Local Treasure- Vegetable of the year and recipe for Easy Roasted Beets

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Arlene Coco

Did you know that the beet has been named the vegetable of the year? One Vegetable One Community picks a vegetable annually to promote, love and spread the word on how to grow and cook with delicious results. There are seed give a ways, cook-offs and all sorts of community events surrounding this delicious vegetable treat. This year there is a beet “queen” and beet ambassadors. One Vegetable One Community has an active facebook page too that has lots of fun facts, poetry and recipes about beets.

 

So I had to share my favorite go-to recipe for Easy Roasted Beets.

Here’s what you need

 EASY ROASTED BEETS

2 lbs beets (I use all colors) peeled and cubed

olive oil

Course Salt and Pepper

Fruit flavored vinegar or Maple Syrup

Fresh herbs, chopped (optional)

The recipe is so simple, yet so yummy

Place cubed beets in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle olive oil and massage into beets.

Roast @ 350 for about an hour, stirring a couple of times during cooking

When soft and tender, remove from oven and season with salt and pepper

Drizzle about a tablespoon of balsamic or other fruit vinegar and toss. Or you can use just maple syrup and olive oil. That tastes good too.

Add more olive oil to taste and fresh herbs right before serving.

The best part about these is that they are delicious cold too, I throw them on a salad with blue cheese for a change of pace. If you want them to taste more like candy, use the maple syrup.

The last of our beets from our garden

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Local Chefs Cooking For A Good Cause

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Arlene Coco

Mark your calendars for February 29, The Duluth Community Garden will have fundraiser THE ART OF LOCAL FOOD featuring local chefs cooking up a 5 course plated dinner at the historic Depot Great Hall. They will feature ingredients that are grown in the area during the growing season. There will be a silent Auction and all the festivities start at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are going like hotcakes with local maple syrup at 50.00 per person. A cash bar will be available with local libations to match your course if you choose. I won’t give the menu away but I can tell you the chefs have been collaborating for months and you won’t be disappointed.  Tickets are available on www.brownpapertickets.com -Don’t wait as they will cut off the dinner with a certain amount of guests. Here are the chefs that are cooking that night, we will also give you all the recipes on the night of the event, which will be alone worth the price of admission. The Duluth Grill who tirelessly donates to the local foods community will donate the china rental and service for the event. So don’t wait if you are planning to come, this one will be a delicious food memory not to miss.

Top left- Arlene Coco, Louis Hanson, Duluth Grill

Bottom left- Sous Chef Lake Ave Cafe, Kevin Ilenda, Restaurant 301, Kirk Bratrud, Chester Creek Cafe, Francois Mendion, Duluth Grill, John Martin, Kitchi Gammi Club

 

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Valentine Recipes for a Dinner at Home

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Arlene Coco

I love to go out to restaurants, however I tend to cook at home on Valentine’s Day. If you decide to make a plan for the sweetest day to stay in, here are a few recipes that can help you get though it looking like a rock star..

Pimento Cheese Spread and French Bread

Salmon and Wild Rice Cakes

Lamb Chops with a Balsamic Reduction

Martin’s Famous Roast Chicken

Salt and Pepper Prawns

Lemon Barley Pilaf

Chocolate Truffle Pate

Have a great Valentine’s Day!

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For the Big Game- Super Easy Sriracha Sesame Cream Cheese Spread

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Arlene Coco

This recipe is a twist on the tired cream cheese spread that adorns most tables during the super bowl. Simple, spicy and delicious, you can’t go wrong with this one. I recently saw it at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, the Kikkoman folks were there with this recipe and it stood out above the hundreds of cheese selections presented. Sriracha is a hot chili sauce that adds zip to just about anything you want. This recipe is also a good way to use up those toasted sesame seeds in the spice cabinet.

Here’s how to do it:

I used a 3 ounce piece of block style cream cheese, you could use the whole block, just double the marinade portion for a crowd.

 

I threw in a few black sesame seeds I had in the spice cabinet, the recipe will work just fine with toasted white sesame seeds.

I marinated my cheese block overnight and turned it a few times.

 

 

All dressed up and ready for the game!

To print the recipe only, click here

Sriracha Sesame Cream Cheese

Adapted from KIKKOMAN

Ingredients:

3 ounces cream cheese block style

2 Tablespoons Gluten Free Soy Sauce

2 Tablespoons Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

Assorted Crackers or Crudites

In a quart sized plastic bag, place cream cheese in the bag and add the soy sauce and Sriracha sauce. Marinate at least 3 hours, overnight is better. Turn the bag to coat the cheese on all sides. Roll in sesame seeds, place on serving dish and serve with crackers or fresh veggies. Sit back and wait for the complements to roll in..

