How to Cook ... Blog Idea

Develop a list of "how to" by ingredient, then tag recipes by main ingredient and link

• How to cook ... blueberries
• How to cook ... cauliflower
• How to cook ... sweet potatoes
• How to cook ... spinach
• How to cook ... an eggplant
• How to cook ... zucchini
• How to cook .... corn

Attempts at Blueberry Cobbler

The "original" Village recipe:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) == 113 grams (recommend less butter)
  
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2-3 cups berries or peaches

Preheat oven to 350°F = 177°C

Put the butter in a 9x13-inch Pyrex baking dish and put the dish in the preheating oven. While the butter is melting, mix up the batter by combining the flour, salt, sugar and milk.

When the butter is completely melted, remove the pan and pour the batter into the melted butter. Then, carefully spoon the berries/peaches and juice evenly over the batter. Return dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

As the cobbler cooks, the batter will rise up and around the berries/peaches.

Makes 10 to 12 serving

Cucumber and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients

• Whole-grain bread
• 4-ounce log fresh goat cheese, at room temperature (substitute feta)
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (roast walnuts)
• 2 each Kirby cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch watercress, thick stems removed (substitute arugula or other)
• salt & pepper

From Real Simple

Gateau au Chocalat for Birthdays by Patricia Wells

Ingredients

• 12 oz. Lindt Bittersweet chocolate
• 2/3 cup Unsalted butter (11 T)
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 5 eggs, separated
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 tsp. confectioner’s sugar for decoration (optional); misc. decorations (sugar roses, violets)
  

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F and butter a 9 1/2 inch springform pan or deep, nonstick cake pan.

Break up chocolate, cut butter into chunks. In a large, heavy saucepan set over low heat, melt chocolate, butter and sugar. Thoroughly blend. Let cool.

Separate the egg yolks and the egg whites into separate bowls. Whisk the egg whites until they form firm peaks but don’t overbeat.

Whisk the egg yolks and flour into the COOLED chocolate mixture. This will be a lumpy but will begin to look like cake batter.

Then, add one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate batter and mix. Gently fold in the remaining whites slowly and thoroughly, until no streaks of egg white remain.

Pour batter into a buttered 9-inch pan. Bake until the cake is firm and springy, 35-40 minutes.

Cool completely on a rack before releasing cake (Several Hours) and inverting it into a platter. sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and decorate. Don't overbake.

I recommend eating it with just a touch of homemade whipped cream.

Mixed Baked Nuts/Trail Mix

Bake raw, unsalted shelled peanuts with a little bit of oil and a bit of salt for 20 minutes or until almost done.

Separately, bake walnuts, shelled pumpkin seeds, and shelled sunflower seeds with a little bit of salt.

Mix together with the peanuts, raisins, and a few drops of vegetable oil.

Store in an airtight container.

Vegetable Stew

Boil together, with a little bit of oil, adequate water, salt, spices:

• fresh green beans
• sliced onions
• carrots

When vegetables begin to soften, add tomatoes and parsley. Continue to boil until done.

Serve with fresh bread.

See also: http://ilrai.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-post_09.html

Samosas

Love this samosa recipe!

http://evlogia.typepad.com/files/samosas.pdf

If we can make samosas, poouri, and matar paneer (or cauliflower curry soup), we will be in business for indian dinner!