Friends Food Family

Family Favorite Recipes for Valentine's Day

I made a few phone calls this morning and was looking for family favorites which I want to share for Valentine's Day. I think we sometimes get lost in the meaning of Valentine's Day by feeling that candy and flowers make someone feel special. Valentine's Day is about the people you love and the things that we can do to make them happy. In our house, a home cooked meal means love. We love cooking for everyone because of the excitement of it creates. Calling and asking each person what they liked put excitement in their voice...almost as if they were coming home to eat.

I started with Michael (my oldest son). He loves our food. He is a senior at LaSalle University in Philadelphia. He eats college food and take out on a regular basis and after four years, it gets a little boring. He loves to come home and have his favorites waiting -

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas

Tomato Sauce and Meatballs - Pasta and Sauce

And for dessert, Peanut Butter Blossoms

Next was Brian. He is my middle son and is a freshman at the University of Missouri. He is now realizing, second semester, that the food is...typical? When I spoke with him, he knew exactly what he liked - 

Sausage with Penne and Tomato

Chicken Pot Pie

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Special Thumbprint Cookies - Shortbread and Milk Chocolate

He closed with, "Anything you and Jeff make is good."

Then there was Stephen, my youngest who is a junior in high school. He tends to be the "picky" eater in the group, but he does like anything with shrimp in it. His list wasn't as long probably because he eats with us most often and hasn't lived away from home. That is when you truly appreciate a home cooked meal. His two favorites were - 

Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Chocolate Oreo Trifle - Also called Goo

The phone rang and Danielle was checking in. My daughter, Danielle, tends to like healthier choices since she works in the nutrition field. She and Brian had the same meals on their mind when she started with the Sausage with Penne and Tomato and ended with the Special Thumbprints. 

But it did lead to healthier foods (at least one) -

Quinoa and Salsa Salad

Chicken Marsala

Peanut Butter Balls

Jeff's daughter, Kate, came home and said her favorite food was the Apple Crisp. That is a dessert we have been making for years. We normally get burned out after apple season as we tend to make this dessert quite often and then add raspberries, cranberries and pears for different variations.

Apple Crisp

At last, I asked Jeff what his favorite meal is...he just couldn't think of one as we make so many different dishes. I was looking up the links for the recipes when I came across the strawberry shortcake...probably the best we have ever made. "Yeah", he said, "that was definitely the best strawberry shortcake I've ever made...and eaten." So, I will end with Jeff's favorite recipe. 

Create some meals that your family will love, especially on Valentine's Day!

Strawberry Shortcake

 

 

Triple Hot Chocolate with Bitter, Dark and Milk Chocolate

 

It's snowing out! Think back to your childhood. You've been outside playing for a few hours and are heading into the house to get warm and have some hot chocolate. My memories are of my mom warming milk and placing large spoonfuls of Nestle's QUIK into the pan. Presto, hot chocolate. If you were good, you got a scoop of marshmallow FLUFF on top. No whipped cream here! As the years went by, we graduated to the packaged mix with the mini marshmallows. It could be classified as a step up.

When I had children, my mother passed this amazing recipe (do I call milk and Quik a recipe?) on to me. I did a very good job of re-creating the same types of hot chocolate. Sometimes, I even used Hershey's syrup, other times, I just heated pre-made chocolate milk. I know, that deserves Mother of the Year.

Today, you can purchase decent hot chocolate mixes. My kids bought me a container of Godiva Hot Chocolate Mix for Christmas and it is very good!

I think the problem with hot chocolate...how do you really make it?

It's actually pretty easy - milk and chocolate. If you want to take it to another level you can add a few different ingredients to create your favorites based on the original.

Let's start -

I began with

3 cups of milk

1 cup of half and half

I placed them in a sauce pan over medium low heat. As it began to get close to a simmer, I took it off the heat and started adding -

2-3 ounces of dark chocolate

2-3 ounces of milk chocolate

2-3 ounces of bittersweet chocolate

Coarsely chopped

NOTE- Buy for good quality chocolate for this...the better the quality of chocolate the more rich and intense the flavor.

I stirred continuously until the chocolate was melted. I added a pinch of salt and a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Done.

I happened to have some heavy cream, so I mixed 

1 cup of heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon of sugar

and made my own whipped cream.

This makes 4 servings.

IT WAS AMAZING! Sing it with me! MY GAWD, this is HOT CHOCOLATE!

Very rich, very delicious and I wish I had made hot chocolate like this on a regular basis. 

