a good taste...!

Klepon Cake

2007-06-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

300 gr sticky rice flour, 30 gr sagu, 8-10 suji leaves, 150 gr brown sugar, 300 gr coconut.
Direction:
Grind suji finely, mix water. Shred coconut
Mix flours, add suji and a little water.
Form balls, put brown sugar inside
Boil until done
Sprinkle with shred coconut

Risoles

2007-06-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

250 gr flour, 70 gr butter, 1 egg, 2 pieces of chicken legs, 100 gr carrot, 50 gr scallions, 4 pieces of shallots, 2 pieces of garlic, 15cc sweet soy-sauce, 200 gr bread crumbs, salt.
Direction:
Mix 1/2 of the egg with flour and butter
Form thin layer of squares - for wrappers
Remove the bones from the chicken legs, cut into small pieces
Skin carrots, boil until half done, and cut into
tiny pieces. Cut scallions into tiny pieces.
Grind shallots and garlic.
Heat pan with butter. Put in shallots and garlic.
In a couple of minutes, put in chicken
Stir a little bit, and put in carrots, scallions
Mix evenly.
Add salt and pepper to taste, add sweet soy-sauce.
Cook until chicken is done.
Put 1 spoon of the result above into each square.
Wrap it.
Dip it in the 1/2 egg left, pour flour.
Heat oil in a pan.
Deep fry the risoles on medium heat until golden brown.
Serve with hot chili pepper.

pandan cake

2007-06-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

8 egg yokes, 6 egg whites, 175 gr sugar, 180 gr flour, 3/4 cup thick coconut milk, 1/4 tea spoon of salt, 3 spoon suji extract, green food coloring.

Direction:
Boil coconut milk, salt, suji extract in low heat
Beat egg yokes and egg whites and sugar
Add food coloring
Slowly add the coooked coconut milk, mixing it evenly.
Butter the cake pan, put the mix inside
Bake until done

green beans

2007-06-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

300 gr greenbeans, 150 gr shrimps, 2 blocks of tofu, 1 board of petai, 6 pieces of red chili peppers, 5 pieces of small chili peppers (jalapeno or scotch bonnets), 5 pieces of shallots, 1 piece of chicken gizzard, 1 piece of chicken liver, 1 piece of galanga, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Cut beans into slices of about thumb length
Clean theshrimps, cut their heads, boil for a few minutes
Slice petai thinly
Grind pepper and shallots
Slice liver and gizzard
Slice tofu into cubes, and fry them
Heat pan with cooking oil
Put in the ground spices above,
Add shrimps, fried tofu, galanga, petai - mix evenly
Add also green beans, chili peppers, gizzards, livers
Mix them well, and add salt and pepper
Cook until green beans is about 2/3 done so it is still a bit crunchy (al dente)

sambel goreng ati ampela

2007-06-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

4 pairs of chicken's livers and gizzards, 5 pieces of shallots, 3 pieces of garlic, 5 pieces of red chili peppers, 4 cm lengkusa, 10 gr shrimp paste, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 board of petai, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Cut liver and gizzards into bite sized pieces
Skin shallots and garlic.
Brown shrimp paste
Grind finely shallots, garlic, red chili peppers, shrimp paste
Brown these spices and galanga, mix them evenly
Add liver and gizzard pieces, and salt and pepper to taste
Mix evenly and add coconut milk, let it simmer for 3 minutes.

clam satay

2007-06-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 lb of clams, 5 shallots, 2 spoons of sweet soy sauce, 1 lime, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Boil clams. After they are done, let it cool.
Take the meat out.
Slice shallots
Mix shallots, soy sauce, and lime juice with the clams
Add salt and pepper to taste
Put clams in skewers, barbecue for a little bit

