5 June 2012 Thai Peanut Sauce

Thai Peanut Sauce

June 5, 2012 By

I’ve developed a real affinity for peanut sauce over the last ten years and could pour it over almost anything.  This peanut sauce recipe makes a ton – three cups – and will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.  It’s great over chicken, shrimp, and pork or used as salad dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1 14 ½-ounce can chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. freshly minced ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

Directions:

  1. Place all the ingredients in a heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Cool then refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. If the sauce becomes too thick after cooling, simply thin it with a tablespoon of water or chicken broth.

Makes 3 cups.

Notes:  Do not use freshly ground peanut butter.

 

Filed Under: Asian, Sides Tagged With: , , ,
31 May 2012 60 Second Mixed Berry Cobbler

60 Second Mixed Berry Cobbler

May 31, 2012 By

Like many of you, I’m a huge fan of Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/foodwinechickie/).  I love getting home remodeling ideas, learning about new wines, looking at gorgeous travel photos and of course, checking out new recipes.

Last week, I found a recipe so ridiculous yet brilliant that, although I’m embarrassed to publish it, I couldn’t help but do so because it takes 60 seconds to prepare and it’s really pretty good.

Ingredients:

  • 2 16-ounce bags frozen mixed berries
  • 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
  • 1 12-ounce can lemon-lime soda (I used Sprite)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Coat a 13×9 pan with cooking spray.
  3. Place the frozen berries in the pan in an even layer.
  4. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the berries.
  5. Pour the soda over the cake mix WITHOUT stirring.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Notes:  You can switch the type of berries you use or try the cobbler with frozen peaches.

 

Filed Under: American, Desserts, Fruits Tagged With: , , , ,
29 May 2012 Galvaude – Poutine’s Fancy Cousin

Galvaude – Poutine’s Fancy Cousin

May 29, 2012 By

When I visit my hometown in Quebec, I try to make it a point to visit my local casse-croûte – a cross between a diner and a fast food restaurant.  In our town, that place is call Buffet St-Martin.

During my stay home a couple weeks ago, I opted to forego my usual standard, poutine, for its fancy cousin, the galvaude.  For those unfamiliar with poutine, it’s a dish of French fries, topped with squeaky cheddar cheese curds then smothered in brown gravy.  Is there a more perfect food?  Perhaps only if this dish was enhanced with white meat chicken and small peas!  That’s a galvaude.

I urge you to try one if you visit Quebec – it’s comfort food at its best.

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Canadian, Culinary Travel Tales Tagged With: , , ,
24 May 2012 5 Easy Memorial Day Recipes

5 Easy Memorial Day Recipes

May 24, 2012 By

I just love a reason to BBQ and have friends over, so Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays.  I know this is a special holiday and being very patriotic, this weekend’s celebrations will have me reflecting on my country, my friends and my family.

Here are 5 easy recipes ideal for any Memorial Day weekend BBQs:

1.      Chorizo and Manchego Bites

2.      Hot Spinach, Artichoke and Cheese Dip

3.      Grilled Mexican Corn on the Cob

4.      Quick and Easy Pan Fried Smashed Potatoes

5.      Whole Grilled Chicken for the Non-Cook

A very safe and happy holiday weekend to all my friends and fan.

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: American, Other Neat Things Tagged With: , , , ,
7 May 2012 Easy Bolognese Sauce with Marsala and Maple Syrup

Easy Bolognese Sauce with Marsala and Maple Syrup

May 7, 2012 By

This easy-to-make sauce will develop flavors as it cooks then sits, so prepare it in the morning, let it simmer for 30 minutes or longer and then let it develop flavors as it cools.  Simply reheat it in time for dinner.  Nope, the maple syrup and the Marsala are not typical to Bolognese, but they add a special touch and make this sauce taste like no others.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 medium carrots, finely diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 3/4 pound ground pork
  • 3/4 pound ground veal
  • 3/4 pound ground beef (20% fat)
  • 2-28 ounce can Italian-style tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Marsala wine (red wine would be great also)
  • 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup (could substitute with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar)
  • 1/2 tsp. each, dry oregano, basil, black pepper and red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 pound tubular pasta, rigatoni works well
  • ½ cup pasta cooking water (optional)
  • ½ cup whole milk (or light cream)
  • 1 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add carrots, onion and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium, and cook until vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Increase heat to high, add meats and sauté until no longer pink, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add tomatoes, wine, broth, maple syrup and the spices and stir well.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes, and up to 2 hours.
  4. Boil pasta to al dente.  Before draining, add a ladleful of pasta cooking water (about ½ cup) to the sauce.  Add the milk to the sauce and stir to combine – reheat if needed.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir gently to coat it.  Serve with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese.

6 Servings.

Notes:   This sauce freezes very well, so feel free to double up the recipe!

 

Filed Under: American, Beef, Canadian, Cheese, Entrees, Italian, Maple Syrup, Pasta, Pork, Veal Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
4 May 2012 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

May 4, 2012 By

The official reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the USA is to honor the cause of freedom and democracy during the early years of the American Civil War and to revel in Mexican heritage and pride.  The unofficial reason, let’s be honest, is to have a dedicated day where everyone just parties with Mexican food and margaritas.  Here are some simple-to-make dishes to pair up with your favorite tequila-spiked cocktail.

Lime and cilantro make everything taste better…enjoy this festive holiday responsibly.

