Artichoke Bottoms Gratinée...

The fleshy base section of the artichoke is referred to as the artichoke bottom. The artichoke is a tall plant that is a relative of the thistle plant and native to Mediterranean regions, but is also grown in other parts of the world. It consists of tough, pointed, green leaves that are tightly packed around a gray-green base or bottom. It is the fleshy base of the leaves and the fleshy center or heart of the artichoke that are the sections of the plant most suitable for eating. Artichoke bottoms have a tender texture and flavorful taste, similar to the artichoke heart. The bottoms, like the heart, can be served as snacks, appetizers or as a tasty ingredient for salads and other side dishes.

Over the years that I have been cooking, the artichoke is one ingredient that I love to add to many of my recipes. I have added them to chicken pot pie, I’ve stuffed them and I put them into omelets. As stated above, they are very versatile and full of flavor. It should be noted also that artichokes have useful medical properties, like reducing cholesterol levels, which diminishes the risk for arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

What I like about this recipe is that the most laborious part of it is opening the can of artichokes. So, get ready to put up your feet and sip something cool while you wait for this to cook.



Artichoke Bottoms Gratinée

Ingredients:
1 15-ounce can artichoke bottoms, rinsed, drained, and patted dry
1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon grated lemon peel
½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Arrange the artichoke bottoms concave side up in a lightly greased baking dish. Combine the remaining ingredients except for the line nuts in a small bowl and stir to combine. Spoon the cheese mixture into the artichoke bottoms and sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs on top. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6

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George’s notes:

• The origin of artichokes is unknown, though they are said to have come from the North Africa, where they are still found in the wild state. The seeds of artichokes, probably cultivated, were found during the excavation of Mons Claudianus in Egypt during the Roman period.
• Baby artichokes are fully mature artichokes that grow closer to the ground, sheltered by the larger leaves on the plant. They are easy to cook and prepare because the inner fuzzy portion of the choke does not develop.
• A gratinée is any dish that is topped with cheese or bread crumbs mixed with bits of butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy. The terms au gratin or gratinée refer to any dish prepared in such a manner.

Muffin or Donut...

I've made muffins, and I’ve made doughnuts; and now I have made muffin doughnuts – or to put it more clearly, muffins that taste like doughnuts. Whether you spell ‘doughnut’ as such or ‘donut,’ it is a culinary testament to the glory of deep-frying. Throw anything edible in a pot of hot oil and its deliciousness factor spikes up several notches.

But deep-frying is a lot of work, and sometimes I’m not in the mood to knead dough, wait for it to rise, then shape, let rise again, fiddle with the temperature of oil, and finally cook the darn things. My appetite is as impatient as I am and when it’s feeding time, it’s feeding time. As you well know, frying is an art form that comes about only through practice and untold gallons of cooking oil.

Wanting to bake something for breakfast this morning, but not wanting to make yet another batch of scones; I dug out a recipe that’s as intriguing as it is tempting ~ muffin doughnuts: muffins that taste like doughnuts. It didn’t take me long to get in the kitchen and soon, the flour is flying.

Remarkably easier to make than regular doughnuts, these doughnut muffins are made like a cake: butter and sugar beaten together, eggs mixed in one at a time, and then the wet and dry ingredients are added alternately in five additions. This method, also known as the creaming method, produces a crumb that’s soft and cake-like with a pleasingly crunchy top.

In my baking, I discover that nutmeg is the “secret ingredient” in making anything taste old-fashioned, especially doughnuts. It’s responsible for that great flavor that I can’t quite put my finger on.

Using a large ice cream scoop, I place the batter in a regular muffin pan, filling it until the batter is even with the rim of the cup. If you like muffins with a domed top just like the commercial ones, then mound most of the batter in the middle.

These muffins don’t really give off any heady aromas while baking, no hint of the lip-smacking goodness that awaits. They’re done when they’re firm to the touch. I’m supposed to wait until the muffins are “cool enough to handle,” but because I possess what I’ve been told are “asbestos hands,” I pick the muffins up as soon as they come out of the oven and dip them into a waiting bowl of melted butter. I try brushing on the butter with a pastry brush but the butter doesn’t adhere as well as just dunking the muffin into the butter. It’s this lustrous glaze that satisfyingly mimics the “just fried” taste of a regular doughnut. A quick smooch with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and these delectable babies are ready to go.

Pairing it with my double beaker of fresh brewed coffee and browsing my favorite blogs, I am in doughnut muffin paradise. I think it's the buttery crumb merging with the steam that escapes from its divine depths, that creates this glorious place with every bite. Obviously, I can’t mistake this for a real doughnut, not even cake doughnuts, but it surely tasted incredible satisfying.



Muffin Doughnuts
Adapted from a recipe in Southern Living, 2008

Ingredients:
1½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1¾ cups sugar
4 large eggs
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1⅔ cups milk
¼ cup buttermilk

For dipping:
1 cup unsalted butter; more as needed
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Put a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degree F.

In a stand mixer or a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just mixed in. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Combine the milk and buttermilk. With a wooden spoon, mix a quarter of the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Then mix in a third of the milk mixture. Continue mixing in the remaining dry and wet ingredients alternately, ending with the dry. Mix until well combined and smooth, but don't over mix. Grease and flour a standard-size muffin tin. Scoop enough batter into each tin so that the top of the batter is even with the rim of the cup, about ½ cup. A large ice-cream scoop gives you the perfect amount. Bake the muffins until firm to the touch, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Melt the butter for the dipping mixture. Combine the sugar and cinnamon. When the muffins are just cool enough to handle, remove them from the tin, dip them into or brush them all over with the melted butter, and then roll them in the cinnamon sugar.

You don't have to bake all the muffins right away; the batter will keep, covered and chilled, for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Makes 24

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George’s notes:

• Doughnuts have been around for centuries. Archaeologists turned up several petrified fried cakes with holes in the center in prehistoric ruins in the Southwestern United States. How these early Native Americans prepared their doughnuts is unclear.
• There is a very popular half-truth in doughnut lore centered on a very real sea captain and his mother. In 1847, Elizabeth Gregory was known in her New England circle to make a very fine olykoek. Her secret was to add a hint of nutmeg and fill the center with hazelnuts or walnuts. She even had a special name for her creation -- dough-nuts.
• Olykoek, also known as Oily Cakes, are sweet dough balls fried in pork fat. Made by the Dutch in the mid-19th century, olykoeks were predecessors of the modern donut.
• Muffins are generally, but not always, quick breads - meaning that a leavening agent other than yeast is used to make the bread rise. Muffins are made with a variety of flours, fruits and nuts and are baked in a muffin pan. Traditionally, muffins are sweet to a degree, but savory muffins are not completely uncommon.

