Asian Pasta Salad with Shrimp, Red Pepper, and Honey Roasted Peanuts

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It is just about time for picnics and summer potlucks.  And when you have a picnic or summer potluck, there is a calling for a pasta salad of some sort. They are quick, relatively easy to prepare, and they feed a crowd.  But the one thing I do not care for is a pasta salad that has been set up to the point where the pasta has absorbed all of the dressing.  So I like to prepare/pack the pasta and the dressing separately, then toss it all together just before serving.  This makes for a balanced pasta salad in taste and texture.

Shrimp, pasta (a fun shape is always a good thing for the kiddos), a few veggies, and a light ginger-soy dressing come together in this delicious Asian inspired pasta salad.  But what really makes this dish is the addition of the honey roasted peanuts.  They add a wonderful sweet and savory crunch that we love.  If you have allergy concerns about the peanuts, chow mien noodles or fried won-ton strips would be a good substitute, but don't add them until the very end.

Asparagus, Ham and Cheddar Frittata

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Although the weather felt like summer this past weekend, it is still Spring on the calendar and in the markets.  I'll use the opportunity to share this dish that is perfect for breakfast or brunch.  It is simple to put together and the combination of flavors are eggcellent.  (Sorry, couldn't help myself☺)

Frittatas can be cooked several ways.  The combination of ingredients in the frittata and how I like my eggs to set determine the method.  This method uses the stove top and broiler.  The eggs set slightly on the stove before being placed under the broiler where the frittata becomes puffed and golden.  The eggs are set, but they are still slightly wet---a texture that I prefer when paired with the asparagus and ham.  If you like your eggs a bit firmer, just leave it on the stove for a little longer before placing under the broiler.

It is delightful served warm, but equally delicious at room temperature.  Any leftovers make for a scrumptious breakfast panino.

Sunday Dinner

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Swiss Cheese Relish 

Smoked Pork Spareribs with Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce

Sweet and Sour Green Beans

Potato Salad with Mustard and Herbs

Raspberry Sherbet

It's hot and I am trying my best not to turn the oven on.   Actually, with this menu I don't have to turn it on at all, just the burners on the stove.  If you are a reader, you might remember this as our appetizer last Sunday. I only made half a batch, since I was giving it the guinea pig test.  It turned out really good and I have the other half of the ingredients left over, so it is on the menu again.  The only change from last week is that we are having it with good old reliable Ritz crackers instead of the cornbread crostini.  I'll save those for another time☺.

The recipe was inspired by a recipe I saw in a Southern Living 2009 Annual Recipes cookbook.  It was basically a spin on pimento cheese.  I adore pimento cheese, so I adapted that recipe.  Swiss cheese fills in for the cheddar and banana peppers stand in for the pimentos.  I add scallions and cayenne for more flavor and heat.  It may seem like an unusual combination of flavors, but boy does it ever work.  If you are a lover of that "Southern peanut butter", then I guarantee you will love this too!

Sunday Dinner one year ago

Ultimate Steakhouse Burger

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For most of the life of The Galley Gourmet blog, I have tended to end each week on a sweet note, but with the long holiday weekend and it being grilling season, I simply had to share this recipe with you.

I am all for a nice piece of red meat that is seasoned with just salt and pepper, but when it comes to burgers, that combo is usually lacking.  In comes this recipe-- one that will give you all the flavors of that restaurant style burger you can really sink your teeth into.  Can you guess the secret ingredient to the ultimate chargrilled burger??  Ta da!  You win, and the prize is bacon fat!  Yep, the moo and the oink join forces in this creation☺.

I am old school and keep a jar of bacon fat in my fridge at all times, but I have included in the recipe the frying of the bacon and reserving of the grease.  You can also take your burger creation a step further by topping it with the cooked bacon, but I like to keep it all about the burger.  

Toast up some homemade hamburger buns on the grill and apply your favorite condiments and extras for the ultimate steakhouse burger.

But before I go, I will leave you with a few festive links to some sweet red and blue treats to make and bake for the holiday weekend.

Strawberry Dream Cake

Three-Layer Berry Brown Sugar Pavlova

Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Swirl

Frozen Yogurt Sandwiches with Blueberry Swirl

Strawberry Sorbet

Printable Recipe

Ultimate Steakhouse Burger
serves 4

8 strips of bacon
1 to 2 slices of white sandwich bread, crust removed and torn into 1/2-inch pieces  (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 pounds ground beef 85-90% lean
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 large garlic cloves, grated on a microplane

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is browned and crisp, about 8 minutes.  Transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain; set aside.  Spoon 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat into a bowl; set aside to cool.

