Recipes From The White House

Our US presidents and their wives have given us some good recipes over the years. They are vast and varied , from LBJ's chili and barbecue to Dolly Madison 's bouillon to Mamie Eisenhower's fudge.However it;s the house it;self, The People's House that has contributed some excellent recipes to the American culinary landscape.

One of the most varied White House eras was during Thomas Jefferson's term.He was huge Francaphile, often bringing home fancy French recipes to a simple , almost primitive kitchen. However he was also an Americna who loved his black eye peas, pasta and a variety of meats from ham to chicken to veal.. Jefferson also introduced ice cream to the country where it has reigned supreme in all sorts of desserts and flavor ever since. Oysters were big at the big house and have been featured for the last two centuries . They have been chilled, enriched by sauce and enhanced by lemon. Households across the country copied these recipes as they also copied roast turkey and stuffing recipes for that uniquely American holiday Thanksgiving. Even decadent desserts such as Mrs. Eisenhower's fudge and current White House pastry chef's Bill Yosses' nectarine pie that has our current president swooning

Of course Michelle Obama brought healthy eating from the White House to America. She's is the gatekeeper to the "Let's Move' exercise movement and encourages healthy eating with fresh fruits and veggies. She brings us minted pea salad, perfect for now, excellent for a Spring dinner . For more green there is a broccoli soup, a puree made even more tastier with onions , celery and a dash of jalapeno infused olive oil.President Obama loves her chili recipe that has just a bit of decadent bacon added along with ground turkey ( you can have it with  ground beef too) along with good for you spices such as cumin and garlic. Their daughters love cauliflower (!) baked mac and cheese. This classic, usually considered a fat bomb, is rendered good for you by cauliflower and skim milk.There is also creamless creamed spinach, a culinary marvel that has just pureed spinach and olive oil with absolutely no roue in it. The Obamas also enjoy a grilled chicken Caesar as we all do , theirs is with the lighter sherry vinaigrette instead of the creamier traditional Caesar dressing. Dessert is a healthier version of apple cobbler that has a tasty mix of brown sugar, cinnamon , and nutmeg added to it for flavor.

Our presidents have all eaten well from Washington up to our current administration. The recipes represent who we are as a collective whole and the bounty that is America. They are diverse, taken form our forests and our farms, made delicious in our nation;s kitchen.

The Best Valentine's Day Gift Home Cooked

"If music be the food of love play on." Shakespeare wrote in his great play , Twelfth Night and it's true. Nothing is as satisfying as a sensuous meal followed by a sweet treat - meaning a decadent dessert. What better than a home cooked one, made with love for love. It's a simple gift  but with so much meaning.

If you're at a quandary about what to make your beloved tomorrow, then consult David Tanis'  A City Kitchen from this past Wednesday's New York Times Food section. He recommends starting out with a citrus salad, a tart refreshing start to any meal.It's mixing crunchy Belgian endive with zesty cara cara oranges and a blood orange.You could add grapefruit for a really tart punch but that's up to your beloved's taste. if the salad may seem too daunting tastewise, then stick with a simple tomato and mozzarella one but amp up the vinaigrette by adding champagne vinegar (this is not as exotic as it sounds, it can be bought at any super market and even Wal-Mart!).The main dish is one of Mr. Tanis's creation:seared sea scallops with ginger-lime butter. This is searing the scallops  with bok choy and sweet potatoes for a colorful and tasty dish.The ginger lime butter zinged with red pepper, is then drizzled over it.If your love isn't into seafood then think chicken . Feeding each other a whole roast chicken has a kind of Tom Jones, (the Henry Fielding book and 1963 Albert Finney movie)appeal but there is a more civilized dish in the form of chicken Alfredo over angel hair pasta It's blending chicken breasts with a creamy and buttery white sauce served over cappellini.

Of course the piece de resistance for any lovers' meal is dessert. Chocolate is the most desired but the question is in what form. Mr. Tanis gives us the ultra decadent chocolate bourbon balls. These are a marriage of every ones' favorites ; dark cocoa, bourbon and a choice of crushed pecans, pistachios or hazelnuts. I would go for the hazelnuts for a kicky nocciola flavor. The truffles are a ganache , made satiny with a mix of vanilla and bourbon and then chilled, A melon baller is used to make the bite sized treats and then after chilling they're rolled in the crushed nuts For a different spin add s tiny amount of chili pepper flakes and then roll in a mix of cocoa and cinnamon. Mint is another flavor that can be added into a truffle. A really sensuous end is chocolate fondue. It can be made with either milk or dark chocolate however the last is the better choice. It brings out the the fondue's morsels flavors and under notes. Strawberries are the obvious choice in nibbles. They're fun to feet to each other, but you can also try cherries if you can get them, or pineapples. Chunks of cake, whether be pound or angel food can be used but for real decadence  try brownies.

