Sunday, January 20, 2013

Yummy dips: Hot Crab Dip & Artichoke Dip

Hot Crab Dip

1 large package of cream cheese (soft)
1 8oz package of crab
lemon juice
worcestershire sauce
onion salt

Bake for 25 minutes at 350

Artichoke Dip

From the kitchen of Lisa Ewell!

Makes 2 dishes

2 cans artichoke hearts (drained)
1 cup mayo
1 cup parmesan cheese
8 oz mozzarella cheese
pinch of garlic salt or powder

Chop artichokes. Mix together all ingredients and bake @ 350 for 30 minutes

Tip from Lisa: You can prepare ahead and bake when ready to serve.

Oyako Domburi

This was a weekly favorite when Mom and Dad were first married (1979). It comes from Bon Appetit Magazine, April 1978.

Makes 2 servings

What the omelet is to the French, domburi is to the Japanese. A quickly made combination of eggs and bite-size pieces of chicken served atop a bowl of rice is the Japanese housewife's answer to hurry-up meals. Domburi means bowl in Japanese, and oyako refers to mother and child, in this case the chicken and egg. This tempting dish is as simple to prepare as scrambled eggs.

2 cups hot cooked rice (short grain preferred)
4 fresh mushroom (or 4 smaller dried oriental mushrooms soaked in water)
2 green onions sliced, including 2 inches of stem
1 chicken breast, halved, skinned, boned and cut into bite-size pieces
2 tbsp chicken broth
2 tbsp dry sherry
2 tbsp mirin or cream sherry
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ginger

2 tbsp oil
4 eggs, beaten
green onion sliced (garnish)
toasted sesame seeds (garnish)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place 1 cup of hot rice in each of 2 serving bowls. Cover and keep warm.

Using two other small bowls, divide mushrooms, onions and chicken evenly. In a 2-cup measuring cup combine broth, sherry, mirin, soy sauce and ginger. Mix well and pour over chicken, dividing equally.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a 6- to 8-inch skillet or omelet pan. Pour ingredients from one bowl into pan and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat and cover pan. Cook about 2 minutes. Add half the beaten eggs to bubbling sauce. Cover and cook about 2 to 3 minutes or until eggs are lightly set. With spatula slide omelet on top of one of the bowls of rice and garnish with sliced onion and sesame seeds. Repeat process for second omelet.

Jewish Apple Cake

Mom-mom Joan's family recipe:

Jewish Apple Cake

Apple mix:
4 apples diced
5 Tb sugar
2 tp cinnamon

Mix and set aside.

Cake mix:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
¼ cup orange juice or pineapple
2.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
2.5 tp vanilla

Mix until blended, Fold in the apples.

Pour in a greased, floured tube pan.

Bake at 350 for 1.5 hours

After out of oven, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Cheese Blintzes

Cheese Blintzes

2 eggs
2 Tb salad oil
1 cup milk
¾ cup sifted flour
½ tp salt
¼ cup butter

Beat eggs, oil, milk; add flour and salt. Refrigerate 30 minutes (covered).

Cook one side, then stack.

Add filling on brown side, fold.

Melt rest of butter in large skillet, saute 3 to 4 blintzes seam side down.

Cheese Filling for Blintzes, Larry’s version:
1 package 3-oz cream cheese softened
2 cups 1lb dry cottage cheese or ricotta
1 egg yolk
2 Tb sugar
½ tp vanilla

Combine in electric mixer.

Serve with a lot of maple syrup :) (or sour cream and fruit as traditional).

Friday, January 18, 2013

Lemon Squares

Mom's favorite!

Crust

1-1/2 sticks butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1-1/2 cups flour

Blend and press into greased 8x8 pan.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes

Filling

3 eggs
1-1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup lemon juice (1-2 lemons)
3T flour

Pour over crust.

Bake at 350 for 20 mins.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookes

Reader contribution to Bon Appetite magazine:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2-1/4 cups whole wheat flour, combined with 2 tsp cinnamon and 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
12 oz chocolate chips
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup chopped walnuts (or not!)
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut (hmm?)
1/4 cup honey

In a large bowl, cream the butter, add the brown sugar and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, stir in the flour mixture with the salt and combine well.

Stir in the chocolate chips, oats, walnuts, wheat germ, coconut and honey.

Drop heaping teaspoons of the batter 1.5 inches apart on a buttered baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool on rack. Makes 100 (!?) cookies.

The Fish Market Apple Pie

In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, blend:
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
1 stick plus 3Tbs unsalted butter, cut into bits

Blend until mixture resembles meal. Transfer to a bowl.
Add 1/4 cup apple cider and combine with mixture to form a dough.
Shape the dough into a ball and chill, wrapped in floured wax paper, for 1 hour.

In a bowl combine:
6 large McIntosh apples, peeled and sliced, or enough to measure 8 cups.
1-2/3 cups sour cream
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12 inch round.
Fit into a 10-inch pie plate, crimp the edge decoratively.
Spoon the filling into the sheet.

Bake in a preheated oven 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 35 additional minutes.

TOPPING

In a bowl combine:
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 Tbs cinnamon
pinch of salt

Mix until crumbly

Mash the apple filling lightly with a fork, sprinkle the streusel over the filling and bake for 15 minutes.

Let the pie cool on a rack.




Thursday, January 17, 2013

Ginger Snap Cookies

Another handwritten recipe from mom.  Directions need to be verified so use your best judgement and prepare at your own risk.

Ginger Snap Cookies
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons shortening
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon clove
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger

On the stove top, heat molasses until boiling. Remove from heat. Add sugar, shortening and milk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Add to the wet ingredients. Shape into a ball and chill until hard. Roll and cut into shapes or form into log and slice.  Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.    

