Divine chuck

This picture is the base for my pepper bacon fresh corn chowder.  It's a rainy day and I am happily in the kitchen.  

Arrived in time to season the corn chowder. If you haven't tried Crockery Gourmet seasoning you should give it a try. It's available on Amazon and in your local markets. As you can see, I buy it in bulk. On Amazon you order one day and it is nearly always arriving the next day. Love Amazon and its vendors and employees.

 Love beef and today I scored big with this new way of using the crock pot (my now favorite cooking  vessel.)  I read on line one should not put liquid in the slow cooker when cooking meat; simply put in the meat and in my case today chuck roasts (2).  I actually did put in a cup or so of Bordeaux at the bottom not quite trusting what I read, but true to form the meat did do the work and created just enough liquid to compliment the wine and the Crockery Gourmet that I nearly always use in my slow cooker. The chuck was tender and when I put chunks of it in with Amish noodles, the crowd went wild.  (Not really, but they did eat most of the presentation in one meal.) I used the beef packet since I was dealing, today, with chuck. If you have not used the seasoning called Crockery Gourmet, I urge you to give the choices a go.  They have them for pork, chicken, or beef and they are all delicious.  As the day progressed I added more Bordeaux, nearly half a bottle and the sauce turned that delectable deep brown like the gravy in New Orleans kitchens. Perfection. Note: you can find the Crockery Gourmet packets in the markets, but I buy mine in bulk on Amazon and I do have to replenish pretty often.  I am a serious abuser of this seasoning. True to the instructions not to add liquid (or not much) the meat was more tender and that's the point.

It has rained two straight days and that makes me want to bake or cook or both.  I love having the kitchen door open with the dogs resting in the doorway and the plants soaking up the rain's goodness.  Today I made chicken salad and blueberry bread.
                                                                                        

Summer suppers

We have odd suppers now days during this hot muggy August.  Last night we had cantaloupe, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, and fresh peach cobbler.  There were no complaints. We are thankful for the plethora from our gardens and the outdoor markets.  Andy has started going on Wednesday afternoons and early Saturday mornings. I have started on today's bounty which is a recipe that I have given before with a few more ingredients that are begging to be used.  Couscous garden salad is delicious and you can let your inner creativeness go for it!  (I added dried cranberries after this picture to brighten things up and that was met with approval.)

At our last party I had cut from the box of multi-grain crackers (that you can buy at Sam's) a recipe for baked hummus.  It was well received and I did not get to taste it, it went that fast.  Beth made it in a jiffy and we will use the recipe again for our Labor Day/OSU day here at Many Branches.

Baked Hummus
  
2 7 oz. containers of plain prepared hummus
1  1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2/3 cup chopped Kalamata olives
2/3 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Spread hummus evenly into an 8x inch square baking dish.  Sprinkle with feta cheese, being sure to evenly cover the surface.  In a separate bowl, gently toss the tomatoes and olives together until blended well.  Layer the olive and tomato mixture on top of the feta cheese.  Drizzle with 2 tbsp. olive oil.  Bake 350 for 15 minutes
Serve warm with Crunchmaster Crackers.

Sam's rotisserie chickens are larger and $2. each less than those at Giant Eagle.  They are delicious and useful in many different dishes. 

To Make List

On my to make list:









I like this way of doing fajitas because I do not care for those wrap things.  I like fajitas as a salad, so this tops my to make list with thanks to Jen who runs carlsbadcravings. This is her recipe and picture.

RECIPE: http://www.carlsbadcravings.com/chicken-fajitas-recipe/ (This site is worth keeping an eye on.  She is very creative.)  She has a Facebook page as well.

I am making mine with steak strips from Carfagna's on Saturday, work details all day.  So I feed the workers well.

  The beginning of fresh peach cobbler .

