Chicken Stock from Culinary Fundamentals

Yield: 1 gallon

Notes: Replace 2 pounds of the chicken bones with turkey necks for an extra rich, gelatinous stock.

Add to the aromatic ingredients suggested here or replace them with other ingredients to achieve a particular flavor. Options for a specific flavor in the finished stock include: sliced fresh ginger, lemongrass, fresh or dried chiles, strongly flavored herbs, such as tarragon or rosemary, mushroom stems.

Using a prepared stock or rémouillage gives stocks greater body and flavor. These stocks are sometimes known as double-strength.

Categories: Soup

Source: Culinary Fundamentals
Copyright: Prentice Hall

Ingredients:

8 pounds Chicken bones, cut into 3-inch lengths.

6 quarts Cold water

1 pound Mirepoix, medium dice

1 each Sachet d'épices

Process:

1. Rinse the bones under cool running water and place in a stockpot.

2. Add cold water to cover the bones by about 2 inches. Bring the stock to a boil. Skim the surface as necessary. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer for 3 to 4 hours.

3. Add the mirepoix and sachet and continue to simmer the stock 1 or 2 more hours, skimming as necessary and tasting from time to time. Strain the stock through a sieve or a colander lined with rinsed cheesecloth. The stock may be used at this point, or it may be properly cooled, labeled, and stored.

Beef Stock from Culinary Fundamentals

Yield: 2 quarts

Categories: Soup

Source: Culinary Fundamentals
Copyright: Prentice Hall

Ingredients:

1 fluid ounce Vegetable oil

4 pounds Beef hind shank, cut crosswise

3 quarts Cold water

2 teaspoons Salt

8 ounces Mirepoix, medium dice

4 ounces Tomato concassé

1 each Sachet d'epices

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Pour the oil into a half sheet pan or roasting pan and place the pan in the oven. When the oil is hot, after about 5 minutes, add the beef shank pieces to the pan and roast, turning brown all sides evenly, 30 minutes. (Note: Roasting the beef is optional, but contributes a rich color and flavor in the finished broth.)

2. Put the beef shank pieces into a stock pot and add the cold water. The water should cover the bones by about 2 inches. Add the salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to establish a gentle simmer. Skim the surface with a skimmer or a spoon as necessary throughout simmering time. 

3. While the broth comes to a simmer, add the mirepoix and tomato concassé to the same pan used to roast the bones and return to the oven. Roast until the onions are golden and the tomatoes have a rich, sweet aroma, 15 to 20 minutes. After the broth has simmered for 2 hours, add the roasted vegetables to the pot. Add a ladle full of the broth to the roasting pan and stir well to release any drippings. Add these to the pot as well. Continue to simmer for another hour.

4. Add the sachet to the broth after it has simmered a total of 3 hours and continue to simmer until the broth is richly flavored with a good body, another hour. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper is necessary.

5. Strain the broth through a fine wire mesh sieve or cheesecloth. It is ready to serve now, use as an ingredient in another dish, or it may be properly cooled and stored for later use.

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE from Family Cookbook

A friend of mine was looking for a Gooey Butter Cake recipe and I went to my mother's recipe as found in the family cookbook...

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE

8 oz Cream Cheese

4 c Powdered Sugar

1 box yellow cake mix

2 eggs

1 stick melted oleo

Mix and put in jelly roll pan sprayed with pam.  Mix 1 8 oz. cream cheese, 2 beaten eggs, 4 cups powdered sugar.  Spread on top and bake 350 degrees for 15-30 minutes.

Creme Fraiche (Garde Manger, CIA)

I took this recipe from:

 pg. 382

The Art and Craft of the Cold Kitchen "Garde Manger",

The Culinary Institute of America

This was from a class I took a couple years ago and new it was there because we made it in class.  In one of my online food groups in which I am a part of a person was exclaiming that they could not find any Creme Fraiche so I went and typed this up for their benefit, with this work being done, I decided to share it here.