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy...

The other day, I had a post about one of my favorite entrées when I am entertaining; which I call Celebration Pork. I usually like to have at least one side that I know all my guest will find comfort in ~ something that they are familiar with. That way, they feel at home.

For this particular dinner, I served as my comfort side, garlic mashed potatoes with a unique cider gravy. Here are the recipes I used.



Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Thyme

Ingredients:
8 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter
1 head garlic, halved horizontally
12 sprigs fresh thyme
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

Place the potatoes in a large pot and add cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and add 2 teaspoons salt. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 16 to 18 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.

Meanwhile, place the milk, cream, butter, garlic, and thyme in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Set aside until the potatoes are cooked.

Strain the milk mixture into the pot with the potatoes. Add ¾ teaspoon salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper and mash. Sprinkle with the nutmeg before serving.

Serves 8


Hard Cider Gravy

Ingredients:

Drippings from a pork roast
1 cup hard cider or dry white wine
2 to 3 cups chicken broth
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Strain the drippings into a large measuring cup or bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes, then skim off and discard the fat. The drippings are coming from your pork roast or tenderloins.

Place the empty pan over 2 burners on medium-high heat. Add the cider and cook for 1 minute, scraping up the bits stuck to the pan. Pour into the skimmed drippings and add enough broth to make a total of 4 cups.

Make a roux by melting the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the flour, whisking, until golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the broth mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve in a gravy boat.

Serves 8

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George’s notes:

• Being from James Brown’s hometown, I remember he had a “mash potato” related hit song call Do the Mash Potato. It is said that James featured the dance prominently in his live performances during the 1950s and '60s.
• Gravy is thought to have originated in Egypt around 3000 B.C. Hieroglyphs in the tomb of Djer, an early first dynasty pharoah, at Umm el-Qa'ab are said to resemble Classical Greek clay vessels, from which the modern French gravy boat was ultimately developed. Paintings on the walls of the tomb depicting feasting show the diners (presumably members of the royal court) drinking a liquid, however the context does not lend itself to wine, beer or blood.

Ratatouille ~ Roasted not stirred

Last week I commented on a blog, that Ratatouille was my favorite animated film; some how I really relate to behind the scenes of a commercial kitchen from my days working as a freelance chef at a large catering firm in Connecticut. But that’s a long story for another time.

When it comes to the classic French Provençal vegetable stew, ratatouille, I prefer it roasted not stirred. What I mean is I’d rather eat ratatouille that’s been cooked in the oven where the vegetables are left alone to slowly roast in their own juices, than ratatouille that’s been made on the stove-top where the vegetables are often overcooked and stirred to a mush.

Until quite recently I’d only ever made ratatouille on the stove-top. The results had always been very palatable, but not what I would describe as overwhelmingly good. I’d always put this down to the fact that I wasn’t cooking each vegetable separately, a method that some recipes recommend to preserve the integrity of each vegetable. But I’d never had the time or inclination to test that theory.

Being a big fan of oven-roasted dishes, and armed with the necessary ingredients of eggplants, tomatoes, zucchinis, peppers and onions, I was inspired to create this roasted ratatouille. Unhampered by excessive stirring, the vegetables develop a deliciously sweet roasted flavor and wonderful texture that rise above any stove-top ratatouille I’ve ever tasted.

Since this roasted ratatouille revelation, it’s become one of my favorite “set and forget” oven-baked dishes and has revolutionized my culinary repertoire with its sheer versatility. Just as good hot, warm or cold, this ratatouille can be prepared ahead and kept covered in the fridge until you’re ready to roast. Once cooked, the leftovers, which are unlikely, taste even better over the next day or two.

To date I’ve served roasted ratatouille: tossed with pasta and white beans; nestled on a baguette with brie, which is a heavenly appetizer! Or served on the side of grilled tuna; used as a pizza topping with anchovies and olives; and served over polenta.

I’m sure there are dozens of other ways you could use this ratatouille, and if you can think of any I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.

Bon appétit!



Roasted Ratatouille

Ingredients:
14 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ teaspoon dried thyme
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
2 red peppers’ cut into strips
1 green pepper, cut into strips
2 yellow squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 zucchini, cut into half-inch rounds
½ eggplant cut into 1-inch cubes

Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

Mix together the canned tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, sugar, parsley and thyme until combined.

Oil a baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Start by layering a quarter of the sliced onion in the bottom of the baking dish then top with a quarter each of red and green peppers, squash, zucchini and eggplant. Spoon a quarter of the tomato mixture and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each layer.

Repeat the process to make 4 layers. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, then uncover and bake for a further 15 minutes.

Serves 4

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George’s notes:

• A challenge for the filmmakers of Ratatouille was creating computer-generated food animations that would appear delicious. Gourmet chefs in both the U.S. and France were consulted.
• The film was nominated for five Academy Awards including Original Score, Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay and Animated Feature Film, winning only the last one.
• Ratatouille originated in the area around present day Province & Nice.

Penne with Roasted Pear & Goat Cheese

I have been trying to eat lighter, so I always ask my local vendors “What’s good today?” At a recent trip to my favorite cheese shop, the young lady helping me mentioned enthusiastically that they had just received a great goat cheese from a local farm ~ Granny’s Homestead Dairy. I must say that this cheese has a very creamy texture and a subtle tangy flavor from the goat’s milk.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy goat cheese is with a good, fresh pear. So I eagerly scouted the markets, hoping to find that perfect piece of complementary fruit. However, while it may be a great time of year for goat cheese, it seems the pears aren’t on quite the same schedule. The pears at my neighborhood supermarkets have been a little on the hard side recently—they may look great in the produce display, but are often just a little too firm to eat right away. At least, not without a little help—roasting them in the oven is an easy way to soften them and bring out additional flavor as well.

For a quick one-dish meal at home, I combined some crumbled goat cheese with roasted pears, walnuts, a couple of handfuls of greens and penne pasta. This is wonderful served warm, or as a cold salad the next day. Enjoy!



