Uses for Evaporated Milk

Uses for Evaporated Milk

For a creamy marinade for chicken or fish, use evaporated milk. The milk subtly flavors the food without breaking down its delicate fibers. It is especially good paired with spicy sauces or seasonings.

To doctor up gravy for leftover turkey sandwiches, combine 1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk, 1 can (15 oz.) turkey gravy, and 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Arrange the turkey over toast and pour the gravy over the top.

For quick-and-easy pumpkin pie filling, mix evaporated milk with canned pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice.
For a healthy alternative to whipped cream, chill a can of evaporated milk, then whip just like heavy whipping cream. Use to top your favorite desserts.

To make creamy sauces and soups with less fat, use evaporated milk instead of cream.

Enrich the texture with a tsp. or two of sour cream after removing the sauce or soup from the heat. This trick is especially good with cheese soups.

To stir up a quick pasta sauce, mix together evaporated milk, cream cheese, and blue cheese.

To make richer-tasting mashed potatoes, replace 1/2 C. the regular milk with evaporated milk.

For better-tasting meat loaf, soak 2 bread slices in 1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk until saturated. Break up the bread and use in place of breadcrumbs in your favorite recipe.

For a healthy alternative to sour cream, mix together 1 C. fat-free evaporated milk and 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice.

To give sherbets and ice creams a smooth, rich texture, use evaporated milk in place of the cream.

For rich-tasting gratins and quiches without excess fat, use evaporated milk instead of cream or whole milk.

Salted Saffron Tinted Coconut Milk Ice Cream

Salted Saffron Tinted Coconut Milk Ice Cream

2-13.5 oz. cans coconut milk
2 T. olive oil
1/8 tsp. Spanish saffron powder
1/2 C. sugar
2 tsp. Maldon sea salt

Adjust salt and saffron to taste. The salt level will remain the same when made into ice cream, but the saffron can become stronger. Also, instead of using the saffron powder, you can choose to use about 20 saffron threads, hand crushed.

In a large bowl, blend all ingredients thoroughly. The coconut milk will have a light yellow tint. Refrigerate for at least an hour to chill. Carefully pour mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions.

Elderflower Cordial

Elderflower Cordial

15 heads of elderflowers
2 C. water
2 C. sugar
1 lemon

Over a large bowl, remove the elderflowers from their stems using a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Pick off any offending bits or bugs, but don’t rinse your flowers; you want to retain as much of the pollen as possible. Use the same knife to remove the peel from an organic or otherwise untreated lemon. Place the peel into the bowl with the flowers. Slice the lemon and add the rounds to the bowl, too. In another vessel, mix together sugar with boiling water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. (Depending on the kind of sugar you use, you might prefer to do this over low-heat on the stovetop so the sugar properly melts.) Pour the sugar water over the top of the bowl, cover with a towel and allow to steep for at least 24 hours. Once steeped to your satisfaction, strain the golden liquid into a clean vessel and refrigerate. The flowers will brown a bit as they steep—not to worry—just make sure that they’re well submerged. If you’re fussy about stray bits, use a bit of cheesecloth, but I found a classic sieve to do a fine job of straining the finished the syrup. Store your cordial in any clean jar with a tight seal and keep refrigerated for maximum longevity. Like other flowery syrups, elderflower cordial is delicious on everything from buttery cakes to sliced strawberries and poured into all manner of summery drinks—alcoholic or otherwise.

Tangy Grilled Acorn Squash

Tangy Grilled Acorn Squash

1 medium sized acorn squash
1/4 C. pomegranate molasses
3 T. olive oil
2 T. maple syrup
1/4 tsp. white balsamic vinegar powder
2 tsp. Urfa crushed red pepper
pinch of kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fumee de sel sea salt

Cut off both ends of the squash then rest it on a flat end and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and cut squash crosswise into 1-inch slices. Place slices in a steamer basket and steam, covered, over high heat for 5 to 10 min. until slices are just tender. Meanwhile, prepare marinade by whisking together all remaining ingredients except the chardonnay sea salt. Remove steamer pan from heat. Drain water from pan and place steamed squash pieces in the pan. Pour 2/3 of the marinade over the squash, reserving remaining 1/3 of the mixture. Toss squash and marinade gently with a rubber spatula. Cover and let cool in pan for 10 min. Pour marinade and squash into a large bowl, toss again, cover and place in refrigerator for at least an hour, gently tossing mixture every 20 min. or so. To finish, heat a well-oiled grill to medium. Place squash slices on the grill; use a grill pan if desired. When slices begin to brown, turn over and brush reserved marinade on cooked sides. Cook until both sides are golden brown and squash feels firm but cooked when inserted with knife. Brush again with any remaining marinade and sprinkle with chardonnay sea salt just before serving.

Honey Lemon Balm Jelly

Honey Lemon Balm Jelly

3 C. (packed) fresh lemon balm leaves
6 C. water
1 1/2 – 3 C. local honey (choose amount that suits your tastes)
juice and zest of 2 lemons
8 tsp. Pomona’s Pectin powder
8 tsp. calcium water (made using calcium powder that comes with Pomona’s Pectin, instructions included in package)

In very hot water, wash and rinse 8 half pint canning jars. This can be done by hand or in the dishwasher. Do this right before ready to use so jars are still hot. Add lids and rings to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a strong simmer but do not boil. Keep lids and rings in hot water as you prepare jam. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and stir in the lemon balm . Remove from heat, cover, and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes. Strain the “tea” squeezing the leaves to remove all the liquid. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, zest and calcium water. You should have very close to 6 C. liquid after the lemon juice is added. If you don’t, add enough water to make 6 C. Measure honey and pectin into a separate bowl, stir thoroughly (you can start with less honey and add more later). In a saucepan over the highest possible heat, bring the “tea” mixture to a boil then add the honey/pectin mixture. Check (taste) to see at this time if you would like to add more honey. Bring mixture back up to a hard rolling boil, time it for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Now it is time to transfer the jelly to jars. Using a sterilized wide mouth funnel and small measuring C. as a scoop, fill hot/clean jars leaving 1/4″ head space at the top. Place lids on the top and screw on bands, not too tightly. Process jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. (Add one minute more for every 1,000 feet of elevation.) Using a jar lifter, remove from water once processed. Allow to sit in one spot and cool completely. Add to your pantry!

