Tuscan Bean Soup

Well, It hasn't been too cold lately but it has been kind of dreary for a while. This weekend, I felt like soup so here it is...

Soak 1 lb Canellini or great northern Beans in 4 quarts of water and 3 tbsp salt over night. Rinse very well and set aside.

Chop some Carrots and Celery maybe 2 each. Oh and an onion too.

Chop some Pancetta. As much as you like.

In a Stock pot Saute Pancetta till well browned to develop flavor. Add Carrots, Celery & Onion and saute. Smash a couple cloves of Garlic and toss in as well. Add in the drained and rinsed Beans with 4 cups Chicken broth and 3 cups water. Toss in a bay leaf. Bring to a subsimmer and place in a preheated 200 degree oven for 1 hour or til beans are almost done. Chop 1 bunch Kale. Rinse and drain 1 can Tomatoes. Stir in Kale and tomatoes and place back in oven for 30 minutes. when beans are ready remove from oven and sit off heat for 15 minutes with a sprig of Rosemary.

Enjoy

Beefy Beef and Vegetable Soup

1 lb Tri-Tip steak cut into 1/2" cube
2 Tbsp Soy or Tamari Sauce
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 Large Onion chopped
1 lb Mushroom chopped
2 clove Garlic minced
2 Tbsp Tomatoe paste
1/2 cup red wine (perhaps a nice Beaujolais Villages)
4 cup Beef broth
1 3/4 cup Chicken broth
2 Carrot chopped
2 Celery chopped
1 Bay leaf
1 Tbsp Gelatin
1/2 cup cold water

Bloom Gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water

Marinate Beef in Soy sauce

Chop Onions

Mushrooms

Carrots & Celery


Saute Onions & Mushrooms well in 1 tsp Olive Oil. (8-12 min) Remove from pot.


Sear Beef until well browned. (6 minutes ish)

Add in Minced Garlic, Tomatoe paste, Red Wine, Beef Broth, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Celery and Bay leaf as well as the Mushrooms & Onions. Bring to a light boil and simmer for 25 Minutes. When soup is ready remove from heat and stir in Gelatin until dissolved. This step is essential in creating that smooth mouth feel... Garnish with fresh chopped Parsley and serve.

Enjoy!

Cheesecake!

For Allynns birthday yesterday I made mini cheesecakes....


http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mini-Cheesecakes-2/Detail.aspx
except I used one teaspoon vanilla instead of the lemon juice.
oh and a wee hint of cardamom

Bitter Pasta with Teriyaki Tofu

Start with some e.v.o.o. and a little cooks oil...


boil 4oz or so whole wheat pasta because you can't find soba noodles.


Fry some garlic in the e.v.o.o.


Add in some sliced red onion


Add in some sliced Belgian Endive

Add in some sliced Radicchio and some red wine vinegar

And some sliced Heart of Palm

Drain and press your extra firm Tofu under weight then marinate Tofu in Teriyaki sauce.
Fry quickly and top your pasta

Serve Bitter Endive Radicchio Pasta with Teriyaki Tofu and a side of sweet chili Sauce for some spicy sweetness.

Quein' again. Alternative title: Rubbin & Grubbin

First, rub an extravagant amount of home-made Garam Masala on the pork Loin of your choice. Then, Smoke roast over cherry wood slowly for about six hours or until you reach temp...


Serve Smoked Loin with Saffron Rice and Turnip & Greens. The Turnips & Greens turned out quite nice. I had never had them before and just cooked them down in some chicken Bouillon. You know, 1 cube with 2 cups boiling water? Then simmer them turnips and greens. Mighty tasty even if I say so myself.

Cherry Smoked Chicken Breast and Hot Bratwurst

Fried Chicken with fresh Herb & Spring greens

Fried chicken pieces tossed together with fresh herbs, spring greens and a delicious red wine vinegrette...