The Exponent Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Telegram A5 Fare Report: Plantains I recently tried preparing plantain at home for the first time. For many years, I admired the long, angular, banana-looking vegetable from afar at the grocery store. Passing them by for so long was a mistake! Plantains are starchy, low in sugar and can be prepared sweet or Rachel Jarvis Columnist savory. Plantain recipes vary from soups to curries to desserts. A great substitute for potatoes, plantains are also made into chips. Unless extremely ripe, plantains have a bitter taste, and need to be cooked before eaten. Green plantains are not yet ripe, and must be processed before consumption. Yellow plantains, and ones starting to brown, are ripe and sweeter than the green ones. Plantains are eaten all over the world, and are the 10th most important staple that feeds the world. They grow year round and serve as a reliable crop, especially in countries with inadequate food storage, preservation and transportation. Depending on what part of the world one is in determines how plantains are most likely cooked and served. In Trinidad and Tobago, one enjoys plantains fried, boiled or made into soup. In Peru, chapo is a popular beverage consumed that is made of sweet plantains, water and spices. In the southern United States, plantains are usually grilled. At my home, we recently enjoyed plantains made into a sweet side dish. We all agree that plantains are going to become a staple at our home. Versatile, scrumptious and budget friendly, plantains are an excellent choice for mealtime. My next plantain adventure is going to be pazham pachadi — a curry, or at least my version of the dish. Today, I am going to share my sweet plantain side dish recipe, and I hope you give it a try. Plantains are high in fiber, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. They also contain iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Therefore, plantains are delicious and nutritious. Sweet Plantain Side Dish 2 large, ripe plantains, peeled, halved and cut into 2 inch chunks 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 cup water 2 cinnamon sticks 1/2 tablespoon butter Place all ingredients inside a small pot. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy! Chicken stock can enhance dishes There’s a new breed of diners out there today. More experienced and food savvy, these are people who love to dine out. They love the experience of community and being served something they haven’t tasted before or served in a way that isn’t familiar to them. There’s a lot of choices out there too, from the big chains to the small eclectic restaurants with seven-course tasting menus and a Goots large variety in between. They are all upping their game. But there are some basics that any successful spot should stick to. A great wine and drink selection is a good start to any meal; a courteous and knowledgeable wait staff to make you feel welcome, and of course, the food. Serving hot food hot and cold food cold — always important. Fresh produce and proteins and rotating the menu seasonally to utilize those ingredients. “House made” or “scratch made” ingredients to lend authenticity to their recipes. There’s one that tips the scale every time, a good homemade chicken stock or “Liquid Gold.” I hear people talking a lot of an experience at an eatery that they say has surpassed all their expectations. “It was the best sauce” or “I can’t tell what they did to that soup, but it was great” or “that gravy really made that fried chicken.” They will actually sit forever and guess what cooking method, spice or ingredient the chef used to make such a flavorful dish. Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret it was probably a homemade stock. There is nothing that will provide as much flavor, aroma and “mouth feel” as a properly prepared chicken, beef, fish or vegetable stock. I know as the chef of Mia Margherita that stock or “brodo” is a very important part of many of our dishes. Whether it’s the Stracciatella soup or one of our risottos or pastas the stock is the key, providing a flavorful canvas for the rest of the ingredients. Here’s a couple easy versions of chicken stock to enhance all your dishes at home. Brown (or roasted) Chicken Stock 2-3 pounds chicken bones or parts (backs, breast, bones, necks, wings) 2 tbsp. vegetable. oil 2 Small onions, coarse chop 3 Carrots, coarse chop 3 Ribs celery, coarse chop 1 Bouquet garni(see recipe below ) 1 tbsp. tomato paste 1 cup dry red wine 3 Whole cloves garlic 1 Gal. water plus 1 cup for deglazing Salt & pepper, to taste 1. Place chicken and/or bones on a rack on a sheet tray and season with salt and pepper, roast for approximately 1 hour or until dark brown, set aside 2. Meanwhile, in a 6 quart stock pot add oil over medium heat, begin to brown onions, carrots and celery, stirring frequently. 3. After lightly browned stir in tomato paste and continue to stir, being careful not to burn but continuing to cook until a rich brown. 4. Deglaze with wine, stirring to release bits stuck to the bottom of the pot and add garlic. 5. After wine is almost evaporated deglaze again with the one cup of water, allow to evaporate once more while stirring. 