Chicken and Sauaage Gumbo

INGREDIENTS
2          tablespoons olive oil
1          large chicken breast, cut to ½ inch cubes
1          medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1          medium red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
3-4      stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
3-4      cloves garlic, mashed
3          large (5 to 6 inch) cooked sausages cut ¼ inch slices
10-12  whole okra, ends removed, sliced ½ inch thick rounds
1          recipe basic gumbo (elsewhere in this blog under RICE)

 METHOD

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet and add the chicken pieces. Cook the chicken pieces, turning often, until well browned on all sides, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic and continue to cook until the vegetables are softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Add the sausage slices and okra and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove from the heart and combine with the basic gumbo rice. Return to a low heat, cover and warm for 5 to 6 minutes. Serve immediately.

Basic Gumbo Recipe

The recipe below is the basic gumbo preparation. To this are added the meats and vegetables of the particular “Gumbo” you are preparing. Regardless of what else goes into gumbo, Okra must be one of the ingredients or “it jist ain’t gumbo.”

INGREDIENTS
½         cup all purpose flour
½         cup olive oil or other cooking oil (eg, Canola)
2          cups low sodium chicken or homemade broth
1          tablespoon dry ground cumin
1          tablespoon dry sage
1          tablespoon paprika
1          teaspoon dry red pepper flakes
½         teaspoon Cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
1 ½      cups Arborio or other long grain rice
½         cup water

METHOD

In a large skillet, combine the oil and flour and mix to an even, smooth consistency. Place the skillet over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Increase the heat to medium-high and continue cooking and stirring until the roux turns deep reddish brown.

Remove from the heat and slowly add the broth, stirring. Once all the broth has been added, add the spices and whisk them in. Add the rice and water. Return to a low heat, cover and cook for about 20 minutes. Every 5 to 6 minutes, uncover and stir the mixture, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. If it looks like the mixture is getting really dry, add water ¼ cup at a time, but do not over-water.

When the rice is finished and al dente, you can add the meats and vegetables to complete the gumbo recipe. This recipe will make gumbo for from 4 to 8 people, depending on what other ingredients are added.

Butter Bean Bacon Soup

INGREDIENTS
2          slices thick cut bacon or 4 slices thinner cut
1          medium onion, diced
1          cup sliced leeks, white and medium green parts
1          cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)
½         cup diced roasted red bell pepper
1 ½      cups low sodium chicken broth
1          can (15 ounce) butter beans, rinsed and drained
1          teaspoon dried thyme
1          teaspoon dried tarragon

METHOD
Cut some of the meatier portions out of the bacon, chop to ¼ inch and set aside. Cut the remainder of the bacon into ½ inch squares and place into a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until crisp, about 5 to 6 minutes, and remove to paper towels to drain. Add the set-aside bacon meat to the pan and cook until crisp, about 5 to 6 minutes. Set this aside on paper towels also, separate from the other portion.

Discard into the garbage all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add the onion, leek and celery and cook over medium-high heat until the vegetables are well softened. Add the first portion of bacon (large cut), the bell pepper, broth, butter beans and spices. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes to blend the flavors well. Working in batches if necessary, remove to a blender or food processor and process to a fine puree. Serve immediately in 4 ounce portions, adding a few bits of bacon as a garnish. Will provide 4 to 6 servings

Chinese Chicken Salad

This salad can be made without the chicken to accompany quickly fried fish, such as Ahi Tuna. It’s OK if some of the dressing gets onto the fish, also.

INGREDIENTS
2          tablespoons olive oil
1          chicken breast, sliced lengthwise to ¼ inch
1          teaspoon sesame oil
1          tablespoon dried ginger powder
1          tablespoon soy sauce
1          tablespoon rice vinegar
½         cup sliced almonds
1          tablespoon sesame seeds
3          cups thinly sliced Napa Cabbage
2          cups thinly sliced Red cabbage
3-4      green onions, sliced crosswise, including some green parts
1          cup thinly sliced celery – use a mandolin to slice
1          cup thinly sliced red bell pepper – use a mandolin
1          cup bean sprouts
¼         cup chopped cilantro
½         cup dry Chinese noodles
            Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing available at Guglielmo Winery

METHOD

Cut the chicken strips to 2 inch length and fry over medium heat with the olive oil until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the heat to a medium bowl. In a small bowl, mix the sesame oil, ginger, soy and rice vinegar. Pour over the chicken strips, turn to thoroughly coat, and set aside.

