Cinco de Mayo Party

Celebrate this cinco de mayo with these easy recipes – guacamole, cool cucumber salsa and watermelon agua spike with silver tequila!
From by the bay wishing you happy cinco de mayo food memories!
Maryann
blog guacamole1
Guacamole
Serves 4
 
Ingredients 
3 Haas avocados, ripe
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
In a medium bowl add the lime juice and sea salt , let the salt dissolve. Cut and remove flesh from avocado and place into bowl with lime juice /salt along with scallions and mash with fork. Add ingredients listed below depending on the version you are making and mix well. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
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Cool Cucumber Salsa
 
Ingredients
2 English Cucumbers, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fine granulated sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lime, juice and zest
Directions
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and place in a refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
Note: You can also use regular cucumbers, but remove the seeds before chopping. It’s easiest if after you peel the cucumber slice length wise in half , take a spoon and scoop out the seeds.You might want to add a little more sugar to taste, sometimes regular cucumbers are little more bitter.
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Watermelon Agua (Water) with Tequila
Serves 4
 Ingredients
3/4 pound watermelon, diced without the rind
4 cups water
2 tablespoons fine granulated sugar
juice of one lime
1/2 cup silver tequila
Directions
In a  food processor add the watermelon with 2 cups of water and puree. Strain into a bowl. Add the remaining 2 cups of water , sugar, tequila and lime juice. Mix Well. Place in a jar and refrigerate until cold before serving.

Minty Spring Pea and Ramp Salad

Celebrate Spring with this minty fresh salad using early spring vegetables-  peas and ramps. This salad is lightly dressed with a little olive oil and champagne vinegar so that the taste of the fresh vegetables shine through.
From by the bay wishing you minty food memories!
Maryann
blog pea salad
Minty Spring Pea and Ramp Salad
Serves 4
 
Ingredients
1 bunch ramps
2 pounds fresh or frozen baby peas
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
fine sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Trim roots from ramps; finely chop white bulbs. Slice green leaves into 1/4-inch strips. Blanche peas by adding into a pot of boiling water for 1 minute, strain and place into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Once cooled, strain peas and place into a bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add white part of ramps and cook 1 minute. Add ramp greens  and saute until greens are slightly wilted about another minute. Remove from heat and add to peas. Stir in remaining olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Add mint and toss. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding

Pudding is one of the ultimate comfort foods and if you are really in need of some extra comfort think about making this extra creamy bourbon butterscotch pudding. It’s a great twist on a classic dessert – consider each spoon as a little hug!
Enjoy!!From by the bay wishing you comforting food memories!
Maryann

 blog butterscotch pudding
 
 
Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding
Recipe by Allison Roman, Published in Bon Appetit, March 2013
Ingredients
¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
¾ cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon bourbon or Scotch
½ teaspoon kosher salt
6 large egg yolks
¼ cup cornstarch
3 tablespoon sugar
Crème fraîche and crushed gingersnap cookies (for serving; optional)
Directions
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until butter begins to brown and smell nutty, about 3 minutes. Add brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is starting to dissolve, about 2 minutes. Add cream, milk, bourbon, and salt; bring to a simmer. Remove from heat.
Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually add hot cream mixture, whisking constantly. Wipe out saucepan. Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve back into saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until custard bubbles occasionally and starts to thicken, 5–6 minutes. Transfer mixture to a blender. Blend briefly on low speed until smooth. Place ramekins or bowls on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide custard evenly among ramekins and chill until set, at least 3 hours. Top with creme fraiche and crushed cookies to serve.

