Caramelized Onions

10 lbs      Onions
1/2 tsp     Sea Salt
2 TBS     Balsamic Vinegar

Thinly slice the onions. Place onions in large pot, Dutch Oven type container  on medium heat covered, until you hear them boiling, then turn heat down to low. Allow to braise in pot for 45 minutes, to an hour. They will be reduced by about 2/3d's, now uncover, and allow to simmer until the liquid is reduced, but there is still a little moisture. This can take hours, depending upon your humidity. Now can the finished product.

This process makes for a very sweet relish, all natural. Love it in steak sandwiches  with roasted red peppers, and mayonnaise on a baguette, to die for. Use your imagination great with meat dishes, served cold in a salad, etc.

Cuts

I just decided to have a roast beef sandwich, unfortunately I'd just placed a loaf of Banana Bread in the convection/microwave oven, and all bread I had was frozen. What to do.

I took the 3 thin slices of roast beef, and cut them into 1 inch squares, the same with the cheese slices, smoked chipotle jack, in this case. Into a bowl went these 2 ingredients, with 3 small cubed tomatoes, 1 tsp. of horseradish mustard. 1 Tbs. of Mayonnaise, 3 diced pepperocini, and about 1/2 tsp. of freshly ground black pepper. Mix, and eat.

To die for.

Scallion Frittata

I wanted something with scallions in it for breakfast, and came up with this.

3 eggs

2 scallions

1 tsp. sesame seeds

Sriracha to taste

Dice scallions, place whites in saute pan and saute for 2 minutes, add greens and sesame seeds and saute for another 2 minutes. Break three eggs, add Sriracha and beat, then pour over contents of pan, turn heat to low setting, cover pan, and cook for ten minutes.

Additions: Crab, Tofu, Mushrooms, Ginger, Soy Sauce, let your imagination be your guide.

This recipe is worth cooking just for the aroma, yum!

Japanese Style Salad

Had some Daikon radish and wanted a salad, so came up with this:

2 cups shredded Daikon

1 cup shredded carrot

1 TBS Soy Sauce

2 TBS rice wine vinegar

1 tsp Toasted sesame seed oil

1 TBS toasted sesame seeds

1 can tuna

2 TBS mayonnaise

Mix ingredients together, and enjoy.

Dressing develops a beautiful orange coloration from the carrots.

Options; wasabi, seaweed, chicken, hot sauce, Bonita flakes, could also be mixed with cold oriental noodles.

Delicious!

Bursting Tomatoes

I watched the Barefoot Contessa this week, and she made an Angel Hair Pasta with fresh tomatoes. I was inspired to try it, with my variations.

1 Pkg WW Gnocchi
2 cups grape tomatoes
1 TBS olive oil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp garlic
1 bunch diced scallions
1 cup fresh basil leaves
Parmegiano/Regiano cheese

Saute garlic and pepper in olive oil for 30 seconds in medium heat pan, add tomatoes and move them around in the oil until they are coated, then cook for about 5 minutes, now add the scallions, and stir for about a minute, add the basil stir, and remove from heat.This cooks the tomatoes to the point that they are heated, but not bursting. Add the cheese, and then mix with cooked pasta.

I found the gnocchi a little heavy, so you might use a lighter pasta, but it will be good, whatever you choose. What makes this dish is hot, fresh tomatoes bursting in your mouth.

A Simple Dessert

1/2 c Yogurt Cheese
1 c Blueberries
1 tsp Drambuie

Mix together, serve.

Tastes both delicious, and elegant. Obviously you could use other fruits, or a different liquor, use your imagination. I added walnuts once, and enjoyed that as well.

Yogurt Cheese

I frequently cook with yogurt cheese, also known as "Greek Yogurt", Lebneh etc. depending on the culture. It is basically your yogurt of choice (excluding one with gelatin in it, which binds the moisture) with the whey removed.

Here is a link to making it easily:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/dining/17mini.html?ref=dining

You can also buy a Yogurt cheese maker, which is what I have, as I don't like leaving things open to oxygen. Here is the one I use:

http://www.cuisipro.com/site/eng/product_detail.aspx?category_id=category_007&subcategory_id=subcategory_053&product_id=prod_0144

Recipes to follow.