinkle on the toppings.
6. Fold the omelet in half and slide it onto a plate.

Theory of the dish
It should be fine even without fillings, and omelet is just a fancy scrambled egg. And to be honest I used 2 slices of American Cheese, and onion powder instead of an onion.


----------------------
I was recently gifted with a bag of "Tuscan Gourmet" Pizza Mix. It consisted of a bag of spiced flour and smaller bag of sauce spices. I decided to make it tonight for dinner.

"Tuscan Gourmet" Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 bag "Tuscan Gourmet" Pizza Dough Mix
• 1 bag "Tuscan Gourmet" Pizza Sauce Mix
• 2 (10.75oz) cans tomato Puree
• 3 Tbsp Olive oil
• 3/4 cup water
• topping of your choice: sausage, onion, sliced Baby Bella mushrooms, red bell pepper, pepperoni, shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan.

Instructions

1. The pizza dough was very easy to make, just add water and 1 Tbsp olive oil and mix. I oiled my round pizza pans and sprinkled the with corn flour. The dough didn't quite make two 13" pizza crusts the way it claimed. They were a little bit smaller. But I put them in the 425°F oven for 20 minutes as instructed.
2. And the sauce was much the same, just add 2 cans of tomato puree (I didn't have tomato puree, so I used a can of tomato sauce and a can of crushed tomatoes) and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. I had purchased some bulk mild italian sausage, so i fried up a couple of links and chopped them up. Then I sauted the onions, mushrooms, and bell pepper in the sausage fat.
4. When the crusts were brown I ladled on the sauce (thinly, there was a lot left over) then the sausage, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers. Then I put on the cheese layer, shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan. Then I topped it with a layer of pepperoni. and put them back in the oven for 15 minutes to melt the cheese.

Theory of the dish
This kit was a bit heavy on the spices for me. I prefer simpler flavors. But I had learned from past mistakes and was sparing with the sauce and cheese so the end result wasn't too soggy.
The only difference from this and my made from scratch version was the special spicing. And lack of leavening in the crust.

Peanut Sauce

This is a version of peanut sauce that I found in a pan-Asian cookbook for the dish "Swimming Rama" (chicken breasts in peanut sauce over steamed spinach). It's a sauce that's good warm or room temperature. It was a big hit at a music party I had when I made a batch of it, added chicken breast chunks, and put it out in a crock pot accompanied by a bowl of brown rice. My first voice teacher told me that singers tend to have oral fixations -- boy, do they love to eat! I've also used this sauce at room temperature for dipping homemade Vietnamese Spring Rolls. I love the sweet-salty peanut sauce from our local "Saigon Noodle" place, but this sauce has a great peanut flavor. I usually douple the recipe; the sauce freezes very well.

2 t. vegetable oil
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. chunky or creamy peanut butter
3 T. packed brown sugar (or more if you want it sweeter)
2 T. fish sauce (or less to taste)
1 t. paprika
1/4 t. ground red pepper (or less if you want it mildly hot)
1 c. canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 T. cornstarch
1 T. water
2 T. lime juice

1. Heat oil in saucepan; saute onion and garlic until tender
2. Reduce heat, add peanut butter, brown sugar, fish sauce, paprika and red pepper; stir until smooth. Slowly stir in coconut milk until well blended.
(At this point, sauce may be cooled, covered and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance.)
3. Stir sauce constantly over medium heat until bubbling gently. Reduce heat. Combine cornstarch and water; stir into sauce. Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Stir in lime juice.

Sauce can be thinned easily with water to use for dipping. If I put it out in little bowls for dipping, I top it with a sprinkle of crushed roasted peanuts.

Spanish Rice

A Puerto Rican friend of mine taught me this recipe for
Spanish Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup Brown Basmati rice (cooked in 2 cups of water)
• olive oil
• 2 med onions
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 ribs celery
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes w/ green chilies
• 1 (15oz) can beans ( I used Navy this time)
• 1 lb diced cooked ham
• 3 pkg Sazon Goya con cilantro y achiote
• Salt and pepper
• optional: corn, carrots, zucchini, black olives, shrimp, or chicken

Instructions

1. Cook the rice with 2 cups water, salt and olive oil
2. While the rice is cooking saute the onions, red pepper, celery, and garlic.
3. Add the tomatoes, beans, and ham
   
4. When the rice is cooked mix it in, add the Sazon Goya and heat through.

Theory of the dish

Basically Spanish Rice is rice with tomatoes, onions, and garlic, everything after that is just embellishment. My friend recommended adding whatever canned beans you had on hand and ham. She also used a whole container of onion flakes instead of fresh onion.