6. Add bones, bouquet garni and the rest of the water. 7. Bring to a boil then reduce heat immediately to a very slow simmer and allow to simmer, skimming occasionally to remove impurities. 8. Simmer for approximately 3 hours or until stock has a full rich flavor and has reduced by a third. 9. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or a colander lined with a double layer of cheese cloth 10. If using the whole chickens allow them to cool and pull the meat and reserve for another recipe. 11. Bouquet Garni — In a 6X6 piece of cheese cloth add 2 bay leaves, 10 peppercorns, 8 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 Tbsp. dried, 1 small bunch of fresh parsley or 1 Tbsp. dried. Roll in cheese cloth and tie with butchers twine. Chicken Stock 2-3 pounds chicken bones or parts (backs, breast bones, necks, wings) 2 small onions, coarsely chopped 3 carrots, coarsely chopped 3 ribs celery, coarsely chopped 1 gallon water 1 bouquet garni — see recipe below 6 Whole cloves garlic 1. Combine chicken parts, vegetables, garlic, bouquet garni & water in a stock pot. 2. Bring to a boil & reduce heat, simmer gently skimming often to remove impurities. 3. Simmer uncovered for 3 hours continuing to skim. 4. Strain slowly through a fine sieve or colander lined with a double layer of cheese cloth 5. If using whole chicken, retain, cool & pull meat from bones to use in another recipe. 6. Bouquet Garni — In a 6X6 piece of cheese cloth 2 small bay leaves, 10 peppercorns, 8 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried, 1 small bunch of fresh parsley or parsley stems or 2 tablespoons dried. Roll in cheese cloth & tie with butchers twine. Tim Goots is chef at Mia Margherita. Oven baking ensures perfect frittatas by JeanMarie Brownson CHICAGO TRIBUNE Our spring entertaining often centers on brunch after an early morning bike ride or hike in the woods with friends. Hungry, we're looking for strong coffee and an easy to assemble main course. Enter the oven-baked frittata. Fresh eggs, beaten with cream or milk, embrace tender vegetables and fresh herbs. Easier than an omelet, Italian-inspired frittatas are cooked in a skillet with the vegetables stirred in rather than used as a filling for folded eggs. Frittatas can be cooked completely on the stove top. I prefer to cook them in a low oven where the steady heat prevents excess browning and overcooking. As for the flavorings, fresh, tender spring vegetables, briefly cooked in advance, welcome the velvety texture of gently cooked eggs. Think asparagus, new p o ta to e s, skinny tender carrots, baby spinach and sweet onions. The first shoots of garden fresh herbs work here too. In this recipe, fresh mozzarella offers silken bits in between the eggs and vegetables. When the asparagus is very tender and fresh, I skip peeling the stalks. Fingerling potatoes, cut into 1-inch rounds, can stand in for round new potatoes. Green onions and fresh dill perfume the whole dish. This dish tastes great served at room temperature or even chilled. Accompany the asparagus frittata with thickly sliced ripe tomatoes and crusty bread. Brew fresh coffee, offer a mimosa of fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling wine and you'll have happy friends. Asparagus, new potato and fresh mozzarella Frittata Prep: 25 minutes / Cook: 35 minutes / Makes: 6 servings Ingredients: 8 small (1-inch diameter) new potatoes (12 ounces total), scrubbed clean, quar tered 1 bunch (12 ounces) asparagus, tough ends trimmed 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 green onions, trimmed, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 10 large eggs 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 cup diced (4 ounces total) fresh mozzarella or brick cheese Chopped fresh dill, for garnish Directions: 1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Put potatoes into a large microwave-safe bowl. Add water to barely cover potatoes. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap vented at one corner. Microwave on high (100 percent power), stirring once, until nearly fork-tender, 4-5 minutes. Drain. 2. Meanwhile, cut asparagus into 1 inch lengths and set tips aside. Heat olive oil in a 12inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus stalks; cook until nearly fork-tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in asparagus tips and green onions; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in potatoes and dill. (Mixture can be made ahead up to 2 days; re-warm before continuing.) 3. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a medium Frittatas bowl. 4. Place skillet with vegetables over medium heat. When hot, sprinkle cheese over vegetables. Reduce heat to low; gently pour egg mixture over vegetables. Cook until bottom is nearly set, about 3 minutes. Transfer to oven; cook until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Serve warm sprinkled with more dill. Nutrition information per serving: 279 calories, 18 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 327 mg cholesterol, 14 g carbohydrates, 16 g protein, 337 mg sodium, 2 g fiber
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