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To Make Irish Eyes Smile

 

Potato-Leek Soup (My Own Take)
From The Infamous Kitchen Lab
(This Makes A Lot)

12 Small Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peeled & Quartered, Rinsed
3 Large Leeks, Trimmed, Rinsed & Sliced
2 Large Shallots, Finely Chopped
2 32-Oz. Cartons Chicken Broth
1 Quart Half & Half
1/4 Cup Butter (That's 1/2 Stick)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Canola Oil
Kosher Salt and Freshly-Ground Pepper To Taste


In large Dutch Oven or Small Stockpot, Melt Butter In Olive Oil.  Stir in Shallots and then Leeks, Cooking over Medium Heat until Shallots are Translucent, Seasoning Once With Salt and Pepper.  When Shallots and Leeks are Cooked, add Potatoes and Chicken Broth, Raising Temperature To Medium-High.  Boil Until Potatoes and Leeks Become Soft, Remove From Heat.  With Potato Masher, Mash Potato-Leek Mixture Until Only Small Chunks Remain.  Puree Mixture With Hand-Held Electric Mixer Until Smooth.   Stir Puree With Wooden Spoon and Slowly Stir In Half & Half.  When Half & Half has been Incorporated into Puree, return to Low Heat and Warm Through.  Salt and Pepper To Taste.

Do Not Overseason - Just Before Serving, I Like To Hit A Bowl Of This Soup With A Pat Of Butter, A Pinch Of House Seasoning And A Handful Of Chopped Chives.

House Seasoning
(This Stuff Is Good On Everything)

1 Cup Sea Salt or French Grey Salt
1/2 Cup Garlic Powder
1/2 Cup Black Pepper

Combine ingredients and keep in large container, using small shaker for seasoning while cooking.

Music To Listen To While Preparing/Enjoying Recipe:  Hell's Ditch - The Pogues; War - U2; 28 Irish Pub Songs - The Clancy Brothers; Fisherman's Blues - The Waterboys; Saint Dominic's Preview - Van Morrison

 

 

 

Great For Holiday Snacking - Brandy Cheeseball

 

Brandy Cheeseball


4 oz. Bleu Cheese, softened, crumbled
8 oz.  Cream Cheese, softened
2  Tablesp. Fresh Parsley, chopped
2  Tablesp.  Brandy or Cognac
2  Medium Shallots, finely chopped
1  Clove Garlic, finely chopped
1/3  Cup Sesame Seeds, toasted (or may substitute crushed pecans)

Beat together Bleu cheese, Cream cheese, Parsley, Garlic, Shallots, and Brandy until smooth.  Cover and refrigerate about six hours or until firm.  Just before serving, shape into ball, roll in sesame seeds or nuts.  Garnish with chopped parsley.  Serve with crudite or crackers.



Music To Listen To While Enjoying This Recipe:  Make your own CD's featuring your Rock N Roll Christmas Favorites!

Set out snacks and invite your friends over to watch some great holiday flicks like The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, It's A Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Ref, Love Actually, etc.

 

Aunt Shorty's Raisin Bran Cookies

 

When I was a kid, we used to go visit my Great Aunt Florence in Clarinda, Iowa.  She lived on their family farm with her son (my cousin Marvin), his wife Marilyn, and their children.  Aunt Florence was a small, feisty woman who could be counted on for a couple of different things:  a good laugh and cookies.  She could still scrap with Marvin's kids like she was still a kid herself, and all my Iowa cousins had nicknamed her "Aunt Shorty".  Whenever Marilyn went into the kitchen to bake, Aunt Shorty could be counted on to help.

The first thing my brother and I would do once we got inside their house was head straight to the cookie jar - it was never empty.  I very fondly remember Marilyn and Aunt Shorty baking Raisin Bran Cookies; they were my favorites. Years later when my mother and I drove up to Iowa for a wedding, Aunt Shorty had long since passed and the cookie jar was full of chocolate chip cookies.  Marilyn confided they were her grandchildren's favorites.  I asked about the Raisin Bran cookies she used to bake, but alas, she couldn't remember them and she couldn't find a recipe.

I went shopping for ingredients, pulled out an old cookbook, and remained covered in flour until I had baked up some childhood memories...perfect to share at Halloween.

The almonds in the recipe were added by me, but everything else is hers.

