Showing posts with label strawberries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strawberries. Show all posts

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Baby Back Ribs with Roasted Strawberry Barbecue Sauce for a Red, White and Blue #SundaySupper

Baby Back Ribs with Roasted Strawberry Barbecue Sauce for a Red, White and Blue #SundaySupper




Yikes! A quick check of my records finds that I didn't participate in a #SundaySupper event in April which is the first and only month I've missed since I began with the group in January 2013. I had planned to participate in the April 19th Picnic event hosted by T.R. of Gluten Free Crumbley and had prepared a dish but I ran into a few execution issues, so I wasn't able to fulfill my commitment but I'm happy to be back today.

Inspiration Behind the Dish

With this week's #SundaySupper theme, Red, White and Blue, I was considering my options when I noticed some strawberries in my refrigerator Mrs. Stuntman had purchased from Costco. A quick check of The Flavor Bible yielded pairings that suggested a dessert, however I'm not normally a dessert type of guy. I then remembered that pork pairs well with sweet flavors and was intrigued by the thought of strawberries paired with pork. It also occurred to me that I won't be able to compete in Ribfest in the Park this year, but had I been able to attend, I would use this recipe.

Dish Details

From a preparation standpoint, this dish will look a lot like the one I published last July, but with a different sauce. For it, I used a barbecue sauce I found on epicurious as a guide, but it's ultimately a Crazy Foodie Stunts original. Other than the short cut I take in smoking the ribs, I would imagine that this dish could be found on any southern barbecue restaurant.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and cut in half lengthwise
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 2-to-3 pound rack baby back ribs

Special equipment: smoker bag

Method

1. Roast the strawberries and make the sauce. Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Toss the strawberries with salt and pepper, then place on an aluminum foil-lined sheet pan in a single layer. Roast the strawberries in the oven until they soften and start to caramelize, approximately 20 minutes.


In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the garlic, onion powder, cumin and chili powder to sweat, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the ketchup, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and liquid smoke and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes in order to blend the flavors. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary, then remove from heat and let it cool before placing in the refrigerator. The sauce can be made a day ahead of your rib preparation.


2. Rib preparation. Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper. Place the ribs in the smoker bag bone-side down, then follow the instructions on the smoker bag. In my case, I placed smoker bag on an aluminum foil-lined sheet pan, then placed the oven rack on the lowest position possible and preheated the oven to 500º Fahrenheit. I placed the ribs in the oven at 500 for 15 minutes, then reduced the heat to 375º Fahrenheit for an additional 60 minutes. Remove the ribs from the oven and increase the heat to 425º Fahrenheit, then let the rind rest for 10 minutes before removing them from the smoker bag. Baste the ribs on both sides with the reserved strawberry barbecue sauce and place back in the oven so the sauce caramelizes, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Let the ribs rest for an additional 5 minutes, then cut crosswise into individual portions and serve with any leftover sauce.


Final Thoughts

From an execution standpoint, there are a couple of items to discuss. In my own evaluation, I found that I reduce the sauce too much and found it overly thick, as I simmered it closer to 20 minutes so I recommended dialing it back to 10 minutes in my instructions above. Secondly, I recommend resting the ribs in the smoker bag after 75 minutes primarily because the bag needs to cool down to handle. The smoker bags I use are sealed shut by folding the open end over twice so I recommend unfolding the bag carefully before removing the ribs because there will be about 1 cup of rendered fat in the bag that needs to be discarded before basting the ribs. The ribs can easily be prepared in the smoker bag on the grill but I highly recommend using indirect heat to caramelize the sauce in step 2 because the sugars in the sauce will cause the ribs to burn easily.

Before I leave you with the other red, white and blue dishes, I just wanted to acknowledge my friend Bobbi of Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen who prepared a similar strawberry barbecue sauce last summer and encourage you to try her recipe too!