sambal goreng petai

2007-06-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
7 eggs, 4 strings of "petai", 3 cups thick coconut milk, 250 gr ground beef, 4 pieces garlic, 6 pieces of shallots, 6 piece of red chili peppers, 20 gr javanese lemon, 1 tea spoon sugar, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Remove the yoke of the eggs (use just the whites) Skin petai
Slice shallots, brown a little bit.
Mix ground beef with 2 egg whites, mix with sald, pepper to taste.
Form small balls.
Let the javanese lemon sit in a cup of water The rest of the egg whites put in a place holder, and steam cook
Cut into cube sized pieces
Grind chili, garlic, and add sugar
Heat pan with a little cooking oil, add shallots and the garlic mix above, followed by the petai a few minutes later.
Put in the javanese-lemon water, followed by the ground beef balls, add salt and pepper.
Let simmer for a while, then add the rest of the coconut milk and the egg-white cubes.
et simmer for another 3 minute

Rendang

2007-06-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 lb of beef, 20 pieces of shallots, 10 pieces of garlic, 150 gram red chili pepper, 50 gram ginger, 10 pieces of clove leaves, 60 gr kunyit, 300 gr candle nut, 5 helai salam, 8 cups of thick coconut milk, 8 cups of thin coconut milk.
Direction:
Cut beef into several-bite sized pieces, and boil until half done
Skin shallots, garlic, and mix with chili, ...
Brown this spice mix for a few minutes
Boil beef and this spice mix in the thin coconut milk
Put in daun
Boil until dry
Add thick coconut milk, boil until coconut milk dries while mixing it occassionally

beef semur

2007-06-29T05:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 lb beef, 6 pieces candle nut, 5 cm of ginger, 5 pieces of shallots, 3 pieces of garlic, salt, pepper, soy sauce.
Direction:
Slice beef thinly
Peel shallots and garlic, slice thinly
Slice ginger and grind candle nut
Brown shallots, garlic, ginger, and candle nut
Put in beef and mix them evenly
Add salt and pepper
Add 2-3 cups of water so beef will cook evenly

perkedel

2007-06-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 chicken, 250 gr of bread flour, 40 gr of sagu, 80 gr of onion, 8 pieces of shallots, 1 egg, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Remove bones from the chicken, cut very thinly
Cut onion into very small pieces
Grind shallots
Evenly mix all the above with bread flour
Add salt and pepper
Make mix into small discs about 2-2.5 inch in diameter
Heat oil on a pan
Put each disc and fry until dark golden

opor solo

2007-06-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 chicken, 4 cups of coconut milk, 6 pieces of shallots, 3 pieces of garlic, 120 gram candle nut, 10 gram corriander, 5 gram jintan, 3 helai bay leaves, 1 batang daun sereh, 100 gr lengjuas, salt and pepper.
Destination:
Cut chicken into pieces
Grind shallots, garlic, candle nut, corriander, and jintan
Brown for a little bit.
Boil chicken with 2 cups of coconut milk, put in sereh and galanga.
When chicken is about done, put in more coconut milk along with the spice mix above. Add salt and pepper to taste

sweet and sour shrimps

2007-06-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1/2 lb of medium sized shrimps, 5 pieces of garlic, 3 oz. flour, 1 piece of egg, 2 spoons of tomato sauce, 1 lime, 1/2 spoon of sugar, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Clean the shrimps, remove the heads, keep the tails
Clean garlic, and slice thinly. Sprinkle over the shrimps.
Make a mix of the flour, egg, with enough water, salt, and pepper.
Heat oil on a pan.
One by one, put the shrimps into the pan by first dipping it in the mix above. Fry until golden.
Put on a plate, pour tomato sauce over them.
Tomato sauce: Heat tomato sauce, add sugar, and lime juice

Gado-Gado

2007-06-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Lettuces, A small bunch of long beans, Young cabbage, 1 cucumber, Tofu, 100 gr soyabean cake, 2 eggs, 5 pieces of red chili pepper, 5 pieces of small chili pepper (jalapeno or scotch bonnet), 3 pieces of shallots, 100 gr. peanuts, lemon, brown sugar, and salt.
Direction:
Fry an egg and soyabean cake
Cut into small pieces
Boil one egg and slice it
Boil young cabbage, long beans, and slice them
Peanut sauce:
Fry peanuts
Slice shallots, and brown with chili peppers
Mix and grind all these with brown sugar, lemon, salt and pepper, and boil with a little bit of water. (Use this sauce with satay as well)

Soto Madura

2007-06-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

500 gr beef or internals, 100 gr bean sprouts, 80 gr rice noodles, 60 gr Indonesian parsley, 60 gr scallions, 60 gr ginger, 1 lime, salt and pepper.

