Black Pepper Cranberry-Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

I have an influx of oatmeal in my pantry…  every time I go to the store I seem to think I’m out so I buy more.  And of course when I get home I realize I have pounds of it!  (I’ve had the same experience with foil and butter…. )  So I needed to find some ways to get through it apart from my morning breakfast.

Thankfully, oatmeal can be used for a variety of healthy and tasty treats… granola and cookies being two of my favorites.  The change of seasons also makes me warm up to those heartier breakfasts and the cold harsh winter in Houston.  OK, harsh is probably overdoing it but we did get snow my first winter in Houston!  After a few not-so-subtle hints from my husband I finally had a free evening to bake up some goodies.

Home-baked cookies seem to be the perfect vehicle for little warm nuggets of heavenly pecan, walnut and macadamia.  It’s the perfect amount of crunch to balance the chewy exterior, and helps level out the sugary sweetness of plain cookies.  These are buttery, chewy and indulgent, and the hints of black pepper and nutmeg give this traditional recipe an interesting twist.  The tart cranberries contrast well with the black pepper and allow both flavors to spark while not overpowering one another.  You’ll friends will know they’re different, but they won’t know why…

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, melted (1½ sticks)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. fresh ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 1/2 cups traditional Quaker Oats (not quick cook)
• 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts (or your favorite nut)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Method

1. Remove butter from fridge and let warm to room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
3. Place chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8-10 mins.  When you kitchen smells like heaven they’re ready.
4. Remove from oven and let cool on the side.
5. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Your cookies turn out so much better with parchment paper. I don’t know why but it works and then there is less to clean up!
6. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and black pepper; set aside.
7. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until it becomes a light cream color and fluffy in texture.  The color should significantly change from when you start, so just turn up that mixer and let it go!
8. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk for 2-3 minutes until light and creamy.
9. Mix in the flour mixture until just blended.
10. Add the oats, walnuts and cranberries and mix with a wooden spoon. Mix until just blended.
11. Use a tablespoon and scoop out small balls of dough onto parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes. Do not over bake. The edges should turn very light brown, which is sometimes hard to see in the oven light, so I think I over baked these the first few times I made them.  The centers should still be slightly soft.
12. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring to a cooling rack (I usually try to eat one right off the tray and always burn myself… but it’s so worth it!
13. Repeat and enjoy!

Dry Rubbed Seared Salmon

It’s officially springtime, and with Easter passing I’m beginning to go through my lighter dishes to go with the change of seasons.  I get giddy thinking about fresh grilled corn on the cob, summer salads full of fresh veggies, pears, apples and toasted nuts, and most of all the selection of fresh fish in the local market.  One of my all time favorites is salmon, however, one badly cooked salmon can turn me off for months, so I have to choose wisely when I dine out.  The dry, chalky taste of overcooked salmon is one of the most devastating things you can be met with at the dinner table.  Similar to a burnt cookie, overcooked pasta, or a hockey puck steak, overcooked salmon is a major offense in my book.  But when it’s done well, you’ll want to have it every day of the week.  The beauty of salmon is that it can pick up a variety of flavors, teriyaki, garlic, white wine and butter, and its meaty texture lends itself to a variety of cooking methods.  I don’t recommend cooking Dover sole on the BBQ, but a salmon can stand up to this summer time classic.

The delicate crispy, golden crust that forms on the outside is a perfect contrast to the juicy, meaty flesh.  It’s a symbol of summer and health, and gets you on the track to looking stunning in your new summer swimsuit.

Perfect pan-seared salmon demands on a very hot pan. Use a heavy cast-iron skillet, which heats evenly. Warm the pan before you add the oil – either extra light virgin olive oil or vegetable oil; this trick allows the pan to get it really hot without burning the oil. A preheated pan also requires less oil.  Once you master this method you’ll be able to whip up a gourmet dinner in less than 10 minutes – golden brown outside and tender inside.   I like to serve salmon with a fresh mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, a refreshing contrast to the rich, yet delicate fish.

