Curry!

I made curry today! It turned out well, but I think it needs more flavor. I used Super Natural Everyday and made the Weekday Curry. It is very coconutty and I added lots and lots of veggies to it. Zuchini, yellow squash, cauliflower, mushrooms, carrots, onions... :D nom!!

Unprocessed Food Month

My friend Allison and I were inspired by Andrew on Eating Rules who sponsored an unprocessed food challenge. I found out about this challenge on October 1st, and instead of jumping right in, we spent the month preparing. It was a good plan.
I have figured out that I actually like Raw Carrots among other things.
I have made hummus from scratch using this lovely recipe. I made the tahini with this recipe. If you buy your sesame seeds in the bulk section it's quite inexpensive! The flavor profile of my hummus is somewhat different than the hummus on the blog, however, my favorite hummus involves roasted garlic or roasted red peppers, so I just need more flavor!
I have also made a very simple lentil soup. I of course added garlic.
I attempted to make the Roasted Chickpeas from Super Natural Everyday (by the lovely Heidi Swanson). Please check out her books and her blog! They ended up being quite dry when I reheated them in the microwave, I wonder if adding a little water would be helpful, or maybe I could use them in a soup. I'd hate to waste them as they taste quite good! We'll see!!
Oh yeah! I also make a brocoli pesto from her website. This turned out pretty well for me. I'm not sure I really like as a pesto, I have been spreading it on my toast in the morning and topping it with a fried egg, or putting it in my lentil soup, to change the flavor a little. Hummus also works as a great spread for toast besides the regular veggie applications.

Lately

I haven't posted in a very long time!

Lately I've been making bread. I made Anadama bread and last week, I made Greek Celebration Bread. They were both really delicioius!

I really need to get pictures posted... but I'm just not that organized.. : (

Amy

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made by something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar NO
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (*cough* maybe just one *cough*)
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin (from the dictionary: a fine usually white clay that is used in ceramics and refractories, as a filler or extender, and in medicine especially as an adsorbent in the treatment of diarrhea. Negatory)
64. Currywurst
65. Durian (Fruit that smells like stinky socks? Where can I sign?)
66. Frogs’ legs (Yup. When I want to taste chicken, I eat chicken.)
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake*
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Chicken curry

My friends Ami and Ashely had a project to do for food and culture. We decided to make Chicken Curry.



Ingredients
4 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves
4-6 green cardamom pods
1 piece cinnamon stick, 5 cm/2 in long
3 whole star anise (we didn't use this, it was too expensive)
6-8 curry leaves
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 piece fresh ginger 5 cm/2 in long, crushed (we used powder)
4 cloves garlic, crushed (we used diced garlic from a jar)
4 tbsp mild curry paste
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp five-spice powder
3 lb chicken, skinned and jointed (we used boneless chicken breasts, 2 1/2 lb)
14 oz. canned tomatoes, chopped (we used diced canned tomatoes)
4 oz. creamed coconut
1/2 a tsp sugar
salt, to taste
2 cups fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped (we didn't use nearly this much, we discovered we didn't like coriander)

1. Heat oil in pan and fry the cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon stick, star anise and curry leaves until the cloves swell and the curry leaves are slightly burnt.

2. Add the onion, ginger and garlic and fry until the onion turns brown. Add the five-spice powder and fry until the oil separates.

3. Add the chicken pieces and mix well. When all the pieces are evenly sealed, cover and cook until the meat is nearly done.

4. Add the chopped tomatoes and the creamed coconut. Simmer gently until the coconut dissolves. Mix well and add the sugar and salt. Foldin the chopped fresh coriander (cilantro), then reheat and serve hot.

I think it turned out very well. I'm looking forward to making it again. It is a bit expensive to set up all the spices. But once you have them all you need to buy is chicken.

Healing

Wow! I haven't posted in a while.

I haven't much been in the mood to post anything or cook anything for that matter, it feels like such a bother when your other hand is hurt. But soon I will attempt new food, new bread! I can't wait.