So, here are a few suggestions, if the original seems bland ;)

1. You can add a bit of fresh brewed or instant coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor. 

2. Add chili powder and cinnamon - hot and spicy!

3. Substitute white chocolate for one of the dark chocolates.

4. Add peppermint flavoring or chopped York Peppermint Patties.

5. A few tablespoons of orange juice and a bit of orange rind.

6. Shots of Liqueur - Your choice - Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Baileys, Amaretto, Chambord...the flavors and combinations are endless. (This is my favorite! Kahlua Mocha Peppermint)

7. Substitute a Symphony Bar with Toffee and Almonds for the milk chocolate. Think caramel.

So, it's Valentine's Weekend, have fun and create memories of drinking real hot chocolate.

Monday Night Guest Chefs - Dogs Make Homemade Bread

As part of a new series, Mondays will be dedicated to guests chefs. For almost two years I've asked many people to be guest but not many were willing. I am not one to get in front of the camera so I decided to use YouTube to find my latest victim...I mean chef. 

A few weeks ago, I highlighted the Swedish Chef making hot dogs. It was pretty simple and good for a laugh, and a lesson for the inexperienced cook.

Today, I found a great video with the Weimaraners from Sesame Street. There is nothing better than watching dog heads that don't match their paws (hands). Like the Swedish Chef, the distraction is in the hands and the kneading of the bread. Jeff and I have been making bread almost every Sunday, I can't even say I, it's all Jeff. I would love to highlight making artisan bread but the steps get complicated so I haven't ventured into that arena. I'd rather have some enthusiastic dogs explaining the bread making process because it can be as crazy as...two dogs baking bread. 

If you find any cooking videos which you think are worthy of being a Monday night guest, please forward the link.

Thanks everyone! Enjoy! Shout out to Gracie and Brody. 

 

Great Recipes for Super Bowl Sunday - GO PATS!

 

Super Bowl Sunday.

What are you serving? What are you bringing? What are you enjoying as the New England Patriots and the New York Giants battle it out for Superbowl 46.

I've had some friends ask for some recipes so here are some favorites that will make your guests happy, whether your team wins or loses!

Refreshments:

1. Any type of Beer or Be-ah...as New Englanders refer to it!

2. White Wine - Sauvignon Blanc - My favorite, Kim Crawford.

3. Pineapple Sangria - Absolutely delicious. We are making these on Sunday.

4. Bourbon Annie - Because it's 5 O'Clock somewhere...

 

Appetizers:

1. Killer Guacamole - An absolute crowd pleaser.

2. Sticky Chicken Wings - For those who need something other than Buffalo Wings. Really sticky...bet you can't put them down!

3. Fish Chowder - If we aren't doing clam chowdah, we New Englanders need something with seafood. This is an easy crowd pleaser. (Hint - better than clam chowder)

4. Fish Cakes - If you want to be a little more create, these are delicious and can cover for any chowder.

5. Carrot Top and Toasted Walnut Pesto - If you can find some bunches of carrots with greens, this is an amazing appetizer dip.

 

Hearty Fillers:

1. Al Roker's Spectacular Beef Chili - Just made it a few weeks ago, always a family favorite.

2. Good Old Fashioned Beef Stew - A nice dish for those who aren't chili lovers.

3. Sausages, Peppers, Onions and Potatoes - Love this dish! Easy, hearty and allows you to enjoy the game while it cooks.

4. Chicken and White Bean Chili - A twist on traditional chili. Delicious!

5. Sausage Risotto with Tomatoes and Basil - I wanted an Italian dish but not a spaghetti and meatballs, this is perfect.

 

Side Dishes:

1. Minnesota Baked Beans - A nice side dish to go with a salad, steak, burgers or hot dogs.

2. Taco Salad - For those who are looking for a spicy salad especially if you are not serving chili.

3. Quinoa and Salsa Salad - Do you want something that is nutritious and delicious?

4. Red Skinned Potato Salad - If you are serving hearty sandwiches, finish with a deliciously light and flavorful potato salad.

 

Easy Desserts:

1. Andria's Chocolate Chip Cookies - For all the people who have tasted my chocolate chip cookies...this is the best recipe!

2. Brownies with Browned Butter and Walnuts - The best brownies you will ever taste - nutty caramel.

3. Alice's Molasses Squares - My personal favorite. My grandmother made these all the time. Just don't tell people there is molasses in them. What they don't know won't hurt them...

