Ekmek Kataifi (A Greek Dessert)

I have a long list of favorite desserts and this is one of them. I finally found a good recipe in English. I'm sure there are a lot of good recipes but just not in English.  Got this recipe from Kali Orexi .

Ekmek, Ekmek Kadayifi, Ekmek Kataifi (pronunciation - silent K  (ek-meh) silent i (kah-da-if) however it's called all i can say...they are "to die for"

If you like custard, phyllo and whipped cream then you are in for a treat....A MUST TRY DESSERT. ;)

 If you can't find the shredded phyllo  you can  Make your own Kadaif . 

** I'm so happy w/ the end result.
**Next time, i will bake my kataifi a little bit longer to get the brown color which i'm sure will give another layer of flavor.
**I will add more almonds but make sure to add them after slicing to get a perfect and beautiful slice of your ekmek.

Brush the Kataifi strands with the melted butter then place the pan in the oven. 

Toast the Kataifi strands until golden brown.

For the pastry base:

1lb. Kataifi pastry
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, plus a pat more for buttering the pan

For the Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

For the Custard:
7 egg yolks
6 cups milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
7 tablespoons fine semolina
4 tablespoons corn starch
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Mastiha crystals, ground with a mortar and pestle (Skipped this step)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a large rectangular baking pan (about 11×15 inches), making sure it is relatively deep enough to accommodate the layers of pastry, custard and whipped cream. To begin making the base, take the strands of Kataifi and pull them apart slightly while layering them in the bottom of the buttered pan–no need to press down on the Kataifi strands as they are better left light and fluffy. Brush the Kataifi strands with the melted butter then place the pan in the oven. Toast the Kataifi strands until golden brown.

Meanwhile, begin making the syrup by boiling the sugar with the water in a small saucepan for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, then pour the hot syrup over the toasted pastry base.

To make the mastiha-flavored custard, add the sugar and the egg yolks in a medium saucepan and whisk until combined. Alternating as you go, slowly begin adding the semolina, milk and corn starch whisking until well incorporated. Move the saucepan to a burner and set it over medium heat. Cook the mixture stirring constantly and being careful not to scorch it. Once the custard thickens, remove the saucepan from the heat and beat in the vanilla and ground mastiha. Cool slightly, then pour the custard over the Kataifi base. Let it all cool completely before adding the fresh whipped cream topping. (At this point you can cover the dessert and refrigerate overnight if you prefer, simply adding the whipped cream the next day just before serving.)

Just before serving, combine 2 cups heavy cream and 2 or 3 tablespoons sugar in the bowl of a standmixer (using the whisk attachment) and beat the cream to stiff peaks. Spoon the whipped cream over the custard layer and carefully spread it to each corner of the pan. Carefully cut the Ekmek Kataifi into square servings. Top with a pistachio spoonsweet or, more traditionally, with toasted almond slivers or chopped pistachios.
TOP WITH ROASTED SLIVERED ALMONDS

Custard w/ semolina flour and cornstarch (YUM)

Let this cool before adding the whipped cream.

It's way better if you whip your own cream.

Let this cool for perfect slices...i'm all about presentation...presentation ;). Arrange the slivered almonds strategically in that way you'll not ruin your slices. Add more after slicing.

Top view!!!

APPLE PIE COOKIES

Another great cookie recipe from my good friend Marina. I actually wasn't surprised that these cookies would come out delicious. Marina is a cookbook author, Taste of Home Field editor and Blue Ribbon winner, of course they are ooohhh sooo good ..okay, addicting ha!ha!
Thank you, Marina for another winner recipe.


These cookies are crunchy on the outside and moist and chewy in the inside, my kind of cookie  I'm not a fan of those crisp, hard cookies. Each bite you get to taste layers of flavor. you get the nutmeg, cinnamon sugar flavor right away then you get to taste the apple, then the nuts and the hint of the lemon orange extract. These are perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients::
Yield : 4 dozens.