Ingredients

• 2 6 oz. salmon fillets (skin on) one per person
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, coarse grind
• 1 tsp. lemon pepper
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. extra light olive oil
• 2 tsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped

Method

1. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, seal, pepper, lemon pepper, and ginger.
2. Brush the salmon with olive oil on all sides.
3. Take the spice mixture and generously coat both sides of the salmon.
4. Set a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. When a drop of water skitters on the surface, add the oil.
5. Tilt the pan to coat the bottom evenly and heat until the oil is almost smoking, about 30 seconds.
6. Place the salmon skin side up in the cast iron skillet.
7. Cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes.
8. Turn the salmon and cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes on the other side.
9. Then lower heat to medium, place lid over skillet to trap heat and finish cooking an additional 2-3 minutes.
10. With a minute to go, add a tbsp. of butter and let is melt in the pan, spoon it over the top of the salmon right before you turn off the heat.
11. To check if the salmon in ready, stick a thin knife in the thickest part and gently look at the color inside.  It should be juicy and barely turning opaque.  If you over cook the fish it will be extremely dry and very white in color.
12. When salmon is cooked enough to eat safely it will lose its translucency and become opaque. It should also flake easily when tested with a fork.
13. Serve with a fresh salad and enjoy your very healthy yet tasty dinner!

Huevos Con Chorizo (Eggs with Mexican Chorizo)

Breakfast for dinner!  We all love it.  Pancakes, eggs, waffles.  Whatever it is, it always seems to taste better at night.  One of my long time favorites, scrambled eggs.  It was recently improved upon with the addition of a truly heavenly ingredient… c-h-o-r-i-z-o.  Delicious!  Soft, fluffy, gentle pillows of eggs mixed with salty, spicy chorizo.  The two balance one another our perfectly.  The Mexican spices turn this from an ordinary morning meal to a delectable dinner ready for any night of the week.

I love making this on a stressful, long day (one of those when you think it’s Thursday and it’s only Tuesday).  It helps me relax and settle down after stressful meetings, non-stop emails, long calls and conversations that seem to go round and round in circles.  It warms me to the core, and yet doesn’t leave me feeling overly full.  It’s a little but healthy and a little not (all in moderation right?)

It honestly takes 10 mins to make, from removing the eggs from the fridge to sitting down and digging in.  So save this for a busy night and end your day with ease and happiness with huevos con chorizo.

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs (3 per person)
• 10 oz. Mexican pork chorizo
• 1/3 cup heavy cream (you can substitute milk if you want a lighter version)
• 1 tsp. salt (remember, the chorizo also has a lot of salt)
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. butter
• 4 slices of sourdough bread (or whatever is your favorite)
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced

Method

1. Thinly slice a jalapeño and then set aside for garnish
2. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, cream, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat 2 medium skillets on the stove on medium heat.
4. In one pan place the Chorizo (no oil or butter needed, just the meat).
5. In a separate pan, melt the butter and olive oil on medium heat.
6. When the butter melts, add eggs and lower heat to medium low.  Continue to mix with a wooden spoon before the eggs begin to set.  This will give you creamy, British style eggs, not traditional American scrambled eggs.  British style eggs are moist, fluffy and delicate.  In other words… perfect!
7. While the eggs cook, gently stir the chorizo until cooked through.  Watch out, it might spatter so I recommend wearing an apron (I know, but after I ended up with dots of red grease all over my grey cashmere sweater I decided an Apron was much-needed).
8. Stir the eggs continuously for about 5 minutes; it’s a similar method to making risotto.  You don’t want to let the eggs set like they do when you make American style eggs.  (If you turn the burner up too high the eggs will cook faster, but you will end up with very watery, soggy tasting eggs. So be sure to keep the temperature at medium-low).
9. Remove the pan from the heat when you think they’re almost ready.  If you wait until they’re done you’ll be left with dry eggs.  Remove from heat when about 1 min from being ready.
10. Add chorizo and stir gently.
11. Toast a slice of your favorite bread.
12. Place eggs and chorizo mixture over toast, top with a few slices of jalapeño and enjoy!

Some people like really soft scrambled eggs, other people like really dry scrambled eggs. Just keep gently stirring the eggs until they look like what you think the perfect consistency is.  But I STRONGLY urge you to try them this way; I promise you won’t go back.

Texas Chili

When I started dating my boyfriend, born and raised in El Paso Texas, there was one point in our relationship when it was almost over.  It was a chilly California evening, and I was preparing dinner while he opened the latest Netflix (which we have cancelled due to their price increase – bastards!).  Beer in hand, I started to serve up my warm chili, excited as ever to dig in.  This is when the evening turned… I had made the ultimate Texas blunder.  A mistake that could not be rectified… I had put BEANS, yes, I said it, BEANS in the chili!  WHAT?!?  I was then lectured on the fine making of chili and the short list of ingredients that qualify to be a part of this dish (beans was not one of them).  Needless to say, he ate it.

