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Thoughts for food: Magnificently simple ideas for preparing salmon
With its beautiful orange-red color and distinctive flavor, salmon lends itself to multiple preparations. One that I won't discuss is croquettes , because your mother or grandmother has probably taught you more about those than I know.
Marlyn Monette
Combine all ingredients. Slice open po-boy loaves; remove a little of the dough from inside. Place filling on the bottom half of loaves; replace tops and wrap individually in foil, sealing well. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.
Small bites, big tastes Starting things off right with easy appetizers
A common misconception holds that professional cooks throw great dinner parties with ease. I know firsthand it's not true. My first real hosting experience was several years ago, during my first vacation home from culinary school. Word spread quickly that I was cooking a holiday dinner.
School ties that bind
"Is the gang all here?" "Yeah, man!" "Is the gang all here?" "Yeah, man!" The gang was all there Friday night at the Booker T. Washington Alumni Center, the cheerleaders calling and the alumni responding, to the familiar cheer.
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Divide into 12
small balls; shape into patties. Coat
patties with cornmeal. In large skillet,
heat oil until hot. Add patties; fry until
golden brown on both sides. Place on
paper towels to drain; serve hot. Garnish
as desired. Makes 12 croquettes.
Per each croquette: 165 calories, 9 grams protein,
7 grams fat, 18 grams carbohydrate, 211
milligrams sodium, 36 milligrams cholesterol.
CHEESY BAKED GRITS
6 cups water
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking grits
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup buffer or margarine
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Optional garnish: paprika
Heat oven to 350 [degrees] F. In 3-quart saucepan,
bring water to boil. Gradually stir
in grits. Return to boil; reduce heat to
low. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally,
until thick, about 5 minutes.
Stir in cheese, butter, salt (if desired),
cayenne and garlic. Stir about 1/4 of hot
mixture into eggs; then stir eggs into
remaining hot mixture in saucepan.
Spread in an ungreased 11-by-7-inch
baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika, if
desired. (If making grits in advance,
cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.)
Bake uncovered until firm, about 50
minutes. Makes 10 servings.
Per serving: 199
calories, 7 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 19
grams carbohydrate, 92 milligrams sodium, 89
milligrams cholesterol.
ROASTED SWEET-POTATO
HOME FRIES
Water
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
4 to 5 pounds sweet potatoes
(about 3 or 4 large sweet
potatoes), peeled and cut
into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded, diced
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Bring large pot of water with salt to
boil; add potatoes and cook until
barely tender, about 5 minutes. Do
not overcook. Drain potatoes thoroughly.
In large roasting pan, toss
potatoes with olive oil, onion and bell
pepper. Heat oven to 500 [degrees] F. Roast
potatoes, turning them occasionally,
until completely tender and lightly
browned, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Toss with parsley, salt (if desired)
and black pepper. Serve warm.
Makes 12 servings.
Per serving: 234 calories, 3 grams protein, 6
grams fat, 43 grams carbohydrate, 212 milligrams
sodium, 0 milligrams cholesterol.
MIXED-GREENS SALAD
For speed, use a ready-to-eat salad-greens
mix (each 10-ounce bag contains
about five side-dish servings).
1 head red-leaf lettuce
1 head Boston lettuce
2 Belgian endive, cored, halved
lengthwise
1 medium-size cucumber, peeled or
scored, sliced
14 to 16 cherry tomatoes, served
whole or halved, depending
on size
1/2 cup Your Basic Vinaigrette (recipe
follows), or recipe of choice or
good-quality bottled dressing
Peel off and discard any wilted or
damaged lettuce leaves. With tip of
paring knife, cut out stem end.
Separate leaves and carefully rinse
with running water. Drain leaves well;
blot with paper towels. Wrap leaves
loosely in paper towels until ready to
use. Add endive, cucumber slices
and tomatoes; refrigerate. Toss salad
With vinaigrette right before serving.
Makes 10 servings.
Per serving: 93 calories, 1 gram protein, 8 grams
fat, 4 grams carbohydrate, 11 milligrams sodium,
0 milligrams cholesterol.
YOUR BASIC VINAIGRETTE
Mustard adds a nice zip. Sugar takes
the edge off. Garlic adds character.
Adjust (or eliminate) any of the seasonings
as you prefer.
3/4 A cup good-quality olive oil
1/4 cup white or red-wine vinegar or
balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
(preferably Dijon)
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 garlic cloves, chopped fine
In jar with tight-fitting lid, or in small
deep bowl, combine all ingredients.
Vigorously shake or whisk to blend
and emulsify. If made ahead, store
refrigerated; bring dressing to room
temperature for best flavor. Shake
well before using. Makes 1 cup.
