Yummy yums!

Pot stickers

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:09:00 +0000

Super easy. I made up the recipe from what I had in the kitchen:
1 pork chop
4 medium carrots
1/2 large onion
4 cloves of garlic
1 TBSP fresh ginger
1 packet of pot sticker wrappers (I have made these from scratch before and I thought it was too much effort for the result)

Cook pork in pan, cook everything else in peanut oil in another pan. When carrots are tender and pork is finished combine in a food processor. Using the dough blade, blend until everything is pretty minced. Spoon it into the wrappers and then fry or steam.

Salmon Tom Ka

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering just looking at this. I buy curry packets from Thailand but this is so easy if you have the premade curry pack. My favorite is Lobo but check your local asian grocery store for brands. All it takes is following the directions on the pack. I think I added a few extra things but I can't remember- oo, I know I added fish sauce but I don't know what the greens are. It's meant to be a soup but I poured it over rice, creating a stew that was amazing. Having fresh lemongrass would really add to this dish, but I didn't have any and it was amazing. I've never made this with salmon before but it's what I had in the house. The intense flavors from the fish complimented the curry way better than I would have guessed.

Ebelskivers

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:19:00 +0000

My 4th attempt at ebelskivers and they are finally looking decent. I haven't tried to stuff them yet. Instead, I drizzle real syrup over the top and dip them in homemade jam. Yum. The trick is to fill the pan with more batter than you think. Almost to the top. I was gifted the pan and a premade mix with recipe from williams-sonoma but I'm sure I'll find something better online and for way less $$. This was breakfast for dinner a few nights ago with poached eggs on the side. Yum!

Slow-cooker Winter pork chops

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:19:00 +0000

A delicious recipe from Dave...

Ingredients:

4 pork chops
2 cups sauerkraut
2 big apples, sliced
10 small red potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 TBSP Juniper berries
salt and pepper

Cook Juniper berries on hot dry pan until fragrant and add chopped onion. Sprinkle salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes then set aside. Brown pork chops for 1-2 minutes on each side and set aside. Layer the ingredients into the crock pot: potatoes, sauerkraut, apples, onions. Repeat until all ingredients are in the crockpot and lay pork chops over top. Pour chicken broth over top and cook for 2-2.5 hours on high or 4-5 on low.

Jelly Omelette

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:16:00 +0000

For all you skeptics out there..you HAVE to try this recipe. I got it from Dave's Dad, and I guess his Dad's Dad used to make these all the time!!

Recipe:

2 eggs per person
milk (few tablespoons depending on how many people you are making these for)
Your favorite jam or jelly
Cream cheese (optional)

beat egg whites for a few minutes
add in yolks and milk and beat for a few more seconds

heat pan and ladle a scoop of egg batter onto pan. let cook for 2-4 minutes before trying to flip. It should be basically cooked before you flip it, otherwise you'll have a mess. Make sure you can get a spatula all the way underneath it before you flip or you'll lose a few corners. once flipped, spoon on as much jelly and cream cheese as you'd like, fold the thing in half and you're good to go!

Chilean sea bass with sweet parsnips, spinach, and saffron-vanilla sauce

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:01:00 +0000

From Thomas Keller's French Laundry cookbook, this is by far the tastiest dish I've ever made. I found this really helpful website (http://www.frenchlaundryathome.com/) that walks you through a bunch of his recipes. This one was suggested for newbies like me and I would totally make it again. It wasn't too difficult at all though I wish the skin would have come out more crispy. Anyway...amazing cookbook. I'm learning a ton about cooking!

Fennel confit

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:58:00 +0000

This recipe is from the spring 2009 Gourmet-Paris special. The salad includes, fennel, fresh orange juice, almonds, raisins, fresh cilantro, and coriander. Super delicious!

Pizza!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Two of my favorite recipes. To make your own pizza dough:
(makes enough for 2 pizzas)

1 packet of instant dry yeast
3 cups flour
1 cup warm water
1 T. oil
1 tsp. salt

Add packet of yeast to warm water (can't be too hot or cold or else yeast won't do it's thing)

gently roll in water/yeast into flour/salt. add in oil. use spatula and just mix (don't over do this). Gently kneed the dough until flour is incorporated let stand for 3o minutes. Separate dough in half and start throwing on whatever ya feel like.

The first pizza pictured has homemade pesto, fresh mozzarella, and pepperoni . The second one has homemade sauce, butternut squash, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.

Perfect chocolate chip cookie

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:42:00 +0000

This is from Cook's illustrated spring 2009 issue. Absolutely the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever!! I think the secret is browning the butter, using more dark brown sugar than white, and the whole stirring process.

Slow cooker Chicken Provencal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:33:00 +0000

This recipe was taken from my new favorite Cook's Illustrated cookbook. The recipe is a take on the classic French recipe. It came out perfect! The main ingredients are tomatoes, olives, onion, GARLIC, chicken broth, white wine, and oregano. It made so much that I had leftovers as soup one day and used the broth as a pizza sauce a few days later!