I learned my lesson, and have over the years perfected my bean-less chili with just the right amount of heat and spice.  I’ve experimented with many combinations of chiles, most of which were new to me after moving to Houston, and have been delighted by the variety of flavors I can unearth.  This chili develops a hidden smoky flavor, not like barbecue, but a delicate heat with warmth and spice from Anaheim chilies, cayenne and a touch of jalapeño.  The subtle sweet tomato and flavorful tender meat warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
• 1 tbsp. light extra virgin olive oil
• I yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 3 jalapeño, finely diced with seeds removed (leave the seeds in if you like it hot)
• 2 Anaheim chilies, finely diced with seeds removed
• 3 tsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 3 tsp. cumin
• 3 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. jalapeño powder
• 1 tsp. cayenne
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt (to taste)
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground pepper (to taste)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chile and garlic
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tbsp. red pepper paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. semolina flour (for thickening)
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
• Grated cheddar cheese (topping)
• Sour cream (topping)
• Onions (topping)

Method

1. Heat a large, heavy bottom pan on the stove on medium with a tbsp. light extra virgin olive oil
2. When the pan it hot, add in diced onion and cook on medium for 5 mins
3. Add garlic, jalapeño and Anaheim chilies and cook additional 5 mins until onions are translucent
4. Add in ground beef and brown meat, use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces and turn occasionally until brown on all sides.  The meat will continue to break up as you cook it but this helps it along.
5. Brown meat, then add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, jalapeño powder, cayenne, salt and pepper and stir to coat the meat evenly
6. Add cans of tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepper paste and water and stir
7. Bring the chili to a low boil and reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes
8. Add sugar and flour and stir.  Cover again and simmer for another 30-40 minutes
9. Taste and see if you need to add more salt/pepper.  Be light-handed, you can always add more, you can never take it out. (TIP: you happen to add too much salt, the one thing that might help save your dish is to add some sugar.  It helps to mellow it out and remove some of the acidic flavor)
10. Top with cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream and serve in a large warm bowl

 

Dijon Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Onion Relish

The secret ingredient in this recipe comes from my mom.  Growing up she would make this for “family dinner” night and inevitably it would result in no leftovers and everyone asking for more.  Pork tenderloin was always one of my favorite dishes until I left home and had it in several restaurants and prepared by others not known as my mom.  Dry, bland, tough and disappointing.  It was never the same.

So, there was only one thing to do… I replicated my mom’s method and added a few of my own touches, and it’s now become a staple in my home.  Every time I make it the smells and flavors bring me back home to Sunday night dinners with my family.  It was our one night a week we would have a “proper” dinner, which my mom defined as, one, being in the “nice room”, two, using cloth napkins, and three, using double the plates (half of which didn’t go in the dishwasher).  I know because I was the designated plate dryer as my dad dunked them in scalding hot water and pass them to me with bright red fingers.  I dedicate this post to my family, and hope that it becomes a tradition in your home too.

Ingredients

• Pork tenderloin
• 2 tbsp. extra light olive oil
• 2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
• 1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp. Dijon mustard

Topping

• 1 yellow onion, sliced into thin strips
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp. extra light olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. hot ground mustard (Colman’s British hot mustard powder)
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• Sprinkle of salt (to taste)
• Sprinkle of freshly ground pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• Splash of water or stock (if needed)
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 3 tbsp. fig jam