Food Using One Color
Red Food
White Food
Blue Food
Food Using Two Colors
Red and White Food
Blue and White Food
Red, White and Blue Food

5 Tips for Potlucks by Sunday Supper Movement

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Strawberry Balsamic Cheesecake

Strawberry Balsamic Cheesecake




It's highly unusual that I'd publish two sweet dishes in a row and no, there's nothing wrong with me. I'll be back to my savory self probably in my next post. This dessert happened simply because some friends from California were visiting this past weekend so we met at a mutual friends' home (the three of us knew each other from college) just north of Seattle for dinner where I was asked to bring a dessert and decided upon a cheesecake.

I was a little surprised when I did a google search for strawberry cheesecake because I found a lot of plain cheesecakes with a strawberry topping. I found only two that put strawberry purée into the cake batter and chose the one that used fresh strawberries. In addition, I knew pairing strawberries and balsamic was pretty common in Italy and I have some experience with the affinity myself last summer when I made a strawberry balsamic ice cream so a made a few additions.

The Challenge

Uphold the reputation I built for myself as a food blogger.

The Source

I adapted this Martha Stewart recipe

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled plus 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced thin lengthwise
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 to 5 whole sheets graham crackers
3 tablespoons plus 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cooking spray (or an additional 1 tablespoon butter if not available)
4 8-ounce bricks cream cheese at room temperature
1 pinch salt
2 large eggs at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature
Boiling water

Method

1. Prepare the strawberry purée. Preheat the oven to 300º Fahrenheit. Combine the hulled strawberries with the corn syrup in a small bowl, then place on a aluminum foil-lined sheet pan in a single layer and roast them in the oven until they are a deep red, the syrup thickens and the berries shrink slightly, approximately 90 minutes.


Empty the strawberries and any fluids into a blender to purée. While the blender is running, add the balsamic vinegar. Set aside to cool completely while the crust is prepared.


2. Prepare the cake crust. Increase the oven temperature to 350º Fahrenheit, then spray a 9-inch springform pan on the bottom and sides with cooking spray (or apply approximately 1 tablespoon butter, if substituting). Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper, then wrap the bottom of the pan in a double layer of aluminum foil. Grind the graham crackers in a food processor with 3 tablespoons sugar. Slowly pour in the melted butter until a paste is formed. Transfer the paste to the springform pan in an even layer so that the entire bottom is covered in crumbs. Bake the crust in the oven until it is firm and has slightly darkened, approximately 10 minutes. Set aside on a wire rack to cool while you prepare the cake batter.


3. Prepare the cake batter and bake the cake. Decrease the oven temperature to 325º Fahrenheit. Place the cream cheese bricks into a mixing bowl and mix with an electric mixer, using a paddle attachment until creamy, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the sugar and salt, eggs (one at a time), vanilla and mascarpone until creamy and there are no lumps, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl after each addition. Stir in the reserved strawberry purée until the batter becomes uniformly pink in color. Empty the cake batter into the springform pan on top of the crust in an even layer, using a baking spatula to ensure the cake is flat on top. Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan and pour enough boiling water in the roasting pan so that the water level reaches halfway up the side of springform pan. Bake in the oven until set, approximately 60 to 70 minutes. Remove from the water bath, then place the springform pan on a wire rack to cool before covering with aluminum foil and refrigerating it overnight.


4. Garnish the cake. One to two hours before serving, place the strawberry slices in concentric circles, starting at the outer edge of the cake, then so that the slices overlap slightly with each inner circle, then recover and refrigerate until ready to serve.


Successful?

I wasn't as happy with the consistency as I would have liked because the batter was too soggy but the flavors were definitely well balanced because the sweet strawberries balanced by the tart vinegar. One of my friends who was there had even asked for the recipe.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Olive Oil Cake with Strawberry-Red Moscato Sorbet and Moscato Zabaglione for a National Moscato Day #SundaySupper with Gallo Family Vineyards

Olive Oil Cake with Strawberry-Red Moscato Sorbet and Moscato Zabaglione for a National Moscato Day #SundaySupper with Gallo Family Vineyards




In a moment of self-evaluation, I must admit I'd love to be a cook at a fine dining establishment if money wasn't a concern-not the chef because I wouldn't want the responsibilities that accompany the title. There are several reasons I have yet to achieve it but you might say it's a long term goal. I realized this fact after examining many of the dishes I have produced here. I always attempt to present my food in a manner that an expensive restaurant would be proud to serve to a customer. Sometimes I get close; often I don't. It's a continual process of learning by trial and error.

