Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Carrot Soup

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Carrot Soup: "What's Up Doc? Carrot Soup. My mom always said: ' Eat your carrots, they're good for your eyes.' I never liked eating carrots. Raw. I s..."

Carrot Soup

What's Up Doc?
Carrot Soup.
My mom always said: " Eat your carrots, they're good for your eyes."
I never liked eating carrots.
Raw.
I sometimes cook them with honey and butter.
I always render them down in my spaghetti sauce, mirepoix or and in a vegetable medley.
I think the best way to eat them is in a soup.
Here is a quick and easy recipe:

2lbs. of medium carrots.
4 cups of low sodium chicken stock
2 small garlic cloves
1tbsp. of butter
1/3 cup of cashews
1 cup of plain yogurt
1 tbsp. each of thyme, marjoram (or oregano), pepper, and basil.
1 1/2 tsp. of salt

Chop carrots and place them in a stock pot with chicken stock and tsp. of salt.
Cook over medium / high heat until carrots are fork tender.
Let carrots and stock cool.
Mince garlic.
Chop cashews.
In a food processor, add carrots, chicken stock, garlic, cashews, marjoram, thyme.
Fold in yogurt.
Place carrot soup in bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle with basil.

Now I know why rabbits are so happy.
Happier if they served this soup with a glass of Merryvale 2005 Carneros Chardonnay.
http://www.merryvale.com/

"what's up doc?"
Carrot soup.

Steven

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Quick 6 ingredient batter recipe

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Quick 6 ingredient batter recipe: "Here is the fastest lightest batter recipe. Only 6 ingredients. Great for any seafood batter recipe. Makes a lighter, crunchy, flaky coatin..."

Quick 6 ingredient batter recipe

Here is the fastest lightest batter recipe. Only 6 ingredients.
Great for any seafood batter recipe. Makes a lighter, crunchy, flaky coating.

1 medium egg
1/2 cup of cornstarch
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1 Tsp. of baking soda
1Tsp. of baking powder
2/3 cup of whole milk

Lightly beat 1 egg and stir in milk.
In a separate bowl. Mix dry ingredients: baking soda, baking powder, flour and cornstarch.
Next, slowly pour in milk / egg liquid in with dry ingredients.
Stir until both dry and wet ingredients are fully mixed with no lumps.

I like to store the batter in the fridge until ready to use.
This batter is perfect for shrimp, cod, haddock.

A pinch of salt, pepper, Old Bay Seasoning, paprika,
or red chili powder would give the batter a little heat and flavor.

Old Bay Seasoning:
http://www.oldbay.com/

Argo and Kingsford Cornstarch:
http://www.argostarch.com/index.html

Clabber Girl Baking Powder:
http://www.clabbergirl.com/

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda:
http://www.armandhammer.com/deodorization/landing.aspx

Here is a nice wine that would pair well with any fish recipe.
I just found this winery up in the Sierra Foothills.
Wilderotter Vineyard 2009 Sauvignon Blanc.
http://www.wilderottervineyard.com/index.htm

Remember, always share the best of food and wine with the one you love...

Steven

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Chicken / Beef Stir Fry with Green Beans and Oran...

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Chicken / Beef Stir Fry with Green Beans and Oran...: "If you live on the west coast like I do, specifically the Bay area, the only good stir fry is found in Chinatown in Oakland or San Francisc..."

Chicken / Beef Stir Fry with Green Beans and Orange - Peanut Butter Sauce

If  you live on the west coast like I do, specifically the Bay area, the only good stir fry is found in Chinatown in Oakland or San Francisco.
Sorry, but is not easy finding a good Chinese restaurant or stir fry recipe.

After watching the Cooking Channel and the Food network for awhile, I found one of my favorite chefs: Tyler Florence  and he had a stir fry recipe. I tweeked it to my taste and liking.
Like any good chef and any good recipe, you have to experiment with sauces, ingredients,  fresh vegetables, fruits, meat  and fish.
After working the recipe over and over, I think this is the best approach to a quick and easy stir fry.
You can add your own vegetables, peppers, and sauces to your taste.
Add mushrooms?
Mirin sauce? Fish Sauce?

Here's my twist on Stir Fry ( chicken or beef ) with green Beans and Orange - Peanut Butter Sauce:

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken breast and / or 1 package of beef sirloan steak cut into 1” strips.

3 – 5 tbsp. of peanut or cooking oil.

Handful / roughly 24 green beans

1 small garlic clove - minced.

2 green onions - diced

1 tbsp. of  minced ginger.

1 red chili or 1 tsp. of chili paste.

1/4 cup of chicken broth

2 tbsp. of soy sauce

1 tbsp. or pinch of sugar.

1tbsp. of cornstarch.

¼ cup of water.

1 tbsp. of rice wine vinegar.

1/4 cup of orange juice ( no pulp)

1 tbsp. of peanut butter.

1/8 cup of slivered almonds, peanuts, or cashews.

Beef / Chicken.

Heat wok over medium / high heat and pour in peanut or cooking oil.

Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts and / or beef  in 1” strips and place them in wok.

Turn pieces after they slowly turn brown. Roughly 1 min. / side.

Once brown on both sides, remove from wok and place on a paper towel lined plate to remove excess fat.

Beef / chicken should be slightly crunchy on outside yet soft and tender on inside.

 Now reduce heat in wok to medium. Add more oil if needed.

Green beans and vegetables.

Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp of ginger and 2 finely diced green onions to wok.

Toss in  a handful of  fresh green beans ( approximately 2dz. beans).

Add  a tsp. of chili paste or 1 red chili for heat.

Saute the ingredients.

Remove from wok and let rest in a bowl.

Making the sauce.

In the empty wok, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth, 2 tbsp. of soy sauce and a tsp. or pinch of sugar.

Add cornstarch to the wok. (Take a tbsp. of cornstarch and mix with a ¼ cup of water to make a slurry).

This should thicken up sauce.

Stir the sauce and add a tbsp. of rice wine vinegar. Add orange juice and stir.

Stir in a tbsp. of peanut butter to the sauce.

Combine ingredients.

Toss in beef / chicken. Toss in green beans and vegetables. Add 1/8 of cup of  slivered almonds, peanuts, or cashews. Toss again. Place over steamed white or brown rice.

Practice makes perfection.

Even in cooking.

But eating is more FUN.

Enjoy !

Steven

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