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Heat a large heavy bottom pan on stove on medium/high.  Add mustard seeds and fennel and tilt the pan so the oil lightly covers the bottom of the pan and all the spices
3. While the oil heats up, sprinkle the pork tenderloin with salt, pepper and rosemary. Rub the spices into the meat so they don’t fall off when you drop it in the pan, it really helps flavor the tenderloin. This is your only time to season it, so if you don’t add it now it will be too late.
4. Place tenderloin in hot pan and sear on all sides.  The mustard seeds and fennel will stick to the sides of the pork as it sears.
5. Sear the pork, approximately 3 minutes per  side, and remove from pan.  Set in a roasting pan on a wire rack.
6. Let it cool for a few minutes, and then spread a thick layer of Dijon mustard over the entire tenderloin.  You might need more than 3 tbsp. Just keep spreading it on so you cover the top.
7. Place in oven and cook for 35-40 minutes
8. While the meat cooks it’s time to make the topping!
9. In the same skillet used to brown the meat, add sliced onions, garlic, salt and pepper and cook on medium/low until soft and translucent.  You may need to add a little more oil to avoid burning. 
10. Add ground mustard, mustard seed, Worcestershire and a splash of water and continue to cook down for 10 minutes on low heat.
11. You want to caramelize the onions, which is a slow and delicate process so be patient and let them cook down at a low heat.
12. Add jam and butter and stir well.  Once it’s ready, cover leave on low heat.
13. Check the pork with a meat thermometer.  Pork should reach 145°F
14. If it’s under put it back in for 10-15 minutes and check again.  It depends on the thickness of the tenderloin, so it will vary every time.
15. Once the meat has reached the right temperature remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing so the meat juices have time to redistribute.  If you cut it right away all the juice will run out of the meat and give you a very dry piece of tenderloin.
16. Slice pork and top with sweet onion sauce

This pork is flavorful enough to eat on it’s own, or add a topping, or just a simple spoonful of applesauce.  The spicy mustard keeps the pork moist and adds the perfect amount of heat to the delicate tenderloin.

Below is an alternate topping my loving boyfriend made for the following evening.  The dates disintegrated in the warm sauce resulting in a sweet jam like marmalade.

Alternate Topping

• 1 onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 jalapenos, diced
• 6 dates, chopped
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• Sprinkle of salt (to taste)
• Sprinkle of freshly ground pepper (to taste)
• 1 tbsp. butter

Thanksgiving Turkey (with some extras)

There’s one meal I don’t like to mess with, and that’s Thanksgiving.  This is not a place where I tend to experiment.  I threw together some fun appetizers, like prosciutto wrapped dates with balsamic glaze, and homemade hummus, but the main meal was pretty traditional.  I have the rest of the year to play around and make up new combinations, but on the last Thursday of November I go back to my roots with mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, gravy, roast carrots, and of course succulent, juicy turkey.

Photographer: Zoltan Sylvester

I have lots to do on Thanksgiving, so the last thing I want to be doing is mollycoddling my turkey every half hour.  Basting, tenting, covering, uncovering.  I really don’t have time for that when I’m also trying to get 6 other dishes out at the same time, not to mention trying to be somewhat social while all this goes down.  I had many willing helpers in the kitchen, but I wanted people to enjoy themselves and relax so I commandeered the stove and told everyone else to beat it.  (With love of course).  Here’s my secret ingredient… bacon.  Tasty, salty, greasy, crispy, meaty, perfect-with-almost-anything bacon. The turkey doesn’t come out tasting like one big pork rind, rather it’s a natural baster keeping the turkey juicy, tender and amazingly moist.  You can leave it alone and let it cook in the oven and you’ll have perfect turkey every time, not to mention some crispy bacon on the side.  Who wouldn’t come back to your house for Thanksgiving after serving this?!?

Ingredients

• 1 18 lb. fresh turkey (or 10, 12, 25… whatever size you need to feed all your friends and family, and leave extra’s for those lovely turkey sandwiches the following day)
• Handful fresh rosemary
• Handful fresh thyme
• Handful fresh sage leaves
• 2 large yellow onions, quartered
• 3 whole garlic bulbs, halved
• 1 large apple, quartered
• 3 stalks celery, halved
• 1 stick room temperature butter
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. freshly ground pepper
• 2-3 packets thick cut bacon

