Author Archives: cookingwithcandi

Espresso Brownies from ICE Class

Posted on June 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

These brownies are very moist with a hint of espresso flavor–the perfect ending to any meal. This recipe comes from my Cookies Unlimited class at ICE (Institute of Culinary Education) in NYC. I thought these brownies came out great. Our chef/teacher, Victoria, said that if we wanted, we could double the recipe and get a higher brownie. I made it as is and it was delicious. I cut them into small little pieces because these are super rich and a little goes a long way. I don’t think I would double this recipe. Maybe I’d make 2 batches but prefer it baked this way .  It is super gooey and super dense with a coffee flavor from the espresso powder. These brownies stand out from any other brownie I’ve ever made. Enjoy! Also, if you’d like, you can add 1 cup of chopped walnuts…totally up to you.

Ingredients: 

Use a 9 x 13 inch pan (will yield approx . 24 2-inch brownies)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

4 large eggs

2 tablespoons instant espresso powder (I used Medaglia d’Oro, which is available almost everywhere)

1/2 teaspoon salt (regular table salt)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

*1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

I learned a little trick here: first spray your pan with Pam cooking spray, then cut parchment paper to fit your pan and place it in there. Next, turn over parchment paper and the side up is nicely greased! Great trick for baking.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set rack in the middle of the oven.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Off the heat, add the chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes, then whisk smooth. If the chocolate has not all melted by this time, return the pan to very low heat and stir constantly until it melts.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the espresso powder, salt and vanilla, just until mixed. Whisk in the sugar in a stream, then whisk in the chocolate and butter mixture. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the flour.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula (worth buying). Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting. To really make the brownies easier to cut, allow them to solidify completely then refrigerate in the pan overnight.

When you are ready to take them out, transfer the whole cake to a cutting board and slide a long knife or spatula under it to loosen the paper from the brownies, then pull away paper. Cut brownies into 2 inch squares (you can actually use a ruler to mark for precision). As you can tell from the photo, we didn’t have time to refrigerate brownies and so cutting was not so great. The next time I make these, I would definitely refrigerate overnight before attempting to cut.

The brownies will keep in a plastic container for several days. For longer, freeze in cellophane.

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Cooking Class at ICE: Cookies Unlimited

Posted on June 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Lots of Cookies!

This past Sunday I took another wonderful class at ICE (Institute of Culinary Education) in NYC. It really is such a wonderful experience–you meet new people, learn new things and just have a wonderful day. This time it was a cookie class, a lot of cookies class! I personally baked 3 recipes: a brownie, a lemon cookie, and a pecan cookie. I will post all those recipes. There were 12 cookies in all–10 sweet recipes and 2 savory. It was a most enjoyable experience and I can’t recommend it

enough. Go with a friend or go alone. I always go alone and I am perfectly fine with it. Obviously in NYC there are tons of classes in so many different venues, so go for it and check them out. The recipes that I  post from this class will be noted as such: espresso brownies, Palm Beach lemon cookies, and brown-edged pecan wafers (which were cookies, but called wafers). The brownies were awesome–very rich and moist. Look for recipes coming soon.

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Cold Asparagus Soup

Posted on June 5, 2012 | 1 comment

I am still super obsessed with local beautiful sweet asparagus. I found Long Island asparagus today and bought a bunch of it. Joel is away for a few so no problem making it and having to think of something else to make for him. I am planning on enjoying this soup in the fridge for a few days. Super easy, I saw Mark Bittman (love) on the Today show a few weeks ago and saved the recipe for local asparagus. Am psyched and this recipe is super healthy , low-fat and super super easy to make. It literally took no time at all. The cooling down takes some time but I don’t see the harm in eating it before it really chills out do you? Hope you’ll check out some local produce and get the asparagus while the getting is good. I mean you can make this all year round, but its super delish now. I actually ate it while it was still warm with the fresh lemon juice and drizzle of olive oil you can taste the asparagus, and it was just divine.