Pull Apart Bacon French Toast Muffins

Pull Apart Bacon French Toast Muffins

5 C. of bread cut into 2cm/1″ cubes (fresh or stale – see notes 1 and 2)
3 rashers bacon, diced
Oil spray

3 eggs
1¼ C. milk (low or full fat)
1 tsp sugar
2 pinches salt

Maple syrup (optional)

Combine the Egg Mixture ingredients in a bowl and whisk with a fork until combined. Add bread cubes and mix well to each piece of bread is well coated with the Egg Mixture. If using fresh bread, set aside for 10 to 30 minutes in the fridge. If using stale bread, set aside for 20 minutes to overnight. If you’re in a rush, use your hands to gently squeeze the cubes to help them absorb the egg mixture faster. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Spray a medium fry pan with oil spray and heat on high heat. Add the bacon and cook until just starting to brown. Don’t cook until it is very brown because otherwise it will overcook in the oven. Remove bacon from fry pan and drain on absorbent paper. Spray 6 holes in a muffin tin. Mix the bread-egg mixture to evenly disperse the egg mixture that will have settled at the bottom of the bowl. Divide â…“ of the bread-egg mixture between the 6 muffin C.. Sprinkle with half the bacon, then press the mixture down with medium pressure using the back of a spoon. Top with the remaining bread mixture. Use your fingers to lightly compress them. Each muffin should be slightly mounded even after lightly compressing them. The bread cubes on top will puff back up when you bake it. Sprinkle with remaining bacon. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin. Serve with maple syrup, if using.

Holiday Cherries

Holiday Cherries

Perfect with duck, ham or a cheese course. Or try them over a tart, topped with whipped cream.

2 1/2 pounds sweet cherries
3 1/2 C. red wine vinegar
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp. black peppercorns
4 whole cloves
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
2 bay leaves
1 (10 x 1/2-inch) lemon rind strip

Wash and pat the cherries dry. Pierce each of the cherries several times with a fork; set aside.
Place vinegar and remaining ingredients in a nonaluminum saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes. Strain vinegar mixture through a sieve over a bowl; discard solids. Return vinegar mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Spoon cherries into hot jars; cover with hot vinegar mixture, leaving 1/4-inch head space. Cover jars with metal lids; screw on bands. Cool. Refrigerate at least 2 weeks before serving.

Boozy Rhubarb Vanilla Cordial

Boozy Rhubarb Vanilla Cordial

Sometimes I wish I was artistic like this.  Wouldn’t cookbooks be lovely (if perhaps not quite so easy to follow) if all recipes were posted as art?  This image was drawn by an artist whose page no longer exists.  Certainly I am not trying to take credit for it.  I just think its beautiful!

 

Blackberry Jam with Lemon Zest

Blackberry Jam with Lemon Zest

1 pound Granny Smith apples (about 3 small apples)
3 pounds blackberries (about 8 C.), rinsed
2 C. granulated sugar
3 T. strained fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of 2 small lemons

Sterilize jars and lids. Put a plate in the freezer. Quarter and core the apples, reserving the cores and seeds. Tie apple trimmings in cheesecloth. Put blackberries and sugar in a wide, 6- to 8-quart preserving pan or other wide, shallow pan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, and cook until the juices just cover the blackberries, about 5 minutes. Pour into a colander set over a large bowl. Stir berries gently to drain off juice. Return juice to pan, along with the apples and the trimmings. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the thickened mixture measures 220 degrees on a candy thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes. Return berries and any juice to pan. Add lemon juice and zest, and bring to simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes, until a small dab of jam spooned onto the chilled plate and returned to the freezer for a minute wrinkles when you nudge it. Off the heat, discard apples and trimmings. Ladle hot jam into jars, leaving 1/4-inch space at the top. Wipe rims, cover with lids and rings, and tighten until snug. Return jars to canning pot, making sure water covers jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from pot and let jars sit untouched for 12 hours. (After 1 hour, check to see if jars have sealed. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator.) Label and store in a cool, dark place.

Uses for Barbecue Sauce

Uses for Barbecue Sauce

To give meat loaf a whole new taste, replace the tomato sauce or ketchup in your favorite recipe with bottled barbecue sauce. The smoky taste of the barbecue sauce will add a new dimension of flavor to your old recipe.

For a smoky hamburger spread, stir together 1 T. barbecue sauce and 2 T. mayonnaise. Use on hamburgers or in salads.

To mix up a quick steaming liquid for clams, put 3 dozen scrubbed littleneck clams on a very large sheet of heavy-duty foil and drizzle with 1/2 C. spicy barbecue sauce and the juice of 1 lemon. Fold the foil over the clams, leaving ample space for the clams to open, and crimp the edges to seal. Bake at 375°F or put the foil bag on the grill and cook until the liquid in the foil is bubbling and the clams open, 10 to 12 minutes. Slit open the foil and serve the clams with the sauce. Discard any unopened clams.

For moist and marvelous hamburgers, mix 1/4 C. barbecue sauce into 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef. Shape into 4 patties and grill, broil, or pan-fry over medium heat. Cooked to about 160°F on an instant-read thermometer and the meat is no longer pink, about 4 to 6 minutes per side, basting the burgers with additional barbecue sauce as they cook.

To make delicious baked turkey tenderloins, split 2 turkey tenderloins lengthwise in half and remove the vein. Place the tenderloins in a foil-lined baking dish. Mix together 1/2 C. barbecue sauce, 1/4 C. finely chopped onion, 1/2 tsp. dry mustard, and 1/4 tsp. chipotle chile powder. Spoon or brush over the turkey until completely covered. Bake at 350°F until a thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion registers 165°F and the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

For hot roast beef sandwiches with just the right flavor, bring 1/4 C. bottled barbecue sauce to a simmer in a saucepan. Add 1/4 pound sliced deli roast beef and heat through for 5 minutes. Put on a roll with some prepared horseradish.

Soba with Pea Shoots, Shiitake Mushrooms and Leeks

Soba with Pea Shoots, Shiitake Mushrooms and Leeks

4 small leeks, white and pale green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin crosswise, washed thoroughly, and patted dry (about 1 1/2 C.)
3 T. vegetable oil
1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps sliced
4 scallions, sliced thin
2 T. soy sauce, or to taste
2 tsp. rice vinegar, or to taste
an 8- or 9-oz. package soba (buckwheat noodles)
1/2 pound pea shoots, washed well and spun dry

In a large skillet cook leeks in oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir mushrooms and cook 5 minutes. Stir in scallions, soy sauce, and vinegar and cook 1 minute. In a kettle of salted boiling water cook noodles 5 minutes or according to package directions. Put pea shoots in a colander and drain cooked noodles over shoots to wilt them. Rinse mixture in cold water and drain well. In a bowl toss noodles with pea shoots and stir in cooked vegetables. Season mixture with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature.

