Hollandaise

Saturday late morning.  Going into the weekend I made plans in my head to prepare Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce. I had all the ingredients except for the turkey bacon which I substitute over the Canadian bacon or ham.  


While searching for recipes the day before I came across one for Hollandaise that used a different method to what I was accustomed to.  In this recipe it instructed one to whisk the egg yoke, lemon juice and water in the double boiler until the egg yoke gets creamy.  Once that happens, remove the egg yoke mixture from the heat and slowly incorporate MELTED butter.  Melted butter?  I was never taught that.  I shouldn't have...but I tried it.


Boy oh boy, once the butter got added, the egg curdled.  How to stop the curdling??  I didn't know...until today...after the fact.  


(I miss GOURMET!)


Here's a COOK'S NOTE from a 2007 issue of Gourmet magazine that tells one what to do when the egg curdles.

(Picture courtesy of gourmet.com)

COOKS' NOTES:

• If the yolks overcook, they will curdle (scramble). If you detect the slightest bit of curdling, immediately place the saucepan in a large bowl of ice and cold water and whisk to cool the yolks slightly, then continue with the recipe. (If you have more than just a little bit of curdled yolk, it is best to start over).
• Sauce can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Cover pan with plastic wrap and place in a 4-quart saucepan of warm water (135ºF; if water is too hot, it will curdle sauce). If sauce thickens while sitting, whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water.

If only I had known...  So there when two eggs and butter.

There's was no other option than to start over.  

Hollandaise Sauce

(Serves 2)

1 large egg yoke

1/2 to 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp lemon zest (optional, depending on how lemony you like your sauce)

5 Tbsp butter (cold, unsalted)

In a double boiler set on low heat, whisk egg yoke, lemon juice and zest.  Incorporate butter one tablespoon at a time until it melts and mixture becomes creamy.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  (I added a dash of chili powder.)  Sauce should be creamy and coat the back of a spoon.

The sauce was delicious.  Tangy and creamy.  

I still had a stubborn round of bread.  In order for me to cut into it I have to stick it in a 200 degree oven for ten minutes.  That's what I used.  It had great flavor though...once it softened up a bit.

The Need for Pie

Lately, the past couple weeks to be exact, I've been so busy that the idea of cooking sounded like a chore.  That doesn't happen to me often.  Usually I find solace and inspiration in cooking.  The satisfaction of combining ingredients together to make a delicious something brings a sense of accomplishment and happy satisfaction.  I could be in a not-so-great mood but after I've entered the cooking or baking process, I feel uplifted. 


So this weekend I felt the need for pie.  Peach and Blueberry Pie.


For the pie dough I used adapted a Pate Brisee recipe from Martha Stewart.


1 1/2 cups of flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
6 Tbsp butter (cold, unsalted)
1/4 cup cold water


Combine flour, salt, sugar together.  Cut butter into small pieces and incorporate into the flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Add ice water a little at a time until dough just comes together (not too dry and not wet).  You may not need all the water, and you may need a bit more.


Divide dough in half, shape each into a square, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days), or freeze for up to 1 month.


For filling:


1 bag frozen blueberries (thawed)
1 bag frozen peaces (thawed)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
cardamom to taste (approx. 2 tsp)


Combine ingredients together and let sit for a few minutes.


Assemble Pie


Pre-heat oven to 375 degree F.


Butter pie dish.  Roll out dough for bottom of the pie.  Transfer it to the pie dish and make sure the dough sits snug on the bottom of the dish and that there's ample dough covering the ledge of the dish.  Add fruit filling.  If there is a lot of juice, don't add all at once.  Gauge to make sure the fruit all fits and is not swimming in juice. Roll out dough for pie cover.  Transfer to to cover the pie and seal the edges.  Brush top with a bit of water and sprinkle with sugar.


Bake pie for 45 to 55 minutes.  Make sure the top is golden brown.


I bought a carton of Breyer's French Vanilla ice cream to make it an a la mode.  It was a delicious reward for having messed up the first batch of hollandaise sauce that morning but whipping up a creamy, lemony second.

Beach-Themed Book Club

Summer.  Salads.  Beach.


This time Brittany hosted our book club meeting.  She chose On Folly Beach by Karen White. We were to bring summer salads.

