Nutty Stir Fried Rice

As I posted yesterday, this is the dish that I chose to accompany the Thai Coconut Milk Beef Stir-Fry; it's really delicious on its own, and even more so with the beef dish (or likely many other dishes).  I adapted it from a book called Wok & Fabulous Fast Food with Asian Flavors: Stir Fry by L. Doeser.  This makes quite a bit of rice; it may be a good idea to cut the recipe in half if only serving 2 or 3 people.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. basmati or long-grain rice
3 T. sunflower or canola oil (I used canola), divided
1 small onion or shallot, minced (I used shallot)
1/2 c. hazelnuts, chopped in food processor (*note to self: process these first next time, then add others and process together)
1/2 c. pecans, chopped in food processor
1/2 c. almonds, chopped in food processor (I used sliced almonds that I had on hand, worked fine)
salt and coarse ground pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice.  In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, add 3 1/2 c. water and bring to a boil.  Add rice, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low (or low enough that it will not boil lid off of pot).  Cook for 10-12 minutes, until water appears to be gone.

2. Drain rice in a colander, then rinse off with cold water.  Shake to drain as much water as possible.

3. Heat a wok (or large skillet) over medium-high heat and add 1 1/2 T. of the oil.  Add rice to wok--watch for popping from any remaining water trapped in rice!--and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a medium/large bowl and set aside.

4. Add remaining oil to wok, along with onion/shallot.  Stir-fry for 2 minutes, or until softened.

5. Add all the nuts and stir-fry for 2 additional minutes.

6. Return rice to wok and stir fry for 3 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

Thai Coconut Milk Beef Stir-Fry

I've been cooking, but the frequency of my posts is going to slow a bit for the next couple of months, as this is the busiest time of year at my job.  Meanwhile, my obsession with red curry paste-based stir fry strikes again.  This recipe isn't terribly different from others I've tried, and it's wonderfully delicious.  Here is the link to the original:
https://www.hannaford.com/recipe/Recipes/World-Flavors/Asian/Thai-Coconut-Beef-Stir-Fry/pc/22280/c/29105/sc/29111/9581.uts?refineByCategoryId=29111#

The accompaniment pictured below, nutty fried rice, will posted tomorrow :)

Ingredients:

6 T. rice vinegar
3 T. fresh lime juice
3 T. light brown sugar (packed)
1 1/2 T. Thai red curry paste
1 lb. flank steak, cut across the grain in small strips
1 1/2 T. canola oil, divided
8 oz. fresh sliced mushrooms (I used some leftover shiitakes and cremini)
1 c. coconut milk
1 1/2 T. Asian fish sauce
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together rice vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar, and curry paste.  Add the beef to the mixture and let marinate on the counter for 10 minutes, stirring once.

2. While the beef marinates, add 1/2 T. of the canola oil to a wok over medium-high heat.  Add mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until softened.  Transfer mushrooms to a plate.

3. Add remaining 1 T. of oil to pan.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to wok, reserving marinade.  Stir-fry beef for 3-4 minutes, until browned all over.

4. Add mushrooms back to pan, as well as reserved marinade, and stir for 1 minute.  Scrape pan to loosen any browned bits.

5. Add remaining ingredients and bring to simmer.  Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Serve with desired side and enjoy!

Roast Provençal Chicken

Such an easy and simple recipe with outstandingly delicious results!  Regular readers already know of my love of herbes de Provence; if this recipe doesn't turn you into a fan as well, I don't know why lol (apart from if you are using a mix that is not from France--others are just not the same!)  Anyhow, this is going to become my new go-to recipe for whole roasted chicken.  Cannot praise it enough!

Original recipe link:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/roast-provencal-chicken-51169070

Ingredients:

2 T. butter, softened (optional)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 c. herbes de Provence
1/4 c. olive oil
1 T. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
1 whole chicken, 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs. (not sure how much mine was)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 475°F.  If desired, make pocket under breast skin of chicken and spread 1 T. of butter under skin of each breast (was not in original recipe, but I did this and recommend).

2. Mix remaining ingredients together in a small bowl (apart from chicken, which I hope is obvious lol).  Rub mixture all over outside of chicken and inside cavity.

3. Place a wire rack inside a roasting pan, then place prepared chicken on wire rack, breast side up.  Transfer to oven.

4. Roast chicken at 475°F for 30 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F and roast for at least 30 more minutes, adding time as needed until thigh temperature reading is at least 165°F (I ended up going 20 additional minutes).

