Chef Robin's Tastes to Date: October 2012

Monday, October 15, 2012

Fam Menu for this nutzo crazyish week!

I am looking at my calendar, and am simply dumfounded by how busy we get. Holy cow. So just realized conferences are this week, yay. also that the kids get out at noon Friday. (this is the day that I have a catering party for eight and need all the time I can get to multi-task, OY!) No Doctors or dentists appointments this week- that's saved for next week...WHEW> But it's another MEAP week, Oh boy oh boy.... here goes the plan, stan...

MONDAY: Leftover yummalicious Penne pasta with meatballs & Sauce, Italian style green beans, and some iitalian bread

TUESDAY: POSOLE....huh?! I have a VIVID "smell memory" of this dish cooking all day at my besties house when I was a TWEEN. (yup, contrary to my children's popular belief, I WAS a tween at one point!) So I can NOT wait to make it! A slow cooked pork shoulder with mexican spices, garlic, green chiles & hominy. I'll serve it with a dollop of greek yogurt and fresh grilled tortillas, oooo and some chunks of avocado, too!

WEDNESDAY: I'll be at the store, so the kiddos can come up and have some dinner and homework time with momma, FUN-0!!!! (hmmmm.... not so sure about that, but hey...:)) grilled crazy good gourmet cheesies, broccoli & Cheddar soup, fresh fruit

THURSDAY: LONG delivery day for Hummaliciousness, so probably leftover beef stew in the crockpot-oh wait, my crock pot cover SHATTERED in my hand this weekend....and then while washing the stoneware insert i found a fracture all along the bottom and up one side-sheesh. Guess it's stovetop time in a regular old pot!

FRIDAY: The kiddosa and Daddy get Pizza while I cater a super cool gourmet delish dinner!:0)

SATURDAY: I'll be at the Farm Market, then the store, so I am thinking something easy like LEFTOVERS!!!

SUNDAY: Haven't made quiche in a while, so I think I shall- along with crispy american fries and thick cut bacon. Maybe some homemade applesauce too!

Monday, October 8, 2012

A Fall FamMenu!

Here's What's New....Straight Off The Chef's Knife!
Ok, so sorry It has been two weeks without a FamMenu. I have been ridiculously busy with Kidstuff, Hummus Stuff, FOOD ARTS of Belmont (Yes, this IS a plug for my new storefront! :0) Stuff, etc. Hey, at least you know I'm BUSY!!! So a crazy quick menu for you is on the docket! Its MEAP testing week people!!! (for those non-Michiganders, that's the Michigan Educational Assessment Program). Three of my five fall into the MEAP tests realm this week. So we've been told to give them plenty of rest and NUTRITIOUS FOOD- now that's what I'M talking about!!! Yay!!! will do :0) Monday is a stretch on healthy...but Leftovers are a must do sometimes!
Have a GREAT week! Snuggle up with your lovies! :0)

MONDAY: Leftover Healthed up Mac N'Cheese- Lowfat milk, greek 0% fat yogurt, 2% milk cheese, etc. Super yummy! White Chicken Chili from Saturday-Brrr, a good one for this chilly weather. Blueberry Buckle bars. Yup, Yum.

TUESDAY: Roasted Butternut squash, Apple bean bake, Grilled pork chops with honey Dijon glaze, quinoa pilaf

WEDNESDAY: Grilled Skirt steak-marinated in cilantro pesto. roasted redskins with walnuts & blue cheese, Spinach salad with dried blueberries & Wild Blueberry balsamic vinaigrette

THURSDAY: My GRAND OPENING for the store- so I would think that the kids will be sampling all night! :0) at least it will be gooood local goodies! :0)

FRIDAY: Movie Night- going with pizza!

