For you, Stace

The Laguna institution lives on . . . and so it was that we had to carry on the tradition. We shared our caramel apple tonight walking the streets of downtown. The sign said, "We'll slice it for you!", and as if that happened to be the deal breaker, we looked at each other and said, "Tonight's the night." It was yummy.

Crystal Cove

Tonight we took a drive for dinner to Crystal Cove, an historic beach district just north of Laguna, before you get to Newport Beach. It's been the site of many movies . . . think Treasure Island. It had a hippie feel to it for sure - the cliffs are dotted with little shacks - but it' a beautiful spot. Anyway, does this really mater? No, it doesn't . . . not one bit . . . because we only went there to eat. Isn't that what this blog is all about? Yep. My blog is all about pictures of pork chops. And meatloaf. And cupcakes. And pretty much nothing else...

Our appetizer came highly recommended, the Roasted French Feta. It came with marinated oven roasted tomatoes (I have to try to duplicate these),an olive tapenade, and was served with slices of ciabatta. Delicious. I do believe my fingers are swollen from all the salt and brine in the feta and the olives. That happens to you, right? Am I the only one having a hard time typing right now?

This is my Banana Leaf Mahi Mahi on a bed of couscous with diced peppers, green onions, then wrapped in a banana leaf and baked. It was served with a side of grilled pineapple and supposedly topped with a dark rum (are you sensing a theme here?) butter sauce, but I will eat my hat if there was rum in that. What IS the origin of that saying, anyway?

David's pork chop grilled and then glazed with the house BBQ sauce. It was served with roasted potatoes, parmesan aioli cream corn and wilted baby spinach. He did NOT eat the spinach.

The atmosphere was fun and we're glad we went . . . but tomorrow we are staying just in Laguna, even opting out of going to that place I said I wasn't going to bring up again. Rhymes with Tinkles. Over and out.

Breakfast

I promise I will shut up about Sprinkles once I hit "publish." If I have to...

We have eaten $32.50 worth of cupcakes. No lie. We've had raspberry cupcakes, carrot cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, mocha cupcakes . . . the list goes on. The very best thing about them - the frosting. Only the best sweet cream butter . . . and then they buy their sprinkles (jimmies, where I come from) from France. They are skinny and crunchy and awesome.

They are opening a store in Las Vegas. Believe it.

Quick Tomato Sauce

I saw this quick homemade tomato sauce made on America's Test Kitchen before I started regularly recording the show . . . I tried to find the recipe online and opted out of the "joining" thing. Lo and behold my May/June Cook's Illustrated features the recipe.

2 T. unsalted butter
1/4 cup grated onion from 1 medium onion
1/4 t. dried oregano
Table salt
2 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/4 t. sugar
2 T. coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
1 T. extra vigin olive oil
Ground black pepper

Heat butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add onion, oregano and 1/2 t. salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and onion is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and sugar; increase heat to high and bring to simmer. Lower heat to medium low and simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in basil and oil; season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Preferred brands of crushed tomatoes are Tuttorosso and Muir Glen. Grate the onion on the large holes of a box grater.

Cheesecake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls

If you haven't tried these yet put the mouse down and run. Seriously. This copycat recipe is spot on. Don't even bother making the Tamarind Cashew Dipping Sauce yourself, buy the jar at Cheesecake Factory. It's made on the premises and it completes these egg rolls.

1 large avocado, peeled, pitted, & diced
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
1 tablespoon minced red onion
1/2 teaspoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 pinch salt
3 egg roll wraps
1 egg, beaten

Gently stir together avocado, tomatoes, onion, 1/2 teaspoon cilantro, and salt. Distribute filling evenly onto center of each egg roll wrapper. Position a wrapper so that a corner is pointing toward you; fold the bottom corner up, 1/4 of the way over the filling. Brush remaining corners and edges of the wrapper with egg, roll up from side to side, fold top corner over all and press to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers. Continue by deep-frying the egg rolls in 375 degree oil for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on brown paper bags. Slice egg rolls diagonally across middle and serve with the Tamarind Cashew dipping sauce.

Thanks Michael ...

Christmas morning I woke up to an email from Michael Colicchio with a re: line that read "A Christmas Gift". He read my blog post about Craftsteak and thought I'd get a kick out of a picture of the Top Chef himself at the Colicchio Family Christmas Eve dinner in his New York City apartment. I did.

Added for clarification: Tom Colicchio is on Top Chef. Michael Colicchio . . . just a guess, but it seems fair to assume he's somehow related to Tom.

