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Fast & Easy Dinner: Poached Egg Salad

partysugar — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:00:28 -0800

After the overindulgence of Christmas, give your body a break and eat a salad for dinner. This hearty vegetarian recipe features greens topped with crusty bread and an oozing poached egg.

Sautéed leeks and red grapes are tossed with cider vinegar to make a tangy dressing. To check out the recipe, read more.

Poached Egg Salad
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

8 eggs
2 medium leeks, thinly sliced
2 cups seedless red grapes
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
Salt and ground black pepper
4 slices crusty bread, toasted
1 10-oz. pkg. Italian mixed salad greens (romaine and radicchio)
2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)

Directions

In large skillet pour water to halfway up sides. Bring water to simmering (bubbles break surface). One at a time break an egg into measuring cup. Hold lip of cup close to water; carefully slide in egg, allowing each equal space in pan. Simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes, until whites are set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard.
Meanwhile, in second skillet cook leeks and grapes over medium heat in 2 tablespoons of hot olive oil for 4 minutes, just until leeks are tender and grape skins burst. Remove from heat. Add vinegar. Sprinkle salt and pepper. With slotted spoon transfer eggs to toast. Serve with greens, leeks, grapes, and cheese.

Serves 4.

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Sunday Dinner: Spring Noodle Stir-Fry

YumSugar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:00:34 -0700

For dinner tonight, opt for a straightforward meal that won't have you spinning wheels. Take advantage of market-fresh items like asparagus and sugar snap peas to make a healthy yet hearty vegetarian noodle stir-fry.

Apple cider vinegar and fresh ginger add zing, while a handful of walnuts add meatiness and crunch. To put this on the table in under half an hour, read more.

Spring Noodle Stir-Fry With Asparagus & Walnuts
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1/4 cup dark sesame oil
2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 pound vermicelli or capellini pasta
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 pound asparagus, cut on an angle into 1-inch pieces
1/2 pound sugar snap peas, halved

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons sesame oil, the vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and crushed red pepper.
In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toast, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil over high heat. Add the onion and asparagus and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sugar snap peas and the sesame oil sauce; cook for 1 minute over high heat. Lower the heat to medium, add the pasta and cook, stirring, until heated through, 2 minutes. Top with the walnuts.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Tempeh Reubens With Caramelized Onions

partysugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:50:45 -0800

Traditionally, a Reuben sandwich is made with meat; however this vegetarian version removes the meat and uses tempeh instead. Similar to tofu, tempeh's made from soybeans. In this recipe the tempeh is cooked in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, black peppercorns, and caraway seeds. Then it's placed on a piece of bread and topped with the classic Reuben fixings: Russian dressing and sauerkraut. To check out the recipe, read more.

Tempeh Reubens With Caramelized Onions
From Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

Russian Dressing:
4 Tbs. eggless mayonnaise
1 Tbs. tomato paste
1/4 cup minced dill pickle
2 Tbs. minced red onion
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
Tempeh Reubens
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbs. tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbs. black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
1 Tbs. caraway seeds
2 1/2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced onions
Salt to taste
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
4 to 6 slices hearty whole grain bread
1 bunch arugula, stemmed, rinsed and dried

Directions

To make Russian Dressing: mix all ingredients in bowl until thoroughly combined. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

To make Tempeh Reubens: using sharp knife, cut tempeh crosswise at 45-degree angle into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Combine 1 1/2 cups water, vinegar, tamari, peppercorns and caraway seeds in large saucepan. Add tempeh, spooning mixture over it. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat.

Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 Tbs. oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onions and salt, and cook, stirring often, over medium-low heat about 10 minutes, or until juicy.

Increase heat to medium, and cook 5 minutes more, stirring often, until well browned. Remove pan from heat.

Heat remaining 1 Tbs. oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and add tempeh slices, in batches if necessary. Cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Warm sauerkraut in saucepan over medium-low heat.

To assemble sandwiches, spread each bread slice with 1 heaping Tbs. of Russian dressing. Layer bread with arugula, tempeh, sauerkraut and onions. Serve warm, either open-faced or topped with another slice of bread.