3 eggs
1 lb sweet butter, softened
1 lb brown sugar
1 1/2 C sugar

1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp.  fresh grated nutmeg
2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 Tsp. fiori di sicilia extract***
6 C sifted flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 C chopped walnuts, toasted ****
2-3 Tbsp. butter
3 C finely chopped apples (5-6 small apples)
2-3 Tbsp sugar
2-3 Tsp cinnamon

1 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
2 tsp fresh lemon zest
1 Tbsp fresh lemon

Cinnamon-Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper, set aside.In a large bowl beat eggs 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.Cream butter until creamy.
Add brown sugar and mix until well incorporated.
Add spices and extracts. 
Mix thoroughly to combine well.

Add beaten eggs to sugar-butter mixture and mix until well incorporated.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, slat and baking soda.Add to batter and mix well, 

In medium to large saute' pan, melt the 2-3 Tbsp of butter.
In a medium bowl, toss chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon zest.
Saute' apples in melted butter until soft.
Add lemon juice and stir well.
Remove apples onto a flat plate to cool down.
Add cooled apples and walnuts to batter and mix until well incorporated.
Careful not to break apart the apples.
Refrigerate batter for 10 minutes.
Drop cookie batter by using an ice cream scoop onto prepared pans.
Sprinkle tops of batter with 1 tsp cinnamon sugar.
Bake only six cookies at a time on each cookie sheet.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes.
Let cool 5 minutes before removing from pan and placing them on a cooling rack.

**I didn't have fiori di sicilia extract. According to Marina you can purchase this from The Bakers Catalog of King Arthur's Flour. But you can make your own:

FIORI DI SICILIA EXTRACT (MIX YOUR OWN) : Lemon extract, Orange extract and Vanilla extract.

** I used mixed nuts. I used almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts.

COOKING WITH TEA - NOVEMBER 2011 DARING COOKS CHALLENGE

 Sarah from Simply Cooked was our November Daring Cooks’ hostess and she challenged us to create something truly unique in both taste and technique!

What a perfect challenge. I was in Chicago last month and had a food tour that included tea at Tea Gschwendner and purchased different kinds of tea. So "went to town" and did three dishes using 3 different teas.

First i made, Braised Chicken which is pretty  much similar to the Filipino Chicken Adobo. The only difference is the addition of the tea... i used Bossa Nova and Rooibush Cream Caramel. And yes, that's right, Cream Caramel. The combination did blend with the dish.

I used my   CHICKEN ADOBO and PORK ADOBO recipe with the addition of 1 dried lemon, 1 Hungarian pepper and 1 Tablespoon each of Bossa Nova and Rooibush tea. I like that i get a hint of the caramel from the rooibush tea. The amount of tea was just right otherwise the caramel would be overpowering. Oh, the dried lemon was a last minute "hhmmm why not?" decision.

I have been drying some lemon for a middle eastern dish experiment. I can't wait to use my dried lemons...oh well i digress. Anyways, I will be blogging that dish soon;). The dried lemon actually didn't impart any flavor at all. I couldn't taste the lemon, perhaps i should have cut it  when it got tender?

I made my own sachet of tea by using a coffee filter tied with a butchers twine.

1 T of Bossa Nova and 1 T of Rooibush Tea

Added a dried lemon

Browned the chicken  pieces on both sides. Added all the ingredients and cooked until chicken are tender.

Filipino Chicken Adobo with Tea

Braised chicken + tea soaked hard cooked eggs = Perfect combination. Served with rice and fresh tomatoes...WINNER!!!! It's an Asian thing!!!

Hard Cooked Eggs served w/ Pinakurat (Filipino Coconut Vinegar) and fresh tomatoes from my garden.

Hard Cooked Eggs Recipe to follow.

I used Sara's recipe for the hard cooked egg w/c is called Chinese Egg Tea.