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Culinary Adventure- Tartine Bakery in San Francisco

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Arlene Coco

Tartine Bakery is considered one of the best bakeries on the west coast. Truly an American business success story, it was worth the trip. Located in the eclectic Mission District of San Francisco, the only way you know it’s the place is because there is a line out the door waiting as there is no sign on the door. Run by a husband and wife team, they work together making the small space work. She makes pastries in the early morning and he comes in during the afternoon to make bread so the fresh bread is ready about the time folks are getting off of work. They studied in France for years and produce a product that is beyond belief. The line is out the door most of the day and we had to eat standing up. It made me want to go home and get a batch of sourdough starter going.

Breakfast Croque Monsieur- mushroom

Decisions, Decisions...

Cookies out of the oven

Tartine Bread

Click the link above for a clip of a video interview with Chad the owner/head baker that tells the story about his love of bread.

 

If you want to tackle trying to make his bread, he has a book out - Tartine Bread

Or if you want to take a peek at the recipe and technique, Martha Stewart got it out of him awhile back- Here is the link to the recipe. But you have to start 3 weeks ahead I am told.

 

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Chinatown Tour- Happy Chinese New Year!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Arlene Coco
I read recently that Chinatown communities in inner cities are disappearing because residents are moving to the suburbs for more room. Recently in San Francisco, I took a walking tour of Chinatown shortly before the Chinese New Year and it was apparent that people from all countries loved Chinatown and all that it brings to the table. The markets brimming with fresh California produce and dried goods to Dim Sum adorned the streets. I captured a few photos that tell the story of Chinatown. For my sake, I hope they never go away, it’s a window for me into a culture that I never want to stop learning about.

Stockton Street is the main street of commerce.

 

There are some taboos on the Chinese New Year Day that you have to be aware of if you follow Chinese tradition:

(excerpts are from the website Chinese Fortune Calendar.com)

  • Since everybody is in a festival mood under a joyful and hilarious atmosphere, people shouldn’t argue each other. Also parents shouldn’t scold or punish the children. Otherwise, you will have more argument in the new year.
  • Women shouldn’t use knife or shear in the kitchen, which indicates evil, anger, danger and cutting out the luck. As a result, women don’t cook new dishes on this day, people eat meals from the leftover.
  • Breaking dish plate, bowel or cup means bad money luck coming. In case that happens, then Chinese put all broken pieces in a round container until the coming trash day.
  • A married women shouldn’t go back to her mother home, otherwise her mother family will get poorer.
  • To sweep the floor or dump the trash will take away the wealth and luck from the house.
  • Don’t have a lunch nap at noon, otherwise people will be lazy year long.
  • To wash the hair will wash your good luck away.
  • Don’t wear in black or white to visit friends, because black and white are funeral color in China
  • People shouldn’t visit friend’s house, if they have a family member newly past away.
  • Don’t eat rice porridge in the morning breakfast, otherwise you won’t get rich because only poor people eat rice porridge in the past.
  • Don’t eat meat in the morning breakfast, because many gods who are vegetarians arrive New Year Day festival in the morning.
  • Don’t wake up people by calling their names, otherwise that sleeping person needs people’s push all year long.
  • Don’t eat unnecessary medicine, otherwise you will become unhealthy this year.
  • Don’t wash clothes, because New Year Day is the birthday of  the god of Water.
  • If someone owes you money, do not ask for the money back on this day. Otherwise, you will do it often in the rest of the year.
  • Don’t let people take anything away from your pocket or purse, because that’s a sign of money loss in the year.

 

 

Busy and Beautiful, always exciting and great street food

The stores were ready for Chinese New Year

 

Citrus was everywhere

 

Dim Sum was mandatory

 

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The next big thing.. Report from the Fancy Food Show

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Arlene Coco

Just got back from the annual Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. It’s a place where all the gourmet manufacturers meet with all the foodies from around the world to taste what’s hot in the gourmet retail world. This was my first show and hopefully won’t be my last- The main themes this year were- health, chocolate, olive oil, tea, olives, cheese and everything Italian. Oh and don’t forget salt, lots of sea salt. Here is a few pics to review what you missed….

1500 vendors and 17,000 attendees

Healthy Beverages were big

 

Cake pops are edging out cupcakes- maybe!

Raw Snack Foods are coming on the scene

 

Jellies and Jams always popular

The sweets were stunning

And they tasted as good as they looked

Truffles!

Chocolate as art

Honey from around the world

Oh Baby the salt!

Gourmet Marshmellows

Here were the flavors

 

The perenial pasta, never goes out of food fashion

Melt in your mouth salty ham from Spain

Olives galore!

Yes, salt is hot these days!

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Roundup of My favorite posts of 2011

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Arlene Coco

Here are some of the one hit wonders from last year that is worth repeating. Enjoy and happy cooking! I am off to the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco so stay tuned for some delicious photos and recipes upon my return.

