Showing posts with label American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American. Show all posts

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Luscious Cream of Celery Soup...


Soups on 🥣... Can't beat a hot bowl of soup, eva'. Not just for the cooler weather on the horizon although yes, a good bowl always does the trick to warm you up inside and out, but I'm talking about when you whip a pot up with too much produce or bits of odds and ends in the fridge. Lots of something and waste not leftovers are prime for soup contents! My case was both- a big bunch of celery, and some green onion ends (which I usually save for stir fries) went into this luscious blender celery soup with cream we drooled over 🤤. I lowered the fat by adding 18% table cream and instead thickened the soup with the help of some cornstarch. A hearty lovely green-tinted delishushness I will be making over and over again!



Cream of Celery Soup (adapted by Simply Recipes)

3 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 large onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts only
1 large bunch celery (5 cups chopped for the soup, 1-1/2 cups diced for the topping)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/3 cup of table cream 18%
2 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water
Salt and ground black pepper to taste 

Work those knife skillz 🔪!!

Melt two Tbsp. butter in a thick-bottomed four quart pot on medium heat. Add the diced onion, the leeks/green onions, and five cups of the chopped celery. Cook on medium heat for 10 mins. until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.


Add the chicken stock and bay leaves to the pot. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover to maintain a simmer. Simmer for 15 mins.


Meanwhile, prepare the extra celery that will be added later to the soup. In a separate small sauté pan, melt 1 Tbsp. of butter on medium heat. Add 1 1/2 cups diced celery to the butter.

Ladle 1/2 cup of the simmering stock from the soup pot into the sauté pan. Simmer on low for 5 or 6 mins. to soften the celery. Set aside.



Remove the soup pot from heat, let cool slightly. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender, filling the blender no more than a third full at a time (keep your hand on the lid so the hot liquid doesn't explode). Return the puréed soup to the pot.


Stir in the cream, the cornstarch mixture to thicken and the braised diced celery. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chives or green onions. Serve hot!


Condensed celery and onion flavours in a creamy base for that celery lover in you! Nums...


Full Recipe:

Cream of Celery Soup

3 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 large onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts only
1 large bunch celery (5 cups chopped for the soup, 1-1/2 cups diced for the topping)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/3 cup of table cream 18%
2 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water
Salt and ground black pepper to taste 

Melt two Tbsp. butter in a thick-bottomed four quart pot on medium heat. Add the diced onion, the leeks/green onions, and five cups of the chopped celery. Cook on medium heat for 10 mins. until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.

Add the chicken stock and bay leaves to the pot. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover to maintain a simmer. Simmer for 15 mins.

Meanwhile, prepare the extra celery that will be added later to the soup. In a separate small sauté pan, melt 1 Tbsp. of butter on medium heat. Add 1 1/2 cups diced celery to the butter.

Ladle 1/2 cup of the simmering stock from the soup pot into the sauté pan. Simmer on low for 5 or 6 mins. to soften the celery. Set aside.

Remove the soup pot from heat, let cool slightly. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender, filling the blender no more than a third full at a time (keep your hand on the lid so the hot liquid doesn't explode). Return the puréed soup to the pot.

Stir in the cream, the cornstarch mixture to thicken and the braised diced celery. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chives or green onions. Serve hot!



Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Better Burgers From The Global Kitchen Community...


WHO is the Global Kitchen Community Burger Meester?

Photo Credits: From top left clockwise- Chef Damien, Lindsey Shifley,
Thomas Stahlmann, BestRecipeBox.com, Lara Butteriss and Jaroslav Guzanic 

Reunited with fellow ambassadors from the voluntary global foundation Food Revolution which I was a proud member of for four years- check here for more. This time around, our much smaller motivated group came together to create a Global Kitchen Community comprising of chefs, nutritionists, and real food & health enthusiasts on a mission to help our local communities get affordable, accessible, delicious and family-friendly meals on their tables 🥘🍲🥣🥗.

We dish out recipe challenges to inspire cooking together, sharing and drawing on each other's specialties and strengths to adapt our collective resources to our community outreach goals 💟.

Global Connection.
Local Execution.
Food For Everyone!

Thank you Chef Damien from the Netherlands who has been tirelessly working to feed the homeless for bringing us together again 🥰. 



