Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Man cannot live by Bread Alone, or Can He?



My paternal grandmother Dorothy, or “Dottie” as she was known by her family, was a culinary inspiration who enjoyed cooking as much as I do. I remember spending summers and holidays with her in anticipation of my next lesson under the tutelage of “Dear Dear”. I would forego playing video games with my cousins just to gather some precious jewels of culinary wisdom. After all, we lived nearly 800 miles apart and time spent together was few and far between. Among the many recipes she shared with me included biscuits, cookies, cakes and pies. She would give me helpful hints and secrets learned over the years from her mother, sisters and through her own experience. Since she passed seven years ago, I’ve inherited several of her recipes scratched on old pieces of paper, newspaper clippings from the 60’s and even a baking cookbook published in 1959. The most significant recipe, though, was not one that we normally created together, but one passed on to my mother who then added her special touch. The yeast roll. Dear Dear’s original recipe was received from a neighbor, church member or relative, written on a most valuable piece of paper that now exhibits its age of 40+ years. The rolls are an extended family favorite as I’ve witnessed first hand, relatives devour 6 or 7 before the meal even begins. On several occasions, family members were seen hiding rolls from each other or even smuggling a bag of rolls under their shirts. Scary, I know.



The roll is made from a batter yeast dough more common during the post-world war II era, and contains more moisture and less gluten due to mixing instead of kneading. Mom added a bit more sugar to the recipe resulting in a sweeter, more tender roll. I would spend hours watching her make rolls for church repasts, Christmas & Thanksgiving. Anytime a family at our church experienced a death, Mom would show up at their front door with a paper bag containing a ham (remember the repast episode on Good Times?) or a batch of freshly baked rolls. Over the years, I memorized the technique and added my own small twist to yield the ideal texture and flavor of the buttery yeast roll. You see, it’s not just about the ingredients that make the rolls unforgettable, but the love the baker has for cooking and for the ones who will partake of this bread. With my generation pursuing our careers and raising families, preparing homemade yeast rolls is typically a thing of the past. Many families opt for heat and serve rolls but I encourage you to try out the recipe below. It is an abbreviated version of our family’s traditional yeast roll and more suited to today’s lifestyles.



Should you be graced with the opportunity to share a holiday meal with a warm, fluffy, buttery yeast roll, take time to enjoy the moment with loved ones by sharing a great meal and making new memories.



Quick Yeast Rolls
Adapted from “Quick Yeast Rolls” allrecipes.com
2 T. unsalted butter, at room temp.
¼ c. sugar
½ c. hot water
½ c. warm milk
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 egg, beaten
½ t. salt
2 ¼ - 3 c. all purpose flour
¼ c. melted butter
1) In a muffin pan, grease 8 muffin cups.
2) In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar, milk and hot water. Cool to lukewarm then add the yeast until dissolved. Add the beaten egg, salt and flour. Cover and allow the dough to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
3) Gently release the gas in the dough and divide into the prepared muffin cups. Brush with melted butter, cover loosely with a kitchen towel and set aside to rise until doubled in size.
4) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
5) Bake the rolls for 10 minutes or until slightly browned on top.

Monday, November 9, 2009

The Wash Pot







If you’re like most people, Mondays usually mean dragging yourself into work to begin another long week. For me, between the months of September and December, Mondays mean football and perhaps a plate full of savory red beans and rice. Well, actually, I could eat this dish any time of the week, but historically, red beans and rice was a dish prepared by the home cooks in New Orleans and across Louisiana on what was traditionally known as the wash day. A pot of beans simmered for hours while the homemaker tended to the household laundry. Once completed, a satisfying dinner would be ready for the family.

The inexpensive, yet filling dish is similar to other Cajun/Creole cuisines heavily influenced by the African, European, Indian and South American cultures. Local ingredients such as rice, beans, produce and seafood were coupled with seasonings and cooking techniques to create one of the most recognizable cuisines in the United States. A typical red beans and rice recipe begins with the Louisiana trinity, onions, bell peppers and celery. The hambone left over from the dinner the night before is used to infuse a hearty, smoky richness to the dish. Add garlic, herbs, spices and 3 hours on low results in a signature meal fit for a king (or queen). I often find myself craving the spicy, smoky delectable during the week, but am strapped for time with the busy weekend barely enough time to craft the masterpiece. As a result, I came up with a shortened version of red beans and rice excluding the hambone, substituting canned beans for dried and adding a couple of ingredients for depth of flavor.

If you’re feeling ambitious and have a taste for that authentic Louisiana soul of red beans and rice, try the traditional recipe below. If you're short on time give my recipe a try and add your own touch. Add a bowl of steaming rice, salad and crusty French bread and you have stick to your ribs meal for the upcoming cold winter evenings.

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
“Louisiana Creole & Cajun” by Margaret Maring
6 c. water
1 lb. dried red kidney beans
4 t. butter
1 c. finely chopped green onions, including tops
½ c. finely chopped onions
1 rib celery, chopped
1 t. finely chopped garlic
1 ham bone with ham attached or 2 lbs. smoked ham hocks
1 lb. hot smoked sausage, optional
1 t. salt
1 bay leaf
½ t. freshly ground pepper
Dash cayenne pepper (optional)
3 c. cooked white rice
Chopped green onions for garnish

1) In a large saucepan over high heat, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add beans and boil briskly for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let beans soak for 1 hour.
2)In a heavy casserole over medium heat, melt butter and cook green onions, white onions, celery and garlic until soft but not brown. Stir in the beans and liquid, the ham bone or ham hocks, sausage and the seasonings. Bring to boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 3 hours or until beans are very soft. If the beans seem dry, add more hot water a few tablespoons at a time. Stir frequently.
3)Remove ham bones, but meat from the bone and return meat to beans. Remove the bay leaf.
Serve red beans with cooked white rice. To garnish, sprinkle chopped green onions over the top.
Yields 4-6 servings.

Danielle’s Quick Red Beans and Rice
2-15.5 oz cans small red beans, rinsed and drained
1 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
½ c. green onions, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/3 c. bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 c. cilantro, chopped (optional)
1 T. tomato paste
2 ½-3 c. hot water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 t. thyme
1/4 t. oregano
1/8 t. cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt to taste
3 c. cooked jasmine rice
Chopped green onions or chives for garnish

In a large saucepan, heat oil on medium heat just until the surface shimmers. Add onions, celery & bell pepper and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, tomato paste, cilantro and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add beans, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, water and bouillon cubes. Let the mixture come to a boil, then turn down heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve with rice and garnish with green onions.