Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Hamentashen recipe

Hamentashen recipe

It’s that time of yr again… time to break out the bakeware and get into a “triangular” state of thoughts! The Jewish holiday of Purim is all about triangle-shaped foods– traditional Jewish baked goodies like bourekas, sambusak, and of course hamantaschen cookies. In the story of Purim, it is stated that the villain Haman wore a triangular hat all over the place he went. Triangular foods like hamantaschen have three corners to represent Haman’s hat. My husband grew up in Israel calling these cookies oznei haman, which translates from Hebrew to “Haman’s ears.”Apparently, in some versions of the story, haman has triangular ears. There is also a concept out there that Haman had triangular pockets, considering that the word hamantaschen practically translates from Yiddish as “Haman’s pockets” (I have a tendency to believe the translation has more to do with the fact that these cookies are filled, like small pockets of dough). A far more poetic interpretation links the three corners of the triangle shape to the 3 founding fathers of Judaism—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Whatever the purpose, it’s classic to eat triangular meals like hamantaschen on Purim… so consume them we need to!


I hit on this Dairy Totally free Hamantaschen recipe soon after a number of many years of experimenting in the kitchen, looking for a foolproof hamantaschen dough. I’m a perfectionist, so my go-to dough needs to be totally excellent! I had a extended list of criteria for the dough. I wanted it to have the following qualities:


– Simple to roll out


– Won’t expand/open close to the filling when baked


– Does not contain margarine or shortening


– Bakes up delicate with a wonderful texture (not heavy)


– Great taste that will compliment any variety of sweet filling


This dough satisfies all the criteria… it is actually a wonderful dough. It does not call for refrigeration ahead of rolling out. It’s also really simple to work with– the “feel” of the dough is terrific. It’s the very best texture I’ve developed for rolling and shaping. Most importantly, it produces the tastiest hamantaschen ever. My family is in love with these cookies!


You can use any hamantaschen filling you like with this dough I’ve linked to the filling recipes accessible on my website below (the two dairy and non-dairy fillings). The important to a good filling is to make certain it is thick enough to avert working, but not so thick that it bakes up dry or challenging. All of these filling recipes are tasty, and they all have the correct texture for use in hamantaschen. I will update this list of fillings as I include new ones to the internet site.


Hamantaschen Fillings


Favor a butter-based mostly hamantaschen dough? Click here for my Buttery Hamantaschen recipe. To find out far more about the vacation of Purim, click here.





Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Passover meal

Passover meal

Seder, (Hebrew: “order”) religious meal served in Jewish homes on the 15th and 16th of the month of Nisan to commence the festival of Passover (Pesa). Though Passover commemorates the Exodus, the historical deliverance of the Jewish folks from Egyptian bondage in the days of Moses (13th century bce ), Jews are ever mindful that this event was a prelude to God’s revelation on Mount Sinai. For each participant, for that reason, the seder is an event to relive the Exodus as a personal spiritual occasion. The religious nature of the seder with its very carefully prescribed ritual tends to make the dinner very in contrast to family dinners held on civil holidays. Reform Jews and Jews in Israel omit the 2nd seder due to the fact they restrict Passover to 7 days.


The head of the household, having normally donned a white ritual gown (kittel), begins the ceremony by sanctifying the holiday with a benediction (Qiddush) more than a cup of wine. In all, 4 cups of wine (arba kosot) will be drunk at specified intervals.


After all have washed their hands, the master of the seder presents celery or one more raw vegetable (karpas) dipped in vinegar or salt water to all participants. Then a shank bone, symbolic of the Paschal lamb eaten in ancient instances, and (commonly) a tough-boiled egg, symbolic of God’s loving kindness (or, according to some, a mournful reminder of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem), are eliminated from the seder plate, although all recite a prayer.


Following a second cup of wine is poured, the youngest little one asks 4 standard queries about the unusual ceremonies: “Why does this evening differ from all other nights? For on all other nights we eat both leavened or unleavened bread why on this evening only unleavened bread? On all other nights we eat all sorts of herbs why on this night only bitter herbs? On all other nights we need to have not dip our herbs even when why on this evening should we dip them twice? On all other nights we eat both sitting up or reclining why on this evening do we all recline?”


