Learning to Cook

I have always been surrounded by wonderful cooks and bakers. While this has been delightful for my taste buds, I always wondered if I would ever be able to cook like them. When I lived in Brazil, I was forced to learn how to cook because the ingredients at my disposal were so different. The experience was, at first, frustrating. But, once I began to experiment, the world of cooking opened up to me. My recipe box is now brimming, and I thought others might be interested in trying some of the recipes I have found. I haven’t tried them all yet, but I plan to in the future! I hope you enjoy, and please feel free to add your own suggestions/comments.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Eight-Hour Coq au Vin

3 slice(s) bacon, cut crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces
1 package(s) (10-ounce) mushrooms, each cut in half
2 cup(s) frozen pearl onions
1 (4-pound) cut-up chicken, skin removed from all pieces except wings
Salt and pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
4 clove(s) garlic, chopped
1 cup(s) dry red wine
2 tablespoon(s) tomato paste
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup(s) chicken broth

Directions

1. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until browned. With slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine mushrooms and frozen pearl onions; set aside.
3. Sprinkle chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. In skillet with bacon fat, cook chicken (in 2 batches, if necessary) over medium-high heat until browned, about 10 minutes. Place chicken over vegetables in slow cooker.
4. Discard drippings from skillet. Reduce heat to medium; add onion and carrot, and cook 2 minutes or until onion softens, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute. Add wine, tomato paste, and bay leaf; heat to boiling, stirring to dissolve tomato paste. Pour wine mixture and broth over chicken pieces. Cover slow cooker and cook as manufacturer directs, on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours.
5. To serve, discard bay leaf. With large spoon, transfer chicken and sauce to deep platter; sprinkle with bacon.

Nutritional Information
(per serving)Serves 4

Calories 400
Total Fat 13g
Saturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 156mg
Sodium 690mg
Total Carbohydrate 20g
Dietary Fiber 5g
Sugars --
Protein 52g
Calcium --

From:http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/eight-hour-coq-au-vin-ghk0907

Scampi Gratin with Arugula Salad

Scampi Gratin:

24 frozen extra-large easy-peel deveined shrimp, shells intact, thawed
4 slice(s) white bread, crusts torn into pieces
1/4 cup(s) marinated sun-dried tomatoes, drained, minced
1/4 cup(s) finely chopped fresh basil
6 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon(s) capers, drained, chopped
1 teaspoon(s) garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon(s) freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup(s) extra-virgin olive oil
Lemon wedges
More Pantry Staples
Arugula Salad:

8 cup(s) baby arugula
1 1/2 cup(s) jarred roasted red and yellow bell pepper strips
2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
1 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon(s) kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Nutritional Information
(per serving) Recipe serves 4

Calories 288
Total Fat 18g
Saturated Fat --
Cholesterol --
Sodium --
Total Carbohydrate 23g
Dietary Fiber --
Sugars --
Protein 8g
Calcium --

From: http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/scampi-gratin-arugula-salad-rbk

Garlicky Cherry Tomato Bread Gratin

One 5-ounce piece of day-old French baguette with crust, cut into 1-inch cubes (5 cups)
1 1/2 pounds small cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 375°.
2. Lightly oil a 10-inch ceramic quiche dish.
3. In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, parsley, Parmesan and salt and pepper.
4. Scrape the mixture into the baking dish and bake in the center of the oven for 35 minutes, or until the bread cubes are browned and crisp and the tomatoes are very tender.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving (6 Servings)

Calories 280.2
Total Fat 17.2 g
Saturated Fat 4.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 10.1 g
Cholesterol 7.9 mg
Sodium 568.9 mg
Potassium 409.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate 25.0 g
Dietary Fiber 2.9 g
Sugars 1.5 g
Protein 8.8 g

Vitamin A 27.5%    Vitamin B-12 3.7%
Vitamin B-6 8.8%    Vitamin C 35.6%
Vitamin D 0.0%    Vitamin E 4.2%
Calcium 19.9%    Copper 9.2%
Folate 13.8%    Iron 12.8%
Magnesium 8.6%    Manganese 21.1%
Niacin 12.8%    Pantothenic Acid 5.6%
Phosphorus 15.9%    Riboflavin 12.3%
Selenium 13.4%    Thiamin 21.6%
Zinc 5.8%

From: http://www.yumsugar.com/tag/jacques+pepin

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Couscous + Black Bean Salad


1 cup whole wheat couscous*
1 1/4 cups vegetable broth*
2 (150z) cans black beans, thoroughly rinsed & drained
1 cup frozen corn
3/4 red bell pepper, seeded & chopped
5 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 pinch salt
10 grinds freshly ground black pepper

1.) Cook couscous according to directions, replacing water with vegetable broth.
2.) In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, cumin, salt, & pepper. Set the dressing aside.
3.) After the couscous has finished cooking, fluff it gently with a fork, & transfer it into a large bowl. Stir the beans, corn, red pepper, & green onion into the couscous.
4.) Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture, stirring to coat.
5.) Stir in the fresh cilantro, taste for salt/pepper, & add if necessary.
6.) Serve immediately, or refrigerate & serve later. (This salad is best at room temperature.)

