"Seventy Five Pickles at 15 Roux, (like a street)
Half a chicken and knuckles 2 (1 of each knuckle)
300 Carrots?
Half turnip, half beans (that means half of 300, each, or 150)
A leeky heart half a lemon squeeze ( 1 leek, one heart of celery, half a lemon)
50/50 mustard salt and cheese
half a piece of french bread please
100 creamers, and chicken stock 2? (100 cream, 2 lt. stock)
Now we've got some Marmite Stew."
—Susan Whetzel from She's Becoming Doughmesstic
Monday, May 31, 2010
Petite Marmite Henry IV and a ditty
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lemonade in the Shade
I would help pick them, and we would bring them into the house where my mother would cut them in half, squeeze the juice, and freeze some for drinks and some for pies. But some of the juice would be kept unfrozen in a container in the fridge, ready for use. When guests would drop in, which they often did in this tropical paradise, it was expected that you would ofsfer them an ice-cold drink of fresh lemonade. If the guests were special, they might even get a spoonful of passion fruit dropped in as a garnish.
I have never lost my taste for fresh, homemade lemonade...especially with a dash of passionfruit! It’s a simple, invigorating drink – and its refreshing taste brings back nostalgic memories to this day.
With freshly squeezed lemon juice in one container and another with simple sugar chilling in the fridge, all that’s required is a long, tall glass and a handful of ice and you’re ready to step outside for a sip of lemonade in the shade.
Lemon tree very pretty,
And the lemon flower is sweet,
But the fruit of the poor lemon
Is impossible to eat.
—Peter, Paul & Mary
Recipe: Lemonade
1 cup sugar
1 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Melt the water and sugar until it boils. Remove from heat and cool. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Chill.
In a glass, pour 1 cup lemon juice mixture and 1 cup water. Serve with ice.
Variations:
- For an extra burst of flavor, mix in fresh herbs like mint or basil.
- Swap out water for sparkling water to create a fizzy lemonade.
- Use Meyer lemons for a sweeter, less tart version of this classic drink.
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
Waffles with Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Sorbet
Although we don't have this often, when we do it's a treat. We try to indulge in this brunch of champions once a month or for special occasions. If I don't have strawberry sorbet in the freezer, strawberries in syrup from the grocery store is the next best thing. Yum.
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Monday, May 10, 2010
Cheese Sticks
Pâte feuilletée, or puff pastry, is often considered one of the most challenging yet rewarding doughs to master in the culinary world. Known for its delicate layers that puff up beautifully in the oven, this dough relies on a precise technique to create the "leaves" or layers without the use of yeast. Though made with just three basic ingredients—flour, water, and butter—it demands patience and skill to perfect.
The magic behind puff pastry lies in the layers of butter trapped within the dough. As the dough bakes, the water in the butter turns to steam, causing the layers to separate and rise, creating the signature light, flaky texture. While mastering puff pastry can be tricky, with the right technique and a bit of practice, you can create this stunning dough for all kinds of delicious treats.
The formula for puff pastry:
400 g flour + 200 g water (half the flour) + 300 g butter (flour + water divided by 2) + salt (optional)
Recipe: Cheese Sticks
400 g flour200 g water
6 g salt
300 g butter
100 g Gruyère cheese
You can find the recipe for Allumettes au fromage (Puff pastry strips with cheese) here along with more background information. It was part of Week 2 at Le Cordon Bleu in Basic Cuisine.
Links
Video (in French but shows the technique)
Eggbeater's Puff Pastry
50 Flaky, Crunchy, Delicious Appetizers, Entrées
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Chocolate Roulade
a The word roulade (roo-LAHD), originating from the French word rouler meaning "to roll," refers to a culinary technique involving rolling a filling inside a base. Whether savory or sweet, roulades are a delightful way to combine textures and flavors in a visually appealing dish.
On the savory side, roulades typically feature a thin slice of meat rolled around a stuffing of breadcrumbs, cheese, mushrooms, or even vegetables. For a more adventurous option, you can experiment with sushi-style roulades.
