181 that you like Recipes

any liquid can be reduced just by heating it - but why would you want to do that, answer comes back to two of our old friends, flavor and consistency (texture)., by reducing any flavored liquid you intensify its flavor and at the same time thicken it. you can continue this process until what you have left is a syrup if it contains sugar, or a sauce if it does not., this is 1 of the most important tools in the kitchen , believe it or not, because a great sauce can rescue an indifferent meal., literally any liquid can be reduced ., a few uses, wine is frequently used in cooking , both as a marinade and as an addition to sauces for meat., there are some problems with it though, 1 of which is that you need a really good wine and quite a lot of it to produce a reasonable sauce for, say, six people., on the other hand , if you use pure grape juice and reduce it to a syrup, that syrup, added to any sauce (or gravy if you prefer) will lift it into the realms of gourmet ., more , you don tsp have to make your reduction on the night you prepare your meal. you can reduce a liter of grape juice at any time to the consistency and flavor you want; then just store it in the fridge., you can do the same thing with any fruit juice - prune is sensational - and store it until needed. just about all of them will do things for ice cream, pies or tarts that will have your guests demanding the recipe, pork with apple sauce use a carton of fresh apple juice from the supermarket and reduce it. and if you want a real sensation add in a glass of apple brandy during the reduction process., are you getting an idea of how simple this is, take any carton of fresh stock straight of the shelf and reduce it. you will transform it into something even the manufacturer won tsp recognize. but beware, you need to start out with good quality in the first place, because when you reduce a liquid you intensify all the flavors, and not just the good ones., if it s salty to start with, for example, it will be salty beyond belief by the time you ve reduced it even by half. so if you are going to use a supermarket stock, make sure it s an extremely good 1., believe me when i tell you that stock cubes should not be used for reduction sauces., thickeners, because you will be tasting as you go (won tsp you ), you may find that you get the flavor you want before the desired consistency is reached., a couple of hints right now for your sauces., sweet ones can be thickened successfully without loss of color by adding in liquid glucose early on in the reduction process. surprisingly, this will add little in the way of sweetness and produces a beautiful velvety sauce when whisked., if you get it wrong and add too much, no problem. stir in a little extra water to thin it., reduction pans, reductions need to happen rapidly in serving to preserve flavors. and the greater the surface area of the liquid the faster the water will evaporate., however you may want to whisk something into the sauce while its cooking - such as butter or olive oil for example - and for that i find a small wok is best; 1 with a handle., a wok is less likely to reduce so fast that the sauce is burnt while your back is turned. but try both methods and see which you prefer. you may even end up using something totally different., no magic to this. whatever works for you, that s what you should use, in this and everything else to do with cooking., just bear in mind that what you re after is speed and ease of use. as well as a great tasting result, of course. :>), keeping, if they should dry out , simply add a little water and heat through., sauces containing meat juices of any kind must be frozen if you re going to keep them, and should be brought to boiling point before being used again. there is no need to thaw them out to do this, in fact it s better not to. simply drop the frozen cubes into a saucepan, melt them over a gentle heat, and then bring swiftly to the boil., why do you do this to avoid food poisoning, that s why. you are making sure that any bugs introduced into the sauce during the preparation process are killed off., worry , this will not be because of anything you have done wrong (i hope!), but because bacteria are part of our everyday lives and they exist in every kitchen, however clean., in fact your food , and especially your meat, is crawling with wildlife that you will never see. don tsp worry about them. careful handling and simple precautions will ensure that these miniature monsters can never multiply enough to harm either you or your guests.