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Unwrap turkey in a clean sink, remove giblets and rinse with cold water
3. Pat dry with paper towel and pace breast side up in roasting pan (if you’re using disposable foil pans I recommend double lining it so it holds the weight of the turkey without buckling)
4. Place onions, apple, herbs, garlic and celery inside the bird.  Put as much as you can fit inside, and any leftovers just scatter around the pan around the bird.
5. Mix salt, pepper and butter in a small bowl
6. Spread butter all over bird, making sure to put as much of the butter under the skin to keep the breast moist and juicy.  You may need more butter depending on the size of the bird, don’t be skimpy!
7. Once massaged with butter, take bacon and lay slices over the entire turkey.  They should overlap slightly so that you cover the turkey.  Wrap legs and wings in bacon too so they don’t dry out
8. Cover the breast loosely with foil, don’t cover the entire turkey, just lay a small piece about the size of a dinner plate over the breast to prevent the bacon from burning
9. Place in oven and cook at 400°F for 1 hour
10. Turn down to 350°F and continue to cook for 3 1/2 hours (plus or more depending on the size)
11. Check bird with a meat thermometer, the turkey needs to reach 160°F, if it goes about 165°F remove immediately or it will start to over cook.
12. No need to baste the turkey
13. No need to re-foil it
14. No need to remove foil
15. No need to cover in water, stock, oil.  Just leave it alone.
16. Check temperature and remove when it reaches 160°F and let rest for 30-40 minutes before slicing
17. Enjoy the turkey and don’t forget a piece of crispy bacon; there should be plenty for everyone!

 

Roast Carrots with Fresh Rosemary

Brussels Sprouts Salad

 

Chicken and Dumplins

There comes a time in every couple’s relationship where one person says, “Oh, let’s have    insert dish here    for dinner” with a giddy, child-like smile… and the other person looks at them with a face like their trying to solve a very complex math problem.  Well, this happened to me when my boyfriend asked for “chicken and dumplins”.  Chicken and what?  My parents are British; I grew up eating pot roast, shepherds pie, sausage rolls and bubble and squeak.  I felt like I’d walked into an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.  I thought it might be something like Matzo ball soup, which is really isn’t, so I got my lesson in dumpling creation through unscripted directions from my boyfriend’s grandmother over the phone.  It was less than vague… something along the lines of “mix a little flour with some Crisco until it looks right”?!?  Regardless, I think I figured it out and I’ve been trying to master it ever since.

Chicken and dumplings, like most southern food, evolved out of necessity and practicality.  In the old days, chicken was a special treat and not readily available like we find today in our grocery stores.  When it was available, chickens were often scrawny little birds without a lot of meat, yet had the job of serving an entire family dinner and lunch the next day.  However, flour was in abundance and an affordable staple found in all household kitchens.  Flour could easily be used to stretch a meager meal so that an entire family would leave the table feeling full and satisfied by making biscuits, dumplings, bread or an assortment of other improvisational meal stretchers.   Today, chicken and dumplings has become an ultimate comfort food of creamy sauce, thick luscious dumplings, and shreds of moist chicken.  I like mine with lots of pepper so the sauce is speckled with little flakes of black and charcoal.

Now I’ll say up front this is a work in progress, I’ll keep you updated on my adjustments but overall this recipe delivered a very satisfying dinner.  I should also mention this is not a weeknight dinner.  It takes a bit of time so I recommend making it over the weekend, or if you decide to do it during the week, split it up into two nights and make the stock the first night and the dumplings the second.

Ingredients

Stock

• 1 whole chicken (remove giblets)
• 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 3 large carrots, roughly chopped (or 2 handfuls of baby carrots if you have them around)
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 3 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 tsp. black peppercorns
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• Water (enough to thoroughly cover the chicken and have room for all the flavorings)

Dumplings

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup whole milk (add more if mixture is too dry and won’t hold together)
• 2 eggs (This was my first attempt with the eggs, it resulted in fluffier dumplings so if you like them more dense remove the eggs and add a little more milk)
• 3/4 cup Crisco
• Extra flour for dusting

Soup

• Homemade stock (from above)
• Shredded chicken, remove skin (from above)
• 1 tbsp, freshly ground pepper
• Strips of dumplings (from above)
• 2 tbsp. corn starch
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Method

Part 1

1.  Get a large soup pot and fill half way with cold water
2. Add chicken (whole chicken but no giblets), carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary salt, and peppercorns
3. Top up with water if needed, the chicken should be completely covered and the vegetables should have enough room to float around
4. Place on stove top on high and bring to a boil
5. Once it begins boiling, lower heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours
6. Enjoy your time off, and leave the stove to do all the work.  You don’t need to do a thing!