On the sweet side, a roulade involves a soufflé-like batter spread on a jelly roll pan, baked until firm yet moist. The cake is then rolled up while warm with a sweet filling, and served in circular slices. This sweet version is often called a jelly roll or "Swiss" roll, although its origins trace back to Central Europe, not Switzerland.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Chocolate Layer Cake
This beloved Chocolate Layer Cake has been a staple at every birthday party for my three daughters—now aged 12, 11, and 8. Over the years, it's become more than just a cake; it’s a cherished tradition. While the recipe calls for a classic three-layer cake, I’ve often turned it into various fun shapes: Po, a clown, a dinosaur, Barbie, and even a fairy toadstool, just to name a few. Every time, the cake has been a hit, making it the perfect choice for special celebrations.
Originally published in Fine Cooking Magazine (February/March 1998), my copy of this recipe is well-worn and stained from many years of use, a testament to how loved it is in our home.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Chicken Chowder
Although this chowder contains bacon, which adds saltiness, be sure to season it with extra salt to bring out all the flavors. And while bacon is a common ingredient in chowder, it isn’t always necessary. This recipe shows how bacon can elevate the dish, but feel free to skip it if you prefer a vegetarian version.
Do all chowder recipes have bacon in them?
Recipe: Chicken Chowder
adapted from 50 Chowders (affiliate link) by Jasper WhiteServes: 6 to 8 as a main course
Ingredients:
- 6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 ounces bacon, cut into ⅓-inch dice
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery (4 ounces), cut into ⅓-inch dice
- 1 small red bell pepper (6 ounces), cut into ½-inch dice
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold or other all-purpose potatoes, peeled and sliced ⅓ inch thick
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups heavy cream (optional) or 2 cups chicken stock
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Broccoli (optional)
For garnish:
- 6 green onions, very thinly sliced
Instructions:
- Sauté the chicken: In a frying pan, sauté the chicken until cooked through. Set aside.
- Cook the bacon: Fry the bacon in a pot until crisp and golden brown. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat, leaving the bacon in the pot.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the butter, diced onion, celery, and red bell pepper to the pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
- Add potatoes and stock: Add the sliced potatoes and 4 cups of chicken stock. The stock should just barely cover the potatoes; if it doesn’t, add enough water to cover. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Add the thyme leaves.
- Cook the potatoes: Cover and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. If the stock hasn’t thickened enough, mash a few potatoes against the side of the pot to release their starch and thicken the soup.
- Finish the chowder: Remove from heat and stir in the cooked chicken and cream (or extra stock). Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. If you are not serving the chowder right away, cool it slightly, refrigerate, and cover it once cooled completely. Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature for up to an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Reheat and serve: When ready to serve, gently reheat the chowder over low heat, being careful not to let it boil. Use a slotted spoon to serve the chicken, vegetables, potatoes, and bacon in the center of large soup bowls. Ladle the creamy broth around the ingredients and garnish with sliced green onions.
This Chicken Chowder is so good that even friends who don’t eat bacon went for seconds—proof of how flavorful and comforting this dish can be. I also had leftover chowder the next day, which I enhanced with rice. Though I usually avoid combining rice and potatoes, this chowder is versatile and forgiving, making it an ideal leftover meal.
Links
• Clam Chowder from Recipe Girl
• New England Clam Chowder from Andrea Meyers
• Chicken, Corn & Potato Chowder from Cookin' Canuck
• Corn Chowder with Cheddar from Serious Eats
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Monday, March 22, 2010
Crumb-Topped Raspberry Coffeecake
Monday, March 15, 2010
Ravioli Stuffed with Ricotta, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Basil and Pine Nuts
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Apple Tart and Fraisage
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Pudding Diplomate, Crème Anglaise (Ladyfinger Pudding with Crème Anglaise)
What was originally a simple English Bread Pudding can now be found at almost every bakery in Paris. Le Cordon Bleu, however, takes Bread Pudding to a whole new level – using ladyfingers in place of bread and adding candied fruits and raisins to take it beyond the ordinary. Not to mention the Kirsch. The humble bread pudding is transformed into a posh and classy dessert!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Strawberry Sorbet
Sorbet is one of the easiest frozen desserts to make, especially when you have a reliable ice cream maker like the Cuisinart ICE-50BCC Supreme Commercial Quality Ice Cream Maker (affiliate link). This appliance eliminates the need to pre-freeze a canister thanks to its built-in compressor. While it’s a bit noisy, the convenience it offers makes it well worth the investment.
