Grab Bag

Entrecôte Au Poivre (Classic French Pepper Steak)

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When  was the last time you have seen a classic  steak au poivre  on a restaurant menu outside of Europe?
The best you can usually find elsewhere is it’s poor cousin, a steak covered in  green peppercorn sauce (Entrecote Au Poivre Vert).
While this can be excellent, it’s flavor and texture is far removed from a steak covered in freshly crushed black pepper and sauteed, then served in a sauce build from it’s very own pan drippings and some other goodies.
Last night I served this with my “special” fries. What makes them “special” is the fact that I fry them only once instead of the usual required two times. I start them in cold peanut oil ( or better yet, duck or goose fat if available) and let the temperature slowly rise to 385 F. By the time the oil is hot and the fries are golden brown, they will be creamy on the inside and very crisp on the outside. I season them with both fine salt and sea salt. The fine salt adheres better to the fries while the sea salt gives me the taste and crunchiness associated with sea salt.

Bon Appetit !   Life Is Good !
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Entrecôte  Au Poivre

Entrecôte Au Poivre

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Hans'

Hans’ “Special” Fries

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Frisée Salad With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

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A  light lunch will leave room for a big dinner to come later in the day 🙂

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Frisée With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

Frisée Salad With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

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Sour Dough Bread, Sauteed In Garlic & Herb Butter

Sour Dough Bread, Sauteed In Garlic & Herb Butter

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Frisée With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

Frisée Salad With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

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Frisée With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

Frisée Salad With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

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Frisée With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

Frisée Salad With Shrimp, Egg, Corn, Peppers & Honey / Lime Vinaigrette

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There Is A Monster On My Plate !!!

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My  friend Peter was supposed to be here at 4.00pm for a late end of week lunch.
He had “ordered” (nicely requested) chicken cordon bleu and I was happy to oblige.
As soon as I got home, I took care of Bella, took a shower and started with my food prep.
Ten minutes later Peter cancelled. Rather than being upset about the late cancelation,
I welcomed the chance to make a real monster of a cordon bleu out of the ingredients I had prepared for two regular portions. Of course, I omitted the side dishes (fries and salad) after I had a good look of the size of this baby.  Bella and I finished the whole thing and we were happy for it. Seems to me after all these year’s I finally figured out the proper size of a cordon bleu 🙂

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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
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Serve with Lime Or Lemon Wedges

Chicken Cordon Bleu

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Gratinated Beef, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

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This  must be my 25th different use for beef ribs other than just plain BBQ.
Incidentally, this is also without a doubt one of my best loved way’s to cook beef rib’s.
It is a bit robust for this time of the year here in Florida, but as I said often –
thank’s God for A/C 🙂
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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

Gratinated Beef Ribs, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef Ribs, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Beef Ribs, Potato, Cannellini, Garlic, Onion, Shiitake, Cilantro

Beef Ribs, Potato, Cannellini, Garlic, Onion, Shiitake, Cilantro

Simmer Ribs, Garlic, Kosher Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper Until Ribs Are Almost Tender

Simmer Ribs, Garlic, Kosher Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper Until Ribs Are Almost Tender

Add Potatoes, Simmer Until Potatoes Are Almost Tender,

Add Potatoes, Simmer Until Potatoes Are Almost Tender, Set Aside

Saute Onions And Shiitake In Olive Oil Until Onions Are Translucent

Saute Onions And Shiitake In Olive Oil Until Onions Are Translucent

Add Beans

Add Beans

Add Ribs, Potatoes And Stock, Bring To A Simmer. Sprinkle With LOT'S Of Finely Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Add Ribs, Potatoes And Stock, Bring To A Simmer. Sprinkle With LOT’S Of Finely Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Bake Until A Golden Crust Is Achieved

Bake Until A Golden Crust Is Achieved

Sprinkle With LOT'S Of Fried Onions

Sprinkle With LOT’S Of Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef Ribs, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef Ribs, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

Gratinated Beef, Beans & Potato Stew With Fried Onions

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Pizza With Mushroom, Gorgonzola, Gruyere, Tomato, Onion & Arugula

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Tonight,  my culinary enthusiasm was a bit limited by my lack of sleep last night.
( I went to sleep early at 11.30 pm, but Bella thought 2.30 am was a good time to get up, so she pestered me until I gave in and took her for a walk at 2.45 am.
Since I had my alarm set for 3.30 am ( busy 1st   day of school ), there was no point of going back to bed afterwards.
So, when I got home at 4.00pm, a quick and easy pizza had to make do for dinner.
( However, quick and easy should not mean crappy ! )
This little gem was far from crappy, on the contrary, I thought it was pretty awesome.
Quick, easy,crispy, tasty, juicy, delicious 🙂
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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
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Click here for Pizza Dough Recipe

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Pizza With Mushroom, Gorgonzola, Gruyere, Tomato, Onion & Arugula

Pizza With Mushroom, Gorgonzola, Gruyere, Tomato, Onion & Arugula

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Happy Sunday ! – “Soupi’s Peachy Dream’s”

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Usually,   the fruit and vegetable section in my neighborhood’s  publix’ is nothing to write home about, but the peaches they are selling this week are spectacular. Since I made some limoncello and orangecello  last week, this cocktail was a snap to prepare and it did the peaches full justice.
Make a fruit puree by blending the pitted, raw, un-peeled peaches with a bit of simple syrup and crashed ice until very smooth. Fill a pitcher (or glass)  3/4 with the fruit puree, top off the other 1/4  with half white wine and half orangecello. (Substitute wine with champagne  or  prosecco if you want more fizz ).
Have a  Happy Sunday 🙂

Cheer’s !   Life is Good !
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Soupi's Peachy Dream's

Soupi’s Peachy Dream’s

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Soupi's Peachy Dream's

Soupi’s Peachy Dream’s

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Soupi's Peachy Dream's

Soupi’s Peachy Dream’s

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Soupi's Peachy Dream's

Soupi’s Peachy Dream’s

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Breakfast Of Champions # 28 – ”Steak & Eggs”

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This  morning I had my usual two bananas and a large pot of peppermint tea for breakfast.
One hour later I remembered a bone in rib eye in the fridge and although I tried to forget about it for the time being, I did not succeed. So at about 8.30 am I gave in to my craving for a proper breakfast and prepared this beauty :
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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

Breakfast Of Champions # 28 – ” Steak & Eggs

Breakfast Of Champions # 28 – ” Steak & Eggs”

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Saute Potao, Grill, Steak

saute potatoes, grill steak

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Duck Fat Sauteed Potatoes

Duck Fat Sauteed Potatoes

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Top With Sliced ptomatoes

top with sliced ttomatoes

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Top With Medium Rare Steak

top with medium-rare steak

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Top With Soft Boiled Eggs

Top with soft-boiled eggs

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Drizzle With Chili Oil, Sprinkle With Freshly Ground Black Pepper & Scallions

Drizzle Egg’s With Chili Oil, Sprinkle With Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Kosher Salt & Scallion’s

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Top With Fresh Basil

Top With Fresh Basil

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Breakfast Of Champions # 28 – ” Steak & Eggs

Breakfast Of Champions # 28 – ” Steak & Eggs”

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Green Lip Mussels, Lai Fen Rice Sticks And Chopped Broccoli Rabe In Red Curry / Coconut Soup

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Last night I wanted to have a spicy snack at around midnight. Had to be quick and easy. Here is what I prepared. It took about 3 minutes of actual prep time and less than 15 minutes from start to finish. (I had some blanched rapini and cooked lai fen in the fridge from yesterday’s lunch and green lips on the half shell in the freezer). What a convenient product fresh frozen seafood is. If you make sure you buy quality merchandise and handle it with care, frozen seafood will make for a great snack or quick meal in no time. This soup was just awesome  🙂
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Green Lip Mussels, Lai Fen Rice Sticks And Chopped Broccoli Rabe In Red Curry/Coconut Soup

Green Lip Mussels, Lai Fen Rice Sticks And Chopped Broccoli Rabe In Red Curry / Coconut Soup


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Ingredient’s :
Green lip mussels,   frozen, on the half shell
Lai fen rice sticks,   cooked, tossed with sesame oil
Rapini,   blanched, coarsely chopped
Clam juice,
Coconut milk,
Tomato,   chopped
Onion,   julienned
Chilis,   julienned
Scallions,   sliced
Almonds,   slivered
Limes,   juiced
Curry powder,
Turmeric,
Garlic,    paste
Ginger,   grated
Fish sauce,
Red curry paste,   canned
Maggi seasoning,
Scotch bonnet sauce,
Kosher salt,
Peanut oil,   to saute

Method :