Servings: 6 eggs

Ingredients
6 eggs (any size)
2 tablespoons (30 ml) (6 gm) black tea leaves, or 4 tea bags
2 teaspoons (10 ml) (5 gm) Chinese five spice powder
1 tablespoon (5 ml) (3 gm) coarse grain salt
toasted sesame seeds, to garnish

Directions:

1. In a large enough pot to avoid overcrowding, cover the eggs with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for twelve minutes. 
2. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and keep the cooking water.
3. With a spoon, tap the eggs all over until they are covered with small cracks. This can also be done by tapping and rolling the eggs very gently on the counter.
4. Return the eggs to the pan and add the tea leaves or bags, Chinese five spice powder, and salt. Cover the pan.
5. Heat gently and simmer, covered, for one hour.
6. Remove the pan from the heat and let the eggs cool down in the liquid for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the eggs from the liquid. Peel one egg to check how dark it is; the others can be returned to the liquid if you wish to have the web-like pattern darker. Allow the eggs to cool fully.
8. To serve, peel and slice the eggs in halves or quarters. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
   
   The Chinese tea eggs are best eaten within 24 hours and are unsuitable for freezing.

Salt, Black Tea, Chinese Five Spice Powder.

I didn't soak the eggs longer, that's why the crack marks aren't pronounced. And didn't get the taste of the tea. I will increase the amount of tea and soak the eggs longer next time i'll make this.

My third and last dish for this challenge is  TEA BRINED FRIED CHICKEN.

I used the egg tea ingredients and added  1/2 T of sugar to brine the chicken. Brined them for 24 hrs in the fridge. Pat them dry and deep fried. Served with green salad and rice topped with some kimchi.

It was crunchy and juicy as expected with the underlying flavor of the tea and the five spice. This actually reminds me of  the Chinese Crispy Chicken dish. Yum...you must give this a try!

Tea Brined Chicken served w/ green salad.

Tea Brined Chicken served with salad and steamed rice topped with homemade KIMCHI

I truly enjoyed doing this challenge. Thank you, Sara. I'm actually thinking of doing Tea Brined Turkey for Thanksgiving. And will be doing the Egg Tea for New Year, that'll be my round element which means prosperity/ more money.... again that's an Asian thing ;)

ACORN SQUASH SOUP

I thought of using acorn squash for my squash soup instead of the most popular butternut squash.  I find acorn not as sweet as butternut squash.

This is a very easy and  pretty much a straight forward dish, showcasing the main ingredient ACORN SQUASH. This is so simple yet hearty and perfect for winter season but if you're in the mood to make this more "gourmet",  then by all means add more ingredients if you want. You may add, curry to add another layer of flavor. Add bacon or garnish with croutons for flavor and texture as well.

INGREDIENTS:
4 servings

1 medium to large size of acorn squash (heavy for it's size and no blemish, washed)
1/2 cup chopped sweet onions*
1/2 cup chopped celery*
1/2 cup chopped carrots*
2 cloves minced garlic
1 chicken bouillon cube
3 T all purpose flour
3 T butter
2 T sour cream
nutmeg
olive oil
1 C milk ( you may use half and half cream)
1 C water or more if needed.
S&P to taste

Step 1
Cut acorn into half, remove the seeds.
Drizzle w/ olive oil, salt and pepper
Roast in a pre- heated oven at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes or until squash turns brown but not burned and meat is tender.
Remove from oven and let cool.
Scoop out the acorn meat and set aside.

Step 2
In a Dutch oven pot, saute the garlic and  mirepoix in butter.
Add  flour to make a roux *
Gradually add water and chicken bouillon, stir until the bouillon has dissolved.
Add the acorn meat.
Bring to a boil for few minutes.
Add milk, sour cream,  a touch of freshly grated nutmeg, season with S&P.
Let it simmer until the soup gets to a honey consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning and make a slurry* if you like the soup thicker in consistency.

