Friday, December 30, 2016

HASHWEH

Hashweh, Ground Beef and Rice Recipe with Nuts and Raisins

Author: The Mediterranean Dish
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 50 mins

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
1½ cups medium grain rice
Olive oil
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 lb lean ground beef or lean ground lamb
1¾ tsp allspice, divided
1 tsp garlic powder
¾ tsp ground cloves, divided
¾ tsp ground cinnamon, divided
salt and pepper
½ cup fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped
⅓-1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
⅓-1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
½ cup dark raisins

Instructions
Soak the rice in cold water for 15 minutes or until you are easily able to break one grain of rice between your thumb and index fingers. When ready, drain well.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a heavy cooking pot. Toss chopped red onions in the oil on medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or lamb and cook briefly; then season the meat mixture with 1¼ tsp allspice, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, salt and pepper. Toss together to combine, and cook until the meat is fully browned (8-10 minutes).
Drain from fat, leaving the meat in the same pot.
Top the meat with the rice. Season the rice with a little salt and the remainder of the allspice, ground cloves and cinnamon. Add 2½ cups of water and 1 tbsp of olive oil to cover the rice.
Turn the heat to high and bring the liquid to a rolling boil. Let boil until the liquid has significantly reduced (see picture).
Now turn the heat to low and cover; let cook for 20 minutes or until moisture has completely been absorbed; and the rice is no longer hard nor sticky. Remove from heat.
Place a large serving platter on the opening of the rice pot. Carefully flip the pot contents onto the platter so that the meat layer now tops the rice 
Garnish with parsley, toasted pine nuts, almonds and raisins.

ROASTED TOMATOES


2 ½ pounds tomatoes (any kind)
5 garlic cloves, peeled
2 slices peeled ginger, about 1/8-inch thick
2 to 3 sprigs fresh basil
5 to 6 cups extra-virgin olive oil

Heat oven to 250 degrees. If using larger tomatoes, such as beefsteak or plum tomatoes, slice them in half; if using cherry tomatoes, leave them whole.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

DEHYDRATE FRESH FIGS

HOW TO DEHYDRATE FRESH FIGS

1. Select fully ripe figs and wash the figs well.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil and prepare an ice bath. Dip each fig in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then place directly  in the cold water. This helps loosen the skin and facilitates evaporation.
3. If the figs are large, slice them in half lengthwise. If they’re fairly small, say only an inch or two at the widest point, then you may dehydrate them whole.
4. Place the figs on dehydrator trays or baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Place in a dehydrator or oven set at about 135°F. With an oven, preheat it at the lowest temperature possible.
5. Dehydrate the figs for 8-24 hours, turning every few hours if using the oven and basting in any accumulated juices. Depending on the relative humidity and size of the fruit, drying times can vary widely.
6. Remove figs when they are fully dry to the touch, but still pliable and chewy. You can best judge the state of the figs by removing one from the batch, letting it cool, then biting into it to judge its texture and appearance.
7. Once finished, cool figs completely before placing in airtight containers. Dried figs will keep for 1-2 years in a cool, dark, dry location.

OVEN ROASTED FIGS

Yields 2 serves


SIMPLE OVEN ROASTED FIGS


The easiest fig dessert bursting with flavors. Cinnamon, brown sugar, rosemary and honey make these roasted figs so addictive!


5 minPrep Time
40 minCook Time
5 fresh figs
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
A handful of rosemary sprigs
1 and ½ tablespoon honey

Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
Slice the figs as you desire and place in a baking dish.
Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on fig slices.
Toss rosemary springs over them.
Roast for 40 minutes and remove from oven.
Cool for 10-15 minutes and serve with honey.

AMARETTO SOAKED FIGS

Ingredients
  1. 12 Fresh Figs - halved lengthwise
  2. 1 Rodelle Vanilla Bean - split and opened
  3. 1 Cup Amaretto
  4. 1 Cup Water
  5. 1 Cup Sugar
Instructions
  1. Fill large mouth mason jar with figs. Top with vanilla bean.
  2. In medium saucepan over medium heat; mix amaretto, water and sugar. Bring to a boil while occasionally whisking.
  3. Gently boil for 5 minutes while whisking. Mixture will reduce and become slightly syrupy.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool 5-10 minutes.
  5. Pour liquid over figs. (The mason jar cannot be cold!)
  6. Seal jar with lid and refrigerate overnight. (or at least 4 hours)
  7. Eat within 4-5 days.

Read more at http://wonkywonderful.com/amaretto-soaked-figs-recipe/#jzw8FiiUyvwIhL0Y.99

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

EMMERILS PASTA SALAD


Ingredients Serves 12

  1. 1 package (16 oz) fusilli pasta
  2. 1 head fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
  3. 3 cup cherry tomato, cut in half
  4. 1 red onion, chopped 
  5. 2 tsp garlic, minced
  6. 8 oz sliced pepperoni, cut into quarters
  7. 8 oz colby jack cheese, cut into cubes
  8. 1 can (6 oz) large pitted black olives, drained and sliced
  9. 12 cup olive oil, or to taste
  10. 12 cup red wine vinegar, or to taste
  11. 1 salt, to taste
  12. 1 pepper, to taste
  13. 1 Italian seasoning, to taste

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  2. Toss chilled pasta with broccoli, cherry tomatoes, red onion, garlic, pepperoni, colby jack cheese, olives, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Friday, December 23, 2016

GUMBO DIP

GUMBO DIP

1/4 cup butter
6 green onions, sliced
2 celery ribs, diced
1 cup chopped assorted bell peppers
1 1/2 pounds peeled, large raw shrimp, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese
3/4 cup sliced pickled okra
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Toasted French bread baguette slices
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add green onions and next 2 ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until peppers are tender. Stir in shrimp and next 2 ingredients; cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Remove from heat, and stir in okra and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Spoon mixture into a 2-qt. baking dish, and sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbsp. cheese.
2. Bake at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with bread.