Wild Mushroom Queso Fundido

I've spent a great deal of time traveling in Mexico. Texans eat a lot of Mexican and Tex - Mex food. One of my favorite recipes in Mexico is Queso Fundido.
I recently purchased a cast aluminum Molcajete, handmade by our local blacksmith.
You heat the Molcajete in the oven, place in an iron serving dish and make the Queso at the table, in the Molcajete. It's quite an impressive table side service.

This is an original recipe from 2009.

1/2 C dried wild mushrooms
1 large jalapeño, seeded , diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
2 TBS vegetable oil for frying
3 TBS Shiner Bock Beer ( it's a Texas Beer)
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack Cheese ( at least 2 C)
1 dozen warm tortillas, corn or flour or tortilla chips

Rehydrate the mushrooms in a bowl.
Cover them with boiling water and use a plate to weigh them down.
Allow to sit in the water until softened.
Drain well and chop into 1/4" pieces.

Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
Add dices jalapeño , onion, tomato and mushrooms.
Cook, stirring constantly until the mushrooms are cooked, the onions are softened and begin to brown (about 7 - 8 minutes).
Add Beer and stir until the liquid evaporates and the mixture is once again dry looking.

Reduce heat , sprinkle cheese evenly over the mixture and stir slowly and constantly until melted.
Too long on the heat and the cheese will become tough, oily and stringy.
Immediately transfer it into a warm serving dish or a fondu pot with a tea light.
Serve with tortilla chips or tortillas.

Enjoy
Peace in the Kitchen!

Grits, Hominy, Polenta

Grits, Hominy and Polents. They are different but very similar.
Here's the breakdown:

Grits

Hominy

Pozole, which means "hominy", is a traditional soup or stew from Mexico. It is made from hominy, with meat, and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded cabbage, chile peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. 

Polenta

Grits are a traditional American dish made from ground dried hominy (a form of specially processed corn) which is simmered until it becomes soft and creamy.

When cooked, the grits expand and absorb the cooking liquid, taking on a somewhat gelatinized consistency. Different grinds of grits are available, ranging from coarse to medium to fine. Although grits are usually white, they can be yellow as well. The color difference is about which species of corn is used to make the hominy.

Grits possess a relatively mild flavor on their own but will take on the flavor of the cooking liquid. They're also typically flavored with salt, butter, and cheese during cooking.

A good rule of thumb when cooking grits is that they will absorb about four times their volume in liquid. Therefore, to prepare one cup of grits, you'd use four cups of water or stock, simmering for twenty to twenty-five minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed. Instant grits are also available, which cook in just a few minutes.

Grits are a popular breakfast staple in the American South, where they're served instead of potatoes. But they can be eaten at any meal, with shrimp and grits being a particularly popular recipe.

Grits = Polenta? 

And now here's something you might not know: grits and polenta are not the same things. And it's not because polenta is yellow and grits are (usually) white. As I mentioned at the top, grits are made from ground dried hominy. And the word hominy refers specifically to corn (usually a variety of corn called flint corn) that has been treated by soaking and cooking it in an alkali solution, usually something called limewater.

This process is called nixtamalization, and it also produces two additional characteristics of hominy that distinguish it from ordinary field corn (aka dent corn, or simply maize), which is what's used to make corn flakes, corn meal, and yes, polenta. 

First, nixtamalization frees the niacin (vitamin B3) in the corn and allows it to be absorbed in our digestive tracts. And second, it produces a chemical change that allows the proteins and carbohydrates in the ground hominy to physically stick together. This means that adding water to the ground hominy flour (called masa) allows it to form a dough. Without it, it would be impossible to make corn tortillas— to say nothing of tortilla chips.

Nixtamalization also helps loosen the hulls on the kernels, making hominy easier to grind, expanding and gelatinizing the starches while also unlocking flavors and aroma. (Thus, grits are tastier than polenta. Deal with it.)

Some of the confusion in terms also comes from the fact that polenta (made from ground field corn) is sometimes called "corn grits" while grits (made from ground hominy) are alternately called hominy grits or Southern grits. So with all these different foods with the word "grits" in their names, it's easy to conflate them all into a single thing.

But remember: grits are made from hominy, which is nixtamalized corn. It has a different flavor from polenta, a different nutritional profile, and also different properties as far as being able to make it into a dough.

Hominy is a food made from kernels of corn which are soaked in an alkali solution of either lime (the mineral, not the fruit) or lye. The corrosive nature of the solution removes the hull and germ of the corn and causes the grain itself to puff up to about twice its normal size.

Hominy can be made with either white or yellow corn. Specifically, hominy is made from maize, which is also called field corn. This type of corn is used in making corn meal, corn flakes, and other grain products, as opposed to sweet corn, which is the well-known vegetable that can be eaten on the cob. Hominy is the essential ingredient in such staples as grits and corn tortillas.

Skipping over the polenta dish on the menu just because you’re not familiar with it is a crime — and it stops today. Folks, if you’ve been living without polenta in your life, you have not been living fully. We are here to right that wrong with a quick introduction to this Italian comfort food.

Polenta comes from overseas, but that doesn’t mean that it’s exotic. In Italy, from which polenta hails, this dish is anything but glamourous. It’s common, comforting and cheap. 

Basically, polenta is made from ground cornmeal, much like grits from the American South. (If you don’t know about grits you’ve come to the right place because you’re going to learn about not one, but two of the ultimate players in comfort food.) Polenta usually gets cooked low and slow on the stove (though there IS an instant version) with any combination of water, milk, cream and butter. It can be served creamy, chilled and cut into squares and then baked or fried, and it can be made into cookies too, just like grits. It’s also particularly delicious when paired with marinara sauce. (And if you’re cheating, you can buy it pre-made in a tube.)

But don’t get confused in thinking that polenta and grits are one and the same, because the two are different — even if that difference is slight. In most cases you could use the same cornmeal to make a polenta dish as you would a grits dish, but the type of corn traditionally used to make each food is different.

Polenta is made from a corn variety that grows in Italy known as flint corn. It holds its shape better than the Southern US corn used for grits, which is called dent corn. This means that grits often come out on the mushier side while polenta is generally a little coarser. 

Now that you know what polenta is, we hope you’ll order it next time you see it on the menu. But if you don’t want to wait till then, we have tons of recipes for you to test out at home. And if the slightly softer grits are calling your name, we’ve got recipes for those too. 

Almond Cake

I'm always looking for an easy, delicious dessert to make for a Family Gathering, a Church Bake Sale, a Holiday Dinner, our Annual Block Party, or just because I'm in the mood for a yummy dessert.
This is the perfect item to make.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" Springform Pan or a 9" Cake Pan, Brushed Well with Pan Release Mix. ( equal parts of Flour, Crisco and Vegetable Oil mixed well and refrigerated in a Jar.) I always have it available for all of my Baking Needs.

1 1/2 C Almond Flour
4 Large Eggs, Room Temperature and Separated
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
The Zest of 1 Lemon
1/4 C Sliced Almonds
Confectioner's Sugar for Dusting
Lemon Slices for Garnish

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Yolks
Sugar
Whisk Well until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes. You can use a hand held Electric Mixer.

Add:
Flour
Zest
Stir well by hand with a Silicone Spatula just until well combined.
Set Aside.
Clean the Bowl and Whisk.

In the Large Mixing Bowl.
Egg Whites
Whisk until Stiff Peak.
Fold by Hand into the Bowl of Batter, just until completely incorporated.

Spoon gently into the Pan.
Smooth the top with a Silicone Spatula.
Sprinkle with Almonds.

Bake 30 minutes.
The Top should be Firm to the Touch.

Transfer Pan to a Rack to cool for 15 minutes.
Release the Cake onto the Rack to Cool Completely, flipped right side up.

Transfer to a Serving Platter.
Dust the Top with Confectioner's Sugar.
Garnish it with Lemon Slices.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Homemade English Muffins

I used to make English Muffins in the 70's. I cut the tops and bottoms out of Tuna Cans for the Rings. I now own a set of Rings to make them. There are recipes that can be made without the Rings, but I prefer them.

These are made on a Cast Iron Griddle cooked on the Stove. You can also make them in a Large Cast Iron Skillet or the Lodge Cast Iron Mini  Cake Pan, with 7 wells, without the Rings.

These are on a Cast Iron Griddle

The Lodge Mini Cake Pan
I love this Pan.
I use it to make Biscuits, and Holiday Cakes.

Large Cast Iron Skillet

Here's what you'll need:
Cast Iron Griddle, or
Large Cast Iron Skillet , or
Lodge Cake Pan.
An Ice Cream Scoop to measure the Dough .

4 1/2 C White Bread Flour
2 tsp Salt
2 TBS Butter
2 2/3 C Whole Milk
2 TBS Granulated Sugar
1 TBS Dry Yeast
Cornmeal for Dusting.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Flour
Salt
Whisk Well.
Set Aside.

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Butter, until melted.
Add:
Milk
Sugar
Cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
Heat just until warmed, not Hot, and Sugar is well combined.

Add:
Yeast
Whisk until well combined.
Remove from Heat.
Allow to rest for 5 minutes until it begins to Foam.
Add it to the Flour Bowl.
Stir with a Wooden Spoon until the Dough forms.

Move to a warm location to Rise.
When it has risen, cover with a Tea Towel and allow to rest for an additional 30 minutes to double in size.

Prepare the Rings:
Spray with a Vegetable Cooking Spray or Brush with Vegetable Oil.
You don't have to Spray the Griddle, or Skillet.
Spray the interior and sides of the Lodge Pan, if using it.

When the Dough has done it's final Rise, Stir with a Wooden Spoon to release the air.

When the Griddle is Hot:
Sprinkle the inside of the Rings or Lodge Griddle with a bit of Cornmeal.
Drop a Scoop of Dough into the Rings or Lodge Pan.
Flatten the top with a Spoon dipped in Vegetable Oil.
Sprinkle the tops with a bit of Cornmeal.

Cook for 4 - 5 minutes.
Flip them to cook the other side for an additional 4 - 5 minutes.

Remove them to a Rack to Cool Completely.

Serve with Butter.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen.

Strawberry, Banana and Marshmallow Cheesecake Salad

This looks so refreshing to serve during the summer when the heat index is well over 110 degrees.

Here's what you'll need:
A large Serving Bowl.

3 - 6 oz. containers of Strawberry Yogurt
1 Small Box of Jello Cheesecake Pudding Mix
12 oz. of Frozen Cool Whip, thawed.
1 lb. of Fresh Strawberries, sliced.
3 Bananas, sliced.
2 C of Miniature Marshmallows

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Yogurt
Pudding Mix
Whisk well until completely combined.

Add:
Cool Whip
Whisk well to incorporate.

Add:
Strawberries
Bananas
Marshmallows
Stir by hand to combine well.

Transfer to a Serving Bowl.
Cover with Plastic Wrap.
Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Serve Chilled.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Orange Sesame Cauliflower

We had lunch in a new restaurant in our small town in Colorado. The menu was very diverse, offering Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Filipino dishes. I told them I was Vegetarian and they recommended the Asian Orange Sesame Cauliflower. It's comparable to Orange Sesame Chicken. It was absolutely delicious and it was the inspiration for me to write this post and the recipe.

Orange Sesame Cauliflower

Here's what you'll need:
A Deep Cast Iron Dutch Oven or Chicken Fryer for Frying.
An Oil Thermometer.

1 Large Cauliflower, cut into florets.
2/3 C Water + 1 TBS, divided
1/3 C Cornstarch + 1 tsp, divided.
1/3 C Flour
3 TBS Vegetable Oil, divided. (+ Vegetable Oil for Frying, see below)
2 TBS Sesame Seeds ( + additional for Garnish)
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/4 C Sliced Green Onions (+additional for Garnish)
1 Large Navel Orange, Zest and Juice. (at least 1/4 C of Juice)
2 TBS Soy Sauce
2 TBS Vinegar
1 tsp Brown Sugar
Vegetable Oil for Frying, deep enough to cover the Florets.

In a Mixing Bowl:
2/3 C Water
1/3 C Cornstarch
Flour
Sesame Seeds
1 TBS Oil
Whisk well.
Set aside.

In a Sauce pan on Medium Heat:
Remaining 2 TBS Oil.
Garlic
Onion
Orange Zest
Orange Juice
Soy Sauce
Brown Sugar
Vinegar
Bring to a slight Boil.
Reduce heat to a low simmer.

In a small bowl, add 1 TBS of Water to 1 TBS Cornstarch.
Stir until dissolved.
Whisk this into the Saucepan mixture.
Reduce Heat to a very Low Simmer .
Remove from Heat and Set Aside.

In a Cast Iron Dutch Oven or Deep Cast Iron Skillet:
Vegetable Oil
Heat to 375 Degrees

Coat each Floret in the Flour Mixture.
Gently drop them into the Oil.
Fry until Golden Brown. (3 minutes)
Remove to a Sheet Pan line with Paper Towels.

When all of the Florets have been Fried:
Increase Oil to 385 degrees.
Fry them again for 30 seconds.
Drain once more on the Sheet Pan.
Transfer to a Serving Bowl.
Drizzle evenly with the Warm Sauce.

Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Green Onion Slices.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Microwave Oven Tips and Hints

I love any tip or hint that makes life easier in the kitchen.
This link is to a video about Microwave Ovens.


2:16

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!