How to Dye Easter Eggs with Natural Food Ingredients

blog easter eggs dyedin basket
It’s worthy exploring again the use of foods from your refrigerator and spice cabinet to make these natural dye colored Easter Eggs.
From by the bay wishing you a Happy Holiday filled with cherished food memories!
Maryann
blog egg dye
Making the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg
Place eggs in the bottom of a large pot add water to just cover the eggs along with a little sea salt and place on medium heat. Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and cover with a lid for 13 minutes. Use a timer to make sure you are not over cooking your eggs. Once the eggs are done, run them under cold water to cool to stop them from cooking. The result will be a perfectly cooked hard boiled egg.
A Few Suggestions While Coloring Your Eggs
To start I suggest using glass jam jars with covers or 16 ounce plastic deli containers with lids. Add the cooled hard boiled eggs to the natural dyes. Make sure eggs are completely submerged in the dye, add a little water if the eggs are not covered. Place a lid on your container and place into the refrigerator overnight for intense colors. If you want softer color you can let eggs sit in dye for just a few hours in the refrigerator. Add hard boiled eggs to the dye once cooled unless recipe says otherwise. When making the dyes, I suggest using plastic gloves so not to stain your fingers.
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Natural Egg Dye Recipes
Red Beets / Pink Eggs  – Grate 4 tablespoons of red beets and add to a heat safe container. Add 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 cup boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, strain and add eggs to dye.
Red Cabbage/ Blue Eggs – Add 3 tablespoons chopped red cabbage to a heat safe container. Add 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 cup boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, strain and add eggs.
Annatto Seeds/ Reddish Golden Color – Add 2 tablespoons annatto seeds ( achiote seeds) to 1 cup of water, bring to a boil for about 5 to 7 minutes. Strain. Add eggs to the dye.
Red Cabbage and Turmeric Powder/ Green Color – Add 3 tablespoons chopped red cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder to a heat safe container. Add one cup of boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, strain and add eggs. The result is a speckled color.
Turmeric Powder/ Deep Gold Color – Add 2 teaspoons ground turmeric powder to a heat safe container. Add  1 teaspoon white vinegar and one cup of boiling water. Once dye is cool add eggs . Rinse off any residual powder.
Paprika Powder/ Light Orange – Bring one cup of water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a boil, add 1 tablespoon paprika and continue to boil for 15 minutes. Place in a heat safe container, add eggs to dye while warm. Rinse off any residual powder
Red Easter Eggs
Makes 6 eggs
6 white eggs, room temperature
skins of 6 large spanish or yellow onions
3 cups water
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
In a medium ( 6 1/4 inch) sauce pan add the onion skins, water and vinegar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and place cover on the pan. Let simmer for 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and strain dye into a bowl and cool. The dye will appear orange, but it will yield red eggs. In the same medium sauce pan add the eggs in one layer. Cover with the cool liquid and add the salt. The eggs should be completely covered , if not add a little water until they are. Bring this to a low boil, reduce heat and cover the pan. Simmer no longer than 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Using a skimmer remove eggs and place on a wire rack to dry. Once dry, use a paper towel to rub olive oil on the eggs to give a glossy finish. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Serve cold or room temperature

Citrus Pistachio Pound Cake

This buttery pound cake is filled with the taste of fresh citrus for tang and green pistaschios for crunchy texture. This cake looks and taste like the sunhsine in Spring.  Enjoy this dessert and say good bye to winter!! No looking back.From by the bay wishing you tangy citrus food memories!
Maryann

 

Citrus Pistachio Pound Cake
Recipe published in Bon Appetit 2012 from The Tasting Room in Houston Texas
 
Ingredients
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups all-purpose flour plus more
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped, divided
Directions
Arrange a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 325°. Coat a 9x5x3″ loaf pan with nonstick spray. Dust pan with flour; tap out excess.Whisk 2 cups flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2–3 minutes. Add sugar; beat until well incorporated, 1–2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions. Add juices and zests; beat until well combined (mixture will look curdled), 2–3 minutes. Add dry ingredients; reduce speed to low and beat just until blended. Fold in 3/4 cup pistachios. Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup pistachios over.Bake cake, rotating halfway through, until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely in pan. Run a sharp knife around sides to loosen; unmold cake. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Goat Milk Braised Pork Loin

 

This recipe is adapted from a meal I shared at a friend’s home outside of Florence many years ago. It started my love for the herb rosemary. I had never had meat braised in milk before and  as an inexperienced american it seemed odd to me, but it was so delicious. The milk creates a lovely gravy after braising. Over the years I have evolved the recipe by adding onions for another dimension of flavor and by trying goat milk . Although this dish works great with cow’s milk, I find the results with goat milk to be slightly sweeter and makes for a creamier gravy. This is probably a matter of personal preference.  Either way this is recipe that is simple to make and big on taste.

From by the bay, wishing you milky food memories,
Maryann

Goat Milk Braised Pork Loin

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

3 lb boneless pork loin roast

2 mediume vidalia onions, peeled and thinly sliced

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 cups organic goat milk or cow’s milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
optional: garnish with gremolata – recipe below

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. In dutch oven heat butter and oil on stove until hot, add the pork loin and brown on all sides. Remove from pan and place to side. In same pot please add the onions and sauté until soft, add back the pork, add rosemary and milk. Cover and place into the oven for two hours, stirring occasionally. Let pork rest slice and serve with onion and milk gravy. Garnish with gremolata.

Gremolata

Ingredients
1/2 cup italian parsley, finely chopped
1 lemon
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions
In a bowl add parsley and minced garlic. Into this bowl finely zest the lemon. Add salt and mix. Refrigerate until ready to use. This can be used to compliment veal, pork or fish.

Orecchiette with Cavolo Nero Pesto

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Many years ago in Florence I discovered cavolo nero. It started when a good friend of mine took me to one of her favorite little places to eat  ” Il Ristorante Cavolo Nero” on Via Guelfa  , translation black cabbage. For many years cavolo nero  was not readily available in the United States. Today,  with kale coming into it’s own as one of the healthiest foods, it’s possible to find. Here in the U.S. it goes by many names such as tuscan or black or dinosaur or lacinato kale. The leaves are a dark blue green and are sweeter and more delicate then other varieties of kale. When the leaves are blanched they become a beautiful vibrant green which makes a wonderful pesto. The pesto can be used as a crostini – topping grilled bread with a littel creamy ricotta cheese , some pesto and a little freshly grated parmigiano cheese or as a  delicious and easy pasta dish. You’ll definitely enjoy the pure simplicity of this pesto as well as the bright color and flavor!From by the bay, wishing you cavolo nero food memories!
Maryann

blog kale pesto

Cavolo Nero Pesto

Ingredients

2 small bunches cavolo nero, trimmed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 /2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add cavolo nero and garlic; cook until bright green, 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.  Place the cavolo nero and garlic in a food processor; pulse to a purée. Pour in the oil while pulsing to form a pesto; transfer to a large bowl and mix in the sea salt.

blog kale pasta

 

Orecchiette with Cavolo Nero Pesto

Ingredients

1 recipe Cavolo Nero Pesto
1 pound dried orecchiette
1 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano
1/2 cup grated pecorino
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

 

Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add orecchiette and cook according to package directions. Drain the pasta and add to bowl of pesto. Fold in parmigiano-reggiano and pecorino and salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

 

 

Sweet and Sour Chorizo

Inspired by a dish I recently enjoyed out, here is an easy little nibble to serve with your favorite wine, cocktail or beverage. You simply cut up and saute some chorizo and while your chorizo is cooking, add a few ingredients into a saucepan and reduce into a deep, rich ,sweet and sour sauce to pour over your chorizo bites and serve. Fragrant, spicy , salty , sweet and sour, you are bound to enjoy!

From by the bay wishing you sweet and sour food memories!
Maryann
blog sweet sour chorizo
Sweet and Sour Chorizo
Serves 4 as appetizer
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 pound smoked Spanish chorizo, cut on the diagonal into slices about 1/4 inch thick
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup sherry vinegar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
Directions
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat for about 1 minute. Cook the chorizo and garlic for 2-3 minutes, turning the sausage once during cooking. Set sausage aside in a serving dish.  Place in a medium saucepan the vinegars, brown sugar, water, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes reducing liquid to half. Cover the chorizo with the hot liquid and serve.