Directions:
Boil meat until done. Drain and cut into bite-sized slices.
Remove the tails of bean sprouts, boil until half done
Boil rice noodles separately
Keep these in separate plates
Cut Indonesian parsley and scallions
Grind shallots, and brown it for a little bit
Skin and cut ginger
Make beef stock using beef bones boiled in water for about an hour. Remove bones, and put in salt, pepper, ginger, and shallots.
Serve the soto by putting the beef, bean sprouts, noodles into a bowl. Pour soup into it.
Sprinkle with Indonesian parsley and scallions.

Baby Corn Soup

2007-06-29T05:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
5-6 ears of baby corn, 5 spoons of milk, 1 spoon of butter, 1 spoon of flour, salt and pepper.
Direction:
Boil baby corn and let it cool
Grind/powder corn with a blender
Heat butter, put flour after it melts, mix evenly
Put in powdered corn with salt, pepper, and milk
Let it sit for five minutes in medium heat

Crab Soup

2007-06-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 litres of fish stock,

2 medium-sized crabs,

100 gram ginger,

50 gram scallions,

50 gram Indonesian parsley, salt, pepper to taste.
Direction:
Make fish stock by boiling fish bones in 8 cups of water
Remove these bones after a few minutes.
Wash crabs, split into several parts
Cut ginger into very thin slices
Cut scallions and Indonesian parsley
Reheat stock for about 5 minutes, put everything into the stock
Add salt and pepper to taste

The Food of Bali

2007-06-28T02:56:00.000-07:00

Sate Lilit (Minced Seafood Satay)

OVERVIEW:
This probably the most delicious satay you will ever encounter. The delicate flavors of the shrimp and fish are greatly improved if you can find spears of fresh lemongrass to use as skewers, and if you can cook them over a fire of coconut husks rather than charcoal. Nonetheless, even with wooden skewers and a standard charcoal grill, you will have people coming back more.

INGREDIENTS:
600 gr skinned boneless snapper fillet
1 cup freshly grated coconut or
1½ cups moistened desiccated coconut
½ cup seafood spice paste
5 fragrant lime leaves, chopped
1 tsp black peppercorns, finely crushed
1 tsp salt
3-5 bird's eye chilies, very finely chopped
2 tbsp palm sugar
Lemon grass or satay skewers

PREPARATION:
1. Mince fish fillet very finely in a food processor or with a chopper.
2. Add all other ingredients & mix well.
3. Mould a heaped tablespoon full of this mixture around a wooden skewer or over trimmed stalks of lemon grass and grill over charcoal until golden brown.

Note: This recipe won't work with frozen fish.

escargots bourguignons

2007-06-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

Escargots Bourguignons
Love them or hate them! Good Cooking loves them and wants you to know the proper way of preparing them too! For the lover there is only one true snail to eat, that is the Helix Burgundy snail from France. Rather than go into the history and tradition of French enjoyment of snails Good Cooking suggests that you know a few things. Not all snails you buy are Helix Burgundy snails, in fact many are from all over the world including Malaysia, Ecuador and China. They are very different in size, taste and texture, although most of these are often somewhat cheaper. For the purpose of this instruction, Good Cooking is recommending the Helix above the others you may buy. The snails come in small and large cans and vary in size. Recommended is the size of 72 count per 850 gram can.

