Eggnog bread pudding

We love bread pudding. I love making bread pudding with Portuguese Sweet Bread. It is perfect, sweet and with raisins. For this recipe I use an entire loaf. I tear it with my hands into small pieces. 

I poured a quart of eggnog over the bread. It wasn't quite wet enough so I added one cup milk, 1 egg and fresh nutmeg to the empty milk container and shook it. I then poured it over the bread pudding. I covered it with Saran Wrap and let it sit for an hour to absorb all the goodness. 

I then preheated the oven to 350  degrees and cooked the pudding for an hour and 15 minutes. I checked the center and the knife did not come put clean so I cooked it for an additional 15 minutes. 

Serve with rum sauce. Here is the recipe. 

This is an amazing version of bread pudding, just the perfect sweetness and all the flavors that make eggnog so popular combined with the klucious texture of bread pudding. 

Delicious Rum Sauce

I made this rum sauce to go with my eggnog bread pudding. It is very simple and very delicious. 

1 cup light brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 teaspoons of rum flavoring

Melt the butter and brown sugar in a small pan. When it is melted add the cream and continue to stir. Add the spice and the pinch of salt. You can serve this warm or cold, it is delicious either way. 

Eggnog bread pudding recipe

Coca Cola Glazed Ham

I need to stop looking at magazines because I saw this in a magazine as well. Usually, I just use whatever package of glaze that comes with my ham but I decided that this sounded really good.  I ended up cooking the ham in my Nesco which was great since it needs to cook for an hour and 15 minutes at 325 degrees. 

I already had the scalloped potatoes and roasted vegetables and the mac and cheese in my main oven at 375 degrees. 

I put the ham in flat side down, this was the only way it fit right. I mixed a cup of light brown sugar with a cup of coke. I took some whole cloves and stuck them into the ham and then using a basting brush I basted the ham with the coke and sugar mixture. 

Every 15 minutes I poured a little glaze over the top and then brushed the rest of the ham. It made a very nice sauce in the bottom of the Neco that we served with the ham. 

Two color decadent scalloped potatoes

I came across a recipe in one of my magazines the other day for a sweet potato and white potato scalloped potato. It sounded like such a good idea that I decided to make it for Christmas dinner since I was making ham. When it came time to make the dish, I couldn't find the recipe. Most of the ones I found online used cheese and in my opinion, that is au gratin not scalloped. So I decided to just modify a regular scalloped potato recipe.

2 sweet potatoes peeled
5 white potatoes (or an amount to equal the sweet potatoes) peeled
1 large sweet onion
3 tablespoons flour
1 tsp salt 
1/4 tsp pepper
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I ground mine fresh)
21/2  cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream

I use a mandolin to slice my potatoes and I sliced them the day before and stored them in water. Pat dry. Slice the onion, I also used the mandolin. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Layer 1/4 of the potatoes and onions in the bottom of a greased dish.sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg mixture. place 1/4 of butter in pieces. 

Repeat till all in the ingredients are in the pan. Top with the last of the butter, 

Warm the milk to scalding and pour over. I used 1% milk and this did not give the rich results I wanted. I corrected that by adding 1/2 heavy cream after 1 hour 45 minutes and cooking for another 30 minutes. 

This took a lot longer to cook than I expected. I cooked it at 375 for 30 minutes covered and then at least an hour and a half uncovered. I like a crispy top. Adding the heavy cream made it just perfect, rich, creamy and delicious. 

Everyone loved this dish and I would definitely make it again. 

Prime Rib Christmas Dinner

I have been making Prime Rib for Christmas day for years. I have a rotisserie which I use to cook it, one of the ' set it and forget it" variety. I use it because it frees up the oven for other things. Usually,  I serve it with mashed potatoes. This year I have decided to serve it British style with roasted potatoes. I made pork chops in the over recently with roasted half potatoes and they came out exactly like the ones I eat in England and love so well. 

I use Lysanders beef rub on the roast. It has great taste and makes a light crispy crust. It takes about 15 minutes a pound to get a perfect prime rib.

The potatoes I will drizzle with olive oil then flip onto their cut side and cook at 375 for an hour. I may or may not use rosemary which is not traditional but which I like. 

Can you believe that I have never taken pictures of my prime rib, when I get into Christmas Day mode I seldom concentrate on food pictures but I will try to remember to take pictures this year. 