Step 3
Puree or use an immersion blender to make a smooth soup. Or skip this step if you want a rustic looking soup.

Step 4
Add a dollop of sour cream before serving.
Garnish with cilantro or parsley.

*Mirepoix : a combination of celery, onions and carrots.
*Roux : a thickening agent. A mixture of flour and butter or fat.
*Slurry : another thickening agent. A cold liquid mixed with cornstarch until smooth and glossy. (1/2 T cornstarch to 1/2 C water)

ACORN SQUASH 

Cut into half, remove seeds and sprinkle with olive oil and S&P

Roast until brown and tender

Scoop out meat and let it cool.

I used an immersion blender to make a smoother soup

Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and cilantro. Sour cream cuts the sweetness of the squash.

One of my favorite soup. You can add bacon, croutons or roasted chopped nuts to add another layer of flavor to an already hearty soup. 

APPLESAUCE CUPCAKE WITH BUTTERSCOTCH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Made these cupcakes for a co-workers' birthday. I know some of  my foodie friends will not like the idea of using a cake mix. I don't really mind making cakes out of the box, end products are actually good. Now for the frosting, i want mine from scratch,  taste a whole lot better. Hey...that's my opinion ;)

This recipe is a combination of my previous cupcake recipe with some substitutions. In lieu of oil i used applesauce, which is not a secret, applesauce can be used to substitute the liquid for your cake batter. For the frosting i used the same recipe w/ the addition of the butterscotch ganache.. Viola a successful cupcake....and. is another keeper for sure!!! love the combination!

CUPCAKE BATTER
Ingredients:
1 package yellow cake mix
16 ounces applesauce
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Using an electric mix, beat eggs, mix in cake mix, stir in apple sauce. Mix the batter well.
Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each liners about 2/3 full.
Bake cupcakes for 25 to 30 minutes or insert a toothpick through the center of the cupcake. If toothpick comes out clean, the cupcakes are done.
Let them cool on cookie racks.

BUTTERSCOTCH GANACHE
Ingredients:
1 package (11 oz) butterscotch chips
1 pint heavy cream

In a small pan, bring heavy cream just to a boil. Mix in butterscotch chips, whisk until smooth.
Let it cool or until thickened.

BUTTERSCOTCH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Ingredients:
1/4 C butterscotch ganache (you can add more if needed)
1 stick butter (softened)
1 package (8 oz ) cream cheese (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar (add one more cup if needed)

Beat butter, ganache, cream cheese in a mixer until well blended.
Add sugar gradually, beating after each addition until mixed and incorporated.
**add more powdered sugar if frosting is a bit runny.
**add a teaspoon of milk if frosting is to stiff.

ASSEMBLE THE CUPCAKE:
1. Spread a little of the ganache on top of the cupcake, just enough that it'll not drip on the sides.
2. Put frosting in a star tipped decorators bag.
3. Start piping from the outer edge working inward.

FILIPINO CHICHARON BABOY (Filipino Pork Rind Cracklings) Kulinarya Cooking Challenge

This month's Kulinarya Cooking Club's Challenge is inspired by the colors of the Philippine Flag. It's actually a challenge for the month of August and September. Hosted by Oggi, Chef by day, Boyet and Ray . 

Thanks for the a great challenge guys.

Required for the challenge:
- Must use and show Red, White, Blue and Yellow on your dish from plate to the garnish
-You may include the color of your garnish for as long as it is edible.

For this challenge i thought of Chicharon . I like my chicharon w/ substance, not a big fan of those "airy chicharon" . For me chicharon means Pork skin with fat and meat,  deep fried until it puffs up and become crispy and crunchy. Chicharon is another Filipino favorite pulutan (appetizer) served with cold San Miguel beer or chilled soda. But i personally like this w/ steamed rice. Like bbq, chicharon are ubiquitous in every street corners. Sold in plastic bags w/ vinegar as the dip.