On Folly Beach is about two women.  One who lived in South Caroline in the 1940's and another who lived in Indiana in 2009.


After the death of her husband, Emmy moves to Folly Beach to start over.  She purchased a bookstore, Folly's Finds and discovers books with hidden love notes.  Curious as to who wrote these and the story behind them, Emmy seeks to uncover the secret of the past.


Maggie, who lost her first love to her cousin Cat, is the practical one of the family.  Despite all the mistreatments Cat inflicts upon her, Maggie refuses to cast her away (due in part to a promise she made to her mother before her death).  Now it's just the three of them, Maggie, Cat and Lulu (Maggie's young sister).  Things looked very bleak in their lives as rumors of German U-boats sinking American ships not far from the home shore invades their small existence.  However, the star of fate shone favorable upon Maggie at last.  She meets an interesting, yet reserved man by the name of Peter.  They fall in love and Maggie is so happy.  But the happiness is short-lived when Cat announces that she's pregnant...with Peter's child.


Can the past bring closure and healing to Emmy who clings to the memory of her deceased husband?  Or are some stories better left undiscovered?


Folly Beach was an easy read.  An easy summer read.  No contemplation required.  


"On Folly Beach is a heartbreaking novel on many levels and yet hopeful and inspiring at the same time. Beautifully rich in local and historical detail, each character is meticulously developed, relinquishing the very essence of their souls. Captivated from the start, I found this tale breathtaking. This is truly Karen White at her best." - WendiB on barnesandnobel.com


On a scale of 5 stars I give it a 2.  


The cast of characters are colorful.  There is a plot, and an intriguing one; yet, I find that the telling of the story did not captivate me.  The dialogue was very dry.  The descriptions did not pull me into the place.  There wasn't a character who I would champion.  


I was looking more into how the story was told, the techniques the author employed.  When she didn't inspire me, then neither did the story.


All in all, it is very enjoyable to gather with other members of the book club.  This night we had a new member attend.  Welcome, Misty!  And we attempted to come up with a name for our club.  Going on three years and we remain still a nameless group.


"The Page Turners."  Sounds old and retired.


"The Apple Page Turnovers."  Wanted to incorporate how we involve food/cooking with our club.  Cute but not unanimously liked.


"Food for Thought."  Ehh...


By the end of the evening, after our strawberry shortcakes we parted good-night...still nameless.

Our hostess

Our leader sporting a new hair-do

...with a newcomer!  

Not usually one to shy away from pictures but...

Salads have arrived...

The spread...

A Plum Good Cake

I baked it before a couple summers ago.  So when I was asked to cater lunch for our team meeting last week I thought of this cake, how my friend and I were both delighted by its flavor.


The recipe I adapted from Martha Stewart is easy, the thing is to find the right plums.  Ones that are not to firm nor too soft, which could result in a bitter tasting cake or a very mushy one.


Open-Face Plum Cake
*Original recipe says this makes two cakes, using a 9-inch round cake pan.  However, I use a 13-inch round pan instead, and it makes for one cake.


Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
9 or 10 large plums, halved and pitted
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pan

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter cake pan.  Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, milk, oil, and egg.  Fold flour into mixture.


Pour batter into cake pan and smooth top.  Arrange plums, cut sides up, over batter.


Combine cinnamon, cardamom and remaining sugar and sprinkle over plums.  Dot with butter.  Bake until tops are dark golden, plums are soft, and a toothpick inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.  Let cool.  

Delightful.  I had forgotten how plum good they were.

Brief Little Moments

I shopped for towels and found a lovely set of plush white ones.  

The temperature soared until it almost flew past 100 degrees.

Was it foolish to meander about, hopping from store to store?

(I really do need to invest in a sun visor for my car.)

As long as I was enjoying myself, I kept driving.

I stopped at the Main Street Bakery for an early dinner.

Bins of bread and bagels lined the left wall behind the counter.

Berry tarts, chocolate molded dessert and creamy cakes glistened in the glass display.

I knew what I wanted and waited patiently in line as two couples in front of me sampled this dessert and that to determine which ones they wanted.  

Ah, yes, they do serve Rose by the glass.  The chicken kind, the lady in line exclaimed.  

(The wine's label had a picture of a chicken.)

A couple behind me left the cafe because of the customers before me were take too much time.

Finally.