Penne with Roasted Pear, Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Ingredients:
8 ounce pasta, such as penne
2 pears, ripe but firm
1 tablespoon plus 3½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Juice of half a lemon
½ cup baby arugula
½ cup baby spinach
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
Pinch of sea salt

Preheat oven to 425 degree F. Slice the pear into thin wedges, leaving the skin on and removing the center core. Toss with one tablespoon of olive oil, coating lightly, then place in baking dish and roast in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, stir again, and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes. Allow to cool, then cut into smaller bite sized pieces.

Mix together the remaining 3½ tablespoons of olive oil with the balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Cook penne according to package directions. Drain pasta and mix in the olive oil-vinegar-lemon juice mixture, then mix in the chopped pears, arugula and baby spinach. If desired, add a little sea salt to taste. Divide among plates and top with crumbled goat cheese and chopped walnut pieces.

Serves 6

Option: Skip the pasta and just serve with extra greens as a salad.

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George’s notes:

• Goat cheese, sometimes called chèvre, is a cheese product made from the milk of goats. Goat cheese comes in a wide variety of forms, although the most common is a soft, easily spread cheese. Goat cheese can also be made in hard aged varieties as well as semi firm cheeses like feta. Goat cheese is especially common in the Middle East, Africa, and some Mediterranean countries, where the hardy goat survives in areas where cows cannot.
• Goat cheese softens when exposed to heat, although it does not melt in the same way that many cow cheeses do. Firmer goat cheeses with rinds are sometimes baked in the oven to form a gooey warm cheese which is ideal for spreading on bread with roasted garlic, or alone.
• Recent studies show that cheese made from goat milk has more protein than cheese made from cow's milk, and is actually very similar to that of human breast milk.

Asparagus, Parmesan, Tuna Frittata...

Eggs…they’re not just for breakfast anymore! I’m one of those people who can gladly eat eggs at any meal—one of my favorite no-brainer suppers is an omelet with a quick salad or vegetable dish on the side.

A frittata is like an Italian version of an omelet—however, the ingredients are mixed into the egg, rather than folded into the center as a filling. Traditionally, frittatas are cooked first in a pan on the stovetop, then popped under the broiler for a few minutes to brown. At the end of a long work day though, I like to keep things easy—I just bake my frittata in the oven and cook everything in one simple step.

You can pretty much throw anything into a frittata, and they are a great way to use up leftover vegetables or whatever items you have rattling around your refrigerator or pantry. I like using vegetables, since I always seem to have a few stray ones in the fridge. Sometimes I often added sausage, but canned tuna, cooked potatoes, shredded prosciutto and leftover pasta are also tasty filling ingredients.

Basically, it’s all up to you and your imagination or the contents of your refrigerator can be your guide. Here is one of my simple frittata ideas to try. Hope you enjoy!



Asparagus, Parmesan, Tuna Frittata

Ingredients:
6 large eggs
1 cup milk
Pinch of sea salt
1 small (3 oz) can tuna, flaked and drained
~ I use a good quality albacore tuna
8 blanched asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Olive oil for the baking dish

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly oil an 8-inch baking dish (round or square, it doesn’t matter) with olive oil. Beat the eggs, milk and salt in a large bowl. Stir in tuna, asparagus pieces, and shredded parmesan. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until set.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.

Serves 6

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George’s notes:

• Eggs are considered a good source of protein and choline. Because of this, the egg falls in the Meats category under the Food Guide Pyramid.
• Bird eggs have been valuable foodstuff since prehistory, in both hunting societies and more recent cultures where birds were domesticated. The Romans crushed the shell in their plate to prevent evil spirits from hiding there.
• The egg carton was invented by Joseph Coyle in Smithers, British Columbia, to solve a dispute about broken eggs between a farmer in Bulkley Valley and the owner of the Aldermere Hotel. Early egg cartons were made of paper.
• The albacore, Thunnus alalunga, is a type of tuna in the family Scombridae. This species is also called albacore fish, albacore tuna,albicore, longfin, albies, pigfish, tombo ahi, binnaga, Pacific albacore, longfin tuna, longfin tunny, or even just tuna. It is the only tuna species which can be marketed as "white meat tuna" in the United States.

Dark Chocolate Sorbet...

I really don't like Mondays, but today it seems I'm completely justified in feeling this way. According to the experts, February is the bluest month of the year, when the sky is anything but ~ today in Georgia it's rainy, dark and grey. Also, usually by now, my New Year's resolutions have been broken and the post-Christmas credit card statement has come ~ yikes, I spent how much on that country ham? Plus, I woke with a slight sinus headache, which has nothing to do with it being 'blue', but is dispiriting nonetheless.

Tempting as it is to pull the covers back over my head and hide indefinitely, life must go on. So, how am I going to pull through the day? With some good mood food ~ food that might not traditionally be considered healthy but, to be technical about it, gets the happy bits of one’s brain buzzing.

Chocolate is high in endorphins and serotonin, the brain's antidepressant, so I'll make the ultimate sacrifice and hunt down something gratuitously chocolaty. Here are 5 foods to help you feel fantastic.

• Blueberries ~ The ultimate immune-boosting food. Rich in anti-oxidants.
• Broccoli ~ Guards against cancer and is rich in a wide range of anti-oxidants, vitamins C and E, folate and iron.
• Carrots ~ High in carotenes, known to boost the immune system.
• Grapefruit ~ Has immune-boosting, antiseptic, wound-healing and anti-bacterial properties.
• Garlic ~ Strengthens the heart and blood, and has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Also thought to help lower blood pressure. A key ingredient is allicin, which has cancer-fighting potential.

For lunch, I'll spice it up with a big bowl of Firehouse Chili that I happily froze several weeks ago. Chili, like chocolate, releases endorphins, and generally makes you feel more alert and less likely to dive back into bed. Then I will top it off with this Dark Chocolate Sorbet I made yesterday.

All of this should help me feel ready to tackle Tuesday. Which in the words of my favorite southern belle, Scarlet O’Hara… “after all, tomorrow is another day!”



Dark Chocolate Sorbet

Ingredients:
3 tablespoon corn syrup
2¼ cup water
¾ cup sugar
7 ounce bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2½ ounce coco powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoon brandy (optional)

Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a pot and bring to a full boil.
Combine the chopped chocolate, salt, and coco in a large bowl.