Leek Soup and Peanut Butter Muffins

Zahdé's Vichyssoise (Leek and Potato Soup)

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons butter or oil
• 2 onions
• 1 bunch leeks (usually 3 leeks)
• 3-4 potatoes
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp mace
• Water or broth to cover.

Instructions

1. Chop the onion.
2. Clean the leeks- trim off roots and any dead or wilted leaves, slice in half length ways and rinse out sand. Then slice thinly across the grain.
3. Saute the leeks and onions in the butter or oil in a 4 quart pot.
4. Chop the potatoes into bite sized pieces. Add to the pot.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add the mace (mace is a vital ingredient in this dish.)
7. Add enough water of broth to cover.
8. Simmer until the potatoes are cooked through.
9. For a smoother soup process in a blender.
10. Serve warm or cold.
    

Theory of the dish.
Basically this is just leeks, onions, and potatoes, flavored with mace. Traditionally it also has cream in it but I don't think it needs it. The potatoes act as a thickener and make it creamy.

Most recipes for leeks specify "white part only" I have never understood the point of throwing away so much of the leek. The dark green parts add flavor, color, and texture. But make sure to slice them thin to avoid strings in the soup.

This dish can be vegan if you want.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 6 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
  

• 1/2 cup your favorite Jam

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F
2. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.
3. In a microwave safe bowl combine the butter, peanut butter, and honey. heat in the microwave until the butter is melted. Mix thoroughly. Add the milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
4. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry and stir until blended.
5. Spoon into buttered muffin cups, or cupcake cups.
6. Make an indentation in the center of each muffin and spoon in a 1/2 tsp of jam
7. Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes. Cool before serving.

Should make about 1 doz muffins or 2 doz cupcakes.

Pasta e Fagioli

I recently tried this recipe from an old M*rtha St*wart magazine I grabbed from the library discard pile. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but winter food boredom was setting in and we needed something new. I have written out the recipe the way I did it and included the original instructions parenthetically where I made changes. Some modifications where practical – I used dried rosemary in a tea ball instead of a sprig of fresh rosemary because I can’t stand to pay $2 for a whole carton that I won’t use, and I went with navy beans because the fancy Italian ones are not available here. Other mods where made to taste – Mr. M was hesitant about the Swiss chard, so I limited it.

This is a surprisingly hearty soup, and the slight spiciness of the chili, rosemary and garlic adds extra warmth. May I suggest serving with a lovely rustic bread? Beware though: the amount of garlic in this soup may limit its usefulness in the “take to work leftover” category. At least if your job involves talking to people.

3 cups dried navy beans (risina beans)
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion, cut into ¼ in. dice
1 celery stalk, cut into ¼ in. dice
4 garlic cloves (two minced, two crushed)
1 teaspoon chili flakes (1 small dried chili, crumbled)
1 tablespoon dried rosemary, contained in tea seeping ball (1 spring fresh rosemary)
1 dry bay leaf (fresh bay leaf)
8 or 9 cups chicken stock, made at half strength (low sodium or homemade chicken stock)
¼ cup shredded peeled carrot
¼ cup fresh parsley (flat leaf)
1 cup Swiss Chard, stemmed and thinly sliced crosswise (1/2 bunch or 3 cups)
1 cup small pasta shells (2 cups)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Soak beans overnight.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until butter is melted. Add onion, celery, and crushed garlic; cook stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in beans, chile, rosemary and bay leaf.
3. Gradually stir in 8 cups of stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer soup until beans are tender 1.5-2.5 hours.
4. Process carrot, minced garlic, parsley and remaining ¼ cup olive oil in a food processor until vegetables are herbs are finely chopped.
5.Stir the Swiss chard and pasta into the soup. Cook until pasta is al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. If the soup seems too thick, thin with remaining cup of stock to desired consistency. Discard bay leaf and rosemary. Season soup with salt and pepper. Stir in carrot mixture, garnish as desired.

