WHAT IS IT WITH ME AND BAKING?

Some thoughts on a wintery day that was spent baking - again

A few years ago I discovered a whole part of my father's family from Indiana, Pennsylvania, that I never heard about. Of particular interest here is one cousin, probably two times removed, who was very rich and went on hunting trips, - finding, shooting and presenting to the Smithsonian Museum the largest tiger ever found in India. He also commissioned another relative to write the family history, and that is how I found out that  in the late 1800s one of my relatives turned to opening a baking business when there seemed to be no solution to family financial problems.  Aha, one clue.

Then thinking back to when I was three years old, I tasted a piece of warm cake, and believe me, I never forgot it. Another clue.

Up to fifteen years old there was my great grandmother's baking of bread, pies, some cakes, cookies and something really terrific that was a Cottage Pudding with peaches on the bottom and lemon sauce over the top.  In the neighborhood of Elk River where we all lived, another woman was absolutely famous for her Angel Food Cakes topped with Seven Minute Icing. This young lady took note.

There are a number of stories and good baking adventures between that and now, 2012, but just today as I sat down with one of my favorite cookbooks, "Heavenly Cakes," by my friend, Rose Levy Beranbaum. I thumbed through the pages looking for some specifics for my baking enterprise today, and found all manner of things I have not made yet, and realized with a bit of good glee, that what I would really like doing than anything, is to bake them.

You get to a certain point of life where you set your preferences and live accordingly.  I have a tendency to work on all the things that have been "on my list" for a long time, so what I can do is highly eclectic, but today, all over again, my first love is baking.  I can read a recipe and practically taste it.  I can make up recipes.  I can sail into the kitchen and start hauling out things and pretty soon, golden loaves or cakes are coming out of the oven.

But it is still not the point:   My passion for baking lies in improving what I know, enlarging upon it, inventing with it, and most of all, making something I never made before. That is the jewel in the baking crown of activity for me. I am very happy every morning spending some time sorting out my food files...and of course, there are a lot of unmade cakes there. 

I know some people do not like to make food, but the kitchen is a magnet for me, where I can think clearly, pay attention, invent, and produce some good stuff generally, that will be giving pleasure to a lot of others.

VERY SUPERIOR CARROT RAISIN SALAD

The Kitchen Orchestra Creates a New Tune

What, you may ask, is The Kitchen Orchestra?  The Orchestra is everything in your kitchen, crying out, cajoling, imploring, seducing you with the myriad possibilities that rest with the wave of your conducting baton. And what makes a good conductor?  Listening and paying attention.  In my kitchen, listening to ingredients on hand is what produces unusual dishes and meals.  How do you listen? You listen to your imagination. You pay attention to what you have on hand and learn every day how to salvage bits and parts, turning scraps into a concerto of flavors.

This Carrot Raisin salad began with an almost finished jar of Dijon mustard. After scooping out about 3 tablespoons into a container, there was still a lot left. Aha! A little olive oil and vinegar was poured into the jar: Extra mustard flavor vinaigrette, strong, but good.

Next, a phone call: Could I provide snacks for art class? Weary of fiddle -faddle-fat-laced goods, decided on a salad, using carrots and celery already purchased. Midway through the food processor grating operation, remembered fresh ginger and garlic on hand, out it came, in it went.

Several steps later, the salad was dressed with the Mustard Vinaigrette, some raisins and Mandarin oranges added to settle in for an overnight in the refrigerator.

Problem of what to serve it in solved easily - the bottom of my large salad spinner. Finishing was tucking in fresh spinach leaves, then topped with two diced avocados (a little lemon juice, please) and finely chop-chop-chop green onions and Italian parsley.

The recipe follows with certain notes, understanding first that this is a conceptual idea I made up as I went along, easily adapted to your own tastes.

VERY SUPERIOR CARROT RAISIN SALAD

8-9 large carrots, washed, ends cut off, then cut in 2 to 3- inch pieces for the food processor
4-5 stalks celery, leafy sections cut off (picture following), peeled with vegetable peeler, cut in 2 to 3 -inch pieces.
4 - 6 large cloves peeled garlic*
2 to 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled*
1 cup raisins
1 can drained Mandarin Oranges

Dressing
about 2-3 tablespoons dijon mustard
1/4 - 1/3 cup good olive oil
seasoned rice wine vinegar to taste, start with a couple tablespoons

Topping and finishing
Several large fresh spinach leaves
2 avocados, peeled and diced
3-4 scallions and several springs Italian parsley, finely chopped
1/2 lemon and ground pepper

Using fine grating disk, process carrots, celery, garlic, ginger.
(* Garlic and ginger are best processed in a small processor or cut finely by hand, something I found out later .)
Place in arge bowl, add raisins and Mandarin oranges. Add dressing, toss lightly cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. (Don't worry about this if you just can't wait...)
Place salad in appointed container, tuck in spinach leaves around the edges, place avocado on top with scallions and parsley, squeeze lemon juice over the avocados and dust with ground pepper.