I do have one warning, make sure your roast is not too large for your machine. Two years ago I set the rotisserie on fire when the roast stopped turning and went up in flames. I had to throw out the machine and finish the roast in the oven but this was the first time in 15 years I had an issue. I bought a new machine. lol

Merry Christmas and I will be back sometime after the holidays. We are heading to our home in Florida so what I post while we are driving down has to be prepared in advance. 

Christmas Themed Pancakes

For many families, making pancakes on Christmas morning is one of their traditions. Often it is dad who is in charge of this meal and he may have a special recipe which only comes out this one day of the year. If you haven’t adopted this tradition in the past, why not start with these Christmas pancake ideas.

Making pancake batter from scratch is really quite easy with only a few ingredients but if that seems like too much to deal with on Christmas morning, there is always pre-made pancake mix. A gourmet one, perhaps buttermilk is a good option. You can find them at a food specialty store or online. I look for them during my travels. 

If I don't have a gourmet one, Stonewall Kitchen is a  good pre-packaged mix or I whip out my Betty Crocker cookbook and use her basic pancake recipe.

1 large egg
1 cup all -purpose or whole wheat flour
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon granulated or packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

or if you want it even simpler:

2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs

These two recipes will produce between 10 and 12 average size pancakes. It is quite easy to make a double or triple batch is everyone is very hungry.

Because it is Christmas, you will want to do something extra special with them. But what makes a pancake Christmasie?

You may want to use food coloring to turn the batter red or green, or divide the batter and make both. The juice of some red berries may also be used to turn the batter light red.

Depending on how much Christmas theme you want in your pancakes, you can cook them and then use a large cookie cutter to turn them into Christmas stockings, Christmas trees, bells, Santa, wreaths or any other Christmas themed cutter that you have.

For those who are cooking challenged, buy frozen pancakes and cut them into shapes and decorate with tubes of red and green decorative frosting. Get the kids involved with the decorating.

To make a Christmas-themed pancake you can also use flavor. Candy canes are a Christmas favorite add a few drops of peppermint extract to the batter to imitate a candy cane. You can go a step further and make whipped cream with crushed candy cane to place on top.

Peppermint also goes very well with chocolate, so adding chocolate chips to your batter with a little peppermint flavoring will make for a delicious Christmas tradition.

Dried fruits are traditional at Christmas time. Adding finely chopped dried cherries or cranberries to the pancake batter will give them a Christmas theme. Nuts go well with dried fruit and of course, chocolate goes well with just about anything.

Eggnog is another Christmas favorite. Eggnog is flavored with nutmeg. Why not replace the milk in your pancakes with eggnog and give the family a real treat.

Christmas themed pancakes can be created in many ways. Let your family traditions or tastes dictate what you choose. You can translate it into this universally loved breakfast that will become a new tradition.

Creative uses for leftovers: Chicken and rice

While we were visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Vermont, my sister-in-law some very delicious chicken and rice. This is not something I have ever made since Al always says he doesn't care for rice but this he loved, go figure. 

I decided to do my own version of this dish with leftover roasted chicken breast. I used Knorr yellow rice. The direction said to add 2 cups of water and margarine to a small saucepan. I added 2 tablespoons of butter instead. I set the stove on high to get the water boiling and I removed the breast from the chicken and shredded it. I added it to the water and rice along with a cup of frozen corn and a quarter cup of half and half. 

When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for seven minutes. 

For a first time try, it was very tasty and we both enjoyed the meal. I think I need to add a more colorful veggie since this is pretty much all one color but for an experiment, it was good and inexpensive. 

Gift ideas for tea lovers

When it comes to perfect gift ideas for tea lovers, there are many options available. Whether you're looking to spend $5 or $100, consider the following gift items for the tea aficionado in your life.

Tea

The most obvious choice is tea, which is available loose, in a K-cup or in bags, with caffeine or without, and in small boxes or large tea chests. Some popular American brands are Bigelow, Lipton, Stash and Salada. If your gift recipient prefers English tea, Twinings is widely available in the United States.

If you want to buy a gift that will impress, consider the following:

• Bigelow offers a Charleston Tea Plantation Ta Chest with six types of tea bags for around $35.
• Stash sells tea chests made of acrylic, starting at under $16 and going up from there to elaborate wooden chests.
• Twinings offers a lovely wooden tea box that can be bought empty and then filled with the teas of your choice: black, mixed or green/herbal. The chest with tea is $60.

