Sautéing

Fresh Corn And Arugula Salad With Chorizo

>
>

sauteed fresh corn with garlic paste and cracked black pepper

>
>

When I sautéed the corn in preparation for this salad, I could hardly resist to eat the corn just of the cob, it smelled and looked so appetizing. But alas, I was able to resist and finish the salad first, then enjoyed the whole concoction together.
Great salad, great lunch 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Fresh Corn And Arugula Salad With Chorizo

Naan

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: Saute fresh corn slowly in garlic oil with garlic paste

: season with fresh cracked black pepper and sea salt

: prepare sliced red onions, baby arugula, red peppers, yellow grape tomatoes and finely sliced iceberg

: cut kernels off the cob

: add to salad, add honey mustard vinaigrette

: plate the salat

: top with avocado and finely sliced chorizo, garnish with fresh basil and pickled chili

: Fresh Corn And Arugula Salad With Chorizo

: serve with hot naan

>
>
>
>
>

Latkes With Caramelized Nectarines

>
>
Latkes, kartoffelpuffer, reibekuchen, potato pancakes, bramborák, draniki – a hundred different countries, a hundred different names for the same amazing potato dish. Jewish in origin, it has found its way into a myriad of other cuisines were it has become a beloved dish of longstanding tradition.
Potato pancakes are very popular in Europe and particularly in Germany, where you can find “Puffer Kiosk”s on many streets, at fairs and festivals and of course in many restaurants and in many homes, were they will be served by themself as snack, or accompanied by fruits, or part of savory dishes, with bacon, fish or other proteins.
I have eaten and loved “Kartoffelpuffer ” ever since I had the first ones at our home, lovingly prepared by my mom. At our home they were always served with apple sauce, no exception.
Tilly was not the world’s greatest cook, but she made the best potato pancakes – period. Memories…….. 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>
More about ” Latkes ”
>
More “Latkes” on ChefsOpinion
>
Latkes Recipe
>
>

Typical German “Latke Kiosk”

Latkes With Caramelized Nectarines

Latkes

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
<
>

: pitaya (dragon fruit) and nectarines

: saute nectarines on low heat in butter, add a small amount of brown sugar

: when caramelized, remove from heat, ad a dash of lemon juice and a few drops of organic vanilla extract

: saute the potato batter in vegetable oil

: saute until golden, flip to other side

: saute until cooked through and crisp

: Latkes With Caramelized Nectarines

: Latkes With Caramelized Nectarines

: Latkes

: Caramelized Nectarines

>
>
>
>
>

Cornmeal-Dusted Sauteed Pork Ribs

>
>
So who decided that the only good ribs are BBQ’d Ribs ?!
Once you have tried these here knock-out babies, you might be hooked on this very different spin on one of Americas favorite pork cut’s.
I for one prefer this preparation to the traditional way of barbequing ribs. This way you will actually be able to taste the rib meat, as well as enjoy the unique texture of the ribs, all of which is lost after hours of grilling, smoking and then drowning in a bucket-load of bbq sauce.
Of course, there are some great bbq’d ribs out there, but in my own humble opinion, they are few and far between.
So here we go, great ribs served with a wonderful German potato and cucumber salad.
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>
German Potato Salad
:
>

>
>

Cornmeal Dusted Sauteed Pork Ribs

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: single-cut pork ribs

: simmer ribs in salted water until tender but NOT falling apart, drain

: season with dijon mustard, sriracha, kosher salt , oregano and granulated garlic

: coat with a mixture of corn starch and corn meal ( 50/50)

: saute in peanut oil until golden and crisp

: meanwhile, prepare the potato salad from cooked, warm sliced potatoes and cucumbers (see link for instructions)

: remove ribs to absorbent paper, let rest for a minute

: Cornmeal Dusted Sauteed Pork Ribs

: Cornmeal Dusted Sauteed Pork Ribs

: Cornmeal Dusted Sauteed Pork Ribs

: Cornmeal Dusted Sauteed Pork Ribs

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Tortilla Española (Tortilla De Patatas) (Spanish Omelette)