This is one of my no reicpe recipe. It's the method and the process that's very important in order to have a crispy, crunchy chicharon.


Ingredients:


Pork skin with little fat and meat
water
garlic
salt (rock salt or kosher salt. Depends on how many lbs. of pork you are using, about 1/2 tsp per lbs.)
peppercorns (6 pieces)
bay leaf (3 leaves)


Place all dry  ingredients in a heavy pot adding water until the pork is covered about an inch high.


Bring to a boil until pork skin is tender ( about an hour).


Remove the pork and drain really well.


Cut into bite size and let these air dry or put in the fridge uncovered over night or so.


(IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE PORK SKINS ARE DRIED. THIS WILL ELIMINATE OR LESSEN THE SPLATTER DURING DEEP FRYING AND WILL MAKE THE SKINS PUFF )


After drying the pork skins overnight you are ready to deep fry them.


Heat up oil and fry the pork skin pieces in batches and cook until light golden brown and puffed up.


Carefully take the chicharon using "spider" or slotted spoon.


Make your dip. There are a lot of choices to go along the chicharon. Traditionally, coconut or sugar cane vinegar is the dip. You can do that or vinegar w/ little of soy sauce and chili w/c is what i have.


Serve with chilled beer -San Miguel or Stella ;) or plain chilled soda.


Like i said i prefer my chciharon w/ rice.


To my KCC members , after reading the challenge i think i missed one color ;). Well, i do have the colors alright, but technically i'm missing the white w/c was supposed to be in the plate, my white steamed rice. Pls.....pretend it's in there ;) . Thanks, for this challenge, this was clever ;p

TONKATSU (Japanese Breaded Pork Cutlets)

Tonkatsu literally mean Ton= Pork, Katsu = cutlet. A quick, easy Japanese dish. This is one of my "go to" dish if i crave for some Japanese food aside from sushi of course.

Add more ingredients to this like fried egg and you'll have a totally new dish called Katsudon but we will  do that some other time.

Ingredients:

8 thin-cut pork loin boneless center cut chops (Pork chop is good too)
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 cup flour
1 egg (beaten)
½ cup milk
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
4 cups cabbage ( I used napa cabbage, shredded)
Canola oil for cooking

You will need three shallow bowls for the egg wash method.

*** You will also be doing the left hand dry, right hand wet method as well to avoid a mess.

1^st bowl – flour mixed with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2^nd bowl – combine egg and milk, add salt and pepper.  Mix and beat. Set aside
3^rd bowl – panko breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat.

Dredge pork cutlets in the 1^st bowl (flour), then coat them in the 2^nd bowl (egg wash) using your left hand (wet).

Then coat with panko (3^rd bowl using your right hand, dry). Press cutlets so panko will adhere to the meat
.
Gently drop coated pork cutlets into the hot skillet by batch. Don’t overcrowd your pan this will produce moisture.

Since the pork cutlets are thinly sliced, fry them for 3 minutes on each side or until brown.

Set cooked pork cutlets on cookie rack to let excess oil drip. I don’t recommend paper towel, it will urn your crispy pork cutlets mushy and soggy.

Tonkatsu Sauce:

½ C Worcestershire sauce
¼ C Catsup
¼ C ponzu * ( you can use Teriyaki Soy Sauce)

* Ponzu is a Citrus ( Yozu) seasoned soy sauce

Mix and whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Breaded Pork Cutlet on a bed of shredded cabbage, with steamed white rice, tomatoes and Tonkatsu sauce.

I told you this was easy, quick and delicious. 

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Fall season means good bye to your vegetable plants that is if you are from the Mid-west area. I still have tons of tomatoes. The green ones i have to pick before it gets frozen. We have been on frost advisory lately. I have plans on pickling some of them, hopefully i'd find the time to do so. You can also make them into salad, but frying them is the  best way to go..it's  our favorite.  Frying them while it's fresh is a good thing, in my opinion. It's crunchy and juicy and a hint of tart...yum!!!