Teapot

If the tea lover in your life enjoys brewing tea, then a teapot makes an excellent gift. If they like loose tea, you can include a tea ball. Teapots come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. Choose a style that will complement your tea lover's personality and kitchen decor. Whether it is modern, traditional or oriental style, it is sure to please.

Teacups and mugs

An artisan ceramic mug or interesting tea cup is also a great gift option. Many cups and mugs are available, from portable mugs to delicate cups and saucers. If they enjoy drinking tea in a mug, the sky is the limit. It can be new or consider fine bone china from an antique shop.

Tea of the month club

For a gift that keeps on giving, a tea of the month club will make your gift recipient think of you every month. These can be quite pricey since you are really giving 12 gifts, but it's a nice option for that special someone.

Tea cookies

For the tea aficionado who has everything, buy a gift basket filled with a delicious array of goodies to enjoy at tea time. Many traditional tea cookies are available, including the ultimate buttery shortbread cookie. Traditionally, these are luxurious is imported from England or Scotland.

These are just a few of the many options you have when choosing a great gift for the tea lover in your life. If there is a tea shop in your area, why not stop by and browse, just in case there's something they might enjoy even more than these suggestions? Most of these gifts are also available online.

Vegetarian Christmas lunch ideas

Every family has its own traditions for Christmas lunch and while for some people that may be a turkey or a prime rib,  for others it is a vegetarian meal. Christmas lunch is about gathering with family and sharing this special time of the year. There are many comforting dishes that will make a vegetarian Christmas lunch extra special.

Lunch can begin with some appetizers. Cheese and cracker are a simple way to have something on hand to tide everybody over until the main event is served. It can be as simple as a couple of bars of cheese cut into bite size pieces and as complex of a warm cheesy dip made with several types of cheese, mayonnaise and dried onions baked to bubbly goodness. 

If you want something more elaborate and festive a baked brie with fresh fruit and chutney is a delicious choice.

Soup makes a great first course and there are many vegetable options that are both easy to make and delicious. Some fall and winter choices are butternut squash and apple soup, parsnip and pear or a creamy mushroom made with either simple button mushrooms or exotic wild mushrooms. For a real seasonal favorite, consider chestnut soup which is rich with the flavor of this seasonal nut.

For the main course, many families serve lasagna on Christmas day. A vegetarian version of the lasagna would be a perfect main course for the Christmas lunch. A variety of vegetables can be used, whatever your family likes best. Another choice is eggplant parmesan. It is a hardy and rustic dish that can feed a large crowd with one casserole. In addition to the main course casserole, a variety of vegetable dishes should be offered.

 Roasted or mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green bean casserole, a tossed salad, roasted root vegetables or asparagus with hollandaise sauce for a fancier vegetable. If you want to include a protein, quinoa is an excellent choice especially since it has a nutty taste. Try to incorporate some other nuts into the vegetable dishes such as almonds with green beans.

After the luncheon dishes have been cleared away it is time for the dessert course. There are many desserts that are traditions for Christmas including a plum or Christmas pudding. In the old days these included suet or lard, but these days vegetable shortening will work fine. Trifle is another very traditional dessert to serve at Christmas time. If your family is more of a pie family, be sure to have pumpkin, apple or a cream pie such as chocolate cream.

Having a vegetarian Christmas lunch is no more work than having a lunch with a large joint of meat. With the hearty dishes suggested here, it is unlikely that even the carnivores in the group will feel as if they have missed anything.

Be sure to offer eggnog, hot chocolate, coffee or tea to drink and have bowls of holiday nuts and candies about for snacking. It is the one day of the year when everyone wants to indulge and everyone knows that there is no such thing as calories on Christmas.

Easy Meals to Make With Ground Beef

Ground beef is one of the most versatile meats to use. It goes with just about everything and because it is ground, it cooks quickly. If it is a lean cut, it is quite healthy as well. It is also inexpensive and fits into most cook’s budget. Easy meals to make with ground beef can be something as simple as a hamburger or as comforting as shepherd’s pie. So many dishes that are quick and easy can be prepared with hamburger,  it is hard to decide which ones in include and which to leave out.

Chili

Chili is a great opportunity to make a very easy and quick dinner with hamburger. You can buy the canned tomatoes with the spices for chili already in them and mixed with the cooked hamburger and kidney beans and the spice to add the amount of heat you prefer and you have a quick and easy meal. Having some corn bread as a side is a good option.

