I Stink, Come Closer.......

If and when I actually follow a recipe while cooking you can be guaranteed that if the recipe calls for fresh garlic that I will double or triple the amount called for. I absolutely adore that stinking rose it has such a multi-faceted flavor personality. It can be bold, sweet, gentle and sometimes a little unkind in certain situations but always gets along well with any dish it touches
In my neighborhood I have at times been referred to as the "Queen of Garlic" since on any given day the exterior pores of my home would excrete garlic's hypnotizing perfume beckoning people to my door. My table has seen many gather round it for many a year filling many with the contentment a good meal and good company can bring. Whoever said garlic keeps people away, if it wasn't for all the darn lights I bet even Dracula himself would be knocking at my door!

Garlic Hot Wings

4 to 6 chopped fresh garlic cloves

1/2 stick butter

4 tbsp. olive oil

6 oz. Frank's hot sauce (Frank's isn't quite as spicy but I think it has one of the best flavors. If you prefer more heat add some crushed red pepper or cayenne or just use a more intense hot sauce).
18 or more med. to lg. chicken wings (wings may be baked, if you prefer)

Heat butter in small saucepan add olive oil and garlic sauté garlic until tender (do not let brown or garlic becomes bitter), heat large pan of vegetable oil (2 to 3 inches).
Cut chicken wings into 3 sections, discard wing tips. Add hot sauce to the butter, olive oil and garlic, keep warm. Deep fry wings until desired shade of brown. Remove, drain on paper towels and place in medium bowl, cover with hot garlic sauce and serve.

"Happy Birthday To Me"

Words to live by......

I have always liked this poem it expresses so clearly how I strive to be, so I am posting it as a birthday gift to myself to keep me in check whenever I feel myself begin to stray.

Myself

Poet: Edgar A. Guest

I have to live with myself and so

I want to be fit for myself to know.

I want to be able as days go by,
always to look myself straight in the eye;

I don't want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done.

I don't want to keep on a closet shelf

a lot of secrets about myself

And fool myself as I come and go
into thinking no one else will ever know

The kind of person I really am,

I don't want to dress up myself in sham.

I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all humankinds respect;

But here in the struggle for fame and wealth

I want to be able to like myself.

I don't want to look at myself and know that

I am bluster and bluff and empty show.

I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;

I know what others may never know,

I never can fool myself and so,

Whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.

This recipe was the one I tended to go to when my Mother asked what I wanted as my special birthday dinner. I always loved when she made this for me, of course you can substitute any type of meat that you like. We always enjoyed it using chuck only because it had a good amount of marbling and as we all know much to the chagrin of our waistlines that fat has a lot of flavor.

Beef Parmesan

1 1/2 - 2 lbs. of Chuck Steak or Roast (cut into one inch strips and pound slightly) to make cutlets

2 tbsp. flour

3/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can tomatoes

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. sweet basil

1 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese

Cut chuck into one inch strips, sprinkle with garlic salt and flour. Pound thin, between pieces of waxed paper. Sauté quickly in olive oil and butter. Place in baking dish, sprinkle with Parmesan.
Mix tomatoes, breaking them up a bit, with tomato sauce, oregano, basil, parsley, garlic and pepper. Simmer in saucepan 25 minutes. Pour over chuck and top with mozzarella. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Serves 4.

The Family Tree Of Food

While digging through my endless collection of recipes from relatives spanning generations. I came across a recipe that belonged to my great grandmother Mama Rose that was passed down to my grandmother Caroline (Meema) and now it lovingly rests in my possession (granddaughter Julie). All these recipes over time become the family tree of food, a glorious tree whose roots are deeply planted with the love and memories of all the people who loved and fed us throughout the years.
This particular recipe is one I know that I will be sharing and passing along to those that I love and cherish. This recipe is a combination of two desserts that are loved by many; comforting rice pudding and lemon meringue pie. Without giving up its homey nature this dessert can rise to the stature of being elegant, worthy of serving at any type of gathering.

Lemon Rice Pudding with Meringue Topping

1 cup of cold cooked white rice
1 pint of cold milk (16 ounces)
3 eggs, separated
Grated rind of 1 lemon
1 1/2 to 2 tbsp. butter
2 cups of sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

Combine rice and milk and 1/2 cup of sugar; add egg yolks, lemon rind and butter. Mix well pour into 9" by 13" bake dish and Bake at 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours.
Beat egg whites until stiff; add remaining 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar along with the juice of one lemon half way into beating. Spread meringue onto cooled pudding and bake at 350 degrees for 10 -15 minutes, just until meringue is browned.

Warming A "Chili" Heart

Why not turn up the heat this Valentines Day and add a little spice to your sweetie's day.
Like they say everything is better with chocolate and this Chili is just added proof of that.
It really makes a difference in a profound way without that OMG someone dropped a candy bar in my Chili reaction. There is a depth and a mouth feel that is uniquely that of chocolate, couple that with all that savory and spicy...well it is just the perfect symphony to serenade your taste buds.
So on this Valentines Day, if it starts to get too Chili, just add chocolate. It will instantly warm the heart of that very special someone.


Chili Con Chocolate

2 lbs. of ground beef
2 (15 oz.) cans of kidney beans
2 (15 oz.) cans of tomato sauce
1 lg. onion, diced
1 lg. green pepper, diced
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
1/3 c. Chile powder
2 tbsp. of dark brown sugar
2 tbsp. prepared grated horseradish
1 Hershey's Special Dark Bar (1.45 oz.) or just use 1 tbsp. of unsweetened cocoa powder. I prefer the dark chocolate bar; you may also substitute your own favorite chocolate.
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground pepper

In a large pot sauté your ground beef until lightly browned (drain any excessive fat). Add in the rest of the ingredients, set the temperature to medium low and let simmer, covered for 1 hour.

