Thursday, December 24, 2009

Monday, December 21, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Kale soup

Potato Kale Soup

4 Some Good Sausage (that was chicken apple sausage from Costco) chopped into 1/4" to 1/2"
3 Medium russet Potatoes chopped into 1/4" to 1/2" cubes
3 Large Carrots chopped into 1/4" to 1/2" cubes
3 Ribs Celery chopped into 1/4" to 1/2" cubes
1 Large onion Diced Small
3-4 Garlic Cloves sliced thin
4 sprigs of Thyme
1 bay leaf
4 or so Kale leafs sliced about 1/2" thick strips

Add about 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil to your large soup pot cook the sausage, browning slightly. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Salt and a little pepper. Sweat the Mirepoix until onions are translucent. Cover with chicken broth, add the potatoes, Thyme and bay leaf, simmer until potatoes are almost done. Add kale and simmer until potatoes are fully cooked. Remove the thyme and bay Leaf.

Enjoy.

J.Jones

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Monday, September 14, 2009

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Friday, August 21, 2009

How long would you work to earn a Big Mac?






















Proof we still have it easy in America! God bless the good ol' USA!!

Read here: The Economist

Enjoy a Big Mac today!
J.Jones

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

More Bread....He shows you just how easy it is!



This fellow shows you how to make a nice French Style loaf the Julia Child way.

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Monday, August 3, 2009

Are the students in the NW just a bunch of food snobs?



















"Come along with me, figuratively speaking, to the Cherry Street Market at the Seattle University student union.

We'll have a salad with roasted squash, wheat berries and local greens, assembled from the fully stocked salad bar (which also features kimchi). Stews include Hungarian pork and a totally credible lamb vindaloo served with naan. Grilled Lummi Island sockeye salmon is 10 bucks. If you're on the go, grab a ham and fig sandwich with Beecher's Flagship cheese."

Matthew Amster-Burton is a Seattle freelance writer. John Lok is a Seattle Times staff photographer.

Excerpt from Seattle Times.

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Friday, July 24, 2009

We served

Jason P. Jones and Dawn Williams are Prezzemolo Catering.

Dessert

Another fantastic Dawn Dessert. Fresh berry's in glace' mascarpone fresh whip cream and limoncello.

Dinner

Our version of a Pasta Puttanesca, with wild mushrooms and Alder Smoked Salmon in a Vodka Cream Sauce.

Tomato Salad

Helium Tomato Salad with fresh Mozzarella, Olive Oil and reduced Basalmic Vinegar. Sprinkled with Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper.

Apps 2.0

Mini Beef Wellingtons.

Apps

Prosciutto wrapped mellon, roasted figs with fennel seeds and honey and dried dates.

Fig

Cut in half, sprinkle with Kosher Salt and Cracked Fennel Seeds the
drizzle with Honey. Roast at 200 for an hour or so.

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Hobo-Pack Rosemary Potatoes

Anyone can do this! Cut up some potatoes, a clove of garlic a little olive oil salt and pepper and toss to coat. Place a sprig of Rosemary and fold up the foil. Toss your Hobo-Pack on the grill, medium heat, with your steak or beer can chicken. After about 25 min open pack and test a spud with a knife. If you can put a knife in and it can slide off on it's own they are done.

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Thursday, July 9, 2009

amateurgourmet


















Amateur Gourmet, Adam Roberts is a hoot to watch. Check out this segment from Food2. Also be sure to check out his regular blog too: amateurgourmet.com

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

White Bean Hummus

















I will be one of the peoples that will turn his nose up at Hummus. Not because Hummus itself is bad, its just that I have eaten some really nasty Hummus before. Unless I know the source I would rather make it myself.

Here is a really simple White Bean Hummus. This recipe begs to be modified to your desires.

White Bean Hummus
1 15oz Can Small White Beans
1/3 Cup nice oil such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Walnut
4 or so Garlic Cloves Sliced
1-2 Tablespoons Fresh Herbs chopped fine (rosemary, thyme, oregano etc..or a combination)
A squeeze of Lemon Juice
1/2 Cup of grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese
Salt and Pepper

In a small sauce pan add the oil, herbs and garlic. Cook over medium heat until fragient and slightly golden.

Meanwhile empty the drained and rinsed can of beans into the food processor, along with the squeeze of lemon and a little salt and pepper.

Once the oil herb mix is done pour that into the food processor and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as you wish.

Smear some on a crusty piece of bread or to the thin crust pizza of your dreams and enjoy.

Another good idea: Make a little extra herb and garlic infused oil. Save some of that (removing the garlic) and brush onto both sides your bread slices and grill until golden brown. Then put that fantastic White Bean Hummus on it.

Enjoy!
J.Jones

pic

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Some Good Eats in London

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Kitchen Equip Re-org: Rice Cooker



You probably have one of these collecting dust in a kitchen cabinet. You got it for a birthday or a wedding gift and you don't really know how to use it. Never fear, we are going to figure it out...Together.

How:
First of all how does a Rice Cooker work? Its simple really. It heats liquid. Once it boils and produces steam the temperature in the Cooker increases and it tells the thermostat to reduce the heat "switching" from "COOK" to "WARM".

Formula Basic Ratio for cooking rice:
Short Grain is about 1 1/4 cup of liquid to 1 cup Short Grain.
Long Grain is 2 cups liquid to 1 cup Long Grain.
Brown Rice is 2 1/4 cups liquid to 1 cup Brown Rice.

Using these ratios will make REALLY GOOD rice. No problems.