Place the bread in a small bowl, add milk, and let the mixture sit until saturated, about 5 minutes.  Using a fork, mash the mixture until it forms a smooth paste.  Break the beef up into small pieces in a medium bowl.  Season with salt and pepper, than add the garlic, bread paste, and reserved bacon fat. Using a fork or hands, lightly knead the mixture until it is well incorporated and forms a cohesive mass.  Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form into 3/4-inch thick patty.  Using a finger, make several dimples onto one side of each patty.  This prevents the patty from doming once cooked.

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill with a hot fire.  Grill the burgers (without pressing down!) until they are well seared on each side, about 7-10 minutes total.  Serve topped with remaining bacon, if desired.  Enjoy!

Source: Adapted from Cook's Country June/July 2005

Homemade Hamburger Buns

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In case you weren't aware, May is National Burger Month.  With a long weekend for grilling burgers with family and friends coming up, I certainly wanted to share one of our favorite burgers (o.k. one of many). But before I get to that recipe, I want you to have the recipe for a platform that can support that beefy goodness.

I know what you are thinking, make your own buns-- really?!  But honestly, once you start (and taste) there really is no going back to the artificial cardboard flavor that comes from too many of the store-bought variety (not to mention the pocket change you save by doing so).

I use my white bread dough recipe with a few minor adaptations.  First, I enrich the dough with an egg.  Once shaped,  I brush the buns with an egg wash and give them a sprinkling of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or leave them plain depending on the type of burger I am making.  Finally, to give them a good rise in the oven I increase the baking temperature to 400° F. 

The golden brown appearance, the slight pull, the buttery flavor--all these qualities help to make the at-home burger experience a truly exceptional one.  

Homemade Chocolate Syrup

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How many of you grew up with that can of chocolate syrup in your refrigerator?  You know, the one with the yellow lid.  I think it is safe to say that most of us did and some of you may still have one lurking on the shelves of your refrigerator.  Yes, it was good, but if you have been following long enough, you'll know that I try to go homemade when I can to avoid unnecessary preservatives and artificial colors or flavors.  I feel better knowing that my family is getting the real deal and not just artificial flavor.

The original recipe called for Dutch-process cocoa powder, but that left a chalky taste in my opinion and it took away the "Hey, it's fat-free" angle.  So I use unsweetened cocoa powder. To boost the cocoa flavor even more, I use half light brown sugar and I add espresso powder to the mixture (no, you cannot taste the coffee essence).  Once cooled to room temperature, I pour the luscious concoction into a squeeze bottle to make it easy to add to a glass of milk (nothing like a glass of chocolate milk, well, anytime☺). It can also be drizzled over ice cream or used in a favorite recipe.  Indulge in a homemade version of a favorite childhood treat.

Sunday Dinner

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Swiss Cheese Relish

Cornbread Crostini

Southern Fried Chicken

Rice and Gravy

Southern Green Beans

Tomatoes

Strawberry Poke Cake

It is the front end of strawberry season.  I have an itch to make a strawberry cake that needs scratchin'.  This cool little cake takes care of any and all cravings of the strawberry variety.  It is a white cake that has holes poked into the top after it has cooled-- hence the name.  A strawberry gelatin syrup is then poured over the top.  The holes act as tunnels for the syrup and all of its flavor to seep down and spread throughout the body of the cake.  A layer of strawberry is spread over the top before a generous layer of whipped cream completes the construction.   

You'll note in the recipe that I call for a packet of whipping cream stabilizer. I do this so I can make the entire cake ahead of time without any weeping from the luscious cream layer.  But if you plan on making the cake and eating it immediately without any leftovers, you can omit the stabilizer.

This is strawberry shortcake in sheet cake form and a great way to serve a delightful dessert for a crowd.

Sunday Dinner one year ago

Gooey Caramel Butter Bars

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Say it with me... Gooey Caramel Butter Bars.  The name says it all.  But first, an apology to my Facebook followers for teasing you with this picture a couple of weeks ago.  And a second apology to your diet because there is just no excuse for this one.  However, I did lighten the recipe a little by using half and half instead of cream, but then I went and doubled the amount called for in the filling.  Shame on me, but I promise you'll thank me.  Caramel and shortbread... what's not to love??

