Saturday, February 18, 2012

Flourless Chocolate Cake

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE


FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE 
  • 6 oz dark chocolate, at least 70% 
  • 3 eggs, separated 
  • 3 oz butter 
  • 6 tablespoons natural cane sugar 
  • 3 oz almond butter 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
Optional Toppings 
  • caramel sauce 
  • vanilla ice cream 
  • coco powder or shavings 
1. Melt chocolate, butter, & almond butter in a double boiler. Let cool for a few minutes. 


2. Separate the eggs, beat yolks in a bowl with an electric mixer. Add 3 tablespoons sugar & beat until a light, pale yellow color, about 5-6 minutes. Slowly add in the melted chocolate mixture & mix until all ingredients are combined. 


 3. In a clean mixing bowl whisk egg whites until frothy. Slowly mix in 3 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form. Pour egg white mixture into chocolate mixture & fold in the whites carefully combining all ingredients. 


4. Spray a muffin pan or ramekins with cooking spray. Pour the batter into the molds, almost to the top.


5. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes. Let cool before removing. 


6. Plate with caramel syrup, top with vanilla ice cream & coco shavings. Serve while warm, to reheat bake at 300 degrees for 4 minutes. 


OPTIONAL TOPPINGS 





STORY BEHIND THE DISH
I recreated this dish from a dessert I enjoyed at True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach. It was amazing at the time & I believe this recipe is very similar to the original. 

MODIFICATIONS 
You can top with any type of ice cream or whipped cream. Caramel sauce of any kind works great. Also a berry compote would pair well with this decadent dessert. 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Turkey Sliders

TURKEY SLIDERS



TURKEY SLIDERS 
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 onion, dices small 
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 1 tablespoon chives, diced 
  • 1 teaspoon mayo 
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco 
  • 1/2 teaspoon Seasoning Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Salt & Pepper 


1. In a mixing bowl add turkey, diced onion, minced garlic, chives, mayo, Worcestershire, Tabasco, seasoning salt, salt, & pepper. Mix by hand until all ingredients are blended together. 


 2. Roll turkey mixture into a ball, 1/4 cup for sliders or 1/2 cup for burgers, place two small plates on the counter facing down, on top put a sheet of wax paper. Place the meat on one plate in the center, top with second piece of wax paper, then use second plate to press down meat into a patty. You can always do this by hand with no plates but I like the consistent shape for cooking evenly. 



3. Lightly salt & pepper both sides of the patties & cook them on an outdoor or indoor grill at medium-high heat for about 3 minutes on each side or until there is no pink in the middle. Longer for full burger size. 


4. Toast the buns, spread with mayo or ketchup, top with gouda cheese, lettuce, arugula, & avocado. 


PLATE FINISHED PRODUCT 

5. Plate & serve while they are still hot. 


SUGGESTED SIDE DISHES 




PLATE FINISHED PRODUCT 

TURKEY SLIDERS, SWEET POTATO HASH, & KALE SALAD 


STORY BEHIND THE DISH
I recreated this dish from a dinner I enjoyed at True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach. This dish is originally a turkey burger but I like sliders.

MODIFICATIONS 
The sliders can be topped with anything of your choice, any type of cheese, onions, tomatoes, BBQ sauce, etc. You could use fingerling potatoes or another small potato in place of the sweet potato or yam. The kale salad dressing can be tossed with any green. 


Thursday, February 16, 2012

Asian Flank Steak

ASIAN FLANK STEAK 


Flank Steak
  • 1-2 lbs. flank steak 
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce 
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup scallions, sliced 
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil 
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger root, minced 
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

MARINADE FLANK STEAK

1. Put soy sauce, brown sugar, scallions, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, & red pepper flakes in a gallon Ziplock bag & shake well. Place flank steak in marinade & refrigerate for 4-24 hours or place in the freezer to cook another time. 



COOKING FLANK STEAK 

2. Cook flank steak on a grill, medium heat, about 4-5 minutes on each side or longer for well done. When the steak is done cooking place on a plate and cover with foil for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to settle.


3. Slice flank steak against the grain. 



ASIAN NOODLES & BROWN RICE 
  • 2-3 cups cooked Asian veggie noodles 
  • 1-2 cups cooked brown rice 
  • 1 cup cooked green beans 
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly slices  
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced 
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon soy sause 
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
  • salt & pepper 


1. Slice onions & bell peppers thinly & mince garlic. Sauté onions, peppers, & garlic for 2-3 minutes in a pan with a tablespoon of cooking oil at medium heat. Add cooked green beans & cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add cooked noodles, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, & pepper & mix together all ingredients. 