heads broccoli, chopped, garlic, sliced, red onion, diced, grape tomatoes, halved, white wine, vegetable broth, asiago cheese, grated (or parmesan), red pepper flakes (or more if you like heat ), olive oil, fettuccine pasta , cooked according to package directions, salt and pepper

i use a 3 1/2 to 4 lb chuck roast, well marbelized with fat, and if you can find a bone-in roast, that s better yet (but it s almost always boneless chuck that you find at the grocer). i like to quickly rinse the roast in cold water just before i lay it on the cutting board to coat it with seasoned flour. place the following ingredients in a small baggie and shake the closed bag to mix it up, flour, salt, garlic salt, crazy mixed-up salt (if you can tsp get this seasoning, use seasoned salt instead, but jane s is by far the best), pepper, use your hands to generously pat the seasoned flour into the roast, on both sides, flipping the roast a couple times and repeating the process., in a dutch oven or roasting pan large enough to hold the roast, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium high heat - you want your pan and oil to be hot enough to sear the roast well when you put it in the pan. when the oil is just about to the smoking point, put the roast in and cover the pan. let the meat sear until nicely browned on the bottom, then flip the roast. let it sear for a minute or two on the second side, then add, beef stock (i much prefer the boxed stock to the canned broth - it just seems to give the gravy a much richer taste in the end), cover the roasting pan and place it in a pre-heated 300 degree oven. roast for 4 to 5 hours, until the meat is fork tender and falls apart easily. i check the roast each hour, quickly opening the lid, just to make sure the stock has not evaporated. as long as your pan has a good seal on it, this shouldn tsp happen. but if necessary, add more stock to the pan., an hour before the roast is done , prepare the mashed potatoes. peel 6 large red potatoes (these work better - at least for me - because they are much moister than the russets, so the mashed potatoes are creamier); cut into 1/4th, and place them in a large saucepan - rinse the cut potatoes 2 times in cold water, then cover them in fresh cold water and place the pan over medium high heat; boil until tender. this is usually about 30 minutes, but it depends on the size of your cuts, so just cook them until you can easily insert a fork into a potato. drain potatoes well, reserving 1 cup of the water for the gravy. add the following to the hot potatoes, butter, sour cream, milk, salt, crazy mixed up salt (use regular salt or garlic salt if jane s salt is not available), pepper, i use a hand masher , but you can use an electric mixer or however you chose to mash the potatoes into a creamy yet firm texture. add more milk if potatoes are too stiff. place the mashed potatoes in a buttered casserole dish, cover with foil, and place in the oven to keep warm while you make the gravy., prepare the gravy, melt 2 tbsp butter, stir in 1/4 cup flour to make a paste, stir in enough beef stock to thin the paste enough to pour., finished roast from the pan and place it on a plate; cover meat with foil to keep warm., place the roasting pan over a medium flame and bring the liquid to a gentle boil (i usually seem to have about 1 1/2 to 2 cups liquid in the pan when the roast is done - if you have less, just use the beef stock to increase your liquid)., use a whisk to gradually whisk in the butter/flour/stock liquid., add 2 tbsp beef base - i use tone s (i prefer beef base to buillon - has a richer flavor and is really worth having on hand, but if you can tsp find this, try knorr s beef buillon extra large cubes), add the 1 cup of reserved potato water, add 1/2 cup beef stock, taste the gravy and see if you want more seasoning. i usually find i don tsp need to add anything at this point, since i have the seasoning from the flour coating and the stock and the beef base. if you think you need more seasoning, add salt and pepper to your taste. beef base will also give you more saltiness., keep the gravy warm while you uncover the meat and use 2 forks to pull the meat apart into small to medium chunks., you are now ready to assemble...

active dry yeast, water (110-115 degrees ), flour, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic cloves, minced, olive oil, plus extra for brushing and kneading, sugar, for the topping, cheese , any that you like, pizza sauce (or any sauce that you like, it s up to you!) or 1 cup alfredo sauce (or any sauce that you like, it s up to you!) or 1 cup garlic, sauce (or any sauce that you like, it s up to you!)