Per tablespoon: 93 calories, 0 grams protein,
10 grams fat, 0 grams carbohydrate, 2 milligrams
sodium, 0 milligrams cholesterol.
CREAM BISCUITS
This recipe comes from Larissa's
Breadbook: Baking Bread and Telling
Tales With Women of the American
South by Lorraine Johnson-Coleman.
This amazingly simple recipe is one of
many tucked in among stories about
southern culture.
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups self-rising flour
Heat oven to 450 [degrees] F. In large bowl, beat
chilled cream until thick. Add flour; stir
until mixed. Turn dough onto lightly
floured surface and knead about 6 to
8 times, just until smooth. Pat dough
out to about 3/4-inch thick. Using
floured 2-inch-round biscuit cutter or
glass, cut out biscuits. Place biscuits,
1 inch apart, on greased baking sheet.
Bake until golden brown, about 12
minutes. Makes 12 biscuits.
Per biscuit: 143 calories, 2 grams protein, 8
grams fat, 16 grams carbohydrate, 272 milligrams
sodium, 27 milligrams cholesterol.
SPICED WINTER-FRUIT
COMPOTE
1 cup firmly packed light-brown
sugar
1 1/2 cups water
3 cinnamon sticks
6 whole allspice
3/4 teaspoon anise seeds
Long band (1 -inch-wide zest) of
lemon peel
4 pears, peeled, cored and cut
lengthwise into quarters
1/2 cup dried cranberries
4 large navel oranges
In stainless-steel or enameled large
saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon
sticks, allspice, anise and lemon
zest; bring to boil, stirring. Boil mixture 5
minutes. Add pears and cranberries;
simmer, stirring occasionally until pears
are just tender, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile,
prepare oranges: With paring
knife, cut off ends of oranges. Stand
them on cutting board and slice off rind,
removing all white pith. On cutting board,
slice oranges crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick
rounds. Using slotted spoon, transfer
pears and cranberries to heatproof dish;
add oranges. Boil syrup until reduced
by half and pour through sieve onto fruit.
Stir fruit gently to combine and let cool.
To garnish, remove cinnamon sticks
from sieve and add to fruit. Cover and
chill 1 hour. Makes 8 servings.
Per serving: 208 calories, 1 gram protein, 0 grams
fat, 53 grams carbohydrate, 11 milligrams sodium,
0 milligrams cholesterol.
PECAN-ORANGE BUNDT CAKE
WITH CITRUS GLAZE
1 cup finely chopped pecans
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons orange extract
or pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange zest (grated peel;
do not include bitter white pith
attached to rind)
Citrus Glaze (optional):
4 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Optional garnishes: confectioners'
sugar, lemon leaves, red currants,
kumquats
Heat oven to 350 [degrees] F. Butter 10-inch
bundt-cake pan. In skillet over medium
heat, lightly toast pecans until fragrant
and golden, about 5 minutes; set aside
to cool. Onto waxed paper, sift dry ingredients
together. Mix in toasted pecans;
set mixture aside. In large bowl, using
electric mixer, beat butter until light and
creamy; slowly add sugar. Beat on high
speed until sugar is dissolved and mixture
is pale yellow. Reduce speed to low
and add eggs, one at a time, until they
are completely incorporated. Add vanilla
extract and orange zest. On low
speed, mix in dry ingredients one third
at a time, scraping down sides of mixing
bowl from time to time. Pour batter
into prepared bundt pan. Bake until outer
edge of cake starts to pull away from
pan and wooden pick inserted in center
of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, if desired, make Citrus
Glaze: In glass measuring cup, mix
orange juice, lemon juice and sugar until
blended. Upon removing cake from
oven, rest it in pan on wire cooling rack
for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan
and place on wire rack; drizzle with glaze
while still warm. Cool completely on
rack. Transfer to cake plate. Dust with
confectioners' sugar; garnish as desired
with lemon leaves, red currants and
kumquats. Makes 16 servings.
Per serving: 419 calories, 5 grams protein, 25
grams fat, 45 grams carbohydrate, 64 milligrams
sodium, 129 milligrams cholesterol.
TURKEY HASH
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, seeded, cut
into 1 -inch chunks or strips
1 small red bell pepper, seeded, cut into
1-inch chunks or strips
1 teaspoon crushed sage
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds roasted turkey, diced or
chopped
2 pounds red-skinned potatoes or all-purpose
white potatoes, boiled, cubed
1 cup turkey broth or chicken or
vegetable broth
Optional garnishes: sage leaves, flat-leaf
parsley sprigs
In large Dutch oven, heat oil. Add onion,
bell peppers and sage; saute about 3
minutes. Stir in flour, salt (if desired) and
black pepper; cook 2 additional minutes.
