Recipe Test: Northwoods Wild Rice

When we have salmon for dinner, this is the side dish I make.

Northwoods Wild Rice

Ingredients
1/1/2 cups uncooked wild rice, rinsed 
→　I used 1 cup of Lundburg Wild Blend® instead
4 cups of water
→　Per the cooking instruction, 1 3/4 cups of water
1 teaspoon salt
→　Reduced to 1/2 teaspoon
1/4 cup butter, cubed
→　1 Tablespoon of olive oil used
4 slices bacon, diced
→　Skipped
1/2 cup celery, sliced
→　Increased to 1 cup
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms
→　Increased to 1 cup
Seasoned salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup salted cashews
→　Skipped

Yield: 6-8 servings

Here are the ingredients:
Chopping veggies ahead of time helps reducing the total cooking time. 

Let's start cooking!

Recipe Test: Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread

I have been using this cornbread recipe for a while. 



Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (that is 1 stick of butter)
→　I use 4 Tablespoons of butter (1/2 stick)
2/3 cup white sugar                             
→　I use 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar instead
2 eggs
1 cup butter milk                                 
→　1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) + milk to make 1 cup of butter milk substitute

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
→　1/4 teaspoon salt

Yield: 6-8 servings

It is very easy and quick to make.  Let's begin!

Recipe Test: Vegetarian Chili

I made Vegetarian Chili and corn bread (for my family) last Saturday dinner.

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch

Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

At first, I was overwhelmed by the list of ingredients!  I skipped some of the veggies as I did not have them.  

Here are the list of ingredients I used (I marked my changes in pink): 

1 Tablespoon (instead of Tablespoons) canola oil
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 cup chopped red bell peppers
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 to 3 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced, depending upon taste (I didn't have any)
1 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed and cut into small dice
2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears) (I skipped it as I am not able to eat corn while on the elimination diet)
1 1/2 pounds portobello mushrooms (about 5 large), stemmed, wiped clean and cubed (I used 8 large white mushrooms instead.)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespooon ground cumin
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (I skipped it as I don't like it too spicy)
4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 cups cooked black beans, or canned beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce (I used tomato paste + water)
1 cup vegetable stock, or water
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

I skipped the following (I made corn bread instead):
Cooked brown rice, accompaniment
Sour cream or strained plain yogurt, garnish
Diced avocado, garnish
Essence, recipe follows, garnish
Chopped green onions, garnish

 I usually chop onions, mushrooms and celery on the day I purchase.  This reduces overall cooking time tremendously.  Another tip: buy dry beans and cook at home.  Not only this will reduce the cost, but also will reduce the amount of cans for recycling.  

What is an easy way to peel tomatoes?  Make a shallow X in the bottom end.

Put the tomatoes in the hot water.

 

See how easy it is!?  This technique can be used for peaches.

Let's start cooking!