Here is what you will have to do to prepare them in the true French Burgundy fashion.Prepare Beurre d'escargot, a.k.a. Snail or Garlic ButterOpen, drain and poach the snailsHave snail shells

or snail baking dishes availableHave an oven capable of heating to 450Be hungry and have a bottle of Pinot Noir or Cru Beaujolais

Beurre d'escargot a.k.a. Snail or Garlic Butter

Enough for 72 snails---6 dozenAmount/Measure/Ingredient

1 pound unsalted butter, soft

1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley

4 tablespoons shallots, chopped fine

2 tablespoons garlic, minced---remove the center shoot

1/4 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

2 tablespoons brandy

1 tbsp. lemon juice

2 teaspoons Kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper---not Tabasco sauce!

3/4 cup bread crumbs, fresh white, trimmed of crusts

Procedure:Combine all ingredients except the bread and mix well with hands or electric mixer, then fold in the bread crumbs. Roll the butter into 2 individual logs or store in plastic containers.To prepare the snails for stuffing in shells or cocotte (a snail dish)The Snails are drained from the can and rinsed with cold water. Place them in a non-reactive pot and cover with the ingredients listed below, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool in an ice bath, reserving the cooking liquid, ingredients and snails. Store in plastic containers until ready to use.

Snail Poaching Liquid

2 cups water

2 cups red wine (Beaujolais is good for this)

1 cup mirepoix, chopped small

1 bay leaf (approximately 1" by 1")

1 tbsp. crushed black peppercorns tied in cheesecloth

2 sprigs of thyme, fresh if possible, or 1 tbsp. leaves

2 tbsp. chopped garlic cloves, not pre-chopped

1 tbsp. kosher salt

Assembly:Soften the butter and scoop the snails out of the liquid to drain.The procedure is almost the same for filling shells as it is for the cocotte. Place about 2 tsp. of butter in the shell, then a drained snail (the round part goes in first so the flat part is at the shell entrance) pushing it in slightly. Seal the shell with 2-3 tsp. of butter. Repeat this process until the snails and butter are all used. If using a cocotte, first add butter, then snail and top with more butter. Use about the same amount of butter with the cocotte as with the shells so you do not waste the butter.Cooking:Heat your oven to 450, place the snails in the shell on specially made dishes to hold them upright (that is so the butter doesn't cook out of the shell). Or attractively crumple a sheet of aluminum foil into a 6 inch circle with 6 indentations to hold the snail shells upright. Cook for 10-12 minutes; when hot and bubbly, transfer to a serving plate and voila, they are ready to eat! In all methods use a baking pan as an under-liner to prevent the butter from spilling on the oven bottom and maybe causing a fire. The finished dish should be served very hot, and sprinkled with a teaspoon of chopped chives for every 6 snails. Serve with warm baguettes to sop up the juices and butter.

seven classic sauces

2007-05-19T03:26:00.000-07:00

Sauce Bordelaise---The most traditional red wine sauce use in France for beef, duck or game.

Amount/Measure/Ingredient

1 tbsp. shallots, chopped fine
1 tsp. butter, clarified
1 branch thyme, about 1 tsp. of leaves
½ bay leaf, the size of a nickel
1 tsp. black peppercorns, crushed not ground
1 cup red wine, merlot or cabernet
---------
8 ounces brown sauce
Kosher salt to taste, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt
1 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature

Sauce Bercy---White wine and white peppercorn brown sauce for chicken, veal and pork.
Amount/Measure/Ingredient

1 tbsp. shallots, chopped fine
1 tsp. butter, clarified
1 branch thyme, about 1 tsp. of leaves
½ bay leaf, the size of a nickel
1 tsp. white peppercorns, crushed not ground
1 cup white wine, chardonnay
---------
8 ounces brown sauce
Kosher salt to taste, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt
1 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature

Procedure: For both sauces. In a preheated sauce pot sauté the shallots, bay leaf, thyme and
peppercorns with the butter over low heat, don’t brown the shallots, deglaze with wine and reduce by
1/2 to 2/3---Take off heat, cover with foil while preparing the fish and chicken sauces.

Add the brown sauce and simmer slowly to reduce further and to develop the flavor. Add salt, check for the thickness, then strain and cover with plastic wrap.