White wine and tarragon slow cooker chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:27:00 +0000

I found this recipe in my new favorite cookbook, Cook's Illustrated "Slow & Easy Cookbook." The principle ingredients are white wine, chicken broth, onion, garlic, carrots, thyme, cream, lemon, and tarragon. It's a super easy crock pot recipe with leftovers for the week. The broth makes a great soup!

Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:42:00 +0000

This is my first experience with our wedding present crockpot and my new absolute favorite kitchen appliance. I can not believe how easy it is to make this delicious soup. I'm freaking out here...it took 10 minutes to throw it all in. The recipe calls for peeled squash and apples but I just left the outside on. It blends up fine and is probably healthier?? haha..who knows but it's soo easy. I also added a 1/2 cup cilantro and didn't have curry powder but used 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper and 1/2 tsp cumin instead and it was spicy good. This is a new favorite in my collection for sure!

2 Tablespoons butter (I didn't use any butter)
2 cups chopped onions
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery (I didn't have any)
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1/2 tsp ginger
1 butternut squash cubed and seeded
3-4 apples cut and seeded
1/4 cup white rice
6 cups chicken stock
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Sautee onion, celery and spices until fragrant
Throw everything into the crockpot
Cook on low for 6 hours
Puree the soup with a handblender or regular blender
garnish with cilantro, sour cream, and pine nuts

Perfect French toast

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:59:00 +0000

Best Sunday morning breakfast ever! I used grand marnier instead of cognac and it turned out great. The fresh orange juice adds great flavor too!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/perfect-french-toast?autonomy_kw=french%20toast&rsc=header_4

Mitzie's in Toronto

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:54:00 +0000

Best breakfast I've had in recent memory...Mitzie's was recommended by Joe and Vanessa and was worth the wait! I had a pulled pork and pear chutney omelette..delicious! The address and more info is at http://www.mitzissister.com/cafe.html

Enchiladas Verdes

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:16:00 +0000

I made these in honor of Mexican Independence day. Wahoo! Seriously now...these are the best enchiladas I've ever had in my life. Light, crisy, and delicious. The recipe is from Cook's Illustrated July-August 2008 and is much too long to post but email me and I'll pdf you the recipe. The homemade sauce is what really whoops on this recipe...charred tomatillos and poblanos...yummy!

Fried Green Tomatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:16:00 +0000

This is my favorite new recipe of the week (http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/easy-fried-green-tomatoes?autonomy_kw=fried%20green%20tomatoes&rsc=header_3). I was inspired by the abundance of locally grown green tomatoes that are at the Rochester public market right now. I grabbed this simple recipe from Martha Stewart's website, paired the tomatoes with a simple corn and peach green salad and had a delicious meal!

Madeleines

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:04:00 +0000

I first had madeleines at my most favorite meal EVER. The restaurant is called Giverny and it's at the luxury Mirbeau Spa and Inn in Skaneatles, NY. We had a 4 course dinner...and the dessert course was fabulous but they gave us a side of madeleines on top of our dessert. I ended up eating all the madeleines and skipped most of my dessert! haha..Then, I recently was scanning through my Martha Stewart Baking handbook and saw the recipe. It took a week to get the pan (on sale right now for $10 from crateandbarrel.com) and I was finally able to try it out. I overcooked the first batch by a few minutes (the one shown) but the crunchy outside is delicious...the 2nd batch came out more moist and not so dark in color. Either way...yummmmy!

China trip food memories

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:59:00 +0000

In celebration of the Olympics in China, I'd like to share some food experiences from China...our classic morning breakfast was the most memorable of the dining experiences. Noodle soup was the staple of breakfast and on special days we had fried dough with sweetened milk to dip the bread in. That was my favorite. Maybe I'll share more food experiences from China throughout the Olympics...there were too many for one blog!

Woman making noodles for our noodle soup!
Below: Fried dough with milk! Yummy!

Ricotta Pancakes

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:35:00 +0000

I woke up this morning and was craving a better-than-Jines breakfast(BTJB). Jines is a classic Rochestarian restaurant. A line out the door every summer weekend...but for what? It's a typical diner and the food is really nothing to write home about (even though I'm doing just that). Don't get me wrong, I've been known to hang out at Jines..but's just nothing special. Anyway, Dave and I were walking, looking for BTJB over in upper monroe...with no luck. Walking back, we remembered the best breakfast we've ever had in our life. I can't find our Sydney lonely planet guide book right now but it was recommended in there. Seriously, we went back twice because it was soooo yummy. The menu item that we enjoyed best were the ricotta pancakes with fresh blueberries. I've never seen ricotta pancakes on a menu since..but I totally had a craving today. AND, we just bought 4 pints of amazing locally grown blueberries. Perfect. I didn't take a picture but with real maple syrup, a handful of blueberries, and a side of turkey bacon...it was the best breakfast I've made in a while. I pasted the link below. Some people complained about the batter being too runny but I didn't have any problems. I used soy milk instead of whole milk...does that make them a little better for you? haha

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/RICOTTA-PANCAKES-103755

Best tequila in the universe!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:39:00 +0000

Well, I'm not that well versed in tequila but I did get to try a variety of tequilas while I was living in Mexico..My absolute favorite was called Tres Mujeres and after 5 years of searching I found it in Chicago! Oh yeah. We were at the restaurant Adobo in Old Town and saw it on the list. It's a sipping tequila and it's oh so smooth. Adobo only had their Reposado but their anejo is award winning. It looks like they are trying to break into the US market and they only distribute in the U.S. at one place in Chicago..that makes sense! Here's their website..http://www.tresmujerestequila.com

Crab Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:28:00 +0000

A dish famous in Singapore, and famously expensive in Singapore as well, we found crab curry for Thai prices (1/4 the cost) while we were in Bangkok. The name of the restaurant in called Somboon and I think there are several locations throughout Bangkok. The food is served Chinese style, with a lazy susan, chopsticks, and everyone shares...

New beginning for the blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:01:00 +0000

I've decided to turn this space into a food blog. I'll post pics and share some of my favorite meals and restaurants. woo! Let's get started. Our trip in SE Asia in May was loads of fun for food experimenting....

Delicious radish wrapped eel sushi from the Gril Tokyo in Bangkok at Siam Paragon mall. The restaurant was pretty worthless except for this magical little roll!

Enormous red grapes from JJ market in BKK...be sure to wash with fruit soap before eating!

May 18, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:32:00 +0000

It's Sunday in Bangkok. Wahoo..we've been here for 4 days now. Yesterday was pretty low key until last night. We met up with a few friends for Indian at a very local restaurant. It's recommended in Lonely Planet, which often has amazing recs, but this place was the stereotypical hole-in-the-wall joint filled with local Thai-Indians. It appeared a bit sketchy but it was the bomb...the food was great and based on how we were being stared down by the locals, not many have ventured there before. haha.

After dinner we went to a german brewery. I'd never heard of this place but it was pretty non-german for a german brewery. There was a theatre stage with an on-going, never ending Thai pop music show. Oh, it was so bad. But it was hilarious because all of the waiters/resses and locals were dancing around and singing. ha. hilare..good times right there.

Today, I had a rehearsal with my pianist and we had our 2nd foot massages for the trip. Oh yeah...I will be taking advantage of the $7 foot massages while we're here. We went to Crepes & Company for lunch, oh and we got our first full night of sleep. YAY!

I love being back here...it really feels like our 2nd home. I hope we can come back every year! K...Dave just said the mango and sticky rice is ready.....

The real May 16th, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:45:00 +0000

Yeah, so I thought yesterday was the 16th. Yeah, go us. We thought we landed on Friday and went through all of yesterday (which was really thursday) thinking it was Friday. We woke up today and thought it was Saturday. Oh my gosh. How weird is that? It's kind of cool b/c it feels like we just gained a whole day but it's pretty hilarious that we didn't know the date for a full day. Dave called a friend to set up a gig on Sunday and Dave kept asking, so what time do we need to meet tomorrow...and his friend, went "tomorrow? what are you talking about?" hahah..that's how we found out. hahahah..yeah, go us!

Today was super fun, despite not knowing the day. We went to get foot massages at our favorite place after a hilarious quick lunch at a new burrito place. haha. It was cheap and decent for bangkok-mexican food...kind of an oxymoron. I did some practicing and then it was off to dinner. We found this awesome Thai restaurant that caters to farang but is cheap and really good. I had a mango lassi drink (2nd mango for the day) and then we got chicken coconut milk soup, prawn red curry, and soft shell crab. Yum. To top it off I ordered mango and sticky rice for dessert. Yeah, so I had mango three times today. YAY! I think that's a perfect day. Mango three times and a foot massage...why did we leave this place?

May 16, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Jane) — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:45:00 +0000

We're in Bangkok. Wahoo! What a trip...I think I watched 5 movies and two tv shows. I liked Charlie Wilson's War but everyone else was pretty lame. I crashed for the first time on a plane without drugs for the first time in years. I usually take tylenol pm to help me sleep but I was out today!

So the hotel we're at is super cute. Totally thai modern style with lots of dark wood. It's a huge space for $30 a night. What a deal. It's also in a really quiet residential neighborhood really close to the BTS so we're really excited to be so mobile in Bangkok. We never really took the opp to stay in hotels in Bangkok so this is giving us a nice chance to hang here.

Everything Thai has come back to us..the language, the tastes, the people. It feels really comfortable here.

Hmm..what else. We had an awesome dinner at Blue Elephant. We did a cooking class there a few times. We didn't even look at the menu, we just wanted out mieng kahm (green leaves stuffed with limes, ginger, dried shrimp, onion, chili, dried coconut, peanuts and sauce), tom yam, and green curry. I forgot how flavorful all the food is here!

Ok...we're trying to look for hotels to stay at in Malaysia...I think we may also get up to Chiang Mai. YAY! We have lots of work to do tomorrow, scheduling meetings and sorting some things out but I'm really excited to hang here for a while.

Peace!