Meatloaf  

Meatloaf is one of the most popular meals to make with ground beef. One favorite recipe includes lean ground beef, ketchup, breadcrumb, chopped onions and peppers and salt and pepper. This is then formed into a loaf and baked for less than an hour. It can be served with mashed potatoes and the vegetable of choice and is a quick and easy meal that even the kids will love.

Tacos

Tacos are one of the most family-friendly meals to make with hamburger. All you need is one of the taco kits that are sold in the store and you can add the additional lettuce, tomato, salsa, cheese and sour cream. The kids can make their own with the ingredients that they prefer. It is simple, quick to make and best of all, inexpensive.

Pizza

If you love pizza, you can make a simple pizza with pizza dough and sauce from the grocery store. Sauté a pound of ground beef and add to the pizza sauce and place on the top of the pizza dough. Add a light drizzle of olive oil and your favorite combination of cheeses and bake in the oven. You can add mushrooms, onions, and peppers or just about anything else you like and you have a quick and satisfying meal.

Meatballs

Ground beef makes great little meatballs and these can be combined with a wide variety of sauces. If you want an Italian dish then pasta sauce is the perfect addition. For something a little different, combine sour cream and brown gravy and together with a pound of egg noodles you can make a simple and easy Swedish type meatball dish.

Goulash

If you have a family that loves pasta, a pound of hamburger can go a long way toward making a goulash or American chop suey, whatever name it is known by in your area. This is basically a pound of elbow macaroni mixed with a pound of cooked hamburger, stewed tomatoes with peppers and onions and a sprinkling of your favorite cheese. It is mixed together and cooked in the oven and is a meal in one dish.

Casserole

For a more Stroganoff-type casserole, sauté the hamburger with mushrooms then add sour cream and beef broth and pour it over noodles or mashed potatoes. Simple, easy and delicious and a big favorite with my grandsons. 

When you have a pound or more of ground beef you have basic ingredient for a lot of easy and delicious meals. Use these suggestions or use your imagination and come up with combinations of your own. The Internet offers exact recipes for these meals and many others.

Christmas dinner for two

When people think about Christmas, thoughts usually turn to gathering with families and friends and tables groaning with the excesses of the season; a large Christmas goose or turkey, loaded bowls of mashed potatoes and vegetables and a selection of desserts that will send you into the recliner for a long winter’s nap.

How can you translate that image of family, crowds and excessive amounts of food into a Christmas dinner for two? You need to rethink your portions and think of foods that make you feel as if you are having a Christmas feast.

Start by preparing a small pitcher of eggnog. If you don’t want to make your own you can buy a single quart. If eggnog isn’t your favorite you can make spiced apple cider served warm in a glass mug with a cinnamon stick.

Part of the Christmas celebration is the lusciousness of the items that you are serving. You can make up a small tray of tapas. Pick out your favorite cheeses and cube up a few pieces. Any leftovers will keep until New Year’s Eve and whether you will be entertaining or enjoying it again with just the two of you, it will allow you to enjoy two separate occasions out of one shopping trip. Place your cheese on one of your favorite trays along with a selection of crackers, olives and hummus or salsa. This will give you something to snack on while you get the main course prepared.

If turkey or goose is your usual Christmas meal consider doing a turkey breast or a roasted chicken. These can be prepared the same way with the delicious stuffing of your choice. You can serve this with your usual mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, and turnip or green beans. If you want to try something different why not make a small pot roast or a prime rib. 

These will give you some nice leftovers that will guarantee that you won’t have to cook the day after Christmas which will leave you more time to go out and look for some after Christmas bargains.

If you are a cookie baker, you can do a small batch so that you won’t be denied just because this year it is just the two of you. A trifle is a typically British dessert but it is one that can be made in as many portions as you want. If nothing will do for you but pie you can make small tart sizes pies in whatever flavor the two of you love. Plan to have some ice cream or whipped cream to top it off.

One thing that you must do is to set a Christmas table with your best china and crystal. Take out your Christmas linens and dress up the table. Polish the silver and get a nice bottle of wine. Light the candles and bring out your serving dishes. You are now prepared to have a lovely Christmas dinner for just the two of you.

Quick and easy meatloaf

Meatloaf is a very popular meal at our house. I grew up on my mother’s very good meatloaf. 