I am also like many savory chefs because I don't prepare many desserts and it isn't a skill that is utilized often. I attempted to produce a gourmet dessert last summer for #SundaySupper, however I was happy with the flavors but not its presentation. It's one of the reasons I enlisted the assistance of Jenni Field of Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online for this dish.

What inspired it in the first place? Quite simply, Gallo Family Vineyards and their celebration of National Moscato Day, which is this upcoming Friday, May 9th. Did you know that Gallo Family Vineyards produces three Moscato wines: red, white and pink? I recommend checking them out. If you're unsure of where to find Gallo wines, they have a convenient store locator and to incentivize you, Gallo has provided a $1 digital coupon. Please also check out Gallo Family Vineyards on facebook, twitter, instagram and YouTube. Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.



Let's discuss the dish for a moment. Since Gallo Family Vineyards sells three Moscato wines, I thought I'd use all three in one composed dish. Olive oil cakes have fascinated me because I find the flavor to be rather muted and was curious to see if it was able to stand on its own. The recipe I adapted used Vin Santo, but I substituted the white Moscato. I also need to note here that Chef Field assisted me in adapting the recipe that served eight to ten using a nine-inch springform pan to individualized portions. As my title suggests, I used the red Moscato in the sorbet and the pink Moscato in the zabaglione. Speaking of a zabaglione, I had never heard of it until I learned that the French call it a sabayon. It's often served in a cocktail glass but I decided to use it as a sauce for this dish. Additionally, Chef Field also identified the tuile. I used one because I think it gives a dessert an elegant presentation and I wanted the experience baking them.

The Challenge

Earlier this year, I prepared a spicy dish to pair with Gallo Family Vineyard's white Moscato so I wanted to use Moscato in a dessert dish to exhibit its versatility, in addition to attempting a fine dining presentation.

The Source

I adapted the sorbet from Dish with Clarissa, the zabaglione from epicurious and the tuile from allrecipes.com. With the help of Chef Field, I adapted the Apple & Olive Oil Cake recipe I found on pages 232-234 of Cook Like A Rock Star by Anne Burrell with Suzanne Lenzer.

Ingredients

For the sorbet:
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 pounds strawberries (thawed, if frozen)
1 1/2 cups Gallo Family Vineyards Red Moscato
Juice from 1 lime

For the tuile:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

For the cake:
5 large egg yolks
7 large egg whites
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Zest from 1 lemon
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Gallo Family Vineyards White Moscato
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch kosher salt
Cooking spray

For the zabaglione:
6 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup Gallo Family Vineyards Pink Moscato

Sliced strawberries and sifted confectioner's sugar, for garnish

Method

1. Prepare the sorbet: Combine the water and sugar into a small saucepan and place over medium low heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat to create a simple syrup. Blend together the simple syrup and the remaining sorbet ingredients. Once smooth, pass the sorbet base through a sieve to remove any seeds(an offset spatula might be needed to speed up the process), then add to your ice cream machine and use according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once finished set aside in the freezer until the other components are finished. I recommend preparing this a day or two before serving to give the sorbet time to fully solidify.


2. Prepare the tuile batter: Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium high setting. Add the egg whites one at a time, then the vanilla. Lower the speed on the mixer to medium and beat in the flour and cocoa until just combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

3. Bake the tuile: While the batter rests, preheat the oven to 325° Fahrenheit and make a stencil out of cardboard. (I cut out a triangle but you can use any shape you desire.) Once the batter has rested, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place the stencil on the baking mat (parchment) and place a small dollop of batter in the middle. Use an off-set spatula to evenly spread the batter so it is thin and reaches the edges of the stencil. Repeat this process to make more tuiles. Place in the oven and bake until the edges are slightly browned, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. The tuiles are pliable while hot and may be draped over a rolling pin to harden and cool for a more dramatic presentation. This can be done earlier in the day the dessert is served.