The original recipe made a serving size of 15-30, but with an entire pound of butter and two bags of caramel candies, I cut them into smaller 1 1/2-inch bars for a reasonably sized guilty pleasure.  The original recipe also called for dark rum in the mix, but I added a bit of Bailey's Caramel liqueur to boost the caramel flavor.  The bars are still tasty without the liqueur if you don't want to use it.  On the same note, I sometimes add peanuts, but they can be omitted.

These bars make for an excellent dessert to take to a party.  I opted to make a whole batch to keep in-house.  I wrapped the bars individually in plastic wrap and stored them in the freezer, where they can be kept for up to one month.  Doing so makes for a great last minute lunch box treat.  I just pop them in the lunch box straight from the freezer and by the time lunch rolls around, my kids have a perfectly thawed piece of gooey caramel goodness.

Asparagus Gougères

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Before I announce the winner to the digital scale giveaway, I want to share this recipe...

I took this past Sunday off from blogging to be with my family, but I certainly had it in the back of my mind and managed to snap a few photos of our meal. I made these little amuse-bouches for a Sunday dinner a while back.  With a tweak here and there, we enjoyed them again this past Sunday.    

The addition of asparagus and chives adds a springtime essence to the traditional gougeres, as well as some good texture.  They are puffed on the inside and delicately crisp on the outside.  They may be small in size, but they are big in flavor.

Now, on to the giveaway...

The lucky winner is comment #63

I would probably break it in by baking bread! By Nancy on Raspberry Chocolate French Macarons and a Giveaway... on 5/13/12

Congratulations Nancy, and enjoy your new scale!

Thanks to all who entered.  I enjoyed reading your comments.  For those of you who didn't win, stay tuned this summer for another giveaway... or two.

Oatmeal Honey Bread

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After reading the comments about what you would make first if you won the digital kitchen scale, I was delighted that many of you stated that you would make homemade bread.  I thought I would take this opportunity to showcase this tasty sandwich bread.  While I do use a scale when measuring, this bread can easily be made without one.  Just remember to use the spoon and level method when measuring your flour.  Do not pack your flour or the bread will be too tough.

I found this bread recipe years ago on the side of the King Arthur   Unbleached Bread Flour bag.  I made it, loved it, and took for granted that it would always be there. Big mistake.  They stopped featuring that recipe and I was unable to find it anywhere in their books or website.  Then many months ago, I was thrilled to see it back on the side of the bag.  Ah, sweet serendipity!  I quickly copied it down while a batch of dough was rising.

The oatmeal provides a natural, homey taste and chewy texture. The bit of honey adds a perfectly paired sweetness.  Once cooled and sliced, it makes for a wonderful deli sandwich and it toasts up beautifully as part of your morning meal.

Raspberry Chocolate French Macarons

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Ah...French Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons).  I fell in love with these delicate pastries years ago when my husband and I vacationed in... not France, but Seattle of all places.  There is a wonderful French bakery in Pike's Place Market called Le Panier.  I was lured in by the aroma of fresh baked bread, but once I entered, I naturally made a bee line for the pastry case.  There they were, all lined up like little soldiers.  Since I couldn't decide on which flavor to indulge in, I chose one of each.  What was the first bite like?  Hmmm-- bliss, love, and all was good in the world.  The outside was crunchy, the inside a gooey marshmallow heaven.  It was from that moment that I was bitten by the macaron bug.

Many people seem to get overwhelmed while making or even considering making these pastries.  I can understand why.  I have had a few trials and errors.  They are a bit fussy, mainly due to measuring and humidity.  And unless you are baking in a controlled environment, do not even attempt making these on a hot and humid day.  The batter is a meringue and meringues don't like moisture.  I think the most important information I can give you about making your own macarons is that it takes patience and practice.  

There seems to be hundreds of different recipes for macarons, but I have honed in on the one that works for me and my kitchen and I hope it works for you.  I have included some step-by-steps to help you and I will discuss some pointers to help you along the way.  I will start by saying that a kitchen scale is key.  You need to weigh your ingredients.  

I use extra-large eggs (as I do in all my cooking) in my macarons and they usually weigh in at 99 grams, but as you can see in this picture, a chicken cut me short, but that little bit didn't make a difference in the end result.  I also age the egg whites in the refrigerator to draw out a bit of moisture.

Up next-- 200 grams of confectioners' sugar. Then-- 

110 grams of almonds.  They can be blanched, sliced, slivered, or ground.  You also need 35 grams of granulated sugar, but I forgot to take a picture of that alone on the scale.  ☺.

