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Cooking the Cover: Gourmet's Grilled Cheese

partysugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:01:31 -0800

There is nothing as simply delicious as melted cheese and crispy bread. There are thousands of variations of cheese, bread types, and tasty extras, but recently I was dazzled by the grilled cheese on the cover of Gourmet magazine's February issue. Presented on a clean white plate with a pretty blue background, their uber grilled cheese features escarole, onion jam, and tallegio.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find onion jam nor tallegio, but luckily the recipe states the next best options - fig jam and fontina - both of which were at my local market. I cooked the sandwich over low heat to maximize the melt in the melted cheese. The final result was a divine treat with the sweet jam perfectly complementing the pungent cheese and bitter greens. For the plating, I used a simple white plate like Gourmet, but thought a pink placemat was more me. To see how I made my version of this super scrumptious sandwich, read more.

Grilled Cheese With Onion Jam, Talleggio, and Escarole
From Gourmet magazine

4 (1/2-inch-thick) center slices sourdough bread (from a 9- to 10-inch round)
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons onion or fig jam
12 to 14 oz chilled Taleggio or Italian Fontina, sliced
1/4 lb escarole, center ribs discarded and leaves cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Brush 1 side of bread slices with oil and arrange, oil sides down, on a work surface.
Spread jam on 2 slices of bread and divide cheese between remaining 2 slices.
Mound escarole on top of cheese and season with salt and pepper, then assemble sandwiches.
Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet (not nonstick) over medium-low heat until hot.
Cook sandwiches, turning once and pressing with a spatula to compact, until bread is golden-brown and cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes total.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Jamaican Curried Tempeh Tacos

partysugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:50:40 -0700

Just because a meal is meatless doesn't mean it can't be filled with flavor. This vegan recipe is jam-packed with tropical seasonings and varied textures. The onions and tempeh are slightly caramelized before being coated in cilantro, curry powder, and fresh ginger. Red pepper and mustard greens provide a necessary crunch that balances out the softness of the tempeh. The finishing touch, a sprinkling of peanuts, makes this dish subtly salty and oh-so-satisfying.

To look at the recipe, read more.

Jamaican Curried Tempeh Tacos
From Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional

Directions

Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened.
Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Pork Tenderloin With Onion Marmalade

partysugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:50:58 -0700

Just because it's the middle of the week doesn't mean you can't enjoy a hearty and delicious pork dinner. This recipe uses pork tenderloin, a cut of meat that cooks quickly in the oven or on the grill. When topped with a caramelized onion and honey jam, the pork becomes rich and flavorful. Serve on a bed of rice seasoned with orange and cilantro for a meal that is balanced and satisfying. To check out the mouth-watering recipe, read more.

Pork Tenderloin With Onion Marmalade
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

2 pork tenderloins
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
3 tablespoons butter
2 sweet onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Juice and grated peel of 1 orange
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup rice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

Preheat the oven to 500°.
Place the pork in a roasting pan, rub with the olive oil and season with salt. Roast for 10 minutes, then turn over and roast for another 10 minutes. Remove the tenderloins from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 to 15 minutes.
Stir in the cumin and half the orange juice; cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the honey and cook for 5 minutes more. Let cool.
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups salted water to a boil, stir in the rice, cover, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then the remaining orange juice and the cilantro. Season with salt.
Spoon the rice onto plates and sprinkle with the grated orange peel. Cut the pork diagonally into 1/2-inch slices and place on the rice. Spoon the onion marmalade over the pork and serve extra on the side.

Serves 4.

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Apr. 21-28, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:24 -0700

If you thought last week was jam-packed with food events, then get excited for this week, as the festivals just get better. If I could teleport myself around the world, there's no question I'd hit up the nation's celebrations, from pickles to pie to asparagus to spam.

We will, however, be supporting the cause to end childhood hunger at Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation series (if you're signed up to go to the San Francisco event, perhaps we'll see you there!). If you know of any other events we've left off the list, chime in below!

Dallas, TX: Dallas Wine & Food Festival - Apr. 22-26
Beaufort, NC: Beaufort Wine & Food weekend - Apr. 22-26
Sugarland, TX: The Grand Wine & Food Affair - Apr. 22-26
San Francisco, CA: Taste of the Nation San Francisco - Apr. 23
New Haven, CT: Taste of the Nation New Haven - Apr. 23
Wilmington, DE: Taste of the Nation Wilmington - Apr. 23
Mount Olive, NC: North Carolina Pickle Festival - Apr. 24-25
Stockton, CA: Asparagus Festival - Apr. 24-26
Pompano Beach, FL: Pompano Beach Seafood Festival - Apr. 24-26
Waikiki, HI: Waikiki Spam Jam - Apr. 25
La Crosse, WI: Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine & Cheese Festival - Apr. 25
Celebration, FL: Great American Pie Festival - Apr. 25

To see the rest, read more.

San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Beer Festival - Apr. 25
Vidalia, GA: Vidalia Onion Festival - Apr. 25-26
Maui, HI: Taro Festival - Apr. 25-26
Branson, MO: Missouri Wine Fest - Apr. 25-26
South Pittsburg, TN: National Cornbread Festival - Apr. 25-26
Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Wine Festival - Apr. 25-30
Toledo, OH: Taste of the Nation Toledo - Apr. 26
Portland, OR: Taste of the Nation Portland - Apr. 27
Worcester, MA: Taste of the Nation Worcester - Apr. 27

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Let's Dish: What Goes Into Your Perfect Grilled Cheese?

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:00:51 -0700

Between writing about the new marketing push for Kraft Singles and Bobby Flay offering sandwich-making tips, I've had grilled cheese on the brain. I'm a particularly huge fan of Hog Island's version, as well as Party's rendition with taleggio, escarole, and onion jam. Today, I'm making a variation based on ingredients I have on hand: sweet butter, aged gruyere, and artisan Pugliese bread. What's your perfect combination?

YumSugar Gift Guide: Homemade Goodies

partysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:18:30 -0800

Over the past couple of weeks, we've bombarded you with tons of outstanding gift ideas. From cupcakes to wine, we've got you covered. But what about gifts that highlight your prowess in the kitchen? Beautifully-packaged homemade goods - cookies, candies, jams, spice mixes, crackers, etc. - make excellent gifts.

Give baked goods to teachers, babysitters, hair stylists, or anyone who helps make your life easier. Package in clear baggies, festive boxes, or decorative tins tied with gorgeous ribbon. To help you get started, I've searched the Internet and complied a list of fabulous recipes that will make delectable gifts. To check it out all you have to do is read more.

Cookies:

Candy:

Savory:

Alcohol:

Did I forget your favorite homemade gift? Please share your ideas with us below!
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