The Humble Kitchen

I’ve been intending to make crumpets for ages, and finally got around to it today. It’s pretty easy, and I believe I have learned a few things for next time. I used a recipe by James Masters, I’d seen him make crumpets on his BBC cooking show, Saturday Morning. I have a few different recipes, but his seems simple, and since I am a visual learner, I chose to go with one I’d seen made, not one I’d just read about. His recipe calls for buttermilk, which I didn’t have on hand, so I mixed a dollop of plain yogurt in with the milk, which seemed to work out.

• 225g/8oz ap flour
• 1 x 7g sachet dried fast-action yeast
• 150ml/5floz buttermilk
• 175ml/6fl oz warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1-2 Tbsp flavorless oil

It’s useful to have rings to form the crumpets, but it’s not necessary. You’ll need a skillet and a sheet pan.

To make the dough stir together the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, and whisk in the yeast, the buttermilk and water.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and leave to prove in a warm place for one hour or until at least doubled in volume.

Preheat the oven to 325F.

Heat a frying pan until medium hot then add a little of the oil. Oil the inside of four 8cm/3¼in metal rings then place them in the pan. Ladle batter into each ring to fill not quite half way. Cook the crumpets until the top has completely set, then remove the metal rings, flip the crumpets over and cook for one more minute.

Transfer the crumpets to a baking tray and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Serve immediately or cool on a wire rack until ready to toast. Alternately you could freeze them for toasting on a later date.

Makes about a dozen.

-Jennifer

So I’ve been in love with Scrumpy’s Hard Cider for a while now. It’s the perfect blend of sweetness, alcohol and effervescence for me. However, curiosity got the best of me and I had to give it a whirl on my own. My Dad’s been a HomeBrew beer guy for as long as I can remember so I guess I just felt like following his lead, I don’t really know. When I was younger, I always thought it was funny when he had a failure and still drank the stuff anyway saying “Gawd this is awful, what went wrong?” I must confess, I secretly love when things don’t go quite as I expected in cooking or baking (provided I wasn’t actually cooking for a group or someone special) because that’s when I learn a ton and it gives me something new to ponder.

This hard cider experiment is just that, another experiment. I am going to give fresh-pressed juice a go in a few more days. For now, the two jugs of store bought are fermenting away. Still, the question remains, how do I make it sweet without adding sugar? Sometimes, I like to do things the old-fashioned way and call a friend or look in a book.  But I don’t know anyone who has made hard cider and I don’t have a book, so I have to look on the web.

Giving it a go with store bought juice and yeast the brew store recommended.

It’s been going for a few days now, I wonder how long I should let it go? A week, two weeks?

I started looking around on the web and here’s what I have found so far that I found useful:

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/01/the-cider-press-15-minute-homemade-cider-recipe.html

http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=65834

The last one is a great forum, a little over my head (okay, a lot), but I’ll catch up eventually.

After reading these and lacking a hydrometer, I decided that one jug was ready to be bottled. Mind you this was based on little more than, “Dad, I think this one is ready ’cause there aren’t as many bubbles.”

I bottled half of my cider today and boy does it smell like something I would not like to drink. Not in that “This will poison me” way, but just in a more general “ick” way. Smells like bread, not cider. And definitely not Scrumpy’s. I am sad. I had such high hopes. Dad says not to worry, sometimes things get better. He seems to think I may be “pleasantly surprised.”

I guess I will hold out a little hope.

April 16, 2012

The cider took a surprising turn…it’s drinkable. My Dad claims to actually likes it. I’ll admit that it did get better with age and that I almost like it. I think what I don’t like is the yeast I used. I also think that it fermented a little too long and is on the cusp of being apple wine.

Nevertheless, I am going to try my hand at making cider again, this time with fresh pressed cider and a different yeast. I guess it goes to show that we shouldn’t lose hope in one another or our cider.

~Sarah

I couldn't believe how creamy this turned out...and from a box!

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of eating gluten free macaroni and cheese from a box, then first let me say how sorry I am that you’ve had to endure the meal. I too, have had to endure this, but I happened upon a wonderful discovery a couple of days ago, quite by accident and totally out of necessity. (Why is it that so many wonderful things happen that way anyhow?)

I live on a boat and currently we are about to head out through the Carribean and down to the Panama Canal. Since we just spent heaps of money on food to provision the boat, I cook solely off the boat. Mac and Cheese is an easy lunch right? I mean it should take under ten minutes and fill your belly up decently. That’s part of why we picked it for a lunch a couple of times a week. While the kids and Dan get to eat the top name brands, I get to have the GF brand. It’s the most common one I know of, the name brand I will not say, but she was an orphan in a movie.

If one follows the directions, this meal is watery and tasteless, not at all what I wanted to bring with me, but I had few other choices. Just as I was emotionally preparing to cook the stuff, I decided to try making it like skillet pasta. Much to my delight, it turned out fabulously! Dan tasted them side by side and said they were almost indistinguishable. I was so excited! This is just such an awesome discovery, I wish the little orphan mac and cheese would change the directions.