Cook's Country Skillet Lasagna

Cooks's Country is my new favorite magazine right now, the perfect companion to my new French cookware.

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lb ground beef (or blend of beef and pork)
10 curly edged lasagna noodles, broken into 2 inch pieces
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

Pour tomatoes with their juices into 1 quart liquid measuring cup. Add water until mixture measures 1 quart. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes snd cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add ground meat and cook, breaking apart meat, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Scatter pasta over meat but do not stir. pour diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce over pasta. Cover and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Dot with heaping tablespoons ricotta, cover, and let stand off heat for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and remaining 3 tablespoons parmesan. Serve.

Peppermint Stick Hot Fudge Sundae

Last night we had a rather large group of young men and young women at the house for some Christmas inspiration (thank you, Robin). When all was said and done we gathered together for some peppermint stick ice cream with some homemade hot fudge and fresh whipped cream. It'd been years since I made this recipe and I have no idea why. Luscious.

Are you there, Zach?

Sunday was our Ward Christmas Sacrament Meeting. Usually this meeting is some sort of Christmas "program", if you will. The Ward Choir tends to sing a lot during this program (not that I don't enjoy the choir [good job, honey], I do) . . . but Sunday's meeting was remarkable, at least for me. Several members of our Ward were on the program, the first being a man I don't know very well. He read an excerpt from his father's journal from Christmas Eve, 1943, at a time when he found himself alone in a strange city during the war. My thoughts immediately turned to my son (you, Zach) in Baghdad and I don't mind telling you, I was a puddle. I am thinking quite a bit about what the speaker shared, so today, Zach, I want to tell you . . . when I see a serviceman at the airport (or anywhere, for that matter) I do that thing people have done to you. I am not shy under these circumstances. I walk up to them and I extend my hand. I thank them and let them know I appreciate their service and sacrifice. Because I really really do. So thank you for teaching me how much a small gesture can mean to someone.

Merry Christmas Combat Medic Zachary Lunn. I love you. Be safe.

P.S. Watching White Christmas just isn't the same without you.

Baked Shrimp Scampi a la Ina Garten

I love Ina's new cookbook, Back to Basics. The current season of her Food Network show is highlighting recipes from her latest book, and this recipe really appealed to me. Not only is it a version of the standard shrimp scampi, but you can make it ahead and pop it in the oven. Ahem, walk in the door from church and you're eating in 30 minutes. IN your pajamas. Sweet . . .

So this is our 'Sunday before Christmas dinner', which I realize isn't very Christmas-ey . . . but neither was that lawnmower I heard when I woke up yesterday.

Merry Christmas . . .

* 2 pounds (12 to 15 per pound) shrimp in the shell
* 3 tablespoons good olive oil
* 2 tablespoons dry white wine (whatever)
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
* 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
* 1/4 cup minced shallots
* 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
* 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
* 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
* 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 extra-large egg yolk
* 2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)
* Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Peel, devein, and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and toss gently with the olive oil, wine, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Allow to sit at room temperature while you make the butter and garlic mixture.

In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until combined.

Starting from the outer edge of a 14-inch oval gratin dish, arrange the shrimp in a single layer cut side down with the tails curling up and towards the center of the dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until hot and bubbly. If you like the top browned, place under a broiler for 1 minute. Serve with lemon wedges.

Gingersnaps

3/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
3 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Slowly add eggs, molasses and vinegar and combine well until fluffy. Sift in flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Mix until just combined.

Pour approximately 1 cup of granulated sugar in a flat bowl. Roll dough into 1" balls and gently roll again in the granulated sugar until completely coated. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes (or until cracks start to appear on top). Let cool for 5 minutes on the pan

Coconut Macaroons (a.k.a. Lauren's Favorites)

These took 5 minutes this morning and they're so pretty. You can dip the tops in melted chocolate or drizzle over the tops . . .

14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or two teaspoons. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and serve.

Whoopie Pies

Check this out.

1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1.5 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 cup milk
1 t. vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa

Filling: 1 cup crisco, 1 cup sugar, 1.5 cups Marshamallow Fluff, 1 t. vanilla

Bake at 425 for 7-8 minutes.

P.S. There are some members of my family who beg for double cream filling...

