Café con Leche

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November 15, 2007

Potato Leek Soup

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large leeks, white and tender green parts only, thinly sliced
1 baking potato (1/2 pound), peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
5 cups chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the leeks and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the potato and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer over low heat until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add the cream and simmer for 10 minutes longer. Puree the soup in a blender, then return it to the pan. Season the soup with salt and pepper.

Posted by Rosa at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 09, 2007

Baby Back Ribs

Ingredients
2 racks pork baby back ribs (about 2 pounds each)
Tamarind Glaze
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.

Sprinkle the ribs with salt and pepper and place them meaty-side up on an aluminum foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or shallow baking dish. Roast for 30 minutes and then drain off any accumulated fat from the baking sheet. Turn the ribs over and increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Return them to the oven for an additional 30 minutes.

After the ribs have cooked at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes, begin basting them with the glaze every 15 minutes until the ribs are tender, about 1 hour, turning the ribs meaty side up again after 30 minutes. Remove the ribs from the oven, brush with the reserved glaze and serve.

Posted by Rosa at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tamarind Glazed

2 aji panca seeded, ribbed, and soaked in hot water
1/2 cup tamarind paste
2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1/2 orange)
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

Directions
Drain the aji panca and place it in a blender along with the tamarind paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, orange juice and garlic. Puree to make a thick paste, scraping the jar as necessary. Set aside 1/4 of the glaze for serving.

Posted by Rosa at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Patacones

Ingedients
2 green plantains
1 cup vegetable oil, plus more if necessary
Salt

Directions
Cut off the ends of the plantains and then carefully cut a slit down the length of the skin without cutting into the plantain itself. Using a wooden spoon, pry up the edges of the peel and pull off the skin. Once the peel is removed cut the plantain crosswise into 3 or 4 pieces, each about 2 to 3 inches long.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat until it shimmers, about 3 minutes. Add the plantains and fry them until they turn golden on all sides, about 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then place between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Reduce the heat to medium.

Flatten the plantains by pressing down on them with a heavy-bottomed pan. Return 1/2 of the flattened plantains to the oil and re-fry until deep golden on both sides, about 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer back to the paper towel-lined plate to drain and repeat with the remaining flattened plantains. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.

Posted by Rosa at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sancocho

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large yellow onions, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 large tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 pounds chicken thighs, skin and excess fat removed
2 pounds beef flanken ribs (also called cross-cut ribs)
2 green plantains, peeled and cut into 2-inch long pieces
2 ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 2 inch long pieces
1 large bunch fresh cilantro, stems tied together with kitchen twine
14 cups chicken broth, homemade or canned low-sodium broth
1 1/2 pounds small red or white potatoes, peeled
3 cups diced pumpkin or butternut squash
10 (2-inch) long pieces frozen yucca
4 ears of corn, husked and quartered


Directions

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the onions and garlic and cook until they're soft and transparent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, and thyme and continue to cook 5 more minutes. Add the chicken and the beef ribs and cook until the tomatoes have disintegrated, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and skimming the foam from the top of the broth when necessary. Add the green plantains, cilantro, and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the plantains are tender, 30 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. Add the potatoes, pumpkin, ripe plantains, yucca and corn and simmer, uncovered, until both are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the cilantro and the bay leaves and return the chicken to the pot to re-heat it. To serve, arrange a piece of chicken, some beef, plantains, and a few pieces of yucca and potatoes on each plate.

Serve the broth in a small bowl, and the aji sauce on the side, along with a bowl of rice, corn, some avocados and

Posted by Rosa at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aji Salsa

Ingredients
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
8 scallions, white and light green part only, finely chopped
1/2 small habanero pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
3/4 cup water
1 small plum tomato (without seeds) finely chopped
Salt

Set the aji aside at room temperature for several hours to allow the flavors to release into the liquid, then refrigerate until serving.

Posted by Rosa at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Arroz con Leche

Ingredients
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 whole cloves
4 cups water
1 egg
3 cups whole milk
1 (12-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions
Soak the rice, cinnamon sticks, lemon zest and whole cloves in the water in a heavy saucepan for 1 hour.

After soaking, bring the rice mixture to a boil on high heat, uncovered. When it starts to boil (about 5 minutes), lower the heat to medium and cook for 10 to 12 more minutes or until water is almost evaporated.

While rice is cooking, beat the egg in a bowl. Add the milk and stir well to mix. Add the egg mixture, vanilla extract and condensed milk to the rice and cook over medium-low heat, stirring carefully, until it thickens slightly or until desired consistency, about 25 to 35 minutes.

Posted by Rosa at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Butternut Squash and Leek Soup

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 leeks, white and tender green parts only, coarsely chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 garlic clove, smashed
1 quart chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (3 cups)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 large bay leaf
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large heavy saucepan. Add the leeks, celery and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the stock, squash, tomato paste and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper and simmer over moderately low heat until all the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and add the parsley.

2. Puree the soup in a blender, then return it to the saucepan. Stir in the cream and cook just until heated through. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

From Food & Wine

Posted by Rosa at 09:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Loin of Lamb Rubbed With Garlic and Cumin With Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients
LAMB
Loin of lamb
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh cumin
8 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 lamb tender loins (2 pounds each)
Salt

YOGURT SAUCE
2 cups plain yogurt, drained for 30 minutes
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper

Directions
1. MAKE THE LAMB: Place oil, cumin, garlic, lime juice, cilantro and black pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a large shallow baking dish, add tenderloins and rub completely with the marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours. Remove from marinade and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium rare.

2. MAKE THE SAUCE: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Let stand at least 1/2 hour before serving. Serve with the grilled lamb.

SERVE WITH Grilled Lemons and Pita

Food & Wine

Posted by Rosa at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Skirt Steak with Moroccan Spice Rub and Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds skirt steak, cut into 6-inch lengths
3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons Moroccan Spice Rub
3/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, smashed
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeños
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
4 large pita breads, for serving
Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Light a grill. Rub the steaks all over with 3 tablespoons of the spice rub and let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, scallions, garlic, jalapeños and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice rub. Stir in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Brush the steaks lightly with olive oil and grill over high heat, turning occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare meat. Brush the pitas with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks across the grain. Transfer the steaks to a platter and serve with the toasted pita, yogurt sauce and lettuce leaves.

Posted by Rosa at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Moroccan Spice Rub

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon ground coriander
* 1 tablespoon ground cumin
* 1 tablespoon ground chile powder
* 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds, crushed
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients, pressing out any lumps of brown sugar.

Notes
Try the rub on beef, chicken, pork and lamb. It's especially good on skirt steak, chicken thighs and pork ribs.

Posted by Rosa at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)