Part 2

1. Remove pot from stove and remove chicken carefully
2. Place chicken in a bowl and let cool for 20 minutes before shredding (or you’ll burn your fingers)
3. While the chicken cools, take the stock and run it through a strainer.  Hopefully you have another large pot big enough to hold the stock, if not line up a few bowls
4. I usually transfer the stock into a Dutch oven pot so I have more room to drop the dumplings later. I have one from target and I use it ALL THE TIME!  I highly recommend purchasing one of these, you won’t regret it. Kitchen Essentials® from Calphalon® Hard Anodized Nonstick 5-qt. Covered Dutch Oven.
5. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull the meat off and discard the skin and bones.  Shred it with your hands and leave it on the side until the dumplings are ready.
6. Return stock to the stove and bring to a low simmer.  I usually reserve some of the stock on the side, I don’t use it all and then I can make another soup later that week.
7. Skim some of the oil off the top before you drop the dumplings, it helps your soup stay creamy and not oily.

Part 3 – It’s dumpling time!

1. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl
2. Cut in shortening using a pastry knife or a large fork.  Pastry makers mix in the shortening using their hands, this is my preferred method too – dip your hands in ice-cold water for a minute, then dry your hands; it helps to not melt the Crisco and the dough doesn’t stick to your hands as much.
3. Add cold milk and beaten eggs, a few spoons at a time, mixing the dough from the outside in with fork until a soft dough forms (do not over mix – about 2 minutes total). You may need to add a small amount of milk or flour at the end to adjust the consistency of the dough.  Add milk if the dough is very dry and crumbly after it’s been mixed; add flour if the dough is very sticky.
4. Sprinkle your work surface with flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
5. Roll dough out thinly, about 1/8″ thick, then slice into strips, each about 2 inches in length.
6. Lightly dust with flour and then gently drop the dumplings into the simmering chicken broth.
7. Stir them gently to prevent sticking
8. Add chicken and 1-2 tbsp of pepper and stir gently.  (Add more or less pepper depending on your taste)
9. Let cook for 15 minutes
10. Check consistency and then add 1-2 tbsp. corn starch to thicken the broth.  You want it to be nice and creamy!
11. Let simmer another 30 minutes until dumplings are cooked through
12. Add salt/pepper to taste
13. Serve in a big bowl so you get plenty of tasty dumplings!

Homemade Meatloaf with Peppers and Fresh Herbs

Please try to forget all the stereotypes of the classic meatloaf.  I know; it’s hard.  So to try and help I’ve come up with a recipe to help put all your fears of dense, hard, dry meat bricks to rest.  It’s a modern spin on a traditional comfort food, with a promise to deliver juicy, flavorful meatloaf, which will leave you sneaking back to the kitchen for seconds.

When I’m served a hot plate of meatloaf, I search for the steaming aroma of meat, onions and spice that reminds me Fall’s crisp air is just around the corner.  The sage gives off a woodsy, minty flavor that pairs well the fresh rosemary, which has a unique pine-like fragrant flavor balanced by a rich pungency, a combination that evokes both the forest and the sea.  The use of bell pepper and jalapeño gives the meatloaf a sweet and spicy contrast, and the hint of green specks is beautiful.  While some people might be looking for the ketchup crust or the homemade gravy, I turned to my magic ingredient.  Bacon.  Yes, I cover the loaf with bacon and let it crisp up in the oven, helping to keep the meat moist, tender and delicious.

Two tips I have before I get started.  First, don’t over mix the meat.  This is the biggest culprit for tough meatloaf.  You want to mix the ingredients into the meat, not knead it like bread or pasta.  If you’re gentle and quick with the meat, you’re meatloaf will be fluffy and juicy.  Second, I recommend cooking it on a baking sheet, not in a loaf pan.  The sides of the pan get hotter than the oven and tend to burn the edges.  Have fun with this and get your hands dirty,  it’ll be worth it.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 3 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed finely diced
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
• 2 tsp. ground mustard (hot Coleman’s English mustard is the best)
• 1 tbsp. fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 10 oz. packet of center cut bacon