Ingredients: 

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Salt and Freshly ground black pepper

app. 1 1/2 lbs. chopped asparagus (medium size spears, not too fat) I snap off bottoms

1 large peeled and cubed potato

fresh lemon juice for garnish

* if you’d like drizzle a little olive oil for garnish as well

some warm crusty bread was awesome with this with a little hard cheese! just saying……

Directions:

Bring the stock to a boil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the chopped asparagus and cubed potato, and turn the heat to low so the mixture bubbles gently for about 25 minutes. Cook until vegetables are tender. I added Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper at the point the vegetables went in, I tasted it after 25 minutes and added some more. Add what you like.

Remove from heat when veggies are soft, I also added another 2 cups of water at this point because a lot of the water steamed out, you’ll have to play that by ear. You don’t want it super thick and you don’t want it super thin, somewhere in the mid range is perfect, you can always add more water, so add slowly.  I used immersion blender when it cooled off  , I didn’t  strain it at all, I liked the way the tiny pieces tasted it in it.  Refrigerate to cool. Garnish with a squirt of fresh lemon juice and you can drizzle in a little olive oil if you’d like.

*serves 4 – 6 depending on size of servings

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Posted in soup, vegetables, vegetarian

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Cooking Class at ICE ( cookies unlimited)

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Posted on June 3, 2012 in cookies, Cooking

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Spicy Stir-Fried Asparagus with or without chicken/shrimp

Posted on June 1, 2012 | 1 comment

This recipe caught my eye in the NY Times cooking section . The spicy part was what intrigued me the most. I usually make stir fry with a variety of ingredients and use sesame oil. This recipe calls for vegetable oil, and I  just used 2  tablespoons.  You may need to add a little more oil, so add as needed. I made this with just asparagus and brown rice, and chicken. It would be great with shrimp as well. I highly recommend it both ways, and now that the asparagus is so sweet it’s the best time. I have to admit I used a lot of seeds from the jalapeno and it was kick ass, you can remove most of the seeds of the jalapeno and just chop up the pepper, or any other fresh hot chile ( serrano). If you don’t like it spicy , omit the pepper all together and add whatever other ingredients you would like. This meal came together very quickly. We both enjoyed, although Joel didn’t touch the asparagus . I also sprinkled chopped fresh cilantro in mine, I love cilantro. The flavors of the ginger , garlic, jalapeno and cilantro were divine.

*if you want to keep it vegetarian ( vegan) omit the chicken and you’ll only need 1 tablespoon of oil

Ingredients:

1 lb. of asparagus (medium asparagus is fine), cut into pieces . I cut each piece into thirds. About 2 inches long.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided (one for asparagus and one for chicken should be sufficient)

1 lb. chicken breasts (appr
ox. 2 pieces and I cut them up into small pieces)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 clove garlic minced

1 Serrano or other fresh hot chile, finely chopped. (Rule of thumb with peppers: the less seeds the less hot, so remove the seeds if you don’t like spicy or you can also just omit the pepper altogether. If you do that, use rubber gloves when handling peppers, and don’t touch your eyes or nose or anything until you wash your hands, and or remove gloves.) I used jalapeno, easy to get a hold of but any hot fresh pepper will do.

*if you’d like you can add fresh chopped cilantro, basil. I used cilantro because I love it. This is totally discretionary. I love cilantro

Directions:

Snap off and discard the tough bottoms of each asparagus spear. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch lengths. (Do that after you’ve sliced asparagus in half lengthwise.) After you cut up the chicken, place in a bowl or on a plate, salt liberally, then add pepper to your taste.

Next, in a wok or cast iron skillet (or any skillet you have on hand), heat one tablespoon of oil until very hot, add the chicken and cook until chicken browns up nicely (should be about 5 minutes total). I then remove the chicken, place in a clean bowl and cover with aluminum foil. Make sure you have enough oil, if need be, add more. Then add the asparagus, season generously with salt and pepper and stir well. (Make sure your vent is on or your smoke detector will go off.) Make sure the asparagus is well coated and glistening with oil. Cook over high heat for about 1 minute. You want the asparagus bright green. Add the garlic, ginger, chile and chicken and stir fry to heat the chicken thoroughly (probably about a minute or two).