Treat your love to a homecooked meal, followed by a rich , yummy chocolate treat. It's the best gift out there that just trumpets your emotions. Get cooking  then if you want some loving.

One Meal One Pan

Nothing beats a hot meal with all the trimmings on these frigid days. Yet cooking a full meal can be daunting. There's so many pots and pans to deal with  along with trying to have all the dishes ready at the same time. Not to worry. There's a great new cookbook centering on sheet pan meals.It's an easy way to make the main dish and sides without fuss or worry.

Dr. Camilla V Saulsbury  gives us "200 Best Sheet Pan Meals" (Robert Rose Press 2016) and it's a great Valentine's Day gift for any home chef.  It's a wonderful recipe full book of simple and fun meals anyone can make. For those who have qualms about this type of cooking,not to worry. The books starts out with a guide on what type of pans to use, along with the technique's history ( it comes from the British where the meals are known as tray bakes, simple yet filling dinners and desserts that require little prep and little clean up afterwards. Dr Saulsbury , who has a PhD in  Sociology  with a specialization in food studies from the University of Indiana, also explains the different types of ingredients as well as dealing with the  different cooking times of meats and vegetables.Beginners will love her chapter on easy sheet pan meals such as  broccoli cheddar no crust quiche along with yummy desserts like coconut macaroons and frozen chocolate bananas. The book is then divided into different chapters revolving around  brunch and breakfast meatless meals, for vegetarians  along with  recipes for various meats,.There's an extensive chapter on all sorts of desserts, that would be great for bake sales and parties.

The recipes are amazing. I love the wide variety of different dishes and how they encompass all tastes.There's a tasty sunnyside up pizza, perfect for a family brunch .It's an easy bake with the crust being frozen pizza dough layered with ricotta, olive oil and eggs.Non meat eaters will love roasted broccoli rabe with gorgonzola or a vegetable paella , ripe with saffron, artichoke hearts and onions.Those meat and veg lovers will gobble up such filling meals as roasted chicken with butternut squash and apples and the thyme and pork tenderloin with charred corn salad. There are plenty of beef and fish recipes too, such as  roast beef with potatoes, green beans and blue cheese mayo and garlic salmon and green beans. Kids will love the .meatball, burger and breakfast roll recipes that would be perfect at birthdays or pajama parties.The dessert recipes are fun and varied too,, under the cute Sheet Sweets title. A great cake for a dinner party would be the scratch  chocolate ganache cake or decadent carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. There's even a cheesecake recipe, one without all that fuss and some tasty variations such as chocolate chip , lemon and brown sugar. The cookie bar and even candy recipes would be excellent at any bake sale or kid's party.

"200 Best Sheet Pan Meals+ is a great book for those who want a hearty meal or elegant dessert without the fuss.There are so many different recipes, each tasty and easy to bake. This is the must have cookbook for any home chef!

Eating In Season Out of Season

Many environmentally conscious foodies and home chefs feel guilty this time of year. Why?It's because we feel like we;re  expanding our carbon footprint by eating fruits and veggies from out of our regions. The problem is if we eat local, we'll basically starve til June.

 Famed Dirt Candy chef Amanda Cohen wrote about this in today's New York Times Food section. Chef Cohen has created one of the most famous vegetarian restaurants in the wold. She is known for her fun and innovative dishes  such as her vegetable ice cream salad (!) and portobello mousse with sauteed Asian pears and cherries. She has no qualms about buying imported produce and we shouldn't' either. Sadly we can''t move to SoCal just for the avocados and lettuce, nor can we move to Italy and Spain just for the olive oil. (although some gourmands have on this last).  Face facts. Our fruits and veggies have always been trucked in from faraway places and where they're from, they are in season There. is also the notion that the fruits and veggies that are on display now are inferior. Chef Cohen also advises to get over that.They are not inferior as I've found out with tomatoes and purple grapes.They're just as fresh and flavorful as their local counterparts are during the Spring, summer and fall months.