         
                                                             

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Cook's Corner Cookiethon set for Nov. 19th

It is time to submit our cookie recipes to the annual holiday cookie section of the Dispatch which will appear November 19th.  This is an entire section just for cookie recipes which the Dispatch kitchen tests before putting them to print.  For the last two years I have submitted cookie recipes and this is the one I have sent in for the November issue.  There is no promise of having the recipe printed, but it is fun to think about the recipes one sends in with a little story about the memory it has cast.  Here is mine for this year:

Doris Lechler <dorislechler77@gmail.com>	10:58 AM (17 minutes ago)

This raisin filled cookie recipe is well over one hundred years old.  My Grandmother Pearl's specialty was this particular cookie.  As I read this recipe I am horrified at its content, but as I clearly remember enjoying these cookies, and I am 78 years old, I find myself still alive and well.  I got to spend a week each summer at my grandmother Pearl's house and she had a piano and a flapper dress that had belonged to my aunt Grace.  I would get a raisin filled cookie, don the dress, and pound on the piano for hours; I had no talent for the piano, but a lot of imagination.  One day I was so wrapped up in my musical talent and my spiffy outfit, I forgot the cookie laying on the piano.  I went home and quite awhile later visited again and the cookie was still there.  After several visits with the cookie in place, I asked Mother about this and she said that grandmother was losing her sight and she simply missed it when dusting. It must have been the lard that preserved it because it stayed plump and held its shape for longer than I care to think about. Enjoy. LOL

Filled Raisin Cookie

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup lard (I am sure I used butter or Crisco.)

5 cups flour

1 tablespoon sour milk

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

 pinch nutmeg and a teaspoon of vanilla

Filling

1 cup raisins

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 teaspoon corn starch

nutmeg and vanilla again

cook the filling until the raisins are plump and filling has thickened

Chill the dough over night. Roll out thinly. Cut out bottoms and put in a spoonful of the cooled filling.  Cut out tops and place on top of the filling and crimp the edges to seal the puff shut.

Andy has been to the farmer's market today.

Looking ahead

Peaches and cream the essence of summer.

Note:  If you love food, outdoor markets, and Paris read David Lebovitz's blog which is on today.


I don't want to think the summer is shot; I hold on to every day as though it's my last.  However, Labor Day is mine again and plans are afoot.  We are thinking Saturday of Labor Day week end, also the first OSU football game.  Here is the plan so far:  Cincinnati has a bite to eat at home first then gets to Columbus a little before 10:00 and all who want to go with Andy to the band show on campus while Matt and Staci peel off and go on to the game.  Everyone else comes back with Andy where I will have a buffet of finger food so they can watch the game and eat and those who don't want to watch the game can swim, play tennis, basketball, cards...endless activities.  Then much later in the day we will grill. Brooks and Alyssa are flying in to join the festivities for a few days. Let;s just make it loose with everyone doing what they like.

Hence, I have been checking out the Country Cook's blog for ideas and got two appetizers right off the bat.  She is a down-home cook and has tons of poke cake recipes on her site that are deliciously tried and true.  I am not going to have miles and miles of food this time.  I was thinking of having Bert's seafood wagon come and cook for the gang, but I think not this time because they will be busy with the OSU crowd in different settings.

One of the appetizers on Country Cook was sausage rolls which I have made before with Bisquick, cheese, zesty sausage and cream cheese.  I think the gang would enjoy those.  I am trying several wing recipes and if I can't get them right, we will order them from several places. Pizzas would be good too.  Maybe I won't cook, just order.  Good thing this event is a month away so I can settle into something.

1 pound Bob Evans zesty sausage
1 block cream cheese 8 oz. soft
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup shredded cheddar
Combine, make balls, refrigerate until firm, then bake when you are ready at 350.

carlsbad cravings blog and Facebook has some wonderful pictures and lovely recipes.  I am doing two this week.  Andy bought corn on the cob from the outdoor market (and oh, the peaches, more about that later) I briefly steam the corn on the cob in my fish poacher which is one of my Christmas gifts from Johnna and David fifteen or so years ago.  It is perfect for corn.  Strip the corn from the cob and mix it with lime juice Cilantro, mayo, some chili powder Use it with chips as a starter or as a side or stand with a spoon, as I do, and eat it from the bowl if no one is around.  (Not really.  I eat it from a bowl, but not the main serving bowl.  I got carried away telling the truth.