 

Raisin Bran & Almond Cookies
from The Infamous Kitchen Lab

3/4 Cup Butter-flavored shortening
1 1/4 Cups firmly packed Light Brown Sugar
2 Tablspoons Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Almond Extract
2 Eggs
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cups Raisin Bran Cereal
1 Cup Sliced Almonds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In large bowl, cream together Butter-Flavored shortening,  Brown Sugar, Milk, Almond Extract, and Vanilla.  Beat until smooth with electric mixer using medium speed (the first time I did this, I beat it by hand and damned near separated my arm and shoulder).  Add eggs to mixture and beat.  Combine flour, salt, and baking soda.  Add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients and beat until blended.

Now get out the wooden spoon or spatula and stir in raisin bran and almonds.

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake one baking sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes.  DO NOT OVERBAKE.  Cool cookies on baking sheet for 2 minutes.  Remove cookies and transfer to rack to cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.


Music to Listen to While Baking and Enjoying:  Bloodletting - Concrete Blonde; Footsteps In The Dark - Cat Stevens (this one's got all the Harold & Maude music); Tales of Mystery and Imagination - Alan Parsons Project; Jordan:  The Comeback - Prefab Sprout; Valley Girl - Music From The Soundtrack; Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys; Gorilla - James Taylor; What's In The Bag - Marshall Crenshaw; Volt - Trip Shakespeare; Nervous Night - The Hooters; They Only Come Out At Night - Edgar Winter Group; Live At The Apollo - James Brown; Unchained - Johnny Cash; Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music - Ray Charles

 

Last Blast On The Patio - Thrill The Grill - Go Greek

  

 Greek Chicken Kabobs

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg. Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix
3 tsp. oregano (dried)
3 tsp. parsley (dried)
2 tsp. lemon pepper
8-10 skewers (small 6 inch), if using bamboo skewers- soak in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling


Cook time: BBQ - 15-20 minutes (approximately)

1. Clean chicken breast thoroughly and cut into 1x1 cubes.

2. Place 4-5 pieces on each skewer.

3. On a flat plate, empty salad dressing mix and roll chicken skewers onto plate and then set aside on another dish.

4. After completing all chicken skewers sprinkle over all of the oregano,  parsley, and lemon pepper. If there is any salad dressing dry mix leftover, sprinkle what remains over chicken.

5. Cook approximately 15-20 minutes on BBQ.

Serve With Warm Pita Bread, Grilled Vegetable Kabobs, and Lemon Wedges.


*NOTE:  You may substitute Dry Ranch Dressing mix, but add 3 tsp.  dried basil to recipe.

And A Satisfying Side...

My Big, Fat, Greek Slaw


2 1/2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 1/2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
1  cup thinly sliced English cucumber, seeded and unpeeled
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
8 ounces crumbled Feta cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/8 cup sugar or substitute
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
Salt and pepper
Lettuce leaves (optional)


Combine vegetables and cheese in bowl. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, oregano, and celery seed; stir into cabbage mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spoon mixture onto lettuce leaves, if desired.

Makes 8-10 servings.


This is great with Greek Chicken.  We recently had occasion to use Greek seasonings on a roasted pork tenderloin.  We sliced the pork and piled the slaw on top of the meat - it was delicious!

Music To Listen To While You're Enjoying This Outdoor Feast:  The Charity Of Night - Bruce Cockburn; Picnic - Robert Earl Keane; This Time - Dwight Yoakam; Girlfriend - Matthew Sweet; American Music - The Blasters; Mummer- XTC; Nashville Skyline - Bob Dylan; Rainy Day Music - The Jayhawks; Love Junk - The Pursuit of Happiness; The Living End - Husker Du; Star - Belly; No. 447 - Marshall Crenshaw; At Liberty - Alan White; Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder; Mingus - Joni Mitchell; Especially For You - The Smithereens; The Trinity Sessions - Cowboy Junkies; Sweetheart of the Rodeo - The Byrds; Sweet Baby James - James Taylor

Versatility Is The Key

 

 Herbed Goat Cheese Bites

Any size log Goat Cheese (Chevaire)

Fresh Rosemary Leaves, Chopped

Fresh Thyme Leaves, Removed From Stems

Fresh Basil, Finely Chopped

Fresh Dill, Finely Chopped

Fresh Sage Leaves, Finely Chopped

Fresh Mint Leaves, Finely Chopped

Fresh Italian Parsley, Finely Chopped

Lemon Zest

After all herbs are chopped, toss to combine in wide, shallow bowl with lemon zest and salt & pepper.

Slice off approximately 1/2 inch sections of goat cheese and roll into small balls about half the size of walnuts.  Roll each ball of goat cheese through herb mixture and set aside on cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.

