Archive for the ‘Cooking’ Category

Perhaps it is the carbs carried in bread that makes us shy away from a really great sandwich. One thing is for certain, sandwiches are definitely not what they use to be. There was a time when a bowl of soup and a sandwich would get you through the entire afternoon. In fact there were all types of sandwiches, from cold cuts, to fresh cuts, to pickled, grilled and roasted meats. A sandwich might have lettuce, tomato, red onion, peppers, cheese, mayo and mustard.

As we move forward into 2011 it should be remembered that a sandwich is not only easy to make, but satisfying. The challenge today is to reach back and bring forward some of those more creative ways to slap meat, cheese, veggies and condiments between two pieces of bread.

Tired of eating the same old thing for lunch, learn to make some of the most delectable sandwiches on the planet.

Check out American Sandwich by Becky Mercuri, or 200 Best Panini Recipes, by Tiffany Collins. Most foodies are always looking for quick, easy, tasty food to make and everyone likes to impress family and friends. So what if you can’t make Lobster Newburg or Oysters Rockefeller, if nothing else, you can learn to make the best sandwich in town.  Here’s one of my favorite mayo’s, it works great on all grilled vegetable sandwiches.

Tangy Mustard-Mayo Sauce
Makes about 1-1/3 cups

1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons coarse-ground Maille or Dijon mustard
1/2 cup lowfat yogurt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste

In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients until blended. Cover and chill until ready to use. Taste before serving to correct the seasonings. This sauce goes especially well with grilled corn beef and turkey and grilled eggplant sandwiches.

It would be nice if all mothers, okay and some fathers had the time to teach their children how to cook. Unfortunately that is just not the case. I learned early that cooking is an acquired skill like sewing, needle work and organizing your drawers. Some folks take to it and some don’t. Knowing how to cook and bake does not make you special, like having violet eyes or perfect toes, it just makes life more tolerable.

Most people will tell you that their cooking skills are decent, the food they prepare is at most tolerable and edible; however there are a few things mothers should tell their children from the day they are old enough stir the gumbo pot.

1. You will burn a dish, it’s inevitable
2. Know the 7 food groups; fruits, grains, meats, beans, milk, oil & #7
3. Cooking and Baking go hand-in-hand, know how to do both
4. Spicy does not equal hot (heat)
5. Butter is not bad
6. Frying is only non-negotiable in eyes of men
7. Comfort food (Yes, it’s the 7th food group)
8. Flavor is power
9. You must cook more than one dish well
10. Variety is and will always be, the spice of life

You will burn a dish, it’s inevitable
No matter how careful you are, every cook burns something, even it if just a slice of toast. Get over it and move on, no tears and beating yourself up…keep it movin!

Know the 7 food groups; fruits, grains, meats, beans, milk, oil & #7
Having insight into the 7 food groups puts you a step above all those folks who have no clue and it means you will always be able to plan some reminiscence of a meal.

Cooking and baking go hand-in-hand, know how to do both
It is not enough today to just be able to cook, you need to know how to bake; not knowing how to do either puts you at risk of always devouring foods that are heavily saturated with artificial garbage and preservatives that will withstand the next ice age.

Spicy does not equal hot (heat)
No matter what anyone says, learn how to use spices and spicy food does not equate to fiery hot food. Spice equals flavor, lots of flavor.

Butter is not bad
There are just some dishes that cannot be prepared with anything but butter, just shut up and use it.

Frying is only non-negotiable in eyes of men
Look it’s a little know fact that even the most fit specimen,  Michelangelo’s David will every once and a while want a fried oyster po-boy, learn to fry and fry well.

Comfort food (Yes, it’s the 7th food group)
Ask your family and friends what they would want before entering the pearly gates, and they will most likely list “comfort food.”

Flavor is power
No matter what any one tells you salt and pepper is never flavorful enough, learn to use herbs, spices, and anything else that puts peep in your step.

You must cook more than one dish well
A great pot roast is divine, and serving up spectacular macaroni and cheese is wonderful, but mastering one dish will never, get you through a lifetime of meal preparation, you simply must learn to cook more than one thing well.