Rabbit Stew with Olives & Rosemary

Rabbit Stew with Olives & Rosemary

1/4 C. plus 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
Two 3-pound rabbits, each cut into 10 pieces
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 C. dry red wine
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
2 T. tomato paste
4 rosemary sprigs, tied into 2 bundles with kitchen string
4 C. chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1/2 pound Niçoise olives (1 1/2 C.)

In a large, deep skillet, heat 2 T. of the olive oil. Season the rabbit with salt and pepper. Working in 2 batches, brown the rabbit over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until crusty all over, about 10 minutes; lower the heat to moderate for the second batch. Transfer the rabbit to a large plate. Add the wine to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Pour the wine into a cup; wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1/4 C. of olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and rosemary bundles and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the rabbit and any accumulated juices along with the reserved wine to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until sizzling, about 3 minutes. Add 2 C. of the stock, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover partially and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Add the olives and the remaining 2 C. of stock and cook until the sauce is slightly reduced and the rabbit is tender, about 20 minutes longer. Discard the rosemary bundles. Serve the rabbit in shallow bowls.

Home-Canned Artichoke Hearts

Home-Canned Artichoke Hearts

You’ll need 3 sanitized pint jars with new lids and rings

Make Ahead: The artichokes need 1 month to cure, during which time their texture changes from firm to velvety while their structure is retained. If you choose to skip the water-bath canning called for here, refrigerate the sealed jars of artichokes for 1 month before serving. (Artichokes that are not water-bath-canned will not achieve the same silky texture as those that are.) The water-bath-canned jars of artichokes need to cool for 12 hours. They are shelf stable for 1 year. Once opened, the jars should be refrigerated and used within a month.

4 lemons
9 medium or 15 baby artichokes
1/4 C. plus 3 tsp. kosher salt or sea salt
1 C. distilled white vinegar, plus more as needed
1/4 C. white wine vinegar
1/4 C. mild olive oil, or more as needed
1 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, root ends trimmed
Three 1-inch strips lemon zest

Halve and juice the lemons. Place the spent lemon halves in a 5-quart nonreactive (not aluminum or copper) pot; fill it with cold water. Strain and reserve the juice for the marinade. To trim the artichokes, pull the leaves from each one, snapping them where they naturally break. Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to peel the choke, then make a clean cut across the end of the stem, retaining the tender portion. Use a grapefruit spoon, melon baller or side of a tsp. to scrape away the fuzzy choke, revealing the meaty part of it, then quarter the entire choke. (For baby artichokes, trim only to any inner leaves without a thorn.) As each choke is trimmed, drop it into the pot. Add 1/4 C. salt. Bring the pot filled with lemon water and artichokes to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low so the water is barely bubbling. Cook, uncovered, until fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the marinade: Combine the reserved lemon juice, vinegars, oil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic cloves in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the artichokes to the sanitized jars, dividing evenly and stacking the small ones and first cutting the medium ones into quarters. Tuck them in as tightly as possible without breaking or bruising. Whisk the marinade well and divide among the jars. If there is not enough marinade to cover, add oil as needed to leave 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar. Make sure 1 garlic clove, 1 strip of lemon zest and 1 tsp. salt goes into each jar. Run a chopstick or flat plastic knife along the inside of the jar to remove any air bubbles. Clean the rim of each jar with distilled white vinegar to cut residual oils, place the warmed lids on and finger-tighten the rings (not too tight). Process in the boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the jars rest in the pot for 10 minutes. Use tongs to transfer the jars to a clean, folded dish towel to cool over several hours. Store the water-bath-canned jars in a cool space to cure for 1 month.

Smoked Beets with Balsamic Glaze & Herbed Chevre

Smoked Beets with Balsamic Glaze & Herbed Chevre

I got a sample of this bajan seasoning when I placed an order with the spice shop.  I’ve tried a couple of their recipes and I quite enjoy this blend.

Smoked Beets with Balsamic Glaze & Herbed Chevre

6 large beets
1 T. Kosher Salt
Smoker or smoker box for grill
Wood chips

1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. Kosher Salt

4 oz. chevre or goat cheese
2 tsp. Bajan Seasoning
1 to 2 T. chopped fresh herbs, like chives or tarragon (optional)

For beets: Scrub beets well, slice in half, and place in a large saucepan. Add salt and cover with water by at least an inch. Bring to a boil and cook until beets are easily pierced with a knife, 25 to 35 min. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Once cool, peel beets. Meanwhile, soak wood chips and prepare smoker or smoker box for grill. Once smoker is going, smoke beets over indirect heat for 15 to 30 min. depending on how smoky you want them. Remove beets from smoker and cut into bite-size pieces.

For glaze: Stir ingredients together in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Keep mixture at a simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy and reduced by about half, 20 to 30 min. Remove from heat and allow to cool; glaze will thicken as it cools. Cover and store at room temperature until ready to use.

For chevre: Mix chevre and seasoning together until well combined. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

To serve: Serve beets drizzled with balsamic glaze and topped with a generous dollop of herbed chevre and fresh chopped herbs if using.

Juniper Pickled Onions

Juniper Pickled Onions

1 bag of small pearl white onions, preferably organic

Brine:
1 C. clean water (beware tap water with a high chlorine content)
2 tsp. Kosher salt
1 T. maple sugar, maple syrup or dark honey
3 juniper berries
1 allspice berry
1 cardamom pod, opened and the seeds scraped out
6 peppercorns
2 bay leaves
Two large pieces of lemon peel

Cut a shallow X in the root end of each onion and drop into a small saucepan. Cover the onions with water and a generous pinch of salt. Boil for 5 minutes. Strain the onions, then rinse well in cold water.  Shock the onions in ice water to stop the cooking. Using kitchen scissors, snip the root end off each onion, and the very tip if it’s sprouted or browning, Remove the outside peel to reveal a perfect white onion. Drop the onions into the sterilized jar or jars. Make a brine by heating the remaining ingredients to just below a boil. Cover the onions with the hot brine. You may have brine left over, don’t worry, but do make sure all the seeds and leaves are in the jars. Cool the onions, then refrigerate. The pickles will be ready to eat in about a week and have lasted in my refrigerator for more than six months.

