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I love Food. Cooking it. Eating it. Experiencing it. As a result, that's what this blog has evolved into: A journal of my gastronomical journeys abroad, as well as my culinary creativity at home. I hope you enjoy what I have to say, and I'd love to hear your comments... Cheers!
Showing posts with label fried green tomatoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fried green tomatoes. Show all posts

Friday, September 3, 2010

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Here's what's on the menu @ the Hollenberg house tonight...
(courtesy of Food Network Mag)

Homemade Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom Ragu

Ingredients
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced
2 small carrots, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 pounds wild mushrooms, stemmed and diced if large
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 pound cremini mushrooms, stemmed and quartered
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup canned whole San Marzano tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 1/2 pounds fresh gnocchi
Marscapone and/or fresh mint, for topping
To make the gnocchi:

Bake 4 fork-pierced potatoes at 425 for about an hour.

Halve & scoop the flesh into a bowl. Mash well.

Add 1 beaten egg, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and pepper until combined.

Add 1c flour and stir to make a rough dough, then mix by hand until smooth.

Gather dough in a ball on floured surface and divide into 8 pieces.

Roll each piece into 12-inch long, 1/2-inch thick logs with your hands.

Cut logs into 1-inch pieces (can be frozen on a floured baking sheet until ready to cook).


Directions
Heat half of the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add half of the wild mushrooms and cook until golden, 3 to 5 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper, then push to the edges of the pot.

Add the remaining olive oil and wild mushrooms and cook 3 to 5 more minutes. Add the cremini mushrooms and cook 1 more minute. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, about 2 minutes.

Add the wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits, about 2 more minutes.

Add the tomatoes, 2 cups water, the bay leaves, coriander, fennel, red pepper flakes, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.

Simmer over medium heat, about 30 minutes (thin with water if needed). Season with salt and pepper.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi, stir and cook for 1 minute after they float, about 3 minutes total.

Transfer with a slotted spoon to the pot with the sauce and gently stir over low heat.

Serve topped with mascapone and/or mint.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Take that, Paula Deen!

I embraced my inner Paula Deen tonight, minus the sack of sweets, and this Northern boy got in touch with the South! The menu for dinner: Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwiches! I went for it, inspired by F&W mag's tribute to Southern cooking recently. Lord willin' & the creek don't rise, this won't be the last time I channel some good, old-fashioned Southern recipes...
  • Slice unripened green tomatoes 1/2 thick.
  • In three shallow bowls: 1/2c all-purpose flour; 1 beaten egg w/ 1 tbsp. water; 1/2c corn meal.

  • Dredge tomatoes in 'assembly line' mentioned above. Set aside slices on parchment paper.

  • Heat 1/4" vegetable/canola oil in large sautee pan. Fry tomatoes until golden brown on each side.

  • Meanwhile, prepare 2 strips of bacon per each tomato slice.

  • Spread mayo on whichever type of thick cut bread or bun you choose. Top with arugula.

  • Place fried green tomatoes on bread/bun with mayo, bacon, arugula.

I served my sandwiches with a side of cream style corn, and a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (Kim Crawford -- my favorite).

This dinner was light, fun, delicious... and a really nice diversion from the usual, especially from what this Jewish kid from New Jersey is used to cooking!