Author: Robert Andrews

CLICK HERE for Avocado Tips and Tricks.  

Ingredients
2 Avocados
2 TBL lemon juice
1/2 CU vegetable stock ( plus extra for consistency )
1/4 CU white wine
1/4 CU buttermilk
1 TBL EVOO
3 chives (chopped)
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt
a few shakes Tobasco
fresh cilantro

Set aside for garnish:
Optional: Cooked shrimp
1 TBL per person chopped tomato

Instructions
1. Put lemon and wine into blender
2. Peel avocado and add to blender
3. Blend to coat avocado
4. Add MOST of cilantro ( but not all ) and vegetable stock
5. Blend to chop
6. Add everything else except remaining cilantro and the green chives
7. Blend to mix
8. Pour into bowls and garnish with shrimp and tomato
9. Garnish additional with cilantro and chives

Ingredients
1 egg
1 carton (2 egg) egg-beaters
½ CU shredded Monterey Jack
¼ CU sharp cheddar
2 tsp (lite) sour cream
scant salt
whole roasted/peeled green chilis

Instructions
1. Beat egg, combine with egg beaters, separate into two small bowls
2. Mix one tsp sour cream into each bowl of egg mixture
3. Mix in optional dash of salt
4. Heat butter in omelet pan or crepe pan
5. Empty one bowl of egg mixture into pan
6. Spread evenly – make sure cooked mixture stays free of sticking
7. When eggs are set, but not dry, sprinkle Monterey Jack onto the eggs
8. Lay green chilis over top of cheese perpendicular to the handle
9. Sprinkle tops of chilis with a bit of the cheese
10. With a spatula, fold over 1/3 of the omelet (closest to the handle)
11. Fold over opposite third of the omelet
12. Cook briefly, then flip so that folded edges are on the bottom.
13. Cook briefly, then slide onto the serving plate
14. Apply cheddar cheese and garnish as desired

GARNISH OPTIONS:
– Avocado
– Chives
– Sour Cream
– Diced tomato
– Mushrooms
– Cilantro

Briefly, Chile Rellenos begin with Poblano Peppers (CLICK FOR IMAGE) which is often (incorrectly) sold under the name of a Pasilla Pepper. The pepper is prepared (see below) and then stuffed with picadillo (CLICK FOR IMAGE) and/or cheese, and then then dipped in an egg-based batter and deep fried, or baked at a high heat. They are served with several sauces. CLICK HERE if you don’t know what a poblano pepper is.

Preparing the Poblano Pepper

1. Over a gas flame, or under an electric broiler, heat the Poblano until the skin is black and charred (CLICK FOR IMAGE) Do not remove the stems.
2. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are doing this inside, turn on all the vent fans in the house, cause your smoke alarm is likely to go off.
3. NOTE: You can use Yellow Bell Peppers if one of your diners does not like any spice to their meal. Prepare these in the exact same way.
4. When the pepper is well charred, and still hot, put it into a plastic ziplock bag for 2-5 minutes. This will allow the steam to separate from the flesh of the pepper.
5. Wearing plastic gloves remove the blackened skin.
6. DO NOT rinse them under water, this will remove much of the flavor. You may find a paper towel useful in sloughing off the skin.
7. Examine the pepper for a pre-existing slice or hole, and use that as your starting point for the next step.
8. Make a small slit in the pepper to remove most of the seeds, which can be tough and bitter. Leave the membrane for hotter rellenos, remove the membrane if you prefer not as much heat.
9. Pack the pepper with Picadillo, but be careful not to overfill the pepper and split the pepper.
10. Allow for overlap for closing and securing with a toothpick
11. AT THIS POINT YOU CAN SET IT ASIDE WHILE YOU DO OTHER MEAL PREPARATION
12. When you are ready to eat, roll in flour, then dip in the relleno batter, and place in baking dish or pan
13. Top with shredded Asadero cheese and put into the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
14. While it is cooking, prepare your refried beans, which make a great side for this recipe.
15. Alternate Cheeses: , Queso Quesadilla, Queso Chihuahua, Queso Oaxaca, Monterey Jack

CHILE RELLENO BATTER

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs, separated
• 1 tablespoon of flour, plus extra for dredging the chiles
• ½ teaspoon salt

How to Make the Batter

1. Combine the flour and salt in a separate bowl
2. Preheat a pot of vegetable oil to 375 degrees or your oven to 450 degrees.
3. In an electric mixer whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.
4. Mix in the yolks one at a time.
5. Finally mix in the flour and salt.