PLATE FINISHED PRODUCT 

 2. Place noodle mixture at bottom of the plate, top with one cup brown rice, & slices of flank steak. 


STORY BEHIND THE DISH
Years ago my sister & I used to buy prepared dinners from a placed called Super Suppers in Fountain Valley. Since the location in our city closed, I have been trying to recreate one of our favorite meals, Asian Flake Steak. This recipe turned out very close to the original & is one of my favorites! 

MODIFICATIONS 
Any type of Asian sides, noodles, rice, veggies, or salad pair well with this flank steak.




Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS




CHICKEN 
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup teriyaki sauce (Kikkoman purple label)
  • 1/4 cup water 
  • 1 can water chestnuts, sliced



TOPPINGS 
  • 1 head of living or butter lettuce 
  • 1 bag bean sprouts 
  • 1 bag broccoli slaw mix 
  • 1/8 cup toasted almonds, sliced 
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 
  • Thai peanut sauce (optional) 
  • teriyaki or soy sauce (optional) 
  • Chives (optional)  



COOKING CHICKEN

1. Place chicken, fresh or frozen, in a 
Crock-Pot/slow cooker. Add teriyaki sauce & water, 
cook for 3 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW. 
LOW is alway more tender.

2. When chicken is done, or when there is 30 minutes or less remaining, remove chicken & place on a plate, leave liquids in the Crock-Pot. Use two forks to shred the chicken into small pieces then place chicken back in the Crock-Pot. 
Dice water chestnuts & add them to chicken in the Crock-Pot. 


 3. Let chicken finish cooking or if cook time was done allow chicken mixture to sit on warm or LOW for 15-20 minutes. 


 4. When chicken mixture is done cooking, strain out the liquids. 


5. Plate shredded chicken & top with chives and sesame seeds. 


MAKING THE WRAPS 

6. While chicken is cooking, separate lettuce into pieces, wash, & pat dry. Place toppings, broccoli slaw, bean sprouts, almonds, sesame seeds, & sauces in serving dishes. 


PLATE FINISHED PRODUCT 

7. Place one leaf of lettuce on a place, add chicken, broccoli slaw, bean sprouts, almonds, sesame seeds, & top with sauce.


STORY BEHIND THE DISH
I have always loved chicken lettuce wraps & I have tried many variations in the past. These are good, easy to make, healthy,
 & are great for entertaining. 

MODIFICATIONS 
There are many things that will pair well with these wraps. Mushrooms, peppers, onions, etc. I believe less is more but since it is such a light dish I usually serve brown rice & veggie noodles on the side. 


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Chicken & Herb White Pizza

CHICKEN & HERB WHITE PIZZA


PIZZA 

  • pizza dough 
  • cooking spray 
  • 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal 
  • 1-2 cups rotisserie sliced chicken 
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley

SAUCE
  • 1 tablespoon butter 
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced 
  • 2 tablespoon flour 
  • 3/4 cup low fat milk
  •  1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese 

 PREP PIZZA
1. Place pizza dough in a bowl & spray with cooking oil, let sit for 10-15 minutes. Prep all ingredients, slice chicken & onions, shred cheese, mince garlic, chop all fresh herbs, & 
measure butter, milk, & flour. 


2. When pizza dough is ready sprinkle flour on a flat surface, kitchen counter, table, or cutting board, place dough on the floured surface & roll out with a rolling pin, add flour as needed. Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan lightly with cooking spray, sprinkle cornmeal onto the pan, then lay dough flat over cornmeal & poke lightly with a fork 4-5 times. 
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.


MAKE SAUCE
3. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds while stirring. Add flour & pepper, cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk continue stirring. Cook 3 minutes or until sauce thickens, stir constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat, add cheese, stir until cheese is melted & well mixed. 


 4. Spread sauce over dough leaving 1/2 inch border for crust.


5. Lay chicken evenly over white sauce & top with sliced onions.


6. Bake at 450 degrees on the bottom rack for 15-18 minutes 
or until crust is golden. 


 7. Sprinkle with herbs.


 8. Cut, plate, & serve. 



STORY BEHIND THE DISH
I found this recipe in a Cooking Light magazine & since I had left over chicken from lunch that day & pizza dough in the fridge I figured I would try it out. 
Great recipe & the pizza dough cooked perfectly!

MODIFICATIONS 
If you don't eat meat you can add other veggies in place of the chicken. I used part of a rotisserie chicken but you can always grill a few chicken breasts. Other toppings that would pair well with this dish are, mushrooms, bell peppers, or artichoke hearts.