Showing posts with label Alphabet Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alphabet Challenge. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Spicy Urad Dal

This spicy urad dal is made with split and skinned black lentils, seasoned with many spices including cumin, ginger, coriander, onion and dried chili peppers. 

Food Lust People Love: This spicy urad dal is made with split and skinned black lentils, seasoned with many spices including cumin, ginger, coriander, onion and dried chili peppers.

I was racking my brain to come up with a recipe ingredient that starts with the letter U for this edition of the Alphabet Challenge when all that thinking sparked a memory. Once upon a time I had eaten at an Indian restaurant in Dubai and was served dal makhani. It was a beautiful dark color, rich and flavorful and unlike any dal I had enjoyed before. 

My only experience prior had been with dals that were yellow! I offer this recipe as evidence: My Tarka Dal or Curried Lentils.


Of course, when I got home, I did a little google search to discover that dal makhani is made with whole black lentils or urad dal. Further investigation revealed that urad dal can be purchased whole - with the black skins still intact, split – with skins intact but with the inside exposed, and "white" – with skins removed. 

Now I had my ingredient name for U, but where to buy some? Had I been back in Houston where Indian supermarkets abound, no problem. But in Jersey, we aren’t so fortunate. Amazon to the rescue again.

I ordered white urad dal as well as some asafoetida which is recommended when cooking legumes of any sort, including lentils, as it is meant to meant to help with digestion and, ahem, gas. 

Spicy Urad Dal

Despite the urad dal I bought being skinned and split, every recipe I found assured me that I could not skip the soaking step. So I did not and you shouldn’t either! Soaking the dal not only reduces the cooking time but also makes the dal more easily digestible. Even with soaking, this did not break down to a mush like other lentils. We really liked the texture.

Ingredients 
To cook the dal:
1 cup or 220g white urad dal (split and skinned black lentils)
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Small knob ginger, peeled and grated

For the tempering aka tarka: 
3 tablespoons ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon asafoetida (also known as hing)
¼ teaspoon kalongi
2-3 dry red chili peppers
½ medium onion, chopped
5-6 curry leaves
1 teaspoon cayenne

To serve:
1 tablespoon lime juice
chopped cilantro 


Method
Rinse the dal well with water until it runs almost clear. This takes a few times. 


Soak it in 4 cups or 960ml water for 30 minutes.


Drain the water and add the dal to a large pot. Pour in 26 oz or 750ml water. Bring to the boil, and use a slotted spoon to remove the scum that rises to the surface. 


Add in the turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt and grated ginger. 


Stir to combine and turn the stove to simmer. 


Put on the lid, but leave it partially ajar, to prevent the pot from boiling over. Simmer for about 30 minutes, checking it every so often to give it a stir. Add a little more water if necessary so the lentils don’t dry out.

When the lentils are cooked, we make the tarka. Heat the ghee in a small pan over medium-high heat. Once the ghee is hot, add the asafoetida, cumin seeds and kalongi and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds.


Add the dry red chili peppers and chopped onions and cook until the onions turn golden brown, stirring frequently.


Quickly stir in the curry leaves and cayenne.


Immediately add the tarka to the cooked dal.


Stir then add the lime juice.


Garnish the dal with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice, naan or chapati. 

Food Lust People Love: This spicy urad dal is made with split and skinned black lentils, seasoned with many spices including cumin, ginger, coriander, onion and dried chili peppers.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the 21th edition of the 2024 Alphabet Challenge, brought to you by the letter U. Many thanks to Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm for organizing and creating the challenge. Check out all the U recipes below:



Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Stuffed Turkey Cutlets

Stuffed Turkey Cutlets are a fun, attractive way to serve turkey and stuffing. Each person gets an individual stuffed “turkey” wrapped in bacon. This recipe is great main dish for a low stress party. No more wondering if the turkey is perfectly done. It is! 

Food Lust People Love: Stuffed Turkey Cutlets are a fun, attractive way to serve turkey and stuffing. Each person gets an individual stuffed “turkey” wrapped in bacon. This recipe is great main dish for a low stress party. No more wondering if the turkey is perfectly done. It is!

Personally, we like stuffing all year long, not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I often find myself frying sausage meat and mixing it up to roast under chicken thighs, as a filling for squash or occasionally, just baking it in a pan as a side dish. 