I ordered a cup of tomato basil soup and a chocolate croissant with a glass of Riesling.  

I chose a table next to the window and ate while watching pedestrians.  Main Street is quaint with a few shops that are truly gems.  The day was too hot to shop with comfort, and the cafe's AC could hardly be felt.  The cold Riesling was refreshing, a delightful contrast and compliment to the tomato basil soup.  The decadence lay with the chocolate croissant and it's buttery flakiness.  

After my meal I waited for my friend.  

Only a brief little encounter.

An exchange of greetings and a gift.

A moment of in the breeze under a shade tree.

A good-bye.

And I was on my way again.

Make It a Good One

Make memories and make it good.


It's Saturday morning.  I woke up with a headache three days in a row.  Perhaps I'm not drinking enough water.  The sun is too bright for morning.  I planned on going to the farmer's market today, but not under this heat umbrella.  I decided to stay put.


A couple weeks ago a teacher from the school I attended as a child wrote to me on facebook.  It was a surprise to her from her but a very welcomed surprise.  I replied to her message this morning.  Doing so brought back childhood memories.  I used to spend the night at her house, playing with her daughter who was a couple years my junior.  Her daughter would spend the night at my house too.  Now her daughter is married with two children.  I can still picture her vividly as being a little girl shorter than me with blonde pigtails.  She is by far much taller than me now.


A friend of mine purchased a house.  What a cute place!  She hasn't lived in it for a month yet, but she's imprinting her mark on her new space.  For a girl who has never mowed the lawn in her life, she already purchased a lawn mower and operated it.  The responsibilities of adulthood and homeowner keep piling up as she is learning how to trim her bushes and prune her young tree in the front yard.  With an energetic puppy she recently purchased, I would qualify her as a single parent.  She's enrolling him in puppy school; she keeps a meticulous watch over his diet; she rushes home to walk him.  Now her weekends will consist of yard work.  She's happy.  She has a good job; her dream for a house is fulfilled.  She is purchasing furniture.  I see her glow with the contentment of being an adult. 

My life is different.  I am single with no pet or children.  I rent my abode.  We do share a common thread though.  We're happy with our lives.  I am happy not to own a house.  As I told my mother I don't want to do yard work.  Whenever I need something fixed in my place, I contact the landlord.  (This is totally a digression, but by me just writing 'landlord' brings to my mind a picture of a serf work the lord's land to contribute to the taxes he enforces.)  All that to say is that I can't compare my life, or rather my station in life, with my friends.  Why did I bring that  up?  I was presented with an opportunity to compare what I don't have with what they have.  That's not right, in fact that is harmful for it could rob you of your own happiness.  Why would you do that--why would I do that?  Hence, I stopped the thoughts and did not follow it.  


I was reminded of a statement from a podcast.  Each day we make memories.  So make it good.  What I take pleasure in are writing, photographing, cooking, learning.  I am able to come home from work and choose to either cook a lovely meal or eat something simple, to spend time blogging or journaling, to read a book or learn something online.  Whatever I do with my time though, I want to fill it with inspiration.  Not all days are easy, but I do believe that it is within my power to either make my day memorable or horrible.

All pictures © Sriprae P. McDonald

LOST...Tacos

Upon pondering what I should make for dinner I was reminded of a taco I recently had.  A black bean taco to be exact.  The tortilla was warm, thick and pillow-soft.  A layer of Mexican rice was topped by black beans and pico de gallo.  Such a simple combination of ingredients, but it was perfect.  The decision was then made.  


I stopped by the local grocery store on my way home from work to pick up the needed ingredients.


1 can black beans (with low sodium)
1 jar cheese sauce (for my tortilla chips)
1 bag of thin crispy tortilla chips
1 container of original feta cheese
3 limes (for a $1)
1 jar of chipotle corn salsa
1 box of Mexican rice
1 bottle of chili powder


I cooked the black beans with it's liquid in a small saucepan over medium low heat and added 1-2 teaspoons of cumin and chili powder.


At the same time I cooked the boxed Rice-a-Roni Mexican Rice.

While those items did their thing on the stove, I washed my tomato, diced it and set it aside.  I sliced up a couple of limes and heated my flour tortillas.

Within 15 minutes dinner was ready.  Within 25 minutes I sat down with my plate of tacos and chips, turned on my computer and resumed Episode 1 of LOST.

