SPICED ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

TIRED OF STEAMED CAULIFLOWER!  TRY ROASTING IT

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower
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Ingredients
  1. 1 head cauliflower 1
  2. 2 tbsp vegetable oil 30 ml
  3. 2 tsp chili powder 10 ml
  4. 1 tsp ground cumin 5 ml
  5. 1⁄2 tsp salt 2 ml
  6. 1⁄4 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 ml
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Separate cauliflower into florets. Toss with oil and spread out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper, then toss to coat. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender and golden.
  2. Serves 4 to 6.
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ROAST TURKEY WITH SAGE-BREAD STUFFING

Turkey almost always has the place of honor when family and friends gather for holiday meals. It’s perfect when serving a crowd.

It’s economical, too, and everyone loves it.  Best of all are the leftovers that get wrapped and placed in the fridge for hearty sandwiches the next day — or even later that night.

Roast Turkey with Sage-Bread Stuffing
Roast Turkey with Sage-Bread Stuffing
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Ingredients
  1. Stuffing
  2. 1⁄3 cup butter 75 mL
  3. 2 cups chopped onions 500 mL
  4. 2 cups chopped celery 500 mL
  5. 8 oz mushrooms, chopped 250 g
  6. 4 cloves garlic, minced 4
  7. 1 tbsp dried rubbed sage 15 mL
  8. 1 tsp dried thyme 5 mL
  9. 1 tsp dried marjoram 5 mL
  10. 1 tsp salt 5 mL
  11. 1⁄2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 2 mL
  12. 12 cups white or whole wheat bread 3 L
  13. cubes, toasted on baking sheet
  14. in 350°F (180°C) oven for 15 minutes
  15. 1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley 125 mL
  16. 1 cup turkey gravy stock 250 mL
  17. Turkey
  18. 1 turkey (about 12 to 14 lbs/6 to 7 kg) 1
  19. 2 tbsp melted butter 30 mL
  20. 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled 6
  21. 1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges 1
  22. 2 carrots, cut into chunks 2
  23. 1 large stalk celery, cut into chunks 1
  24. 1 tsp dried rosemary, crumbled 5 mL
  25. 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme 2 mL
  26. 1⁄2 tsp dried marjoram 2 mL
  27. Salt and freshly ground
  28. black pepper
  29. Gravy
  30. 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour 60 mL
  31. 1⁄2 cup white wine or additional stock 125 mL
  32. 3 cups turkey gravy stock (see tip, 750 mL
  33. page 150)
  34. Salt and freshly ground
  35. black pepper
Instructions
  1. Stuffing: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; cook onions, celery, mushrooms, garlic, sage, thyme, marjoram, salt and pepper, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until tender. In a large bowl, combine onion mixture, bread cubes and parsley. Spoon into a greased 12-cup (3 L) casserole dish. To bake, add enough turkey stock to moisten stuffing and toss. (If you plan to stuff the bird, omit stock.) Cover with lid or foil and place in oven for the last hour of roasting turkey, uncovering for last 30 minutes to brown and crisp the top.
  2. Turkey: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Remove neck and giblets from bird; reserve to make stock.
  3. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Secure legs by tying with string or tuck under skin around the tail; fold wings back and secure neck skin with skewer. Place turkey, breast side up, on a greased rack in a large roasting pan or broiler pan. Brush bird with melted butter. Lightly crush garlic with side of knife; scatter garlic, onion, carrots and celery in pan. Season turkey and vegetables with rosemary, thyme, marjoram, salt and pepper. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of inner turkey thigh, being careful not to touch bone. Roast turkey for 31⁄4 to 31⁄2 hours; no need to baste. (If turkey starts to brown too quickly, tent bird loosely with heavy-duty foil, shiny side down.) Turkey is done when meat thermometer registers 165°F (74°C) for unstuffed bird; 170°F (77°C) if stuffed. Remove from oven; cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes for easy carving.
  4. Gravy: Skim fat from roasting pan; place over medium heat. Stir in flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add wine; cook, stirring, until reduced by half. Stir in stock; bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan, until gravy thickens. Strain through a fine sieve into a saucepan, pressing down on vegetables; discard the vegetables. Season gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serves 8 to 10, plus leftovers.
Notes
  1. TiP: Turkey Gravy Stock: Pat neck and giblets dry. (Do not use liver.) In a large saucepan, heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil over medium-high heat; cook neck and giblets, stirring, for 8 minutes or until nicely browned. Add 1 each chopped onion, carrot and celery stalk including leaves along with 1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme; cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until vegetables are lightly colored. Add 1 cup (250 mL) white wine, if desired. Stir in 6 cups (1.5 L) water; season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 3 hours. Strain stock through cheesecloth-lined or fine sieve; discard solids. Makes about 4 cups (1 L) stock.
  2. Variation: Sausage-Apple Stuffing: Cook 1 lb (500 g) bulk sausage meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up with back of spoon, until no longer pink; drain off fat. Add 2 peeled, finely chopped apples; combine with bread stuffing mixture.
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RED LENTIL AND VEGETABLE CURRY

