Quinoa Salad with Asian-Style Dressing

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is the second of the two quinoa recipes I've been working on for Meatless Monday. It has a vaguely Asian flair and it is ideal for families who are trying to cut back on animal protein consumption. It also helps solve the problem of cooks who still have committed carnivores sitting at their tables. This recipe can be enhanced with shrimp for those who feel the need to consume more than seeds or grain with their meals. It is a lovely recipe that originally appeared in The New York Times. It is really easy to assemble and the Asian-style dressing appeals to a broad range of diners. I would caution that the recipe, as written, makes an awful lot of dressing for the quantity of ingredients actually used in the salad. The first time I made this dish I thought the ingredients were drowning in salad dressing. I've since cut way back on the amount of dressing I use when making this. The bitterness that many associate with quinoa can be avoided by a thorough rinsing of the seeds before they are boiled. I actually toast and rinse mine before using them. This salad is packed with flavor and I think you'll enjoy it for lunch or a light supper. Here's the recipe.

Quinoa Salad with Asian-Style Dressing...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of The New York Times

Ingredients:
Dressing
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger or fresh ginger to taste (more to taste)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Salt to taste
Pinch of cayenne
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil or walnut oil
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons buttermilk
Salad
3 cups cooked quinoa (3/4 cup uncooked)
4 scallions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
1 small cucumber, halved, seeded and thinly sliced on the diagonal
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Optional: 12 to 16 cooked medium shrimp, peeled

Directions:
1) In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together lime juice, rice wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, cayenne, sesame oil, canola oil, and buttermilk.
2) In a salad bowl, combine the quinoa, scallions, cucumber, and cilantro. Toss with dressing and divide among salad plates. Top each portion with 3 or 4 shrimp if desired, and serve. Yield: 4 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Quinoa Salad with Arugula, Asparagus and Avocado - Cooking with Amy
Beet and Quinoa Salad - Nami-Nami
Lemon Scented Quinoa Salad - 101 Cookbooks
Mushroom Quinoa Stew - Bread and Honey
Quinoa Salad - mmm-yoso!!!
Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad - Julie Jams
Warm Quinoa Salad with Edamame and Lemon-Tarragon Dressing - One Perfect Bite

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Warm Quinoa Salad with Edamame and Lemon-Tarragon Dressing

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...As part of my commitment to Meatless Mondays, I've been spending some time experimenting with meatless recipes that make dishes that are substantial enough to serve as entrees. My most recent foray led me to a series of recipes that utilize quinoa as a protein source. Contrary to popular opinion, quinoa is not a grain. It is actually the seed of a plant that is related to spinach. The seeds have a nutty, smoky flavor that is quite pleasing and they have the added advantage of being less filling that similar grains or pasta. Most quinoa is grown in the poor soil of the Andes region of South America. Despite that, it has been identified as one of the best sources of protein to be found in the vegetable kingdom. As a matter of fact, scientists have found that the quality of its protein is the equivalent of that found in dairy products. The ease with which it can be grown and its nutritional content make it a boon to the poor of the world, as well as you and me. I've found and tested two recipes that I think are outstanding and I want to share one of them with you today. I really loved this salad. Here, quinoa is paired with edamame, an immature or green soybean, to produce a delicious meal that packs a nutritional punch. The recipe was develop for Eating Well magazine, so that should come as no surprise. I do hope that those of you who are trying to reduce your dependence on animal protein you will try this salad. You won't regret it. Here's the recipe.

Warm Quinoa Salad with Edamame and Lemon-Tarragon Dressing
Ingredients...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Eating Well Magazine

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, (see Cook's Note)
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups frozen shelled edamame, thawed (10 ounces)
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup drained and diced jarred roasted red peppers, (3 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, preferably toasted (see Cook's Note)

Directions:
1) Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.
2) Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add quinoa and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook gently for 8 minutes. Remove pan lid and, without disturbing quinoa, add edamame. Cover and continue to cook until edamame and quinoa are tender, 7 to 8 minutes longer. Drain any remaining water, if necessary.
3) Whisk lemon zest and juice, oil, tarragon and salt in a large bowl. Add peppers and quinoa mixture. Toss to combine. Divide among 4 plates and top with walnuts. Yield: 4 servings.