Her recipe contributions are all about the tomatoes. Chef Cohen loves tomatoes we all do, especially the ripe, red ones of August. Yet they don't have to be in season to taste good. There is a very good roasted winter tomatoes. The ingredients are what you'd expect basil garlic and olive oil. The surprise one is ginger which gives it an exciting zing. Coconut milk is added to another pomodoro dish. which gives it a South eastern Asian vibe. Red pepper flakes zest it up along with garlic and ginger. Chef Cohen suggests serving it over fish, rice or tofu.A third is is a tasty appetizer or an alternative to pizza. is roasted tomatoes and feta  on toast.It's first pressing the water out of the Greek cheese, then pureeing it with heavy cream.It's topped with the roasted tomatoes along with the tomato oil from the roasting. A splash of grapefruit juice along with the zest of a whole one is added for mouth puckering freshness. All this is layered along with half a cup of torn chickery or wild arugula  on your favorite bread that has been toasted. I'd recommend an Italian or French loaf for added flavor.

Don't feel guilty if you buy those grapes or tomatoes right now, It''s OK to eat them right now. They're in season  - somewhere and are ripe for the picking and eating.

Ash Wednesday Giving And Giving Up

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Western Christian holy period leading up to Easter Sunday. It's a time of giving up but can also be a time of giving. One of the pluses of this austere time is that our sacrifices can turn into habits that we can take with us through the year.

Volunteering is never really a Lenten idea yet is is a sacrifice of one's time. Many soup kitchens are understaffed at this time because volunteers usually drift away.  Our local media never  emphasizes this as they do around the Thanksgiving and Christmas when more people feel compelled to help out. To get rid of the mid  winter doldrums join your local kitchen and  hang out if you have the time. Get to know the regulars and listen to their stories.Buy them a coffee if you see them on the street, help them in whatever journey they're on. Another idea is baking for these kitchens . Have the offspring help so they can get an idea of what public service is.They can make brownies or cookies and bring them over to the kids (and there are many) that also frequent the kitchens.Smaller soup kitchen sometimes have parties so donate either food or drinks or even bake a cake or cupcakes to bring over as well as assisting setting up and cleaning up afterwards. Also donating seeds and gardening tools to community gardens are a huge help as well along with offering gardening advice. Right now many grocery stores are starting to sell seeds. Pick up a few packets, such as lettuce, peas and squash  to help them start.

Of course Lent means giving up the foods and drinks we love Many give up sweets such as cake or candy for these forty days. The good thing about giving up foods is that you lose your taste for them. These sweets can be replaced with healthier fruits for a burst of sweetness. After a while it's easier to reach for a handful of dark , flavorful grapes than cookies. It's also better for the body as well as for the soul, as we all know. You'll feel springier  after nixing the gluten and refined flours and replacing it with vitamins and fiber too. Many , especially the Greek Orthodox give up meats for Lenten fasting. There are so many bonuses win doing this. You'll lose weight  as well as not ingesting all those harmful antibiotics and hormones that are still being injected into farm animals. It's also a good deed , with saving animal's lives. Fasters will also enjoy broadening their diets by include all sorts of pastas and vegetable dishes. They'll  discover the variety of different faux meats from Morningstar Farms and Gardien brands. Remember though , that if you give up meat you need to supplant it with protein. This is where peanut butter or any nut along with green peas and edamame give you that punch of it. Even unsweetened cocoa powder which can be made into the Mexican mole sauce has huge quantities of it.

Ash Wednesday is a time to start  giving up whether time or favorite foods. It's a time of soul searching and wondering what you can do to make life better for yourself and your community. It's fasting but also also pondering too.

Laissez Le Bon Temp Roulez!!1

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday a  day of complete celebration and sybaritic revelry before the austerity of Lent. The town that invented it  was New Orleans and with it came a wide parade of delicious foods.These are a blend of sweet and savory  but all united in tremendous flavor.

One of the most famous is the King Cake, This came from Quebec to the Crescent City through French Canadian explorer Pierre le Moyne D'iberville.It is a sweet, yeasty buttery treat, first served at Epiphany December 6th  through Twelvth Night up to Mardi Gras. A trinket , usually a toy baby doll , is placed inside it. This toy, represents the baby Jesus and is considered lucky to find  with the finder  being declared king or queen of that party.The icing is symbolic too, the purple means justice, green is faith while gold is power. Wash it down with two famous drinks of the season, the Hurricane or the Vieux Carre, named for the famed New Orleans hotel. The first is a wild mix of light and dark rum mixed with orange and passionfruit juice with a touch of grenadine.The second is a rye whiskey and cognac cocktail.These can also be great washing down  spicy andouille sausage and dirty rice or super crispy southern fried chicken with a Cajun spice batter. Another must have is cheesy grits. These are grits mixed with scallions and cheddar made creamier with eggs and butter. Depending on where you are gator is sometimes on the menu. The meat from those snappy creatures can be made into fritters to be served with a remoulade,a fiery and easy to make mayo and mustard mix.

