Posts
Easter Lore and Other Celebrations
Big white bunnies, baby ducks and chicks, colored eggs in baskets and chocolate goodies have all become recognized commercial symbols of our secularized Easter celebration in America. This is a major religious observance for many Christians, and it is also near Passover in the Jewish tradition. The Vernal or Spring Equinox is a time of celebration for modern day Wiccans and Neopagans, as well. Even the public school systems get into the act with spring breaks and vacations. Clearly there is a deep urge within humans to note the change and passing of the seasons.
Most scholars believe that many Easter customs have their origins in earlier pagan celebrations and that the name Easter itself may derive from “Eostre,” an ancient pagan goddess. The dating of Easter each year is the result of an arcane calculation process, and should you wish to delve further; Google “Easter” for a wealth of information.
For those of us that are more interested in the culinary aspects of the season, spring is a perfect time to enjoy the savory flavor of lamb. My friend Donald Wertz of Austin, Texas has been the personal chef to a prominent Texas family for 25 years. He attributes his Mint-Smoked Leg of Lamb with having landed him his job. Over the years this dish has been served to a virtual Who’s Who of Texas celebrities. A story about the dynamic chef (and his ongoing influence on my writing and cooking) is coming soon.
Chef Donald Wertz’s Mint-Smoked Lamb
Preparation time: leg of lamb will require about 45 minutes per pound to reach a temperature of 125 degrees- which is medium rare… Medium is 140 degrees.
Servings: a small (3 to 4 Lbs.) leg of lamb will yield 4 to 6 servings
(*Available at Avanti Savoia, www.avantisavoia.com)
2 qts. strong spearmint tea
1 small leg of lamb
Several cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half lengthwise
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. Sel de Mer* #35021
1 tsp. Ground Black Pepper* #32001
1 tsp. Tarragon* #32104
1 tsp. Thyme* #32055
¼ cup Chilean Olive Oil, Sol De Aculeo* #10030
Recipe:
1. Prepare 2 quarts of strong spearmint tea and keep warm.
2. Rinse the lamb and pat dry. “Stud” the lamb by making a number of slits around the lamb and insert a slice of garlic clove into each slit. The small cuts in the meat will seal themselves as they cook and the garlic will greatly enhance the flavor.
3. Combine flour, salt, black pepper, tarragon and thyme and coat lamb with seasoned flour.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sear meat on all sides, remove from skillet and place it on the smoking rack in a prepared grill.
5. Coals in grill should be hot with smoking wood added and spearmint tea poured into pan. **See previous article about information about preparing the grill for smoking.
6. With the lid closed the lamb should take about 45 minutes per pound to cook (medium rare). Replenish tea after about 1 ½ hours.
7. Remove meat from smoker and let rest a few minutes before slicing it vertically along the bone.
Our answer for a reader’s question.
Lew Rudisill said- “…I would like to make the Chocolate Baked Alaska for Easter, shaped like an Easter egg. My question is, would it ruin the meringue if I tried to add food color to the reserved bit to pipe on as a decoration?”
Chef Joseph says-Yes, it would! It would break your egg whites to add color after they had been whipped, but you could add a tint about the time that the egg whites begin to thicken during the initial beating. Bon Appetit Y’all!
Showing posts with label Baked Alaska. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baked Alaska. Show all posts
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Celebrate Valentine's Day with one cool treat!
“Who, being loved, is poor?” ~Oscar Wilde
Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day is a familiar and widely recognized holiday in America, but one with rather vague origins. The holiday as we know it is primarily a western traditional, although many other global cultures have occasions in which romantic love is celebrated. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes at least three different Saints named Valentine, and stories and legends abound. Apparently, greetings, love messages and other gifts (especially chocolates, flowers and jewelry) have been exchanged in Great Britain and the US for some 300 hundred years. Our modern Valentine customs date from the 1840’s, when it was basically reinvented as a marketing ploy to sell greeting cards. With the introduction of mass produced cards around 1900, our card exchanging habits were permanently established. Permanently established to the tune of 188 million Valentine cards exchanged annually!
Whenever I begin to consider writing about a holiday, regardless of its broader cultural or social implications, I usually think back to my past and first conjure up whatever personal experiences stand out in my mind. With Valentine’s Day, I am instantly reminded of my Baby Boomer elementary school days. Middle class school children in those days tended to exchange small inexpensive cards with not only their teacher but with every classmate as well. The other standout memory has to be the Necco Sweetheart candies stamped with those little messages of endearment. We would also enjoy hearing from readers sharing memories of their traditions.
My candy choices have been upgraded these days with the superb European selections offered by Avanti Savoia. Luscious Pure Origin and Grand Crus from both Olivier and Castagna are revelations for real chocolate lovers. Samplers of Olivier with selections of 5, 7 or 8 different bars are the fast tract to understanding the great chocolates. Also, for a limited time an elegant assortment of French Chocolate Bonbons are available in the Olivier Signature Boxes in both 9 ounce and 13.2 ounce sizes.