Cook's Notes:
1) Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 3. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
2) Toasting quinoa before cooking improves its flavor and rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective covering.
3) To toast walnuts: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Quinoa with Vodka-Tomato Sauce - Pham Fatale
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers - Chef In You
Quinoa Veggie Burgers - Wicked Good Dinner
Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant with Marsala Tomatoes - The Baking Barrister
Tomato Basil Quinoa Salad - Chantel's Recipes
Lemon Scented Quinoa - Stylish Cuisine
Spinach and Feta Quinoa Salad - Closet Cooking
Quinoa, Corn and Edamame Salad - Melting Mama

Lime Marmalade - Blue Monday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...We are going green this week and will be featuring recipes that are environmentally friendly or use ingredients that are green in color. This has been a difficult growing season for small farmers and gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. A late spring delayed planting. Heavy and persistent rain, accompanied by hail and high winds, damaged crops once they were in the ground. As a result berries, fruits and vegetables were late to market and their quality is poor. I normally do a lot of preserving at this time of year. Truth be told, there's not much worth putting by this season. The flavor of the blueberries is marginal and blackberries are not sweet enough for my purposes. Local corn and tomatoes are just now starting to come to market and colder nights have pretty much assured that my tomato plants are going to have gorgeous foliage but set no fruit. All of that means I have time to play and experiment in the kitchen. Today's recipe is a playful experiment that turned out well. The original recipe came from the Los Angeles Times nearly two decades ago. I held on to it because it seemed easy and required so few ingredients. As it turns out, it's a great recipe and I recommend it to those of you who like marmalade. Limes, thanks to our local warehouse stores, are abundant and inexpensive, and, for that reason, I decided to use them in this recipe. You can of course use lemons or grapefruit, as long as they can be very thinly sliced. Since no pectin is added to this recipe, a candy thermometer would be most helpful in determining if the fruit has cooked long enough to set. Even then, it is best to use your "eye" to conduct a sheeting test before pouring the mixture into sterilized jars.



This diagram might help. Sheeting syrup looks like this when it drops off a spoon.


I hope you'll give this recipe a try. The lime marmalade is wonderful with crumpets, muffins and scones. It can also be use to make a great marinade and sauce for chicken. Here's the recipe.

Lime Marmalade...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of the Los Angeles Times 1992

Ingredients:
3 cups thinly-sliced unpeeled limes
1 cup thinly-sliced lemons, unpeeled, seeded
3 quarts water
9 cups granulated sugar

Directions:
1) Combine lime and lemon slices and water in large kettle. Bring to boil and boil 20 minutes, or until peels are tender.
2) Drain, reserving liquid. Measure liquid, adding enough water to make three quarts. Return liquid to kettle with fruit and sugar. Bring to boil and cook rapidly until mixture sheets off spoon or to 221 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Pour boiling hot into hot sterilized jars and seal. Yield: 6 to 8 half-pints.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Orange Fennel Marmalade - My Man's Belly
Golden Marmalade - Drick's Rambling Cafe
Rhubarb, Tangelo and Cardamom Marmellata - Luna Cafe
Kumquat Marmalade - Recipe Girl
Fig Marmalade - Gourmet Recipes
Seville Orange Marmalade - David Lebovitz
Meyer Lemon Marmalade - Simply Recipes
Balsamic Onion Marmalade - One Perfect Bite

This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday

the only thing

YES PLEASE

Adam's Lime Curd

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I have, for years, had atrociously bad luck making lime curd. More often than not, it breaks or refuses to thicken and I'm left with a delicious but runny mess that's not much good for anything - especially my reputation. I've been looking for an easy, fool-proof recipe to solve the problem and I finally found one in a most unusual place. The recipe comes from the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine and it's called Adam's Lime Curd. If third time's a charm, then the curse visited on my curd has been broken. I made Adam's recipe for the third time tonight and used the curd to make a tart and fill a layer cake. The results were spectacular and I'm thrilled. I love the "bite" lime adds to desserts and this is a recipe I'll use over and over again. I've been using common Persian limes to test the recipe, so I know you'll have no problem getting the ingredients you need to make this on your own. It's easy to do and if you like tart desserts I know you'll love this. Here's my version of Adam's recipe.