You will find the ingredient list and method below for the stuffing I make over and over again but please feel free to use your favorite recipe here as well. I know that for some families their own treasured stuffing recipe cannot be changed! 

Stuffed Turkey Cutlets

Cutlets or escalopes of turkey can be found at most grocery stores these days. While they are more expensive per pound than a whole turkey, not a bit will go to waste. And look at how pretty they are! 

Ingredients
For the sausage stuffing:
7 1/2 oz or 215g good quality fresh sausage (3-4 links)
6-7 slices stale bread, toasted and cubed
1/3 cup or 75g butter
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
2-3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 1/2 cups or 180ml turkey or chicken stock
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large egg

To assemble:
10 turkey cutlets (approx. weight 2 1/2 lbs or 1135g) 
10 slices smoked bacon
toothpicks

For decoration – optional
20 fresh sage leaves
10 fresh cranberries
toothpicks

Method
Cube the bread and add it to a large bowl that all the stuffing ingredients will fit in, with room to stir.


Remove the sausage from the casings and fry until golden in a skillet, breaking it into crumbles as you go. Remove the sausage from the pan with a slotted spoon and remove all but a tablespoon of any rendered fat. 


Add the butter to the frying pan and turn the heat on low. Sauté the onion and celery in the butter until it’s soft and translucent. 


Add the poultry seasoning, a few generous grinds of black pepper, and the 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne and mix well. 


Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the bread. 


Add the crumbled fried sausage back in and stir. Now add the broth and stir again.
 

Set the stuffing aside to cool. 

Meanwhile, put the turkey cutlets, one at a time, between two large pieces of cling film on a cutting board and use the side of your rolling pin or a similar implement to flatten them out. 


Use new pieces of cling film for each turkey cutlet and set them in a stack, still between the cling film till you’ve pounded them all flat. 

Add the egg to the cooled stuffing and mix well. 

Lay one turkey cutlet on your working surface. Remove the top piece of cling film and discard. Put about 1/10th of the stuffing into the middle of the turkey cutlet and fold the sides over to cover it securely. 


Roll each of the stuffed turkey cutlets up in the bottom piece of cling film and line them up to chill on a plate in the refrigerator as you get them each made.
 
Once they are all made, preheat your oven to 375°F or 190°C. 

Remove the cling film from each cutlet and wrap them with one slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks and place in a large baking pan. 


Roast in your preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.

If desired, decorate each stuffed cutlet by securing two sage leaves and a fresh cranberry with a toothpick. Remove the other toothpicks to serve.

Food Lust People Love: Stuffed Turkey Cutlets are a fun, attractive way to serve turkey and stuffing. Each person gets an individual stuffed “turkey” wrapped in bacon. This recipe is great main dish for a low stress party. No more wondering if the turkey is perfectly done. It is!

Of course, the pan drippings can used to make gravy and I recommend you do! Follow this easy instructional video from TheKitchn.

Serve the stuffed turkey cutlets with cranberry sauce and your favorite gravy. 

Food Lust People Love: Stuffed Turkey Cutlets are a fun, attractive way to serve turkey and stuffing. Each person gets an individual stuffed “turkey” wrapped in bacon. This recipe is great main dish for a low stress party. No more wondering if the turkey is perfectly done. It is!

Enjoy! 

Welcome to the 20th edition of the 2024 Alphabet Challenge, brought to you by the letter T. Many thanks to Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm for organizing and creating the challenge. Check out all the T recipes below:
Food Lust People Love: Stuffed Turkey Cutlets are a fun, attractive way to serve turkey and stuffing. Each person gets an individual stuffed “turkey” wrapped in bacon. This recipe is great main dish for a low stress party. No more wondering if the turkey is perfectly done. It is!

.


Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Cheesy Sausage and Egg Casserole

This cheesy sausage and egg casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that your whole family will love! It rests in the fridge overnight, then baked when ready to serve. 

Food Lust People Love: This cheesy sausage and egg casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that your whole family will love! It rests in the fridge overnight, then baked when ready to serve.

I was first introduced to a recipe like this a long, long time ago when a Canadian friend gave me a cookbook from home that she loved called The Best of Bridge. It was put together by a group of bridge playing ladies who so enjoyed the food they brought to share on games days that they decided to write a cookbook. 

Their warm and wonderful cookbooks are staples of Canadian culture and are still available today, almost 50 years after the first one was published! In that first book, which I still have and treasure, the breakfast casserole was called Christmas Morning Wife Saver. It called for Canadian bacon, naturally, or you could substitute ham. 