For those that choose to express their love with a culinary creation, we offer a heart shaped Double Chocolate Baked Alaska which although dramatic in its presentation is really, really easy to prepare. There are much more complicated versions, but our recipe is a good starting place for anyone and can be made ahead, except for the final baking.
Double Chocolate Baked Alaska
Preparation time: 1 hour using pre-baked cake layer
Servings: 2 with leftovers (up to 6 persons)
Ingredients:
1 layer of Devil’s Food Cake mix baked in a 9 inch heart shape cake pan (the heart shape is great for Valentine’s Day but any shaped layer of cake will do just fine)
About 1 quart of Blue Bell Triple Chocolate or other rich, dark chocolate ice cream, slightly softened
6 egg whites, room temperature
Pinch of cream of tartar
¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Recipe:
1. Cover a piece of heavy cardboard (a couple of inches wider than the cake) with aluminum foil to use as a base.
2. Put cake layer on base and cover the top of the cake with a thick layer of softened ice cream. Place in freezer immediately and allow it to freeze solid.
3. Beat egg whites with the pinch of Cream of Tartar until they begin to stiffen; add sugar gradually while still beating. Add vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Remove cake/ice cream from freezer and cover with ¾ of the meringue. (Optional) Place remaining meringue in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and decorate top surface and sides of cake.
5. Place un-baked Alaska back in freezer uncovered until ready to bake. Leave in freezer at least 2 or 3 hours although it can stay over night if it is more convenient.
6. Bake on a baking sheet in a very hot oven (450 degrees) for about 5 minutes or until the meringue starts to brown. Remove Baked Alaska on its base from baking sheet and place on a nice serving platter; serve immediately.
WINE SUGESTION: Rinaldi “Bug Juice”, Moscato D’Asti 2006
Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day is a familiar and widely recognized holiday in America, but one with rather vague origins. The holiday as we know it is primarily a western traditional, although many other global cultures have occasions in which romantic love is celebrated. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes at least three different Saints named Valentine, and stories and legends abound. Apparently, greetings, love messages and other gifts (especially chocolates, flowers and jewelry) have been exchanged in Great Britain and the US for some 300 hundred years. Our modern Valentine customs date from the 1840’s, when it was basically reinvented as a marketing ploy to sell greeting cards. With the introduction of mass produced cards around 1900, our card exchanging habits were permanently established. Permanently established to the tune of 188 million Valentine cards exchanged annually!
Whenever I begin to consider writing about a holiday, regardless of its broader cultural or social implications, I usually think back to my past and first conjure up whatever personal experiences stand out in my mind. With Valentine’s Day, I am instantly reminded of my Baby Boomer elementary school days. Middle class school children in those days tended to exchange small inexpensive cards with not only their teacher but with every classmate as well. The other standout memory has to be the Necco Sweetheart candies stamped with those little messages of endearment. We would also enjoy hearing from readers sharing memories of their traditions.
My candy choices have been upgraded these days with the superb European selections offered by Avanti Savoia. Luscious Pure Origin and Grand Crus from both Olivier and Castagna are revelations for real chocolate lovers. Samplers of Olivier with selections of 5, 7 or 8 different bars are the fast tract to understanding the great chocolates. Also, for a limited time an elegant assortment of French Chocolate Bonbons are available in the Olivier Signature Boxes in both 9 ounce and 13.2 ounce sizes.
For those that choose to express their love with a culinary creation, we offer a heart shaped Double Chocolate Baked Alaska which although dramatic in its presentation is really, really easy to prepare. There are much more complicated versions, but our recipe is a good starting place for anyone and can be made ahead, except for the final baking.
Double Chocolate Baked Alaska
Preparation time: 1 hour using pre-baked cake layer
Servings: 2 with leftovers (up to 6 persons)
Ingredients:
1 layer of Devil’s Food Cake mix baked in a 9 inch heart shape cake pan (the heart shape is great for Valentine’s Day but any shaped layer of cake will do just fine)
About 1 quart of Blue Bell Triple Chocolate or other rich, dark chocolate ice cream, slightly softened
6 egg whites, room temperature
Pinch of cream of tartar
¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Recipe:
1. Cover a piece of heavy cardboard (a couple of inches wider than the cake) with aluminum foil to use as a base.
2. Put cake layer on base and cover the top of the cake with a thick layer of softened ice cream. Place in freezer immediately and allow it to freeze solid.
3. Beat egg whites with the pinch of Cream of Tartar until they begin to stiffen; add sugar gradually while still beating. Add vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Remove cake/ice cream from freezer and cover with ¾ of the meringue. (Optional) Place remaining meringue in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and decorate top surface and sides of cake.
5. Place un-baked Alaska back in freezer uncovered until ready to bake. Leave in freezer at least 2 or 3 hours although it can stay over night if it is more convenient.
6. Bake on a baking sheet in a very hot oven (450 degrees) for about 5 minutes or until the meringue starts to brown. Remove Baked Alaska on its base from baking sheet and place on a nice serving platter; serve immediately.
WINE SUGESTION: Rinaldi “Bug Juice”, Moscato D’Asti 2006
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