To create my own variation, I used my favorite things about my Mom’s meatloaf and added my own touches. It is just as good the next day, especially in a sandwich.I hope you enjoy my recipe for quick and easy meatloaf.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. I use a stone bread pan to cook this meatloaf and it requires no additional grease.

• Ingredients
  2 pounds lean hamburger
  3/4 cup Heinz Ketchup
  1 1/2 cups of good quality Italian flavored bread crumbs
  1 medium onion chopped fine
  1 small green bell pepper chopped fine
  2 tablespoon horseradish
  Salt and pepper to taste

The coating

1/2 cup additional Heinz Ketchup

Directions

Place the hamburger in a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Blend well. I usually do this with my hands as I have found this to be the most effective way. Wash your hands thoroughly before kneading the ingredients together carefully to form a great mixture ready to bake. Another good idea is to take off any rings you might be wearing; the hamburger mix will wedge itself into every nook and cranny if you don’t.

When it is well blended, place in your pan. I use a stone loaf pan but glass or metal works fine. The 1/2 cup of Heinz ketchup is the perfect topping. Pour it over the top to completely cover the meatloaf in a deliciously appetizing coating. Spread with a knife or spatula.

Bake for one hour in the pre-heated oven. The top will get well cooked, though do not despair. This is usual and adds a delicious quality to the finished texture of the meal. If it gets black that is okay too.

To serve as a main meal, choose fresh vegetables and you can always cook potatoes in the oven with the meatloaf or cook some canned or frozen corn to accompany your creation.

If you are not a fan of ketchup, you can use tomato sauce in its place but keep in mind, this will have less flavor and you may need to add some spices of your own.

Remember to let your meatloaf cool a little before serving. A couple of minutes should do, and then slice up and serve, adding a tablespoon of butter to freshly cooked potatoes for the perfect dish. This is both a quick and easy recipe and a delicious meal. This recipe for quick and easy meatloaf serves four to six generously. Double it and make two loaves and you will have enough for great sandwiches later in the week.

Alternatives

I decided to roast a huge potato at the same time on a sheet pan. I cut the potato into four spears, put Italian herb olive oil on all the cut sides and sprinkled with steak seasoning. 
I cooked the meatloaf and the potatoes in a 400-degree oven for 70 minutes and it was perfect. This time I used a glass loaf pan. 

Maldaner's Restaurant, Springfield, Ill

Located on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois Maldaner’s Restaurant has been in business for over 120 years. It is a convenient dining option when you are visiting just about any of the historic downtown sites. The distinctive canopy on the exterior is hard to miss. In the warm weather you have the option of dining outdoors. The temperature was in the 90’s when we visited, so we opted to dine indoors.

This is one of the finest restaurants in the city of Springfield. The interior bears that out with crispy white table cloths and napkins and fine historic features. Don’t let the historic looks of the building fool you, Chef/owner Michael Higgins offers a modern menu with the freshest local produce. I was lucky enough to be shown the garden and beehives that are located on the roof so that when they are looking for herbs, tomatoes and peppers, they can just go up and pick them. They produce about 45 pounds of honey in an average year.

The menu offers a nice selection of appetizers beginning with classic minestrone soups and including such delicacies as warm goat cheese and country pate. We decided to start with a Caesar salad with their homemade dressing and it was delicious. They also bring some warm bread and olive oil for dipping.

They offer a wide choice of entrees including traditional Italian dishes such as risotto and lasagna with Bolognese sauce. On Friday and Saturday night, prime rib is available. Specials are offered daily as well. I ordered the wild salmon with Asian glaze crusted with pistachio, medley of vegetables and mashed potatoes. My husband had the Saratoga cut ribeye steak which is grilled and served with a red wine sauce and Gorgonzola cheese butter.

The salmon was slightly sweet. It was cooked perfectly and just fell apart with my fork. My husband loved his ribeye. He said that it was the best one he has ever had and that is very high praise indeed since he has eaten hundreds of ribeyes over the years. The steak was served with mashed potatoes and corn. The corn was right off the cob, you could tell that after one bite. I have to admit, my fork wandered over into his plate several times, it was an amazing taste of summer.

My husband was too full to have dessert but when I heard that they had peach crisp with basil, I had to have some. It came warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is a huge serving and I did a reasonable job of at least eating all the peaches. It is made with local peaches and basil from the roof top garden.