Stir in cooked turkey, potatoes and
broth; mix well. Reduce heat to low;
cook, uncovered, about 10 minutes.
Makes 10 servings.
Per serving: 280 calories, 29 grams protein, 9
grams fat, 20 grams carbohydrate, 174 milligrams
sodium, 70 milligrams cholesterol.
FRIED APPLES WITH CINNAMON
This recipe comes from Akwaaba
Mansion, the highly acclaimed bed-and-breakfast
inn in Brooklyn.
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
4 medium-size Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons water
In large skillet over medium flame, heat
butter. Meanwhile, core and peel apples;
cut into 1-inch-thick slices. Add slices, a
few at a time, to skillet; cook about 4
minutes. Turn apples to other side; sprinkle
with sugar, cinnamon and water.
Cook until apples are soft but still hold
their shape, about 4 additional minutes.
Serve hot. Makes 6 servings.
Per serving: 190 calories, 0 grams protein, 8
grams fat, 31 grams carbohydrate, 90 milligrams
sodium, 22 milligrams cholesterol.
HOLIDAY TRIFLE
This beautiful and inviting layered dessert
will set off the table.
1 angel-food cake or pound cake
Two 1-pound packages frozen peaches,
thawed
10-ounce package frozen raspberries,
pureed
2 cups custard sauce, vanilla custard or
vanilla pudding (see following recipe)
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup superfine sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional garnish: sliced almonds
Using large serrated knife, slice cake horizontally
into 3 rings; cut each ring into 8 wedges.
In large glass bowl, layer half of cake.
Arrange half of peach slices on and in
between pieces of cake. Spoon with half
of raspberry puree. Top with custard.
Add remaining cake, puree and peaches.
Cover and chill about 2 hours. Shortly
before serving, in deep bowl, whip
cream with sugar until stiff; fold in vanilla.
Spoon or pipe whipped cream over
trifle; sprinkle with almonds. Makes 14
servings.
Per serving: 316 calories, 5 grams protein, 8
grams fat, 57 grams carbohydrate, 296 milligrams
sodium, 55 milligrams cholesterol.
VANILLA PUDDING
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
In medium-size saucepan, combine
sugar, cornstarch and (if desired) salt.
Gradually stir in milk. Over medium heat,
cook until mixture boils and thickens,
stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. In small
bowl, blend about 1/3 hot mixture into egg
yolks. Return yolk mixture to hot mixture;
blend well. Cook until mixture bubbles,
stirring constantly. Remove from
heat; add butter and vanilla. Cool slightly
before serving. Store in refrigerator.
THUMBPRINT COOKIES
This recipe is easy and fun for kids to
make. The thumbprints can be filled with
candied cherries, pecan halves or no-sugar-added
jam or jelly.
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, separated
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or
pecans are good choices)
24 candied cherries or pecans halves
In large mixer bowl, beat butter, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla.
If using salt, combine with flour. Add
flour to butter mixture; beat until well mixed.
Cover dough and chill until easy to handle,
about 1 hour. Heat oven to 325 [degrees] F. Form
dough into 1-inch balls. In shallow bowl or
plate, beat egg white slightly. Dip dough
ball in egg white; roll in nuts. On ungreased
baking sheet, place balls about 2 inches
apart; press thumb gently into center of
each to make indentation. Fill thumbprints
with candied cherries, pecan halves or no-sugar-added
jam or jelly. Bake 15 minutes.
Using spatula, transfer cookies to wire
racks to cool. Makes about 24 cookies.
Per cookie: 100 calories, 1 gram protein, 6 grams
fat, 10 grams carbohydrate, 42 milligrams sodium,
19 milligrams cholesterol.
HOT HONEY-APPLE CIDER
6 cups fresh, frozen or canned
apple cider
2 tablespoons honey
4 cinnamon sticks
In large saucepan, combine all ingredients.
Over low heat, simmer the mixture
about 5 minutes. Stir to melt and blend
honey. Serve hot in mugs. Garnish with
cinnamon sticks. Makes six 8-ounce
servings.
Per serving: 145 calories, 0 grams protein, 0
grams fat, 40 grams carbohydrate, 8 milligrams
sodium, 0 milligrams cholesterol.
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED? For overall healthy eating, use these Food and Drug Administration labeling guidelines to monitor your daily intake: Calories: 2,000 Protein: about 50 grams Total fat: less than 65 grams Carbohydrate: 300 grams (1,200 calories) Sodium: less than 2,400 milligrams Cholesterol: less than 300 milligrams.
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