>
>
While a Spanish tortilla is steeped in tradition and has it’s long-standing recipes (usually just thinly sliced potatoes and eggs,) I like to make my own, more elaborate versions by adding “stuff”, such as ham, bacon, vegetables, mushrooms, shrimp, or any other ingredient I find suitable to a dish I love but would find boring after a while had it only the two original ingredients. I justify calling these versions “Tortilla Española” because of the fact that while I was traveling in Spain, I encountered many such versions with different ingredients, all the same called “Tortilla Española”. As for browning the potatoes in the version containing diced potatoes instead of thinly sliced potatoes, this just seems to result in a different texture (better, in my opinion) than if using potatoes without a crispy crust.
I hope the Tortilla Española Purist’s out there will forgive me and everybody else will experiment until they find their own favorite version of this great dish 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Tortilla Española (Tortilla De Patatas) (Spanish Omelette)

Tortilla Espagnola

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
<
<

: whisk whole eggs with kosher salt, granulated garlic and hot sauce

: saute diced potatoes in olive oil, season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

: when potatoes are lightly browned, add diced onions, saute until onions are translucent

: add diced chorizo and sliced scallions ( I also added a bit of leftover mortadela I had in the fridge), saute until sausages start to brown

: add egg mixture, put into 350F oven until set

: slide on a plate, flip onto other side and continue to cook in oven until set and golden brown but still moist on the inside

: to serve, sprinkle with freshly grated manchego cheese and chopped cilantro, serve hot or at room temperature

: Tortilla Española (Tortilla De Patatas) (Spanish Omelette)

: Tortilla Española (Tortilla De Patatas) (Spanish Omelette)

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Easy Does It # 25 – Griddle Ham & Cheese Sandwich

>
>
Let’s face it and admit to the truth – no matter how passionate we are about good food, not all meals we consume must be and can be culinary masterpieces or be completely homemade in order to make us happy.
In cooking, as with love, sometimes a loving hug will do it instead of a few hours of passionate love-making (Well, sometimes…….. 🙂
I have posted some pretty simple stuff in the past and judging by the positive responses, posts about simple food are as welcome as the more complex meals.
So, I feel confident that mixing a few very simple, basic dishes into my usual mix of international food posts will be a welcome addition to the folks who are still learning their way around the kitchen, as well as for the more seasoned cooks who will be reminded that sometimes, depending on our mood, the time and/or budget, simple means best 🙂
I believe today’s dish is a perfect example of how to lift a usually mediocre dish up to new hights by choosing top-ingredients and preparing the food with love and care.
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>
P.S.
If you replace the mayo with the more customary butter and grill the sandwich instead, you will miss out on the best part of this sandwich – the wonderful crust which the mayo helps to provide.
>
>
More “Easy Does It”
>
>
>
>

Griddle Ham & Cheese Sandwich

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: smear both sides of seeded rye bread with mayonnaise

: griddle one side of each slice of bread until golden

: top the griddle side of the bread with sharp cheddar

: top the cheddar with ham, drizzle with sriracha

: top with more cheddar

: top with a slice of bread which has been smeared on both sides with dijon mustard

: top with more ham

: top with more cheddar

: top with another mayonnaise-covered, one side griddled bread, griddle side down

: griddle sandwich on a VERY low heat griddle (or cast iron pan) until golden, turn, griddle the other side

: cover and cook VERY slowly until the cheese has melted, to serve, cut in half, serve with spicy ketchup and kosher pickles

: Griddle Ham & Cheese Sandwich

: Griddle Ham & Cheese Sandwich

: Griddle Ham & Cheese Sandwich

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Ahlbecker Meeresfrüchte Suppe (Ahlbeck-Style Seafood Soup)

>
>
Back when my wife Maria and I were owners of Restaurant Gildenkeller in Neubrandenburg, (in the former East Germany), one of our short weekend trips took us to the island of Usedom, which is about an hours drive by car from Neubrandenburg, where our restaurant was located.
I remember the quaint little Inn’s and the few stately, but outdated and mostly dilapidated grand hotels of better times past (before the communists took over). However, there were also a number of small, new restaurants, run with much enthusiasm and love by their newly capitalist owners, which excelled in their standards of food and service. In one such gem in the town of Ahlbeck (I forgot the name of the restaurant but not the food we ate) Maria and I had a most wonderful lunch, consisting of an delightful appetizer of “Matjes Herring” with “Pumpernickel“, a superb main course of “Ahlbecker Meeresfrüchte Suppe” and a great dessert of “Rote Grütze“.
Today I prepared the soup as I remembered it from so many years ago and it did not disappoint 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
P.S.
Check the bottom of this page for “Bella’s Salmon Stew” 🙂
>
>
>

