Sunday, May 3, 2009

Chicken Cholent

So, this will be a combo-post. it will answer a common question and give you a fantastic recipe. So, the Sabbath. Everyone wonders what we can and can't do. well, one thing you can't do is cook. So, we get all our food ready the day before, and keep it warm all the next day. This has led to the development of a special kind of dish, called cholent, that will stand up to long, low cooking. Traditional cholents are kind of like beef and bean stew, but my ear Husband and I designed one based on rice, which we never fail to get compliments on! nd it's probably the easiest recipe ever.

You will need
1-3 lb boneless chicken thighs (depending on how many you feed)
1.5 c uncooked Persian rice
1 large jar of spaghetti sauce
2 T salt
Tabasco sauce
Heat your cholent pot (heavy pot, at least 2 quarts) and toss chicken in to lightly brown for a few minues (it doesn't have to be fully cooked) Pour in rice and salt, then dump spaghetti sauce over it all. Add half a jar of water and several dashes of tabasco. put over low heat for 12 hours or more. can also be made in a crock-pot.

Friday, May 1, 2009

kitchen adventures

I'm a bit of a foodie. Seriously. I love to cook, bake, create, etc. I love all cooking TV shows, food network, etc. Gordon Ramsay is my favorite Chef, despite his potty mouth (or maybe because of it...). So, I thought I'd share 3 things (one each of ingredient, tool, and technique) I'd never be in the kitchen without and a recipe that incorporates them all.

1. Salt. I've only recently come to love and understand salt, but I can't emphasize how important it is. Especially in baked goods.

2. Parchment paper. this is the secret to all beautiful baked goods, and has changed my world. Use it for everything from cookies to bread to candy, and you'll never be disappointed by stuck food ever again.

3. Mise en Place: French for everything in place (roughly) Your experiences in the kitchen will be ever so much more enjoyable if you begin with everything you nee for the recipe in front of you, just like a cooking show. It also makes things move a lot faster, and saves you from having to "improvise" when you've run out of that thing you swore you had some of but now can't locate.

I also believe in simple foods, easy prep. things taste better if you on't have too much going on. so, my crowd pleasing PB balls to the rescue!

You will need:
3 T margarine
1 c Peanut butter (not natural, the heavy kind like Jif)
about 1 c powdered sugar
1 tsp salt
150 grams of coating chocolate or 1 pkg chocolate chips and 25 grams parafin

In a bowl, mix the PB, salt and Margarine. Slowly add the powdered sugar until you have a doughy consistency, like clay. Roll into 1 inch diameter balls. Melt chocolate over low heat in a small fry pan. place a large square of parchment paper over a standard cookie sheet and place near chocolate. a few balls at a time, add to the pan with chocolate, then fish out with a spoon and arrange on the parchment paper for cooling. for quick serving, place candy in the freezer. makes 3-4 dozen.
Pareve