A new year...

Well, Its been two months since I have written anything. Christmas has come and gone as well as the new year. I have officially changed my major to University Studies (like a liberal arts degree) and culinary arts is one of my emphasis. I am now in the full swing of school and loving all of my classes, especially pastry and culinary nutrition. I really like all of them... these I guess are just the most interesting.

For Christmas I got an enamel cast iron dutch oven and I have been dying to use it ever since I saw that I got it! I finally used it tonight... It is just so good at browning meat for stews... and creating those unctuous flavors in the bottom of the pan... FOND! I made a pork stew with roasted potatoes and fire roasted tomatoes. A trick I discovered is deglazing the pan multiple time to allow multiple fond to form. So I deglazed with a little water after I added the vegetables... let it cook down and caramelize again... then deglazed again!

I seasoned and floured the meat and browned it in batches and removed it from the pan. Then I added the onions and carrots and later the garlic. once they were soft I deglazed with 1/3 Cup of water. I let that cook then deglazed with water and a splosh of apple cider vinegar (since I don't usually purchase wine for such a small amount... but I wanted the same acidic qualities). I then added the tomatoes, and about 3 cups of water and a tsp of chicken bullion. I also added some rosemary, a bay leaf, salt and pepper of course, some crushed red pepper flakes and a bay leaf.

I then added the pork back and let it bubble away for a couple of hours until tender. I roasted some red potatoes in the oven till crisp. When the pork was tender I took some of the liquid and vegetables and pureed them in a blender until smooth. I then added it back to the stew along with the potatoes.

This is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten! And it was really cheap because I used boneless pork spareribs that I cut into chunks. the whole thing probably cost $7 ... and I have tons of leftovers.

Well, that's the most exciting news that has happened since November... I know I live a daring life!

Gingerbread Muffins

So I have had this fascination with the holidays and baked goods... and everything British. So I have been watching Nigella Lawson on TV and youtube for the past couple of weeks and this video inspired me to make them. The recipe isn't until the very end, about 5 minutes from the end. But that is partially what inspired me to buy the Black Treacle and Syrup.

These are so moist, and easy to make. they are actually really spicy because they have a teaspoon and a half of ginger and about 3/4 of a teaspoon of cloves with some cinnamon as well. They are just great! So... this was a success, and thanks Nigella!

New Ingredients!

I took a trip to Salt Lake this weekend to visit some friends! I knew there was a British shop called the "London Market" http://www.thelondonmarket.com/ where they sell all sorts of British goods not normally found here in the states.

For a while I have been on this foreign food craze... wanting to try traditional dishes from other countries.

I decided to purchase Black Treacle and Golden Syrup (Lyle's Brand straight from the UK). I am so excited to start using it! You can make proper gingerbread and other puddings (generally steamed cakes).

French Onion Soup

So I thought I would try out French Onion Soup. It is fairly simple... it just takes time... over an hour just to caramelize the onions, which I didn't mind. but alas... it does take time. I topped it with Swiss and Parmesan and added some homemade croutons! Delish!

Can I just tell you... I know onions cook down.. but man do they really. 5 Large onions filled a large soup pot almost to the top... and cooked down to about an inch and a half of onions. But they were sooo good!

Fried Chicken.... mmm!

So I bought some chicken cause it was on sale (98 cents a pound!). I bought some with the anticipation of freezing it and making something later.
Fried chicken it is!

It has quite a few spices but I will tell you:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Lemon Juice
• Hot Sauce

Mind all of that, I let it sit for a couple of hours and then added two eggs to the mess and mixed it around. Then I coated it in flour that had some of the same spices.

I then fried it till it was brown and popped it in the oven at 350 degrees F. till it was done! Delicious!

On the side is some corn on the cob and steamed baby red potatoes from the farmers market!

My new cast iron pan... and an easy french dinner

I got a cast iron pan today and just had to use it! I have been thinking a lot about Buef Bourguignon, a traditional french beef stew, but I need a dutch oven for that. I will ask for that for Christmas. I shopped around town looking at different prices for the skillet. I decided on a 10.25 in skillet by Lodge. I will purchase a lid in the near future (probably next week). I just love how heavy it is. I seasoned it and cooked my first meal it it!

My first meal was a "bifteck saute au burre avec pomme de terre sautee e carottes glacees" Broiled steak with a pan sauces, with sauteed potatoes and glazed carrots. The pan sauce on the steak was flavored with a little grainy Dijon mustard. It was absolutely amazing... even though the steak a rib steak... it was absolutely delicious! I wonder what my next meal with be... any suggestions?

Jam and Pesto

So my friend, and boss, Julie Engstrom let me pick raspberries at her sprawling country home (she might deny the sprawling part... but she does have gardens and berry bushes galore!). I got about a gallon of berries and decided to make Jam! Just sugar, berries and a little lemon juice and cooked them till they were thick! Then... I canned it! Talk about domestic! But it sure was fun!


I also got a bunch of basil from her home as well! so I made... Pesto. Walnuts, Basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil and a little lemon juice to keep it from oxidizing. Delicious!