Bajan Seafood Hushpuppies

Bajan Seafood Hushpuppies

3 C. plus 1 T. vegetable oil
2-4 oz. flounder or codfish filets
1 C. cornmeal
1 C. masa harina flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 T. Bajan Seasoning
1/2 tsp. Medium Yellow Curry Powder
2 eggs
1/2 C. buttermilk
1/2 C. sour cream

Heat 3 C. oil in deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350 degrees. Heat remaining 1 T. oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish filets to skillet and cook about 2 to 3 min. per side until cooked through. Remove filets from skillet and use a fork to flake fish into small pieces. Combine dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add eggs to a small bowl and whisk until lightly beaten. Add buttermilk and sour cream. Mix wet ingredients into dry until just moistened. Fold in cooked, flaked fish. Add spoonfuls of batter one at a time in batches to hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve with a side of our Bajan Hot Pepper Sauce for dipping.

Leek and Lemon Thyme Tarts with Black Trumpet Mushrooms

Leek and Lemon Thyme Tarts with Black Trumpet Mushrooms

1/4 lb. black trumpets
1 T Oregano
1/2 C. Chèvre
1/4 C. Shallots
1 Leek
2 T. Parsley
1 slice bacon
White wine
Lemon
2 bulb garlic, minced
2 T. thyme
2 tart shells
Juice from 3 Lemons
1 bunch chives

First pre-heat your oven to 400, then cut off dirty ends of mushrooms and wash in several changes of water, lifting the mushrooms out of the water to let the grit fall to the bottom. I’ve found it impossible to get these mushrooms clean without washing. Now dry sauté your mushrooms. Cook them in a pan without any oil on medium heat to get rid of all that moisture. When the water is mostly gone, and before they start to burn, take them off the heat. Chop and start cooking your bacon (add a bit of extra fat if it needs it) while you slice your shallots and leeks thin and pick your herbs. Cut mushrooms into ½ inch pieces. Now sauté your veggies, mushrooms, and herbs until soft, add wine, lemon, salt and pepper to taste then remove to mixing bowl. Mix veggies with chèvre, taste again for seasoning (this recipe wants a good amount of lemon to counter the heavy bacon and cheese). Use a tablespoon to fill tart shells on wax paper lined sheet tray and cook for 15 minutes or until cheese and tarts begin to brown. Take out to cool, chop some chives for garnish, and you’re done!

Bajan Hot Pepper Grilled Chicken

Bajan Hot Pepper Grilled Chicken

1 1/2 lbs. chicken pieces (breast, thighs, bone-in or boneless)
3 T. Bajan Seasoning
1/3 C. Bajan Hot Pepper Sauce

You can use your favorite type of chicken pieces here, boneless, bone-in, etc.

Place chicken pieces and Bajan Seasoning in a large plastic food-storage bag and shake to coat all chicken pieces with seasoning. Refrigerate chicken for 20 to 30 min. while grill preheats. Place hot sauce in a shallow plate or bowl. Remove chicken from refrigerator and dip each piece in hot sauce to coat. Grill until cooked through.

Cranberry Marmalade

Cranberry Marmalade

1 C. orange juice
3 C. fresh cranberries
1 orange, seeded and finely chopped
1 tart apple, cored and minced
12 dried apricots, chopped
1 1/4 C. honey
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

Combine the orange juice, cranberries and chopped orange in a large, non-reactive pot. Bring to a simmer and let cook until the cranberries begin to burst. Add the apple, apricots, honey and cardamom and cook for approximately 20 minutes, until the orange rinds are tender and it has thickened (watch it carefully, honey scorches easily. I speak from experience here). Once it has reached a consistency you like, remove it from the heat. Should you want to can it, pour chutney into prepared jars. Remove air bubbles, wipe the rims and apply lids/bands. Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes (don’t start your timer until the water has returned to a boil). For an even more shelf stable product, replace 3/4 of a C. the honey with one cup unprocessed cane sugar (honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need a bit more to make up the difference).

Bajan Hot Pepper Sauce (Bahamas)

Bajan Hot Pepper Sauce (Bahamas)

3 oz. distilled white vinegar
1 T. ground turmeric, or 1/2 T. Turmeric + 1/2 T. Bajan Spice Blend
5 tsp. brown sugar
4 tsp. yellow mustard seeds
1 3/4 oz. fresh habanero chiles (6 to 9)
1/2 C. coarsely chopped onion

In a small bowl, mix vinegar, turmeric and brown sugar together until smooth. Place mustard seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat and dry roast just until aromatic or the seeds start to pop. Immediately remove seeds from heat and stir into vinegar mixture. Place vinegar mixture, habaneros and onions into a blender and puree to a smooth, pourable texture.

This sauce is hot! Use as a spicy topping or dipping sauce. Use as a marinade or rub for beef, pork, poultry, seafood, tofu or veggies. Great as a dip for our Bajan Seafood Hushpuppies and a key ingredient in our Bajan Hot Pepper Grilled Chicken.

You can purchase commercial Bajan spice blends that are nice in this, they usually contain lots of spices such as:  onion, thyme, garlic, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, parsley, marjoram, ginger, fenugreek, cumin, anise, allspice, habanero, makrut lime, cinnamon, mustard, mace and cardamom.

Canning Meatballs

Canning Meatballs

6 Large Eggs
6 Cups Soft Bread Crumbs — (about 9 ounces)
1½ Cups Water
1 Cup Onion — finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Pepper
6 Pounds Ground Beef
Parsley, minced (optional)
2 quarts Broth, Tomato Juice or Boiling water (approximate)

In large bowl, combine first 6 ingredients and parsley if desired. (Let mixture soak up water.) Add beef; mix well. (Do not overhandle). Shape into 12 dozen 1 inch meatballs. (I use a size 60 scoop). Place on shallow baking pan. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Pack loosely into hot jars, leaving 1 inch headspace. Add boiling water, tomato juice or Meat stock/broth, leaving 1″ headspace. Adjust lids. Process in pressure canner at 10 pounds pressure for 75 minutes (for up to 1000 altitude).

Tagged LTS for after canning (so I can find the recipe easier); obviously this is one case where you can’t MAKE it with LTS ingredients.

Salmon Teriyaki Miso Soup with Udon and Spinach

Salmon Teriyaki Miso Soup with Udon and Spinach

2 clumps of udon noodles
4 C. of dashi
6 shiitake mushrooms (sliced, I used 2 dried soaked in water for 20 minutes)
2 T. white miso
1 C. teriyaki salmon (cooked and flaked)
2 handfuls spinach
2 green onions (chopped)

Bring the dashi and mushrooms to a boil and simmer for a few minutes and turn off the heat. Add the udon noodles and cook as directed (frozen noodles only need ~7 minutes in boiling water). Mix the miso into a ladle full of the dashi and then pour it back into the dashi. Divide the salmon and spinach between 4 bowls and pour the noodles and broth in. Garnish with the green onions.