Slowly pour ⅓ of the hot sugar syrup into the bowl of chocolate and whisk thoroughly. Continue adding the syrup and whisking in 2 more additions. The mixture may seize up when you first add the syrup, but it will come together.

Stir in the vanilla and brandy. Strain the base through a fine sieve and chill until completely cold. The base will thicken slightly.

Once base is completely cold, churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions.

Serves 12


What foods boost your mood? And how are you coping with Blue Monday-itis? All tips gratefully received!

__________

George’s note:

• There's actually a scientific explanation behind those dreaded Monday morning blues. Our internal clocks naturally operate on a day that is longer than 24 hours. By the time Monday rolls around each week, we've built up a sleep deficit of at least an hour. Of course, the weekend revelries and facing another work week don't help matters.
• The blues is a form of music that started in the United States during the start of the 20th century. It was started by former slaves from spirituals, praise songs, and chants. The first blues songs were called Delta Blue. These songs came from the area near the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Celebration Pork...

I descend from a long line of entertainers. My family believes that the best way to demonstrate our affection for others is to throw a dinner party. From the time I learned to walk, I've passed hors d'oeuvres and daydreamed about the menus I would serve when I ruled my own roost.

Over the years, as I've experimented with any number of world cuisines and seasonings, the beef tenderloin has proven infinitely versatile. Another crowd-pleasing favorite is my pork roast stuff with apples & apricots and basted in a apple cider.

No matter whether I've given the roast a Hawaiian or a traditional Southwest makeover, it never fails to cast an aroma-therapeutic spell over the guests. The savory smells that waft into the living room over cocktail hour have the bewitching effect of advance-hyping the meal and inspiring chef-assisting offers that can carry over the whole night from plate running to bussing and dishwashing.

For a final and virtuously thrifty hurrah, there is no more appropriate way to honor the previous night's leftovers than to give it a second life as a homemade barbeque pork sandwiches; the added sweetness of the fruit really gives the barbeque sauce a tweak.

So, breakout the fine china & stemware give the house a quick clean and invite your dearest and nearest over for an evening of relaxed fine dinning and let the fun begin.



Apple-Apricot Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients
2 medium apple, chopped
2 cup, dried apricots, chopped
¾ cup bread crumbs
½ cup celery, finely chopped
4 tablespoons golden raisins
4 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
4 tablespoons scallions, chopped including greens
¼ teaspoon Cardamom
¼ cup apple cider
2 pork tenderloin about 12 ounce each, trimmed
6 stripes of applewood cured bacon

Sauce:
1 cup apple cider
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup dried apricots, finely chopped

Stuffing: Combine the apples, apricots, bread crumbs, celery, raisins, walnuts, scallions and Cardamom together. Stir in the apple cider. Set aside.


Butterfly the pork tenderloin - make a single lengthwise cut down the center of the narrow edge, cutting to within ½ inch of the other side. Spread the meat open. At the center of the tenderloin, make one perpendicular slit to the right of the V and one to the left. Cover the meat with plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to ½ inch thickness.

Spread the stuffing over the meat. Roll up and wrap wit bacon stripe; then tie with string to secure. Brush the meat with apple cider.

In a 350 degree oven, place the meat in a roasting pan, uncovered, and roast for 1 hour or until meat is no longer pink. Baste the meat once after 30 minutes of cooking.

Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, cornstarch, cinnamon and apricots. Over medium-high heat cook; stirring until thickened and bubbling.

Serve 3 one-inch slices with the sauce over top.

Serves 6

__________

George’s notes:

• As with all animals that walk on four legs, the tenderloin refers to the muscle along the central spine portion, which more or less hangs between the shoulder blade and hip socket. This is the most tender part of the animal, because the muscles that support the inner organs are not used for locomotion.
• Although often thought of as a "subtropical" fruit, this is actually false – the apricot is native to a continental climate region with cold winters, although it can grow in Mediterranean climates very well. The tree is slightly more cold-hardy than the peach, tolerating winter temperatures as cold as −30 °C or lower if healthy.
• Dreaming of apricots, in English folklore, is said to be good luck. But for American tank-driving soldiers, apricots are taboo, by superstition. Tankers will not eat apricots, allow apricots onto their vehicles, and often will not even say the word "apricot". This superstition stems from Sherman tank breakdowns purportedly happening in the presence of cans of apricots.

Almond Cherry Chocolate Muffins...

I think breakfast is my favorite meal ~ but that totally depends on what's for dinner. Usually my morning ritual is sipping a double beaker of hot coffee with a splash of cream for color while browsing the blogs I follow and reading through various online newspapers, both here in the U.S. and London; just to see what has happen during the night. Then with my second cup, I will fix breakfast.

Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day. It gives you energy and keeps your appetite in check until dinner. Unfortunately, almost no one has time to eat it. One solution to the modern breakfast dilemma isn't faster fast food, but a mainstay of home baked goodies; like scones, biscuits, quick breads, granola and my favorite ~ muffins. These baked goods are quick to assemble and quick to bake or made a day ahead; they can be sweet, savory, full of fruit and nuts, or plain.

Quick breads are the friend of the busy breakfast lover. You can bake a batch of muffins or scones in the evening or on the weekend and freeze them to preserve their just-baked freshness; which really works. Pull one out of the freezer before bed or a couple of hours before you want to eat and grab it on your way out the door. Even if you can't help eating on the run, at least you can add some whole grains and nutrients to your homemade goodies instead of buying food that is just dessert masquerading as breakfast.

Back in the mid-90's, I was the chef at a gourmet coffee shop in Ridgefield, CT. This was pre-Starbucks on every street corner. Bright and early ~ 4:01 AM ~ I rose and headed to the shop to make the muffins, scones and croissants before the shop opened at 7 o’clock. Daily I had my usual stand-by items requested by my loyal customers and then I would make one or two “special goodies” like my Pain au Chocolat and these Almond Cherry Chocolate Muffins.

The muffin recipe below is quick and easy to make; so, don't be surprised when your family ~ even the chronic breakfast skipper starts to request home baked treats.



Almond Cherry Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients:
½ cup butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs
¾ cup buttermilk
¼ teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped cherries (fresh or dried)
3 oz chocolate, finely chopped
½ cup sliced almonds, for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prep your muffin tin with liners, or grease well with PAM.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Add buttermilk and almond extract.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda.

Add the flour mixture, cherries, and chocolate to your butter/sugar mixture; gently stirring until just combined. Being careful not to over mix your batter.