Service at Maldaner's is definitely white glove. Our water glasses were kept full, my ice tea was refilled several times and we never for a second felt neglected. It was an amazing experience and it is certainly special enough to come for the dressiest of occasions and yet casual enough to come every week. We loved the food, the atmosphere and the service

Inexpensive Edible Christmas Gifts In a Jar

When it comes to coming up with gift ideas that are inexpensive, it is not always easy. Christmas is a time of sharing, of family and also of great stress. Some of the stress comes from having to come up with gifts for so many people. The stress may be a result of the cost of the gifts, but it is more than that, it is finding a gift that is just perfect for everyone. 

Creating gifts that are inexpensive and can be delivered in a pretty jar is an easy way to lessen the stress and the expense of gift-giving.

Start by deciding what type of a jar you are going to use. If you don’t want to spend the money to buy Bell Canning Jars, you can start saving used jars early in the year and by late fall, you will have a nice collection. Mayonnaise jars, pickle jars, and jam jars are just a few that will work nicely. Look for ones with pretty or unusual shapes and adequate size to hold what you are planning to give.

Hot chocolate mix

Hot chocolate is a fun and almost universally loved gift. If you want to make it extra special, purchase the best chocolate that you can afford. Dress it up by adding crushed candy cane, instant coffee, dry French vanilla coffee creamer or hazelnut. Add mini marshmallows and you are all set. Pick up inexpensive but pretty mugs and place the hot chocolate together with the mug in a Christmas box. Don’t forget to add the directions. These can be printed on heavy weight paper and rolled like a scroll around the spoon or they can be placed as a label on the jar.

Scone mix

Find a great recipe for scones. A good choice at Christmas might be dried cherries or strawberries perhaps with the addition of chocolate chips. Mix up a big batch of all the dry ingredients. Place them in the jar. Add a pretty wooden spoon and attach it to the jar along with the recipe.

Soup

Bean, pea or lentil soups are perfect for giving as a gift in a jar. You mix up the beans with any spices that normally go into them. You want to be able to give them the bare bones for the soup and they will add the fresh vegetables. You can place the bouillon powder in the jars as well. Again buy good quality ingredients for the best results. A soup spoon attached to the jar with the recipe finishes this gift off nicely.

Flavored oil

Buy a large container of high-quality virgin olive oil. Add fresh herbs to make a flavored oil. These should be given in special bottles that you buy just for the purpose.

Pet treats

If you have a friend who has a beloved pet, you may want to bring a little something for Spot or Puff. There are dog cookies and kitty treats that are easy to make and these can be placed in one of your jars that you have been collecting. Make a pretty label and add a ribbon and you are ready for a Christmas visit. The pets will appreciate these edible gifts.

Nuts

Buy some inexpensive nuts. You can choose mixed or one specific kind. The trick here is to make the plain nuts gourmet. You can do that with spices or by candying them. These are a delicious and healthy treat.

These are just a few ideas for inexpensive edible Christmas gifts in a jar.  Others include corn muffin mix, chocolate chip cookies and brownies are a few other choices that are very popular.

Making and storing roux

A roux is a thickener for soups, sauces, and stews. It is a French word and it sounds much more complicated than it really is.

Learning to make a basic roux is one of the simplest cooking skills that even the most amateur of cooks needs to master. In a traditional sense, roux is usually made with butter and flour in one-to-one ration. You melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour to make a smooth paste, and that's all that there is to it. The idea of the roux is to get the raw taste out of the flour.

Butter is not the only fat that can be used to make a roux, olive oil or bacon fat work very well but will have a much different taste. How long the roux is cooked also may change the taste and especially the look as it will brown slightly. The process of cooking the roux should not be rushed. After the perfect roux has been achieved, it can be added to whatever you are cooking and the rest can be stored.

When it comes to storing roux, if it is made with vegetable oil it can be stored at room temperature. If it is made with bacon grease or butter, it needs to be refrigerated or frozen, where it has a longer shelf life. Once the roux has cooled, place it in small containers that are about a one-serving size, especially if you want to freeze it. You will then be able to thaw and use it anytime you are making a recipe that requires thickening.

There are so many ways that you can use your roux that you will want to make a large batch. When it comes to sauces, whether it is a simple Béchamel or white sauce or a brown sauce, it needs to start with a roux. The white sauce can be used as the base for excellent macaroni and cheese with the addition of the cheese of your choice. This can be made even more special with the addition of smoked paprika or Worcestershire sauce.