Sauce Supreme---White wine chicken veloute with cream for sautéed or poached chicken dishes and some pasta dishes. This is a base sauce from which you make other sauces.

Amount/Measure/Ingredient

1 tbsp. shallots, chopped fine
1 tsp. butter, clarified
½ bay leaf, the size of a nickel
1 cup white wine, chardonnay
---------
2 cups chicken stock
¼ cup roux, light colored
Kosher salt to taste, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt
1 cup heavy cream

Procedure: For both sauce vin blanc and sauce supreme. In a preheated sauce pot sauté the shallots,
bay leaf, thyme and peppercorns with the butter over low heat, don’t brown the shallots, deglaze with
wine and reduce by 1/2 to 2/3---For the Supreme sauce you don’t have thyme and peppercorns!

Add the stock and bring to a boil, thicken with roux in a separate stainless steel bowl and then add it to the hot
stock to thicken, cook for 10 minutes, add salt, then add the cream---simmer very slowly for 6
minutes. Strain and then cover with plastic wrap and keep warm.

Sauce Bigarade---Traditional orange and lemon sauce used in France for duck.

Amount/Measure/Ingredient

1 tbsp. butter, clarified
2 tbsp. shallots chopped fine
¼ cup mirepoix, fine chop
1 branch fresh thyme
1 quarter size piece bay leaf
2 tsp. black peppercorns crushed
2 cups duck bones
4 oz red wine cabernet or merlot
6 ounces brown sauce
2 oz. reduced veal stock
2 tbsp. roux
2 tsp. Kosher salt, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt

2 oz. red wine or cider vinegar
4 ounces granulated sugar
4 ounces frozen OJ concentrate
2 ounces lemon juices

¼ cup grand marinier
2 oz. unsalted butter
1 tbsp. orange zest, blanched
1 tbsp. lemon zest blanched

Procedure: In a hot pan over medium heat add the butter, shallots and mirepoix and sauté until color
starts add the thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns and chopped duck bones. Fry together until golden
brown. Deglaze with red wine, add brown sauce and veal stock---bring to a boil, reduce heat and
simmer 10 minutes skimming as needed. Thicken with roux and simmer 20 minutes longer. Season with salt.

While simmering caramelize sugar with vinegar, add OJ and lemon juice and reduce by 2/3, about 3
ounces liquid should remain when finished. Keep warm and covered with plastic wrap. Reduce the Grand Mariner by half, burning off the alcohol.

Strain the brown duck sauce into a clean pan and add the sugar, vinegar and juice reduction then the
reduced Grand Mariner. Whisk in the butter and add the zests. Serve with crisp roasted duck or
sautéed duck breast. It take a lot of time to make this sauce but it is worth every drop!

Arrabiata Pasta Sauce---Spicy hot tomato sauce, hot as the devil!

Amount/Measure/Ingredient
1 tbsp. olive oil, extra-virgin
2 tsp. garlic, freshly peeled and chopped
1 can Italian San Marzano tomatoes, (28 ounces) crushed by hand
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (no seeds) or 1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. Kosher salt, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper, fresh ground

Procedure: Heat the oil in a sauce pan over low heat; add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, being
careful not to let it brown. Add the remaining ingredients, including the tomato juices, bring to a boil
and then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for 20 minutes uncovered. Serve with fresh chopped parsley
sprinkled over. Great with sautéed shrimp and thin spaghetti!

Romanesco Sauce---A fresh uncooked tomato sauce with herbs, nuts, vinegar, peppers and red wine. Delicious on grilled vegetables and as a dressing for cold pasta salad. Excellent with fish or even a steak!