English Muffin Loaf

Makes 2 loaves.

5.5-6 cups flour
2 packages active dry yeast (like Fleischmann's)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
cornmeal

Grease two 8.5 by 4.5 inch pans and sprinkle with cornmeal. Combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and baking soda.  Heat liquids (milk and water) until very warm (120F-130F). Add to dry mixture and beat well. Stir in enough flour to make a stiff batter. Spoon into pans and sprinkle tops with cornmeal. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 400F. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool.

THE Strawberry Tarts

Crust:
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter
1/4 cup cold shortening
6 tablespoons ice water

Combine flour, sugar and salt in a food processor (steel blade) or using a pastry blender. Cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles course meal. Add water, blending just until mixture forms a ball. Chill until easy to handle, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350F.  Roll dough on floured board to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 6 equal pieces.  Grease backs of 6, 3-inch oven-proof heart-shaped molds. Fit dough over molds, trimming excess with sharp knife. Prick bottoms in several places, place on baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Cool, then carefully remove tarts from molds.

Filling:
2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
3/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon orange liqueur
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 pints fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam, melted

Melt chocolate over very low heat. While warm, gently spread into bottoms of cooled molds. Let set.

Beat cream cheese and powered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add whipping cream, orange liqueur, and vanilla. Spoon over chocolate and chill 30 minutes.

Combine strawberries and jam, tossing gently to coat strawberries. Arrange over filling. Cover and refrigerate; serve within 6-8 hours.

Corned Beef

Hell yeah.

Corned Beef
10-12 lb. top or bottom round o' beef or eye round, chuck or brisket
1 1/3 cups course kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cracked peppercorns (pound if whole)
2 teaspoons allspice
2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sage
1 teaspoon ground bay leaf

In bowl, mix the salt and spices. Place the meat in a sturdy plastic bag and rub with the spice mixture. Press the air out of the bag, seal it and place in a bowl or roaster. Cover with a pan and 5 lb. weight for the first two days. Refrigerate, keeping temperature at 37-38F.

Within the first 2 hours, red liquid should exude in the bag. This means the cure is working. Massage the meat and turn the bag over once a day for two weeks. The beef will keep for several months refrigerated.

Before cooking the beef, wash off the salt cure and soak the meat in a large bowl of cold water, changing the water several times. As the salt leaves the flesh, the meat will soften and will eventually feel almost like fresh beef. It should take about 24 hours - longer if the meat has cured a number of weeks.

2 cups sliced onion
2 cups sliced carrot
2 cups sliced celery
2 cups chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned Italian plum)
2 cups dry white French vermouth or white wine
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon thyme
3 - 4 large garlic cloves, unpeeled and crushed

Dry off the meat. Tie the meat and arrange in a close-fitting casserole. Surround with above ingredients. Preheat oven to 350F. Bring casserole to a simmer on the stove top. Cover and place in oven, turning down heat to 250F. Liquid should remain at a very low simmer throughout cooking. Turn and baste the meat several times. It is done when fork tender.

To serve, remove the meat. Strain the vegetables, squeezing them to extract all juices. Skin fat. If concentration of juices is necessary, boil them down. Season carefully, as needed. Keep the meat warm in the casserole - set over simmering water or in a warming oven. Or let the meat cool to tepid for easier slicing. Reheat the slices in the oven for 30 minutes or warm on the stove top in the sauce.

"Cheesecake"

This recipe does indeed contain dairy products, so do not be fooled by the quotation marks. It is not, however a traditional cheesecake.  This recipe is transcribed from our mom's handwritten collection. There were some ambiguous comments and I have included my own comments in parenthesis. Until the comments can be verified, prepare this recipe at your own risk.

"Cheesecake"
16 oz. cream cheese
2/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
0.5 teaspoon vanilla
(Next to the ingredient list it says "double." I am not sure if they are already doubled or if it is recommended to double them).

Beat (above ingredients) until creamy. Pour into well-greased square pan (sorry, no size indicated). Bake at 350F for 30 minutes until cheese sets in the center. Cool ten minutes. (Keep the oven on; cake will be returning).

1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
cinnamon for sprinkling

Hand mix (first 3 ingredients). Spread over cake. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes. Refrigerate overnight before slicing.


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Chicken and Dumplings

The ultimate comfort food:

Williamsburg Inn Tavern Chicken and Dumplings -The Williamsburg Cookbook

6 to 8 servings




CHICKEN AND BROTH:
1 stewing chicken (4 to 5 pounds) or 2 broiler-fryers (3 pounds each)
1 small onion sliced
1 carrot sliced
2 ribs of celery with leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon of salt

4 tablespoon butter or chicken fat
6 tablespoons of flour
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup of light cream
white pepper to taste

Simmer the chicken, onion, carrot, celery, and salt in enough water to cover until the chicken is done.  1.5 to 2 hours.

Remove the chicken from the broth.  When it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones and dice the chicken.

Strain the stock and if necessary add enough water to make 1 quart.

Melt the butter or chicken fat in a heavy saucepan.
Stir in the flour mixed with paprika.
Add the chicken stock gradually, stirring constantly, cook for 2 minutes.
Add the chicken, cream and pepper and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Spoon the dumplings on top of the gently bubbling chicken mixture and cover.  Cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Serve at once.

DUMPLINGS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon shortening
3/4 cup milk

Sift the dry ingredients three times.
Blend in the shortening with a pastry blender or fork.
Add the milk and mix well.
Dip a teaspoon into cold water and then into the dough.  Spoon the dumplings on top of the gently bubbling chicken mixture and cover.  Cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.  Serve at once.