Adam's Lime Curd...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine

Ingredients:
3 ounces unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup freshly squeezed Lime juice
Zest of 4 limes grated or very finely chopped, divided use
4 large eggs, well beaten
Pinch of kosher salt

Directions:
1) Melt butter in top pan of a double boiler set over simmering water. Add sugar, lime juice, half of lime zest, eggs and salt. Whisk until curd just begins to thicken, about 5 minutes aside half of the zest. Then stir continuously, alternating with a whisk and a wooden spoon until curd thickens. Add remaining zest. Continue to stir continuously, alternating with whisk and wooden spoon until curd thickly coats spoon, about 5 minutes more.
2) Remove curd from heat and whisk until no more steam rises. Pour into a glass jar. Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. Yield: 2 cups.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Jamaica Lime Pie - Taste and Tell
Key Lime Pie - Let's Dish
Lemon Lime Bars - Chewing the Fat
Coconut Lime Custard Pie - Vegan Healthy Happy Life
Lime Meringue Tart - David Lebovitz
Blueberry Lime Scones - The Sweet's Life
Cold Lime Souffle - One Perfect Bite
Key Lime and White Chocolate Cake Squares - One Perfect Bite

THE BEST

introducing: snacks

86 REPRESENT

what happens when you invite best coast to hollywood?

Ham: Again and Again and Again - Pink Saturday

Photo Courtesy of Renee Comet

"Eternity is two people and a ham."



Glazed Ham Loaf



Scalloped Ham and Potatoes with Cheese

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Bob and I don't eat a lot of ham. There is just too much meat for us to handle, so we reserve it for an occasional company meal. I made a ham last week that, in its first iteration, fed eight adults. It also made pea soup, ham salad, scalloped ham and potatoes and a lovely glazed ham loaf. You all know how to roast and glaze a ham. I'm pretty sure you have your own version of pea soup and ham salad, so I wanted to share two other recipes that you can use to finish up the last bits of the feast. The scalloped potatoes are based on a recipe from my childhood, but the ham loaf comes from a deli near the campus of Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. Years ago, we dropped in to try their version of Pittsburgh's infamous ham barbecue and were struck by the number of people who were picking up a ground meat mixture from the meat counter. Never shy when it comes to food, I asked what it was. The deli mix was actually an unformed ham loaf that folks took home to bake and glaze. Of course I had to try it and it turned out to be surprising nice. Now unless you are from Pittsburgh, this will not be on the list of foods you request for your final meal. I think you will, however, be pleasantly surprised by how good this loaf actually is. It and the scalloped potatoes are really easy to do and I thought you might like the recipes for them. Here's how they're made.

Glazed Ham Loaf...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
Ham Loaf
1 pound ground baked ham
1 pound ground fresh pork
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Glaze
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sherry wine vinegar

Directions:
1) To make ham loaf: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground ham, ground pork, eggs, and milk in a large mixing bowl. Mix gently to incorporate ingredients. Add breadcrumbs, parsley and pepper and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Shape mixture into loaf form and put it on a pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
2) To make glaze: Combine brown sugar, dry mustard, ground cloves, water, and vinegar in a medium saucepan. Slowly cook over low heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
3) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place ham loaf in oven and bake for two hours, basting with glaze every 15 minutes after first hour of cooking. Remove loaf from oven. Mix remaining glaze with pan juices and serve with ham loaf. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

Scalloped Ham and Potatoes with Cheese...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 large)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/4 cups milk
4 cups (about 1 pound) thinly sliced potatoes
12 ounces cubed or shredded ham
1 cup shredded cheese (I use Monterey Jack)