Blend the almonds and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a food processor until finely ground.  This will take a few minutes.  Use your fingers to make sure there are no big lumps.  If you use finely ground almonds and confectioners' sugar, a food processor is not necessary, but you do need to make sure they are thoroughly blended.  (Note--if you are using powdered food coloring, add it at this time)

Using a stand mixer or a hand-held whisk, beat the egg whites on medium until foamy.  With the motor running, gradually add the granulated sugar a little at a time.  

Then continue to beat until fluffy white peaks form.  You do not want dry, over beaten whites.  (Note--if you are using gel food coloring, add it at this time)

Now comes the scary part.  Add the ground almond mixture all at once to the egg whites.  Using a rubber spatula, fold the almond mixture into the whites.  At first, you will think-- "there is no way this is going to work", but keep on going.  The mixture will become thick and sticky and the whites will deflate.  This will take about 1 minute or about 50 strokes.

You want the mixture to fall off the spatula in a molten mass, but not be runny like soup.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a wide, round tip ( I use Ateco #808) with the meringue batter.  I place mine in a wide mouth jar or glass with the tip pointing up to keep the batter from oozing out.

Pipe circles about 1 1/2 inches wide (I count to three when I pipe each cookie) onto a silicone mat or...

silcone coated parchment paper that is unbleached and chlorine free.  Using regular parchment paper will warp the bottom of your cookies.  Once piped, give the cookie sheet a good smack on the counter top to release any large air bubbles.

This next step is critical for the purpose of giving your macaron a smooth, shiny top and those signature feet on the bottom.  Let the macarons age for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour.  They should not be sticky or tacky.  

When it comes to oven temperature, this is where it might take practice if you don't know your oven.  Some ovens are hotter than others and will brown them before they have dried out.  I have good results when my oven is preheated to 295° F, but a range from 280° F - 300° can be used.  I bake them for 16 minutes and they come out...

with pretty little footsies!  Now let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets.  Don't even try to pick one up.  Go out, run an errand, or read a magazine from front to back, just don't touch the cookies!

Once cooled, they release easily from the sheets.  This is the bottom of one from the silicone mat (my personal preference) and

this is the bottom of one from the parchment.  See? Still good.

Macarons come in all flavors and are filled with an assortment of fillings. I am sharing a raspberry chocolate ganache today.  Flip the macarons over and match them up with a similarly sized partner.

Spoon the filling onto the bottom of half the cookies or fill a pastry bag. 

 I fit my pastry bag with the Ateco #808 tip and pipe kisses of filling onto the bottom of half the macarons.

Sandwich the halves together and give a very gentle press to even out the filling.  The cookies can be eaten now, but personally, I think they are better once the filling has softened the bottom of the cookie halves.  They can also be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or even in the freezer (make-ahead!) for up to a month.  Just let them come to room temperature before serving.

Et Voilà!  Go ahead and pat yourself on the back.  You saved yourself a trip to France...or Seattle☺.

Now here comes the fun part for me (and one of you).  I couldn't post this recipe without giving away a vital component for macaron making to a lucky reader or follower.  I am giving away an OXO Good Grips kitchen scale.  This scale comes highly recommended by the testers at Cook's Illustrated.  I could not agree more.  I use it and I love it. 

Photo from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.com 

It has an 11-pound capacity. It features a zero-out function allowing you to measure multiple ingredients in the same bowl.  It has an optional back light for those of you who bake in the dark☺, and it has a pull out display when you are measuring large, bulky items.  

So, for a chance to win this super-duper piece of kitchen equipment, here are the rules----  Leave a comment with your name (anonymous comments will not be considered as part of the giveaway) on this post telling me what you would make first with your new kitchen scale.  If you already have one, go ahead and enter anyway, then share it with a friend or loved one who enjoys creating yumminess in their kitchen.  For a second chance to win, like or follow The Galley Gourmet on Facebook then come back here and leave me another comment telling me that you do or did.  A winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator.  This giveaway, sponsored by me, begins on Friday, May 11 and will be open until Tuesday, May 15 (open to U.S. and Canadian residents only).  The winner will be announced next Thursday, May 17 and asked to contact me via e-mail so I can send the lucky winner their prize.

*This giveaway is now closed*

One last thing-- if you are a regular reader, you know that I share our Sunday dinner menus.  Being that it is Mother's Day this Sunday, I am going to take the day off from blogging and be with my family, but we will still be having a delicious Sunday dinner☺.