4. Jelly-Filled Thumbprint Cookies - Hands down the easiest and most delicious thumbprint cookies you will ever eat! And fill them with your favorite jelly or jam.

5. Slab Apple Pie - A sheet pan style apple pie. Make it on Saturday, enjoy it on Sunday.

 

Enjoy, be safe...and may the best team win! GO PATS! Happy 22nd birthday to my son, Michael!

Gnocchi Gratin with Gorgonzola Dolce

 

I know this isn't the greatest picture but we have made this dish three times, in the past two months, and each time we got caught up in the moment of entertaining and forgot to take a picture. 

It started when we had a holiday gathering at the beginning of December. We served the gnocchi gratin as an appetizer and it was a hit. I have dubbed it "adult gnocchi and cheese". It's better than your best macaroni and cheese. The gnocchi were light and the mixture of gorgonzola, cream, rosemary and fresh ginger bring a complexity to the dish that is truly delicious.

We decided to serve it as a first plate on Christmas Eve. We normally make stuffed shells but decided that the gnocchi gratin was so good we would make it for our family. Once again, people went crazy. Tangy Gorgonzola, hints of rosemary and ginger and the homemade gnocchi melted in your mouth. The dish is rich but it begs for seconds and sometimes thirds.

Finally, we celebrated our office holiday party in January and as people were helping themselves I remembered to take a picture. As you can tell, this was a roasting pan full of Gnocchi Gratin with Gorgonzola Dolce, a double recipe. Oh, just so good.

So, now for the hard part...yes, this does take time to make. You have to boil and rice the potatoes. Combine the potatoes with flour and eggs, then roll, cut and score the gnocchi with a fork. The cream needs to be heated and left for 30 minutes so it can absorb the rosemary and fresh ginger. The gnocchi are cooked in small batches, tossed with butter and when you are finished, it is mixed with the cream, gorgonzola, and a topping of butter, Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.

I would say, from boiling potatoes to taking the gratin out of the oven, probably 4 hours. But you must remember, it didn't stop us, we've made it three times. If we could we would make it for the Super Bowl game. The problem - everyone who is coming to our house has tried it! It definitely falls into the category of amazing comfort food. I do know we will make it again before the winter ends, probably a great appetizer for my "cousins gathering" in March. Just think...a new group of people who haven't tried this amazing dish.

(Adapated from Bon Appetit, December 2012, Gnocchi Gratin with Gorgonzola Dolce)

Ingredients:

1 pound of russet potatoes
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
6 ounces of Parmesan, finely grated, divided
1 cup of all-purpose flour (plus more)
1 teaspoon of kosher salt (plus more)
1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup of heavy cream
1 sprig of rosemary
1 1/4"-thick slice of fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) of butter, room temperature, divided (plus more)
3 tablespoons of fine dried breadcrumbs
4 ounces of Gorgonzola or other mild blue cheese

Gnocchi:

1. Place potatoes in a large pot. Add water to cover by 1”; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until tender, 25–30 minutes. Drain; set aside and let cool slightly.

2. Peel potatoes. Pass through ricer or a food mill or sieve, into a large bowl. Whisk egg and egg yolk in a small bowl to blend. Add egg mixture, 1/3 cup Parmesan, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp. salt, and nutmeg to potatoes. Using your hands, gently mix to form a soft but not sticky dough. Transfer dough to a floured surface. Gather into a ball, then divide into 4 pieces.

3. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; dust with flour. Working with 1 piece at a time (keep other pieces covered with a damp kitchen towel), roll dough into a 24”-long rope. Cut crosswise into 1” pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, press lightly on gnocchi with the back of the tines of a fork and gently roll gnocchi to create ridges on 1 side. Place on prepared baking sheet and lightly dust with flour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Cover and chill remaining grated cheese.

4. Preheat oven to 375°. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Working in batches of about 12 at a time, cook gnocchi until they float to the surface, 2–3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to a baking dish coated with 1-2 tablespoons of butter.

Cream Sauce and Topping:

1. While the potatoes are boiling. Bring cream, rosemary, and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Set aside.

2. Mix 3 Tbsp. Parmesan, remaining 1 Tbsp. butter, and breadcrumbs in a small bowl.

Gnocchi, Cream and Gorgonzola:

1. Strain reserved cream mixture into dish all over gnocchi. Break off small pieces of Gorgonzola; scatter over. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over, then the breadcrumb mixture.

2. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the topping is browned, 25–30 minutes.