This recipe is my version. Traditionally,  fried green tomatoes calls for cornmeal but i used panko. It just gives more crunch to the fried tomatoes. But if you can't buy or find panko don't fret...do the cornmeal or any regular breadcrumbs.

Ingredients:

4 medium sized green tomatoes (wash, slice into 1/3 inch thick) *
½ cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ cup flour
1 cup panko bread crumbs *
1 ½  tsp salt (divide into 3)
1 tsp pepper (divide into 3)
Canola oil for frying

* I prefer thick slices to have a crunchy end product as opposed to thin slices that will turn soggy after frying.

*Panko Breadcrumbs are Japanese breadcrumbs. Thanks to “supply and demand” they are now available at every supermarket near you ;) Few years back, you can only buy them at Asian stores. If you haven’t tried using them yet, I highly suggest that you give these a try in lieu of the breadcrumbs we used to know ;). If you want to achieve a crispy/crunchy texture, Panko will definitely give you that!

*** You will need three shallow bowls for the egg wash method.
*** You will also be doing the left hand dry, right hand wet method as well to avoid a mess.

1^st bowl – flour mixed with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2^nd bowl – combine egg and milk, add salt and pepper.  Mix and beat. Set aside
3^rd bowl – panko breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat.
Dredge tomato slices in the 1^st bowl (flour), then coat them in the 2^nd bowl (egg wash) using your left hand (wet).
Coat sliced tomatoes w/ panko (3^rd bowl using your right hand, dry). Press tomato slices so panko will adhere to the tomato slices.
Gently drop coated tomatoes into the hot skillet by batch. Don’t overcrowd your pan this will produce moisture. Fry the tomatoes for 3-5 minutes on each side or until brown.
Set cooked tomatoes on cookie rack to let excess oil drip. I don’t recommend paper towel, it will make your sliced tomatoes mushy and soggy.
I love to serve this w/ sriracha and vinegar dip.

Tart green tomatoes coated w/ panko and fried perfectly = crispy/crunchy on the outside and warm and juicy on the inside.

What a brilliant way to make use of your green tomatoes before cold season comes.

CHICKEN SALAD VERONIQUE

I bought a lot of seedless green grapes. They were on sale for 99 cents a pound, bought 5 lbs...sshhhh... i know!!!!  I got so excited only to realize we (Husband and I) can only eat so much of these humongous sweet crunchy green grapes  ;).

So, i went to my fridge and check what else can i do with them aside from eating them as it is, which is just fine because they are sweet, but really i bought so much. Anyways, back to my fridge, i have all the ingredients for chicken salad. I had the a-ha! moment....and thought of CHICKEN VERONIQUE...

What a great excuse to make a fancy chicken salad. I love this salad served with green leaf lettuce or with bread. I tried doing a wrap since i have some tortillas in the fridge also. Wrap worked out so good as well, give it a try.


 

Just wanted to show how huge these grapes are...as big as the soup spoon ;)

Ingredients:

2 lbs. chicken breasts (boiled or roasted) ***

1/3 cup chopped celery

1 ½  cup green seedless grapes, halved ( it will depend on the size of the grapes, you can add more if you want)

1/3 cup roasted skinless almonds (chopped or slivered)

1/4 cup craisins (optional)

1 cup mayonnaise (add more to make a creamier salad)

2 tablespoon white vinegar ( I used white balsamic)

2 tablespoons honey

salt & pepper

*** Store bought rotisserie chicken (use the breast only) or
*** boil chicken with S&P, celery, onions and water, bring to a boil until chicken is cook. Let chicken cool down.

Cut chicken breasts into small dice.
 In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, grapes, almonds and craisins.
 In another bowl mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. This will be your dressing.
Fold and toss in the dressing over chicken mixture to coat.
Let this chill in the fridge for an hour, so flavor can set.
Serve as is or w/ croissant or wrap.