Martin’s Roast Chicken This was hands down the favorite post of the year. Great for getting your bang for your buck, it’s also delicious!

Martin's Roast Chicken, Photo by Dave Ballard

Potluck Jambalaya for a Mob

Jambalaya

Eggrolls with True Thai Peanut Sauce

 

Thai Eggrolls from my trip to Thailand

 

The real Roots of the Roast Beef Po Boy

Skinny Vegetable Soup

 

Love in a bowl-Butternut squash soup

Blackened Tilapia- Winter Outdoor Cooking

Just be fearless when it comes to flipping them over..

Scotch Eggs from the Duluth Grill

Chocolate Truffle Pate

 

Chocolate Truffle Pate Photo by Peggy Day

 

Good Advice!- A sign from the famous sweet shop in New Orleans called Sucre

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Easy Peasy Blueberry Pie

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Arlene Coco

Over the holiday break I had the opportunity to have a cooking lesson from a young chef named Ryan. He shared his recipe for a easy-as-pie blueberry pie. Take advantage of blueberries that are available fresh in the grocery store these days and make this delectable dish.

Here’s how you do it-

Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl

 

Add the lemon juice and mix well

 

Check out these fabulous measuring spoons!

 

Rinse Blueberries

 

Mix blueberries with sugar mixture

 

Roll out the dough or open the package.. place in pie pan

 

Pour the berry mixture in the shell

place the other shell on top and pinch together

 

Cut a few slits and holes in the top of the pie, It's ready for the oven!

 

A little later, the pie is ready for eating.. YUM

 

 

 

 

Ryan’s Blueberry Pie

Makes 1- 10 inch pie

1 double store purchased or homemade pie crust recipe

1/2-1 teaspoon  ground cinnamon

3 Tablespoons quick cooking tapioca (Ryan likes Kraft Brand)

1 cup  granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 quart fresh blueberries, rinsed

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400F

Mix sugar, tapioca, cinnamon together until well mixed. Add lemon juice and stir until evenly mixed in. Rinse blueberries and add to mix.

Pour in pie shell

Take the second shell and place it evenly on top of the first shell covering the pie. Pinch the pie shells together. Cut a few slits in the shells and place on a cookie sheet in the oven.

Bake at 400F for 45 minutes or until bubbly. Let cool to set. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for delicious results!

 

 

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My favorite food sites 2011- Part Two

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Arlene Coco

A few days ago, I started a list of my favorite sites this past year, so here are a few more to check out when you have a little time, you will be charmed and amused at all the delightful content out there.

Search Engines- I have learned when I am looking for 6 versions of snicker doodle cookies I can go to one food search engine and there it is- What a great service!

 Foodily- The name stands for -Food I love you. Here is a great site that can let you filter out what you don’t want in the recipe. It does all the work scouring blogs and websites for you. Great tool if you are researching a particular dish.

Punchfork.com- This site is a search engine that can sort by trend, recipe or just about any other way you want to search. This site was nominated as a best food site by My Faves.

Google- Google has improved their search engine for recipes. For instance when I search for Snickerdoodles, on the left hand side of the site are options if I want to search for recipes that say don’t include cream of tarter. It’s handy to have when you have to pair down recipes.

Zester Daily a Daily digest of current food news- Culture of Food and Drink. Seasonal Topical ideas, videos, interviews, products. You name it, it’s covered here.

Other Sites

Foodtimeline.org- If you have ever wondered about the food history of anything, here is your site. It starts with a visual timeline of before Christ, and moves on to present day. There is also a person available by email that will do research for you. Did you know apples and lentils have been around since 8000 BC?  Check it out, you will be astonished.

 The Homesick Texan-Recipes and photographs about foods from Texas. If you like Jalapenos and Rotel Tomatoes, this is the site for you.

 Skinny Taste Gina’s Skinny Recipes-delicious low fat recipes from my family to yours. She takes fat laden recipes and works them over to lower the fat and calories. Great Photography and easy to conquer recipes.

The Last American Baker- Musings by Famous Twin Cities Baker Danny Klecko. He is funny and has his pulse on the next big thing coming in the baking industry. He is also a columnist and food writer.

Steamykitchen- Fast Fresh and Simple- This is food blogger’s Jaden Hair’s blog about life. She posts about her family recipes, has cute kids and a great husband. She was one of the first popular food bloggers, she started blogging about Asian recipes but now has branched out. There is a great post about her trip to visit fellow food blogger Ree Drummond. Great photography and easy to follow recipes.

So there you have it. By far not a complete list of my favorites, but It will give you a good start on the diversity of food info on the internet. Happy Hunting!

 

 

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