All images © 2010 Sriprae P. McDonald

Angelology

Book club meeting.

We discussed Angelology by Danielle Trussoni.

Only two of us actually finished the book.

I made tortilla baked chicken.

But instead of drumsticks, I used chicken breasts.

Recipe

• 8 ounces lightly salted corn tortilla chips
• 4 teaspoons chili powder, divided
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/2 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 10)

• Accompaniment: lime wedges

Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle. Oil a large 4-sided sheet pan.

Pulse chips, 2 teaspoons chili powder, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor until coarsely ground, then transfer to a shallow dish.

Whisk egg and remaining 2 teaspoon chili powder in a bowl.

Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dip drumsticks in egg, letting excess drip off, then coat with crumbs, pressing to help them adhere. Transfer to sheet pan.

Bake, without turning, until cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Let stand, uncovered, 5 minutes.

Recipe taken from www.epicurious.com

Great accompaniments...

chips and salsa and guacamole

Lizzi, our fearless book club leader

giving her thumbs up sign.

Ms. Barbaro, Lizzi's mom in the checkered

tunic.

Ms. Pearl in the black and white

shirt.

Brittany, our guacamole queen

who also provided the iced tea.

We enjoy gathering around food and discussing

a book...whether or not we stay

on topic is irrelevant.

The most important thing is having fun.

We were so thrilled that Ms. Pearl was able to join us

at this meeting.  Due to health issues she wasn't

about to attend last month's meeting.  Thankfully

she looked so much better.

All photography were taken with my iPhone.

© 2010 Sriprae P. McDonald 

Aboard the Prius - Our Trek to the Pacific Northwest (Pt. 8)

Day 8 - Saturday, May 15


Slept well.  Slept fitfully.  Had a disturbing dream.  The last part of which a young toddler fell into the ocean.  The dad and several others dove in to rescue the child.  The child was saved and alive.  Woke up with a dry throat.  It hurt to swallow.  Hair is flat again.  This hotel had the best array of breakfast.  I chose a Kashi cereal and a bagel topped with scrambled eggs and sausage.  It was yummy.


We left the hotel around 8:30 a.m. rather than 10 a.m.  It's going to be a long journey home, but at least we're heading home. 

Mom thinks she's overweight.  Said she forgets to exercise, but she works in her garden, mows the acreage around the house, and cleans the house.  I think she looks good for her age.  She just needs to find casual clothing that tailors to her petite frame.


We're in the desert.  Dad has the air conditioning turned up high...or so it feels like it in the backseat.  Perhaps it is because they have the sun shining on them whereas I am completely sheathed in the shade.  Brrrr...


We had quite a time trying to pack the strawberries into the cooler this morning.  Perhaps we shouldn't have bought so much last night.  However, they are so delicious.  Mom had some with her cereal this morning.  We ate so many of them along with the apricots yesterday that we weren't hungry for dinner.  We only purchased lunch yesterday.  Dad had the six mini burgers from Burger King.  Mom and I order our lunch from a Japanese noodle shop.  She had the vegetable Ramen soup with BBQ pork.  I had the California roll with "crunchy stuff" on top.  (Yes, that was the description on the menu.)  It was enough for me.  I wasn't too hungry when we stopped for lunch.


Dad made a bed in the back of the Prius by folding down one of the back seat.  Right now there are luggage on top of the bed section.  The road is not curvy anymore.  Praise the Lord!  It's not as consistently smooth though...ah--we just hit a smooth section.  I haven't driven any.  No big deal.  Not really in the mood to drive.  Will be doing all the driving next week.  It's comforting to have a good notebook and pen.  I guess this is my way of conversing rather than talking.  Yesterday I barely talked.  I think I'm going to keep a wine journal.  I'm not an expert in identifying the grapes or the nuances of their flavors, but I'm not clueless either.  There are lots of labels from Texas that I haven't even tried.  I should.  I would like to go to Fredricksburg and do some wine tasting.


Mom is perfecting the technique of taking pictures of herself.  I wonder if we purchased a camera for our department at work yet.


When can I plan a trip to Fredericksburg?  Book club is in two weeks.  At my place.  I'm going to make tortilla coated baked chicken.  Perhaps I'll make a side of angel hair pasta with tomatoes and basil.  Maybe.