The ready solutions, recited by all in unison, give a spiritual interpretation to the customs, even though some elements of the feast had been doubtless copied from Greco-Roman banquets. In essence, the narration (Haggada) is the story of the Exodus. This special element of the seder celebration keeps alive sacred Jewish traditions that are repeated by succeeding generations at every single seder meal.


All once more wash their hands, then consume unleavened bread (matza) and bitter herbs (maror) dipped into a mixture of crushed fruits and wine, signifying that freedom and spiritual progress are the reward of suffering and sacrifice. At this level the meal is eaten.


When all have eaten and recited grace, a third cup of wine is poured to express thanksgiving to God. As the ritual moves towards its conclusion, psalms of praise (Hallel, previously read in element) are recited in unison and a fourth cup of wine is poured to acknowledge God’s loving providence. Some add a fifth cup of wine (which is not drunk) in honour of Elijah, whose visual appeal at some potential seder will signify the advent of the Messiah. Typically folk songs are sung after the meal.


This post was most lately revised and up to date by Alison Eldridge, Digital Content material Manager.





Friday, March 31, 2017

Fig jam

Fig jam


The homemade fig jam recipe is a single of the most classical in Italy to be created at the end of the summer season, with each other with the cherry and the apricots ones and of course collectively with the homemade tomato sauce.


Because the figs are only obtainable for a short amount of time every yr, in Italy individuals eat so numerous of them and retailer as considerably as possible for winter time.


The procedure is effortless and it’s like making a classical jam but considering that figs are sweet, I add a lot much less sugar than the usual the shade of your jam depends on the color of the figs.
As with all recipes and specially for jams and sauces, the cooking time varies according to the chosen fruit (more or less watery, much more or much less compact, etc), the pot employed and of program the flame: usually adjust it in accordance to your resources and your substances.


Before producing your jam, make sure you sterilize the jars you’re going to use and to do so, these are four of the most used strategies (more on the Italian model of this blog, Right here):


STERILIZE JARS IN A POT


Area a clean cotton wiper on the bottom of a pot and place above the jars with the upward opening wrapped in towels individually. Cover with cold water and carry to boil on a large flame, letting it simmer for about 30 minutes. Permit jars to cool in the pot with all the water and then pull them out and allow them dry with the opening down. Prior to making use of them turn them in excess of so that the vapor and residual water evaporate.


STERILIZE JARS IN DISHWASHER


Area the jars and the lids in the dishwasher with the opening down and choose a high-temperature wash, without soap. Let the jars to great and dry straight into the dishwasher so ahead of utilizing flip them in excess of so that vapor and residual water evaporate.


STERILIZE JARS INTO THE OVEN


Location the jars with the opening upwards on a plate and location them in the oven. Turn on the oven to carry it to 150°C (302°F) so that the glass, as soon as in make contact with with the heat, does not break. Depart the jars in the oven for at least 15 minutes then flip off the oven, include the lids utilizing yet another plate and let to amazing down with a closed oven.


STERILIZE JARS INTO THE MICROWAVE


Fill the jars with water reaching half the height and spot them in the microwave without having caps. Heat until finally boiling, then get rid of the jars from the microwave, throw the water and allow them dry on a cotton wiper, overrun. The lids can not be sterilized into the microwave.


You can also sterilize your jars when already filled with jam by following one particular of the over approaches and leaving the jars boiling for at least 1 hour and for a highest of two hrs if the jars are huge.


After you’ve done this, it’s time to make your fig jam just like our Italian grandmas utilised to make


Elements for 4 jars




  1. Take the figs, pass them rapidly under the water and dry them with a cotton wool so that they do not break apart. Eliminate the tip and lower into four slices, depart them to macerate in the juice of the two lemons with out seeds for 1 hour.

  2. Place the figs in a big, non-stick, large pot and add the sugar, then cook your figs on a minimal flame for about 45 minutes stirring occasionally to avoid sugars from sticking to the bottom.