Next time: I will reduce the amount of beans to 2 cups – I want more of a soup than a stew. I will then use the full amount of noodles and a bit more chard. Yummy.

Zuppa Tuscana and Banana Bread

Alex has been talking about this soup that he really likes. It turns out to be a specialty of the Olive Garden restaurants. But easy enough to make at home.

[Because I can't follow any recipe without making changes my version is slightly different from what you get at Olive Garden. Mostly mine has a lot more kale.]

Zuppa Tuscana

1 (16-ounce) package mild or spicy Italian sausage links
6 slices bacon
1 medium onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 quart water
2 medium all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
salt & pepper to taste
1 bunch shredded kale (cut out the stems and chop the leaves)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook sausage links over medium-high heat until done, about 12 to 15 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Remove from pan; bias-slice sausages into 1/2-inch slices; set aside. Drain fat.
2. In the same cooking pot, fry bacon until crisp; remove; drain on paper towels; crumble and set aside. Drain all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat from pot.
3. Add the onion to the same cooking pot and cook over medium heat until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the water and potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
4. Add salt and pepper and taste.
5. Return the cooked sausage and crumbled bacon to the pot. Add the kale (and crushed red pepper, if using), and simmer for 4 minutes. Stir in the cream and cook until heated through, without boiling. Serve hot.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.
-------------------------------------
I also made:

Easy One-Bowl Banana Bread

Pre-heat the oven to 350°
Butter and flour one bread pan

Blend, in the mixer, until creamy:

1/3 cup shortening (butter)
2/3 cup sugar (white or brown) (white gives more of the "candied" effect on the crust)

Add, and beat until homogeneous:

1 to 2 eggs
2-3 overripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla

Mix in until smooth (don't over mix, we aren't going for gluten here):

2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 3/4 cups flour (any kind, white or whole wheat. Let me know if you do it with gluten free.)

Optional Additions (fold in):

1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1 cup chocolate chips

Scrape into greased loaf pan. The batter is stiff. I spread it out and make a depression in the middle.
Bake at 350° for one hour, until the crust is brown and the loaf has begun to pull away from the sides of the pan.

The recipes always say "cool before slicing" I don't know why. It is really crumbly when it is hot but also really good.

Bread and Hungarian Goulash

I have a lot of time right now so I decided to make that No-Knead Bread Maria introduced us to last winter.

No-Knead Bread
New York Times, Published: November 8, 2006
Adapted from Jim Lahey, Sullivan Street Bakery
Time: About 1 1/2 hours plus 14 to 20 hours’ rising

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 5/8 cups water
Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.

1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.

3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.

Yield: One 1 1/2-pound loaf.

-------------------------------------

Tonight I made:

Dad's Hungarian Goulash

(Although he always made it with home made Spaetzle (Spätzle) instead of store bought egg noodles.)

Ingredients

• 2 lb. beef, cubed (The beef can be fairly low quality because it will be slow cooked in moist heat.)
• 4 med. onion, chopped
• 3 Tablespoons paprika (regular paprika will do but hot paprika is more authentically Hungarian)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• oil

• 1lb bag extra wide egg noodles

Instructions

Spread a little oil on the bottom of a heavy stew pot. Coarsely chop the onions and cover the bottom of the pot. Put the cubed beef on top of the onions. Sprinkle on the spices. Cover and cook on low (If you cook it too hot the meat will harden.). Stir occasionally. Don't take the lid off very often, all the sauce comes from the onions dissolving.

While the meat is cooking, cook the 1lb bag of extra wide egg noodles according to the package directions.

When the meat is cooked stir in the noodles and let sit for 5 min, then serve.

Spaetzle Dumplings or Knopfli

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 4 eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup water (more of less)
• Ground pepper
• Paprika (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)

Additional (optional) Dumpling ideas

• Scallions
• Grated Cheese

Instructions

Mix the dry ingredients and form a well in the middle. Add the eggs and begin to stir, drawing in the dry ingredients. Gradually add the water and continue stirring until the dry ingredients are completely mixed in but the batter is still thick.

For noodles: put the batter in a ricer and push through over a pot of simmering salted water or soup. The noodles will float to the top when done, about 4 minutes.

For dumplings: drop dollops of batter off a spoon into simmering salted water or soup. Cover the pot and let simmer (not boil) for about 10-12 minutes.