Calzones

1/2 lb. pork sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped pepper
2 medium tomatoes
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 t. dried basil
1/2 t. dried thyme
1.5 cups shredded mozarella cheese

1 beaten egg

Mix and fill pizza dough like turnovers. Bush with egg and bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

Marian's Barbeque Sauce

1 cup catsup
1/2 cup worcestershire
1 t. chili powder (I'm heavy handed on this ingredient)
1 dash tobasco
1 cup water

Heat to boiling and simmer for 30 minutes. You may add a chipotle pepper or more tobasco to taste.

Strawberry Sour Cream Pie

Because the strawberries are so good this year . . .

This is another one of those recipes I've been making for years. It doesn't get much easier than this.

4 cups strawberries (cut them in half)
1 half-baked pie shell

Mix together:

1 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour

Pour mixture over strawberries in pie. Sprinkle 2 T. sugar over top of sour cream mixture. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for additional 45 minutes.

Coconut Corn Nut Cookies

This is a cookie I've been making for at least 20 years from a cookbook entitled Applehood and Motherpie (thank you, Min). The name is deceiving because there are no corn nuts in this cookie. The coconut flavor is barely detectable. I mention this because I think even a coconut-hater would like this cookie. The coconut mostly provides texture, which is really really chewy. YUM. The recipe calls for corn flakes but I've been known to substitute Special K if it's all I have. I love this cookie.

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 cups corn flakes
2 cups coconut
1 t. vanilla

Cream butter and sugars and add eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients and spoon onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 12 minutes.

June Challenge - Daring Bakers“Danish Braid”

Wow . . . I can't believe I made danish. Can I tell you how much fun this was? FUN.

About 20 years ago I went to a class to learn how to make croissants. After observing I left with the resolve never to attempt making them at home. When I saw the technique was the same with danish (that of cold butter being worked into the dough with multiple turns) I was not very excited. For ONCE my finished product looked like the sample pictures.

DANISH DOUGH

Makes 2-1/2 pounds dough

Ingredients
For the dough (Detrempe)
1 ounce fresh yeast or 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup whole milk
1/3 cup sugar
Zest of 1 orange, finely grated
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped
2 large eggs, chilled
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

For the butter block (Beurrage)
1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

DOUGH

Combine yeast and milk in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed. Slowly add sugar, orange zest, cardamom, vanilla extract, vanilla seeds, eggs, and orange juice. Mix well. Change to the dough hook and add the salt with the flour, 1 cup at a time, increasing speed to medium as the flour is incorporated. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, or until smooth. You may need to add a little more flour if it is sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly floured baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

BUTTER BLOCK

1. Combine butter and flour in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle and then beat for 1 minute more, or until smooth and lump free. Set aside at room temperature.
2. After the detrempe has chilled 30 minutes, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 18 x 13 inches and ¼ inch thick. The dough may be sticky, so keep dusting it lightly with flour. Spread the butter evenly over the center and right thirds of the dough. Fold the left edge of the detrempe to the right, covering half of the butter. Fold the right third of the rectangle over the center third. The first turn has now been completed. Mark the dough by poking it with your finger to keep track of your turns, or use a sticky and keep a tally. Place the dough on a baking sheet, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Place the dough lengthwise on a floured work surface. The open ends should be to your right and left. Roll the dough into another approximately 13 x 18 inch, ¼-inch-thick rectangle. Again, fold the left third of the rectangle over the center third and the right third over the center third. No additional butter will be added as it is already in the dough. The second turn has now been completed. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out, turn, and refrigerate the dough two more times, for a total of four single turns. Make sure you are keeping track of your turns. Refrigerate the dough after the final turn for at least 5 hours or overnight. The Danish dough is now ready to be used. If you will not be using the dough within 24 hours, freeze it. To do this, roll the dough out to about 1 inch in thickness, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze. Defrost the dough slowly in the refrigerator for easiest handling. Danish dough will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.

APPLE FILLING

Makes enough for two braids

Ingredients
4 Fuji or other apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ¼-inch pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Toss all ingredients except butter in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat until slightly nutty in color, about 6 - 8 minutes. Then add the apple mixture and sauté until apples are softened and caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes. If you’ve chosen Fujis, the apples will be caramelized, but have still retained their shape. Pour the cooked apples onto a baking sheet to cool completely before forming the braid. (If making ahead, cool to room temperature, seal, and refrigerate.) They will cool faster when spread in a thin layer over the surface of the sheet. After they have cooled, the filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Left over filling can be used as an ice cream topping, for muffins, cheesecake, or other pastries.