What else can you do: Well Barley, that's a grain and its a no-brainer...3 3/4 cups liquid 1 1/2 cup Barley.

How about a Rice Pilaf? In a rice cooker? toss in a little butter turn to "Cook" add your garlic and shallots, stirring, brown slightly and then your rice, toast lightly and then add your, herbs, liquid etc...and let it do its thing.

Ready to try Risotto? You have lost your mind you say! Just like making a Pilaf, stirring and adding liquid as it is absorbed.

Heat up left over soups, sauces other things: Just dump and heat.

I am going to be playing around with this for a while. We will see what I come up with.

More: Check out this NY Times article...

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Get your Brat on!

Your chef and friend!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Make you own crackers (Goldfish not included)



It's easier than you think. Look at it this way. It's some bread dough you made that didn't rise. So turn it into a cracker. Press some seeds in the top, break them into cool shapes and look your an artist!

Cheddar Crackers

1/2 Cups Butter cut into cubes
1 1/2 Cups Flour Sifted
Good Pinch of Kosher Salt
1 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 dash Cayenne Pepper
2 Cups Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated fine

Place all ingredients into a Food Processor except butter and cheese. Turn on for a moment to combine. With the motor running drop the butter in a couple at a time. Then add some of the cheese about 1/2 Cup at a time and pulse to combine. That should resemble a lump of dough. Dump it out onto piece of parchment paper and shape into a log a couple of inches around. Chill for 30 to 40 minutes in the refrigerator. With a serrated knife slice your crackers 1/4-inch
thick.

Bake on a half sheet pan at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Store the cooled crackers in airtight containers in a cool place.

Option: You could roll out that dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut with a knife or roller into squares or whatever.

Mix it up! Try different flours or cheeses. Add some nuts or seeds or herbs. It's easy and about as cheap a snack as you are going to get.

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Bbq salad dressing? Or marinade? Or both?

BBQ Vinaigrette

1/2 cup veg oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon pepper
2 tablespoon BBQ sauce
1 teaspoons hot sauce (franks or crystal)

Also makes a great mop!

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Friday, May 22, 2009

Granola - Weekend Project


Master Granola Recipe Makes 1 quart

Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 275 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with cooking spray, then set aside. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and Extra Ingredients --except dried fruit -- in a bowl. Bring syrup, oil, water and any Flavoring indicated below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over oat mixture, and stir to combine. Pour mixture onto prepared pan. Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool. (Granola can be stored in an airtight tin for up to two weeks.) For nutrition information on each granola variation, go to usaweekend.com.

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup Extra Ingredients (see complete list below)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 3 Tbs. flavorless oil, such as vegetable or canola
  • 1 Tb. water
  • Flavoring (see below)

Classic Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, 1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dark or golden raisins
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
You can replace the 1/4 cup of maple syrup with 2 Tbs. each of maple syrup and molasses.

Crunchy Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 2 Tbs. sesame seeds, 6 Tbs. currants
Flavoring: none

Granola with Tropical Flavoring
Add the coconut along with the cashews and banana chips.
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted cashews, 1/4 cup chopped banana chips, 1/4 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 cup chopped dried pineapple
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 cup sliced almonds, 1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dried cherries
Flavoring: 3/4 tsp. almond extract

Trail Mix Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, 1/4 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 cup dark or golden raisins, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips*
Flavoring: none
*Stir chips into the granola only after it has completely cooled.

Orange-Berry Granola with Pecans
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped pecans,1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup dried blueberries
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
Pear Granola with Hazelnuts and Vanilla
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries, 1/4 cup chopped dried pears
Flavoring: 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Orange-Flavored Granola with Pistachios, Mangos and Dates
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachios, 1/4 cup chopped dates, 1/4 cup chopped dried mangos

Flavoring
1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. allspice

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Source found here

Wet Rub for the weekend



A Wet Rub, you decide how much of each item you want:
  • Some good olive oil
  • a little Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 or 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • 1 or 2 cloves Roasted Garlic mashed (if you don't have any roasted garlic stop what you are doing right now and make some!)
  • Kosher Salt
  • Fresh Ground Pepper
  • Half a glass of Red Wine
  • A loose handful of fresh herbs: chopped, torn and bruised
  • a shot of Worcestershire
Take a for and poke the steak of your choice all over. Toss all of the rub ingredients in a 1 gallon Ziploc bag and insert the steak or steaks. Roll around pressing the rub firmly into the meat. Let marinate for at least 1 hour.

Grill it. Over high heat for the first few minutes. Flip over and move to part of the grill that is at low heat. Leave the high part of the grill on high. Keep an eye on your grill don't go walking away and letting your awesome steak burn! When it is to your "doneness " take it off of the grill and let it rest on a plate for about 20 minutes.

Now enjoy that steak with some garlic mashed potatoes using some of that roasted garlic you made...you did make the roasted garlic didn't you?

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Chocolate cake in 5 min



I have to admit. I have not tried this. But I am intrigued.

Chocolate Cake In 5 Minutes

4 Tablespoons cake flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 Egg
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons oil
1 Mug

  1. Mix flour, sugar and cocoa
  2. Stir in 1 egg
  3. Pour in milk and oil, and mix well
  4. Put in microwave for 3 minutes on maximum power (1000watt)
  5. Wait until it stops rising and sets in the mug
  6. Tip contents out of mug onto saucer and enjoy!

Enjoy!
J.Jones

Dizzy Dee


Ok, ok, ok! After some more research on the web I found something a little more plausible. Someone who can actually bake. I told you any dessert items on this website should be analyzed closely!

Check out what they did here.