Ahlbecker Meeresfrüchte Suppe

: fresh salmon, fresh cod fillet, shrimp, chopped smoked salmon, squid (replace with mussels for more authenticity)

: simmer cut fish in water seasoned with salt, white pepper and lemon juice

: when fish is almost done, add squid (or mussels) and shrimp, remove from heat, let steep another minute

: drain seafood, save the stock

: saute onions, anchovy paste and garlic paste

: add smoked salmon, saute another minute

: add a bit of a/p flour, saute another minute

: add clam juice (there is not enough flavor from the small amount of seafood in the stock)

: add the stock, simmer for 15 minutes

: add heavy cream, check / adjust seasoning

: plate the warm seafood, sprinkle with chopped parsley or dill

: ladle the hot soup over the seafood

: Ahlbecker Meeresfrüchte Suppe

: Ahlbecker Meeresfrüchte Suppe

: Ahlbecker Meeresfrüchte Suppe

>
>
Bellas Fish Stew
>

: for your four-legged friend (dog or cat), simmer the salmon trimmings in a bit of water

: Bellas Salmon Stew 🙂

: spoil her to smithereens, 🙂

: Happy Bella 🙂

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Carlo’s Veal & Leek Soup

>
>
Soup……….
(Excerpt from “FoodTimeline”)
.
Food historians tell us the history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking. The act of combining various ingredients in a large pot to create a nutritious, filling, easily digested, simple to make/serve food was inevitable. This made it the perfect choice for both sedentary and travelling cultures, rich and poor, healthy people and invalids. Soup (and stews, pottages, porridges, gruels, etc.) evolved according to local ingredients and tastes. New England chowder, Spanish gazpacho, Russian borscht, Italian minestrone, French onion, Chinese won ton and Campbell’s tomato…are all variations on the same theme.
Soups were easily digested and were prescribed for invalids since ancient times. The modern restaurant industry is said to be based on soup. Restoratifs (wheron the word “restaurant” comes) were the first items served in public restaurants in 18th century Paris. Broth [Pot-au-feu], bouillion, and consomme entered here. Classic French cuisine generated many of the soups we……read more about Soup here
>
.
Many years ago when Maria and I visited one of my friends in Germany, Carlo (better known in Germany’s food community as “Kräuter-Carlo” aus Trebenow), served us this great soup which has stayed in my repertoire for home cooked comfort food ever since. It is so tasty and the texture so pleasant that every time I prepare a large pot full in order to be able to re-heat it in batches in the next few days, I usually end up finishing most of the whole pot right then and there :-).
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
>

Carlo’s Veal & Leek Soup

Carlo’s Pork & Leek Soup

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: saute onions and garlic paste in butter

: add ground veal, season with kosher salt and cayenne pepper

: saute until all meat is crumbled

: add finely sliced leek

: saute another minute

: add a small amount of a/p flour

: add chicken/or vegetable stock, simmer for twenty minutes, add small pre-cooked potatoes, simmer another ten minutes

: add heavy cream and grated nutmeg, check / adjust seasoning

: to serve, sprinkle with grated asiago cheese and Italian parsley

: Carlo’s Veal & Leek Soup

: Carlo’s Veal & Leek Soup

: Carlo’s Veal & Leek Soup

: Carlo’s Veal & Leek Soup

>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Rösti With Mushrooms In Cream

>
>
Life is all about the crispy bits………….. 🙂
Most folks would probably agree with this statement, especially when we’re talking food, and of course especially when we are talking fried, baked or sautéed potatoes. And, in my own, humble opinion, of all the great potato dishes, the undisputed king is “Rösti”. Crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside, it is a most versatile dish which can be enjoyed as a main course with just a fried egg on top and a green side salad, or as a side dish for such dishes as Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, Gulasch or Creamed Mushrooms, as shown below.
There are Rösti which are enhanced with such mixed-in goodies as cheese, herbs, grated onions, bacon and so forth. Yet for me, at least in the case of Rösti, simple is best, so I prefer the basic version – grated potatoes, seasoned with kosher salt and cayenne pepper and sautéed in duck fat – voilà . There is also the divide between advocates of using raw shredded potatoes versus the Rösti enthusiasts who insist on parboiled potatoes. While both versions have the potential to be wonderful, I myself prefer the parboiled potato version, which has a less starchy taste.
>
Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
>
More on Rösti
>
>