Baked Cheese Blintzes with Fresh Blueberry Sauce

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Raise your hand if you love Ina Garten.  My hand is raised.  She loves her husband deeply, she loves to entertain family and friends with simplicity and style, and her recipes are wonderful!  One of Ina's favorite meals to host is breakfast/brunch.   With Mother's Day brunch menus on many of your minds, I wanted to share a stress-free recipe for a gathering of people.  

Making pancakes and eggs for a family of five is something I enjoy on a regular basis, but who wants to get up in the morning and start being a short order cook for a crowd of people?  Not Ina and certainly not me.  Here is a recipe of hers that includes all the flavors of a traditional cheese blintz without the fuss of making individual rolled blintzes.  Wanting to stick with a more traditional cheese filling, I used cottage cheese and cream cheese in lieu of the ricotta and mascarpone.  To make sure the filling is extra smooth and creamy, I run it through the food processor. This also cuts back on extra dirty bowls and spoons, making cleanup even faster *bonus*.  You can certainly serve the baked blintz with any fruit topping of your choice, but I highly recommend the fresh blueberry sauce.  I even make a little extra to serve over ice cream or yogurt.

Shrimp Stuffed Deviled Eggs

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"Yum!" was the first word my husband and children said after one bite of these eggs on Sunday and I had to agree.  After rave reviews from the smoked salmon deviled eggs, I wanted to put a similar spin on the classic version, but with shrimp in mind.  Knowing how much my family loves my shrimp and sherry cheese spread, I took a few pointers from that recipe and came up with these.  

Instead of the traditional dash of paprika, I like to put a little devil back in deviled eggs with a good hit of cayenne pepper.  It is optional of course, but highly recommended.  I garnish each egg with a small bay shrimp for two reasons... 1. It looks and tastes good and 2. It lets people know what the main ingredient is in case there are any shellfish allergies.

Many of you may be hosting a brunch or luncheon this weekend to honor and remember the mothers in your lives.  These would certainly be a wonderful bite-sized food to pass or serve buffet style.  

Sunday Dinner

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Shrimp Stuffed Deviled Eggs
Sweet Potato Chips with Lime Salt

Honey-Brined Smoked Turkey

Vidalia Onion Gratin
Barbecue Beans
Biscuits

Banana Rum Pudding Parfaits

What to go to for a crunchy side when you are just kind of potatoed out?  Thanks to my mother, I found the answer a while back with these delightfully delicious sweet potato chips or strips, as I like to call them.  They are easy to make and can even be made ahead of time.  Just store them in a plastic bag in a cool, dry place after they have cooled completely.  And the utility of these sweet and salty wonders does not stop with side duty to a burger or sandwich.  They make for a great appetizer and are fantastic in the role of bar food.  We love the lime salt on them, but you can use plain salt or you can certainly come up with your own flavor combination to try.

Sunday Dinner one year ago

Blackberry Margarita

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Normally I save the cocktails for the weekend, but sometimes you just have one of those days or, in this case, week.  Three busy kids, school activities, home improvements, not to mention a 12-week old puppy that ate a year old rotten duck egg from the neighbor's yard (don't ask)!  Yeah, that was fun to clean up.  Let's just say a beverage to take the edge off was in order.

I have to admit, I am not the biggest fan of hard alcohol.  It is a bit too strong for me and goes down like fire water *cough*.  But when it is shaken up with citrus, fruit flavors, and a bit of sugar, then I am on board.

I made tacos the other night with leftover pork shoulder from Sunday (I'll get to that recipe soon) and homemade flour tortillas. So, I thought a fruity spin on the traditional margarita would be a great way to whet the appetite before dinner (and it was).

This is a great recipe to make for entertaining for two reasons.   1. You can make a large batch of it and 2. You can make it ahead of time.  Letting it set up allows the flavors to develop while a better blackberry taste comes through.  Since the blackberries are pureed, the mixture is a little thicker than a traditional margarita.  But once poured over crushed ice, it has the perfect consistency.  I like my cocktails on the sweeter side, but you can certainly dial back on the sugar to suit your own taste.  I also add a bit more lime juice because I love the blackberry-lime combination.

Instead of the usual lime-salt rim, I use a mixture of sugar and salt to help it go down smooth. That sweet and salty kiss is the perfect prelude to a sip of this fruity cocktail.  Boy, am I glad I have enough blackberries to make another batch.  TGIF!