Monday, January 20, 2014

Red Bliss Potato Salad with Crispy Bacon

Developed January, 2014. Modified from an Emeril Lagasse recipe. Pairs nicely with kielbasa or roast pork.
1 lb red bliss potatoes, about 1-1/2 inches diameter
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 c red onion, short shreds
1/4 c red bell pepper, diced
1 T minced garlic
3 to 4 T red wine vinegar, to taste
3 slices toaster-oven bacon, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
Clean the potatoes, transfer to a saucepan, cover with water by 1 inch, add a tablespoon of salt and bring to a gentle boil. Cook until the potatoes are easily pierced by a paring knife, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool on a clean towel. While the potatoes are cooking, heat the olive oil in saute pan, add the pepper and onion and salt lightly. When softened and lightly colored, add the garlic and sauté another 30 seconds. Take off heat. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, quarter them and place in a serving bowl. Toss with the vegetables and oil, season to taste with vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss with the bacon and parsley. Serve warm.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Baked Oatmeal

Recorded January 4, 2014. Adapted by Laura from an online recipe. Prepared many times. A Family Favorite. Can be prepared the night before and reheated for breakfast.
1/3 c butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
3/4 c brown sugar
1-1/2 t baking powder
2 eating apples, cored, peeled, and coarsely chopped
1/3 c raisins
1/4 c pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped
1-1/2 t vanilla
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
2 c milk
3 c rolled oats
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 C). In a large bowl, beat eggs well. Stir in the sugar, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk in the butter, then the milk, stir in the oats, followed by the fruits and nuts, mixing well after each addition. Spread the mixture in a well-greased 9x13 inch glass baking dish (1-1/2 liter), and bake for 35 to 45 minutes until set in the middle. Serve warm, topped with a plump pillow of low-fat vanilla yogurt or with warm cream or milk. Keeps well, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator. Variation Substitute fresh blueberries for raisins, or fresh peaches for apples. Serves 8.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Chopped Chicken Liver

This dish has been prepared in DrDaddy’s family for four generations for special holidays. Use schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) to conform with Kosher law. This recipe was transcribed Jan 1, 2014 based on phone conversations with sister Phyllis Pliskow, describing how mother Dorothy Magid and grandmother Rose Raphael Samuels prepared it.
1 lb chicken livers, trimmed of membranes and fat, rinsed, and patted dry
7 c yellow onions, peeled, halved and sliced longitudinally through the poles
2 sticks butter (or 1 c rendered chicken fat)
5 hard-boiled eggs, shelled and cooled
Seasonings
Lawry’s™ Seasoned Salt
freshly-ground black pepper
granulated garlic
paprika
In a large skillet over medium heat melt 1 stick butter or 1/2 c schmaltz. Add 5 cups onions to the hot fat. Season well and slowly cook until nicely caramelized, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool. While the onions are caramelizing, in another skillet, melt the other stick of butter or schmaltz, add 2 cups of onions, and fry slowly until soft and lightly colored. Add the prepared livers, season well, and fry slowly until cooked but not hard. Discard the onions used to flavor the chicken livers. Set livers aside to cool. Set up a meat grinder, and process some of the caramelized onions through the grinder into a large bowl, then process some of the livers, and then an egg. Repeat until all the ingredients have been ground except reserve one egg for garnish. Fold the liver, onion, egg together gently, and correct the seasoning. Press flat and top with the reserved chopped egg as a garnish. Chill before serving with crackers or bread.

Nut Butter Sandwich on French Toast

 Created January 2, 2014. Another tasty way to eat more nuts.
1 oz peanut butter
1 oz ground toasted walnuts
1/2 T maple syrup
1 t vegetable oil
1 large slice Easy French Toast, cut in half
Add the peanut butter and walnuts to a small bowl, and soften in the microwave. Stir in the syrup, and heat until bubbling in the microwave, about 1 minute. Carefully set aside to cool; the filling will be hot. In a nonstick skillet, reheat the French toast in vegetable oil until crisp on both sides. Spread the nut mixture between the French toast slices. Serve with knife and fork. Serves one but is easily doubled.