Amount/Measure/Ingredient
1/4 cup olive oil, 100%, not blended
1 cup of French bread, trimmed of crust, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1/2 cup sliced almonds, no skin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
2 tbsp. garlic, coarsely chopped
2 cups roasted red bell pepper, cut in 1 inch pieces
4 cups of ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced, then drained
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tbsp. paprika
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup red wine, cabernet or merlot
2 tbsp. hazelnut oil
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. Kosher salt, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt
2 tablespoon honey

Procedure: Heat the olive oil in pan over medium heat then and fry the cubes of bread until it is
golden. Remove the bread and turn the heat off---save the oil. Toast slivered almonds - about 15
minutes at 350 degrees. In a food processor chop the croutons, toasted almonds, cayenne, oil (from
cooking the bread) and garlic. Puree to a smooth paste. Add red bell pepper, tomatoes, cayenne pepper,
paprika, red wine vinegar, and red wine to other ingredients. Pulse while adding adding hazelnut oil,
EVOO, salt and honey, with processor running. Makes 6 cups of sauce. Can be refrigerated for up
to two weeks and frozen for several months.

American BBQ Sauce---Spicy sweet and sour red sauce for any barbecue!

1/4 cup onions, very finely minced
1 tbsp. garlic, very finely minced
2 tbsp. corn oil
2 tbsp. paprika
2 tbsp. chili powder
½ cup cider vinegar
1 cup Heinz ketchup
1 cup tomato sauce, plain no seasonings, any major supermarket brand
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. Dijon style mustard like Grey Poupon
½ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. Kosher salt, Diamond Crystal is recommended---otherwise use any regular salt

Procedure: Fry the onions in oil until golden but not brown. Add the paprika and chili powder,
followed by the vinegar, bring slowly to a boil. Add the remaining ingredients; reduce the heat and
simmer of 10 minutes stirring every few minutes. Place the pot over a bowl of ice water to cool. Store
in glass jars

mediterranian salad

2007-05-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

Recipe by: Trudy Thelander

History: This simple salad makes a delicious side dish for any type of Mediterranean cuisine - including Greek, Italian, Spanish, Provencal, Moroccan or Turkish.

Description: A selection of Mediterranean-style vegetables tossed with a lemon and olive oil dressing.

Preparation time: about 10 minutes

Serves: 2

Amount/Measure/Ingredient:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 clove garlic - minced (crushed)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 handfuls roughly torn romaine (Cos) lettuce leaves
2 fresh Roma tomatoes - cut into 1/2-inch rounds (you can also use regular tomatoes and cut them into wedges)
1/2 green pepper (capsicum) - julienne
1/4 small red onion - thinly sliced (you can vary this amount depending on how much you like raw red onions)

Preparation:

Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine just before serving.

Variations: There are lots of possible additions to this basic salad, but keep in mind that it should remain a simple and light salad to accompany a meal. Toss through some garlic-rubbed croutons or a handful of chopped toasted nuts (like walnuts, pine nuts or hazelnuts), finely chopped capers, olives, sun-dried tomatoes or chopped anchovies, or a small amount of shaved or crumbled cheese.

jambalaya

2007-05-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

The original recipe is from K-Paul's Louisiana Cajun Magic Cookbook by Paul Prudhomme. Jambalaya has its origins in Creole and cajun foods and it typically includes healthy portions of spiced sausage but they have been left out here. Jambalaya can be made either with chicken or seafood.
Makes 4-6 dinner sized proportions.

2 1/2 tablespoon butter or margarine.
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped green bell peppers
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun Magic Seafood Magic (do not substitute)
1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
4 cups peeled and chopped tomatoes (about 4 medium size)
3/4 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock or bottled clam juice
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 cups uncooked rice (preferably converted)
1 pound peeled crab meat, crawfish or firm-fleshed fish fillets (cut into bite-sized pieces), or any combination of these that equals one pound
1 1/2 dozen oysters in their liquor (medium size oysters)
1 1/2 dozen peeled medium shrimp (about 1/2 pound)
OR substitute 1 1/2 lbs. deboned chicken for all the seafood

Melt the chicken fat in a two quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, and Bell peppers; saute until tender but still firm, about five minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan bottom well. Add the bay leaves, Cajun Magic Seafood Magic and garlic; cook about three minutes, stirring constantly and scraping the pan bottom as needed. Add the tomatoes and cook about seven minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomato sauce; cook about seven minutes more, stirring fairly often. Stir in the stock and bring to a boil. Stir in the green onions and cook about two minutes, stirring once or twice. Add the rice, crab meat, crawfish, and/or fish and the oysters and shrimp; stir well and remove from heat.