old age, i decided , is a gift., i am now , probably for the first time in my life, the person i have always wanted to be., i would never trade my amazing friends , my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. as i ve aged, i ve become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. i ve become my own friend., i don tsp chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that i didn tsp need, but looks so avant garde on my patio. i am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant., whose business is it if i choose to read or play on the computer until 4 am and sleep until noon, i will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50 s, 60 s, & 70 s, and if i, wish i will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if i choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set., will get old ., i know i am sometimes forgetful. but there again , some of life is just as well forgotten. and i eventually remember the important things.., over the years my heart has been broken ..., but broken hearts are what give us strength andunderstanding and compassion. a heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect., i am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. so many have never laughed, and so may have died before their hair could turn silver., as you get older , it is easier to be positive. you care less about what other people think. i don tsp question myself anymore. i ve even earned the right to be wrong., answer your question , i like being old. it has set me free.. i like the person i have become., i am not going to live forever, but while i am still here, i will not waste time lamenting about what could have been, or worrying about what will be. and i shall eat dessert every single day. (if i feel like it), may our friendship never come apart especially when it s straight from the heart, may you always have a rainbow of smiles on your face and in your heart forever and ever

honey (if you are using a that has crystallized, just melt it for a few seconds), maple syrup, canola oil, water, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, salt, rolled oats, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds (optional), nuts, chopped (your choice ), shredded unsweetened coconut (i ve used sweetened in a pinch and it is quite good, but makes a much sweeter granola), raisins (i usually end up doubling the amount), dried cherries, chopped or 1/2 cup dried apricots (use any combination of dried fruit that you enjoy and as much of it as you like!) or 1/2 cup dried cranberries (use any combination of dried fruit that you enjoy and as much of it as you like!)

cubed lamb pieces, water or lamb stock, onion chopped finely, red lentils, diced very ripe tomatoes, tbsn tomato paste, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, cinnamon stick, ground ginger, salt, freshly ground black pepper, re-hydrated (cooked ) chickpeas, celery stalk with leaves, finely chopped, cannelloni pasta tubes , smashed so that you get odd size shapes (but if you don tsp have that a very small handful of any pasta smashed or crunched up a bit to add interesting texture to the soup will work, juice of 1 lemon, coriander (cilantro), chopped coarsely

tomato sauce, white vinegar, liquid smoke (hickory flavor), tomato paste (more if you like it thick), cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder, dried onion flakes, sugar

squash - whatever type is available and that you like, water, black pepper, cumin, coriander, mint, ginger, cider vinegar, dates, finely chopped, almonds, finely chopped, honey, white wine, boiled, vegetable stock or the water from cooking the squash, olive oil

boneless skinless chicken breasts, real butter, water, fresh green beans, italian dressing (not creamy or you can always make your own), firm tomatoes or 3 roma tomatoes, chopped (optional)

wagon wheel macaroni (you can use anything, but kids really like this pasta), butter, flour, low sodium chicken broth, milk, powdered milk, morton natural seasoning (or salt and pepper), dry mustard, cracker barrel extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (i used the whole stick of cheese, but i don tsp remember the oz), american cheese, parmesan cheese, grated

thick pork rib chops, 1 inch thick (you can use boneless loin chops), butter, olive oil, fresh french bread , cubed into fairly small pieces, fresh mushrooms, chopped, shallots, finely minced or 2 tbsp onions, fresh rosemary, minced, fresh sage, minced, garlic clove, finely minced, chicken stock, crumbled gorgonzola (you can use roquefort or any blue cheese that you like), salt & pepper, white wine, low sodium chicken broth (or homemade stock), heavy cream, crumbled gorgonzola (you can use roquefort or any blue cheese that you like)