Fill your muffin cups about ¾ full. Sprinkle top of muffins with sliced almonds.

Bake for 15-22 minute, depending on your oven. For me 18 minutes is the magic number. Remove from oven a let them cool on a wire rack before removing from the muffin tin.

Makes 12 muffins

__________

George’s notes:

• The word breakfast is a compound of "break" and "fast," referring to the conclusion of fasting since the previous day's last meal.
• Nutritional experts have referred to breakfast as the most important meal of the day; based on studies of the large numbers of people who skip breakfast, to adverse effect on their concentration, metabolism and weight.

If breakfast baking sounds good to you, but you question your baking know-how, fear not. All you need is three basic principles:

1. measure flour correctly
2. mix with a light hand
3. don't overbake

Dover Sole...

In my quest to eat more fish and seafood, here is one of the simplest sole recipes I could find. Dover Sole is regarded the Rolls-Royce of the fish world. It is the tastiest variety of the sole family with its firm, deliciously delicate flesh. Dover sole has a thick but flat body with a flesh that tastes clean, light and sweet. It has long been a favorite in French cuisine, but it is also an American classic and a fish that is popular in most restaurants.

Sole is a dream to work with in the kitchen, holding together well during cooking. The darker skin can be peeled off with little effort to reveal a thick flesh that can be easily filleted. It is incredibly versatile and can be baked, fried, poached or grilled.

This is a deliciously light dish but packed full of flavors. The capers that I added brings a nice bit of acidity along with the wine without over-powering the rest of the dish. I sautéed some fresh spinach to act as a bed for the sole; which also helps to absorb the sauce.



Baked Dover Sole

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
2 Dover sole fillets, about 12 oz each
½ cup white wine
¼ cup capers, drained
1½ pound fresh baby spinach
pinch cayenne pepper
chopped fresh parsley

Preheat the oven to 425 degree F. Butter a roasting pan so that you can lay the Dover sole side by side.

Pour the wine over the fish and dot any remaining butter over the top. Season with a twist or two of fresh ground black pepper.

Bake for about 20 minutes - the fish should just come away from the bone.
Remove and keep warm.

While the fish is cooking, sauté the spinach in a little olive oil until wilted.

When you have removed the fish from the roasting pan, add the capers and cayenne pepper to the cooking juices. Heat until the capers are warmed through.

Stir in the parsley and then serve the Dover sole over the sautéed spinach with some buttered Fingerling potatoes ~ ladling the caper sauce over the Dover sole.

This is the simplest of sole recipes - you could substitute any flat fish here - try flounder, lemon sole, tilapia - anything really.

Serves 2

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George’s notes:

• Dover sole is the most delectable of the flatfish, which is quite surprising once you know that it spends most of its life buried shallowly in the sand gazing up at its prey, which consists of sea worms and tiny marine organisms of the sea bed. Its gaze, of course, is another weird thing. Like all flatfish it begins life as a regular little fry, with eyes on either side of its spine, and ends up as an adult with both eyes on one side and its mouth rather askew.
• The salted and pickled caper bud is often used as a seasoning or garnish. Capers are a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, especially Italian. The mature fruit of the caper shrub is also prepared similarly, and marketed as caper berries.
• Capers are pickled or boiled and preserved in jars with brine cf. caper buds. Caper leaves are excellent in salads and in fish dishes. Dried caper leaves are also used as a substitute for rennet in the manufacturing of high quality cheese.

Mongolian Beef...

The Year of the Tiger began Sunday, February 14th and was brought in with fireworks shows around the world. While I am not Chinese, I have an appreciation for the variety of styles and flavors that Chinese cooking encompasses. I recently received a copy of Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking for my birthday.

Eileen’s book is filled with specialty recipes that range from the familiar to the completely new: Wuxi Braised Pork Ribs, Fujian Red Rice Wor Bah, XO Sauce, Mu Shu Pork, and Beijing Baked Breads, to name a few. What is helpful, each section is accompanied by its own shopping list, techniques, and basic recipes.

For the ultimate payoff of delicious food, you'll need patience and perseverance; the book demands dedication. Then again, if Chinese cuisine were so easy to master, would Lo have devoted more than 300 pages to the topic? In the words of James Beard, who is quoted in the book: "In all the world there is only two really great cuisines: the Chinese and the French. China's…is the most complicated cuisine; it uses ingredients no other employs; and it is distinctive in that, for the most part, it is cuisine à la minute."

My challenge is to try a wide variety of her recipes and see if my taste buds can handle some of the hotter dishes. I decided last night to start in Mongolia with a modest spicy taste. It turned out quite delicious and an easy recipe to follow.

Here's wishing everyone a prosperous new year: Gong Xi Fa Cai!



Mongolian Beef

Ingredients:
1 pound flank steak
1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine
4 garlic cloves; finely minced
6 whole green onions
12 small dried red chilies, crushed
¼ cup Peanut oil

Wok Sauce
1 teaspoon minced tangerine zest
⅓ cup freshly-squeezed tangerine juice
¼ cup Chinese rice wine
2 tablespoons Oyster sauce
1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Cut the flank steak lengthwise into ¼ -inch-wide strips. Cut the strips in half. In a small bowl, combine the flank steak with the hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, and garlic. Mix thoroughly to coat flank steak. Cover and refrigerate the flank steak for at least 15 minutes but not longer than 8 hours.

Cut the green onions on a sharp diagonal into 1½ -inch lengths. Combine and set aside the green onions and the dried chilies.

Set aside the peanut oil.

In a small bowl, combine the wok sauce ingredients and set aside.

All advance preparation may be completed up to 8 hours before you begin the final cooking steps.

Place a wok over the highest heat. When the wok is very hot, add half the cooking oil. Roll the oil around to coat the inside, and when the oil gives off just a wisp of smoke, add the flank steak. Stir and toss the flank steak until it loses its raw exterior color, about 1 minute. Immediately transfer the flank steak to a plate.

Immediately return the wok to the highest heat. Add the remaining peanut oil and, when the oil is hot, add the green onions and chilies. Stir and toss until the green onions brighten, about 2 minutes.

Stir the wok sauce, and pour into the wok. Return the flank steak to the wok, stir and toss until all the ingredients are glazed with sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Immediately transfer the stir-fry to a heated platter or 4 heated dinner plates and serve.