  3. Eliminate from heat when jam is reasonably granular and non-liquid and transfer to sterilized jars then near with cap and flip to great down and develop vacuum.


Preparation time: three hrs





Friday, March 24, 2017

Slow cooker oatmeal

Slow cooker oatmeal




Components



Directions





My little ones loved this!! I had every thing mixed up and in my modest crockpot just before bed. I did get up at 5am., include the milk, turned it on reduced and went back to bed. Excellent at 7am!Thank you. :)


I prepared this precisely as instructed and it was scrumptious. Was certainly prepared in two hrs. Will be a staple in our residence from now on! Also- we are a loved ones of 4 and we could've had a minor more, will double subsequent time.


I produced this with gluten free of charge oats and almond milk. Considering that I utilised almond milk, I substituted almonds for the walnuts. Perfection! It did get two hours on reduced and an hour on substantial, but it was amazing. Thanks for this keeper!


I put a bowl within the crock pot and filled the sourrounding with water. I produced the steel reduce oats in the bowl. This way the crock pot clean up was way straightforward. Otherwise you have a large mess on your hands except if you have a liner


delicious and easy to make! I omitted the raisins, as I don't consume them in any oatmeal. I tripled the recipe the 1st time i produced it, and it took only about 1.5-2 hrs to be done.


Very, very great. Created it a number of occasions. Even so, it didn't consider as prolonged to cook as recipe stated. Would suggest it for a simple to resolve (have on hand) breakfast.





Friday, March 17, 2017

Chocolate gravy

Chocolate gravy

The concept of chocolate gravy is only odd until finally you've had some slathered on fresh-baked biscuits.


I can tell you, chocolate gravy isn’t as strange as it sounds. In truth, its uncommon title should make your mouth water, particularly when you have flaky, buttery biscuits close by. This old-fashioned comfort foods from the South makes use of just 5 basic components, and isn’t witnessed practically adequate these days.


Interestingly, chocolate gravy manufactured its way to the Appalachians and the Ozarks thanks to influences from the Spanish colonists. It was (and ought to be!) a Sunday morning treat.


How to Make Chocolate Gravy





Sugar, cocoa powder and milk are the main components of this tasty sauce, and they require to be thoroughly mixed in a huge hefty saucepan just before anything at all else can take place. Just like with a savory gravy, no one likes lumps. (If it’s meaty gravy you’re right after, right here are some attempted and true suggestions.)



Simply because milk is involved, you can’t fire up the burner and stroll away—it’s straightforward (and messy) for milk mixtures to boil above. Set the burner to medium heat and stir continually for 7-ten minutes, or right up until the sauce has thickened into a gravy-like consistency. If you like yours thinner, that’s fine. Just quit a minor sooner.



Butter gives the gravy extra richness and vanilla helps stability out that sturdy chocolate flavor. Soon after getting rid of the pot from the heat, stir your butter and vanilla into the mixture until the butter is totally melted and integrated.



Pour the completed gravy above hot biscuits or pound cake (or both—chocolate for breakfast AND dessert). It also performs on pancakes, ice cream and a bowl of fresh fruit.


Even however its name may possibly throw you off, there’s nothing wrong with a rich chocolate sauce that you can eat at any time of day.





Monday, March 6, 2017

Green goddess dressing

Green goddess dressing

This healthy green goddess dressing will take less than 5 minutes to make and is excellent on salads or as a vegetable dip. Ideal for weeknight meals!


Our inspiration to consume the way we do now was a guide named Meals Matters by Mark Bittman. In the book, he challenged readers to start buying food items at the grocery created of five components or less. At the time, this was a massive step for us. Meals for me typically consisted of what I’ll call “pastry pockets filled with meat and cheese” or breakfast cereal. This new way of eating meant acquiring rid of individuals two-12 months-previous salad dressing bottles in our refrigerator and opting for homemade dressings. We have been stunned at how straightforward it was, and haven’t bought a bottle in many years. However there are a lot of great dressings out there that are not complete of preservatives, we normally opt for making our very own given that it’s easy and we know precisely what it’s manufactured of (and they taste incredible!).