When all goat cheese balls are finished, transfer cookie sheet to freezer so that goat cheese may set up.  When goat cheese balls have firmed, transfer to plate and serve with slices of toasted French bread for a delicious appetizer.

Goat cheese bites may also be transferred to a freezer bag and kept on hand in freezer for future appetizer trays, entrees, or side dishes.

They may be used to stuff chcicken breasts - cut a slit into thickest part of chicken breast, insert goat cheese bite, and close slit with toothpick.  Dip chicken breast in flour, then egg, then seasoned bread crumbs.  Brown each side of chicken breasts in skillet then transfer to baking sheet.  Bake chicken in a 350 degree preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until coating is golden brown and chicken is no longer pink.

They may also be used to make Creamy Mashed Potatoes - make mashed potatoes as you normally would, using less milk/cream, and adding one defrosted goat cheese bite for each serving of mashed potatoes that you are preparing.  Mashed potatoes will be creamy, tangy, and irresistible.

Herbed goat cheese bites (thawed, of course) also make a great topping or side to any salad.

 

Music To Listen To While Preparing And Enjoying This Recipe:  Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles; Tea For The Tillerman - Cat Stevens; Repeat When Necessary - Dave Edmunds; Meddle - Pink Floyd; Presence - Led Zeppelin; Live and Cookin' at Alice's Revisited - Howlin' Wolf; Happy Woman Blues - Lucina Williams; Odelay - Beck; Pablo Honey - Radiohead; Trust - Elvis Costello; All Things Must Pass - George Harrison

 

It's Too Hot To Cook For A Crowd...

Antipasto Wraps

 

1 Lb. Tick- Sliced Hard Salami, Cut Into 1-inch Chunks

1 Lb. Deli Shaved Ham, Sliced Into Thin Ribbons

1 Lb. Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey, Sliced Into Thin Ribbons

1/4 Lb. Pepperoni Slices, Quartered

1 Lb. Provolone Cheese, Cut Into 1-inch Cubes

1 Lb. Mozzerella Cheese, Cut Into 1-inch Cubes

1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1 15-Oz. Can Small Pitted Black Olives

1 Small Jar Pimenti-Stuffed Green Olives

1 15-Oz. Can Artichoke Hearts, Drained and Roughly Chopped

1 Green Pepper, Finely Chopped

1 Red Pepper, Finely Chopped

3 Stalks Celery, Finely Chopped, Including Leaves

Lots of Your Favorite Italian Dressing or Viniagrette

Spinach Tortilla Wraps (Tomato-Basil Works Great Too)

Combine Meats, Cheeses, Olives, Artichoke Hearts, Celery, and Peppers.  Toss with Dressing or Viniagrette.  Refrigerate for at least four hours so that flavors can meld - overnight is ideal.

To assemble - mound two spoonfuls of antipasto salad into tortillas and wrap like a burrito.  Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and refrigerate.

As there is no mayonnaise in this recipe, these wraps are perfect for picnics.  The salad sans tortillas can be served on lettuce leaves as an appetizer before a pasta dinner.

Music To Enjoy With This Perfect Summertime Recipe:  Hotter Than July - Stevie Wonder; One From The Road - The Kinks; Girlfriend - Matthew Sweet; Chirping Crickets - The Crickets; Right Between The Promises - Freedy Johnston; Live, My Truck Is My Home - Marshall Crenshaw; Life's Rich Pageant - REM; The Wild, The Innocent, and The E-Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen; Trace - Son Volt; Revolver - The Beatles; Back To The Bars - Todd Rundgren; Goodbye Jumbo - World Party; Tonic For The Troops - Boomtown Rats; The Queen Is Dead - The Smiths; Skylarking - XTC; Reunion - Big Star; Pleased to Meet Me - The Replacements; West Of The West - Dave Alvin

 

A Snack For Graduation Party/Wedding Shower

 

Deli Asparagus Toasts

1 Stick Butter, Softened (Not Melted)

1/4 Cup Dijon Mustard

2 Bundles Good Fresh Asparagus

1/2 Lb. Smoked Deli Ham

1/2 Lb. Smoked Deli Turkey

1 Lb. Swiss Cheese, Sliced Or Shredded (Prefer Sliced & Quartered)

2 Small Loaves French Bread (Recommend Pepperidge Farms Twin)

 

Slice French Bread in 1/4 inch slices and toast in 375 degree oben for 6-8 minutes or until light brown.  Remove from oven and allow toasts to cool.

