My family makes a lot of Easter Eggs. I means dozens upon dozens. Maybe it is the nostalgia of using the coloring kits, but it’s something that my mum and I always do. And I do like eggs (well, some eggs — not much for the soft-boiled kind) but after a couple of days and a few dozen eggs, eggs get a little boring. Enter deviled eggs. I *love* deviled eggs of any sort. I think that on my site I have at least a dozen variations (appropriate, eh?). This yeah, I decided to go with the smoked salmon and dill variation. Great addition to a picnic or brunch menu (ok, it’s a little to early to be picnicking in New England, but bookmark this for later in the year or something).
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Happy First Day of Spring! It certainly doesn’t feel like it around here, it being cold and there is yet another looming snowstorm for Greater Boston. This is why “comfort Food” is still on the menu around here, so recently I made this Portuguese Fisherman’s Stew to warm up. I’m more used to chowders in New England, but this is more of a tomato-and-pepper based seafood stew with cod and shrimp/prawns. Turned out really nice. I served it with saffron rice, but can also just be served as a soup. Enjoy!
So how many people hate making roux? I’m fine with making blonde roux, mostly used the thicken things, but when it comes to making penny-roux, the deep dark, meant-for-flavor type of roux used to make things like gumbo, I either lose patience (because it takes so long) or I mess it up by burning the whole thing. Either way, it isn’t my favorite thing to do, so when America’s Test Kitchen demonstrated a dry roux (by placing plain old flour in the oven for an hour), I was really happy. That photo isn’t of cinnamon, it’s flour! And it turns out to work well, at least in making this Chicken and Andoille Sausage Gumbo. At the end of the day, it takes about the same amount of time (2 hours), but you can also toast the flour weeks or even a month or two ahead of time. Game changer! (Oh, and in addition to the technique, the Gumbo is pretty dang tasty too!
Just catching up with posting this, even though I made it a few days ago. Last weekend was a miserable rainy and cold one (though not snow!) which was a good excuse to make this Bacon Beef and Beer Pot Pie. True winter comfort food. Rich and hearty and warms the soul. If you don’t fancy the pie part, just make the stew and serve with potatoes or egg noodles or Spätzle. The recipe makes enough to feed the entire extended family but it’s a great make-ahead meal and freezes well (either just the stew, or already assemble into the pot pie).
It’s Superbowl Sunday, and while I don’t care about the game all that much (I like close and interesting games, but NFL Football isn’t really my thing), I do like making “Game Day Food”. If I were having a gathering (which I am not), I might make this … Three Bean and Beef Chili. I like flavorful chili that isn’t over the top hot (feel free to adjust with cayenne, if it isn’t hot enough for you). Trick for keeping the beef tender? “Brining” with a bit of salt, water and baking soda. Works like a gem!