What is Green Goddess dressing?


Green Goddess dressing was apparently relatively well-known in the 1970’s and 80’s, but stems back to San Francisco in the 1920’s. The most accepted theory about its origin is that the executive chef of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco created a dish to webpage homage to a popular actor in a perform known as The Green Goddess. The dressing the chef created contained anchovies, scallions, mayonnaise, and herbs (parsley, tarragon, and chives). Right after it was initially created in the 1920’s, there have been various renditions of the popular Green Goddess dressing using distinct herbs and flavorings. Following all with a identify like Green Goddess, who wouldn’t want to attempt a rendition?


How to make Green Goddess dressing


Even though it’s a small more involved than the common vinaigrette, this Green Goddess dressing is so so really worth to mix up. We’ve named this model “healthy” Green Goddess, given that the normal is typically created with a good deal of mayonnaise and sour cream, which can often feel heavy. This edition is light and fresh, primarily based on a Mexican Green Goddess dressing in Gwyneth Paltrow’s It’s All Excellent. With a Greek yogurt base, it’s a bit lighter but just as flavorful as the standard counterpart. The main flavors we’ve utilized here are cilantro, green onions, and jalapeo pepper, so it’s retained a bit of Mexican flair. I know we’ll be generating this a single in the future it’s extremely versatile and helps make a pile of raw vegetables taste like heaven!


We employed our wholesome Green Goddess dressing in these Tortilla Bowl Salads for a healthful weeknight meal! Ever wanted to make your food into dishes? These tortilla bowls are super basic to whip up and kids adore them.


Connected: Yet another way to use this dressing — Green Goddess Salad Bowls


Searching for far more homemade salad dressing recipes?


Making homemade salad dressing is more affordable and more healthy than retailer-bought dressing! Aside from this Green Goddess dressing, right here are our preferred homemade salad dressing recipes on A Couple Cooks:


This recipe is…


Vegetarian and gluten-free.


Healthful Green Goddess Dressing


(47 votes, average: four.21 out of 5)


four.2 from 47 reviews



Description


This wholesome green goddess dressing will take much less than 5 minutes to make and is wonderful on salads or as a vegetable dip. Best for weeknight meals!





Thursday, March 2, 2017

Belgian waffles

Belgian waffles




Elements



Directions




One particular of the best waffle recipes out their , I found that if you let it stand over night it tends to make the batter thing and simpler to manage


Just made this for a buddy for a specific birthday celebration breakfast. Topped with fresh strawberries and actual maple syrup it was deliciously decadent! Certainly not for each day as it is rich.


I've been seeking for a excellent Belgian waffle recipe for a long time now and this one particular is just amazing! The only thing I would include to the recipe is to cool the butter just before combining it with the rest of the ingredients. The waffles are fluffy, light, and taste definitely tasty! Constantly a winner in my loved ones!


The vanilla and sugar make them tasty, but regardless of the volume of melted butter in the recipe, they tended to stick in my waffle maker.


Frequent people. Use frequent sense. Does it say combine cold milk with scorching melted butter. Try to truly be present when your following a recipe and if everyone else is offering it five stars, it really is probably a user error. Ridiculous. Anyway this recipe is amazing. I have created it several times and it in no way disappoints to deliver that buttery crispy sweetness that you can usually only get from fancy wafers. Thank you for sharing!


I have followed the recipe specifically and can nearly ensure that this is not what you are searching for. It is bitter, not crunchy and way as well sweet. Horrible aftertaste from all that baking powder. Mix cold milk and melted butter, critically??


Excellent recipe: crispy outside. result in of all that sugar and wonderful and soft inside. cause of all that butter! Not for each day, but undoubtedly for specific occasions! My loved ones loved them! Serve with combine of berries and topped with whipped cream!


I must have read through the critiques also. Way to significantly sugar and butter. The worst waffle recipe I’ve ever tried.


