Posts Tagged ‘Recipes’
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
Cheddar and Herb Gougere
Cheese puffs make the ideal cocktail snack. These are miniature Cheddar versions of a savory French cream puff traditionally enriched with Gruyere cheese. Once you form them into mounds, you can refrigerate or freeze them and bake them just before your guests are ready to devour them.
Makes about 72 cheese puffs
¾ cup water
½ tsp salt
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
¾ cup all-purpose flour (spoon and level; 3.25 oz)
4 lg eggs
1 ½ Tbsp finely chopped fresh English thyme
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar or Gruyere cheese (2 oz)
1. Dough. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Put the water, salt, and butter in a medium (2- to 3-quart) saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Add the flour all at once and beat vigorously with a sturdy wire whisk, still over heat. It will form a very firm mass of dough that should pull away from the sides of the pan. Remove the pan from the heat. Crack and egg into a small cup. Pour the egg into the saucepan and immediately beat it into the dough using the whisk or a hand held electric mixer. Repeat with the remaining 3 eggs, incorporating each one thoroughly before adding another. The mixture will be satiny and sticky and have a consistency between soft dough and thick batter. Stir in the thyme and ½ cup of the cheese.
2. Forming and baking. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using 2 flatware teaspoons, drop balls of dough (each measuring 1 tsp in volume) in rows on the paper, allowing 1 inch of space between them for spreading. Or use a pastry bag with a lare plain tip and pipe the dough out in ½-inch mounds. Place a pinch of the remaining cheese on top of each gougere. (At this point you can cover the pans tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours.) Bake the gougeres until puffed and golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Serve while still warm.
Note: Once the dough is formed, you can put the baking sheets in the freezer until the little mounds are solid, then transfer them to resealable freezer bags. When you want to bake a batch, transfer them to a paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Herb substitutions: In place of the thyme, use an equal amount of finely chopped fresh summer savory, 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh marjoram or oregano, or 3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill or chives.
Tags: Appetizers, Bread, cheese puffs, Recipes, Texas B&B Cooking Classes
Posted in Appetizers | Comments Off
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
5 Tablespoons (2.5 oz) Cranberry Syrup Base
3 Tablespoons (1.5 oz) Citrus Flavored Vodka
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
Lemon Wedges
For each cocktail, fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add Cranberry Syrup and vodka. Cover; shake. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with cranberries and lemon wedge. Makes 1 drink. (I like to frost the rim with sugar before pouring drink into glass).
Cranberry Syrup Base:
In large saucepan combine one 12 oz. package fresh or frozen cranberries, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes uncovered. Remove from heat, cool. Blend mixture in food processor or blender. Strain, discarding seed and skin. Stir in 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup Limoncello and 2 dashes bitters. Mixture will be slightly thick. Cover and chill to store.
Tags: classes, cranberries, culinary travel, Food, holiday drinks, lemons, martini, Recipes, Texas B&B, vodka drinks
Posted in Drinks | Comments Off
Saturday, November 27th, 2010
Apple Pie
Nothing tastes better than a slice of homemade apple pie hot from the ovens at Murski Homestead B&B! Add a little Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and you are really set…..this is one of the easiest recipes, so give it a try.
Super Easy Apple Pie
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
zest of
1 lemon
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. apricot brandy
pinch of salt
Apple Pie
5 baking apples, pared, cored, thinly sliced
2 oz. butter, melted
1 unbaked pie shell, 9-in. diameter
1/2 lb. apricot jam
1 oz. sugar
Combine sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon, brandy and salt. Neatly arrange apples in pie shell; pour sugar mixture over. Brush with melted butter. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F; bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden. Combine jam and sugar in sauce pan; heat to boiling. Push through fine strainer; heat to boiling. Brush over baked pie. (I used twists of pie crust on the top of this pie for additional visual appeal and texture.)