 

Red Lentil and Vegetable Curry is a Fantastic Vegetarian Main or a Swoon Worthy Side Dish

Red Lentil and Vegetable Curry
Red Lentil and Vegetable Curry is a Fantastic Vegetarian Main or a Swoon Worthy Side Dish
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Ingredients
  1. 1 tbsp vegetable oil 15 mL
  2. 1 large onion, finely chopped 1
  3. 4 cloves garlic, minced 4
  4. 3 tbsp mild or medium Indian curry 45 mL
  5. paste
  6. 11⁄2 cups grated peeled sweet potato 375 mL
  7. 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed 250 mL
  8. 11⁄2 cups tomato sauce 375 mL
  9. 2 cups vegetable broth 500 mL
  10. 3 cups packed baby spinach 750 mL
  11. 11⁄4 cups drained roasted red peppers, 300 mL
  12. chopped
  13. Salt (optional)
  14. 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro 30 mL
  15. Chopped tomato
Instructions
  1. Use a 31⁄2- to 4-quart slow cooker. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and curry paste; cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Stir in sweet potato and lentils. Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Transfer to slow cooker. Stir in broth. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours, until lentils are very soft. Stir in spinach and red peppers. Cover and cook on High for about 20 minutes, until spinach is wilted and red peppers are hot. Adjust seasoning with salt, if desired. Serve garnished with cilantro and tomato.
  2. Serves 4 to 6.
Notes
  1. Tip: Heat seekers can use hot Indian curry paste or add cayenne pepper to taste with the spinach.
  2. Tip: Curry pastes can be quite salty. Taste the curry at the end of the cooking time and add salt if necessary.
  3. Variation: Use 1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas instead of the spinach.
  4. Who are “they” anyway?
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Who are “they” anyway?

NEWS!

Thanks to Gwendolyn Richards of The Calgary Herald  for sharing this news with everyone!

The conversation is lively and punctuated with laughter, just as it should be when friends gather over food. Though it is more than sharing stories happening between the six women. Over that coffee table, a legacy is being passed as the original ladies who formed the Best of Bridge welcome the women who are set to breathe new life into the iconic brand.

Down to just four from the original eight who came up with the Best of Bridge cookbooks some 40 years ago that would become a publishing phenomenon with millions of books sold, the ladies are ready to fully retire and hand over the brand they so carefully built — publishing, touring and selling those books themselves — to the next generation of families. Now, a new group of food writer friends will pick up the mantle as Calgary’s Julie Van Rosendaal and Elizabeth Chorney-Booth and Vernon’s Sue Duncan have been named to carry on writing and creating cookbooks in the Best of Bridge name.

“The essence of Bridge is a group of friends,” says Van Rosendaal.

It’s a move Mary Halpen, Val Robinson, Helen Miles and Joan Wilson have been working toward for several years now, starting in 2008 when publisher Robert Rose licensed the Best of Bridge name and asked if the group knew anyone who might be interested in carrying it on.

Their first thought was Van Rosendaal.

“Julie is the best new idea we’ve had since 2008,” says Miles. “She will breathe new life into the brands. It’ll be good for it.”

They’d met the food writer and CBC columnist years earlier when she asked to meet them to learn more about the world of book publishing. She showed up at the appointment with cookies.

“My mother brought me up on Best of Bridge,” Van Rosendaal says. “It is what people grew up with.”

But, she says, the brand needs new faces to connect Best of Bridge to a new generation of home cooks. “It couldn’t be one person taking over the brand; the whole essence is a group of friends cooking together.”

Through conversations with Robert Rose, Chorney-Booth and Duncan were added to the fold.

For Chorney-Booth, the chance to carry on the Best of Bridge name is an honour. She also grew up on the recipes those eight women created and still enjoys them when her mother and mother-in-law pull out their worn, original versions of the cookbooks.