Mardi Gras goers may go wild over the many beads they collect but they equally go crazy over jambalaya. Shrimp and sausage are the anchor ingredients of this classic stew but there  also the Cajun holy trinity of onions, celery and bell peppers added for color and flavor.Tomatoes and garlic are included for more taste along with dried thyme and bay leaves.Long grained rice is also served with it to sop up this wonderful stew. NOLA kitchens are redolent with the smell of gumbo during Carnival time as well. This is a heavy stew of shellfish and tomatoes , sometimes thickened with okra Okra is call gumbo too, depending on where you are in southern Louisiana. The dish is usually seafood but it can sometimes be made with chicken, duck or beef and even squirrel and rabbit on the city's outskirts.Andouille sausage is also added to either to give it a piquancy .Of course the Cajun holy trinity is added too along with sassafras for color. Vegans can enjoy gumbo z'herbes, usually cooked for Lent , that is chock full  of turnips, mustard greens and spinach. The day ends with King Cake or the classic beignets. These are fried puffs of heaven made with flour, eggs and milk. Yeast gives them their airiness  and their golden brown coloring comes from a fry in vegetable oil. They are heavily dusted with confectioners sugar and served with New Orleans style coffee, a blend of rich dark coffee blended with chickery and boiled milk.

Laissez le bon temp roulez. Let the good times roll during this festive time. It is celebrated with good food ,good drink and a night of endless good revelry!

Happy Year Of The Monkey

It's the first day of the Chinese New Year, and it's a day to celebrate. The Year of the Monkey  ushers in yummy foods and centuries old traditions. They are easy to make too and fun to eat.Anyone, even novice home chefs can enjoy cooking these delicious dishes!

Dumplings are one of the oldest and symbolic Lunar New Year dishes. They can symbolize both family and prosperity due to their resemblance to purses.Dumpling or potsticker skins are simple to make. They're just a mix of regular flour, water and a pinch of salt.Think of them like ravioli.The fillings can be anything you want. Traditional ones are filled with pork or cabbage but you can also use shrimp or chicken.Spicing is important too. There's a dash of dry sherry or Shaoxing wine along with green onion and ginger for bite.Add Szechuan peppercorns for real fire  and heat or even fresh ground pepper. Cook , like pasta in salted boiling water for ten minutes or until tender.Serve with homemade hoisin sauce which is a mixture of  soy sauce, peanut butter and either molasses, honey or brown sugar for sweetness (I'd recommend using dark honey, it;s the healthiest, however both the others will give the sauce an earthy richness).along with garlic powder and sesame oil. Jalapeno pepper or Chinese pepper is added for heat.Homemade duck sauce is another good dipping sauce. This is simply a mix of apricot jam and Chinese plum sauce  You can also just dip them in plum sauce too.

These sauces would work with another New Year's classic, spring rolls which represent gold bars and prosperity . These are also easy to create. You do have to buy spring roll wrappers to start with, imply because it's hard to duplicate their delicate layers.. These are always vegetarian and are filled with shredded carrots, green onions and sweet bell peppers. Cilantro is also added for color and taste along with Thai basil. The rolls are fried in  a wok but you can also fry them in a regular frying pan using peanut oil.Make sure they are tightly wrapped otherwise two things will happen: the filling will fall out while frying or the oil will seep in and sog up the filling. It's just tightly rolling and tucking to prevent that. Another traditional treat is a dish of noodles.Use egg noodles if you can't get the authentic. These are cooked  first before cooking the  mushrooms and thinly sliced chicken breasts and broccoli florets. Bok choy can also be added as snow peas.Use  scallions and ginger for more flavor along with garlic. Boil the noodles first and then stir fry the chicken with soy sauce. The vegetables are then added as are the aromatics . Home chefs  can also add Napa cabbage too for color and crunch. Eat this to guarantee a long life.

Enjoy the Year of the Money with tasty New Year's moon, Eat the spring rolls and dumplings for prosperity and the noodles for a long life. Enjoy not only their deliciousness but their rich symbolism too!