LTS: Meat Products

LTS: Meat Products

Most Canned Meat Products will be good for 2-5 years. So don’t buy 100 cans of deviled ham (tuna/clams/salmon/roast beef/ et all) – unless you are going to be eating and rotating it.

Canned meat products are typically cooked for a long time and at a high temperature in order to can them safely. This can reduce the nutritional value of canned meat. However, it’s better than NO meat for those of us with no space to raise chickens or rabbits! Canned and Dried meats are also very high in sodium, required for preserving them. Eating them with beans (from dried) and rice can help balance the sodium for the meal as long as you don’t add additional salts while cooking your starches.

Summer Sausage
Many Dried Cured Salamis, such as LandJaeger, Sopresatta Salami; check out Molinari & Sons – dry cure products
Tillamook Country Smoker has a line of pepperoni/sausage vacuum packed with oxygen absorbers that last quite some time.
Jerkies – Beef, Game,
Canned Salmon & Tuna
Spam
Canned Chicken
Canned Clams
Canned Sardines / Anchovies
Canned Crab
Underwood Meat Spreads (Deviled Ham, roast beef spread, corned beef spread, chicken spread)
Vienna Sausages
Armor: Potted Meat, Dried Beef
Dak Canned Ham
Keystone Heat & Serve Meats (Pork, Turkey, Beef). I tried the pork. Add a bit of BBQ sauce and it makes an acceptable pulled pork sandwich.
Tyson Chunk While Chicken Pouches
Hormel Smoked Canned Ham
Roast Beef & Gravy
Shelf Stable Bacon – Costco has large pouches of bacon bits that are good at least 2 years, and are much better than “bacos”; these actually feel and taste like bacon.
Depending on your grocery, you might find “Sandwich Makers” – meats in 1-2 portion sizes (in plastic trays) with pulled pork, meatballs in sauce, or sloppy joes. Ranchers brand has canned stroganoff, meatballs or beef tips in gravy.

Aside from what you can get in your neighborhood grocery, there are meat options specifically designed for long storage, emergency preparedness, off the grid/camp cooking. Companies such as Yoder, Emergency Essentials, Mountain House, Wise Foods, Thrive, etc. offer canned meats (typically freeze dried), but prepare to pay through the nose. A #10 can of ground beef (equal to about 7 lb. cooked fresh hamburger) will set you back 60-70$ Sodium content is typically better on freeze dried products over canned.

Let me say – In my college days, I spent about 8 months working for Oregon Freeze Dried Foods (Mountain House is their own brand name; they also do government freeze drying and for private companies. They used to do nutria-system foods for instance). And I tried quite a few different types of their freeze dried foods. They really are quite tasty.

Roasted Cherries with Gorgonzola, Honey and Thyme

Roasted Cherries with Gorgonzola, Honey and Thyme

Roasted Cherries with Gorgonzola, Honey and Thyme

 

1 lb (500 g) Bing or rainier cherries, pitted and halved

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

1/2 lb. (230 g) gorgonzola wedge

Wildflower honey

Fresh thyme leaves

Maldon salt

 

Preheat the oven to 4009F and prepare a small roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Place the pitted cherries in the roasting pan. Drizzle the cherries lightly with olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. Roast the cherries for 15-20 minutes, turning once with a wooden spoon until the cherries are soft, juicy, and caramelized. Let the cherries slightly cool before assembling; they can be quite hot and sticky! To assemble one bruschetta, slice a thick chunk of gorgonzola and smear it gently onto the toasted bread. Spoon the roasted cherries over the cheese. Drizzle a bit of honey on top, a sprinkle of thyme leaves, and finish with a pinch of Maldon salt.

Mrs. Mattie’s Fresh Peach Custard

Mrs. Mattie’s Fresh Peach Custard

For Custard:
1 pint fresh peaches, chopped
1 tsp. flour
3 eggs, separated
Sugar to taste
1 deep dish pie shell

For Meringue:
3 egg whites
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
6 T. sugar
½ tsp. vanilla extract

For custard: Preheat oven to 350º. Chop peaches and sweeten with sugar. Add egg yolks and flour and combine well. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Cook at 350º until thickened. For meringue: Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add 6 T. sugar and ½ tsp. vanilla extract, beating continuously until stiff. Spread meringue over cooled custard and returned to oven until lightly browned.

“Survival” Carne Seca Adovada

“Survival” Carne Seca Adovada

This is DEFINITELY going to be a lot better if you use homemade, air-dried beef jerky vs. the commercially-made stuff. If you have to use ‘store’ jerky, I’d go for the ‘steak nugget’ style before the flat strips.

Dried Ancho and Pasilla chile peppers are available at every supermarket in areas that have any sort of Latin-American populations, or online. They are very flavorful, but not at all ‘hot’. (Chiles de Arbol can hurt you – not all dried peppers are mild) They are also pretty cheap flavor-enhancers. If you prep them by breaking off the stem-ends, pouring out the seeds and vacuum-sealing, the 25th Century archeologists who discover your stash will probably say “MMMMM.. tasty…”

This is NOT a quick MRE-type meal. Just like our ancestors, if you’re going to use dried, preserved ingredients, it will take a while, and you may have to plan in advance.

“big handful” (or 2) of homemade beef jerky (“Carne Seca” in Spanish – a popular Mexican ingredient)
“handful” of dried Ancho and/or Pasilla chiles
heaping T. dried Oregano leaves
about a T. ground cumin seed
1-2 T. dehydrated onion flakes
1 T. granulated garlic
water
chicken stock or bouillion (optional)
salt and pepper to taste.

-4 hours to rehydrate. In another container, add chiles, oregano, onion and garlic, cover with boiling water and let sit to rehydrate. Refrigerating #’s 1 and 2 overnight (covered) is not a bad idea, if possible. Grind up the chile/herb/onion/garlic/water into a thick sauce. “Abuelita” (grandma) probably used a lava-rock mortar and pestle for this. A hand immersion blender, or a food processor or a blender will work faster under ideal circumstances. Drain the meat (save liquid) and add rehydrated meat to the chile/herb sauce. Add the meat-rehydrating liquid, if needed, until everything is submerged. Let the meat marinate, refrigerated, as long as possible. 2 or 3 days is not a bad idea. When ready, dump the whole batch into a pot, add water (or chicken stock) until everything is covered. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, simmer covered 2-3 hours, checking liquid level – add more if needed (especially if on an open fire) Let it simmer, uncovered, another 10-15 minutes, to thicken sauce.