* If you’re adding shrimp, cook it first (like the chicken), then just follow the same directions. Shrimp will probably take a little longer depending on the size of the shrimp.

If you want to add herbs, add them right before serving. Place over rice or just plate it up. Very tasty for sure.

*this will serve 2 – 3

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Posted in chicken, seafood, vegetables, vegetarian

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Summer Sangria on the Light Side

Posted on May 28, 2012 | 1 comment

Michele’s Table

Corn on the Cob

This is a light cool drink for when the weather turns warm. Sangria and Summer!  Perfect to make for a large crowd, easy as could be and light because it’s made with sugar free Lemonade . I remember making Sangria and it was messy and required a lot of different ingredients plus a lot of sugar. My friend Carol has been making this for years and I have called upon her many times to re-create this Sangria. It can be made with white or red wine. It makes 2 quarts without ice, so that goes a long way . You can cut up whatever fruit you like , peaches are beautiful , oranges, apples, pears, strawberries whatever you like. I like to make the Sangria in the afternoon just so the fruit gets the full  flavor of the wine and marinates for at least a few hours. It’s not critical though. I think you’ll like this one. Again, thanks Carol so much for sharing and promise I won’t annoy you anymore now that I have it written down . The pictures here are from a bbq we went to at our friend’s house and it was just beautiful and the food was awesome, Michele made my Summer Crisp, and Kerri’s Krunchy Salad! not to mention all the other wonderful food she made, she always does an amazing job!

Kerri’s Crunchy Salad done Michele’s way

It was a great night and thanks again Bob and Michele.

Ingredients: 

1 Bottle Wine Red or White ( I used Pinot Grigio but you can use whatever you like or have) I wouldn’t use a very expensive bottle for this.

1 Bottle Club Soda ( not the very large bottle ) 1 quart bottle

Fruit of your choice , peaches , pears, oranges, nectarines, apricots, apples ,etc. I slice into thin slices which are easy to eat . Slice them up and eyeball it. Whatever you like, I used peaches, apricots, apples and oranges .

1 packet Sugar Free Wylers or Crystal Light Lemonade , I use Yellow Lemonade for White Wine and Pink Lemonade for Red Wine

You’ll need a 2 quart pitcher, I use a nice glass pitcher . It can be kept for a while in fridge in a plastic 2 quart container. Sometimes for a very large gathering I make an extra one and keep in refrigerator without the fruit, just as a back up.

Directions:

Cut up fruit into slices/pieces for Sangria. I take a 2 quart pitcher pour in the bottle of wine, put in the packet of Wylers or Crystal Light, add the Club soda almost up to the top of the container or pitcher leaving room for fruit, so you may not need whole bottle . Add fruit and Stir, I usually add the rest of the club soda after fruit goes in . Put in refrigerator and let flavors meld together for a few hours and get cold. Serve in glasses with ice, you can add additional fruit like raspberries at the time you serve. It’s delicious , refreshing, low in calories and did I mention super easy???

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Tomato Feta Salad

Posted on May 27, 2012 | 3 comments

I call this “summer salad” but it’s really a wonderful salad any time of year. I love the salty taste of feta with tomatoes, and a wonderful combination of Middle Eastern spices called Zahtar .DSCN3272

Try and find this wonderful blend of spices–it will add wonderful flavor to a very simple meal. I like this salad with avocado because I like everything with avocado. It’s optional, as are the olives. This is a beautiful salad served all year but there is something about it that shouts summer, BBQ, and warm nights. The tomatoes are so beautiful right now, especially the heirlooms in all those beautiful colors go and grab some from your local farmers market or road stand. Excuse the picture, it’s fuzzy but you get the picture. It’s a greek salad without the lettuce. A perfect side dish salad to go with any meal. Beautiful with a piece of grilled fish. Enjoy!

4 large tomatoes , try and go for those beautiful heirloom tomatoes or just some beautiful local ones. (about 1 1/4 lb.)