Place the almond slices and sesame seeds on a rimmed baking sheet and toast under the broiler. Be sure they do not burn, remove from the oven and set aside.

 In a large salad bowl, combine the cabbage, onions, celery, bell pepper, bean sprouts, cilantro and noodles. Add the toasted sesame seeds and almonds; toss to combine. Add the chicken strips on top and serve with the dressing on the side. This recipe will produce 6 to 8 healthy servings.

Guinness Meat Glaze

I Know – why ruin a bottle of Guinness to do a meat glaze?? What were you thinking.? Actually, I was thinking of drinking the rest of the Guinness while I cooked. Might even open a second bottle.
INGREDIENTS
1          cup Guinness stout
¼         cup light brown sugar
4          teaspoons crushed coriander seeds
½         teaspoon black peppercorn
1          dash salt

METHOD

Place all ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium heat and cook to dissolve the sugar in the liquid. Increase the heat and  bring to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring until the level of liquid is reduced by half  (down to ½ cup). It should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Before using or serving, strain through a fine sieve.

Brush onto meats that are to be roasted and use as a sauce for the cooked meat slices.

Leek and Bacon Risotto

INGREDIENTS

2          strips thick cut bacon, diced to ½ inch squares
1          medium leek, sliced white and pale green parts (1 to1 ½ cups)
1          cup Arborio rice or similar
¼         cup dry white table wine
2          cups low sodium chicken broth, kept warm.
1          tablespoon butter or butter substitute
¼         cup freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese

METHOD

In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon, turning and stirring often, until it is crisp. Remove to a paper towel to drain and reserve. Retain 3 tablespoons of the drippings, disposing of the rest in the garbage, not the sink. Into the bacon drippings place the sliced leeks and cook, stirring often, until they are lightly brown, about 6 to 7 minutes. Do not let them burn. Remove from the skillet and reserve.

Place the rice into the same skillet and increase the heat to medium high. Cook and stir the rice for 3 to 4 minutes until it starts to sizzle a bit and then add the white wine. Start stirring constantly until the wine is absorbed, 1 to 2 minutes, and add ½ cup chicken broth. Still stirring, as the liquid is absorbed, add another ½ cup. Continue until the rice is al dente (If you run out of broth, use some hot water.)

 Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cheese. Add the reserved leeks and bacon and mix thoroughly. Allow to stand a few minutes before serving.

Based On a recipe given to me by a customer. Thank You!

Butternut Bisque

The warm, subtle flavors of butternut squash come through beautifully in this small-dish soup. Not a main dish, but a soup course for 8 to 10 people.

INGREDIENTS
1          tablespoon olive oil
1          small white onion, chopped (1/2 cup +)
1 ½      pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut to 1 inch pieces (about 4 cups)
1          small Yukon Gold or yellow potato, peeled and diced (1/2 to 2/3 cup)
1          cup low sodium chicken broth
2          cups hot water
¼         teaspoon allspice
¼         teaspoon salt
1          tablespoon butter

METHOD

In a large sauce pan, add the olive oil over medium heat. Add and cook the onion for 5 to 6 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the squash, potato, broth and water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the squash is tender.

Remove from the heat and, working in batches if necessary, place into a food processor or blender and process to a puree. Add the tablespoon of butter and blend it in. Serve immediately in 4 to 5 ounce portions.