Salud,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Mexican, Other Neat Things Tagged With: , , , ,
3 May 2012 Grilled Mexican Corn on the Cob

Grilled Mexican Corn on the Cob

May 3, 2012 By

Being from eastern Quebec, I grew up eating some of the best corn-on-the-cob imaginable.  Each summer, we’d have a husk and boil corn party where we’d buy a whole bushel of corn, everyone husks an ear of corn then drops it in a pot of boiling water.  It’s a fun concept and easy on the cook since everyone partakes in the husking.  We’d then roll our cooked corn over a pound block of salty, farm-fresh butter and enjoy the sweet treat on a warm summer day.

While I love boiled sweet corn, something I’ve been enjoying for the last couple seasons is grilled corn on the cob. Grilling enhances the corny flavor and the sweetness of this vegetable.

Here’s how you do it:

  1. Peel the husks away.
  2. Drizzle cobs with vegetable oil, salt, pepper and a light sprinkling of chili powder.
  3. Grill on medium heat for eight minutes (rotate cobs for even grilling).

Slather the grilled corn with Mexican Spread:

  • In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayo, chopped fresh cilantro and crumbled Mexican Queso Fresco.
  • Coat the hot cob with the mixture.

The concept couldn’t be easier and you and your guests will enjoy this variation on a classic.

Enjoy!

Veronique

 

Filed Under: American, Mexican, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian Tagged With: , ,
29 April 2012 Quadruple Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Quadruple Chocolate Brownie Cookies

April 29, 2012 By

At the end of each month, the Operations team at my day jobs works extra-long hours to ensure all sold equipment is processed, packed and shipped.  Since I’m limited in what I can do to help, I typically bake something special that gives everyone an extra boost of energy.  This month’s treat is my quadruple chocolate brownie cookies.

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
  • 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
  • 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, place the butter, unsweetened chocolate, bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate chips.  Cook until mostly melted, about 4 minutes, then stir until smooth.  Cool for about 15 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the eggs, the granulated sugar and the brown sugar. Mix for about 2 minutes, until fully combined.  Add the vanilla, the baking powder and the salt.  Mix for 1 minute.  Incorporate the flour in three additions.  Add the cooled chocolate mixture.  Mix for 1 minute.  By hand, stir in the milk chocolate chips.
  4. Drop by the tablespoonful onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheets (you should have about 12 cookies per cookie sheet).  Bake for 10 minutes – no more!  The cookies will still be a bit giggly in the middle.
  5. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the cookie sheets then place on wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Notes: If you don’t have milk chocolate chips, simply replace with semi-sweet chocolate chips and call the recipe Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies!

 

Filed Under: American, Chocolate, Desserts, Eggs Tagged With: , , , ,
13 April 2012 Herb Grilled Rack of Lamb over Minted Pea Purée

Herb Grilled Rack of Lamb over Minted Pea Purée

April 13, 2012 By

It’s springtime and for me, that means the official start of grilling season (I grill in the winter, but less often).  Using fresh spring produce is such a treat and when peas are in season, I’m drawned to rack of lamb, grilled simply over a mound of sweet, minted pea purée.

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 3/4 pound each racks of lamb, frenched and silver skin removed
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp. each fresh rosemary, mint, salt and pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • Minted Pea Purée
  • Mint oil (combine ¼ cup of olive oil and 1 Tbsp. fresh mint in food processor and pulse for 1 minute)

Directions:

  1. Place the lamb in a large resealable bag and add the olive oil, herbs and garlic.  Seal the bag and massage the olive oil mixture into the meat.  Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. 30 minutes before grilling, take the lamb out of the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature.  Coat grill grates with cooking spray then light and warm to medium-high heat.
  3. Place lamb on grill and cook for approximately 10 minutes, turning once, until a meat thermometer registers 145 degrees for medium-rare or 160 degrees for medium. If the bones begin burning while grilling, wrap them in aluminum foil.  Let the lamb stand, covered in aluminum foil, 10 minutes before slicing into chops.
  4. Serve lamb over pea purée with a drizzle of mint oil.

6 servings.

 

Filed Under: American, Canadian, Entrees, French, Greek, Lamb, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , , ,
12 April 2012 Simple Minted Pea Purée

Simple Minted Pea Purée

April 12, 2012 By

Pea purée can be served with so many foods – poached salmon, grilled rack of lamb, seared scallops – the choices are endless.  While best prepared with fresh spring peas, this recipe is equally delicious made with frozen peas.

Ingredients:

  • ½ tsp. salt for the boiling water saucepan
  • 3 cups fresh peas, shelled or 2 10-ounce boxes of frozen peas
  • 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh mint leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. softened butter
  • 1 small shallot, finely minced
  • ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • ¼ tsp. each salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan over high heat, cook the peas in salted boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes for fresh and 3 minutes for frozen. Drain and add to a food processor (could mash by hand if need be). Add cheese, mint leaves, butter and shallot.
  2. Purée pea mixture, adding the broth a little at a time to loosen the mixture if too thick.  The end result should be a light, runny oatmeal-like-consistency purée.
  3. Season with salt and pepper then transfer the mixture to a microwaveable bowl.  Reheat in microwave for 1 minute when ready to serve.

Yields 4 servings.

 

Filed Under: American, Cheese, French, Sides, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , , ,
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