Transfer mixture to an ungreased 13 X 9 inch baking dish/pan. Cover dish/pan snugly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees F until rice is tender but still crunchy, about twenty or thirty minutes.

Remove from oven. If you still have liquid in the dish/pan bottom, let sit for a few minutes, still covered, to allow rice to absorb the liquid. Remove bay leaves and serve immediately. To serve, mold rice in an eight ounce cup and place two cups on each serving plate as main course or one cup as an appetizer.

working with sugar

2007-05-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

About Sugar---Working with sugar in pastry preparations!

Sugar and other sweeteners

Sweeteners are granulated sugar, light brown sugar, powdered sugar (10-x or confectioners'), corn syrup, and honey. Granulated sugar is available in about five categories of "fineness" example (regular, rock sugar, and superfine-bartender's sugar). Cooked sugar is added to beaten egg to make a pâte â bombe (egg yolks) or an Italian meringue (egg whites). Start cooking the sugar and then go on to another step. As the sugar cooks, the water added to it evaporates. If you are not ready to use the sugar when it reaches the proper temperature, simply add a few tablespoons of water and allow it to continue to cook. This way you can "hold" the sugar until you are ready.

Using an invert sugar allows you to use half the amount of regular sugar called for in a recipe. Examples of invert sugars are honey, glucose, corn syrup, and trimoline.

Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners I sugar or 10-x, this is granulated sugar ground to a powder. You can't make it at home because no home processor will grind it to that powdery texture. It is used to sweeten because it dissolves more easily than granulated sugar. It is also used to thicken because it usually contains cornstarch.

Brown sugar: Brown sugar is either light or dark. For Crème Brulee it doesn't matter. Brown sugar is a mixture of granulated sugar and molasses. You can substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar any time the flavor of the recipe will not be altered by a slight taste of molasses.

Corn syrup: This is starch extracted from corn kernels and treated with an acid or enzyme to create a sweet syrup. Its presence will keep sugars from crystallizing. Corn syrup is an invert sugar, meaning it takes half as much of it to sweeten as much as regular sugar. Corn syrup helps baked good retain their moisture and increases shelf life. It lasts indefinitely if you keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Honey: Honey is another invert sugar. It is used to add sweetness and moistness to baked goods. It also helps to extend shelf life because it releases its moisture slowly and absorbs humidity. The darker the color, the stronger the flavor.

Vanilla sugar: This is granulated sugar to which dried vanilla bean has been added. It can be stored indefinitely at room temperature in an airtight container.

Sure-Jell (powdered pectin): Fruit pectin for homemade jams and Jellies. It contains dextrose (corn syrup), fruit pectin, and furnaric acid (which assists in the gelling process). Most grocery stores carry it, it is also available as Sure-jell Light or Slim-Set.

Stages of Sugar Temperature Range (see more below)!

Thread 230º-235ºF / 110º-112ºC
Soft ball 240º-250ºF / 115º-121ºC
Hard ball 255º-265ºF / 124º-129ºC
Soft crack 270º-290ºF / 132º-143ºC
Hard crack 300º-331ºF / 148º-155ºC
Caramel 320º-350ºF / 160º-176ºC

When sugar is cooked to 250ºF (121ºC) on a candy thermometer, it is cooked to the soft ball stage. This method is definitely not recommended for anyone other than an expert confectioner. Sugar cooked to the soft ball stage is used when making Italian meringue.

When sugar is cooked to 300º to 311ºF (148º to 155ºC), it is cooked to the hard crack stage. Sugar cooked to this stage is used to make Angel Hair or the Sugar Cage.

Cooked Sugar Tests and Temperatures

Stage Temperature Test

Thread 215°F Forms a brittle thread when pulled.