This was surprisingly good over rice and black beans with homemade corn tortillas. The meat isn’t ‘fall apart tender’ like a normal pork shoulder Carne Adovada, but much more than just “acceptable” or “MRE” quality.

from: seasonedcitizenprepper.com

Forest Pine Nut Cookies

Forest Pine Nut Cookies

Forest Pine Nut Cookies

 

1 C. raw almonds

⅓ C. plus ¼ C. organic cane sugar

1 T. honey

1 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 egg whites

⅓ C. soft white wheat flour or organic whole-wheat pastry flour, preferably home-milled

¼ C. plus ⅔ C. pine nuts

¼ tsp. salt

 

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil and blanch the almonds for 1 minute. Rinse them with cold water. Rub the skins off with your fingers; discard the skins. Place the almonds in a food processor and grind into a powder. Add the ⅓ C. sugar, honey and almond extract, and blend into a paste. Add the remaining ¼ C. sugar and the vanilla and pulse until fine crumbs form. Add the egg whites and pulse to combine. Add the flour, ¼ C. pine nuts and salt; mix just until the dough comes together. The dough will be very wet and sticky. Refrigerate it for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out small balls of dough, about 1½ T. each, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each slightly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining ⅔ C. pine nuts on the cookies. Bake until the cookies begin to turn golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

Chicken & Beans in Phyllo

Chicken & Beans in Phyllo

3 slices bacon, but into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, halved
4 sprigs fresh or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
2 cans (15 1/2 oz. each) Great Northern beans or 3 C. cooked dry-packaged Great Northern beans, rinsed, drained
1 C. chicken stock
Salt
Pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into halves
3 to 4 T. olive oil
1 package (1 pound) frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 to 1 1/2 C. unsalted butter, melted
Thyme Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Cook bacon until beginning to brown in large skillet; add onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté until onion is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add thyme and bay leaf; sauté 1 minute. Add beans and chicken stock; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until vegetable are tender, 10 to 15 minutes; drain and discard any remaining stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sauté chicken in oil until browned on all sides in large skillet; drain and cool. Preheat oven to 350º F. Lay 1 phyllo sheet on clean surface; brush lightly with melted butter. Layer with 3 more sheets phyllo, brushing each with butter. Keep remaining phyllo covered with damp towel to prevent drying. Cut buttered phyllo stack into 4 equal squares. Place chicken breast piece in center of each square and top with about 1/4 C. bean mixture. Fold sides of squares in and roll up to form packets. Place packets, seam side down on parchment-lined cookie sheet; brush tops of packets with melted butter. Repeat with remaining phyllo, melted butter, chicken and bean mixture. Bake in preheated oven until phyllo is golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Place on plates; serve with Thyme Butter Sauce.

Thyme Butter Sauce

3 oz. shallots, chopped
1/2 C. dry white wine
1/2 C. white wine vinegar
1/4 C. heavy cream
1 pound unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes, softened
Salt
White pepper
4 sprigs fresh or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves

Heat shallots, wine and vinegar to boiling in medium saucepan; reduce heat and simmer rapidly until liquid is reduced to 2 T.. Stir in cream and simmer rapidly until very thick. Reduce heat to low. Add butter to saucepan, 1 piece at a time, whisking constantly. Strain; discard shallots. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove thyme leaves from stems; stir into sauce.

Orange & Garlic Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce

Orange & Garlic Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce

4-6 pork chops, boneless, thick-cut
3/4 C. orange juice
4 T. EVOO
1/4 C. soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/2 C. cherry preserves
1/4 C. chopped dried cherries or 1/2 C. chopped fresh cherries (pitted)
1/4 C. fruit juice (orange, pomegranate, cranberry, etc)

Combine 3/4 C. orange juice, 2 T. EVOO, soy sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper in a gallon-sized baggie. Add pork chops and let marinate for at least 1/2 hour, but up to 4 hours. Heat 2 T. EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops to skillet. Cook covered, turning occasionally. Cook chops until they reach 160°. Cherry Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat preserves over medium-low heat. Add dried or fresh cherries and juice. Stir frequently. Mixture should boil for at least 10 minutes until thickened. Be careful not to scorch. Serve warm over pork chops.

Dried Mushrooms

Dried Mushrooms

Mushrooms are good for you, and when dehydrated they get an intense mushroom flavor, so you can use less.

Rinse or brush mushrooms clean. If rinsing, pat dry with a towel to get them as dry as possible so they take less time in the dehydrator. Slice them uniformly so they will dry at the same rate. A mandolin or even an egg slicer can help with this. Spread on your dehydrator racks in a single even layer. They can touch a little bit (since they shrink) but should not be stacked. Mushrooms should be dried until they are no longer spongy, but not completely brittle. Time and temperature vary, depending on your dehydrator. Try around 100 overnight, or if hotter, they will need less time. Store in airtight containers in dark place.

Air Dry: Clean shrooms with wiping method. Place clean mushrooms on a metal rack in a warm spot. Make sure they don’t touch. Walk away. Leave them be until they’re dry and brittle, two to five days, and store in a clean, airtight Mason jar on a shelf.

Mushroom Powder: You can process dried mushrooms in a blender to render them down to a fine powder. Carefully open the lid so it doesn’t whoosh up into your face. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a funnel and into a jar. Re-process any larger mushroom pieces and repeat. This can be added to ground meats for meatloaves or patties, stirred into a soup or stew shortly before serving, sprinkled over salads or steamed vegetables. Use this to encrust steaks along with some salt and pepper. Major umami flavor!