Bringing it all Together to Cook

1. Stuff Picadillo into Poblano, firmly but not too firmly that it splits the wall of the Poblano
2. NOTE: If you will be cooking these open faced with Chili Tomato Sauce and Cheese on top, fill it up all the way, if you will be battering and frying these, leave room for the edges to overlap and afix with a toothpick.
3. If frying: Roll in flour and then dip in batter. Place immediately in hot oil (360 degrees) until bubbles stop, then pick up with spider strainer and place on newspaper NOT paper towels
4. If baking: Roll in flour and then dip in batter. Place on sheet pan and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned.
5. If open faced: Top with Chili Sauce and grated Asadero cheese – Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

Alt topping

Green Pipian Sauce:
1 1/4 cup green pumpkin seeds ( pepitas)
1 pound tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 serrano chile, stemmed
1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, preferably organic, warmed
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

========================================

Ingredients
2 egg whites
4 large green Poblano chilies
5 “fingers” of asadero, manchego or tierno cheese
1/4 CU milk
1/4 CU white flour
1/2 tsp salt
scant pepper
1 tsp oregano
Vegetable oil

Instructions
1. Put chilies under broiler four over other high heat until they start to blacken
2. Put into plastic bag 10-15 minutes to sweat
3. Remove from bag and carefully peel off skin
DO NOT RINSE UNDER WATER
4. Slit one side carefully and remove seeds or cut tip and insert cheese
5. Stuff chilies with cheese. Dice fifth finger and set aside for step #7
6. Beat egg whites until they form peaks
7. Mix together yolks, milk, flour, salt, pepper, extra cheese and oregano
8. Gently combine mixture with egg whites
9. Heat 1″ vegetable oil in frying pan
10. Dip each chili into batter, then fry until light brown OR put into baking disk and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes
11. Serve with garnish

GARNISH OPTIONS:
– Avocado
– Chives
– Grated cheese
– Sour Cream
– Diced tomato
– Mushrooms
– Cilantro

ALTERNATE STUFFING IDEAS

Canned tuna

Ingredients

4 bone-in skinless breasts
3 cu orange juice
½ cu red wine or balsamic vinegar
¼ cu molasses

Instructions

1. Orange Glaze – 3 cu orange juice in skillet, turn on high heat.
2. ½ cu red wine or balsamic vinegar, ¼ cu molasses, bring up to boil, reduce to about ½ cu total (10-15 min).
3. Set ½ aside, brush ½ over chicken breast.
4. Brush chicken breasts with orange glaze on top. Bake @ 400° for 35 min (baste 2-3 times).
5. Move to plate and drizzle w/ reserved glaze.

Move to plate and drizzle w/ reserved glaze.

Move to plate and drizzle w/ reserved glaze.

Ingredients

1/4 CU butter
2 TBL brown sugar
1 TBL crushed crystalized ginger
1/2 tsp fenugreek
1/2 tsp cumin
Tofu (cubed)
1/2 LB Fresh baby spinach
1 TBL tahini
1 can crushed tomato (drained))

Instructions

1. Wash and drain spinach if necessary
2. Melt butter in large wok or pan
3. Add brown sugar, ginger, fenugreek and cumin
4. Cook until carmelization begins
5. Add tofu and toss to coat
6. Add spinach and tahini
7. Toss to coat and reduces
8. Add tomato and heat throughout
9. Serve with Turkish Ekmek from Robert’s Recipes

This recipe calls for dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor, otherwise prepare it with light brown sugar for a lighter color and flavor.

INGREDIENTS

• Fully Baked Pastry Shell
  • For Filling:
• 1 1/2 C packed brown sugar
• 1/4 C all-purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 TBL cornstarch
• 3 beaten egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups milk (very hot)
• 2 TBL heavy cream
• 2 TBL margarine or butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
  • For Meringue:
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6 tablespoons sugar

Other necessary recipes: Basic Pie Pastry

STEP BY STEP

FOR FILLING:

1. Prepare and fully bake pastry shell as directed
   • Set aside to cool.
2. In a heavy, medium saucepan stir together the brown sugar, flour, and salt.
3. Temper egg yolks into hot milk.
4. Cook while stirring with a wire whisk till thickened
5. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.
6. Stir in margarine or butter and vanilla.
7. Pour hot filling into baked pastry shell.