“I still, no word of a lie, use a lot of their recipes, a lot of the time,” she says.

Since Robert Rose licensed it, a few books have been published under the Best of Bridge name — mostly compilations of recipes from their other books with a few new recipes thrown in. The missing ingredient in those, though, was they lacked a connection between the women and the name they created.

“The pull of Best of Bridge is the ladies. It’s a well-known story among the original generation,” says Chorney-Booth. “In the last few books, there hasn’t been that group of friends behind it. Bringing together new recipe developers who are friends and enjoy cooking, the brand needs that for it to be true to what the original women put together.”

There will be a transition book that comes out this fall, but the one set to be released in the fall of 2016 will be by the new trio under the Best of Bridge name. Their focus will be to build on the name the Best of Bridge ladies created and write books and recipes that are more reflective of the books from days gone by.

“It’s a chance to rebuild a recognizable brand,” says Van Rosendaal.

TRADITIONAL STRAWBERRY JAM

It’s Strawberry Season! Time to Make Jam.

Traditional Strawberry Jam
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Ingredients
  1. Strawberry jam is one of the most popular preserves to make, especially when local fruit is in season. This recipe uses the long-boil method, with no added pectin.
  2. 6 cups crushed strawberries 1.5 L
  3. 3 tbsp lemon juice 45 mL
  4. 5 cups granulated sugar 1.25 L
Instructions
  1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine strawberries and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar in a steady stream, stirring constantly. Bring to a full boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium-high and boil rapidly, stirring often and reducing heat further as mixture thickens, for 20 to 22 minutes or until thickened. Test for setting point (see page 24). Remove from heat and skim off any foam. Stir for 5 to 8 minutes to prevent floating fruit.
  2. Ladle into sterilized jars to within 1⁄4 inch (0.5 cm) of rim; wipe rims. Apply prepared lids and rings; tighten rings just until fingertip-tight. Process jars in boiling water canner (see page 27) for 10 minutes. Transfer jars to a towel-lined surface and let rest at room temperature until set. Check seals; refrigerate any unsealed jars for up to 3 weeks. Makes about five 8-ounce (250 mL) jars.
  3. Tip: If you leave the lemon juice out of strawberry jam, it will not set — strawberries are not high enough in acid.
Notes
  1. Tip: If you leave the lemon juice out of strawberry jam, it will not set — strawberries are not high enough in acid.
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KILLER QUINOA SALAD

Killer Quinoa Salad is Back by Popular Demand … And Just in Time for Long Weekend BBQs!Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is the most nutritious grain there is. Something so good for you shouldn’t taste so good, but it does. Serve this nutty-textured salad alone or with grilled chicken or pork. This is an excellent buffet salad that will hold for about an hour.

Killer Quinoa Salad
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Ingredients
  1. Dressing
  2. Finely grated zest and
  3. juice of 1 lemon
  4. 3 tbsp olive or vegetable oil 45 mL
  5. 1⁄2 tsp ground coriander 2 mL
  6. 1⁄2 tsp ground cumin 2 mL
  7. 1⁄2 tsp paprika 2 mL
  8. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  9. Salad
  10. 1 cup red or white quinoa, rinsed well 250 mL
  11. (see tip, opposite)
  12. 1⁄2 tsp salt 2 mL
  13. 2 cups cold water 500 mL
  14. 1 cup dried cranberries 250 mL
  15. 1⁄4 cup finely diced dried apricots 60 mL
  16. Warm water
  17. 2 ripe avocados (see tip, page 129) 2
  18. 2 green onions, sliced diagonally 2
  19. 1⁄4 cup toasted slivered or 60 mL
  20. sliced almonds (see tip, page 127)
  21. Instructions
  22. Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, coriander, cumin and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  23. Salad: In a saucepan, combine quinoa, salt and cold water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Fluff with a fork, spread on a large baking sheet and let cool completely.
  24. Meanwhile, place cranberries and apricots in a small bowl. Cover with warm water and let stand for about 5 minutes or until plump. Drain and set aside.
  25. Peel avocados and cut into bite-sized chunks. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the dressing to prevent discoloration. Place cooled quinoa in a large salad bowl. Add cranberry mixture, avocados, green onions and almonds. Add the remaining dressing and toss to combine. Serves 6.
  26. Tip: First cultivated by the Incas, quinoa is an ancient grain that is growing in popularity. Available in red and white varieties, it has a mild, nutty flavor and expands four to five times when cooked. It’s important to rinse it thoroughly under cold running water before cooking to remove the slightly bitter coating on the grains. Refrigerate raw quinoa to prevent it from becoming rancid.
  27. Make Ahead: The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The quinoa can be cooked up to 1 day in advance; after cooling, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Instructions
  1. Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, coriander, cumin and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  2. Salad: In a saucepan, combine quinoa, salt and cold water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Fluff with a fork, spread on a large baking sheet and let cool completely.
  3. Meanwhile, place cranberries and apricots in a small bowl. Cover with warm water and let stand for about 5 minutes or until plump. Drain and set aside.
  4. Peel avocados and cut into bite-sized chunks. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the dressing to prevent discoloration. Place cooled quinoa in a large salad bowl. Add cranberry mixture, avocados, green onions and almonds. Add the remaining dressing and toss to combine. Serves 6.
  5. Tip: First cultivated by the Incas, quinoa is an ancient grain that is growing in popularity. Available in red and white varieties, it has a mild, nutty flavor and expands four to five times when cooked. It’s important to rinse it thoroughly under cold running water before cooking to remove the slightly bitter coating on the grains. Refrigerate raw quinoa to prevent it from becoming rancid.
  6. Make Ahead: The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The quinoa can be cooked up to 1 day in advance; after cooling, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
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SHEPHERD’S PIE

