Author: Robert Andrews

Brief notes:

1. Combine and set aside
   • 1 1/2 C AP flour
   • 1/2 tsp salt
   • 1/2 tsp baking powder
2. Cream together
   • 2 C sugar
   • 1 C butter
   • 1/2 C cocoa powder
   • 1 tsp vanilla
3. Beat in 4 eggs (one at a time)
   • Stir each egg until fully incorporated
4. Mix in your flour
   • 1 C first, then
   • the rest of the flour mixture
5. Drop in balls and flatten on parchment paper
6. Bake at 350º for 20-30 minutes
7. OPTIONAL TOPPING 1:  Sprinkle 1/2 C grated chocolate on top and return to oven for 60 seconds
   OPTIONAL TOPPING 2: 1 C heavy cream, 8 oz bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
8. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pan

These are inexpensive and good noodles, but the flavor packet (for me) is over-the-top salty.

INGREDIENTS

• Ramen Noodles (minus the packet)
• Hot Sour Soup
• Thinly sliced red onions
• Chives
• Kernel Corn
• Grated garlic
• Grated ginger

Here are some alternate uses for the flavor packets

• Use it for stir fry with onion, garlic, ginger, broccoli, carrots with some oyster sauce and sugar
• Good if you are braising a chicken
• Mix with sour cream for a chip dip
• Sprinkle LIGHTLY over scrambled eggs
• Use on pork before grilling
• Mix with buttermilk for fried chicken (or in the dredge)
• Create “cheater” Pad Thai with 1/2 the flavor packet, 2 tsp each peanut butter, sugar and rice wine vinegar.  Sriracha to personal taste.
• Emulsify with EVOO and rice wine vinegar to make salad dressing.
•  

INGREDIENTS

• 6 eggs
• 2 TBL milk
• Scant ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion, peeled and diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 C corn tortilla chips
• 1/3 cup salsa
• 1/3 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese
• Misc toppings as desired: chopped fresh cilantro, diced red onion, sliced avocado, diced tomato, extra salsa, more shredded cheese, black olives

STEP BY STEP

1. Whisk together eggs, milk, and spices
2. Heat large sauté pan over medium-high heat with EVOO
3. Add onion and jalapeño and sauté for 5 minutes
4. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 additional minutes, stirring occasionally.  Do not overcook, or the garlic will become bitter.
5. Add the egg mixture, and reduce heat to medium.  Cook for 3-4 minutes.
6. Turn off the heat if using electric (or turn heat down to low on a gas cooktop) and stir in the tortilla chips, salsa and cheese.
7. Let cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Taste and season if needed.
8. Serve warm, garnished with your desired toppings.

• Whisk together the dressing
  – 1 TBL red wine vinegar
  – 1/2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
  – 1 TBL EVOO ( emulsifying the oil )
• Combine in a large mixing bowl
  – 1 Kirby, Persian or English cucumber
  – 1/4 C thinly sliced red onion
  – 1/3 C grape tomatoes – halved
  – 1 TBL fresh parsley leaves – chopped
  – 1/2 tsp fresh dill
• Gently combine with dressing
• Top with just a bit of fresh cracked pepper
• Garnish with mint leaves and feta cheese

Cucumber and Krab Salad

• Slice English Cucumber very thin
• Toss with 1/2 tsp salt. Let rest 5 minutes
• Toss with Imitation Krab (use name brand only)
  Krab is usually made with treated pollock, cod or halibut
  It is, however, marinated in crab stock, so avoid if allergic to shellfish
• Toss with 2 TBL mayonnaise or salad dressing plus 1/4 tsp black pepper

Grandma’s Cucumber Salad

1. 1 English cucumber – Sliced thin
2. 1 red onion – slivered
3. 2 TBL salt
4. Toss above in salt and let rest 15 minutes
5. Drain liquid – Rinse salt once and drain again
6. Heat 2 C each white vinegar, water and sugar
7. Toss with 1-2 TBL minced dill
8. Pour hot water over the cucumber mixture
9. Refrigerate 2 hours or until cooled

Optional:  Add slivers of bell pepper, garlic slivers, red bell slivers or jalapeño slivers at step 7

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup active sourdough starter
• 2 C AP flour, 200 grams
• 2 tsp raw honey
• 2 tsp Instant Yeast or Quick Rise Yeast (Not Active Dry)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 TBL olive oil

STEP BY STEP

1. MAKE THE DOUGH
   • Place all of the dough ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.
   • Mix with a spatula until it somewhat comes together
   • Put a dough hook on the mixer
   • Knead on low speed for 5 minutes, then increase to medium low and mix for another 10 minutes
   • The dough should be soft, and put from the sides of the bowl
   • Add more flour if the dough seems very wet, but better too wet, than too dry
   • Transfer the dough to a lightly greased, large glass bowl, turning once to grease the top of the dough.
   • Cover and allow to rise in the refrigerator for 10-20 hours.
2. FORM THE LOAF
   • The next day, flour your work surface
   • Put the dough on the counter and pat it out to a rectangle.
   • Grab the far edge of both sides of the dough and stretch it up and over to the middle of the dough.
   • Use the side of your hand to press the loaf flat
   • Repeat about eight times.
   • Form into a elongated pillow and put it on a parchment lined baking sheet
3. SECOND RISE
   • Cover with a tea towel and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled. This can take anywhere from 3-5 hours, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
4. BAKE
   • At the 2 1/2 hour mark, preheat your oven to 450°F.
   • Slash the loaf with a sharp knife.
   • Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until deep golden.
   • Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before cutting