4. Prepare the cake batter: Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit Combine the egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat the mixture with a whisk until it thickens, is pale and doubles in size, then whisk in the olive oil, Moscato and flour in that order. Set aside. In a separate bowl, use a mixer's whisk attachment to beat the egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the original bowl, one-third of the whites at a time.


5. Bake the cake: Drop a circle of parchment into each space of a muffin pan then spray each with the cooking spray. Fill each muffin space up to 3/4 of the way full with the cake batter and bake in the oven for 20 to 22 minutes or until the cake registers an internal temperature of 200° Fahrenheit. Chef Field recommends allowing the cakes to cool in the pan upside down to prevent them from collapsing.


6. Prepare the zabaglione and finish the dish: While the cake is resting, prepare the zabaglione. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a large metal bowl, then gradually whisk in the Moscato. Set the metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (Ensure the water does not touch the metal bowl.) and continue to whisk the mixture until thick, foamy and the mixture reaches 160° Fahrenheit. To plate, spoon some zabaglione onto a plate, place the cake onto the zabaglione, and spoon some sorbet off on one side of the cake, then garnish with a tuile, strawberries and sifted powdered sugar.


Successful?

Unfortunately, I am unable to judge whether or not the dish would be suitable to be served at a fine dining restaurant, but I hope I was able to display Moscato's versatility. I'd also like to express a sincere gratitude towards Chef Field for her assistance with this dish.

Happy Moscato Day!

Before you go, please check out the other bloggers celebrating the holiday in this week's #SundaySupper event:

Appetizers and Mains:
Beverages, Breakfast, and Sweets:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.





Sunday, September 1, 2013

Strawberries with Red Wine Reduction and Whipped Cream for a Labor Day #SundaySupper

Strawberries with Red Wine Reduction and Whipped Cream


Welcome to September! Today, the team at #SundaySupper is featuring Labor Day dishes and I will be hosting today's event. This dish also marks the start of a running theme I have decided to use this month: desserts. I have published a few desserts here but it definitely has not been a focus so I wanted to feature them, in part, because I want to become more familiar with them. That means I will feature only desserts during September. For this dish, I wanted something that wasn't too sweet, yet appropriate for a backyard barbecue using seasonable fruits. I also think it would be perfect for your Labor Day celebrations.

The Challenge

Quite simply, balance of flavors, since strawberries are naturally sweet.

The Source

Adapted from page 219 of Fabio's Italian Kitchen by Fabio Viviani with Melanie Rehak.

Ingredients

1 pound ripe strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise
1 750-mililiter bottle Cabernet Savignon
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup pecans coarsely chopped

Method

1. Place the strawberries in a heat-resistant bowl. Combine the wine and the turbinado sugar into a small saucepan over medium heat and reduce by 2/3 (or to about 1 cup). Pour the wine over the strawberries and shake to distribute evenly. Cover and cool in the refrigerator for two or more hours.



2. While the strawberries cool, combine the heavy cream, vanilla and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Using the whisk attachment to a hand-held or stand mixer, mix on high until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate to keep cool if necessary. When finished, spoon the strawberries into plastic tumblers. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with the pecans.


Successful?

The red wine balances out the natural sweetness of the strawberries. The pecans added some contrast in texture and the whipped cream augmented the dish with a little fun. This dessert is a great for Labor Day backyard barbecues because it serves as a fruity cocktail too: Drink the leftover red wine once the strawberries have been eaten. I'd prepare this dish again, but probably not until next year when strawberries are in season again.

Other Sunday Supper Participants

And finally, please check out this week's other Sunday Supper contributors:

Refreshing Drinks
Amazing Appetizers and Sides
Enviously Good Entreés
Delicious Desserts

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.