Our first group challenge: better burger!


I got the idea of a messy beef burger thinking back of salisbury steaks in mushrooms gravy I made months ago that easily goes from skillet to a bun (for a saucy Salisbury Steak Burger) and serve with your favourite toppings. The sad fact is that I haven't a chance to make it again in burger form with my head and heart entrenched in my recent home things. Alas, my home sold but I am past the July end submission deadline. In exchange of lateness, I will share our talented group's burger efforts. Be prepared to have your taste buds transported below. I chose the best on-line photo with credit to showcase my idea.

To meet the participation criteria, I have simplified my recent Savoury Mushroom Salisbury Steaks post to make it more affordable with less ingredients priced accordingly to my local lower-end grocery store. The key to the savoury flavour boost is a part pkg. of onion soup mix in the burger and gravy.


Savoury Mushroom Salisbury Steaks

For 6, priced per portion at $2.33 Cdn or 1.48 euros

Savoury Mushroom Salisbury Steak Burgers
Makes 6 Patties

For the patties:
1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 package (40 g) of onion soup mix
Salt and ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

For the sauce:
1 lb. mushroom, sliced
1 package of gravy mix powder or a can of prepared gravy, brown or mushroom flavour
1 Tbsp. onion soup mix
Add in to taste: Dijon mustard and/or ketchup

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in medium hot fry pan or skillet and cook meat patties four minutes each side or until nicely brown. Remove patties aside. Drain excess oil. In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms for a few minutes then stir in gravy powder (add water according to pkg. instructions) or prepared gravy and stir. Add 1 Tbsp. onion soup mix and ketchup and Dijon mustard if desired to preferred taste.

Add beef patties to the skillet and continue to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes spooning sauce over meat patties occasionally. Serve salisbury steak and mushroom gravy on a burger or kaiser bun with your fave toppings.

Photo Credit: BestRecipeBox.com

Here is a handful of our group's burger submissions that is surecto whet appetites!

From top left clockwise: Chef Damien's hearty Santorini Adani Burger is dressed with creamy feta yogurt and topped with roasted red peppers, black olives and dill inspired by his favourite travel destination Greece and love of Greek Food.

Lindsey Shifley from Illinois, U.S. created this burger with her special sauce, gruyere cheese garnished with beautiful purple basil.

Special Sauce:
2 Tbsp Mayo
1.5 tsp mustard 
1.5 tsp ketchup
1 tsp basil paste 
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp banana pepper juice
Salt & pepper to taste

Thomas Stahlmann from Germany created his Balkan burger with layers and layers of flavour. From his seasoned meat patties to marinated salad mix, crunchy coleslaw and kajmac-creme and luti sauce (spicy chili sauce with onion cubes).

My versatile comfort Savoury Mushrooms Salisbury Steak Burger with photo credit to BestRecipeBox.com.

Lara Butteriss from London showcases her Hamburger di Nonna inspired by her grandma's meatball recipe with a twist- adding boiled potato to the meat mixture and topping with rocket and Dolcelatte cheese on a brioche bun.

Jaroslav Guzanic in Miami, US created his Parmigiana-Style burger inspired by the fond summer memories of his trips to Italy. Oregano and rosemary spices grace his burgers along with olive tapenade, homemade marinara sauce, eggplant, cheese and fresh basil pesto.


In addition, a big deal actually... Chef Damien has been working hard to create and has finished his Magnificent Mince cookbook with 120 fully tested 'simple' recipes (with ground meats), all costed using Aldi/ LidL catalogue (a popular economical grocery store in Europe and US) with minimal equipment needed.

The goal of the book is very much in line with the mission of our Global Kitchen Community 'To empower people to eat better' with fully costed, simple recipes, with ingredients from a budget supermarket and the book is absolutely free and open sourced. Grab the fabulous pdf e-cookbook on DamienChef.com.

A great example of his affordable delish creation is Moroccan Meatball Shakshouka.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Top-Secret KFC Original Recipe Revealed?...


Last week, I put up a post alluding that I may have the top-secret original recipe for KFC and to stay tune for the results. I had said that with all the news going-ons of leaked information surrounding the U.S. election, did I also have in my hands leaked classified info. published this late summer? Could've Colonel Sanders' nephew accidentally reveal the long-guarded KFC's original recipe (11 secret herbs and spices) to Chicago Tribune's newspaper reporter? A spokesperson from Yum! Brands, the corporate parent of KFC says it was not. But is it? The election is finally over, and I am also happy to share my results :D.