FOR MERINGUE:

1. In a mixing bowl beat egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute, or till soft peaks form (tips curl).
2. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed about 4 minutes more, or till mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks (tips stand straight) and sugar completely dissolves.
3. Immediately spread meringue over hot filling, spreading to edge of pastry to seal and prevent shrinkage.
4. Bake pie in a preheated 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes.
5. Cool on a rack for 1 hour.
6. Chill 3-6 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

1 LB ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can tomato soup
¼ CU water
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
½ CU shredded cheddar cheese
2 CU COOKED elbow or corkscrew pasta

Instructions

1. Brown beef in skillet
2. Add onion and sauté
3. Discard fat
4. Add soup, water, Worcestershire, cheese and pasta
5. Heat 5 minutes

Ingredients

¾ cu sugar
¾ cu white vinegar
½ cu olive oil
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 ½ green bell chopped
6 plum tomatoes
2 cucumbers
1 redonion
1 cu stuffed green olives
½ cu Italian parsley

Instructions

1. 6 cu curly pasta – cook to al dente, boil 10 min.
2. Warm on stove ¾ cu sugar and ¾ cu white vinegar, stir to dissolve sugar. Remove pasta and plunge in ice bath. |
3. Emulsify ½ cu olive oil in DSG base
4. Add 1 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp basil, chopped bell, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and olives.

Mix all with ½ cu Italian Parsley.

Chef Notes

1. EVOO in a hot pan
2. Onion, pancetta or bacon
3. Chili flakes
4. Pasta water, salt, pepper
5. Let reduce
6. Parsley, pasta into the pan
7. Top with 2 egg yolks and Parmesan cheese – mix continually
8. Build up on plate
9. Top with cracked pepper
10. If thick, thin out with water
11. Eat immediately

Ingredients

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pound pasta, such as spaghetti or rigatoni
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (enough to coat bottom of pan)
• 1/4 pound pancetta (Italian bacon), chopped
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 5 to 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 large egg yolks
•  Freshly grated Romano cheese
• Handful of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Put a large saucepot of water on to boil. Add a liberal amount of salt and the pasta. Cook to al dente, about 8 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and pancetta. Brown pancetta 2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Add wine and stir up all the pan drippings.

3. In a separate bowl, beat yolks, then add 1 large ladleful (about 1/2 cup) of the pasta cooking water. This tempers the eggs and keeps them from scrambling when added to the pasta.

4. Drain pasta well and add it directly to the skillet with pancetta and oil. Pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Toss rapidly to coat the pasta without cooking the egg. Remove pan from heat and add a big handful of cheese, lots of pepper, and a little salt. Continue to toss and turn the pasta until it soaks up egg mixture and thickens, 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley and extra grated Romano.

Rachael Ray

“I knew my boyfriend was the man to marry when I asked him what he would like for his birthday dinner,” Rachael Ray writes in her cookbook Cooking ‘Round the Clock. “I offered up lobster, steak, fine foods of all nationalities, to which he replied: ‘Can I just have some of your carbonara?’ Whoa! I was right about him….

“Carbonara is bacon-and-egg pasta, a true classic from Italian cuisine. This is the food of the people! I never order it out because everyone messes with it: They add cream, mushrooms, ham — all kinds of stuff that simply doesn’t belong. Yes, I acknowledge that this dish is heavy and bad for you, especially when eaten in copious amounts. But eating this out of the pan or one large bowl with two forks is extra-sexy. Usually, this recipe makes six servings, but late at night, when no one can see us, my husband, John, and I eat as much as we want!”

Ingredients

• 1 CU water (warmed to about 100 degrees)
• 1/4 CU butter (softened)
• 1 egg
•  3 TBL sugar or honey
• 2 tsp dehydrated minced onion
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 TBL garlic powder
• 3 TBL dry milk
• 3 CU flour
•  2 TBL olive oil
• 2/3 CU parmesian cheese
• 1 pkg yeast

Instructions

• 1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water – let activate for 5 minutes
• 2. Mix all other ingredients until smooth (reserving 1 CU flour)
• 3. Let stand 15 minutes
• 4. Add remaining flour
• 5. Stir until soft dough forms
• 6. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes)
• 7. Add enough flour to keep it from sticking to your hands (will still feel tacky though)
• 8. Coat outside of flour ball VERY lightly with oil, put in large bowl and let rise in warm place (about 85 degrees) for 40 minutes
• 9. Punch dough down, cover and let rest for 5 more minutes
• 10. Cut in half, forming two loaves in loaf pans or on baking pan
• 11. Let rise 20 minutes, then cook @ 400 degrees 30-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean