tasty

Calamare E Bucatini

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I love calamari, but I hate to clean them at home and it is hard to find good quality cleaned ones around here. But, yesterday I got lucky. I drove around a bit with Bella to see what’s out there and low and behold, I found a fishmonger I had not noticed before, even though I drove by there many times over the year’s. To my surprise, they have a great selection of fresh, quality seafood. I had to control myself not to go crazy and buy too much (I did anyway).
So, one of the first things on my list today were the calamari, simply prepared and served over Bucatini.

Bon Apetit ! Life is Good !
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Calamare E Bucatini

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mise en place

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season with kosher salt, cayenne pepper and granulated garlic, dredge in corn starch. Cook bucatini until al dente, drain, reserve some of the cooking liquid

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saute in VERY hot peanut oil for less then a minute

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remove to absorbent paper

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add herb butter, chilies, scallion, garlic paste, small amount of grated parmesan, kosher salt, chili sauce and small amount of cooking liquid, mix well until pasta is coated

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bucatini

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Calamare E Bucatini

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Calamare E Bucatini

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Calamare E Bucatini

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Easy Does It # 7 – Mac & Cheese (Mac & Cheese Recipe # 3784)

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Dear Friend’s,
Although most of my followers are culinary professionals, there is also a large segment of followers who are just starting to enjoy cooking on a slightly higher than basic level. I have therefore decided to publish, under the moniker “Easy Does It“, from time to time some very basic recipe variations of dishes which otherwise might seem complicated to some folks. I will break them down to the easiest, most simple instructions, so that those of you who are intimidated by elaborate recipes will be able to prepare these dishes properly, adjusted to your taste and liking, right from the get-go.
Enjoy :-)
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In anticipation of my splendid dinner to come (you’ll see), I decided to have a very simple late lunch. Before I came to the USA I had never seen or eaten mac & cheese and for the first few years I was not interested in it either, always having been served the packaged version and never been able to understand its appeal. However, when I started to make my own, using quality ingredients, good seasoning and pasta cooked al dente, I changed my opinion and became a fan like millions of others :-).
I have used all kind of different cheeses and added many other ingredients, such as mushrooms, vegetables, protein etc.
Here now is what I consider to be a basic version. Just make sure you season properly, don’t overcook the pasta and most of all, use the best quality sharp cheddar you can find.

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !

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Mac & Cheese. Recipe # 4794

: saute salame and chili flakes in butter

: add heavy cream and freshly cooked pasta, garlic paste, kosher salt

: add freshly grated sharp cheddar and scallions

: mix everything well, check / adjust seasoning

: Mac & Cheese. Recipe # 4794

: Mac & Cheese. Recipe # 4794

: Mac & Cheese. Recipe # 4794

: Mac & Cheese. Recipe # 4794

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Potato Cream Soup With Apple, Chorizo And Mushroom

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While driving home today I started to feel this craving for potato soup, so I stopped at the grocer to get me some potatoes and cream.
While not the most elegant or pretty of soups, when done right it is a great dish, either as a snack, appetizer or, as in this case, a great main course all by itself.

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Potato Cream Soup With Apple, Chorizo And Mushroom

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saute onions in duck fat

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add a good amount of garlic paste

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add potatoes, chicken stock, kosher salt and cayenne pepper, simmer until potatoes are tender

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meanwhile, saute diced, skin on apples, chorizo and mushrooms in butter

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blend soup until smooth

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add heavy cream, check / adjust seasoning. To serve, top with sauteed garnish and scallions

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Potato Cream Soup With Apple, Chorizo And Mushroom

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Potato Cream Soup With Apple, Chorizo And Mushroom

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Easy Does It # 6 – Express Ramen

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Dear Friend’s
Although most of my followers are culinary professionals, there is also a large segment of followers who are just starting to enjoy cooking on a slightly higher than basic level. I have therefore decided to publish, under the moniker “Easy Does It“, from time to time some very basic recipe variations of dishes which otherwise might seem complicated to some folks. I will break them down to the easiest, most simple instructions, so that those of you who are intimidated by elaborate recipes will be able to prepare these dishes properly, adjusted to your taste and liking, right from the get-go.
Enjoy :-)
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In the foodie world everybody act’s as if ramen has been invented yesterday morning. In reality, it has been around forever, being a very special and revered dish in it’s original form. However, since the instant variety has been invented, it has been the stable of millions of students and other young folks around the world. It is simple to prepare, costs only pennies and is filling and tasty.
I have made many different types of ramen soups over the past few decades, starting out with the instant form as a young kid. Gradually I started adding “stuff” to my soups, roast pork, chicken, beef, any kind of seafood, herbs, vegetables, cooked eggs, whisked eggs, poached eggs, you name it, it has found its way into my ramen. But even when I make it from scratch, I still use store bought ramen noodles. Some Asian specialty shops have good quality ramen, so if you can, splurge a little on quality. In a pinch, angel hair pasta cooked al dente, with a bit of baking soda added to the water, is a reasonable fine substitute.
However, today I want to show you how to make a simple ramen from the instant variety. Discard the seasoning packages that comes in the packs. Use a good home made pork stock (substitute with chicken stock if you prefer), season with miso, grated ginger, garlic paste, sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil and sake.

Bon Appetit ! どうぞめしあがれ (Douzo Meshiagare)
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to serve, add egg yolk to the soup (substitute with cooked egg if you prefer)

Express Ramen

: cook instant ramen noodles in boiling salt water for one minute, strain, coat with sesame oil

: heat chicken broth to a simmer, add noodles, garlic paste, miso, soy sauce, sake, sea salt and grated ginger

: add bok choy and cooked shrimp let everything heat through without simmering, check/adjust seasoning

: to serve, add egg yolk to the soup (substitute with cooked egg if you prefer)

: Express Ramen

: Express Ramen

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Cream Of Asparagus, Potatoes & Mushrooms

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After a weekend of over eating and indolence I felt I had to scale down a bit on dinner tonight.
A bowl of soup seemed just right, so here is what I concocted:

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Cream Of Asparagus, Potatoes & Mushrooms

: saute garlic paste in butter

: add onions, saute until opaque

: deglaze with white wine

: add asparagus and potatoes

: add half chicken stock and half milk

: simmer until potatoes are soft

: saute mushrooms in butter, season with salt and pepper

: blend soup until smooth, strain through a fine mesh sieve

: add heavy cream, season with salt and pepper. To serve, add mushroom, sprinkle with chili flakes

: Cream Of Asparagus, Potatoes & Mushrooms

: Cream Of Asparagus, Potatoes & Mushrooms

: Cream Of Asparagus, Potatoes & Mushrooms

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Sauteed Pickled Herring And Potato Patty (“Pommes De Terre Macaire” With A Twist)

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Once a regular item on a menu, I have not seen pommes macaire on a menu for many years. What a shame, since they are such a great dish and so easy to prepare. Another thing that baffles me is that whenever I ask folk’s if they like pickled herring, the answer is usually no. Then how come I see pickled herring and/or roll mops on just about every supermarket shelf? Somebody must be buying 🙂
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So when I had some leftover baked potatoes, I first thought of making another twice baked potato, but I cooked that often lately so I wanted to come up with something different and yummy, so here it is : Herring and potato patty, served with spicy potatoes and wasabi.

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Sauteed Pickled Herring And Potato Patty (Pommes Macaire With A Twist)

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potato, greek yogurt, horseradish, mustard, scallions, pickle juice, pickled onions, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, mix well, form into patties, dredge in panko

saute in clarified butter on both sides until golden, meanwhile, heat small cooked potatoes in tomato sauce seasoned with plenty of garlic paste and sriracha

almost done………

Sauteed Pickled Herring And Potato Patties

Sauteed Pickled Herring And Potato Patty (Pommes Macaire With A Twist)

Sauteed Pickled Herring And Potato Patties

Spicy Garlic Potatoes In Tomato Sauce

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Fussili Col Buco With Venison Bolognese, Vodka And Gorgonzola

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Yesterday I got some fresh ground venison from a friend visiting from Tennessee.
I am usually not a big fan of game but since he asked me to prep something for dinner, I came up with this dish which turned out to be pretty amazing 🙂
Obviously, if you don’t eat game, you can substitute the venison with any other ground meat. Traditionally, the alcohol to cook game with would be gin (juniper berry flavor), but I don’t drink that stuff so I don’t have it at home. However, vodka and chopped juniper berries did the trick here.