Serves 6.

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Perfect For Summer: Sesame Soy Cucumber Salad

YumSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Lately I've been on a huge cucumber kick. They're light and refreshing - perfect for a hot summer day.

I grew up eating this salad at my mother's table, and it's still one of my favorite dishes to start off a light meal. The flavor profile is tart, the texture crunchy, the combination so simple, yet so satisfying.

The best part? The longer you let it sit, the better it tastes. After you've made it once, try altering the ingredients to see what works better for you - cider vinegar or white vinegar, more or less soy sauce, and so forth. My favorite cucumbers to use are the Japanese variety, because they're so crisp and firm. When they aren't available, I substitute Persian cucumbers. To check out my mom's easy recipe, read more.

Sesame Soy Cucumber Salad
From YumSugar's mother

Ingredients

4 Japanese or Persian cucumbers
1 tablespoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons white vinegar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Directions

Wash the cucumbers well.

Chop off the ends of the cucumbers. Peel the cucumbers.

Halve the cucumbers lengthwise.

Use a small spoon or a parer to remove the seeds from each cucumber half. Discard seeds.

Slice crosswise, chopping into pieces shaped like half moons.

Transfer chopped cucumber to a mixing bowl; add salt.

After 10-15 minutes, pour out excess water and dry cucumber pieces with a paper towel.

Add white vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil; stir to combine.

Serves 2.

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Come Party With Me: Foodie Thanksgiving - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:44 -0800

With rich flavors, luxe ingredients, and complex cooking techniques, this delicious Thanksgiving menu is sure to wow your foodie friends. Start with brioche toasts topped with foie gras, date purée, and pomegranate seeds. Caviar with cream cheese on peppered crackers is another hors d'oeuvres option that comes together easily with elements from a gourmet grocery store. A slow-smoked turkey with cane syrup-coffee glaze is a showstopping centerpiece to the main event. Before being smoked, the bird is braised in a mixture of coffee, apple cider vinegar, and cane syrup, so make sure you have a pot large enough to hold a whole turkey.

A decadent stuffing with bacon, sage, and fresh-shucked oysters is a delightful accompaniment to the smoked bird. Sweet potatoes reach new heights when served in souffle form stuffed inside a phyllo dough. To get these recipes for the more advanced home cook, read more.

Foie Gras With Date Purée and Pomegranate
From Gourmet

Ingredients

1/4 pound Medjool dates (packed 1/2 cup), pitted
1/2 cup boiling-hot water
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses
1 large brioche loaf or challah loaf (1 to 1 1/2 pound)
1 (6 1/2-ounces) block foie gras, chilled
Garnish: pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)

Directions

Soak dates in boiling-hot water (1/2 cup) in a bowl 10 minutes. Transfer dates with a slotted spoon to a mini food processor or a blender along with 1 tablespoon soaking liquid. Add pomegranate molasses and purée until smooth.

Preheat broiler.

Cut enough 1/4-inch-thick slices from brioche to cut into a total of 32 (1 1/2-inch) squares (without crust).

Broil brioche squares on a baking sheet 4 to 5 inches from heat, turning once, until pale golden, about 1 1/2 minutes total. (Watch carefully; brioche toasts quickly.)

Dip a sharp paring knife in hot water, then dry it and halve foie gras lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 16 slices (32 total), dipping and drying knife after each cut. Put each slice as cut on top of a brioche toast, then top with a small dollop of date purée and a few pomegranate seeds.

Makes 32 hors d'oeuvres.

Make ahead: Brioche can be cut (but not toasted) 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Date purée can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

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Slow-Smoked Turkey With Cane Syrup-Coffee Glaze
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

2 gallons water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ground coffee, preferably chicory coffee
1 large onion, halved
12 large thyme sprigs, tied together
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
2 cups light brown sugar or 3 cups cane syrup*
One 11-pound turkey
About 3 cups hickory chips
Vegetable oil, for brushing

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring 1 gallon of the water to a boil; keep warm. In a large stockpot, combine the cider vinegar, coffee, onion, thyme, salt and peppercorns with 1 3/4 cups of the brown sugar and the remaining gallon of water. Bring to a boil.

