Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Boston Christmas - Mum's Recipes!!

Ceasar Salad Dressing

2/3 cup olive oil
1 egg very lightly boiled
2 large cloves garlic (or 3 small)
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp cidar vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
(2 anchovies if desired)

Boil egg for 2-3 minutes, until white part is just set and yolk is soft. Add all ingredients into a medium container and blend with a hand blender until smoth.
Chill for at least 2-3 hours then serve. Creamy, thick consistency.
To make your own croutons: cut up crusless white bread slices into 1 inch chunks. Mix with olive oil, garlic powder, italian seasoning crushed then spread in large pan and bake at 200 degrees for 35-45 minutes until dried and crispy.
Create salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesean cheese, tomatoes (optional) then add dressing when ready to serve.

Sherried Artichoke Chicken (serves 8)
3 lbs chicken breast, cubed 1 inch
salt, pepper, paprika (or Lawry's season salt)
6 Tbsp butter
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
scallions cleaned and cut into 1/2 in pieces
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup sherry
1 tsp dried rosemary crumbled

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Season chicken pieces, then brown in 2 tbps butter on all sides and place in casserole dish.
Place artichoke around and between the chicken pieces.
Heat up additional butter and saute mushrooms and scallions until tender.
Sprinkle flour over and stir to cook.
Add broth, sherry and rosemary and cook stirring for a few minutes.
Pour mixture over chicken and artichokes, cover and bake for 30-40 minutes.
Serve over rice or potatos.

Egg Sausage Strata or Soufflet (prepare the night before)
6 eggs, beaten
6 slices white (Wonder) bread, crusts removed and chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
2 cup milk
1 cup grated cheese (sharp white cheddar)
1 lb Jimmy Dean Sausage tube

Saute cut up sausage then drain.
Mix rest of ingredients together in a large bowl. Crumble sausage and add to bowl and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease an 8 inch pyrex pan and pour in egg batter.
Bake for 35-45 minutes until set when checked with a knife.

Popovers (single) or Yorkshire Pudding (double recipe)
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Beat eggs lightly, add milk, flour, butter, salt and mix - DONT overbeat mixture.
Pour into a greased 9x9 pan (single) or 9x13 pan (double). Can also pour into large muffin trays or rammekins.
Bake for 30-45 minutes until center is not too moist - just set. Will puff up the sides and maybe in center as well.

Roast Leg of Lamb (serves 8-10 people)
1 leg of lamb, boned, cleaned and rolled
2 Tbsp lemon juice (more if desired)
1 large cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1Tbsp paprika
pepper 3 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup white wine

Mix all marinade ingredients together, except the wine, and pour over lamb into a container or large zip-lock. Marinate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place lamb in a roasting pan then add wine.
Bake for around 1.5 - 2 hours, basting occassionally. Add more wine if needed.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Turkey Burger/Meatloaf

Adapted from Food Network Bobby Flay Turkey Kofte.
I made this with the idea of making Turkey Burgers but it came out more like Turkey Meatloaf. Great flavor but again, more meatloaf than burger. To make into burgers, next time I could make it without all the tomato paste, 1/2 tbsp less oil and a little more oatmeal.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 large yellow onion, finely grated
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon adobe pepper, finely chopped (could substitute cayenne pepper)
1 teaspoon Lawry's season salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 pounds ground turkey, 93 percent lean
1 tablespoon worchestire sauce
1/2 cup oatmeal, ground in grinder

Mix all ingredients except turkey together, then add turkey and mix well. Form into patties 1/2 inch thick, then let sit in fridge for at least one hour for flavors to meld. Broil on Hi on rack 2nd to highest for 6 minutes one side, flip then broil 6 more minutes. Flip again, broil 2 more minutes then take out and add cheese to melt ontop. Very yummy but not quite the burger flavor.