This Comfort-Food Favourite Tastes Even Better Topped With Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Shepherd’s Pie
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Ingredients
  1. THIS COMFORT-FOOD FAVORITE TASTES EVEN BETTER TOPPED WITH GARLIC MASHED POTATOES.
  2. INGREDIENTS
  3. 11⁄2 LBS. LEAN GROUND BEEF OR GROUND 750 g
  4. LEFT-OVER ROAST
  5. 1 CUP CHOPPED ONIONS 250 mL
  6. 2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED 2
  7. 1⁄4 CUP FLOUR 60 mL
  8. SALT & PEPPER TO TASTE
  9. 1⁄4 TSP. DRIED THYME 1 mL
  10. 1⁄4 TSP. DRIED SAVORY 1 mL
  11. 10 OZ. CAN BEEF BROTH 284 mL
  12. 1⁄2 CAN WATER 1⁄2
  13. 2 TSP. WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE 10 mL
  14. 1 BAY LEAF 1
  15. 1⁄2 CUP FINELY DICED CARROTS 125 mL
  16. 1⁄2 CUP FROZEN CORN 125 mL
  17. GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
  18. 2 LBS. POTATOES (5–6 MEDIUM), PEELED 1 kg
  19. AND CUBED
  20. 6 GARLIC CLOVES, PEELED & LIGHTLY 6
  21. CRUSHED
  22. 3⁄4 CUP BUTTERMILK OR 2% MILK 175 mL
  23. SALT & PEPPER TO TASTE
  24. 1 EGG, LIGHTLY BEATEN 1
Instructions
  1. USING A LARGE NONSTICK FRYING PAN, COOK GROUND BEEF OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL NO LONGER PINK. BREAK MEAT UP AS IT COOKS. ADD ONIONS AND GARLIC; COOK UNTIL SOFTENED. STIR IN FLOUR, SALT, PEPPER, THYME AND SAVORY. ADD BROTH, WATER, WORCESTERSHIRE,BAY LEAF AND CARROTS. SIMMER, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY, FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, OR UNTIL QUITE THICK AND CARROTS ARE TENDER. STIR IN CORN. REMOVE BAY LEAF. SPREAD MIXTURE IN A DEEP CASSEROLE. LET COOL SLIGHTLY.
  2. TO MAKE GARLIC MASHED POTATOES: PLACE POTATOES IN A SAUCEPAN WITH GARLIC AND COVER WITH WATER. ADD SALT, BRING TO BOIL AND SIMMER GENTLY UNTIL TENDER. DRAIN WELL AND MASH. BEAT IN BUTTERMILK, SALT AND PEPPER. RESERVE 1 TBSP.(15 mL) OF BEATEN EGG AND ADD REMAINDER TO MIXTURE. SPREAD POTATO MIXTURE OVER MEAT AND BRUSH WITH RESERVED EGG. BAKE AT 350°F (180°C) FOR 40–45 MINUTES.
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SERVES 6
 
A WOMAN’S WORK THAT IS NEVER DONE IS THE STUFF SHE ASKED HER HUSBAND TO DO.
 

 

 
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