Posts for May 17th 2012

salads

Fenugreek Goat Cheese Salad

To optimize the sweet, roasted flavor, buy the seeds whole, dry-roast them in a sauté pan, and grind them using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.

To optimize the sweet, roasted flavor, buy the seeds whole, dry-roast them in a sauté pan, and grind them using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle. If LaClare Farms Evalon cheese is not available, then substitute it with another Gouda-style cheese or Parmesan.

By Anna Monette Roberts, YumSugar

Fenugreek Goat Cheese Salad

Fenugreek Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients

For dressing:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste

For salad:
1 five-ounce bag mixed greens, or a blend of baby spinach and arugula
4 ounces LaClare Farms Evalon aged goat cheese with fenugreek, sliced on a cheese peeler
4 small ripe peaches, cut into thin wedges
Ground fenugreek, to taste

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon, honey, and vinegar. Slowly dribble in olive oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify oil and vinegar. Salt to taste.
  2. In a large salad bowl, combine salad greens and toss in dressing, one tablespoon at a time until leaves are lightly coated. Toss in cheese and peaches right before serving.
  3. Divide salad between four plates and garnish with extra cheese and peaches. Sprinkle a pinch of ground fenugreek on top of each plated salad.

Serves four as a side salad.

Humor

Words to Cook By: Wise Words on Our Favorite Topic, Food

Since we've all been taught to eat three times a day, it can be easy to overlook the splendor of one perfect piece of pie, or a single sip of vino that tastes like pure earth.
Best Food Quotes

Since we've all been taught to eat three times a day, it can be easy to overlook the splendor of one perfect piece of pie, or a single sip of vino that tastes like pure earth. To remind you of the pleasure food brings to our lives, we present some of our favorite food quotes, courtesy of everyone from Erma Bombeck to Julia Child.

sides

8 Creative Sides For a Late-Spring BBQ

It's still technically Spring, but given how April showers have quickly passed into sunny May days, now's the perfect time to head to the outdoors and fire up the grates for a pre-Summer cookout.

It's still technically Spring, but given how April showers have quickly passed into sunny May days, now's the perfect time to head to the outdoors and fire up the grates for a pre-Summer cookout.

You could go for the classic sides — or just grab bags of your favorite chips — but putting in some extra effort won't go unnoticed by all your guests who are looking forward to what you'll be heating up on the grill! Click through to check out eight less-conventional sides that will have everyone impressed.

lemons

Lemon Glaze

The original recipe called for 1 1/2 cups sugar and no water, but I was left with a very thick paste — not great for drizzling!

The original recipe called for 1 1/2 cups sugar and no water, but I was left with a very thick paste — not great for drizzling! I cut the recipe down to one cup sugar and added one tablespoon of water. The result was a glaze that was still just a little too thick, so I have adjusted this recipe to add an additional half tablespoon of water to get it to that nice dribbly consistency.

Adapted from Baking Bites

Lemon Glaze

Lemon Glaze

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons water

Directions

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
  2. To glaze the cake: set the cake on a wire rack over waxed paper and slowly drizzle the glaze over the cake.
Cooking Basics

From Marinades to Mix-Ins, Make the Most of Mustard

Source: Flickr User jlastras While mustard's always delicious slathered onto your favorite sandwich, there are so many ways to go beyond the basics and get creative with this common yet versatile condiment.


Source: Flickr User jlastras

While mustard's always delicious slathered onto your favorite sandwich, there are so many ways to go beyond the basics and get creative with this common yet versatile condiment. From marinades to mix-ins, there are plenty of ways to make the most of mustard for your next meal.

Give your casseroles a bit of bite.
From shepherd's pie to mac and cheese, a spoonful of mustard can go a long way when developing the flavor profile of a classic dish.

Make a tangy dressing.
Whether you're making classic honey mustard or you're mixing things up with a standard vinaigrette recipe, a little mustard can go a long way.

Read on for countless more uses for mustard.

lemons

Lemon Buttermilk Bundt Cake

The lemon flavor in this cake is very subtle, so for an extra punch of citrus, drizzle some lemon glaze on top.

The lemon flavor in this cake is very subtle, so for an extra punch of citrus, drizzle some lemon glaze on top. The cake would also be delightful with a lavender icing.

From Baking Bites

Lemon Buttermilk Bundt Cake

Lemon Buttermilk Bundt Cake

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan
2 tablespoons lemon zest
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Butter a 10-inch Bundt pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the lemon zest, then beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined.
  4. In a two-cup measuring cup, mix together the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and oil.
  5. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat gently until just combined. Then add half of the buttermilk mixture, beating until just combined. Repeat until you have used all of the dry and wet ingredients, ending with one final flour mixture addition. Beat until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
  6. Pour into the prepared pan and bake in the center of the oven for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out with just a few crumbs attached. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto the wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

Makes one Bundt cake.

recipes

Dainty Vegan Teatime Cookies

Warmer months mean lazy afternoon tea parties, and these thumbprint cookies are a dainty treat to add to the table.

Warmer months mean lazy afternoon tea parties, and these thumbprint cookies are a dainty treat to add to the table. For added crunch and flavor, try rolling the crisp, crumbly shortbread in toasted, slivered almonds. Although vegan, the smooth, dark chocolate "buttercream" imparts rich, tart notes to the otherwise delicate cookie. Take a look at the fast and easy recipe.

Lunch

Inspiring Lunches: Lovely Little Bentos

When I pack my next day's lunch at 11 p.m.
Pretty Bento Designs

When I pack my next day's lunch at 11 p.m. the night before, the last thing I consider is what it looks like. Sandwiches get shoved in plastic bags, and leftovers are unceremoniously crammed into old Tupperware. But making Japanese bento is not just about delicious food; it's about harmonious construction and pretty presentations. We turned to the marvelous bento designs of Flickr user gamene to inspire our next yummy lunch creations!

Source: Flickr User gamene