Monthly Archives: April 2013
Chinese Chicken Hoisin Pizza
I first came across this recipe several years ago. I have to admit that I love Hoisin Sauce which you will find in the Oriental section of any grocery store (even in Mexico). If you buy some flatbread or a prepared crust and those precooked chicken strips, this recipe is K.I.S.S. Cooking it on the BBQ keeps the kitchen from heating up!
VEGAN friends…you can substitute your favourite grilled tofu for the chicken!
Chinese Chicken Hoisin Pizza
- Prepared pizza dough (or your favourite flatbread)
- 2 T oil
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 grilled skinless chicken breasts
- 4 onions finely sliced
- 2/3 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/3 cup red pepper in paper thin strips
- 1 cup mozzarella
OR
Salt and pepper to taste.
Chilled Avocado-Cilantro Soup
Hard to imagine on this very cold Sunday morning that anyone in Canada might be interested in a cold soup…LOL. Nevertheless, I have had a request for this soup from a dear friend in Burlington who enjoys a similar soup at our friend Valeries’ The Pickled Onion B and B in Santa Elena. Alas, it is NOT Valerie’s recipe (family secret), but it has been tested by Larry and I and it is a winner!
Ina Pinkney’s Chilled Avocado-Cilantro Soup
- 1 2/3 large ripe fresh California avocados- peeled and pitted
- 2 cup chicken stock (canned low sodium)
- 2/3 Tbsp. lime juice
- ½ cup yogurt- plain, low fat
- ¼ cup sour cream or cottage cheese
- 1 tomato – large, peeled and seeded or 10 or 12 cherry tomatoes whole
- ¼ cup cilantro – fresh, chopped
- salt to taste
- hot sauce for garnish
Instructions
- Put 1 1/2 the avocados, stock, lime juice, yogurt and sour cream in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add the tomato and cilantro and pulse just until the tomato is coarsely chopped.
- Coarsely chop the remaining half of avocado and stir into the soup.
- Chill for several hours.
- Serve with a dash of hot sauce (optional)
- A dollop of sour cream on the surface of the soup, stirred with a toothpick to make a swirl. You could add a few croutons!
Makes 4 generous servings…
*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity according
Mock Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Don’t tell the kids it is – Cauliflower!)
Just trying to clean out the fridge and use up a few veggies. Also wanted to try a new recipe from my friend, Karen – Chinese Five Spice Scallops! They will appear next week 🙂
Decided the best thing was to make up the cauliflower like mashed potatoes. Lo and behold my favourite Food Network had this great recipe by George Stella and it was easy! Ya gotta try this!!!! Even the kids will eat it…no matter what age…LOL
“Mock” Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Recipe courtesy George Stella
Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower
1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon straight chicken base or bullion (may substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry chives, for garnish
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Set a stockpot of water to boil over high heat.
Clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces. Cook in boiling water for about 6 minutes, or until well done. Drain well; do not let cool and pat cooked cauliflower very dry between several layers of paper towels.
In a bowl with an immersion blender, or in a food processor, puree the hot cauliflower with the cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, chicken base, and pepper until almost smoo
Panna Cota with Strawberries
This recipe comes from my friend Karen in Maine. It is a very simple and light dessert. For other great recipes, please visit Karen’s site… www.backroadjournal.wordpress.com
Panna Cotta BYJ
Serves 4 to 6
- 1 pkg. of Knox gelatin powder (1/4 oz.)
- 1/4 c. milk plus an additional 1/4 c. milk
- 2 c. heavy cream
- 1/2 c. powdered (icing) sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. lemon extract (optional)
Place 1/4 cup of milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it and let soften for about 10 minutes. Place the remaining 1/4 cup of milk and heavy cream into a pot and add the sugar, stirring well. Simmer over low heat until the mixture just starts to get small bubbles around the edge. Add the softened gelatin to the mixture and stir until the gelatin dissolves. (Do not let the mixture boil.) Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a container with a pouring spout. Stir in the vanilla and lemon extract.
Pour into small cups* and refrigerate for at least four hours. (If making the day before, once the mixture has gotten firm place a piece of plastic on top so that a thick skin doesn’t form.)
*If you plan to unmold the panna cotta, run cold water on the inside of the molds, rinse but do not dry. A thin film of non flavored oil can be wiped on the inside of the molds instead, which will also help when unmolding. To unmold, dip the container into hot water for a few seconds and then run a knife around the edge.
Balsamic Strawberry Sauce
- 1 c. sliced strawberries
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (Don’t skip this!)
Place all the ingredients in a small pan and bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer and cook for ten minutes. Mash the strawberries a little if necessary and then pour through a fine sieve, mashing with the back of a spoon to extract all the sauce. Refrigerate until ready to serve. May be prepared a day ahead.
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