sugar, scant 2 cups corn syrup, water, food color, liquid or paste, blue and white, white vinegar, magic flowers, see recipe for magic flowers (show jq1a03), cake, see recipe for classic genoise (show jq1a03), buttercream, see recipe for basic buttercream (show jq1a03), simple syrup, see recipe for simple syrup (show jq1a03), rolling fondant, see recipe for rolling fondant (show jq1a03), royal icing, see recipe for royal icing (show jq1a03), assemble the centerpiece : you need to first make the glue to stick everything together. place the extra sugar pieces (those are remnants of the sugar that you poured freeform on to the silpat) in the microwave and heat until it begins to bubble. watch carefully to be sure it does not burn., next you need to make the sugar supports to hold the moon vertically and to support the 8-inch sugar circle that will be resting on and in the moon, creating the level stand for the cake. you will need 4 support pieces in serving to build the centerpiece. to make the supports, heat a metal triangle or metal scraper on the burner of the stove. place the heated edge on the 4-inch sugar circle allowing the heat of the metal to cut the 4-inch sugar circle into quarters. use the heated metal scraper to also cut 2 to 2 1/2 inches off 1 of the 2 pointed tips of the moon. you will need to do this on an angle of about 90 degrees, in serving to create a somewhat flat edge. this flat edge will provide a level landing spot for the 8-inch sugar circle that will be the cake stand attachment of the moon., pour some of the melted sugar into the center of the 12-inch circle and glue the moon vertically into place. the end of the moon that you cut off is now the bottom of the moon. hold the moon straight until the sugar sets. glue the first 2 support pieces (these are the pieces that you cut by quartering the smallest sugar circle) at the wide, face of the moon, gluing 1 on either side. these 2 supports should be touching both the face of the moon and the base the moon rests on vertically. these supports will steady the moon in its vertical position on the round sugar base. glue your third support piece on the narrow backside of the moon. this will create a bridge of support in the back, from the moon to the base. in other words it will prevent the moon from rolling backwards. once all 3 supports have hardened you can glue the 8-inch sugar circle to the cut edge of the moon, creating a level cake stand inside the moon. the circle will be sitting on both the cut level area and the inner curve of the moon. additionally, you might find that you need the forth support piece to steady the 8-inch level stand. glue it into place wherever you think more support is required.

chicken, cut in cubes try to make them all the same size so they cook equally (i prefer a mix of boneless breasts and thighs, 1-inch cubes for skewers), mangoes, cut in 1-inch cubes (make sure it isn tsp too ripe, you want sweet but firm, papaya is a good substitute), red bell pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces (optional), onions, cut in quarters, lime, cut in wedges, mexican seasoning (see mexican seasoning recipe below, if you have a favorite dry rub or seasoning , you can use that as), wooden skewer (soaked in water for 30 min, so they don tsp burn), olive oil, ground red chili powder (not chili powder that you use for chili con carne, cayenne is a good substitute), mexican oregano (every day dried oregano is fine), cumin, paprika, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, pepper

all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, unsalted butter, cut into 3 pieces, bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped, unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped, eggs, at room temperature, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate, chopped into small chunks (can use 1 cup store-bought chocolate chips or chunks), premium quality milk chocolate (can use 1 cup store-bought chocolate chips or chunks) or 6 oz white chocolate, chopped into small chunks (can use 1 cup store-bought chocolate chips or chunks), salted peanuts (can use another nut) or 1 -1 1/2 cup roasted pecan, coarsely chopped (can use another nut), raisins (can use whatever dried fruit that you like) or 1 cup plump dried apricots (can use whatever dried fruit that you like) or 1 cup dried cranberries (can use whatever dried fruit that you like)

garlic bread (costco 2 loaves to a bag), whole wheat french (costco 2 loaves to a bag), prosciutto 1/2 lb (freeze slightly so you can chop into bite sized strips, salami 1/2 lb (pick something exotic from the deli when you buy the prosciutto) sliced thin, italian olive medley 1 pint, pitted ( buy where you can taste and pick ones you like), chopped, roasted red peppers 1 jar, 7 oz, chopped, artichoke hearts 7 oz, sliced, red onion 1 small, sliced thin, english cucumber, peeled & sliced, parmesan cheese 1.5 cups grated, garlic olive oil or any that you like, fresh herbs 1/4 cup (rosemary, lavender marjoram, thyme & basil is what s in my garden) chopped, fresh ground pepper, sea salt, italian dressing (optional)

rolls of lean sausage , as lean as possible(rae favors jimmy dean s), two medium onions, chopped, puff pastry sheets , or phyllo (no hydrogenated oils!), mixed fresh herbs, chopped (rae uses basil and cilantro., you can experiment with herbs that you like.), eggs, french bread (optional), chicken broth, heated (homemade is best if you have it!)

ground beef or 1 lb lamb, breakfast sausage (i used maple flavor), onion (or more if you like ), garlic cloves (use what you like for taste), butter, brown gravy mix, water, cream of mushroom soup, sliced mushrooms, diced, corn, peas, parsley, oregano, mashed potatoes (recipe that you like)