Serves 4

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George’s notes:

• Mongolian cuisine refers to the local culinary traditions of Mongolia and styled dishes. The extreme continental climate has affected the traditional diet, so the Mongolian cuisine primarily consists of dairy products, meat, and animal fats. Use of vegetables and spices is limited. Due to geographic proximity and deep historic ties with China and Russia, Mongolian cuisine is also influenced by Chinese and Russian cuisine.
• With the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Mongolia under the Bogd Khaan declared independence in 1911. However, the equally newly established Republic of China claimed Mongolia as part of its own territory.
• Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most.

Beignets (Ben-YAYS!)...

Today is Ash Wednesday, so you might be expecting a recipe for fasting, but I am in more of a Mardi Gras mood. So instead of a recipe for King Cake, I offer you the quintessential New Orleans doughnut.

In France, a beignet is fruit that is dipped in batter and fried; what we would call a fritter. I recently posted a great Apple Fritter that is worth a look. But in the United States, beignet means New Orleans, the French Quarter, the Café du Monde and chicory coffee. Beignets have been served at the Café du Monde since 1862, just after the Civil War. Some say the chicory coffee was made extra strong to discourage unaccustomed Northern palates from partaking. It’s a little snotty, not the usual southern hospitality ~ wouldn’t you say? The beignet itself, and the tradition of sweet fried dough, are thought to have been imported by French nuns in the 1700's.

Is there anything quite like a fresh out of the deep fryer beignet with a cup of thick chicory coffee? No matter who you make these Beignets for, they are going to love them. My beignets aren’t Café du Monde beignets, which are a baking powder-based beignets; my recipe is for a yeast beignets. However, just as there are “cake” doughnuts and “raised” doughnuts, there are baking powder beignets and yeasted beignets. Chacun à son goût... Variety is the spice of life!



Beignets

Recipe from Kit Whol’s New Orleans Classic Desserts

Ingredients:
1 cup lukewarm water
¼ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, room temperature & beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
½ cup evaporated milk
4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast
Vegetable oil*
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

* Use just enough vegetable oil to completely cover beignets while frying.

Using a mixer with a dough hook, place water, sugar, salt, egg, butter, evaporated milk, flour, and yeast in the bowl. Beat until smooth. If using a bread machine, select dough setting and press Start. When dough cycle has finished, remove dough from pan and turn out onto a lightly oiled surface. Form dough into an oval, place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until well chilled (3 to 4 hours) or overnight.

To prepare dough, remove from refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured board to ½ -inch thickness. Cut into approximately 3-inch squares.

In a deep fryer or large pot, heat vegetable oil to 360 degrees F. Fry the beignets (2 or 3 at a time) 2 to 3 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown on both sides, turning them in the oil with tongs once or twice to get them evenly brown; beignets will rise to the surface of the oil as soon as they begin to puff. If the beignets don't rise to the top immediately when dropped into the oil, the oil is not hot enough. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels, then sprinkle heavily with Confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

NOTE: The dough can be kept for up to a week in the refrigerator - it actually improves with age; just punch down when it rises. Dough can also be frozen; cut and roll, or shape your beignets before freezing.

Makes 18 beignets

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George’s notes:

• Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty-six days (forty days not counting Sundays) before Easter. It is a moveable holy day, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter. It can occur as early as February 4th or as late as March 10th.
• In France, beignet is an umbrella term for a large variety of pastries made from deep-fried dough with fruit or vegetable filling.
• In 1723, the capital of Louisiana was moved to New Orleans, founded in 1718. The tradition has expanded to the point that it became strongly associated with the city in popular perception, and embraced by residents of New Orleans beyond those of French or Catholic heritage. Mardi Gras celebrations are part of the basis of the slogan, Laissez les bon temps rouler, ~ Let the good times roll and the nickname "Big Easy".
• In the late 1980s, beignets were named the official state doughnut of Louisiana.

Yippee, it’s pancake day...

I recently posted how in France, crêpes are traditionally served on February 2, known as Candlemas ~ La Chandeleur. Well today is the day before the beginning of Lent and known as Shrove Tuesday. To shrive someone, in old-fashioned English ~ he shrives, he shrove, he has shriven or he shrives, he shrived, he has shrived ~ is to hear his acknowledgement of his sins, to assure him of God's forgiveness, and to give him appropriate spiritual advice. The term survives today in ordinary usage in the expression "short shrift". To give someone short shrift is to pay very little attention to his excuses or problems. The longer expression is, "to give him short shrift and a long rope," which formerly meant to hang a criminal with a minimum of delay.

Shrove Tuesday is also called Fat Tuesday ~ in French, Mardi =Tuesday; gras = fat, as in "pate de foie gras", which is liver paste and very fatty ~ because on that day a thrifty housewife uses up the fats that she has kept around for cooking, but that she will not be using during Lent. Since pancakes are a standard way of using up fat, the day is also called Pancake Tuesday. In England, and perhaps elsewhere, the day is celebrated with pancake races. Where the contestants run a course while holding a griddle and flipping a pancake. Points are awarded for time, for number and height of flips, and number of times the pancake turns over. There are of course penalties for dropping the pancake.

The day or sometimes a longer period immediately preceding Lent, is also called Carnival, which means "farewell to meat." The first part of the word "carni" as in carnivorous, and "vale" as in valediction. I have always said, one last hamburger before the Lenten fast begins.

Now back to those pancakes… it is hard to believe how many different variations of pancakes there really is. It seems most cultures have their own form of pancakes. Most are like a crêpe or very thin pancake; like the Chinese ones used for moo shu dishes. In Australia and New Zealand, small pancakes known as pikelets are traditionally served with jam and/or whipped cream, or solely with butter, at afternoon tea. In India, the Pooda or Cheela is a pancake, that can be made either sweet or salty and are of different thicknesses in different places of India. In the Netherlands, pancakes are called pannenkoeken and eaten at dinnertime. Pannekoeken are slightly thicker than crêpes and usually quite large (12" or more) in diameter. The batter is egg-based and the fillings can include sliced apples, cheese, ham, bacon, candied ginger and many other ingredients.

Well you get the idea ~ I submit to you here, two of my favorite ways to serve & eat pancakes. The first is just your basic pancake batter, which I like to stack about three high and top with lots of butter and warm maple syrup. And the second, which I made this morning, is like the Dutch pannenkoeken, made with apples and puffs up like a soufflé then topped with melted butter.