Chewy Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chewy Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chewy Chocolate Sugar Cookies

 

2 C. (240 g) all-purpose flour

1/2 C. (43 g) cocoa powder, see notes above

1 tsp. (5 g) baking soda

1/2 to 1 tsp. (3 – 6 g) sea salt, see notes above (I use 6 g)

16 T. (226 g) softened butter

1.5 C. (300 g) dark brown sugar

1 egg (50 g)

1 tsp. (5 g) vanilla extract

granulated sugar for rolling, 1/4 to 1/2 C. (50 to 100 g)

 

Heat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients. Set aside. Put the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the mixer once or twice, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Turn off the mixer, add the egg and vanilla, and beat until the egg is thoroughly incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until no flour is visible, stopping to scrape down the mixer once during the process. Pour the granulated sugar into a small bowl. Don’t chill – the crackling is a result of quick rising and falling, so non-chilled dough is better.  Portion out the dough using a 2-T. scoop or measure or a scale — each portion should weigh 50 grams. You should have about 16 to 18 balls total. Roll each portion between your hands to form a ball; then roll in the sugar — coat each ball as generously as you are able to in the sugar. Transfer 6 balls to the prepared sheet. Bake for 12 minutes; remove from heat and allow cookies to cool completely on the sheet pan. Repeat this process, baking 6 cookies at a time. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Mushroom Fried Rice with Pickled Ginger

Mushroom Fried Rice with Pickled Ginger

2 T. oyster sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce
1 1/2 T. light soy sauce
1 1/2 T. rice wine
4 T. canola oil, divided
4 eggs, cracked into a bowl, beaten lightly
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
6 C. leftover white rice (break up any clumps with your fingers)
2 scallions, ends trimmed, green parts thinly sliced
1/2 C. frozen green peas
1/2 C. pickled ginger, chopped

Whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, and rice wine in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside. Heat a T. of the canola oil in a large wok over high heat until smoking. Swirl the oil around to cover the bottom, and pour in the eggs. Stir-fry until eggs are cooked, breaking them up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Transfer eggs to a bowl and further break into 1/2-inch pieces. Wipe out wok. Return wok to high heat and add another T. oil. Heat until smoking. Swirl the oil around to cover the bottom, and add as many of the mushrooms as will fit in one layer, approximately half. Stir-fry until tender, but before they become too soft, about 1 minute. Transfer to bowl with the eggs, and repeat with remaining mushrooms. Wipe out wok. Return wok to high heat and add remaining T. oil. Heat until smoking. Swirl the oil around to cover the bottom, and add the carrots. Cook until they turn bright orange, about 30 seconds. Add the rice, and stir-fry until very hot, making sure none sticks on the bottom of the wok. Add the cooked eggs and mushrooms, along with the frozen peas. Stir-fry until everything is warm. Pour in the sauce, and stir-fry until the rice is evenly coated, and no remaining sauce is left. Turn off the heat and stir in half the scallions. Divide the fried rice between four plates. Top with a generous helping of pickled ginger, along with some extra scallions if you’d like. Serve immediately.

Rice Pilaf with Dried Green & Yellow Beans

Rice Pilaf with Dried Green & Yellow Beans

4 C. Water or Stock
Salt
1 C. dried Whole Mushrooms
1/3 C. Dried Yellow or Green Beans
1 tsp. Unsalted Butter, Coconut Oil, or other Fat from your Storage
1 C. long-grain White Rice
1 tsp. Tomato Paste or Tomato Powder
2-3 Bay Leaves

Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large pot, bring the water to a boil on high heat and add a healthy pinch of salt. Add the mushrooms and beans, and simmer, uncovered, until softened, 4-6 minutes. Drain the mushrooms and beans, reserving the liquid. Set aside. Melt the butter in an oven-safe pot with a lid (I use a 3-quart pot) on medium-high heat. Add the rice, season with salt and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves, and 2 C. the reserved cooking water. Cover the pot with its lid and bring to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, transfer to the oven and cook for 17 minutes, without opening the oven door. Test the rice. Once it is cooked, remove the pot from the oven. If any liquid remains, reserve it for other cooking. Discard the bay leaves, and add the mushrooms and beans to the rice. Stir, and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Stir everything together again before serving.

from: Batch: Over 200 Recipes, Tips and Techniques for a Well Preserved Kitchen

Picnic Ideas

Picnic Ideas

Picnic Supplies

 

□        Sturdy table and chairs to seat at least 6-8

□        Umbrella or another form of shade

□        A variety of linen and cotton tablecloths and napkins

□        Plate sets for at least 6-8 people

□        Utensils

□          Utensil holder

□          An assortment of platters, serving bowls, and trays

□          Wine glasses, mason jars, water glasses, serving pitcher

□          Bottle and wine openers

□          Picnic knife

□          Galvanized bucket

□          Tea lights, votives, sturdy candles, citronella candles

□          Sturdy floral vases and bud vases

□          Torches

□          Strings of globe bistro lights

□          Mesh food covers

□          Wine glass tags

□          Lawn games

□          Wireless waterproof speaker

 

Picnic: Latin Vibes

 

Watermelon Agua Fresca and/or Passion Fruit, Coconut and Lime Batida

Black Bean, Avocado, Kale and Quinoa Salad

Prawn, Red Pepper and Chorizo Empanadas

Corn and jalapeno Muffins

Passion Fruit and Coconut Slices

 

Picnic: Italian Style

 

Pea, Tarragon and Mascarpone Arancini

Italo-Greek Picnic Pie

Parma Ham and Buffalo Mozzarella with Spring Vegetables

Tomato and Peach Panzanella with Honey, Smoked Salt and Lavender

Grape, Lemon and Thyme Focaccia

Peaches in Wine with Thyme Ricciarelli

 

Picnic: No Cook Party

 

Rose Sangria

A Spanish Feast (bread, tomato, anchovies, caperberries or olives, Romanesco sauce, serrano ham)

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Prawn, Grapefruit and Green Apple Iceberg C.

Smoked Ham Sandwiches with Kimchi Slaw

Wimbledon Buns

 

Picnic: Classy Affair

 

Aioli and Friends (asparagus, quail eggs, little gem lettuce)

Rebel Cucumber Sandwiches (with anchovies)

Crab Tart

Gooseberry and Elderflower Traybake

Picnic: Tastes of the Levant

 

Walnut, Parsley and Sundried Tomato Babka

Labneh, Dukkah, Salted Cucumber and Radishes

Carrot, Cauliflower and Freekeh Salad

Courgette, Chickpea and Feta Salad

Harissa Chicken Sandwich

Fig and Cherry Cardamom Friands

 

 

Picnic: Cakes & Bubbly

 

Blueberry and Raspberry Loaf Cake

lam Lattice Tart

Plum and Ricotta Pastries

Beach Party Picnic Theme

Summertime and the beach go hand in hand. There’s no better way to enjoy the warm weather and the company of friends and family than with a beach party picnic. This theme is perfect for those who live near a beach or are planning a day trip. With the right decorations and menu, your beach party picnic can be the highlight of the summer.

Description of the Theme

The beach party picnic theme is all about embracing the beach vibes and creating a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Think bright colors, beachy décor, and playful accessories. Set the tone for your beach party picnic with the right decorations and accessories.