5. Let rest for 10 minutes, then carve up and enjoy!

Tangerine Soufflé with Citrus Sauce

My second soufflé experience was not at all like my first.  While I did remember to verify the recipe was for the 2 qt. size dish this time, the result was a bit different.  It tasted good--not good enough to repeat, though.  I shall seek out other soufflé recipes, of course.  I followed this recipe nearly exactly:
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/tangerine-souffl-with-citrus-coulis

I believe one major flaw is the lack of specification on type and weight of tangerines.  I used mostly honey tangerines, as I bought a bag of those, believing it would be enough.  It was almost enough; when I went for my second grocery run, it was a different store where the honey tangerines looked awful, but they had some smaller ones (closer to size of clementines) that looked very nice, so I ended up using a few of those.  I am certain that the amount of sauce that would have been produced for the citrus sauce would have been far less with the smaller variety.  Anyhow, like I said, it wasn't bad, just not spectacular.  And oh did it ever climb!  Perhaps even a little too much, but that was not a problem.  If you do decide to attempt this recipe, be advised that the baking time needs to likely be 5-10 minutes longer.  It says that it is supposed to be a bit wobbly in center; mine was perhaps too wobbly.  And the citrus sauce does NOT thicken in the fridge, not even after adding some cornstarch and cooking it a little.

Ingredients:

--citrus sauce-- (I refuse to call it 'coulis' like it is in recipe, as this is nowhere near such)
6 tangerines, peeled
1/4 c. fresh tangerine juice
3 T. sugar
1 T. fresh lemon juice

--soufflé--
unsalted butter (to brush/coat inside of soufflé mold)
5 T. plus 1/2 c. sugar, divided
3/4 c. fresh tangerine juice, divided
1 T. plus 2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. finely grated tangerine zest
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
6 large egg whites, room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
4 large egg yolks, room temperature
powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

1. For the citrus sauce: purée all 'citrus sauce' ingredients in a blender until smooth.

2. Pour through a strainer set over a medium bowl.  Chill for at least 1 hour, up to 1 day.

3. Heat oven to 400°F.  Brush the soufflé dish with melted butter, then coat with 2 T. of sugar and set aside.

4. For the soufflé: whisk together 2 T. tangerine juice and cornstarch in a small bowl.

5. Bring 1/2 c. tangerine juice, 3 T. sugar, and zest to boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.

6. Add cornstarch mixture and whisk constantly until thickened, about 1 minute.  Transfer to a large bowl.

7. Whisk in lemon juice and remaining 2 T. tangerine juice.  Let mixture cool.

8. Meanwhile, place egg whites with cream of tartar in a large bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.

9. With mixer running, gradually add remaining 1/2 c. sugar by tablespoonfuls, beating until blended between additions.  Continue beating meringue, increase speed to medium-high, until firm, glossy peaks form.

10. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks with electric mixer until light and pale yellow, about 3 minutes.

11. Gently stir in 1/2 c. of the meringue into the egg yolks.

12. Carefully fold in remaining meringue.  Transfer mixture to prepared soufflé dish.

13. Place soufflé in oven, then reduce temperature to 375°F.  Bake until set around edges but still slightly wobbly in center, about 40 minutes (as mentioned above, I think 45-50 minutes may be better).

14. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with citrus sauce.

Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes

As mentioned in yesterday's blog, I made these potatoes as a side dish to go with the pork loin; they would also go well with nearly any dish, as their flavor is not overpowering.  I had always wanted to try making Hasselback potatoes, as they look so pretty in pictures.  Mine didn't turn out quite so beautiful, but very tasty, which is far more important to me!  This link has the original recipe, which I adapted to suit my needs:
https://marlameridith.com/parmesan-hasselback-baked-potatoes/

Here's that wonderful yummy dinner pic again, potatoes on the side:

Ingredients:

around 10 small to medium yukon gold potatoes (slightly bigger than extra large eggs)
6 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3 pinches kosher salt
2 pinches black pepper
2 pinches paprika
2 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Instructions:

1. I made these in the toaster oven, which I set to 425°F.  I would assume the same temperature for regular oven, as that is what the original recipe indicated.

2. Make crosswise cuts on the potatoes, around 1/8" apart--only slice to about 1/4" from edge (you want a 'fan' effect to happen once the potatoes start baking).  If you get too close to edge, the potatoes may break all the way open during baking (will still taste fine, just won't be fanned).