Pearl 220° - 222°F Forms pliable thread. Pulls off in sheets from a spoon.

Soufflé 222° - 234°F Boiling sugar creates small bubbles resembling snowflakes.

Soft Ball 234° - 240°F Sugar syrup forms ball in water but flattens out when removed.

Firm Ball 242° - 248°F Sugar syrup forms ball in water and holds shape when removed. A very soft ball can be rolled between your fingers.

Hard Ball 250° - 268°F Sugar syrup forms ball in water and holds its shape in a tight, slightly pliable ball.

Soft Crack 270° - 290°F Sugar syrup forms stiff threads in water.

Firm Crack 293°F Sugar syrup has lost all of its water. Following stages are critical and temperature should be watched very carefully.

Hard Crack 300° - 310°F Sugar syrup forms hard, brittle threads when dropped into water.

Liquid Sugar 320°F Melting point of sugar.

Light Caramel 330° - 350°F Syrup turns a very pale amber color darkening to a rich golden.

Medium Caramel 350° - 370°F Syrup continues to darken, turning from light brown to a dark mahogany.

Dark Caramel 370° - 400°F Syrup becomes very dark brown, nearly black and gives off a very burnt aroma. Used only for coloring, not for confections.

Black Jack +400°F Black color, dark smoke. No practical use for this.

roasted peppers---red,yellow.green or orange

2007-05-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Recipe name: Roasted Peppers---Red, Yellow, Green or Orange

Recipe by: Chef John V., Good Cooking, Inc.

Serving size: 4

Preparation time: 0:30

Amount/Measure/Ingredient:

2 whole bell peppers

Vinaigrette
1 tsp. of chopped garlic
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. of salt
1/4 tsp. ground white pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. cider vinegar

Preparation:

Wash 2 whole bell peppers, red, yellow, green or orange and dry. Cut in half and remove all the stem and seeds. Place the half peppers over an open flame on a gas stove, skin side down. With the flame on high, burn the skins until black and charred all over. When done place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to finish cooking and let the steam soften them. After 15 minutes rinse under a stream of cool running water. Rub slightly and the charred skins will wash off and you will be left with a perfect roasted pepper.

Cut into strips and marinate in vinaigrette.

how to make pizza...?

2007-05-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

Recipe name: Pizza

Recipe by: Chef John V., Good Cooking, Inc.

Serving size: 3 individual 10 inch round pizzas

Preparation time: about 2 hours 30 minutes for dough

Here are some helpful hints on how to make pizza at home that will rival the pizza of Naples, Italy and the great Italian-American pizzas in the USA.

First step: the dough---

Amount/Measure/Ingredient:

1 cup milk
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons yeast
4 1/4 cups bread flour

Preparation:

Combine the milk, water, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl and heat to 110 degrees F. Add the yeast, stir well and let sit 10 minutes to develop. Add the oil and flour and mix for 8 minutes on medium low speed in a mixer. After mixing, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and proof twice, each time letting it double in bulk before knocking it down.

Second step: the shaping-------

After the dough has proofed twice, turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 3 equal portions of about 11 ounces each. Form into rounds, let them rest 10 minutes, then form into round pizza shapes. You then may place the dough on a baking pan or a wooden baker's peel used to transfer the dough on to an oven baking brick. Note* The dough will be slightly sticky, don't add extra flour, this is the way it should be.

Third step: toppings---

and baking---

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.

The classic pizza in Italy is the Margherita. It consists of crushed canned San Marzano tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, mozzarella cheese and virgin olive oil. It is then baked at a very high temperature in a wood burning oven for about 8 minutes or until it is puffed up and golden brown. You may top your pizza with anything you like, just be sure you don't alter the dough recipe and that you bake it at 500 degrees F in a pre-heated oven. It should bake for about 8 minutes or until puffy and light golden brown in color. Serve it immediately

Fourth step: done-----

Cut the pizza into 8 pieces using a pizza cutter and enjoy.

Fifth step: eating-- & the crust--