Basic Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, and oil.

Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until just moist. Let mixture rest about 2 minutes. Spoon or pour batter onto greased, hot griddle or nonstick skillet.

Cook pancakes on the first side until bubbles appear on the upper surface. Turn over and cook until the bottom is golden. Slide onto an oven proof platter; and keep warm in a 300 degree oven until ready to serve.

Serves 2




Spiced Apple Pancake
For the puffiest pancake, use a cast-iron skillet. If you don’t have one, choose a heavy 12-inch skillet with a bottom that is at least 10 inches in diameter and has an oven-safe handle.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons water
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
3 to 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored
~ and cut into 8 wedges
3 large eggs
¾ cup milk
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*
¼ teaspoon salt

* can substitute ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet, heat butter, water, and ½ cup sugar over medium-high heat to boiling. Add apple wedges; cook 12 to 15 minutes or until apples are golden and sugar mixture begins to caramelize, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, in blender or food processor with knife blade attached, place eggs, milk, flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, adding liquid ingredients to blender first. Blend until batter is smooth.

When apple mixture in skillet is deep golden, pour batter over apples. Place skillet in oven; bake 15 to 17 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned. Serve immediately.

Serves 4



__________

George’s notes:

• Today is traditionally the day when you feast, in preparation for what you’re about to give up for Lent. It’s also a day when it’s traditional to cleanse your soul - to confess and be absolved. There are records of this over a thousand years old, written by an Anglo-Saxon monks.
• Nowadays it’s pretty much just Pancake Day. Not that this is a bad thing. Pancakes have been part of Shrove Tuesday in England for centuries. Pancake racing still takes place and is thought to have started in 1445, when a woman cooking her pancakes heard the church bells ring, calling to confession. She ran to church wearing her apron and carrying her pancake still in its pan!
• Lent is not something I think too much about in my faith, but I like the idea of cleansing the soul, then cleansing our bodies in preparation for Easter. It is also good for ones health & diet to fast.

Presidential Salsa...

We all know the story of George W and his trusty little hatchet cutting down the cherry tree from our childhood. But did you know cherries can be used for more than just filling pies. This sweet and zesty salsa can be a condiment for your favorite chicken, seafood, pork entrées or you can try it as a dip with whole-grain crackers. I came across this recipe many years ago and usually pull it out of my recipe collection around President’s Day weekend ~ thus the name. Saturday night I decided to use it as a condiment and ladled it over some grilled tilapia fillets.

Believe me when I say this simple salsa is a keeper. What is great is you can embellish upon it and make it as hot & spicy as you want. The sweetness of the cherries helps to balance whatever fire you want to add. So, if you like your politics filled with passion and excitement ~ old George W the first and Abe will understand.



Presidential Salsa

Ingredients:
1 cup dark sweet cherries, frozen or fresh and pitted
2 tablespoons basil, chopped
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
⅛ teaspoon Tabasco sauce, or to taste
Salt, to taste

Chop the cherries into course pieces and combine them with the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate the salsa for at least 1 hour. Use this like any other salsa: with crackers, in burritos, as a condiment with chicken, fish or pork.

__________



George’s notes:

• The story goes that when Mr. Washington saw his beloved cherry chopped down he asked his son George if he know how it happened. "I can't tell a lie, Pa. You know I can't tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet," replied George. From all historical evidence, the story is not true. The story was the work of a writer named Mason Locke Weems in his book for young readers called The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington published in 1800 a year after George's death.
• According to the federal government, the holiday observed on the third Monday in February is officially Washington's Birthday. But many Americans believe that this holiday is now called "Presidents' Day," in honor of both President Washington and Lincoln, whose birthdays are Feb. 22 and Feb. 12, respectively. It turns out that whether you honor one or the other or both of these presidents may depend on where you live.
• Cherries are loaded with anthocyanin, a phytochemical that accounts for their deep red color and helps prevent chronic disease. They are also a significant source of dietary fiber and potassium.

Bacon Toffee...

The enticement of bacon has jumped from the breakfast table into the mainstream. It's been showing up in some of the damnedest places ~ at birthday parties, school bake sales, at wedding chocolate fountains, even at cocktail parties. It might even turn up in a box of one of your Valentine's presents. And I am not talking the famous English essayist, Sir Francis Bacon either. I’m talking the kind that is cured pig!

It’s no secret that I enjoy a good piece of bacon. And, it’s possible that I seek to integrate bacon into more recipes than I should. But, how can you resist the rich sweetness that is bacon?

The recipe below was emailed to me by a friend, who saw it in the Richmond (VA) Times~Dispatch newspaper and let me tell you, it is easy to whip up. It’s been awhile since I worked with candy and I know I’ve heard various Food Network stars give advice on candy making do’s and don’ts … but they all escaped me yesterday, as I was making up a batch of this recipe. My candy thermometer might have been a little off — I cooked the mixture to the temperature specified in the recipe but it seemed a little darker than I would like. So, I might cook it just a bit shorter next time.

But when I offered the finished product to my skeptical friends and after giving me a few funny looks; they were wowed by the salty sweet combination of this incredible treat. I can say they are hooked for life!



Bacon Toffee

Ingredients:
3 sticks butter
1½ cups granulated sugar
½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for topping the toffee if desired
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and cut into 1-inch squares

Heavily butter a rimmed baking sheet and cover with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

In a large saucepan, combine butter, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently with a heat-resistant spatula or a wooden spoon.

Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Make sure the bulb doesn't rest on the bottom of the pan. Stir frequently and continue to boil the mixture about 20 minutes or until it reaches about 290° on the thermometer.

Remove it from the heat and, working quickly, stir in the vanilla and the bacon pieces. Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread with a spatula to about ¼-inch to ½-inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.

Let the toffee cool at least 2 hours before using a hammer to break it into pieces. To keep pieces from flying, cover the toffee with a piece of waxed paper before striking it.

Store it in an airtight container and top each single layer with wax paper to minimize clumping of pieces.

Makes about 2½ pounds

__________

George’s notes:

• The process of making toffee involves boiling the ingredients until the mix is stiff enough to be pulled into a shape which holds and has a glossy surface. The resulting mixture will typically be poured into a shallow tray and allowed to cool to form a sweet.
• A popular variant in the US is English toffee, which is a very buttery toffee often made with almonds. It is available in both chewy and hard versions. Heath Bars are a type of candy made with an English toffee core.
• The word bacon is derived from the Old High German bacho, meaning "buttock", "ham" or "side of bacon", and having a common ancestor with the Old French bacon.