Now the peaches, oh golly, are they good this year.  Go directly to United Dairy and buy their luscious peach ice cream, peel several peaches and sit with a bowl of peaches and cream and watch the Great British Bake Off on youtube or on Saturday night at 6:00 on public Television.
It doesn't take much to entertain me.

RECIPE: http://www.carlsbadcravings.com/taco-pasta-recipe/

Carlsbad cravings also has a taco pasta recipe that looks delicious.  If you can't find it while you are checking out his sites, let me know and I will give you the directions on how to make this. I am trying it tomorrow.

And one more from the same site (I think it is a woman(Jen) cooking for her man, Carl, to satisfy his cravings.)  This one is a great looking tex mex salad and they are so easy and delicious. Jen@CarlsbadCravings.com   She even has a great Hawaiian Sweet Roll recipe which I am going to try.  I made a lot of mini sliders.

this TEX MEX PASTA SALAD is bursting with flavor and easy to make! Recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron check out the facebook and the blog--this is a good one to watch.

British Bake Off is back tonight at 6:00

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One of my very favorite series is the British Bake Off.  In a big white tent, rain, heat, or shine, these bakers make every wonderful recipe submitted to them by their hosts. Making puff pastry in the heat is nearly impossible, but they are not forgiven if their effort turns out to be bad.  Off they go. It starts tonight (Saturday) on Public Television.  So excited. BUT, I discovered you can watch the entire 6th season on youtube: (several seasons, in fact.)

The Great British Bake Off S02E01 Cake

Thanks to the copyright holder for not making me take this down! Enjoy, everybody :)youtube.com   59:12   29 days ago  

Today it's cabbage

Beth and I like cabbage, but the rest of the family does not bother with it.  Today I tried  a version of Kimchee spicy slaw. It seems anything goes as long as there is cabbage as a base. So on top of cabbage, onions, carrots, garlic, I added 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, sesame seeds and Kimchee based spicy chili sauce.

The second picture is stir fried cabbage and peppers with zesty sausage. (Momoya spicy chili sauce works well in both dishes.)

Andy has cabbage growing the size of a big man's head and so this is cabbage day at the Lechler's whether they like it or not.

Go to carlsbadcravings.com  for this recipe for overnight creme brulee French toast
It looks scrumptious especially with brioche. Helps men get over cabbage.

More products to try from Tensuke Market

This was run around day for Beth, Alyssa, and I.  We got our nails done, visited Tensuke Market and ate in that area at a great restaurant.  Here are some products I bought to try.

Matt's degree is in Japanese , so I bought him these noodle bowls for him to take to work. Since we went through a bottle of kimchee hot sauce in a week (I put it in everything.), I looked for that in the market.  I finally had to ask and they were stunned to think I was going to make kimchee which is  cabbage based with hot sauce. I told them I had put kimchee hot sauce in my stews and soups and they were surprised for some reason.  Anyway, they did not have the brand we finished so I bought Momoya kimchee spicy chili sauce...wish me well.  Beth loves kimchee and we have cabbage and now the base so here goes. I also bought BBQ garlic soy sauce; miso sesame dressing and sauce; rice vinegar; and Yamasa soy sauce. Then black poppy seeds and sesame seeds finished the deal. I am going to be very busy.  (The peppers are from Pete, with thanks.)
                                             

Netflix choices

Tomatoes are pouring in from the garden.  This is the first offering of the season. Serve it hot or cold and make it spicy. Yum

Couscous couscous salad dressed with a bit of gazpacho 

Get busy.