Za'atar Spice

Za’atar Spice

1/2 red onion

4 ounces (give or take) feta cheese (try to get as good a cheese as possible. I just crumble it up over the salad, but if you prefer cubes you can go that way)

Extra virgin olive oil

freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon should do it)

1 tablespoon Zahtar

slices of cucumber (I love the seedless persian ones but any kind will do)

1 avocado, sliced

fresh basil

black olives, pitted

Slice the tomatoes as thinly as you can and arrange on a large round serving platter in overlapping circles.

Put cheese over the tomatoes (this is why I crumble it or use a grater). I then drizzle olive oil over tomatoes generously but not too generously–probably about 1/2 tablespoon. I then place the avocado and cucumbers around the platter and add the black olives. Just make sure you get a drop of olive oil on all the tomatoes. Now, sprinkle the 1/2 lemon juice all over the salad. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dust the tablespoon of Zahtar over the salad. You’re good to go. Have a wonderful weekend.

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Posted in Raw, Salad, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

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Happy Anniversary CWC (Cooking with Candi)

Posted on May 26, 2012 | 7 comments

Picture my 2-year-old Grandson took of me!

Is it a birthday or an anniversary? I’m not really sure but one year ago I started this blog and I didn’t really know what my intentions were in doing so. I know that I really hoped for a reading audience. I also wanted a place to chronicle all of my recipes. And eventually, the blog just sort of blossomed. I am so happy that I actually have followers who seem to be genuinely interested and engaged, my daughters have a place to go for my recipes without having to track me down and hope I have it in my brain. It’s all right here at their fingertips. Here I am at 176 Posts and still going strong! Every week I ask myself: How am I going to think up new recipes? But it always seems to just come to me and it’s lucky for Joel because he is truly the recipient of many a meal. Isn’t the Internet amazing? I wish I had it when I was younger. I still get a kick every day when I check my blog to see my stats and see how many people are actually reading it! Even though I can’t see who is reading, I can see how many people have hit on it. I love all my subscribers. You all give me a reason to write, and I love when I run into one of you and you tell me how much you enjoy the recipes and reading the blog! Thanks again for making this labor of love worthwhile. Please continue reading and leaving me feedback–it means so very much to me.Candi

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Asparagus – a love affair

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

When it comes to eating asparagus it’s a true love affair for me. I love them whole, chopped, sauteed, roasted, on their own, in a soup, you got the feel. Because it’s been so warm here on the East Coast we are seeing an abundance of this wonderful vegetable. Yes of course asparagus are available almost all year round due to global shipping, but are they as delicious as they are right now ? no, right now they are wonderful and sweet tasting. It’s worth holding out for regional produce, it really means spring has sprung to me. This recipe is delicious, tasty and will make a great salad starter, a great side dish, and a lovely luncheon main dish. I actually made this for myself , didn’t think Joel would touch it. It was so delicious and tasted like spring in a bowl. This is a light lovely salad. Quite good if I do say so myself.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds medium or large asparagus spears

2 large eggs – chopped finely

app. 1/2 pint grape tomatoes ( however many you would like) cut lengthwise or smaller

Dressing Ingredients: mustard vinaigrette

1 small shallot, finely diced

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Kosher Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Snap off and discard the bottoms of each asparagus spear. If asparagus is particularly tough , peel the lower ends with a vegetable peeler. If the stalks are medium size they don’t require peeling.

Bring a medium saucepan 1/2 filled with water to a boil, carefully add the eggs and simmer briskly for 10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool. Let cool down, shell the eggs and set aside, I put in the refrigerator for the time being. Sometimes I make the eggs earlier in the day, or the day before, and just leave in fridge hard boiled and shell them when I’m ready to eat them.

To make the vinaigrette; in a small bowl, place the chopped shallots, vinegar and a pinch of kosher salt. Let shallots soften up in the vinegar for 5 minutes or so. Whisk in the mustard, then whisk in the olive oil slowly , dressing will start to thicken. Taste for salt and pepper.

In a large soup pot bring 4 qts. of water to a boil ( make sure water is well salted) Bring to a rolling boil. Add the asparagus and cook for about 3 – 5 minutes, until bright green and just done. Remove asparagus with a large strainer and spread out on a clean dry kitchen towel. I cooked for about 3 minutes, the minute they turn bright green, I take them out. You don’t want to overcook these beauties..