Variety is and will always be, the spice of life
No one wants the same dish all the time, but as Americans we tend to gravitate to the familiar. Stop and learn about  ingredients, not the dish. It is far better to take a chicken breast and make it 20-30 different ways than modify a recipe.

It is often said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  I don’t know how true that is but food is a powerful lure and for any woman, who possesses the skill to prepare great food it can definitely earn her brownie points, no pun intended, with her potential suitor!

Look we’re not taking a walk down memory lane and the use of “suitor” is no indication that we should be operating in accordance to the “courting rituals” of the18th Century, it’s just a fact that men like to eat (yeah women too) and find it a bonus if they can land a woman who is adept in the kitchen.

I wonder if that’s also true for women. Landing a man who can cook? Hummm???

Unfortunately today women are working as hard and in some cases harder than men and to think that your lady will be zipping around the kitchen making the ultimate dream meal is just unrealistic.

There’s no secret that today women make their own money, buy their own condos and manage to do what they want, when they want; but some women find the idea of preparing a meal to impress a man a tad bit antiquated. Honestly it really matters not if you have the culinary prowess of Julia Child or sensual grace of Nigella Lawson, being able to prepare a few exceptional recipes is good for both men and women. Right?

I recently saw Eat Pray Love and although I had to admit, the movie lacked divine wisdom, insight and a flawless storyline (I’m a hopeless romantic) the part I was most interested in was the food. Why not? Can you honestly go to Italy and remain carbless. Movies, all movies that are centered on food in some way have an innate fascination because food is what binds us together as humans no matter where we are on the planet.

Ask anyone about some of the best times they’ve ever had and there is probably food involved in some fashion, drinks included. Confucius said the three most powerful desires known to mankind, food, sex and more food. The longer I live the more I realize Confucius was onto something; food being mentioned twice.

It’s no surprise eating is a spiritual experience for which we more than not should give thanks to God and/or the Cook in the presence of the people and/or pets that experience our dining pleasure.

Each and everyday we Eat Pray Love, just not in the traditional sense. Have you ever sat down to a meal with family or friends and the food was so good you said, “Have Mercy,” or “Oh My God?” Okay, maybe not, but did your toe start to tap or your knee shake? “Having a relationship with your food?” Yep, that’s what happened.

Look this is just from the perspective of how we relate to our food, and as much as we don’t want to admit it, all of us have, and have had a relationship with food that transcends the normal.

Soon we’ll all be indulging in the fall/winter holidays and food will most definitely be involved; you will eat, pray, praise the cook and love the opulent meal you are about to consume along with, possibly some of the family/friends gathered around your table (I didn’t say you needed to love the company). The bottom line is even if your don’t like the book or the movie, you have to admit the title is right on point!

Eat Pray Love

Is it “hellified” hot any where else in the country? I’m sitting here in Dallas, Georgia thinking about the time I went to Louisiana and my grandmother had these lovely plump figs falling off her fig tree. I had never tasted a fresh fig off the tree and it was amazing. She talked about fig jam and the like. My daughter turned up her nose, but what do children really know, their delicate little palates are just so under developed.

Soon figs will be at the farmers market and I’m treating myself to some good old fashioned fig ice cream from a recipe I located in this little cookbook titled Favorite New Orleans Recipes I purchased in New Orleans more than 25 years ago.

Here is my modified version of Fig Ice Cream Recipe for those who can already get figs!

If you are not familiar with making homemade ice cream, tread slowly.

4 cups fresh whole figs, peeled

1 cup superfine sugar (don’t use granulated)

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 large egg yolks

2 cups whole milk, scalded (don’t substitute anything else)

2 cups whipping cream or heavy cream

2 teaspoons vanilla, (Ronald Reginald is best)

In a large bowl beat the sugar, salt and egg yolks until light yellow.

In a double boiler, pour in the egg mixture and slowly add the milk, beating with a wire whisk until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Remove the double boiler pot from the water and cool for about 10 minutes.

Strain the mixture.

Add heavy cream and vanilla.

Carefully fold in the peeled fig pulp, keep it as whole as possible.

Freeze using a 2 quart hand turned ice cream freezer or electric ice cream freezer.

You should get just under 2 quarts of ice cream.

Want to learn more about figs? click here