Holding the turkey by the legs, carefully ease the bird into the hot brine, neck end down. Add enough of the hot water to the stockpot to cover the turkey and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Carefully remove the turkey from the stockpot. Strain 2 cups of the braising liquid into a heatproof bowl and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Discard the remaining braising liquid.

Meanwhile, light a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill. A few minutes before the turkey has finished simmering, add 2 cups of the hickory chips to the coals. When the chips start smoking, brush the turkey breast with oil.

Set the turkey, breast side down, on the grill. Cover and smoke over a low fire or flame for 15 minutes. Baste the turkey with the reserved braising liquid; turn it breast side up and baste again.

Cover the grill and continue smoking the turkey for about 40 minutes longer, basting occasionally with the braising liquid and adding more coals or hickory chips to the grill as necessary.

The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thigh registers 165°. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 20 minutes before carving.

Serves 10 with leftovers.

*Cane syrup is available by mail order from Steen's.

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Oyster Stuffing
From Saveur

Ingredients

11 cups 1⁄2" cubed white French bread (about 14 oz.)
6 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1⁄4" strips
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for
greasing the pan
6 shallots, thinly sliced
4 ribs celery, thinly sliced
40 medium oysters, such as bluepoints, shucked (about 1 lb.), with 1 cup of the liquor reserved
1 cup chicken stock
1⁄4 cup madeira or port
1⁄3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 tbsp. chopped thyme leaves
2 tbsp. chopped sage leaves
1⁄2 tsp. Tabasco
1⁄4 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
1⁄8 tsp. ground cloves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Heat oven to 250. Arrange bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake, stirring occasionally, until dried but not browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool.

Put bacon into a 12" skillet; cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until crisp and its fat has rendered, about 10 minutes.

Add 4 tbsp. of the butter and heat. Add shallots and celery, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.

Add oyster liquor, stock, madeira or port, parsley, thyme, sage, Tabasco, nutmeg, cloves, and salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl and stir in the bread cubes and oysters. Set aside to allow the flavors to come together for 10 minutes.

Raise the oven temperature to 400°. Transfer mixture to a buttered 2-qt. oval baking dish and cover with foil.

Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil, drizzle with remaining butter, and continue baking until golden brown and crusty, about 30 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Serves 8-10.

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Sweet Potato Souffle Pie
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes, pierced with the tines of a fork
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 2-inch piece peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus 1/2 cup melted, plus more for pan
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more if needed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more if needed
9 sheets phyllo dough, (17 by 12 inches) thawed if frozen
Pinch of cream of tartar

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake potatoes until tender, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand until cool enough to handle.

Peel potatoes, and press through a ricer into a large bowl (you should have about 1 cup); let cool completely. Stir in ground ginger, vanilla, salt, egg yolks, and brown sugar; set aside.

Meanwhile, heat milk and fresh ginger in a medium saucepan over medium heat until just under a boil. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking, 1 minute. Whisk in milk mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 1 minute. Stir into potato mixture.

Butter a 9-inch springform pan, and place on a baking sheet; set aside.

Stir 1/3 cup granulated sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl.

Brush 1 phyllo sheet with melted butter. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Fold in half crosswise; brush with butter. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon-sugar mixture, and fit into prepared pan, folded side in, allowing a 2 1/2-inch overhang. Repeat, overlapping sheets to cover bottom.

Put egg whites into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on high speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar; beat until soft peaks form.

With machine running, gradually add remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar; beat until stiff glossy peaks form. Whisk one-third of the egg whites into potato mixture. Gently but thoroughly fold in remaining egg whites.

Pour over phyllo; fold overhang over filling. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture (if needed, combine 1 to 2 tablespoons more sugar and a pinch of cinnamon).

Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Bake pie until puffed and just set in center, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand until slightly cooled and center has fallen, about 20 minutes.

Serves 10.

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