Archives for March 2008

Boozy bananas

I’ve let you down and I know it…my head hangs in shame. I wish I could do better for you than a boozy, sugary, banana topping for ice cream. It is a delicious mess but I certainly won’t win any prizes for originality or styling.

I confess that my creative cooking mojo is on the fritz…my appetite is also suffering…you know how it is when you’re on the cusp of change. I can’t tolerate the thought of another meaty braise, or anything hearty or heavy…I’m ready for the weather and the menu to change to Spring and the sooner the better.

Fancy ice cream toppings can be useful…mostly because they are so damn tasty, quick, easy, and, lets face it, anytime you can set a pan on fire it’s pretty impressive. This is a riff on the classic bananas foster…take a 1/4 of white sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and a teaspoon of water and heat it up in a skillet, stirring constantly until the sugar melts and emulsifies with the butter. Add a tablespoon of milk or cream and expect this to sputter and spatter…hang in there and whisk it well. Add the sliced bananas and heat them up in the sugar goo, add a pinch of salt and cinnamon and a hefty glug of booze, I used armagnac because it’s what I have, but a banana liquor would be excellent, or perhaps rum. Light it up and burn the alcohol off. Spoon the topping over vanilla ice cream. I liked the armagnac because it has a smoky, rich flavor.

I did cook dinner one night this week and it turned out well. For details on that go over to Accidental Hedonist and see my post for this weekend.

15 March 2008 | eggs, cheese, dairy, food, fruit and nuts, geek fast food | 5 Comments

Chimichurri chicken, rice, and artichokes

This is geek fast food ala Trader Joe’s. But unlike drive-thru fast food, nothing here will make you queasy, it’s all good for you, it costs less than drive-thru fast food, and you can enjoy a bottle of two buck chuck while you prepare it. Ooops….before I forget, it’s delicious. Also, save all the trim from the artichokes and make a vegetable stock with it…perfect for a spring risotto.

What you need:
1 box of baby artichokes
2 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bag of chimichurri rice
salt, paprika, cumin
splash of white wine
Olive oil

Prep the artichokes according to these instructions.
Blanch them in boiling water for about three minutes, then drain.

Slice the chicken into bite-size strips. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and saute the chicken in olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and a bit of cumin. Once the chicken is browned add the artichokes, and the bag of rice. Toss in about a 1/4 cup of wine or water, stir, cover, and cook for about 8 minuted or until fully heated through. Serve.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes…I appreciate each and every one of them. I’d write more now but I want to go play Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii. It’s a kick-ass game!!!!

11 March 2008 | beef, fish, poultry, pork, favorite products, food, geek fast food, lowfat, quick and easy, rice and other grains, vegetable | 4 Comments

Chocolate amaretto torte…and 5 sordid facts

I’m a lucky girl, I bake my birthday cake and when I turn it out onto the rack I discover a heart-shape on the bottom of the cake. Yep, that’s right…it’s my birthday weekend. I’ll actually turn 47 on Monday but in this family we celebrate for a whole weekend. It usually involves a movie, dinner, bookstore, scones…all the delights of our modern world, and all with my 3 favorite people on earth. As an added bonus my best buddy Teresa came for a visit and we yakked and giggled and shopped…it was great.

Speaking of great, this torte is fabulous. It reminds me of the See’s dark chocolate, marzipan…my first/second favorite See’s in the world (it’s involved in a mortal deadlock with my other favorite, the scotch mallow). If you love dark chocolate and almonds this cake is for you. It’s moist and dense, and full of flavor. I actually followed the recipe exactly and it really does take only 15 minutes to put it together and worth every single second. Look it up in Dorie Greenspan’s book, Baking, From My Home To Yours and give it a try. But ignore the part about whipped cream for a topping…this cake just cries out for a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream.

Leena over at Leena Eats tagged me for the 5 sordid facts meme and since it’s my birthday I will comply…her wish is my command…mostly because she wants to name her first child bacon and I wish my name was bacon. Here goes…

1. I love the smell of fresh money…literally. When we lived in SF in the 80’s the ATM’s would be filled every Friday with brand new fresh $20s and I’d make a withdrawal and then take a moment to inhale the sweet scent of fresh money…good times!
2. Brett who??? I live in Wisconsin, but I’ve never watched the Green Bay Packers play football…it’s just not my deal.
3. Kozy Shack Rice Pudding is fabulous and I love it. When I made my own rice pudding it just sucked.
4. I love earthworms…not to eat, but to hold in my hand, and for the great work they do in my flower garden.
5. I absolutely adore the concept of time travel. As a result I’m an avid fan-girl of Dr. Who and I can’t count the number of times that I wished for my very own Tardis.
   

Cheers my friends…have a good weekend.

7 March 2008 | baking, cakes and tortes, chocolate, food, memes, sweets | 9 Comments

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