Of course I did not write down exactly what I did as I did it, but here’s what I am pretty sure took place:

1. I boiled 2c. of water and poured in the noodles. I let them cook until the water was starchy and they were al dente. Do not drain. You need some of that starchy water to make the sauce.

2. I added probably 1/4c  or more of powdered milk along with the cheese packet and butter. I added some fresh ground pepper too.

3. Mix and enjoy!

~Sarah

Where I live I am never terribly far from a Vietnamese sandwich, but if you are not so lucky, take comfort in the knowledge that they are simple enough to make at home. There are many variations including pork belly, sausage, meatball, ham & paté, chicken, egg, tofu and fish cake, just to name a few. Here I’m using turkey.

For 4 sandwiches you will need:

• 4 demi baguettes or 2 French baguettes cut in half
• Roasted turkey, or chicken, sliced thinly & seasoned with soy sauce
• Mayonnaise (homemade recipe follows)
• Cilantro stems and leaves
• English cucumber sliced thinly on the bias
• Pickled carrot & daikon (recipe follows)
• Tomato sliced thinly (optional)
• Jalapeño or other chili sliced thinly (optional)

Preheat oven to 400º. Butterfly the demi baguettes, slather generously with mayonnaise and put in the hot oven for 5 minutes. Once warmed and crunchy, layer on turkey, cucumber, pickled veggies, cilantro, tomato and chili, if using.

Pickled Carrot & Daikon Radish

½ cup water

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup distilled white vinegar

½ cup julienned carrot

½ cup julienned daikon radish

In a small pan on high heat, combine water, sugar and vinegar and bring to a boil. Once cooled mix well with julienned carrot & daikon (julienne carrot and daikon with a grater attachment and a food processor) and season with salt. Let sit in the fridge for 30 minutes, up to overnight.

Quick Mayonnaise

Using store bought is fine, but if you are up to it, try the homemade, it is really delicious.

You need an immersion blender and a cup just big enough to fit the blade.

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon water

1 teaspoon lemon juice

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup canola oil, cold pressed preferably

Place everything but the canola oil in the cup and blend just to mix. With the blade running, slowly, slowly pour in the canola oil, moving the blade up and down ever so slightly as you go. Once you start drizzling in the oil the whole thing only takes about 20 seconds.

-Jennifer

Making your own granola is as easy as going to the store and buying some, but it tastes a whole lot better. It makes your house smell good, and fills you with a smug I-made-it-myself sort of feeling. So what are you waiting for?

There are many ingredients you can use for granola. I tend to keep mine simple, using rolled oats, sometimes mixing in other grains such as barley and rye. For sweetener you can use brown sugar or agave syrup, or a combination. Flavorings can be vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, whatever you like. Writing this it occurs to me candied ginger would be a nice addition. You can throw in some sunflower or flax seeds, wheat germ, coconut, anything you like, just don’t forget the nuts.

Preheat oven to 300º. Get yourself a small saucepan, a large bowl and a half sheet pan.

Over medium low heat melt ⅓ cup butter (or warm the same amount of vegetable oil) and add in ½ cup brown sugar (or ⅓ cup agave syrup). Throw in a pinch of salt and whatever flavorings you have chosen. I add a big glug of vanilla and a bit of allspice. Once the sugar has melted allow this to cool slightly while you measure the oats. (By the way, you can omit the butter/oil if you wish and melt the brown sugar or syrup in ¼ cup of water.)

Measure 4 cups of rolled oats and other flaked grains (if using) and pour into a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups of chopped nuts, I like walnuts and pecans. This is the time to add any seeds or coconut you are using. Pour over the warm sugar mixture and mix well.

Spread evenly on a sheet pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until it’s toasted to your liking. Once you’ve taken it out of the oven you can mix in some candied ginger or dried fruit. I tend not to add dried fruit because I often eat this with plain yogurt and stewed fruit or some black currant jam. If I do add fruit I like dried currants or cranberries. This keeps for a few weeks in an airtight container.

-Jennifer

This is something my mom came up with many years ago, after finding Jufran Banana Sauce at the store, and not really knowing what to do with it. We did use it like you would tomato ketchup, then she had the idea to slather it on chicken, along with some Lingham’s garlic hot sauce, lime juice and cilantro. Once she put in too much hot sauce and added coconut milk to mellow it, and chicken euphoria was born. Karen came up with the name.

It is difficult to give exact measurements, my mom and I are the sort of cooks who add a little of this, a splash of that, but that is the sort of cooking that makes sense if you’re doing it everyday. Anyway, it’s easy enough to give it a taste and adjust accordingly. We sometimes make extra sauce because it is so delicious over rice.