A candlelight dinner...

Valentine's is a day of romance filled with love and candlelight dinners. It’s the day of the year that couples express their deep and abiding love for one another. A time when expressing one’s love is shown through small gestures – a small wrapped box filled with a sparkling piece of jewelry or maybe a box with a silky red négligée or perhaps a romantic dinner at home with the one you love.

Whatever you choose to do this Valentine's Day, make sure it comes from the heart and it shows your special love just how important he or she is to you.

Being a cook, I feel the best way to a heart is through food. So, I suggest this three course dinner menu ending with champagne and espresso. Each of these recipes is easy to prepare and filled with flavors that will definitely add to the romance in the air.

So take the hand of the one you love and rekindle the spark of your first kiss by saying, “Will you be my valentine?”

Mesclun Greens with Lemon-Miso Vinaigrette

Steak au Poivre

Sauté of Baby Vegetables

Individual Bittersweet Chocolate Soufflé

Champagne

Espresso

__________

Recipes for your above Valentine's Day dinner…

Mesclun Greens with Lemon-Miso Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
1 pound mesclun greens
1 pear, cored & sliced
6 ounces goat cheese

For vinaigrette:
4 tablespoons Miso (found in Oriental markets)
1 cup salad oil
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons tamari
2 small shallots, chopped
2½ tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water

In a large salad bowl, toss mesclun greens and set aside. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice on pear slices and set aside. Crumble the goat cheese and set aside.

In a food processor, blend all ingredients until the consistency of light cream. Add additional water to thin dressing if necessary.

To assemble salad: place a generous handful of mesclun greens on your serving plate, arrange a few pear slices around the greens and sprinkle goat cheese top your salad and dress it with your vinaigrette. And serve.

Makes about 2 cups



Steak au Poivre

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons black peppercorns, crushed
2 teaspoons white peppercorns, crushed
2 eight (8) ounce strip steaks
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2½ tablespoons butter
½ cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon flour
¼ cup cognac or brandy
1 cup beef stock or canned broth
2 tablespoons parsley, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish

Press peppercorns into both sides of the fillets; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Season with salt.

Using a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil until hot. Add steaks and cook on each side for 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Discard the fat wiping the skillet clean. Add 1 tablespoon butter and shallots to skillet and cook for 2 minutes over medium-high heat. Add flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the cognac and reduce, stirring for 1 minute. Add stock, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Swirl in remaining butter and parsley.

To serve; place spoonful of sauce on plate and pour sauce over the steaks.
Garnish with chopped parsley.

Serves 2



Sauté of Baby Vegetables

Ingredients:
1 pound haricots verts or tender young green beans
1 pound baby carrots with tops, peeled
¾ pound pattie pan squash
¾ pound baby purple pearl onions, peeled
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

In a large heavy sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add carrots, pattie pan squash and pearl onions; sauté until tender. Add green beans and sauté for 5 additional minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Serves 2



Bittersweet Chocolate Soufflé

Ingredients:
½ cup sugar, plus additional for dusting
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 large egg yolks
1½ cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
6 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
6 large egg whites
¼ teaspoon salt
Garnish with confectioners' sugar

Prepare a 6-cup soufflé dish with butter and sugar, knocking out excess sugar. Butter and sugar a 6-inch wide piece of foil long enough to fit around dish. Fit prepared dish with collar extending 2-inches above rim.

In a bowl, whisk together flour and 1 tablespoon sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and ¼ cup milk. Add to flour mixture, whisking until smooth.

In a heavy saucepan heat remaining 1¼ cups milk over high heat until it boils; whisk into yolk mixture in a slow stream.

Transfer mixture to a saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until it comes to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer until very thick - stirring constantly. About 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and chopped chocolate until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.

In another large bowl, beat egg whites with salt until they form stiff peaks. Stir ¼ of whites into chocolate mixture and fold in remaining whites gently until thoroughly mixed. Pour mixture into prepared dish. Soufflé can be prepared to this point up to 1½ hours before cooking.

Bake soufflé in a preheat 375 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm and set in center. Remove collar carefully and sift confectioners' sugar over top.
Serve with a dollop of sweetened whip cream.

Serves 6

___________

George’s notes:

• Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection.
• Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269. Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD.
• While some claim the first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer this may be the result of misinterpretation. Chaucer wrote: "For this was sent on Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."
• Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
• The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards.

My Internet message to you ~

The above dinner is one I did several years ago and the photographs were taken at different times for different occasions.

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries...

Who does not love fries? I know I could and have ~ eaten a plate of sweet potato fries for dinner and nothing else. They're creamy, a bit crunchy, and very satisfying. I like them kicked up with a light dusting of spicy chili powder, but they're also great with just a simple sprinkle of sea salt. If you're not a fan of chili, these fries are great just with plain salt. I also like them with cumin, smoked paprika or any other strongly flavored spice.

Sweet potatoes are available year-round, but their prime season is really autumn and winter. Choose potatoes that are smooth and unblemished, and use them fairly soon because they don’t keep as well as other potatoes. These potatoes are crispy like fries but they’re better for you because they’re baked.

I admit that last night I did not eat just the fries… I stopped by my favorite barbecue place, Sconyers Bar-B-Que, and picked up a quart of their world famous pulled pork, so I could have a good sandwich with my fries.



Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise and cut each half into long spears. Place them on a sheet pan and toss with the olive oil. Spread the potatoes in one layer. Combine the brown sugar, salt, pepper and chili powder ~ sprinkle on the potatoes. Bake for 15 minutes and then turn with a spatula. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot.

Serves 2

__________

George’s notes:

• Sweet Potatoes are a nutritional power house. High in vitamin A and vitamin c, they are also loaded with fiber. They are excellent immunity builders and also help balance blood sugars. Adding these wonderful tubers to your diet provide a great healthy way to snack.
• Although it is sometimes called a yam, the sweet potato is not in the yam family, nor is it closely related to the common potato.
• Sconyers Bar-B-Que has been a fixture in Augusta, GA since 1956. It would be hard to find anyone living here who has not had their barbecue. They have even catered barbecues on the lawn of The White House. During The Masters golf tournament, the line to get in is several blocks long.