Saute onions in peanut oil until translucent, add tomatoes and chilis, saute for one minute. Add curry paste, garlic, ginger, curry powder, turmeric and almonds and saute until fragrant. Add all other ingredients except mussels, noodles and cilantro and simmer for 7 minutes. Strain. Add mussels and noodles. Return to heat until heated through. Remove from heat.  Add fish sauce and scotch bonnet sauce to taste  (be careful with the fermented fish sauce, check  HERE   first).  To serve, top with cilantro.
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Stew Of Split Pork Hock’s, Green Peas & Potatoes

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Last  night’s late dinner was one of these “hate it or love it” dishes.
Obviously, I love my specialty cut’s and offal, realising that not everybody shares this love. On the other hand, For the folks who do love this stuff, there is never enough of it to find, neither in the supermarket, nor in the majority of restaurants. ( Sadly, most cooks these days lack the knowledge, experience and passion to prepare these dishes). So, for the benefit of my fellow offal and specialty cut’s lover’s, here is one of my more simple but, nevertheless, very satisfying concoctions.

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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

Stew Of Split Pork Hock, Split Green Peas & Potatoes

Stew Of Split Pork Hock, Split Green Peas & Potatoes

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Simmer Split Hock's In Salted Water

Simmer Split Hock’s In Salted Water

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Add Onion, Garlic & Bay leaf

Add Onion, Garlic & Bay Leaf

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After 90 Minutes, Add Slit Peas. Simmer until Hock's & Peas Are Tender

After 90 Minutes, Add Split Peas. Simmer Until Hock’s & Peas Are Tender

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Remove Ans Discard Hock's &  Bay Leaf, Add some Grated Asiago, Blend Soup Until Smooth

Remove And Discard Bay Leaf’s, Remove & Reserve Hock’s. Add Some Heavy Cream & Grated Asiago Cheese, Blend Soup With A stick Blender Until Smooth

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Add Small cooked Potatoes & Return Hock's To Pot. Adjust Seasoning If Necessary

Add Small Cooked Potatoes & Return Hock’s To Pot. Adjust Seasoning If Necessary

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To Serve, Sprinkle With Finely Diced Chilis And Sliced Scallion

To Serve, Sprinkle With Finely Diced Chilis And Sliced Scallion

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Stew Of Split Pork Hock, Split Green Peas & Potatoes

Stew Of Split Pork Hock’s, Split Green Peas & Potatoes

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Stew Of Split Pork Hock, Split Green Peas & Potatoes

Stew Of Split Pork Hock’s, Split Green Peas & Potatoes

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Blueberry Delight With Limoncello & Prosecco

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Lately I find myself making Limoncello and Orangecello often. They are simple to produce and, if you decide to make it your self,  you can easily adjust the taste exactly to your liking by adjusting the ratio of the ingredients, as well as by changing the type of vodka and / or fruit you you use. Try mixing some other citrus fruits into your concoction, such as lime, calamansi, blood oranges, etc. The possibilities are endless and you can proudly promote your own, home made, personalized liquor. Think special bottles, labels, presentation boxes and so forth. These will make great gifts and provide you and your friends with that special drink for that special occasion. ( Coming home from work would be a great occasion. Just saying…… 🙂
So, today I brought home some fresh blueberries which I thought I will turn into a nice pie. However, when opening the fridge to put the blueberries away until tomorrow, I thought I heard the limoncello bottle call out to me:  Hey, wait a minute………
So, just about five minutes later, I was out on the terrace, enjoying my new creation and congratulating myself to this new recipe in my dessert repertoire.
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Blueberry  Smoothie With Limoncello & Prosecco

Blueberry Delight With Limoncello & Prosecco

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Ingredient’s :

Fresh blueberries,   four cups, chilled
Limoncello,   one cup
Vanilla greek yogurt,   two cups
Prosecco,   two cups
Honey,   1/4 cup
Crashed ice,   two cups
Serves 4

Method :

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until berries are crushed .
To serve, sprinkle with some fresh blueberries.
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Limoncello / Orangello Recipe :

Ingredient’s:

Lemons,   one dozen  (for Orangecello, replace the lemons with nine oranges)
Vodka,   one quart
Water,   four cups
Sugar,   3 cups

Method :

Peel the lemons, making sure that there is no white part remaining on the peel   ( bitter ! ) .
Put the lemon peel and the vodka in a sealable glass bottle. Let stand at room temperature for two days. Strain, discard peel.
Dissolve the sugar over low heat, remove from heat and let cool completely.
Mix the syrup with the vodka, chill until very cold.
Enjoy by itself, over ice , or as a longdrink mixed to your taste. Cheers !

Cheers !   Life is Good !
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