I made A German Pancake this week. I put Vanilla Yogurt and cucumbers on it, it was amazing! It looked very pretty too! So I'll have to get those pictures up.











I also made a Tuna melt yesterday. I made a simple tuna salad and put Curry, Cumin, and Ground red pepper in it, and then covered it with Mild Cheddar. Delicious! Oh and then I put cucumbers on top. Did I mention I like cucumbers?

Arg!

I got my stitches out on Thursday (I thought it was Wednesday all day!) It went pretty well, although I felt faint.

Tomorrow I am planning on making Pizza Dough from The Bread Baker's Apprentice we'll see if I have the energy. It's already 3:00 am.. *sigh*

I am also planning on making Five minute Tomato Sauce from 101cookbooks.com I'm excited to make real pizza. This type you are supposed to throw, I'm not sure if that will work with my finger bandaged up, but I won't find out until tomorrow anyway, as it's a two day recipe.

Praying for sleep,
Amy

I'll be back!

I'm getting out my stitches today at 3:00 pm. I hope it doesn't hurt too much or for too long.

I went to the library Tuesday and got out Peter Reinhart's Whole Grain Breads from the library. I've been reading the introduction and I finally got to an actual recipe. I think he's brilliant. I can't wait to try out his recipes. I wish I could meet him.

Furthermore, I have been steeling myself up to join Daring Bakers. I'm quite nervous, as the last two things they've made has been... impressive and a bit overwhelming.

I should be getting my external hard drive today which means more space for pictures. I have them uploaded and now I just need to update my blog to include them. I'm sure I'm very behind on the Recipes that I have done, but since I cut my finger, I haven't been doing that much baking of any kind. I've made one thing, wait.. two since I cut my finger.

Amy

a cut above the rest

I cut my finger . . . slicing bread. go me. I have stitches. I had to get a tetanus shot. ~_~ I got four numbing shots into my hand. Bugger >_< . I can't submerge my hand in water for ten days. I have to get th stitches out. I get to take antibiotics for 5 days. This stinks.

Time to slow down, it's not fun typing left handed. . .

I'm Crazy!!

I decided to make bagels today.... at about 11:30 PM. Yeah I'm crazy. Not only that, but I'm packing to move out of my apartment for Christmas break! I'm trying to not over pack, really really hard. I'll keep editing these posts until they are ready for the public eye. Big thanks to Rachel for bringing back my camera cord! *hugs*

Soon it will be time for bed!!! Yay!

Today!!

Today was so busy!

I made a no-knead bread starter last night (around 2 am) and made it around 5:00pm today!

The recipe is adapted from this recipe found on Jaden's Steamy Kitchen website

No Knead Bread

Yield: one 1½ lb loaf
3 cups bread flour
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
3/4 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
1 1/2 cups warm water
Covered pot (five-quart or larger cast iron, Pyrex, ceramic, enamel...something that can go into a 450F oven.)

1. Mix dough: The night before, combine all ingredients in a big bowl with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. It will be a shaggy, doughy mess. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit 12-20 hours on countertop.

2. Shape & preheat: The dough will now be wet, sticky and bubbly. With a wet spatula, dump the dough on a floured surface. Fold ends of dough over a few times with the spatula and nudge it into a ball shape. You can use your hands if you like, just keep your hands wet so that the dough does not stick. Generously dust a cotton towel (not terrycloth) with flour. Set dough seam side down on top of towel. Fold towel over the dough. Let it nap for 2 hours. When you've got about a half hour left, slip your covered pot into the oven and preheat to 450F.

3. Bake: Your dough should have doubled in size. Remove pot from oven. Holding towel, dump wobbly dough into pot. Doesn't matter which way it lands. Shake to even dough out. Cover. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover, bake another 15-20 minutes or until the crust is beautifully golden and middle of loaf is 210F. Remove and let cool on wired rack. If not eating right away, you can re-crisp crust in 350F oven for 10 minutes.

I made many substitutions and additions in this batch of bread.
I put in
1/2 cup of Oat flour
1 1/2 cups Wheat flour
1 1/2 cups Bread flour
I also added
a little sugar
and some cinnamon.