You’ll need a few skinless, boneless chicken breasts, let’s say four to serve 4-6 people. Pound them flat and cut into thirds, or quarter them if they are big. Alternately you could use chicken tenders.

1 large Jafran Banana Sauce (not the hot one, unless you like things very spicy)

Lingham’s garlic hot sauce, to taste

1 14 oz. can coconut milk

garlic

1 bunch cilantro

a few limes

garlic salt

jasmine rice & a green vegetable

While your rice cooks, pound out your chicken, season well with garlic salt. Heat a large pan on medium high heat, add a pat of butter and some chopped garlic. As soon as the garlic is fragrant add the chicken.

Once the chicken has browned flip it over. Give the second side a moment to brown, then add a full bottle of banana sauce. Stir it well and add hot sauce to taste, start with a tablespoon or so. Stir again and add a few tablespoons of chopped cilantro stems and leaves, and the juice of a lime. Finally, pour in the coconut milk. Give it a stir.

Now let this bubble away, the sauce will thicken slightly and the chicken will cook through. Meanwhile make your green vegetable, we like sugar snap peas or snow peas with it. Cut up an extra lime to serve on the side. Once everything is ready, give your sauce a taste and decide if it needs any more hot sauce, lime or salt. When you’re happy, sprinkle on some cilantro leaves and dig in.

-Jennifer

This salad is beautiful, delicious, and good for you. The fennel and mint give it a distinct flavor. It’s good warm or cold straight from the fridge.

1 onion
1 small eggplant
2 small zucchini
2 red, yellow or orange bell peppers
1 fennel bulb
1 bunch fresh mint
1 lb cooked lentils
1 lemon
olive oil
red wine vinegar
coarse salt
freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 425º. Trim your vegetables and cut everything into 1″ pieces. I like to peel bell peppers, but that is optional. Toss the chopped veg with olive oil, salt and pepper and put it on a sheet pan in a single layer. Tear over about half the mint. Bake for 30 minutes or until everything is tender and lightly browned.

Pour your cooked lentils into a large mixing bowl. I buy mine pre-cooked but it’s easy enough to cook some while the vegetables roast. Slide the vegetables off the roasting tray into the bowl of lentils. Grate over a bit of lemon zest, squeeze in half the lemon. Add in about a tablespoon of red wine vinegar, a bit of salt and pepper. Tear in the remaining mint leaves. I sometimes add parsley or basil if I have any on hand. Give it a gentle stir and taste. Add a bit more lemon juice or vinegar if it needs it. Enjoy.

-Jennifer

Making bread at home is a deeply satisfying endeavor. It may seem daunting, and time consuming, but there are ways around that. If you have a nice heavy dutch oven you can make a beautiful loaf without much effort at all. Add a stand mixer to the equation and the whole process takes only about two hours.

When I first heard about Jim Lahey’s no knead method I was eager to try it. It requires a wet dough that sits at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours, which replaces the kneading. I’ve made bread this way numerous times and am always pleased with the result. America’s Test Kitchen did a version of his bread, replacing some of the water with a light beer, which adds to the flavor. I like to make bread this way when I have been thoughtful enough to make the dough the night before. I am not always thinking of the future me, and am often impulsive about my food choices. Michael Ruhlman is my unwitting enabler here, as he offers a version of Lahey’s dutch oven bread that does require kneading, thus making this a quick and easy recipe. I have changed the process slightly, and added a bit of malt syrup, which adds some flavor that I find agreeable.

20 oz. bread flour (approx. 4 cups)
12 oz. warm water
1 teaspoon malt syrup
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon active or instant yeast.

Set your oven to 200º. Mix the ingredients in the warmed bowl of a stand mixer. With the hook attachment, knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes. If you’re going to walk away leave the mixer on the lowest setting, or it might walk off the counter. If you’re keeping an eye on it you can up the speed a bit. Once you have a silky smooth ball of dough, knead it a few times and shape into a ball. Flour the bowl, place dough ball in it, cover with a towel.

Turn off the oven! Place the bowl in the oven with a tray of water on another rack. The dough will rise quickly in the warm, moist oven. In about an hour it will double in size. Remove the bowl and tray of water from the oven. Put a dutch oven and lid in the oven, turn it to 450º.

While the dutch oven preheats, punch down the dough. Shape it into a ball or an oval, depending on the shape of your dutch oven. Place it seam side down on a well floured towel and let sit for 15 minutes. At this point your oven should be nice and hot.

Carefully lift the lid off the dutch oven. Using the towel as a sling, lift the dough and flip it gently into the hot dutch oven, seam side up.

Bake, lid on for 30 minutes. At this point remove the lid. It might look done but it needs more time. Bake another 15 minutes or so. To check it you can remove it, carefully, from the dutch oven and knock the bottom of the loaf, if it’s done it will sound hollow.

The temptation to cut into it immediately will be overwhelming, but it really should rest a while. Anyway, I love the crackling sound the bread makes as it rests.

-Jennifer