SATURDAY: It is supposed to be icky, wet and cold. How about something in the crockpot, like Beef Stew, some potato rolls, a crisp salad with mustard vinaigrette and the grand finale: apple crisp with cinnamon & vanilla bean ice cream & dulce de leche

SUNDAY: Italian Dinner, baby: Meatballs and sauce with Penne pasta, green beans with tomatoes, basil & garlic, asiago bread

Stay Warm! :

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Buffalo Chicken Chili

My fam loves to eat buffalo wings, so I decided to make that flavor into chili. I end up topping this spicy bowl of yummy stuff with “da’ Bomb!” dip and kettle style potato or tortilla chips, for a yummy salty crunch.

Chef Robin Gourmet Cooking Classes, 2010.
Serves 8

½ C. butter
2 C. finely chopped onion
1 C. finely chopped celery
1 C. finely chopped carrot
4 cooked chicken breasts cut into small chunks
4 C. chicken broth
1 C. Frank’s Red Hot sauce
1-29oz. can tomato puree
1 can light red kidney beans

In a large soup pot, melt butter. Add chopped onion, celery & carrot. Saute until vegetables are soft. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer, for 30 minutes. Serve piping hot, topped with the dip n’ chips. Yum, it’s got a nice kick!

"Da Bomb Dip"

Organic Kaleriffic Salad

From Chef Robin

Serves 4-6

½ C thinly sliced red onion

1 T raw apple cider vinegar

2 C boiling water

2 packages organic baby kale

2 C fresh porteenie mushrooms,

cleaned & thinly sliced

¼ C. extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

¼ C wild blueberry balsamic vinegar

For garnish: ¼ C toasted pine nuts &

1 C. fresh or 1/3 C. dried organic

blueberries

Place the sliced red onion in a small

bowl with apple cider vinegar and

boiling water. Allow to soak 10-15

minutes. Rinse & squeeze out excess

moisture. Place kale & criminis in a

large bowl. Drizzle with oil and

sprinkle with salt. Massage the

mixture with your hands until the

kale turns a deep green and wilts

slightly. Add onions and balsamic

vinegar to kale mixture. Toss, adjust

seasoning to your taste and serve

garnished with some toasted pine

nuts & blueberries.

Kale provides you with 868% RDA of Vitamin K, 261% of Vitamin A, 170% of

Vitamin C, 33% of Manganese, as well as 12% of Calcium, Copper & Vitamin B6

HEALTHY SNACKS FOR KIDS

Kids need healthy snacks to fuel their energetic days and growing bodies. Here are some healthy, kid pleasing snacks that will make their engines rev all day long!:

Pretzel rods dipped in melted dark chocolate and rolled in crushed nuts or unsweetened coconut- salty, sweet and full of antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats!

Lowfat cheese cut into squares paired with whole wheat crackers- let them build a tower with this fiber, whole grain & calcium packed snack!

Homemade Veggie Ranch Dip: mix together 1 Cup canola mayonnaise or "Veganaise", 1/2 Cup Greek yogurt, 1 clove fresh garlic, smashed, 1 Tbsp. each fresh parsley, chives & dill (or 1 tsp. each, dried), 2 T buttermilk, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sea salt & pepper to taste. Use yummy carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, fresh green beans and other veggies to dip like crazy!

Fruity sensations-give the kids slices of apples, wedges of oranges, halved grapes and berries, sliced mangoes, you name it, and let them go to town creating edible art!

Green eggs & Ham: put a drop of green food coloring in some Vanilla Greek yogurt, mix together and top with a canned apricot or peach half. Pair with a mini whole wheat tortilla slathered with cream cheese, raspberry preserves and a slice of your fave deli ham- kids love this "Seussical" treat!

Trail mix- who can resist trail mix? Make it healthy with unsalted nuts and seeds, air popped popcorn,whole grain mini crackers (like cheddar fish) and alphabet pretzels- add in some dried cranberries or blueberries for antioxidants and yummy semi-sweet chocolate chips for a little monounsaturated fat too!

Whole Grain Mini Pizzas- whole wheat English muffins or bagels split & topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and veggies-perfect made in a toaster oven!

Bean & Cheese Quesadillas- serve them up with vegetarian re-fried beans and 2% milk cheese. Serve with your fave salsa- and add in some chunks of avocado and corn, YUM!