Food Law 101; "Even If You Can't Say It Correctly..It is Perfectly Legal To Eat It"!

What do you get when you cross a waffle, a pancake and a doughnut together? You get Aebleskivers of course! Don't worry about the pronunciation; there will be no test at the end of this post...

Aebleskivers are much easier to make and far easier to eat than they will ever be to say. They even have their own special little pan, which is an absolute must to make these properly. These are so much fun; they end up being the size of a tennis ball with the slight crunch of a waffle, the tenderness of a pancake and the taste and sensory pleasure of munching on a doughnut.

Just like doughnuts Aebleskivers can be eaten plain fried or you can fill them with assorted jams, jellies, chocolate or they are incredibly good with a little mashed ripe banana in the middle. Aebleskivers can be dusted in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar or can be dunked in maple syrup or whipped cream. You can just go crazy with these little sugary carby delights.

I truly believe that an Aebleskiver pan is a must in everyone's baking pan collection, once you have it you will see just how much fun they are to make as well as eat.

Aebleskivers

2 c. buttermilk

2 c. flour

2 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. soda

2 tbsp. sugar

4 tbsp. melted butter

Separate the eggs and beat the whites stiff. Mix all the other ingredients together at one time and beat until smooth. Fold in egg whites last. Put about 1 tablespoon of oil or shortening in the bottom of each cup of the aebleskiver pan and have hot.

Pour in about 2 tablespoons of batter into cup and as soon as they get bubbly around the edge turn quickly. Use forks to turn continue cooking turning the ball to keep from burning.

If you would like these filled add your choice of filling (no more than a teaspoon full) to the center of the batter right before you flip your Aebleskiver over. When finished roll in sugar or leave plain, may also dunk in syrup or dip in whipped cream.

This Post Just "Popped" Into My Mind.

Popcorn is one of those blank slate ingredients that allows your imagination to run wild. You can go sweet or savory; make it Mexican with a little chili powder or Italian with some garlic and basil. You can drizzle it with chocolate or caramel or add fruits and nuts and turn it into a trail mix. You can roll popcorn into balls or press into cakes, make it into clusters or just eat it loose out of bag, box or bowl.

Popcorn is so inexpensive; it's filling, loaded with fiber and for the most part very healthy depending on how we prepare it.

I don't believe that I have ever met anyone who doesn't like popcorn.....so get popping and start snacking!

Pizza Popcorn

1/3 c. butter

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. onion powder

10 c. fresh popcorn

Melt butter. Add Parmesan cheese and seasonings. Pour over popcorn in shallow baking pan. Stir to mix. Heat in preheated oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Popcorn Cake

1 Bundt pan full of popcorn

1 (12 oz.) jar dry roasted peanuts

1 (16 oz.) pkg. M&M'S®

1 (16 oz.) pkg. marshmallows
1 stick butter

Important: Spray all utensils with a non stick spray.

In a large mixing bowl, mix popcorn, peanuts and M&M'S®. Melt butter and marshmallows together over low heat. When completely melted, pour over popcorn mixture in bowl and stir gently. Pack in Bundt pan. Let stand for 10 minutes. Turn pan over and lift off. Cake should slide right out.



Chocolate Popcorn Clusters

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 tbsp. butter
2 c. popcorn
1 c. coarsely chopped nuts

Lightly oil cookie sheet. Melt chocolate and butter over hot water in double boiler. In large bowl mix popcorn and nuts, then pour melted chocolate over, toss. Spoon candy in clusters onto oiled sheet. Store in tightly covered container in cool place, layered by wax paper or plastic wrap.

Peanut Butter Popcorn

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. corn syrup (light)

1/4 c. peanut butter
4 c. popcorn, popped

Combine sugar and syrup in large pan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to full boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well. Pour over popcorn and stir until coated.

Rockin' Good Rabbit

I just saw my neighbor walking into his house joined by his hunting dog and their obvious catch of the day, three rabbits. I guess I am not as squeamish as I use to be as a child, don't get me wrong I did say to myself; awe poor cute little bunnies. I do sometimes feel like such a cold heartless individual when I crave and eat meat but it is an honest natural craving I cannot escape.

I have had rabbit prepared in so many different ways from country fried, braised in wine and I have even had it barbequed which is very good by the way. As good as all those preparations have been this recipe has to be my absolute favorite. There is uniqueness to these flavorings being combined together, it actually seems like it shouldn't work but let me tell you that it does. These flavors work in a big way, you find yourself slowly processing each individual bite with an inquisitive delight.

This recipe is side dish friendly so whether you like potatoes, rice or stuffing, salad, cauliflower, or broccoli. Whatever you choose they will all compliment this rabbit perfectly.

Cinnamon Rabbit

1 rabbit cut into pieces or 3 rabbit loins
4 Strips of bacon cut into bite size pieces

1/4 cup of melted butter

1 tbsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Nutmeg
2 tbsp. Horseradish

1/2 cup of water

Salt and Pepper to taste

Sauté the 4 strips of bacon over medium-high heat in butter till some of the bacon grease renders, do not let bacon get crisp, add rabbit and brown in butter and bacon, about 2 or 3 minutes on each side. Place rabbit and drippings along with bacon pieces in baking dish. Stir remaining ingredients into a 1/2 cup of water and pour over rabbit.

Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until tender.

FYI- No need to hunt for your rabbit these days, most grocery stores carry most game meats packaged and ready to go for your convenience.

In a pinch this recipe works equally well with any type of poultry.