While bread is toasting, combine Butter and Dijon until Dijon is thoroughly incorporated into Butter.  Do not allow Butter to melt - if this happens, put the Butter Mixture into the refrigerator for a few minutes to set.  If you have sliced Swiss Cheese, cut the slices into quarters to use on toasts later.  Set aside.

Slice Asparagus tips to a length no longer than the toasts and blanch in salted water in as shallow pan for 1-2 minutes.  Drain and allow tips to cool.  Freeze the remainder of asparagus to use in pasta, casseroles, and soups.

When toasts have cooled sufficiently to handle, spread each toast lightly with Dijon-Butter.  Top each toast with a slice of Deli Turkey or Ham.  When all toasts have been topped with Turkey or Ham, placed a cooled Asparagus tip on each toast and cover with a piece of sliced Swiss Cheese (or a mound of shredded Swiss Cheese).

When all toasts have been assembled with Dijon-Butter, Deli Slices, Asparagus, and Swiss Cheese, place them on a cookie sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil.  Broil until cheese melts and starts to brown slightly around the edges.  Remove from broiler.

Toasts can be served warm at room temperature or chilled and served later.  This recipe can be multiplied, divided, etc., or adapted to any number of servings.

 

Music To Listen To While Enjoying Recipe:  Aja - Steely Dan; Parallel Lines - Blondie; The Cars - The Cars; So - Peter Gabriel; Bush Doctor - Peter Tosh; All Mod Cons - The Jam; School Days - Stanley Clarke; Back In The High Life - Steve Winwood; Love Man - Otis Redding; The Ever-Popular Tortured Artist Effect - Todd Rundgren; Forever Now - The Psychedlic Furs; Doolittle - The Pixies; 100% Fun - Matthew Sweet; Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco.

 

Springing Into Summer...

Terriffic Tabbouleh Salad

This Makes A Nice, Healthy Side Dish Or A Light Summer Lunch

1 Cup Fine Bulgar (Cracked) Wheat

2 CupsChopped Tomatoes

2 Cups Chopped Cucumber

1 Cup Chopped Green Onions

1 Cup Chopped Green Peppers

1/2 Cup Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley

1/2 Cup Chopped Mint Leaves

1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tsp. Lemon Zest (If Desired)

Salt & Pepper To Taste

 

Wash Bulgar Wheat and Drain, Changing Water a Few Times.  Cover Wheat With Boiling Water.  Set Aside.

Chop All Vegetables And Set Aside In A Separate Bowl.  Combine With Lemon Juice, Zest, Olives Oil, Salt and Pepper.  You May Wifh To Wait To Season Salad Until Serving, If At All.

Drain Bulgar Wheat Through Strainer Lined With Coffee Filter or Cheesecloth, Pressing Out as Much Water as Possible.  Toss Wheat Into Vegetable Mixture.  Chill At Least One Hour Before Serving.

Toss Before Serving.  This Is Perfect Beside Grilled Chicken.

Suggested Listening While Enjoying This Recipe:  Will O' The Whisp - Leon Russell; Across The Universe - Trip Shakespeare; Arc Of A Diver - Steve Winwood; Fisherman's Blues - The WaterBoys; Son Of A Son Of A Sailor - Jimmy Buffett; Miracle Mile - Dana Cooper;Waiting For Columbus - Little Feat

Cinco De Mayo Weekend Is Upon Us

Baja Caviar

2 15 oz. cans Black Beans - drained and rinsed

3 medium Haas Avacados - peeled and chopped

1 Pkg. Grape Tomatoes - seeded and quartered

1 large Green Pepper - finely chopped ( may also use red pepper and/or yellow pepper)

8 medium Jalapeno Peppers - ribbed, seeded, and finely chopped

3 large Shallots - finely chopped

1 large Lemon - zested and juiced

1 bunch of Green Onions - finely chopped from stems to roots

1 bunch Cilantro - finely chopped

1 pkg. Guacamole Seasoning, optional

1 Tablespoon Steak Seasoning, recommend McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning

1 8 Oz. tub Sour Cream

Combine all ingredients except black beans, making sure that seasonings are well-distributed throughout, and refrigerate.  Fold in black beans and gently stir to mix thoroughly.  Refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight so that flavors can meld.

Serve with Tortilla Chips.

Recommended Listening While Enjoying This Recipe:  Will The Wolf Survive - Los Lobos; Blue Guitar - Peter Case;  BlackJack David - Dave Alvin; Buenos Noches From A Lonely Room - Dwight Yoakam; Gunfighter Ballads - Marty Robbins;  Shelter - Lone Justice