Tag: salt
I needed some pink salt. I thought that maybe not likely the local H-E-B might have some. There I stand scanning the salt area for what I want. A couple show up and park their cart in front of the area where I was hunting. Okay, I’ll let the rude pass as I had no cart nor need for one. It went down like this:
S:get the iodized salt.
H: asked if it mattered because salt is salt right?
Me (could not not let that pass) No, there are a variety of salts. I point out that the iodized has well iodine in it and hence the metallic flavor. Lady looks at me and asked if I was serious.
Me: Yep, there is kosher salt, pickling salt, sea salt (starting to channel my Forest Gump) etc.
Lady: Oh. Turns to companion and says she wants to get some lemon pepper seasoning.
I had to walk away.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
3 C AP Flour
1/3 C Sugar
2 T Chai powder
1 T plus 2 t Baking powder
1 Stick very cold unsalted butter small dice
1 Egg beaten
1/2 t salt
1 C Milk
Combine all dry ingredients, cut in cold butter, add wet ingredients and gently mix until combined. Turn out scone mix onto floured surface. Roll or pat into 1/2 round. Cut into 8 wedges. Bake on greased sheet tray for 15 minutes.
For Dough
3 cups flour, plus extra for kneading and rolling
3 Russet Potatoes
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 large egg beaten
Peel and boil potatoes and mash potatoes. While the potatoes are still hot, add flour, salt, and egg. Turn out on floured surface and kneed until dough comes together. Form a ball cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
For Filling
2 Large yellow onions thinly sliced
3 T Butter
1/2 T dill weed
1 t fresh thyme chopped
salt and pepper to taste
In a heavy skillet over low heat, sweat onion with herbs until the onions become light brown, about 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings and allow mixture to cool.
Prep
Roll out dough and cut rounds with a biscuit cutter. Fill each round with 1/2 T of onion mixture. Fold dough in half to shape, pinch edges to seal (egg wash can be used to help seal the edges)
Drop dumplings into boiling salted water. When they float, remove with a slotted spoon or spider. Set aside.
To Serve
Melt 1/4 C butter in non stick skillet. Add dumplings in small batches to lightly brown dumplings on both sides. Remove batches to warm platter and keep warm in oven on low heat.
Can be served with the traditional sour cream or apple sauce mixed with sour cream
1 Small seed less yellow melon
2 Jalapeno
1 Small red onion
1 ancho chili pepper
1 Clove garlic
Juice of 2 limes
salt and pepper to taste
Remove seeds from peppers and rough chop. Dice onion. Mince onion. Remove rind from melon and rough chop. Add all to a glass or plastic bowl, add lime juice and toss. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Adjust seasonings and serve chilled.
Note: I prefer a chunkier sauce.
1 C quinoa washed and drained at least 3 times.
1 Red bell pepper
1 Yellow bell pepper
1 Anaheim pepper
1 Shallot minced
1 Bay leaf
1 Clove garlic minced
1 Sprig fresh thyme
1 1/2 C vegetable stock
1/4 C olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Toss all peppers in olive oil (keep the unused oil to sweat shallot and garlic). Roast in 350 degree oven until the skin blisters. Put peppers in plastic bag for 10 minutes for easier peeling. Remove skin and seeds from peppers. Rough chop peppers. In heavy pot, sweat garlic and shallots. Add peppers and quinoa, stocks and herbs. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes. Remove herbs and adjust seasoning.
1/2 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Ground Pork
2 Slices Stale Bread
2 C Beef Stock
1 C 1/2 and 1/2
1 Egg
1 Small Onion Minced
1 T Ground Nutmeg
1 T Allspice
2 t Garlic Powder
Flour
S/P to taste
Soak bread in 1/2 C of 1/2 and 1/2. Add onion, seasonings, egg, and meat. mix well. Refrigerate for one hour. Form meat in to 1 inch balls.
Bake meatballs in cast iron skillet at 350 for 40 minutes. Remove meat from skillet and set aside. Add enough flour to skillet for a basic roux. Whisk over low heat for 2 minutes. Add stock and remaining 1/2 and 1/2. Adjust seasonings, return the meat to skillet and cook over low heat to desired consistency.
Corn Salsa:
4 Ears smoked corn on the cob
2 Jalapenos minced
2 Cloves minced garlic
1 large green bell pepper seeded and diced
1 Chipotle pepper minced
1 Red onion, diced
1 Roma tomato seeded and diced.
1/4 C Fresh lime juice
1 T Cumino
Mix all ingredients and store in plastic container over night.
6 Talapia, Catfish (or 3 oz. portions of cod filets)
1 C whole milk
1/2 C canola oil
1 T Cayenne
Corn meal for dredge
12 Corn tortillas
Salt and pepper to taste
Soak fish in milk for 2o minutes, drain. Season fillets with cayenne. Dredge in corn meal. Saute fish in small batches keeping cooked fish warm (I use a paper towel covered plate and put them in the microwave). Warm tortillas in remaining canola, and drain. It should take less than a second to warm each tortilla.
Serve two tortillas stacked with each fillet, top with salsa.
1 lb Lima beans
3 C Water (plus addl as needed during cooking*)
1 Bottle Shiner Bock
1/4 lb diced ham
1/2 Yellow onion diced
2 Jalpenos seeded and diced
3 T Chili powder
1 T Cumino
1 T EVOO
S/P to taste
Soak beans in water over night. In large heavy bottom pot, cook beans over low heat until almost tender. In a large heavy skillet, brown ham in olive oil, add onions and jalpeno and cook until onions are translucent. Deglaze skillet with Shiner, and add all to the beans. Add seasonings and continue to simmer until beans are tender. Adjust seasoning.
Freezes very well.
* additional water my be needed during the cooking process unless the beans are cooked in a lidded crock pot then only 1 additional cup of water is needed.
Brine
In large stock pot:
1 gallon water
1/4 C Brown sugar
1/4 C Kosher Salt
1/4 C Krystal Hot Sauce
2 Cloves garlic peeled and cut in half
1 T Better Than Bullion or Knorr Brand Chicken Stock
1 jalapeno sliced in half
4 Sage STEMS (use the leaves later)
1 T onion powder
Bring to boil and allow to cool to room temp.
Add the turkey breast, cover with lid and into the fridge for 2 days
Remove breast and pat dry.
Rub:
2 T ea, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, cumino, dry mustard.
Apply rub to the turkey. Roast in a pan with the rack at 350 for 1 1/2 hrs or until internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Time will vary depending on size of the turkey breast.
Remove turkey to cutting board and allow to rest. Using the roasting pan over medium heat on the stove, add enough flour to the drippings to make a roux. Add the sage leaves, S/P to taste, and deglaze with either white wine or chicken stock. Bring sauce to boil and reduce to simmer. Remove sage leaves and serve.
Chef En Fuego 