Suggestions for Decor and Accessories

  1. Beach Umbrellas: Beach umbrellas not only provide shade, but they also add to the beachy vibe. Look for umbrellas in bright colors or with fun patterns to make a statement.
  2. Beach Towels: Bring plenty of beach towels for your guests to sit on or dry off with after a dip in the ocean. Choose towels in bright colors or with beachy patterns to fit the theme.
  3. Beach Games: Keep your guests entertained with beach games like frisbee, beach volleyball, or even a game of cornhole.
  4. Seashells: Incorporate seashells into your décor by placing them on the table or using them as name card holders.
  1. Seafood Platters: No beach party picnic is complete without seafood. Consider serving up a platter of fresh shrimp, oysters, and crab legs.
  2. Fruit Skewers: Keep your guests refreshed with a platter of fruit skewers. Choose fruits like watermelon, pineapple, and strawberries for a refreshing snack.
  3. Coconut Water Cocktails: Create a signature cocktail for your beach party picnic with coconut water. Mix coconut water with rum and fruit juice for a refreshing tropical drink.
  4. Beach Snacks: Don’t forget to bring along some beach snacks like chips, pretzels, and popcorn to munch on throughout the day.

Characterize Items by Season

 

Spring

 

Raw snap peas

Radishes

Blanched asparagus

Artichoke hearts

Apricots

Kumquats

Grapefruit

Strawberries

 

Summer

 

Rainbow carrots

Celery

Broccoli florets

Cucumber

Raspberries

Blueberries

Blackberries

Red or green grapes

Watermelon

Pineapple

Peaches

Plums

Tomatoes of all varieties

Anything growing in the garden!

 

Autumn

 

Roasted beets—ruby, striped, or golden

Carrots

Roasted sweet potatoes

Roasted squash

Apples

Pears

Figs

Persimmons

Cranberries

 

Winter

 

Pickled beets

Pickled green beans

Dried fruit

Figs

Tangerines

Mandarins

Oranges

Pomegranates

Cubed Steaks Parmigiana

Cubed Steaks Parmigiana

3 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 eggs
3 T. water
1/3 C. finely crushed saltines
1/3 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. dried basil
4 beef cubed steaks (4 oz. each)
3 T. canola oil
1-1/4 C. tomato sauce
2-1/4 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/3 C. shredded Parmesan cheese

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper. In another bowl, beat eggs and water. Place cracker crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese and basil in a third bowl. Coat steaks with flour mixture, then dip in egg mixture and coat with crumb mixture. In a large skillet, brown steaks in oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Arrange steaks in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 25 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 160°. Combine the tomato sauce, sugar, 1/4 tsp. oregano and garlic powder; spoon over steaks. Bake 10 minutes longer. Top each steak with mozzarella cheese; sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and remaining oregano. Bake 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted

Dehydrated Green or Yellow Beans

Dehydrated Green or Yellow Beans

4-5 lb. Green and/or Yellow Beans

Beans with edible shells are dense and best dried in a dehydrator. They are easily rehydrated and an interesting ingredient to add to stews or rice as it cooks, as they will absorb liquid while also infusing their flavors across the dish. This will also work with shelled peas.

Dehydrator: Fill a large pot with salted water, leaving enough room to add the beans without overflow. I recommend using a pasta pot with a matching colander that will make it easy to remove the beans at one time. Bring the water to a hard boil over high heat. Place the beans in the pot, cover with a lid, and blanch for 4 minutes, filling the sink with cold water as they boil. Remove the beans from the pot and transfer to the cold water. Chop into 1/2-inch pieces and spread on drying racks. Dehydrate at 125°F for 8-10 hours, until brittle. Store in a jar with a lid that will prevent moisture from entering.

Air-Dried: Air circulation is the key to dehydrating food. Spread the shelled peas or beans on drying racks. Thin-shelled beans can be tied into strands, like you would with hot peppers. Place the veggies out of direct sunlight in a dry spot in your kitchen (I often use the top of a cabinet). They are done when bone dry.

Passionfruit, Coconut & Lime Batida

Passionfruit, Coconut & Lime Batida

Passionfruit, Coconut & Lime Batida

 

8 passionfruit

4 unwaxed limes

450ml coconut water

200ml cachaça or vodka

3 tbsp caster sugar

 

Cut the passionfruit in half and scoop the pulp into the jar or bottle. Quarter the limes, squeeze in the juice, dropping the squeezed quarters in as well. Add the remaining ingredients, screw on the lid and give the bottle a good vigorous shake. You could strain the mixture now, but I like to let it sit for at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the lime wedges to continue adding flavor to the drink. Strain into individual sealable bottles and chill. Ideally you want to drink it ice cold, so I tend to pop the bottles into the freezer, avoiding the risk of it warming up too much in transit. It has a high alcohol content so although it might turn to slush, it shouldn’t fully freeze.

Autumn Baked Eggs

Autumn Baked Eggs

1 lb. bite-sized tricolor potatoes (or any other potatoes!)
1 medium sweet potato (orange or white)
1 large yellow onion
1 apple (I used honey crisp)
10 oz. breakfast sausages (meat or vegan)
2-3 T. vegetable oil
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. paprika
eggs (1-2 per person)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Dice your potatoes and the apple into about 1-inch chunks. Dice the onion. If using meat sausage, lightly brown it in a sauté pan first so it is not raw. Slice the sausages into 1/2-inch pieces. Place the sausage, potatoes, apple and onion in a large mixing bowl. Add the vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and paprika and stir to combine and evenly mix all the ingredients. Add the potato mixture to a large over-proof skillet or sheet pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring the potatoes in between. After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and carefully create a small well in the potatoes for each egg.* Crack one egg in each well, keeping the yolk intact, and return the pan to the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the whites are solid but the yolks are not. Serve immediately. *If you prefer not to bake your eggs, return the potatoes for another 10-15 minutes and cook your eggs as desired on the stovetop.

Foraged Trumpet Mushrooms with Lemon, Garlic, and Thyme

Foraged Trumpet Mushrooms with Lemon, Garlic, and Thyme

4 T. clarified butter
8 large king trumpet mushrooms, sliced no thicker than 1/4 inch
2 cloves garlic, minced
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Finely ground unrefined sea salt

Melt 2 T. the clarified butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 1 minute, then turn them over and cook the second sides for another 30 seconds, or until softened slightly and a bit brown at the edges. Transfer the mushrooms to a serving bowl. Add the remaining 2 T. butter to the pan, stir in the garlic, and sauté for about 2 minutes, or until softened and fragrant. Stir in the lemon zest and juice and whisk until the mixture forms a uniform sauce. Stir in the thyme leaves, pour the sauce over the mushrooms, sprinkle with salt, and serve warm.