I made some version of it often years ago, sometimes substituting breakfast sausage or cooked crispy bacon instead but somehow it got dropped from the weekend/holiday rotation. Time to bring my rendition back! 

Cheesy Sausage and Egg Casserole

I like to spice things up with the addition of jalapeños but if your family can’t take the heat, feel free to add some chopped green peppers aka bell peppers instead for inside the casserole and to sprinkle on for garnish. I also use the Jimmy Dean “hot” sausage for extra spiciness. Use your favorite. 

Ingredients
1 lb or 450g bulk pork sausage
2 fresh jalapeños
6 large eggs
2 cups or 480ml milk
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 oz or 170g sliced sandwich bread – about 4-5 slices 
4 oz or 113g extra sharp cheddar, grated

For baking:
2 oz or 56g extra sharp cheddar, grated

Method
In a skillet, brown and crumble sausage; drain and set aside to cool.


Cut the bread into 1/2-inch  or 1cm cubes. I leave the crusts on.  


Cut several round slices of jalapeño to decorate the top before baking, then mince the rest and discard the stems. I leave the seeds and ribs in because we like things spicy but you can discard these if you don’t.  


In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Whisk in the salt and mustard powder. Then add the milk and whisk again. 


Stir in the bread cubes, cheese, cooled sausage and minced jalapeños.


Spoon into a greased 9x13-in or 23x33cm baking dish. Cover snugly with cling film and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. 


Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and preheat your oven to 350°F or 180°C. 

Top the casserole with the extra grated cheddar and decorate with the reserved jalapeño slices.


Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the casserole rest for five minutes, before cutting in squares to serve. I like to put out our favorite hot sauce in case anyone wants to add a sprinkle or two. 

Food Lust People Love: This cheesy sausage and egg casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that your whole family will love! It rests in the fridge overnight, then baked when ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the 19th edition of the 2024 Alphabet Challenge, brought to you by the letter S. Many thanks to Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm for organizing and creating the challenge. Check out all the S recipes below:




Pin this Cheesy Sausage and Egg Casserole! 

Food Lust People Love: This cheesy sausage and egg casserole is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that your whole family will love! It rests in the fridge overnight, then baked when ready to serve.

.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Leek and Lobster Mushroom Risotto

This Leek and Lobster Mushroom Risotto is a creamy, cheesy bowl of comfort food, brightened by the addition of a lovely Tuscan kale and pistachio pesto. I’ve shared that in separate post to make each recipe more manageable but include the ingredients list here also to make your shopping easier. 

Food Lust People Love: This Leek and Lobster Mushroom Risotto is a creamy, cheesy bowl of comfort food, brightened by the addition of a lovely Tuscan kale and pistachio pesto.

First, let’s talk briefly about lobster mushrooms. I came across them in the bulk section of one of our fancier grocery stores in Houston called Central Market. The orange color caught my eye and then, of course, the idea of a dried mushroom that potentially tasted of lobster made me buy some. 

I’m here to report that despite the name, lobster mushrooms are actually a fungus. While I was certain they weren't crustaceans, I was surprised to learn that they are not actually mushrooms either. Learn something new every day! 

According to Wikipedia, and I quote, “Hypomyces lactifluorum, or the lobster mushroom, is a parasitic ascomycete fungus that grows on certain species of mushrooms, turning them a reddish orange color that resembles the outer shell of a cooked lobster.” And further along in the article: “They have a seafood-like flavor and a firm, dense texture.” Hence the name. 

You can see the color for yourself in my photos below. They did taste rather of seafood and were a great addition to risotto. You could easily make this a vegetarian friendly dish by using vegetable stock instead of chicken. 

Leek and Lobster Mushroom Risotto

This recipe is adapted from one in delicious magazine from the March 2022 issue. It can also be found online here. If you can’t find lobster mushrooms, substitute your favorites. 