Directions:
1) To make sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add cheese and stir until melted. Set aside.
2) Place half of sliced potatoes in a greased 1-1/2 quart rectangular dish. Top with ham and half of sauce. Top with remaining half of potatoes and sauce.
3) Bake, covered, in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 40 to 50 minutes more or until potatoes are tender. Let stand, uncovered, for 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 4 to 5 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
How to Make Ham Stock and Recipe Ideas Using Ham Stock - Kalyn's Kitchen
Frugal Uses for Leftover Ham - Frugal Families
Ham Cheese and Paprika Muffins - Cook Sister
Doe Run Inn's Country Ham Balls - Courier Journal
Restaurant-Style Ham Fried Rice - Favorite Family Recipes
Ham and Split Pea Soup with Bacon - Food and Wine Blog

This post is being linked to:
Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

HERO

Buttermilk Buns, Barbecue Sauce and the Remains of the Day

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Try though I might, I can't ignore the siren's song that screams, "Eat me!", each time the refrigerator door is opened. My leftovers are demanding attention. Given the number of meals that have been made lately, the status of the remains is really not too bad. The problem is that I'm not fond of leftovers and dislike repetition in my meals. Like it or not, those remains must be dealt with or tossed and I don't toss food. I had a goodly sized piece of roast pork that was sliced and warmed in a thick, but quick barbecue sauce. I made this everyday sauce from a few simple ingredients and served some of the warmed pork on homemade sandwich buns. The unused portion of the sauced pork and sandwich buns have been frozen to use for lunch on other days. Neither the sauce nor the buns are fancy and aren't meant for those seeking designer fare, but if you're looking for a fast and easy way to deal with leftover pork or beef, stay right where you are. This quick homemade barbecue sauce is my way of waging war on the condiments that clutter my refrigerator shelves. Bottles of sauce and salad dressings tend to gang up on me - much as cereal boxes do in the pantry - and to prevent that from happening I prefer to make as many of my own condiments and dressings as I can. While it sounds very dramatic, I also make my own sandwich buns. This is not a big deal. I can't find decent ones, so I prefer to make and freeze my own. I usually make three dozen at a time and that one-time effort holds us for several months. The recipe is super-simple but produces delicious rolls that you can shape as you please. Today's feature is a twofer that I think you'll enjoy. Here are the recipes for buttermilk buns and barbecue sauce.

Buttermilk Sandwich Buns...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
2-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large egg
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup buttermilk powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1) Combine water, yeast and sugar in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Whisk in canola oil and egg. Add flour, buttermilk powder and salt. Mix on low-speed until dough forms a ball and pulls away from side of bowl, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm place until doubles in size, about 1 hour.
2) Grease one or two large baking sheets. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Divide dough into 8 portions. Slap or roll each piece into desired shape and place on prepared pan leaving enough space between them to allow them to rise. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to double in size, about 30 to 40 minutes.
3) While dough rises preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake rolls until golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack for cooling. Yield: 8 sandwich buns.

Everyday Barbecue Sauce...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Directions:
1) Combine ketchup, water, vinegar,Worcestershire sauce, sugar, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt and minced garlic in a saucepan.
2) Place saucepan over medium heat and bring contents of pan to a simmer. Cook until sauce thickens and is reduced by 1/4 in volume, about 5 minutes. Use immediately or allow to cool and refrigerate. Yield: 2 cups.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Ellen's Famous Hamburger Buns - Home Cookin' from Ellen's Kitchen
Honey-Oatmeal Dinner Rolls - Salad in a Jar
Buttermilk Dinner Rolls - Michael Ruhlman
Honey Yeast Rolls - Plain Chicken
Kaiser Rolls - One Perfect Bite
Torpedo Rolls - One Perfect Bite

THE BIGGEST JERK

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Savory Rice Squares with Poblano Peppers and Pepper Jack Cheese