Creme Fraiche 
(yield 12 servings, 4 oz/113 g each)

pg. 382
The Art and Craft of the Cold Kitchen "Garde Manger",
The Culinary Institute of America

32 fl oz/960 ml Half-and-Half
1 packet direct set Creme Fraiche Starter Culture

1. Warm the Half-and-Half to 72 f/22 c.
2. Stir in the starter culture.
3. Cover and allow to set (incubate) for 24 hours, until a very thick curd forms.
4. Serve immediately or transfer to a storage container, cover, and refrigerate up to 1 week.

Chef's note:  Creme Fraiche is made by fermenting heavy cream that has a butterfat content as high as 60% with a lactic acid and the appropriate bacterial cultures.  The flavor of a newly prepared  Creme Fraiche is sweet, and has a loose, almost pourable texture.  As it ages, the flavor becomes more pronounced and tart, and it thickens to the point at which it can nearly hold a spoon upright.  It is important to the garde manger as a base or spread for canapes, in salad dressings, and served with fresh fruit.
Variation: Lime flavored  Creme Fraiche - add fresh lime juice to taste.

My first attempt at making a panini....

So last week my boss gave me a Panini Press and I was excited to get to making some good sandwiches.  But what to make?  What bread should I use?  After some research of looking high and low on the internet and talking with friends in Facebook groups dedicated to food.  I had some up with a combination which sounded good to me and it was not one which was suggested.

What I ended up making was somewhat of a hybrid Turkey Club Sandwich.  I bought some seasoned herb bread, put down a layer of sun-dried tomato pesto, sharp cheddar cheese, shaved ham, bacon, more cheddar, shave smoked turkey, and then more cheddar where I then layered more sun-dried tomato pesto on the top bread piece.

Sprayed my panini press with pan release spray and also sprayed the sandwich top and bottom and then pressed into into the panini press.  After about 5-6 minutes, I then released the press lid and it looked well cooked.

While this was my first attempt this can be considered a learning experience.  Next time I will change the way my sandwich is placed in the press to change the way the press lines are orientated.

My next attempt will be on Saturday and I am planning to make a Caprese Panini.  Fresh Herb Bread, Fresh Hand Stretched Mozzarella, Fresh Basil along with Basil Garlic Infused Olive Oil.....

What panini's would you make or like????

PAELLA A LA VELENCIANA (Spain): Chicken and Seafood Rice

Tonight a friend of mine from Jersey was asking me about Paella.  Last spring, I cooked some paella dishes and here are the recipe in this blog post.

PAELLA A LA VELENCIANA (Spain)

Chicken and Seafood Rice

Yield:  4 Portions

INGREDIENTS:

12 oz.	Pork, lean, diced
4 ea.	Chicken legs, cut into thighs and drumsticks
3 oz.	Olive oil
2 ea.	Garlic cloves, chopped
6 oz.	Onion, small dice
6 oz.	Red pepper, small dice
6 oz.	Green pepper, small dice
3/4 lb.	Rice, short grain
1/2 tsp.	Saffron, crushed
1/4 tsp.	Salt
1/2  cup	Chicken stock, hot
2 lb.	Clams, fresh littleneck, cleaned
2 lb.	Mussels, fresh, cleaned
2 lb.	Shrimp, 16/20, P&D
1 lb.	Chorizo link, cooked, sliced
8 oz.	Tomato concasse, small dice
4 oz.	Carrots, small dice
4 oz.	Peas (garden)
4 oz.	Scallions, sliced
2 ea.	Lemons

Method:

1.                  Brown the chicken and pork in the olive oil. Remove and reserve.

2.                  Sauté the garlic, onion, and peppers in the reserved oil.

3.                  Add the rice, saffron and salt. Stir until the rice is coated with oil.

4.                  Add the stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the pan and place it in a 400- degree F.          oven. Cook the rice mixture for 8 minutes.

5.                  Place the clams and mussels on top the rice. Check the rice periodically and add more stock or water if necessary. Replace the cover and return the pan to the oven for 5 minutes.

6.                  Add the shrimp, chorizo, tomato concasse, carrots and peas. Return the pan to the oven and cook paella until the shrimp is cooked through and all the ingredients are very hot.