Tags: apples, Blue Bell, Cooking, culinary, Desserts, Murski Homestead B&B, pie, ranch, Recipes
Posted in Desserts | Comments Off
Saturday, November 20th, 2010
Moscow Mule Copper Mug
The Moscow Mule Cocktail seems to have made a comeback! It is a good thing for it is a truly unique drink that is good year round! Look for this yummy beverage to turn up during one of our famous culinary getaway Foodie Events……The recipe, easy to make, must contain ginger beer to be authentic:
Moscow Mule
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 tsp. sugar syrup
- Fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup ginger beer
- 1 sprig fresh mint
- 1 slice of lime
Directions: In a highball glass or a copper mug pour vodka over ice. Add sugar syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
For the trivia buff, here’s a little history…… (more…)
Tags: Beer, Cocktails, culinary getaway, Drinks, Recipes, trivia, Vodka
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Saturday, October 30th, 2010
Fava Skordalia (Yellow Split Peas with Garlic)
2 cups yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed
2 bay leaves
2 tsp salt
4-6 garlic cloves
½ cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
3-4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
¾ Tbsp dry white wine
2 Tbsp dried oregano, crumbled, plus more for garnish
Freshly ground black pepper
All or a few of the following toppings:
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2-3 Tbsp pitted and chopped Kalamata olives
4-5 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 medium tomato, cored, peeled, seeded diced and drained
Few sprigs of arugula, coarsely chopped
Few sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
EVOO
Place the split peas in a large pot, add water to cover by 4 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low & simmer, skimming often, for 5 minutes. Add the bay leaves and simmer for 40 minutes more, stirring occasionally and adding a little warm water as needed to keep the peas covered as they cook. Add 1 tsp of the salt and simmer for 15-20 minutes more, or until the peas are soft and almost dry.
Puree the peas with a stick (immersion) blender, or transfer to a food processor and puree. Let the puree cool completely; it will thicken considerably.
In a large mortar, grind the garlic with the remaining 1 tsp salt into a smooth paste. Add 2 cups or so of the puree and continue grinding to incorporate the garlic. Or use a blender or a small food processor.
In a large bowl, combine the garlic mixture, the remaining pea puree, the oil, 3 Tbsp each vinegar and wine, the oregano and pepper to taste, stirring vigorously to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
If the skordalia seems too thick, add a little vinegar, wine or water to thin. Spread on a large plate, sprinkle with oregano, garnish with toppings of your choice and serve
Tags: Cooking, culinary queens, Dips/Spreads, Food, Greek Food, Herbs, Hummus, Recipes, Yellow Split Peas
Posted in Sauces/Dips/Spreads | Comments Off
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
After the long hot summer, the folks at
Windy Winery are hungry for some good chili so…… on Saturday October 30th they are hosting a Chili Cook-Off (their second annual I believe)…..Open to anyone who want to join in the fun, dust off that extra special chili recipe, come out to cook and see who can make the best chili at Windy Winery!
And for all those folks who just want to eat the best chili at Windy Winery come on out and join in the fun!! (Last year, we at the B&B took our guests to the cook off and had a fabulous time! We will do so again this year, so if you are looking for a great place to stay and some fun to be had…
book your room now with us!)
Our favorite recipe originated with our oldest son, who is a wonderful “cook by the seat of your pants” home chef!
Tags: Brenham TX, Chili, Chili Cook Off, Food, Recipes, Texas Wine, Windy Winery, wine, wineries
Posted in Entrees, Events | Comments Off
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
Street foods have a rich and colorful history where all strata of society, from fishwives to royalty, have played a role in its evolution. Foods of the World—Street Food was chosen as the theme for the September Culinary meeting. My friends hall and back porch were converted into the “street” from which delicious foods such as Italian and Caribbean kebabs and Bolivian cheese empanadas were served. As we continued our “world tour” we sampled falafel from Arabia, spicy potato roti from India, and other delicious treats. Cranberry kvass is a popular thirst quencher in Russia. We were dubious about the mildly fermented creation, but were pleased to discover it was actually quite good. A favorite recipe (more…)
Tags: chinese, Cooking, culinary travel, egg noodles, Murski Homestead B&B, Recipes, Salad, street food, vegetables
Posted in Sides/Vegetables/Pasta | Comments Off
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
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Zucchini Gratin
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Leg of Lamb Persillade
Easy French food was the order of the day for the B&B Foodie Weekend Cooking Class recently! After a foray to the local Farmers Market, we settled into the kitchen to begin cooking. The menu included Scallops Provencal, Warm Cremini Mushroom Salad with Arugula and Prosciutto, Roasted Leg of Lamb Persillade, Zucchini Gratin, and Fresh Strawberry Sorbet! Look for some of the great recipes to come…..the lamb was especially succulent with no gaminess due to a new method of preparation I taught during the class.
The Method:
Lamb and Brine
1 (3 pound) boneless leg of lamb, trimmed
2 Tb. kosher salt
(or 1 Tb. table salt)
2 Tb. sugar
6 medium garlic cloves, crushed
Garlic-Parsley Paste
1 medium head garlic, outer papery skins removed and top
third of head cut off & discarded
1 Tb. olive oil
1 Tb. minced fresh
parsley leaves
Combine salt, sugar and garlic with 2 quarts water in large bowl; stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Open roast and remove all visible fat and connective tissue/coverings (this is a major step in reducing the gaminess!). Lightly score
inside of lamb roast, making ¼ inch deep cuts spaced 1 inch apart in crosshatch pattern. Submerge lamb in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
While lamb is brining, adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 400 degrees. Place garlic head cut side up on sheet of foil and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap foil tightly around garlic; place on baking sheet and roast until coves are very soft and golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. When cool enough to handle, squeeze garlic head to remove cloves from skins. Mash cloves into paste with side of chef’s knife. Combine 1 tablespoon of garlic paste and parsley leaves in small bowl.
Remove lamb from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Rub garlic-parsley paste into scored surface working paste
into cuts. Season with salt and pepper. Roll lamb into compact roast, tucking in to form a log/leg shape. Tie with twine at 1 inch intervals.
Proceed with your favorite roasting method and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Tags: classes, Cooking, culinary travel, Food, Lamb, Meat/Entree', Murski Homestead B&B, packages, Recipes
Posted in Cooking Classes | Comments Off
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
Lemon Mousse Fresh Berry Trifle
I love the look of layered foods and dishes…..almost everything in life benefits from layering and textures. This trifle is scrumptious and light all at the same time. If you like Lemon Curd, you will devour this lemon mousse. Couple with the sweet tart flavor of fresh berries such as strawberry, blueberry and raspberry and pound cake, it is a dessert worthy of starring at your finest dinner….with our without company. (My granddaughter claimed it was better than birthday cake—both servings!) It is a recipe that will some day find its’ way onto a Foodie Weekend menu. Recipe: (more…)
Tags: Brenham, cake, Cooking, Food, fruit, lemons, Murski Homestead B&B, Recipes, trifle, wine
Posted in Desserts | Comments Off
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Peach, Plum & Berry Tart
This buttery delicious fruit tart was made during one of our recent cooking class weekends at the ranch. It harnesses all the delicious goodness of fresh fruit of the season and only needs the addition of a little sugar and spices to really complement the fresh sweet-tart taste of the peaches, plums and berries creating a burst of flavor with every bite! This tart is best eaten the day of cooking but will still be good the next day even though the crust will have lost its’ flaky crunch. Most people want to top fruit tarts with whipped cream or ice cream but the deliciousness of the fresh fruit and buttery flavor of the puff pastry don’t require any addition! (more…)
Tags: berries, Cooking, Desserts, Food, Murski Homestead B&B, peaches, plums, puff pastry, Recipes
Posted in Desserts | Comments Off