*Variation: You can also use a box of Near East's Near East's "Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil" wheat couscous (instead of using plain, wheat couscous) when making this dish. If you do so, omit the vegetable broth and use water instead.

From: http://veggie-terrain.blogspot.com/

Mexican-Style Chick-Pea Salad

2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo
3 fresh jalapeno chiles
1 medium onion
2 garlic cloves
3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes
4 cups drained canned chick-peas (2 19-ounce cans)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice plus additional to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Rinse chipotles. Wearing rubber gloves, separately seed and mince chipotles and jalapenos. Mince onion and garlic. Peel, seed, and chop tomatoes. Rinse and drain chick-peas, and in a large bowl stir together all ingredients except additional lime juice.

Chill the salad, covered, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Season salad with salt and add additional lime juice. Serve salad at cool room temperature.

From: http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2003/12/04/ss1b32_chick_pea_salad_lg.jpg

Edamame + Black Bean Summer Salad


5 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 limes, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 lb. shelled edamame, frozen
3 c. corn kernels, frozen
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1 (15oz.) can black beans, rinsed & drained

1.) In large bowl, whisk red wine vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, sugar, & salt together. Set aside.
2.) Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add frozen edamame, boiling for 3 mins. Add frozen corn to water & continue cooking for 2 more mins.
3.) Drain edamame & corn well, & pour into bowl with dressing.
4.) Add grape tomatoes, scallions, & black beans, & gently stir to mix.
5.) Cover & refrigerate for 2hrs., then stir & serve.

Recipe (adapted from allrecipes.com)

Mixed Vegetable Salad

For the dressing:
1 bunch Mint Leaves (Wash and Chop fine)
2 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
Salt to taste

Salad ingredients:
2 cups Chopped Cucumbers (Wash, Peel, core out the middle and chop the rest into fine cubes)
2 cups Chopped Carrots (Wash, Peel and chop into fine cubes)
1 bunch Green Onions (Chopped fine)
1 cup White Garbanzo Beans (White Channa, soaked overnight and cooked)
2 Green chillies (chopped fine, optional)

Mix the above in a bowl and keep aside.

Method:
Combine all the chopped vegetables in a mixing bowl. Mix well. Add the dressing. Toss and Serve

From: www.masalamagic.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html

Mutter Paneer

Ingredients:

1 medium onion sliced into small pieces
2 medium size tomatoes
1/2 cup of paneer cubes (Fry the paneer cubes in oil)
1 cup of green peas
1 Green chilli
1/2 tablespoon of Red Chilli Powder
1/2 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon of Turmeric Powder
1/2 tablespoon of cumin seeds
1/2 tablespoon of coriander powder
1/2 tablespoon of Garam Masala powder
3-4 tablespoon of Oil/ghee
2 bay leaves
3-4 cloves
Salt

To make Tomato Puree:

Grind the tomatoes and the green chilli together with 1/2 cup of water.Keep the puree aside.

Heat some oil/ghee in a deep saute pan.Fry cumin seeds,bay leaves and cloves.Add onions,ginger garlic paste and fry them till the onions turn transparent.

Now add tomato puree,required salt,red chilli powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder and garam masala powder.Mix well and saute for a min.Cover the pan and cook for 3-4 mins.

Now add the fried paneer cubes,green peas and mix well.Cover the pan and cook in medium flame 4-5 mins.

Serve hot with any kind of Indian bread/Basmati Rice and enjoy!

Side Note:
paneer cheese = panir cheese = Indian curd cheese Notes: Indians like to serve this bland fresh cheese with spinach or peas. Use within a few days. Substitutes: cubes of firm tofu OR feta cheese (much saltier) To make your own: Bring one gallon of whole milk to a boil, stirring regularly. (It's best to use a double boiler to avoid scalding the milk. Don't use an aluminum or cast iron pan.) Remove from heat, then gradually add lemon or lime juice until the mixture curdles (about 3-4 tablespoons). Cover, and let the mixture sit for a few minutes. Pour the mixture into a cheesecloth-lined colander and allow the curds to drain. Rinse the curds with water and allow to drain some more, then fold the cloth around the cheese and use a weighted plate to press more moisture out of it for a few hours or until it becomes firm.

From: http://thefancifulmind.blogspot.com/2007/09/mutter-paneer-masala.html

Fresh Peas Guggullu

5-minute saute of green peas (a cup) with finely chopped red onions pieces. Touch of black pepper, salt and fresh grated coconut, they are done. Quick and great tasting traditional Indian recipe to enjoy fresh green peas.