Rösti With Creamy Mushrooms

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures

>
>
>

: Simmer potatoes until HALF- way cooked, drain, let cool, preferably overnight

: grate potatoes coarsely

: season with kosher salt and cayenne pepper, saute in duck fat (substitute with clarified butter if duck fat is not available)

: shape into patty

: cook until crispy on one side, turn, cook on other side until crispy

: done…….

: Rösti

: button mushrooms

: saute diced onions and garlic paste until fragrant

: add mushrooms, saute until starting to lightly brown

: add heavy cream, kosher salt and cayenne pepper

: simmer until reduced and creamy, add sliced scallions

: Creamy Mushroom

: Rösti With Creamy Mushrooms

: Rösti With Creamy Mushrooms

: Rösti With Creamy Mushrooms

: Rösti With Creamy Mushrooms

: Rösti With Creamy Mushrooms

: Baby Arugula & Vine-Ripened Tomatoes

>
>
>
>
>
>

Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

>
>
Today’s late lunch / early dinner has send me way back to my day’s of gluttony. I will have to live on apples for the next few days to make up for today’s culinary excess, but it was well worth it 🙂
After a few days of eating mostly fruits and vegetables, my cravings for some hearty soul food got the best of me and I gave in to my innermost desires of preparing and enjoying a beautiful “Choucroute Garnie”, also known in some parts of Swabia as “Kleine Schlachtplatte”.
(A “Kleine Schlachtplatte” consists of sauerkraut, boiled pig such as belly, loin, or knuckles, sausage such as blood pudding, fresh liverwurst or knackwurst and bread or potatoes – as opposed to a real “Schlachtplatte”, which is eaten only on the day of butchering and processing a Hog and usually consists of sauerkraut, boiled pigs head or belly, fresh liverwurst and fresh blood pudding. Obviously, I had to make do with a “Kleine Schlachtplatte” today, which nevertheless was divine and deeply satisfying.
>
Bon Appetit ! Live is Good ! (And sometimes fattening) 😦 🙂
>
>
More on Choucroute Garnie
>
More on Schlachtplatte
>

Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>

: select a good quality sauerkraut for this dish

: cover fresh ham hocks with salted water, bring to a boil

: turn down to a simmer, cook until tender but NOT falling apart

: meanwhile, saute onions in bacon fat, when onions are translucent, add sauerkraut

: add stock from the ham hocks, season with cayenne pepper, garlic paste and a dash of sugar

: simmer sauerkraut until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes

: add a bit of corn starch slurry to bind the juices

: check / adjust the seasoning

: add smoked pork chops, blood sausages (morcilla) and the knuckles, cover and simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauerkraut does not burn at the bottom

: meanwhile, saute small cooked potatoes in bacon fat with caraway seeds, season with kosher salt and cayenne pepper

: Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

: Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

: Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

: Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

: Choucroute Garnie (Kleine Schlachtplatte)

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Hungarian Beef Goulash

>
>
Today I combined breakfast, lunch and dinner all into one fabulous meal.
(I did however have a few fruits throughout the day).
Goulash is one of the dishes which were a staple in the South of Germany when I grew up and it was enjoyed in most homes and simple and even fine restaurants frequently. Goulash is quite different from other beef stews. There is now flour to thicken the sauce as in most other stews (the collagen in the beef will take care of that) and there are much more onions and sweet paprika to give the goulash its characteristic taste and color. Goulash is usually reddish in color and it’s heat level can be high, depending on the amount of hot chili or chili powder added (if any). To obtain the original flavor of good goulash, season with equal parts of finely chopped lemon peel, thyme and caraway seeds.
I usually prefer my goulash to be accompanied by Knödel (dumplings) or Spätzle, but frankly, today this was too much effort for me and I substituted the Knödel or Spätzle with pasta 🙂
>
Bon Appetit ! Life Is Good !
>
>
All about Goulash
>
All about Knödel
>
More ChefsOpinion on Spätzle
>
>