This was good. My roommate loved it! ^_^ yay!

Chocolate Chip cookies!!

Yesterday I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies! I made them very slowly and without a mixer. It was hard work. I used the Toll House Recipe. My poor hot oven, it's hard to get the temperature right.






Toll-House Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt (omitted)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups chocolate chips(I used 3/4 of a large bag for a double recipe)
1 cup chopped nuts (omitted)

Combine: flour, baking soda, and salt, in a small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chips (and nuts).
Refrigerate for an hour until chilled, and preheat the oven (15 minutes before the hour is up). Put about a rounded teaspoon of dough onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10-11 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire racks or paper bags.

I cooked mine for 8-8 1/2 minutes.

Cooking with my Mummy!

Mom came over today and baked with me. It was a lot of fun. She made CrunKakes (sp?) on a specially designed Iron. I made Snickerdoodles and a Pizza. I will hopefully have pictures of this soon and specifics. Mom and I will probably be going shopping tomorrow. I'm planning on making "Sweet Pistachio Butter" for my Grandpa for Christmas. I hope it turns out well.

I'll be editing this post and adding more specifics. Needless to say. This was a very fun day. ^_~

Snickerdoodles
Other recipes I looked at had a 1/2 cup of butter and shortening. I found a recipe that only called for butter. I thought it might be healthier. Maybe if you have shortening too they stay softer. mine have hardened and become chewy. They turned out beautifully once I turned the oven down! My oven is small and it is a hot oven. The bottoms were burned after having the temperature 50 degrees too high. Oops!

Substitutions: I used a 1/2 a cup of wheat flour. It didn't affect the color of the cookies really, I did however affect the texture subtly. The wheat flour has more impurities in it than the white flour I have. It gives the cookies little bits that are hard to chew. If I use wheat flour again, I will sift it first.

I added a tiny bit of Maple Sugar to the Dough and the topping. I don't think it really affected the flavor, but it was worth a try.

I don't have an electric mixer, I did everything by hand. it's hard work, but they are delicious

Ingredients

1/2 cup of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all unbleached all-purpose flour

Topping
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

In a mixing bowl, beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add one cup sugar, baking soad, and cream of tartar. (you can substitute cream of tartar and baking soda for baking powder, just look around on the internet for suggestions). Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Beat in as much flour as you can with a mixer, and stir in the remaining flour. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

15 Minutes before the hour is up start preheating the oven to 375 degrees. While you are waiting Combine 4 tablespoons sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. After the hour is up: Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Place balls of dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until edges are beautifully golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Keep an eye on the first batch of cookies. I ended up only baking my cookies for around 8 minutes because my oven is hotter and smaller.

http://www.popularcookierecipes.com/Snickerdoodle.html#



I will add pictures later on. I'm missing my camera cord right now!

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
2/3 c. milk
2 tbsp. oil
2 tsp. light corn syrup
1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. ground oat flour, made by grinding 1 1/4 c. rolled oats in blender
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Add milk, oil and syrup to combined dry ingredients. Stir with fork until ball forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead 10 turns. Then with greased fingers, press into pizza pan. Shape edges to form a rim. Bake crust in preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove top with pizza fillings and finish baking about 15 minutes for 425 degrees.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,164,148174-247199,00.html

Pizza notes: I used spaghetti sauce, leftover chicken, and onions. When I make this again, I will pre-bake the crust first. Then I will put on the toppings and bake for a little longer. It tasted good, but the toppings were all dried out. It also could've used more sauce, but there wasn't much sauce left over. I made a thin crust and spread it out in a medium baking sheet.


Sweet Pistachio Butter
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/000750.html

The Beginning

This is a blog to concentrate my recipes together in one spot. ^^;;

This morning I made Pancakes with wheat flour. They turned out pretty good. The batter was thicker because I put too much flour in it, so I thinned it out with soy milk. I put cinnamon on them and chocolate chips. Yum!

I'll be putting up the recipe for this and my comments at some point in the future. I'm just getting organized!