DANISH BRAID

Makes enough for 2 large braids

Ingredients
1 recipe Danish Dough (see below)
2 cups apple filling, jam, or preserves (see below)

For the egg wash: 1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll the Danish Dough into a 15 x 20-inch rectangle, ¼ inch thick. If the dough seems elastic and shrinks back when rolled, let it rest for a few minutes, then roll again. Place the dough on the baking sheet.
2. Along one long side of the pastry make parallel, 5-inch-long cuts with a knife or rolling pastry wheel, each about 1 inch apart. Repeat on the opposite side, making sure to line up the cuts with those you’ve already made.
3. Spoon the filling you’ve chosen to fill your braid down the center of the rectangle. Starting with the top and bottom “flaps”, fold the top flap down over the filling to cover. Next, fold the bottom “flap” up to cover filling. This helps keep the braid neat and helps to hold in the filling. Now begin folding the cut side strips of dough over the filling, alternating first left, then right, left, right, until finished. Trim any excess dough and tuck in the ends.

Egg Wash

Whisk together the whole egg and yolk in a bowl and with a pastry brush, lightly coat the braid.

Proofing and Baking

1. Spray cooking oil (Pam…) onto a piece of plastic wrap, and place over the braid. Proof at room temperature or, if possible, in a controlled 90 degree F environment for about 2 hours, or until doubled in volume and light to the touch.
2. Near the end of proofing, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Position a rack in the center of the oven.
3. Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the pan so that the side of the braid previously in the back of the oven is now in the front. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, and bake about 15-20 minutes more, or until golden brown. Cool and serve the braid either still warm from the oven or at room temperature. The cooled braid can be wrapped airtight and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze for 1 month.

I added a light confectioners glaze to the finished product with a few scattered sliced almonds. This Daring Bakers challenge . . . I will make it again.

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Must be Conference Sunday...

The March issue of Bon Appetit has another installment of Cooking Life by the author of one of my favorite blogs, Orangette. I LOVE this article. There is no pretentious, pseudo-expert air about her . . . she tells it like it is. She writes about yeast and her years of fear and intimidation about that one little word. How she'd skip over a recipe if it had the 'yeast' word in it . . . and then, this past Fall . . . she took the plunge, never to be the same again. I share her recipe not because the world doesn't have enough versions of recipes for cinnamon rolls. I share it because she conquered a culinary fear. THAT is fun to me.

DOUGH

1 cup whole milk
3 T. unsalted butter
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 1/4 t. rapid rise yeast
1 t. salt
Nonstick spray

FILLING

3/4 cup packed golden brown sugar
2 T. cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

GLAZE

4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 t. vanilla

Combine milk and butter in glass measuring cup. Microwave on high until butter melts and mixture is just warmed, 30 to 45 seconds. Pour into bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Add 1 cup of flour, sugar, egg, yeast and salt. Beat on low speed 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups flour. Beat on low until flour is absorbed and dough is sticky, scraping down sides of bowl. If dough is very sticky, add more flour by tablespoonfuls until dough begins to form ball and pulls away from sides of bowl. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if sticky, about 8 minutes. Form into ball.

Lightly oil bowl with nonstick spray. Transfer dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and towel. Let dough rise in warm spot until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.

FILLING

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl.

Punch down dough and transfer to floured work surface. Roll out to rectangle and spread butter over dough, leaving 1/2 inch border. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over butter. Roll dough into log and cut crosswise into 18 equal slices, each about 1/2 inch wide.

Spray two 9 inch square glass baking dishes with nonstick spray. Divide rolls between baking dishes, arranging cut side up. Cover with plastic wrap and kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, 40 to 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 until golden, about 20 minutes. Invert onto rack and cool for 10 minutes. Turn rolls right side up and glaze.

GLAZE

Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla in medium bowl and beat until smooth. Spread glaze on rolls and serve.

P.S. These are rising right now...

Kettle Corn

It's one of those things, kettle corn . . . you either love it or you hate it. I fall into the "love it" category. During the house renovation I was sometimes guilty of suggesting a run to Lowe's in Green Valley only because that vendor outside made the most fabulous kettle corn ever. Sadly (or luckily, depending on how you look at it) he's moved on. I was left to my own devices and I gave it a shot last night. It was delicious.

1/2 cup popcorn
2 T. corn syrup
2 T. sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. oil

I pop my popcorn in the whirly pop, so the oil and popcorn and corn syrup go in the bottom of the pan. In last night's experiment I omitted the oil. Just as you start to hear the popcorn sizzle add the sugar. Once it's all popped add the salt. I understand if you add brown sugar instead of white sugar it will taste a little more like caramel corn. We'll see.