This Strawberry Sorbet recipe is quick, simple, and packed with the vibrant flavor of fresh strawberries. Sorbet is a smooth and fruity dessert made with sugar, water, and fruit—completely dairy-free and ideal for anyone looking for a light, refreshing treat.
The nice thing about this recipe is that it's easy. First you have to melt the sugar in the water and vanilla over medium heat. Purée the strawberries in a food processor along with the lemon juice. Cool the sugar syrup mixture before adding the puréed strawberries. Then, just process in your ice cream maker. Simple.
Recipe: Strawberry Sorbet
Makes about 3 cupsIngredients:
Tasting Notes
. . . . . . . . . .
Running total: $1.15 + $5.01 = $6.16
($0.83 per serving, for 6 servings)
Butter used so far: 0 tablespoons
Less than 3% complete Basic Pastry
Next recipe: Pudding Diplomate, Crème Anglaise (Ladyfinger Pudding with Crème Anglaise) and Biscuits à la cuillère (Lady fingers) page 118
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Friday, February 5, 2010
Génoise with Chantilly Cream and Strawberries—Perfect for Valentine's Day
What is Génoise
Génoise (pronounced JenWAHZ) is a delicate, Italian sponge cake named after the city of Genoa, a coastal city in northern Italy.
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Saturday, January 30, 2010
Egg Cakes—a second-cousin-once-removed crêpe
One morning, so the story goes, this hired man with the squinty eyes, the slow drawl, and the quiet manner, announced that he was going to make breakfast. Without looking at a recipe, he put together a mixture of milk (from the cow in the barn) and eggs (from the chickens in the coop) and produced what he called "Egg Cakes." Said they were like his mother always made. She was Norwegian.
My grandparents, as I understand, were enthralled and asked the hired man for his recipe. So here it is, copied from the hired man's instructions, into an old Hilroy notebook.
Recipe: Egg Cakes
Makes: 4 large onesIngredients:
3 eggs
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup milk
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, eggs, sugar, and milk.
- Use an egg beater to whisk the mixture until light and frothy.
- Heat a greased pan over medium heat.
- Pour a portion of the batter into the pan, tilting to spread evenly.
- Cook until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side.
- Serve hot, buttered, and rolled, with a side of maple syrup for dipping.
Tasting Notes
These egg cakes are a nostalgic delight with their smooth, delicate flavor. They're best enjoyed fresh off the pan and are incredibly versatile. Pair them with fruit, jam, or even powdered sugar for a sweet twist, or enjoy them plain for a classic taste.{It's finger food at our house!} This recipe is similar, though not as sweet as Crêpes au sucre (Sugar pancakes).
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Saturday, January 23, 2010
Krum Kake
The third in this series of waffle posts (see previous posts on Best Waffles and Hard Waffles) is Krum Kake (pronounced "KROOM kah-kah"). It is a beloved Norwegian treat that combines artistry and deliciousness. Translating to "bent cake," Krum Kake is baked on a special decorative waffle iron and then carefully rolled around a wooden cone to form a delicate, crisp cone as it cools.
These ornate, thin wafers are perfect on their own as a rich cookie but transform into something extraordinary when filled with whipped cream or homemade ice cream. A staple of Norwegian dessert tables, Krum Kake is both beautiful and delicious.
To make this special delicacy, you will need a Krum Kake iron (affiliate link) and a wooden cone roller (affiliate link).
Recipe: Krum Kake
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Stir in the flour and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add the cardamom or your preferred flavoring, and mix well. Gradually add water until the batter reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
- Preheat the Krum Kake iron according to its instructions.
- Spoon a small amount of batter onto the iron and cook until golden brown.
- Remove the cooked Krum Kake and quickly roll it around a wooden cone while it’s still warm. Slip off the cone and let it cool.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.



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