7.  Garnish the paella with the scallions and strips of roasted red pepper. Drizzle with juice of 1 lemon. Cover the paella pan and allow the paella to rest for 10 minutes. Wedge the remaining lemons and serve with the paella.

La Mia Casa - Vegan Friendly Menu (final)

La Mia Casa

Vegan Friendly Menu

Friday, October 12, 2012

Executive Chef/General Manager

Harrison Graden Sr.

Sous Chef

Corey Schaefer

Garde Manger

Jason Mather

Andree

Kendall Atkins

Entre’metier

Kyle Baumann

Patisserie

Brittany Gould

Ware Washer

Cal Bell

Server Captain

Tim Constentino

Servers

Noelle Perkowski

&

Chris Harris

Jon Todd

Chef Instructors

Ellen Piazza

& 

Robert Hertel



STLCC - Forest Park Campus

5600 Oakland

St. Louis MO 63110

Diet,

Flexitarian, Pescaterian

& Vegan



Diet is not a four lettered word, it is what we eat and not what we do!

Flexitarian as defined by Web MD: A relatively new term, flexitarian comes from a combination of the words “flexible” and “vegetarian.” Following a flexitarian diet means eating more plant-based diet and less meat.

Pescaterian as defined by Urban Dictionary: A person who eats fish but no other kinds of meat. Commonly referred to as "vegetarian".

Vegan as defined by About.com: Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines.  Most vegans also avoid use of all products tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur, and wool.

The Antipasto

A traditional Italian meal starts with something to nibble on, called antipasto, which translates into English as “before the meal.” 

“Mock” Caprese Salad (Vegan)

 

A refreshing salad made with a marinated tofu, fresh Roma Tomatoes, Basil, and drizzled with Olive Oil and Balsamic Reduction and dusted with Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper and Parma Parmesan Cheese.

The Primo

In Italy, pasta is a first course, or primo, served as an appetizer, not as the main event.  Soup, rice, and polenta are the options for the primo.

Green Onion & Wild Mushroom Risotto

(Vegan)

This dish is packed with the fresh flavor or Green Onion and given a “meaty” texture with the pungent flavor of wild mushrooms to entice your palate

The Secondo

The main course is called il secondo, or the second course. Chicken, meat, or fish are usual choices, and portions are generally small.  These main courses are usually fairly simple, especially if a rich pasta or rice dish precedes them.

Pan Seared Marinated Tofu Picata

(Vegan)

Flavorful and fresh this dish is composed of pan seared marinated tofu that is lightly coated with a seasoned flour and garnished with a flavorful and colorful mix of bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, capers and lemons.  With just a drizzle of lemon juice and balsamic reduction and olive oil vinaigrette.

Or 

Salmon with Lemon, Capers, and Rosemary

(Pescaterian)

This dish is cooked "al cartoccio" or “en papillote,” which steams the foods in their own flavorful juices and when brought to your table is sure to create a delicate and aromatic dish when opened as a present on a holiday!

The Cortorno

A platter of vegetables usually accompanies the main course. This word contorno loosely translates as “contours” and refers to the fact that the vegetable course helps shape and define the meal.

Roasted Vegetable Medley 

with Balsamic Lemon Vinaigrette

(Vegan)

A delightful medley of beets, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, onion and roasted garlic roasted and drizzled with a Balsamic Lemon Vinaigrette.

Cannellini Beans with Garlic and Sage

(Vegan)

High in fiber these beans are a great source of protein and other great nutrients.  Creamy and flavorful these are sure to please!

The Dolce

A dolce (or sweet) ends a traditional Italian meal.

Grapefruit Compari Sorbetto

(Vegan)

Served with a Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce and a Cranberry Orange Biscotti dipped in White Chocolate 

(Vegan)

This refreshing desert is sure to awaken and tantalize your taste buds with a combination of sweet and sour, cleansing your palate to continue your day!

Beverages

Sweet Basil Lemonade

Fresh Brewed Iced Tea

Coffee 

(Regular and Decaffeinated)

Served with Lemon Wedges, Natural Sugar, and Stevia