It's been a deadly quiet day. The last of our visitors left this morning and it is, once again, just the Silver Fox and I sitting at this large round table. By late tomorrow I'll appreciate the perfect order of our home, but right now I'm missing squealing babies, errant Legos and the sometimes probing questions of our older grandsons. I treasure each of these summers and especially my daughters who care so much about sharing family with their own children. I am blessed. Tonight's recipe was developed on the fly, years ago, when I had more impromptu guests than food and had to do the cook's version of loaves and fishes. It wasn't a miracle but it was more than passably good food. The recipe is really easy to prepare and I used to make it as an entree for myself when I was alone for dinner. The only trick to this recipe is properly roasting the peppers. I've found the easiest way to do this is to rub the peppers with olive oil and roast them at 500 degrees for 20 minutes before transferring them to a paper bag to cool before peeling. It is also important to serve the rice squares while they are still warm. This will probably involve sacrificing the first square that is cut, but I always view that one errant slice as food for the kitchen gods. I do hope you'll try this recipe. I think you'll enjoy it. Here's the recipe.


Savory Rice Squares with Poblano Peppers and Pepper Jack Cheese...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup uncooked basmati rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 fresh poblano peppers, roasted, peeled , seeded, deveined and chopped
1 bunch small green onions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1-3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a shallow 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Set aside.
2) Heat oil in a large pan set over medium heat. When oil shimmers add rice. Cook and stir until rice turns opaque. Stir in onions and cook for 1 minute. Add Chilies, green onions, garlic, salt and cumin. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat.
Add cilantro and 1 cup cheese. Toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking pan. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
3) Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes or until rice is tender and cheese topping melts. Let sit 10 to 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Risotto Veronese:Rissoto with Ham - Karista's Kitchen
Peanuts and Brown Rice with Asian Dressing - eCurry
Quick and Easy Pilau Rice - Deb Cooks
Honey Rice - Malaysian Delecacies
Rice with Chutney - Ruchii
Coconut Rice - Edible Garden

phlegmatic

UNREAL

the best song

i wish

Peanut and Pumpkin Soup

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is the easier of the two recipes I have for peanut and pumpkin soup. I love to serve this as a starter for meals that are simple and need a bit of a jolt. Most peanut soups are associated with West Africa, but French settlers in Louisiana and Southeast Asia also made peanut soups that can be memorable. The trick, of course, is to temper the peanut taste so it does not overpower other ingredients in the soup. Many folks use peanut butter to achieve this unique taste, but I prefer to use a peanut milk and curry powder to get the flavor I'm looking for. A peanut milk can be made by combing 2 parts of chicken broth with 1 part roasted peanuts and blending them until the mixture is perfectly smooth. You'll need six cups of peanut milk for this recipe. It is very easy to make and adds a perfect nutty taste to this very simple soup. I also cheat a bit with the pumpkin puree. Mine comes from a can and it works perfectly well in this recipe. The soup keeps well, but it will thicken as it stands, so you will probably have to thin it if you do not serve it immediately. Here's the recipe I use for this fairly uncommon soup.

Peanut and Pumpkin Soup...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
3 cups pumpkin puree
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup coarsely chopped red onions
2 teaspoons curry powder
6 cups peanut milk
2/3 cup fruit chutney
3 cups chicken broth

Directions:
1) Combine oil and butter in a frying pan set over medium heat. When the mixture shimmers, add red onion and saute until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder and toss with onions until well mixed and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
2) To make peanut milk: Combine 3 cups of peanuts with 6 cups of water or broth in jar of a blender. Process until perfectly smooth. Set aside.
3) In jar of an electric blender, combine pumpkin, chutney and onion mixture. Pulse until smooth, adding peanut milk as needed to process.
4) Combine pumpkin mixture with remaining peanut milk and chicken broth in a large saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes longer. Serve hot or warm. Yield: 8 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Thai Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk - Le Delicieux
Moroccan Chicken and Pumpkin Soup - Kitchen Wench
Coconut Curry and Pumpkin Soup - Flavor Diva
Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Soup - Chef In You
Gingered Squash Soup - eCurry
Pumpkin-Sage Soup - Streaming Gourmet

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

YO EUROPE

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Black Bean Burritos

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a wonderful meatless Monday meal for busy cooks. It's a reduced calorie version of that old Mexican favorite black bean burritos. These burritos are delicious but the best thing they have going for them is the speed with which they can be assembled. They can be on the table in 15 minutes and the recipe can easily be doubled if you have a crowd to feed. I made a mild and a hot version yesterday. I used mildly flavored Rotel tomatoes for the children and the firecracker version of the tomatoes for the adults at the table. I also used a reduced fat version of cream cheese in our burritos. This version of the cheese makes a less creamy burrito than its full fat cousin, but a low-fat sour cream was among the toppings we served, so the change in texture was not noticed. I hope you will give this recipe a try. It is based on a recipe I found on Christine Cooks. Here's the recipe I used for this fast and simple treat.

Black Bean Burritos...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Christine Cooks

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-oz.) can Rotel tomatoes, drained
1 package (8-oz.) low-fat cream cheese
1 cup cooked white or brown rice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
4 - 6 Flour tortillas
Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped fresh tomatoes,avocado

Directions:
1) Heat a small amount of oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds.
2) Add beans, Rotel, and cream cheese and heat through. Stir in rice and season with cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cilantro.
3) Wrap in a tortilla and serve with desired topping. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Burrito Bowls - Closet Cooking
Beef, Bean and Cheese Burritos - Shamrock and Shenanigins
Machaca Burritos - Never Enough Thyme
Breakfast Burritos - You Made That?
Chili Bean Burritos with Corn Salasa - Dinner Du Jour
Chipotle-Style Burritos - Melbo's Kitchen

GROWING UP

Chapatis and Pooris: One Dough Two Breads - Blue Monday

Chapatis



Pooris

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...With our trip to India, Nepal and Tibet just weeks away, I thought I'd start to experiment with some of the more common foods of the region. I do this before all of our adventures begin and, more often than not, the first dish I attempt to make is the bread of the area. I adore bread and was delighted to find that the dough I worked with for this post actually makes two Indian classics. In India, a whole-wheat flour called atta is traditionally used make these breads. The flour can be hard to come by, but a reasonable facsimile of it can be made by combining three parts of whole-wheat flour with two part of white flour. The difference between chapatis and pooris lies in how they are cooked. Chapatis, which resemble tortillas, are a flatbread that is cooked on a griddle. Pooris are deep fried to produce hollow and delicious pillows that are perfect for scooping up food. Both breads are best eaten shortly after they are made, but the dough can be made up to a day before it is cooked, if it is refrigerated in an airtight container. Here's the recipe for these tasty and easy to make breads.

Chapatis and Pooris...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Nancie McDermott

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water

Directions for Chapatis:
1) Sift both flours and salt into a medium bowl.
2) Add water and mix with hands to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead, adding flour as needed, until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
3) To cook chapatis, roll dough into a thin cylinder and cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Cover balls until ready to roll. Flatten each piece into a disk and place on a floured board. Roll it into a thin disk that is 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
4) Using a medium frying pan set over medium-high heat, cook chapatis one at a time, turning after 1 minute and cooking second side for another 30 to 60 seconds. Press quickly and firmly at various spots on the surface to encourage it to puff.
5) Remove and set aside. Cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm. Continue with remainder of dough balls, stacking them together until ready to serve. Yield: 12 chapatis.

Directions for Pooris:
1) Sift both flours and salt into a medium bowl.
2) Add water and mix with hands to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead, adding flour as needed, until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
3) To cook pooris, roll dough into a thin cylinder and cut into 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Cover balls until ready to roll out. Place a cookie sheet on work surface to hold pooris as they are rolled.
4) Flatten a ball into a thin disk. Place on a floured work surface and roll into a pancake 3-inches in diameter. It should be 1/4-inch thick. Place on cookie sheet and continue to roll remainder of dough.
5) In a medium frying pan set over medium heat, bring 2 cups vegetable oil to 360 degrees F. Slide a pooris into oil. When it begins to puff, use a slotted spoon to press it into oil. Move spoon around the edges to help it puff. Turn it over when first side browns, about 15 to 30 seconds. Remove pooris from pan when second side is browned. Drain on paper towels. Continue with remainder of disks. Serve while hot. Yield: 16 small pooris.

You might also enjoy these recipes:

Puffy, Fluffy Spinach and Green Chilli Pooris - Ko Rasoi
Naan Indian Bread - Food Lovers
Bhatura - Tigers and Strawberries
Parantha: Onion Stuffed Indian Bread - Cook @ Ease
Garlic-Chard Roti - eCurry
Indian Dosas - One Perfect Bite

This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday

Chiang Mai Curry Noodles with Chicken

Featured on Amuse Bouche the blog for Where Women Cook.





Our three year old sous-chef.



...and the kitchen apprentice who was born with a wooden spoon in his mouth.

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Tonight was an unplanned noodle night. That's not an unusual occurrence when my family gathers, but having to alter at least one of the recipes to please the tastes of a three year old is something I haven't done in a very long time. I was given very specific instructions. He wanted fat noodles with chicken and yellow gravy and he agreed to be my official taster. We added and subtracted things from a Thai recipe called kao soi and came up with a curry noodle dish that he actually enjoyed. Half the fun, of course, was slurping slippery noodles, but he ate some chicken and had a few vegetables and shared his dish with others at the table. What I hadn't counted on was that those who are no longer three would also enjoy it. Who knew? While the noodles only resemble a dish in the Thai or Asian cooking repertoire they are a wonderful introduction to the food of the region. The rice noodles and vegetables I added to the recipe are atypical, but crispy noodle nests always top the dish when it is served in Thailand. I make my mine by reserving a small portion of cooked egg noodles and deep frying them. This is extremely easy to make and all the ingredients can be found in a good sized supermarket. I've cut way back on the curry paste and powder that give this recipe its heat. I'm including the authentic amounts in parenthesis for those of you who want to sample the real deal. This is a great family recipe and I hope that those of you with adventurous souls will give it a try. Here's the recipe.

Chiang Mai Curry Noodles with Chicken...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons red curry paste (2 tablespoons)
1-1/2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into chunks
1 large carrot, cut into fine julienne strips
1 small red pepper, cut into fine julienne strips
1 medium onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 (14-oz.) can coconut milk
1-3/4 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon ground turmeric (2teaspoons turmeric or curry Powder)
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
.
1/2 pound dried Chinese-style egg noodles or wide rice noodles
1/3 cup coarsely chopped shallots
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion

Directions:
1) In a medium sauce pan set over medium heat, warm the oil until it begins to ripple, and then add garlic. Cook for about a minute and add red curry paste, stirring it to soften it, about a minute. Add chicken and cook for about a minute, tossing to combine it with the curry paste. Remove chicken from pan and add carrot, red pepper and onions. Stir over medium-high heat until softened. Return chicken to pan. Add coconut milk, chicken stock, turmeric, soy sauce, and sugar, and stir well. Bring to a slow boil, and lower heat to bring it down to a simmer. Cook for about 8 minutes, until flavors have begun to meld. Stir in the lime juice, remove from heat, and cover to keep warm.
2) Cook the noodles per package instructions. Drain, rinse in a colander under cold water, drain again, and divide noodles among serving bowls. Ladle on hot curry, and sprinkle each serving with shallots, cilantro, and green onions. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Rebecca's Asian Noodles - Chow and Chatter
15 Minute Asian Noodles - Steamy Kitchen
Mie Goreng - RasaMalaysia
Pad Thai - Joy's Thai Food
Garlic Butter Noodles - White on Rice Couple
Mee Goreng - The Perfect Pantry

Grapefruit Sorbet - Pink Saturday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a light and lovely dessert that's a perfect way to end a heavy summer meal. I started to make this sorbet when ruby red grapefruit juice became available at our warehouse store. There are purists who will insist the ice should be made with fresh grapefruit juice. They are right, but there are times when life gets in the way and shortcuts become necessary. It's also hard to set those shortcuts aside when they are successful. My recipe relies on commercial grapefruit juice, but uses a scant spoonful of zest to heighten the taste of the finished sorbet. I also use vodka in this recipe because it helps prevent the sorbet from becoming impossibly hard in the freezer. This is a trick that works well with all homemade ice cream. I hope those of you who enjoy tart desserts will give this one a try. The recipe was originally develop Chef Chris Green who works for the Viking test kitchen. It is easy and delicious. Here's the recipe.