Method

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Line a medium size baking sheet with foil and set aside for meatloaf
• In a medium skillet, heat 3 tbsp. olive oil
• Add onion, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeño.  Sprinkle with salt and stir so the oil evenly coats all the vegetables.  Leave on medium heat, stirring occasionally until onions are translucent and slightly brown.  You’re caramelizing the onions; about 10 mins.
• Remove from heat and let cool
• While vegetables cool, add meat, salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, parsley, Worcestershire, panko, ketchup, and eggs in a large bowl
• When vegetables are cool, add them to the large bowl and mix with hands (don’t try using a spoon, it’s time to use your hands!)
• Mix quickly and gently, the more you mix the tougher your meatloaf will turn out (which is why you don’t want to use a spoon).  Just mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Lay the meat on foil lined baking sheet and form into a large log
• Take the bacon and lay slices across the meat.  This will add flavor and keep the meat moist while it bakes in the oven.
• Bake for 110~130 mins until cooked through, check with an oven thermometer.  Internal temperature should reach 150°F.
• When meatloaf is cooked through, turn broiler on low, and cook for 5 mins to crisp bacon.  Stay near the kitchen and keep your eye on this, it may only take 2 minutes depending on your oven, and it will happen quickly!
• Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.  This allows the meat juices to redistribute.
• Serve with ketchup!

Sautéed Potatoes with Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes

I was on my own for dinner the other night, and I was feeling like a pile of hot, tasty French fries.  As I don’t have a fryer and don’t intend to get one, I went with the next best thing, sautéed potatoes with garlic and red pepper.  In the end, they turned out much better than any French fries, and for some reason I felt better about eating them, even if I did finish the whole plate!

I like my potatoes with a nice, crispy coating, but they’re still soft and creamy in the inside.  The only way to achieve this is to go low and slow.  If you brown the potatoes too quickly, they won’t get cooked in the middle, so you need a little patience.  I’ve tried par boiling the potatoes before sautéing, but they always seem to fall apart, so I just cut them up and drop them in the pan raw, that way they have a nice bite but still get cooked through.  The vibrant color of the purple potatoes will turn any sautéed potatoes into a gourmet dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. golden Yukon potatoes, cut into bite size pieces (1-inch pieces)
• 1 lb. purple baby potatoes, cut into bite size pieces (1-inch pieces)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and diced
• 1 – 1 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
• 1 tsp. salt, to taste
• 1 tsp. pepper, to taste

Method

• Rinse potatoes under cold water; drain and pat dry
• Cut potatoes into bite size pieces, leave the skin on
• Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat
• Add potatoes once the oil is hot, sprinkle with salt and pepper
• Watch the potatoes and turn frequently for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Add garlic and red pepper flakes and toss until evenly coated
• Cover and reduce heat to low. Cool, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
• Remove from heat and add parsley, stir until evenly coated
• Add additional salt and pepper to taste
• Let cook for a few minutes before digging in, they’ll be very hot!

Cumin Crusted Pork Chop with Peach Salsa

I love a well-cooked pork chop (not well done, but one that’s cooked by someone who knows what they’re doing), but a dried out one can ruin the meal, and put me off pork chops for months.  This is one of those recipes that will make you love them, and hopefully encourage you to get out of your usual rut of ground beef and chicken (I know I get in those).

This Latin-inspired combination of flavors is great for the summer.  It’s light but fulfilling. The smoky, crispy cumin crust on the pork couples amazingly with the heat and sweetness of the salsa.  I paired this with some wild rice and broccoli and there you have it, one healthy, all around balanced meal!

I picked up some fresh peaches, but the nectarines and plumes looked delicious and could easily be substituted in the below recipe.

Ingredients                                                                                                                                                                                                        Salsa

• 4 peaches ripe but firm, peeled, pitted and diced (you can leave the skin on if it’s tender)
• 1/4 red onion, finely diced
• 2 tbsp canned chipotle chiles in adobo, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Pork Chops

• 3 tbsp ground cumin
• 3 pork chops, bone in or out, it’s your preference
• 2 tbsp olive oil (and a little more for the pan if needed)
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp pepper

Method

• For the salsa, in medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss lightly and leave on the side for later.
• Preheat cast iron skillet to medium high, you will know when it’s ready when you slash a drop of water on the pan and it sizzles away (I used a cast iron pan and it have the chops a great sear, you can also cook these on the grill)
• Rub chops with oil, sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper.
• Place pork chops in hot pan with a little more olive oil.  These should sizzle away!
• Leave for 6-8 minutes depending on the thickness and turn
• Cook an additional 6-8 minutes.  The temperate of pork should reach about 140 when it’s done
• Remove from skillet and top with peach salsa.
• Consume!

I’m from California so I’m still getting used to the spicy chilies.  To tablespoons of chipotle was plenty for me, but you can add a little more if you’re a Texas native.