Tuna and Potato Bake

A quick, easy and good tasting casserole for four people


INGREDIENTS
1          tablespoon olive oil
3          medium stalks celery
1          medium white onion, chopped small
3          medium Yukon Gold or white potatoes, diced to ½ inch
3-4      mushrooms, diced small
2          cans (5 ounce) tuna, drained
1          tablespoon Dijon style mustard
1          teaspoon garlic powder
2          tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1          egg, beaten
¼         cup grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese
1          tablespoon butter
¼         cup plain bread crumbs
2          tablespoons grated cheese

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 325 F degrees. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Using a mandolin, thinly slice the celery stalks (watch your fingers) and put them into the skillet. Add the onion. Stir and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, remove from the heat and place into a large mixing bowl. Add the potatoes and mushrooms and mix well.

In a medium bowl, combine and mix the tuna, mustard, garlic powder, balsamic vinegar, egg and Asiago cheese. Place this into the mixing bowl and stir well. Use the butter to grease the sides and bottom of a 9 inch square baking dish. Add the mixture from the bowl and level it out.

In another small bowl, mix the bread crumbs and cheese and sprinkle t5his over the top of the tuna mixture. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes in the center of the oven, remove and let it cool for 5 to 7 minutes before serving.

Mediterranean Pie

A pie made with many of the ingredients grown and eaten around the Mediterranean basin – especially Italy.

INGREDIENTS
2          strips thick sliced bacon, cut to ½ inch pieces
1          medium white onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
4          cloves garlic, minced
1          cup sliced mushrooms
1          can (14 ounce) quartered artichoke hearts, drained and halved
1          can (about 4 ounces) sliced black olives, drained
1          can (14 ounce) plain diced tomatoes, drained
½         cup pine nuts
2          cups chopped fresh spinach
½         cup tomato sauce
½         cup Ricotta cheese
2          tablespoons dried oregano
2          tablespoons dried parsley
3          tablespoons dried basil
3          tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Pie crust for top and bottom of a nine inch pie pan

Olive oil

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Fry the bacon strips until they are well rendered and almost crisp. Remove from the pan to paper towels to drain; pour the fat into the garbage – not the disposal.

 In a large pot, combine the onion, garlic, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, black olives, tomatoes, pine nuts, chopped spinach and bacon pieces. Stir and mix well. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato sauce and ricotta cheese with the three spices and parmesan cheese, mixing well. Combine the ricotta/tomato sauce mix with the vegetables in the pan and mix well.

Brush the bottom of a nine inch pie pan with olive oil and lay in the bottom crust, making sure it extends over the sides a little. Spoon the pie filling into the pan and press it down. If there is a little too much filling, do not worry – it will subside as it cooks.

Smooth the top and lay the top crust over the filling – also extending past the sides. Use a fork to merge the top and bottom crust around the edges, cut off any excess hanging over, and pierce the crust with six or seven cuts with a paring knife. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is a golden brown. Remove from the oven, let it cool for 10 minutes and enjoy with five to seven friends.

Risotto Piccata

This dish is rice with lemon and capers, like the famous chicken recipe. Makes 3 to 4 servings. Shown accompanied with sardines for a nice side dish or small plate.

INGREDIENTS

3          cups low sodium chicken broth
2          tablespoon olive oil
1          small white onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2          garlic cloves, minced
½         cup white wine
1          cup Arborio or other short grain Italian rice
            grated lemon peel from 1 lemon
            fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
¼         cup capers
1          tablespoons butter or butter substitute
¼         cup grated Pecorino Romano or other hard Italian cheese

 METHOD

Place the chicken broth in a medium sauce pan over low heat, cover and keep warm while preparing the risotto. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion.  Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender. Add the garlic and simmer 1 more minute. Add the rice and cook until it begins to sizzle, about 2 to 3 minutes  Pour in  the white wine and stir and simmer until almost all liquid has been absorbed.

 Add 1 cup of the warm broth and continue to simmer and stir until it is all absorbed. Continue adding small amounts of broth and stirring while simmering for about 12 minutes then add the lemon juice, lemon peel and capers with a small amount of broth. Continue to stir, simmer and add broth until the rice is al dente, about another 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter  and the cheese, stir well and let the risotto rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

 Place about ½ cup onto a serving plate and add two sardines, smoked salmon, grilled Ahi tuna, white anchovies  or whatever you wish.. The lemon in the rice blends well with oily fish. Serve with Pinot Grigio