I expect you all are on Netflix.  We love it here and Alyssa (in New Orleans) and I shoot notes to each other about what to watch for sure. I started slowly because I didn't think I would like a movie on an iPad, but I do.  I put on earphones and it is as though I am in the movie with the characters. I started off with Doc Martin, a British series that I really enjoyed.  I am looking forward to the next season. The movie Primal Fear is very good, but it has been on regular TV, but so has Doc Martin (on public television.) Scandal, the Borgias (really good), Double Jeopardy, the movie, is gripping. How to get away with Murder was good and then I got really confused and tired of trying to find out who killed whom. The old West Wing and Madam Secretary are favorites. The Lovely Bones was excellent, but sad. The Tutors was a favorite and there were lots of bad goings on in that one! I just finished Atonement today. In the Valley of Elah was gripping.Twisted with Ashley Judd was good. Madam Bovary makes me mad.  I had the same reaction to the book.  The Girl who Played with Fire series. The Double was interesting to me. Iris was different and I likes it. Loved Breaking Bad. Can't wait for the new episodes of House of Cards...so good. The Paradise; loved it. Call the Midwife is okay, but not my favorite. Keeping up Appearances; I've watched this British series for years. Haute Cuisine is another that I liked.  Basic Instinct is old but interesting. I have more, but the Republican convention is on and chaos is afoot.

We are looking at our plot of spaghetti squash with mouths watering.  The squash will take a few more weeks, but it looks like we will have a bumper crop.  Picture it with butter, garlic and shrimp as well as the tex mex boat below. (Also, chicken pot pie for dinner.)

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World Market products to try

 

Do you love coconut?  I tried this cake this morning and I am wild about it.  The recipe calls for coconut icing, but this, plain, has such a pure coconut taste that we have forgone the icing. Another plus is it is easy.  It is supposed to be white, but with four eggs how is that possible?  I will print the recipe for you to try at the bottom of this post.NOTE: I just made this with chocolate mixes and it looks great.  I have not tried it, however. Will let you know.  It's cooling at the moment.(I like the original better, but then I am not a chocolate lover.)

Beth and I went to World Market today and found a lot of new products. These will be fun to try.

                                                                        

Kimchi hot sauce gets rave reviews from the family.  The bottle is 1/2 gone already.

Tall bottle in the back is sweet chili sauce Mae Ploy; Kimchi hot sauce; roasted sesame seeds, lemon pepper; sriracha spice blend; roasted red peppers;Hoisin sauce; sesame oil--boy am I going to have fun with these goodies!              

Coconut cake: Easy, softly fluffy, divine

1 white cake mix (You could use yellow because with 4 eggs, how can the batter still be white?)
1 small box of instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar ( I did not use this because it is sweet enough)
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1 tsp. coconut extract
1 cup Baker's coconut (or some sweet coconut that is moist)

Mix all together and add the cup of coconut by hand at the last step.

The recipe calls for: soft cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, 1/2 cup toasted coconut. and enough milk to make it spreadable. (I would skip this, but it is up to you.)

supreme mac and cheese

Andy adores mac and cheese so I try to dress it up with pepperoni and today I added lobster.  Now that is what I call a mac and cheese. I need to get it back in the oven for a bit of browning and then Bob's your uncle, dinner is ready in a flash. I needed to use up the cheese left on the cheese board after the July 4th party, so this dish served several purposes.

We are still eating the salads from the party and Beth took several to treat her co-workers to lunch.  I won't be happy until it all disappears, however.  I don't like opening the frig to surprises

I feel compelled to give out this recipe.  You can't hurt it no matter what you do and you don't need a mixer.  It calls for bananas and I made it that way several times.  Then I had so many blueberries, so I used them instead of bananas. Perfect.  Then I used a combination of apple sauce and homemade cranberry sauce (today) and look what I got.  I tell you there is nothing as easy as this excellent recipe. Here is the basic recipe and you can take it from there:


3-4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup of sugar (I use only 3/4 cup)
1 beaten egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt
1  1/2 cups all-purpose flour

NO NEED FOR A MIXER. Preheat oven to 350

With wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.  Mix in the sugar, the beaten egg, and vanilla.  Sprinkle in the baking soda and salt over the mixture .  Mix. Add the flour last, mix until no flour shows. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. bake for 40-50 minutes depending on your oven.