A roux is also the base for a rich and thick stew. It can be added toward the end of the cooking time to make the gravy extra rich and thick. Speaking of gravy, to make the best beef or chicken gravy, roux and some stock is really all that is needed. For perfect lump free gravy, the roux can be created using special flour that doesn’t form lumps.

These are just a few of the uses for a good roux. It is a staple of several very popular Cajun dishes including gumbo. Once you have mastered the art of making and storing your roux, you will no doubt find many more uses.

Making pizza a healthy meal

When you think of healthy meals, pizza is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. Typically it is pictured with lots of fat meats such as pepperoni or sausage and a thick coating of cheese. While you certainly can order it that way, there are lots of lighter options that can make pizza a healthy meal.

Buying pizza at a restaurant takes away most of your control of exactly what ingredients will be used on your pizza. You can ask if the restaurant you choose makes a whole wheat crust, some places do. Whole wheat flour has more fiber and nutrients and is a healthier choice. 

If you want to keep the calories down you need to consider the thickness of the crust. Thin is lower in calories just because there is less of it.

When it comes to making pizza a healthier choice, it isn’t just about calories, it is about fat. Pizza without fat would probably not be too good but by using real olive oil you can at least make it healthier. If you want to have meat on your pizza, make sure it is precooked and the fat drained off. Bacon, for instance, is better at least partially cooked so that the entire pizza isn’t dripping in bacon fat.

Another healthier meal option is chicken but again you need to consider how it is being cooked and what is being put on it. Grilled chicken with natural seasonings will keep it fresher and less heavy than barbecue sauce for instance. If you are looking for beef, opt for hamburger over breadcrumb filled meatballs.

One of the healthiest choices in pizza is the original Neapolitan pizza, the Margarita. It is a fresh combination of a light red sauce, fresh basil, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese applied lightly. With the addition of a drizzle EVOO it is as near to healthy perfection as you can find.

Making your own healthy pizza is the best way to control the ingredients. Mozzarella cheese comes in skim and whole milk varieties and both taste the same. Vegetables are a great healthy addition to almost any pizza. Mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives, and eggplants are all easy to incorporate into a pizza. Pineapple is perfect in combination with lean ham or bacon.

If you are a salad lover, cook your pizza crust and in the meantime mix up your favorite salad in a bowl. Apply EVOO to the crust with a pastry brush and then place your salad on top. What a delicious way to enjoy a healthy pizza.

Pizza doesn’t have to be unhealthy and a diet buster. Keep the ingredients simple and fresh and apply them in moderation. You can make pizza a healthy meal and a delicious one too.

Homemade baked mac and cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese is the quintessential comfort food. When the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, a steaming bowl of delicious macaroni and cheese baked to crispy perfection is the ideal choice for a quick and filling meal. It is something that offers the opportunity to be creative or to just keep it simple. This is a family favorite that has a little zing to add interest.

The sauce:
8 -10 ounces of mild cheddar cheese or sharp if you prefer
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons white flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons Worcester sauce

The topping:
1 sleeve of Ritz Crackers crumbled

The macaroni:
1 pound of pasta. Our family likes penne but elbows or spirals work just as well.

Cook the pound of pasta as per the package directions and drain. Leave it slightly al dente so that it will keep its shape during the baking. Drain when it is finished cooking and cover the pan so that the macaroni stays warm.

You can grate the cheese or you can buy it already grated. I usually buy it grated since it cuts the preparation time. 

In a skillet melt the butter, add the flour and make a roux. Add the milk slowly stirring constantly. Add the Worcester sauce and the cheese, continue to stir add the salt and pepper to taste. 

When the cheese is completely melted, remove from heat and pour the cheese over the macaroni in the pan and stir. Pour into a 9 by 13 baking dish.

I take a few Ritz Crackers in my hands at a time and crumble them over the top of the pan. Leave an even coating over the entire pan.  

Place in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with a tossed salad and you have the perfect meal.

If you prefer a more adult version, change the cheese to pepper Jack or a combination of cheeses. Swiss and Monterey Jack is a nice combo or the bags of mixed Italian cheeses work well. Gouda will add a smoky taste and American is very mellow. Use your imagination and you can make your dish a little different every time.

This recipe has a smooth and creamy texture that makes it a perfect comfort food. It has stick to your ribs goodness. This is one of our all-time favorite meals any time of year. Serve it with a salad for a little crunch.