Awoke to discover we're in Arizona.  Scenery hasn't changed.  Dad stopped at a Carl's Jr. in Kingsman.  Mom and I ordered salads.  Not really hungry yet.  Then Dad went to the gas station to fill up the car.  It's not hot here.  Dad said we're up in a higher elevation.  The weather is quite comfortable.  I do say California and Arizona seem to have an inordinate amount of sunshine.  Too much.  Perhaps the sunshine is magnified by the desert. 


Would be nice to have some chocolates.  Perhaps at the next stop.  That's what I keep telling myself, but once we come to a gas station I change my mind.


On our way to Flagstaff.  One hundred sixteen miles.  About two hours.  Dad said when he lived in Arizona he got tired of seeing all the desert rock.  Mom said she wants a house where she can have citrus trees.  I would like a townhouse with a rooftop garden overlooking a pretty view.


All the towns we drove through, none of them called out to me to relocate.  I suppose where I'm at is where I still need to be.  I don't mind that.  

We ran over a blown out tire on 

the highway.

It tore the front fender lose.

Dad's fixing it with a clothes

hanger one of the mechanics

gave him.

Read Matthew 10 today.  Jesus said He didn't come to bring peace.  There's no in-between.  There's no negotiation.  There's only what God says and religion.  The laws were to point people to Jesus.  However when the laws became a means in itself then it became religious.  What would matter more to the Father: mercy or adherence to the law?


"We are never really alert to our destinies, are we?"


Dad said we'll arrive in Fort Worth around 6 a.m. (Actually it was more like after 11 a.m.)


A train.  A line of boxed cars snake through the desert.  Painted rocks, crinkled sage.  Clear blue sky.  Popcorn white.  Solitary sight.  Blacktop highway.  Pungent dust.  Dust everywhere.  Like gritty mist hovering the ground.  Fine dirty dust that fills cracks.  Short blanched poles.  Sun drenched.  Sagging lines.  Abandoned homes too old for families.  Trailer homes in dusty yards.  Peeled paint and dirty windows.  The wind blows.  Solitary. Route 40.

Made it home after 11 a.m. on Sunday

morning. Fort Worth was 

irritatingly hot...but it

was so good to get home,

shower and make 

breakfast for my parents.

We laid down and rested

for 45 minutes until they

had to get back on the road

to go to their home.

From Clos Du Val winery.

My souvenir from the Napa Valley. 

Monday, May 17

-

"It's a good day, 

wake up, 

kiss who you love, 

go to work and 

accomplish something 

even if it is just one thing."

-

All photography were taken with my iPhone.

© 2010 Sriprae P. McDonald 

Aboard the Prius - Our Trek to the Pacific Northwest (Pt. 7)

Day 7 - Friday, May 14


Slept good.  After I woke up my nose started draining.  Hair looked flat and eyes itched.  My morning consolation was that this Hampton Inn had a lovely spread for breakfast.  Their oatmeal bar was complete with granola, dried fruits, nuts--the works.  A group of elementary school children were on a field trip of sorts.  A group of them congregated around the television watching "Garfield".  


To Napa we go!  The valley was bathed in soft morning light.  The mountains were still nestled in the clouds as if sleeping in.  Most of the wineries didn't open until 10 a.m., so we meandered around for a bit, taking pictures of flowers outside their gates.  We drove down Silverton Trail, which according to my app showed many wineries populated this area.  Sure enough.  Vineyards lined both sides.  

iPhone in Business article

The first winery we stopped at was Clos Du Val.  I chose it based on the tid-bit description on my app: "California wines produced with a French aesthetic.  Not light, but more elegant than many, often lower in alcohol, and generally very age-worthy." 


Dad and I had a tasting.  Their Chardonnay was lovely.  Our tasting consisted of six different wines, starting off with a very light, blossomy wine and ended with an almost black rich and full-bodied wine.  After the tasting our hostess asked if we had any questions.  I informed her that I was interested in the Rose.  (Upon entering the winery, the 2009 Rose is displayed on the front table.  It was a lovely blush of pink with an eye-catching label design.)  Good idea, she said, "I had forgotten about that one."  She opened a fresh bottle from the wine chiller and poured us and herself a sample.  Lovely.  She agreed.  I decided to purchase a bottle, as did Dad.