Grapefruit Sorbet...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Chris Green

Ingredients:
2 large ruby grapefruits, juiced, or 1-1/2 cups pink grapefruit juice
1 teaspoon grapefruit zest (zest before juicing grapefruit)
1/2 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vodka

Directions:
1) Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Cool completely.
2) Combine grapefruit juice, zest and sugar/water mixture with vodka in a metal bowl. Chill in refrigerator or by placing the metal bowl over a larger bowl filled with ice water until 40 degrees.
3) Pour chilled mixture into container of an ice cream machine and churn until frozen. Scoop frozen sorbet into a container. Seal and transfer container to freezer for several hours to allow sorbet to firm up. It can be kept frozen for up to 3 days. Yield: 4 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Chocolate Sorbet - Elana's Pantry
Sweet Tea Sorbet - The Runaway Spoon
Mango Sorbet - Family Spice
Cherry Lime Sorbet - Momofuku for 2
Cucumber Sorbet - Healthy Green Kitchen
Bing Cherry Sorbetto - Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy

This post is being linked to:
Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

THE BEST

Mexican Rice

Events in our corner of the world move quickly and prove, yet again, that the indefatigable Murphy is alive and well and looking for any excuse to further test his law and all its corollaries. To wit, the washing machine stopped mid-cycle this morning, no doubt aping the control panel of the oven which chose to go black during preparations for last night's dinner. I sought solace at the computer, only to find that several small pair of hands had created a screen resolution previously unseen by mankind. My composure remained intact until dinner this evening, when our 3 year old grandson, whose dad is a minister, announced, following grace, that "Opa talks to Jesus lots." That, of course, caused me to choke on my water before finally surrendering to the limitations of the day. Now, back at the computer with the strange resolution, I have another rice recipe to share with you. Anyone who spent a portion of their childhood in the late forties and early fifties can tell you about Spanish rice. It was a commonly served dish that was as good or bad as the cook who made it. Most versions of the rice were made with tomato soup and ground beef that could be quickly assembled and on the table in minutes. A few lucky souls got to have a more authentic Mexican rice which was considerably more flavorful than its Spanish cousin. There is a fine line that separates the two. Most people believe Spanish rice gets its color from saffron, and that Mexican rice gets its color from cumin and tomato. If you look at the large number of recipes that exist for both types, I'm not so sure that's really true. At least not anymore. The recipe I used as my inspiration was developed by Emeril Lagasse and he really blurred the lines between the two. I have altered his recipe to suit our tastes and eliminated ingredients such as lard and saffron. This is a great dish for lunch and I've yet to come across a teen age boy who does not love it. They accept it for what it is. Good basic food that's inexpensive and easy to prepare. I hope you'll give this dish a try. It's really good. Here's the recipe.

Mexican Rice...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup ground pork
1/4 pound chorizo, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped white onions
1/4 cup chopped green bell peppers
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups long grain rice
1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped
4 cups chicken stock, or water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Directions:
1) Heat oil in a medium-size heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add pork and cook, stirring until no longer pink. Add sausage and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add onions and bell peppers, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the stock, salt, and turmeric, and stir well. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to low, cover, and cook undisturbed until all liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
2) Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover and fluff rice with a fork. Add the oregano and cilantro, and stir to incorporate. Turn into a decorative bowl and garnish with green onions. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Beans and Rice Salad - Eclectic Recipes
Saffron and Red Pepper Risotto - Sugar Crafter
Rice and Olive Salad - La Fuji Mama
Shrimp Risotto - Coco Cooks
Spicy Tomato and Vegetable Rice - Chow and Chatter
Spanish Rice - Taste Tempters