To serve, place asparagus on a platter or individual plates. Spoon the vinaigrette over the asparagus. I roughly chop the eggs, or if you prefer quarter the eggs. Sprinkle with fresh chives. What I did tonite was get mixed salad greens, chop up the eggs, cut up the asparagus, slice the tomatoes, pour dressing on and it was a beautiful spring salad . It would also be great with tuna fish, anchovies, shrimp, chicken etc. Whatever you’d like. I also think black olives would be awesome.

This will nicely serve 4 – 6 as a side salad. You can adjust to your liking, use less eggs, more asparagus or less asparagus. If you don’t want to use tomatoes, don’t, I love the tomatoes with the chopped eggs. I used 2 eggs but original recipe calls for 4.

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Another Classic Ragu Bolognese (Meat Lovers only)

Posted on May 21, 2012 | 4 comments

clean plate club for sure

Joel was riding a 100 mile bike ride the next day and that meant an early night at the Kolen House. I thought I would try out this Bolognese ( Meat Sauce)  and what a perfect dinner for him. I was not riding but love it and to hell with the calories, (which I’m sure are way high) sometimes you gotta just run with it. right? I have posted my other bolognese recipe  (delish bolognese) but this one intrigued me because of the red wine and simmered milk.   I am using fresh fettucine I was able to buy today. I don’t make my own pasta, but will have to attempt that someday. In the meanwhile I was able to buy it and would suggest using as fresh as you can get. If not it’s obviously fine, and just use a fettucine or tagliatelle type pasta. This sauce cooks for a while, so plan it out, make it on a day that you’re home for a few hours and can cook it. It’s perfect to make a head of time as well. This can be made 2 days ahead. Keep in fridge till ready to use . Rewarm it in a saucepan at a very low heat. I have also frozen it, and it came out perfectly, you just may have to add a little broth or pasta water. If can also freeze  the sauce, which I’ve done numerous times. This recipe was from one of our trips to Italy converted to US measurements for me I happen to come across it , and I am so happy that I did.  Enjoy! I am fairly confident you will.

*this will nicely serve 4 people, or 6 as a side dish.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 cup finely chopped onions ( spanish) app. 1 large onion or 2 small should do it

1 cup finely chopped celery ( app. 2 stalks)

1 cup finely chopped carrots ( app. 2 large carrots)

6 oz. ground beef ( try to get 85/15 if available, you don’t want it too lean)

6 oz. ground veal

3 oz. diced pancetta

1/2 cup dry red wine ( I had a Pinot open so I used it and drank it while I cooked)

3 cups Chicken Stock, divided into 2 1/2 and 1/2 cup ( if you’d like you can also use Beef Stock) I used Chicken Stock

3 Tbsp. Tomato Paste

1 cup Whole Milk ( yes I used whole not skim please)

1 lb. fresh egg fettucine or tagliatelle if available. If not use boxed, no biggie

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Finely Grated Parmesan ( fresh always best)

Directions:

I sprayed pot with cooking spray to make clean up easier. Heat oil in a large heavy pot( Le Creuset once again) over medium high heat. Add onions, celery and carrots. Saute until soft, about 8 – 10 minutes. Add beef, veal and pancetta; continue to saute, breaking meat up with the back of a wooden spoon until nice and browned, I did it for about 15 minutes. Add wine; boil for 1 minute, stirring often and scraping up all those delicious brown bits as you go. Add 2 1/2 cups stock and tomato paste; stir to blend. Reduce heat to as low as you can and gently simmer, stirring occasionally for 1 1/2 hours. Taste for salt and pepper.

Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan; when it simmers add to meat sauce. Stir well, and cover pot with lid slightly ajar and simmer over low heat for another 45 minutes or until the milk is fully absorbed.

Cook pasta according to directions, remember to salt water well. I go for al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water ( at least 1/2 cup) I then transferred ragu to a large skillet, over low heat added the cooked pasta and toss to coat. If it seems to dry stir in a little of the reserved pasta water, dribble it in. Place in bowls and serve with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.

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