Creme Brulee

A classic French Bistro dish, this dessert has an amazingly short list of ingredients, and with a bit of careful cooking, you can have this decadent treat at home! Chef Robin Gourmet Cooking Series, 2010. Makes 8- 6 oz servings

1 Qt. heavy cream

1 vanilla bean

½ C. sugar or vanilla sugar

6 egg yolks

Brown sugar

Preheat oven to 300. Place cream in a heavy saucepan. Split vanilla bean down the middle and scrape seeds out. Place beans & pod into cream. Heat until just boiling, then cover & set aside to steep for 15minutes. Meanwhile, Whisk egg yolks & sugar together. Strain cream into egg yolk mixture. Mix well. Pour custard into ramekins, then place them in 9 x 13 pans. Pour boiling hot water into the pan going half way up the ramekins. Bake for 40 minutes, or until custard is set, but quivering when jiggled. Remove from oven and cool to room temp. Cover & refrigerate for up to 2 days. A few hours before serving, sprinkle cold custard with brown sugar and place under a low broiler. Broil for about 2 minutes, or until sugar liquefies…watch like a hawk! Sugar BURNS very quickly! Return to fridge, then serve garnished with fresh berries and a refreshing sprig of mint.

French Onion Soup

A Yummy Bistro fave made from the humble & affordable onion! This delish pot of savory broth is fun to serve to company! Makes 8-10 servings.

Chef Robin Gourmet Cooking Series

4 medium sized sweet onions, peeled & sliced fine

2 cloves garlic, pressed or chopped

4 T. butter

1 t. salt

½ t. dried thyme

1 t. sugar

½ C. sherry or brandy

8 C. beef broth

Pepper, to taste

Croutons

Gruyere cheese, grated

Smoked provolone slices

In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and allow to S_L_O_W_L_Y caramelize. (hint…leave them be!!!) Don’t stir the onions for a good 10 minutes. This allows them to melt down into velvety sweet strands of yumminess! Stir a few times over a period of 30 minutes, until the onions are nicely browned. (you can add a splash of water if they start to stick to the bottom of the pan) Add garlic, salt, thyme, sugar & pepper, stir to combine. Add sherry and allow to cook for 5 minutes, and then add broth. Bring soup to a boil, then turn down to a simmer & allow to do so for 30 minutes.

Turn broiler to hi heat. Fill 6 to 8 oz. bowls with soup, leaving about a ¼ inch rim on the top. Top with a handful of croutons, a few tablespoons of gruyere and a slice of provolone. Place bowls on a pan and place under broiler for 1 minute, or until golden and bubbly. Serve.

Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These yummy lil’ cakes are moist, chocolatey and topped with the cream cheese frosting they are sooo good! Chef Robin Gourmet Cooking Series, 2010.

Makes 24 standard cupcakes

4 eggs

1 C. oil

2 C. sugar

2 t. vanilla

I small can pumpkin

(14.5-15 ounce, or half of a 29 ounce can)

2 C. flour

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

3 t. pumpkin pie spice

2 C. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together eggs, oil , sugar, vanilla & pumpkin n a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix together all dry ingredients, including chocolate chips, add to wet ingredients. Bake in lined muffin tins for 25- 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Place on a cooling rack, until cool to the touch. Meanwhile, make frosting:

¾ C. softened butter

8 oz. softened cream cheese

24 oz. powdered sugar

2 t. vanilla

Garnish

½ C. chocolate chips

Cream together butter & cream cheese, add powdered sugar, little by little, then add vanilla, beat until smooth in texture. Grate chocolate chips in a handheld cheese grater, set aside. Frost cool cupcakes, and “dip” the tops of the cupcakes in the grated chocolate as garnish. Keep cupcakes refrigerated, yummy good!

Chef Robin's Tastes to Date

Weller-Black Wine Celebration

Monday, October 15, 2012

Fam Menu for this nutzo crazyish week!

Monday, October 8, 2012

A Fall FamMenu!

Taste of Summer!

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Yummy Yogurt Fruit Dip

Fun, Fun!

Creme Brulee

French Onion Soup

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Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

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