3. Mix together all remaining ingredients in a small bowl.

4. Place potatoes on baking tray (I lined mine with aluminum foil to make clean up easier and recommend it) with fan-cuts up.  Spread 1/3 of mixture over fan cuts, pushing down slightly to press it in-between slits a little.

5. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and spread another 1/3 of mixture over tops.  Bake for additional 15 minutes, then repeat process one more time (with another 15 minutes, total of 45 minutes baking time).

6. Let potatoes rest for 5 minutes before serving, if possible.  Enjoy!

Spinach & Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Cream Sauce

Want a fairly easy dinner with moist pork tenderloin?  Look no further, this is it!  This recipe is sooooo yummy, even without the sauce.  But oh, the sauce!  Provided you like shallots, that is...  I made Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes to go with it and they were really yummy as well (recipe will be posted tomorrow for those).

Original recipe:
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/spinach-mushroom-stuffed-pork-tnderloin-sherry-cream-sauce.aspx

Ingredients:

5 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 oz. shiitake mushroom caps (measured after stems removed), thinly sliced
kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper
5 oz. baby spinach
1 pork tenderloin, around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lbs.
1 T. fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 c. freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
2 large shallots, minced
3/4 c. low-salt canned chicken broth
2 1/2 T. sherry vinegar
2 T. heavy cream (I think half-and-half could be subbed here)

Instructions:

1. Shape pork tenderloin: trim the loin of any silver skin and/or excess fat.  Butterfly the tenderloin by cutting a long slice lengthwise.  Cut almost all the way through the thickness, but not completely.  Spread open, cover with plastic wrap, and pound with meat mallet until around 1/4" thick.

2. Heat oven to 450°F.

3. Heat 2 T. of the olive oil in a heavy, ovenproof 12" skillet (I chose cast iron) over medium-high heat.  Add the mushrooms, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. each of salt and pepper.  Cook until browned and tender, around 3 minutes.

4. Stir in the spinach, sprinkle with salt.  Cook, using tongs to toss well, until just wilted, about 2 minutes.  Transfer spinach mixture to a small colander and set skillet aside.

5. Rub the pork loin all over with 1 T. of the oil (I took this to mean both sides, but it may mean just one side).

6. Rub open side with half of the thyme and 1/2 tsp. each of salt and pepper.

7. Squeeze out any excess liquid from the spinach mixture.  Spread mixture over the pork loin, leaving a 2-inch border along one of the longer edges.

8. Sprinkle on the Parmigiano-Reggiano.

9. Starting with the long side that is covered with filling, roll the tenderloin toward the bare-border side to form a long cylinder.  Secure closed with 5 pieces of kitchen twine (or toothpicks, if no twine available).

10. Heat the remaining 2 T. of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot.  Sear the pork on all 3 non-seam sides until well browned, about 6 minutes total.

11. Flip onto seam side, then transfer skillet to oven.  (I think I forgot to flip mine, so not sure if it was already on seam side or not when I put mine in oven.)  Bake for 10-15 minutes, until reaches internal temperature of 140°F.  Transfer meat to a platter and tent with aluminum foil to rest while you make the sauce.

12.  In same skillet, return to stove over medium-high heat.  Add shallots, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt, and cook for about 2 minutes.

13. Add the chicken broth, sherry vinegar, and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. thyme.  Simmer until mixture reduces by a bit more than half, around 4 minutes.

14. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.

15. Slice up pork and serve with sauce.  Enjoy!!

Roasted Parmesan Potatoes

As mentioned in yesterday's entry, I made these to go with the filet mignon with Pinot Noir sauce--a delicious accompaniment!  I hadn't made these in a while for some reason (could be all these other wonderful recipes I've been trying making me forget about some of my old faves lol).  The original recipe is another card from the Easy Everyday Cooking collection I've mentioned in many pervious entries.  You could make these with any type of potato, I think; I've made them with russets and yukons with equally tasty results (used yukons this time).

Ingredients:

1 1/4 lbs. potatoes, cut in dice-sized cubes or slightly larger
1 T. canola oil
3 T. grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 450°F.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick baking spray.  If a faster cooking time is desired, place cubed potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and microwave for 5 minutes (I did this, recommend it.)

2. Toss potatoes with oil.

3. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl.  Add mixture to potatoes bowl and stir until coated evenly.

4. Spread potatoes onto prepared foil on baking sheet in a even single layer.  Bake, turning once (or forget to turn, like me) for 25 minutes (reduce to 15 if microwave was used in first step).

5. Serve and enjoy!