Ingredients
For the risotto:
1.75oz or 21g dried lobster mushrooms
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large leeks (trimmed weight 1.1 lb or 500g)
2 garlic cloves
2 cups or 410g risotto rice (Arborio or Carnaroli)
3/4 cup or 175ml dry white wine
4 1/3 cups or 1L quality chicken stock
3 1/2 oz or 100g Parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve

For the kale pesto:
Large bunch Tuscan kale or cavolo nero (Mine weighed 186g or 6 1/2 ozs)
1 3/4 oz or 50g shelled pistachios 
1 3/4 oz or 50g Parmesan or pecorino, finely grated
Finely grated zest and juice 1 lemon
2/3 cup or 100ml good quality olive oil
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Method
Soak the dried lobster mushrooms in 2 cups or 480ml boiling water until soft. Strain the liquid to remove any dirt or impurities and add it to the chicken stock. 


Chop the mushrooms roughly and set aside. 


Trim and discard the hard green parts of the leeks and wash the white parts well. Thinly slice them. 


Using the side of a big knife, crush the cloves of garlic then chop them roughly.


Melt the butter in a deep sauté pan over a medium heat. Add the oil, leeks and a pinch of salt, then cover and cook, stirring regularly, for 8-10 minutes until very soft. In a separate pan, heat the stock over a low heat.


Add the garlic to the leeks and cook for 2 minutes.


Add the rice and stir to coat in butter and oil. 


Increase the heat to high, then pour in the wine and cook for 2-3 minutes until absorbed. 


Turn the heat back down to medium high. Gradually add the warmed stock, one ladleful at a time, stirring continuously. Wait until each addition of stock has almost all been absorbed before adding the next. 


Continue until you’ve added all the stock and the rice is al dente (still has some bite.) 


Stir in the grated Parmesan and the chopped lobster mushrooms.  


Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.


Serve as is or topped with Tuscan kale and pistachio pesto

Food Lust People Love: This Leek and Lobster Mushroom Risotto is a creamy, cheesy bowl of comfort food, brightened by the addition of a lovely Tuscan kale and pistachio pesto.

Enjoy!

Welcome to the 18th edition of the 2024 Alphabet Challenge, brought to you by the letter R. Many thanks to Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm for organizing and creating the challenge. Check out all the R recipes below:






Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Cointreau Glazed Orange Quick Bread

Fresh orange juice, zest and Cointreau give this lovely Cointreau glazed orange quick bread a fresh, sweet flavor that smells amazing as it bakes.

Food Lust People Love: Fresh orange juice, zest and Cointreau give this lovely Cointreau glazed orange quick bread a fresh, sweet flavor that smells amazing as it bakes.

Perfect for snack, teatime or even as a dessert, this quick bread is a family favorite. Similar recipes are best known in Great Britain as lemon drizzle cakes, but as you can see, any citrus substitution will do nicely. 

Cointreau Glazed Orange Quick Bread

For anyone who doesn’t drink or cook with alcohol, the orange liqueur can be replaced with an equal amount of orange juice for both the bread batter and the glaze. This recipe makes one  8 x 4-inch or 9 x 5-inch loaf cake.

Ingredients
For the batter:
½ cup or 113g butter, softened to room temperature, plus more for the pan
1 cup or 200g sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon Cointreau or Grand Marnier 
½ teaspoon orange extract, optional
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from an untreated or organic orange)
1 ½ cups or 190g flour, plus more for the pan if not using baking parchment
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
½ cup or 10 ml milk

For the glaze:
½ cup or 62g powdered sugar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon Cointreau or Grand Marnier

Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C. Prepare your loaf pan by buttering it and either lining the bottom with baking parchment or dusting it with flour, tapping out the excess.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the sugar until blended and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, just to blend. 


Beat in the orange juice, the Cointreau, the extract if using and the orange zest.


Stir together the flour, the baking powder and the salt in a small bowl; beat in the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with dry, beating well after each addition and using a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides.


Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.


Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the bread is risen, the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center of the bread comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a cooling rack.


To make the glaze, sift the confectioner’s sugar into a small bowl and add the juice and the Cointreau. Stir until you have a very smooth silky glaze. 


Slide a thin knife blade around the edges of the cake to loosen it and pour the glaze evenly all over the hot loaf, allowing some to dribble down the sides.


Leave the quick bread to cool completely before turning out of the pan and cutting into slices to serve.

Food Lust People Love: Fresh orange juice, zest and Cointreau give this lovely Cointreau glazed orange quick bread a fresh, sweet flavor that smells amazing as it bakes.

Enjoy! 

Welcome to the 17th edition of the 2024 Alphabet Challenge, brought to you by the letter Q. Many thanks to Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm for organizing and creating the challenge. Check out all the Q recipes below: