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5/22/10

Cava, Strawberry and Orange Sorbet

Viva España!

Having said that, we enjoyed our Spanish theme dinner on 5/22/10. Sure... it's not a Sunday meal, but hey we had Sunday plans! Anyway... this was the winner of the coveted star for the weekend!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 10-ounce package frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup brut cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
  • Fresh strawberries (Garnish)
Preparation

Stir sugar and water in small saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil. Transfer to large bowl. Puree strawberries in processor. Add to syrup. Mix in orange juice and cava. Refrigerate strawberry mixture until well chilled.
Process strawberry mixture in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer sorbet to covered container and freeze until ready to serve. (Can be prepared 4 days ahead.) Scoop sorbet into glasses. Top with fresh berries and serve.

5/16/10

Americana Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Waffles (Serves 4)


Although it won by default, this one has 'All-American' written all over it. Crispy fried chicken and buttermilk waffles, all slathered in warm maple syrup, are made for each other and then you add a side of country style applesauce, dusted with a little cinnamon... oh be still my heart!

Try it some morning and see if it doesn't make the whole day just a bit better.
- Chez

Ingredients - Chicken:

  • 4 skin-on, boneless fryer chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • vegetable oil, for frying

Ingredients - Buttermilk Waffles:


  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • Unsalted butter, topping
  • Maple Syrup

Directions - Chicken: Heat enough vegetable oil to come about 1-inch up the sides of a large, deep cast iron skillet to 350 degrees F. Rinse the chicken under cold running water and do not dry; leave wet. In a large sealable bag, combine the flour with the spices. Add the chicken pieces 1 at a time, seal, and shake to coat evenly. Remove and place on a wire rack over a baking sheet and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil and fry, turning once, until golden brown and the meat is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.


Directions -Waffles: Preheat a waffle iron and lightly grease. Into a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. In a clean bowl, beat the eggs. Add the butter and buttermilk and beat to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix well.Pour the batter into the hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown and lightly crisp. Remove and if desired, top with a slice of butter, and serve with the chicken and maple syrup.

5/9/10

Potato, Leek and Fennel Soup (makes 8 servings)


Another Sunday and another theme-meal. This time we did all things 'Hollywood' and brunch was graced with the debut of a fine soup... Potato, Leek and Fennel Soup that is. Smooth and creamy, with no one flavor too predominant. In short, they all played well together and made a delicious dish.

If you are so inclined, perhaps you might try this recipe out and see if you too agree that this one is a Star among Stars!

- Chez



Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
  • 2 cups sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only)
  • 2 cups sliced fennel bulb, fronds reserved for garnish
  • 4 14 1/2-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth
  • 2 pounds red-skinned potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
  • 1 tbs white pepper
  • 1 tbs English Mustard

Preperation:

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and fennel and sauté until leeks are translucent, about 7 minutes. Add broth and potatoes and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer soup until potatoes are very tender, about 25 minutes. Using a stick blender, purée soup to a very smooth texture. Rewarm soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper and mustard. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with reserved fennel fronds and serve.

5/2/10

Amaretti Ice Cream Balls (Makes 4)

Friends from church graced Chez this evening and while the salad, main course and side dish were killer, it was the dessert that got the loudest 'rave reviews'.

The preparation is so simple as to be laughable and the results are so grand as to make it a sure-fire dessert when you need to 'Wow' them and just don't have the time.


Give this a try!

- Chez

INGREDIENTS

  • 35 shortbread cookies
  • 1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
  • 1 pint vanilla ice cream
  • heavy chocolate sauce (fudge)
  • whipped cream

PREPARATION

  1. Crush cookies by hand or in plastic bag.
  2. Place onto a sheet pan.
  3. Dampen the cookie crumbs with the liqueur.
  4. Scoop ice cream balls onto the sheet pan and roll around until covered.
  5. Return to freezer and freeze at least 3 hours.
  6. Plate a ball on dish and drizzle with remainder of amaretto, drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with whipped cream.