I just created this


I ought to have go through the critiques before making these. Way as well much sugar, way as well a lot butter, and incorporating melted far better to cold milk produces a half solidified mess. All the sugar manufactured the waffles burn simply on the outdoors even though not getting cooked on the inside. Skip this recipe.





Monday, February 20, 2017

Homemade baked beans

Homemade baked beans

These Outdated Fashioned Baked Beans are manufactured from scratch with a sweet and savory sauce. This is a household heirloom recipe for the Greatest Homemade Baked Beans!


Baked Beans are a traditional side dish for potlucks and summer season picnics and pair properly with BBQ Chicken Legs, Chicken Burgers, or Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.


Baked Beans from Scratch


My Papa was renowned for a Great deal of recipes, but he was recognized for his Baked Beans.


And after you have his version of baked beans, you will In no way settle for any recipe! They are sweet, savory, tangy, and smokey–all in 1 recipe!


Ingredients for the Very best Baked Beans



How to Make Homemade Baked Beans


Phase 1: Put together the Beans



Total disclosure, my Papa employed canned beans! Really feel free to take that shortcut as nicely! Just measure the beans Soon after you rinse and drain them!


Step Two: Fry Bacon and Onions (optional)



Feel free to omit the bacon for vegetarian baked beans. If omitting bacon, just add the diced onion immediately to the bean mixture–no require to saute.


Step 3: Make Baked Beans



Stage 4: Bake the Beans



Slow Cooker Baked Beans


If you would like to preserve the heat out of your kitchen or don’t have enough area in your oven, you can make these baked beans in the slow cooker.




Can you use Pork and Beans for this Recipe?


I get asked regularly if you can use canned pork and beans or ready baked beans (like Campbell’s or Bush’s Baked Beans) in place of the dried beans.


And the response is YES, with a number of modifications.




The Secret to the Very best Baked Beans


What genuinely tends to make these beans over the leading is serving them with potato chips!


YES, potato chips!


My Papa taught me that trick and it is PERFECTION! The sweetness of the beans helps make a best contrast to plain potato chips.





Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Pan seared salmon

Pan seared salmon

Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter (V >

A basic, sophisticated Pan Seared Salmon recipe in a lemon browned butter sauce. Master this effortless (10 minute) strategy for how to cook salmon in a pan. You won’t think the effortless ingredients!


This submit could have affiliate hyperlinks. Study my disclosure policy.


Searing the salmon forms and irresistible exterior which seals in the salmon juices resulting in a flaky, tender salmon filet. The sauce is so zesty, fresh and makes each bite memorable.


The inspiration for this pan cooked salmon came from Ina Gartens “Easy Sole Meuniere” from her Back to Fundamentals cookbook (a single of my all-time favorites cookbooks from Ina). We transformed it to a Salmon Meuniere and simplified it even additional, getting rid of the dredging step to make it gluten free of charge and grain free!


Components for Pan Seared Salmon:


P.S. Watch the video tutorial on how to make Pan Seared Salmon and get the Print-Pleasant Recipe under.


Use wild-caught salmon anytime you can get your hands on it. Go through more about the distinctions among wild caught and farm raised salmon here. You can use one to 1 one/two lbs of salmon for this recipe whatever the dimension of your pan makes it possible for. Ours was a 10 skillet and we utilised 1 1/four lbs, but there is adequate sauce to use a somewhat bigger filet. Practically all you require is: salmon, lemons, butter, salt, pepper and parsley!


Cooks Tips on How to Cook Salmon on Stove:



Can I use Skin-On Salmon?


We employed skinless salmon right here, but if you desire to use skin-on, sear with the skin-side down very first then flop and finish cooking the 2nd side.





Friday, February 10, 2017

Israeli couscous

Israeli couscous

Are you pondering about Israeli couscous and how to cook it? If you previously adore couscous, or, you're just curious about exploring distinct entire grains and foods from around the planet, here's what you require to know about Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous.


What Is Israeli Couscous?


Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous, is similar to standard couscous in that it truly is a tiny, complete grain-like food created from semolina or wheat flour. Although I have usually noticed it labeled as Israeli couscous, other individuals may well know it as "pearl couscous," "Jerusalem couscous," or, as it is identified in Israel, "ptitim." Bob's Red Mill, one particular frequently known brand, labels their Israeli couscous item "All-natural pearl couscous."


So, what does Israeli couscous taste like? Since of its size, Israeli couscous has a slightly chewy texture, comparable to barley, and, simply because it really is toasted, it has a somewhat savory flavor. Like typical couscous and other entire grains, nonetheless, Israeli couscous is rather bland without considerably of a sturdy taste on its own and wants to be ready with seasonings, spices, sauces or fresh herbs. Scroll down for some planning and recipe suggestions.


Since Israeli couscous is created from wheat flour, it is not a gluten-cost-free meals, although it is vegetarian and vegan. Israeli couscous also has a low glycemic index, generating it a healthy and substantial-fiber meals.


How to Cook Israeli or Pearl Couscous


You can cook Israeli couscous any quantity of techniques. It can be used much like pasta, rice, or any other whole grain. Add a handful to salads, include it to soup to add a far more total-bodied texture, or leading it with a saucy vegetable stir-fry or roasted veggies. Try making a savory Israeli couscous pilaf alternatively of a rice pilaf, or use it to make a chilled grain salad, like a quinoa salad or a rice salad. You could consider Israeli couscous in any recipe that named for orzo as effectively.


To prepare Israeli or pearl couscous, you may want about 1 1/four cups of water or vegetable broth for each and every one cup of dry grain. Simmer the grains stovetop, covered, for about ten minutes. The grains fluff up just somewhat, and, like barley, they have much more an "al dente" mouth come to feel when completed cooking.


For a simple recipe with a bit far more taste, toast the dried pearls for a minute or two in a bit of butter, vegan margarine, or olive oil ahead of cooking, just like you would do for generating risotto.





Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Healthy zucchini bread

Healthy zucchini bread

An effortless healthful zucchini bread produced with wholesome ingredients and two total cups of zucchini. This zucchini bread recipe is moist, delicious and has just the appropriate spice, you’ll want to go back for a second slice!


Pin this recipe to conserve it for later


Questioning what to do with all of those summer time zucchini? They’ll disappear pretty speedily once you consider this healthier zucchini bread recipe. I’ve been baking loaf following loaf of this zucchini bread. I just can’t get adequate of it! Out of all of my zucchini recipes, this 1 is my preferred! Also consider my Healthier Banana Bread Recipe.


This zucchini bread is fantastic for breakfast, a snack or a lunchbox treat. You can add nuts or depart them out. My children often want chocolate zucchini bread so we combine in a handful of chocolate chips. I feel it’s perfect without the additional chocolate, even though I’ll by no means turn down a slice of chocolate chip zucchini bread.


Why this is the greatest healthier zucchini bread



How to make zucchini bread


Making this swift zucchini bread recipe is simple. You’ll commence by grating your zucchini. A box grater is the simplest way to do this. Wrap the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and give it a very good squeeze to get out any excess moisture. This will avert your zucchini bread from getting soggy.


Up coming, you’ll combine up the moist components in a huge bowl. This healthier zucchini bread is created with applesauce. When you bake with applesauce, you can use less butter or oil and your bread will turn out soft and moist.


When the moist components are properly mixed, you’ll sprinkle on the cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt. You will want to mix these in genuinely properly with your whisk. You don’t want any large clumps of spice or baking powder in your bread.


Last but not least, fold in the flour and nuts, if utilizing. Be certain to mix until finally the flour is just combined to preserve your bread soft and tender. I make this recipe with white entire wheat flour due to the fact it’s total grain yet lighter than typical entire wheat flour which you could also use in this recipe. Of course, you can use all purpose flour if that’s what you have in your kitchen.


I suggest both greasing and flouring your loaf pan just before pouring in the batter. When you don’t flour the loaf pan this bread tends to stick on the bottom.





Chicken paprikash

What is Chicken Paprikash? Going back to its origins in Hungary, the dish is named “Papriks Csirke”, which practically implies “Paprika Chic...