Coming from someone who used to work at a KFC store during late high school years, and a fan of their original chicken growing up, I was more than eager to give this recipe a try!

Looks like KFC!

11 Herbs and Spices revealed in this The New York Times article.


11 Herbs and Spices 
Makes about 3 cups of breading

2/3 Tbsp. salt
1/2 Tbsp. tbsp. dried thyme
1/2 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. celery salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. dried mustard
4 Tbsp. paprika
2 Tbsp. garlic salt
1 Tbsp. ground ginger
3 Tbsp. white pepper
2 cups of white flour (all-purpose is fine)

2 eggs, beaten with 1 Tbsp. water
3 lbs. skin-on chicken pieces (I used drumsticks)
canola oil for deep-frying

NOTE: Colonel Sander's nephew Ledington says in the article their secret ingredient is white pepper. Nobody knew how to use it in the 1950s.

Mix the herbs and spices with the flour (I used 1/4 of the total breading- about 1/2 cup). Save the remaining mixture in a sealed container and place in a cool spot (good for several months).

First off, looking at the recipe, I can tell immediately that it lacked salt. 2/3 Tbsp. salt for three cups of total breading is minute. We all know KFC chicken is salty, so I was skeptical of the recipe's authenticity. Next, taking in the smell, it did have a subtle aroma of the actual breading I remembered wafting in the breading station during my KFC days. It had promise but lacked severely in potency. Although the recipe doesn't say, I believe the chicken should be rubbed with salt and refrigerated for at least an hour, better overnight before breading. I recall back at KFC, the chicken was left to marinate in a clear brine overnight. What's in that brine?-- no idea but I'm sure it was loaded with salt.

Set up a breading station with two shallow bowls: one with the beaten eggs and one with the breading. While you bread in the order of above, to keep your hands from getting messy from touching wet and the dry ingredients, use one hand only for dredging chicken in the wet egg mixture and the other for dipping into the dry breading. 

I like to use disposable gloves to keep my fingers clean.

We all know deep-frying just tastes better. However, I wanted to try oven-baking for a healthier and mess-free version but of course deep-frying a few to compare the taste and texture difference in results.

Line baking tray with slightly greased foil; place chicken at least 1/2-inch apart and bake in oven at 400F, turning once for 45 minutes, or until juice runs clear when pierced with skewer.

Baking in my handy convection oven to save energy.

Heat up a pot of oil (a couple of inches just enough to cover chicken pieces) and deep-fry in batches. Use a chopstick or wooden skewer to check if oil is hot enough. It is when bubbles form all around the stick when inserted in the centre of oil. A deep-fryer thermometer will register between 350F to 375F when ready. Deep-fry the chicken pieces for about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Do not overcrowd the pan or chicken won't cook evenly. 


Here is a look at the oven-baked chicken. Golden brown and crispy like KFC.


And the deep-fried batch -- golden brown and a crispy but more crunchy-looking skin! The smell was intoxicating (what deep-fried foods are not), more so than the oven-baked batch. It did hint at KFC but not dominantly.


Voila! A home-made KFC meal on the table along French fries and a few sides of my own-- vegetable crudites and ranch dip, steamed corn niblets and mushroom gravy.


Appetizing! I love the specks of herbs and spices, just as it appears on KFC chicken.


The moment of truth-- TASTE! Both oven-baked and deep-fried version tasted delicious, juicy and tender with the latter having a better crunch and crispier skin. So, is it the real finger-licking good KFC recipe? Perhaps not surprisingly, I am sorry to report, NO it is definitely not! I have little doubt that the 11 herbs and spices revealed are indeed the ones in the secret spice blend, but the amounts are off. The flavour lacks salt and spices. Putting on my recipe development hat, I would significantly up the salt, increase the paprika, black pepper, celery and garlic salts. Also the dried herbs (thyme, oregano and basil) would need to be adjusted up but not too much or it'll taste too earthy and be bitter. This would obviously require a lot of tinkering and testing, time I don't have. I admit though this is a great base recipe for homemade fried chicken.

My kids agree it was yummy but the chicken does not taste like real KFC!



A few days later, I did give it another shot by adjusting the amount of herbs and spices as mentioned above in the remaining breading on chicken wings for a change. I coated the wings with buttermilk first, then the breading and oven-baked them. Since chicken wings are small, the buttermilk-breading combination would work better deep-fried to seal in the coating and crisp in the hot oil. Oven-baking created a wet result not allowing the wings to crisp up. Using larger chicken pieces such as drumsticks would have fared better. Always lessons to be learned no matter how much you work and cook with food!


So did I get the breading closer to the original KFC recipe...? I think it tastes a bit more like KFC but it still lacks their signature essence. Perhaps, it also needs to factor in the brine they use. Regardless, it looks like KFC's top-secret recipe has not been spilled after all. I can't imagine as the article explains, Sander's nephew accidentally showing the reporter a family scrapbook belonging to Sander's second wife with the real recipe handwritten in the final pages. KFC takes any threat to its secret recipe seriously and has sued to keep it under wraps. I think after this kind of claimed leaked publication, there would be more measures from the brand and Sander's family to ensure it stays classified confidential forever!

Oven-baked "KFC" chicken wings



Sunday, July 10, 2016

Pigging Out in Myrtle Beach....


I'm Baaaack... with the fam bam from a week at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina travelling along and to friends Marilyn and Charlie's vacation home! Driving 16 hours (even split over two days and thanks to my husband) is no easy feat especially with three young boys sitting elbow to elbow... but we happily arrived fairly sane in the membrane :). Tailing our awesome friends on the way, we made pit stops in 1-1/2 to 2 hour intervals for washroom, food and stretch breaks, and as the destination got closer I started thinking about what I love best-- Foooood.... With days filled to the max with nare to spare-- beaches, outlet shopping and amusement parks for the kids.... talk about eating out galore which means pigging out to our hearts' content (and I am not counting all the multi-fast food joints we ventured into) and no cooking (well 'cept for breakfast on some days) for me! Yay! 

There's my three crazy munchkins!

Beautiful scenic mountains and hillsides on the way...


Breakfast at the home on most days consisted of eggs, ham and toast, but I changed it up also on a few with DIY scrambled eggs and sausage burrito served with shredded cheese and salsa.


Hitting the beach for some friends and families photos all coordinated in blue and whites :) YAY!




Friends are the family we choose ourselves... Namaste!


Of course, we must have our rainbow assortment of coloured snow cone slushies at the water park and everywhere else that sells it to keep cool.... well by the order of our kids!


Buffet feasting at the many All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffet- Giant Crab, specializing in Alaskan Crab legs!




Look at the size of those yummy meaty leggy legs!! 


Only in America... LOL


A dinner show at Medieval Times with roasted chicken, corn on cob and roasted potato half. Fun and yum!


A trip to the Hollywood Wax Museum. Was not overly impressed with the likeness of the models but hoping they at least got their heights correct! Surprised at how tall and short some of these celebrities were-- Madonna- shorter than I thought and Taylor Swift and Martha Stewart were giants!




Alas Mexican dinner.... twice!! Mixed grilled meats-- sizzling shrimps, beef and chicken with peppers and onions, steak and shrimps and more shrimps with garlic alongside Mexican rice, refried beans and corn tortillas for wrapping. Oh and salsa and chips but of course!



A specialty of the Veracruz coast, this Mexican seafood soup-- Caldo de Mariscos is similar to bouillabaisse. Seafood soup--in one variation or another, depending on the catch of the day--is found across Mexico, where it is commonly sold in markets as a hangover remedy. This one contained crab legs, fish, clams, mussels and crawfish. So hearty delicious!


How can you not venture into an IHOP, Pancake or Waffle House when the roads well traveled are lined with them? Here was making my request come true with a giant, did I say giant breakfast for all.



More fun in the sun!!


On our last night, dipping our way through Outback's infamous deep-fried blooming onion and cutting into a full rack of barbecued baby back ribs! For a healthier version of the onion appetizer, try my Oven-Baked Blooming Onion.


But amongst the abundant greasy, sugary as well as ginormous food portions, trying to stay lean, mean and strong in the process.... so I could have room to down some mo'.... LOL


Rarrrrrrgh!!!