The 60-Second Food Schmooze

Want a super-fast recipe for Parmesan potatoes? Throw unpeeled red potatoes, cut in quarters, into a big pot of water and boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 12 minutes. Drain them, put them back in the same empty pot, add 3/4 cup of olive oil, salt, pepper and a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. Anyone can make this easy, irresistible recipe. And wow, do kids like it.

Photo: Martin Burns/Flickr, creative commons

This is a French chef’s secret — the hidden ingredient in unbeatable salad dressing is a splash of chicken or beef stock. To make salad dressing, all you have to remember is three-to-one…three parts extra virgin olive oil and one part fresh lemon juice. I toss in crumbled feta cheese, whisking each ingredient as it’s added in. The final splash of chicken stock or beef stock (even the juice from a steak) gives it oomph, backbone. When I’m in the mood, I add a half-teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a tablespoon of chopped shallots.

Photo: Christine Wisnieski/Flickr, creative commons

The post The Secret to a Great Salad Dressing appeared first on Faith Middleton's Food Schmooze.

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This is a French chef’s secret — the hidden ingredient in unbeatable salad dressing is a splash of chicken or beef stock. To make salad dressing, all you have to remember is three-to-one…three parts extra virgin olive oil and one part fresh lemon juice. I toss in crumbled feta cheese, whisking each ingredient as it’s added in. The final splash of chicken stock or beef stock (even the juice from a steak) gives it oomph, backbone. When I’m in the mood, I add a half-teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a tablespoon of chopped shallots.

Photo: Christine Wisnieski/Flickr, creative commons

Fresh vanilla beans are delicious and you can make your own easy vanilla extract as a holiday gift. Here’s how you do it. Buy a fresh vanilla bean, slice it in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds and pulp into a jar. Add a cup of any vodka or bourbon. Write a card that says, “Shake every week; ready in 8 weeks.” Wrap the jar in burlap cloth and tie it with ribbon. And you’ve done it. You’ve made a homemade gift (REAL vanilla extract!) in minutes that any cook would love.

Photo: Rachel/Flickr, creative commons

The post Make Homemade Vanilla Extract for a Holiday Gift appeared first on Faith Middleton's Food Schmooze.

Support the show: https://foodschmooze.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh vanilla beans are delicious and you can make your own easy vanilla extract as a holiday gift. Here’s how you do it. Buy a fresh vanilla bean, slice it in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds and pulp into a jar. Add a cup of any vodka or bourbon. Write a card that says, “Shake every week; ready in 8 weeks.” Wrap the jar in burlap cloth and tie it with ribbon. And you’ve done it. You’ve made a homemade gift (REAL vanilla extract!) in minutes that any cook would love.

Photo: Rachel/Flickr, creative commons

I’m going for less stress this holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving. Wake up ritual — saying what I’m thankful for. By noon, reaching out with a call to someone who’s possibly lonely. Giving up on a perfect dinner. Remembering we’re all like characters in the little town of Mayberry — eccentric, passionate, clueless, creative, cranky, funny, kind and original. Really, every brain is a little crazy.

So I’ll try to connect with someone in a meaningful way before the day’s done. I won’t talk politics. I’ll breathe deeply four times if I’m upset. And I’ll make a charitable contribution to feed the hungry.

Photo: Pixabay.com

The post Less Stress on Thanksgiving? appeared first on Faith Middleton's Food Schmooze.

Support the show: https://foodschmooze.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m going for less stress this holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving. Wake up ritual — saying what I’m thankful for. By noon, reaching out with a call to someone who’s possibly lonely. Giving up on a perfect dinner. Remembering we’re all like characters in the little town of Mayberry — eccentric, passionate, clueless, creative, cranky, funny, kind and original. Really, every brain is a little crazy.

So I’ll try to connect with someone in a meaningful way before the day’s done. I won’t talk politics. I’ll breathe deeply four times if I’m upset. And I’ll make a charitable contribution to feed the hungry.

Photo: Pixabay.com

Paprika. That was how the late Sheila Lukins of Silver Palate Cookbook fame made her turkey great. Forget the fancy stuff. Rinse and dry your turkey with paper towels. Sprinkle paprika, and salt and pepper inside the cavity with a squeeze of fresh orange. Rub soft butter on the outside of the bird, sprinkle with salt, pepper and, yes, paprika. Roast it your way. It’s simple and, leave it to Sheila, really delicious. No kidding, it’s that easy and that stress-free.

Photo: Pixabay.com

The post Shelia Lukins’ Simple, Brilliant Trick For Thanksgiving Turkey appeared first on Faith Middleton's Food Schmooze.

Support the show: https://foodschmooze.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paprika. That was how the late Sheila Lukins of Silver Palate Cookbook fame made her turkey great. Forget the fancy stuff. Rinse and dry your turkey with paper towels. Sprinkle paprika, and salt and pepper inside the cavity with a squeeze of fresh orange. Rub soft butter on the outside of the bird, sprinkle with salt, pepper and, yes, paprika. Roast it your way. It’s simple and, leave it to Sheila, really delicious. No kidding, it’s that easy and that stress-free.

Photo: Pixabay.com

Extra fresh rosemary? One minute in the microwave will preserve it! For powerful flavor and color, the microwave is best. Put the fresh rosemary leaves or spikes on paper towels on a plate, then cover it with another paper towel and zap it on high for 20 second bursts. It should crumble when you touch it. If it doesn’t, try another series of 20 second bursts. The flavor’s incredible and will last several months in an airtight container. Add it to soups, stews, turkey, stuffing, or make spiced nuts.

Photos: Faith Middleton

The post Microwave Fresh Rosemary to Preserve Its Flavor and Color appeared first on Faith Middleton's Food Schmooze.

Support the show: https://foodschmooze.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.