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Fussili Col Buco With Venison Bolognese, Vodka And Gorgonzola

: saute finely chopped carrot, onion and ground venison in duck fat, add tomato paste and chopped juniper berries, deglaze with red wine and heavy cream

: add vodka, garlic paste, oregano, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

: simmer until meat is tender, check/adjust seasoning

: meanwhile, cook fussili col buco

: fussili col buco

: top with venison

: top with gorgonzola

: top with shredded scallions

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Schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten Mit Pommes Frites (Swabian Style Rib Eye & Fries)

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One of any true Swabian and Austrian favorite dishes, zwiebel rostbraten is usually served with spätzle and a small salad.
For my lunch today I substituted the spätzle with “Hans Special Fries” and omitted the salad. I also added capers and a bit of the capers pickle liquid to the sauce. I have done that for many years and although not original, it will enhance the flavor of the sauce positively.

Bon Appetit ! An Guata !
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For Recipe Of Hans’ Special Fries, Click Here
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: pound a rib eye or strip until about 1/3 of an inch thick, season with salt and pepper, dust with flour and saute until done to your preference

: set steak aside, deglaze pan with caper jus and red wine

: add demi glace and capers, simmer one minute, season with salt and pepper

: meanwhile, fry very finely sliced onions in peanut oil until crispy, remove to absorbent paper, season with salt, pepper and granulated garlic

: Steak Frites

: Schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten Mit Pommes Frites

: Swabian Style Rib Eye & Fries

: Schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten Mit Pommes Frites

: Swabian Style Rib Eye & Fries

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“Easy Does It” # 5 – Cucumber, Dill & Sour Cream Salad

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Cucumber, Dill & Sour Cream Salad

wash cucumbers, pat dry

peel cucumbers, slice thin

season generously with kosher salt, mix well, let sit for 30 minutes

squeeze as much moisture from cucumbers as possible, discard liquid

add sour cream or greek yoghurt, granulated garlic, cayenne papper and lots of dill. mix well

add sour cream or greek yogurt, granulated garlic, cayenne pepper and lots of dill, mix well

Cucumber, Dill & Sour Cream Salad

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Surf & Turf – Striploin, Cod Filet, Coconut Rice And Curried Lentils

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Surf & turf, much different from your standard steak and lobster with fries. Different, but definitely not less delicious, maybe even more so and for sure more interesting 🙂
Thinly sliced striploin cutlets, cod filet’s, curried lentils and coconut rice, what a great combination of textures and flavors.

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Surf & Turf

Surf & Turf – Striploin, Cod Filet, Coconut Rice And Curried Lentils

: Mise en place

: bring 1 cup well washed basmati rice, one cup water and one cup coconut milk to a simmer, season with salt and white pepper

: Cover airtight with aluminium foil, let simmer/steam for 20 minutes, leave covered for another 10 minutes

: just befor serving, remove cover and fluff with fork

: saute onions and bananas in garlic oil/paste

: add curry powder,turmeric and cumin, saute until fragrant

: add sieved tomatoes

: add lentils which have been soaked overnight, simmer until tender, season with kosher salt

: coconut rice and curried lentils

: mix garlic paste with extra virgin olive oil

: add black pepper

: add sea salt and freshly squeezed lime

: add lots of fresh coriander

: saute strip cutlets and cod filet’s, dip all sides in seasoning oil

: Surf & Turf – Striploin, Cod Filet, Coconut Rice And Curried Lentils

: Surf & Turf

: Surf & Turf

: Surf & Turf

: Coconut Rice

: Curried Lentils

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Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video on the bottom of this page.
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