Notes:
There is no salt in this recipe and it is not needed.
Garlic and ginger add a big surprise.
Mustard vinaigrette adds more surprise - usually mayonnaise or sour cream is main part of dressing.
Avocado adds lush luxury.
Raisins balance the vinegar.
If you Really wanted to add a splurge...sour cream and toasted pecans on top of everything.

The applause of guests came in gusts as one by one they came back for 2nd and 3rd helpings. The concert hall is silent. The Conductor, wisely setting aside a small dish for herself, now contemplates the remains of the celery and nubs of the carrots and ginger left behind, certain to be thrown in some pot soon, thanking shining lucky stars for another successful foray into the "What if...?" You can go Where No One Has Gone Before right in your own kitchen.

THRIVING ON UNUSUAL RECIPES

 Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix Crepes; Graham Cracker Crepes;

I made these new recipes because they were intriguing. A lot of what goes on in my kitchen has to do with wanting to know how things work together.  (The same principal goes on in my Sewing Room.)I spent much time and effort on crepe making years ago; truly, have just forgotten about making them until.......well, there is a back story about how I got the recipes.

Shall I tell that first? Yes: The San Francisco Public Library Sale this September was taking place just after I returned from France.  I call it a Dangerous Place, but there i am every years,doing it again.

I do have some easy rules.
  1: Being specific about what I am looking for
..........at this time, things French, certain cookbook authors, knitting
  2: Allowing random perusal
..........found two more Ladies No1 Detective Agency books in paperback section
  3: Go back twice
..........lots of new books added and if it's the last day, everything is $1.

This is how I get the good stuff.  Of about 40 books this time, I found a 1974 book on crepe making never seen before.  Inside, dazzling recipes for all manner of crepes. The first two with instant appeal were the Graham Cracker and the Jiffy Corn Muffin mix crepes. They both needed some adjustments of pan used, salt, vanilla.  Now these recipes can provide you with your own cooking holiday from the things you usually make.  Here we go!


Jiffy Corn Muffin mix Crepes

About the skillet: I do not have a crepe making skillet so I first selected my omelet making pan which measures 6 inches across.  With melted butter in the pan, all my omelets have always come right out of the pan beautifully.  This skillet did not like my crepe batter.  I tried olive oil then canola oil spray and everything stuck.  I moved on to my 10 inch sauté pan with a light spray of the canola oil, and everything was non stick sailing after that.  The pictures that follow are shown with this pan; you may need to do the same kind of experimenting.


1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix (8.50oz (240g)
3 eggs
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/2 cups milk

The first step is to combine all ingredients.  You may use a mixing bowl with beater, or a blender.  Batter needs to be very smooth.   Cover and refrigerate at least one hour. My batter sat for 2 days without harm.  When ready to cook, heat skillet, spray, use a 1/4 cup measure, pour batter  into pan and with your left hand use the handle to rotate the batter in the skillet.  When the bubbles have died down and you see the edges getting crisp, about 50 - 60 seconds, time to turn. - you can carefully use a spatula,  or lift the edges facing you with a knife, and pick up the crepe with your fingers and flip it over, cooking 10 - 20 seconds, remove and place on a wire rack.  Be sure to stir this batter each time.Continue until all batter is used - this will yield 15 - 20 crepes and will take you about 1 hour to make them.  After they cooled, I layered them between waxed papers, stored in a plastic freezer bag, labeled, and froze. (Not before I did some quality control tasting.)

Serving:  Crepes are a canvas for a galaxy of fillings and spreads, savory or sweet. These crepes and the recipe that follows are on the sweet side and are delicious with a dusting of powdered sugar and lemon juice, or,  a dollop of a good jam, chutney, lemon curd, and so on.  It is unlimited! Thaw at room temperature; heat in foil if desired.  A cold Corn Muffin crepe with a little fresh avocado and sour cream was the best as an appetizer!


Graham Cracker Crepe Batter

4 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely crushed graham crackers ( I used 1 package - 5.2 oz)
2 cups milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

I made this batter in a blender. Refrigerate one hour.  It also needs to be stirred before each crepe goes into the pan. Yield about 25 crepes.  It is just slightly sweet, wonderful with lemon juice and sugar. And I tried it with a little butter and peanut butter and a small piece of banana, most satisfactory.  Please do not feel discouraged if the first crepe or two are difficult to manage...You will get the hang of it, and soon, will be like you've done it all of your life.

Dairy Queen For a Day

In my kitchen kingdom most dairy products are there to be used in specific baking recipes. Events of the day and one's time does intrude on some plans. Here I was this week with extra whole milk and Half and Half, and determined to use it before it went "off." Sauces and soups were written off because of poor freezing capabilities.....no puddings or soufflés for just myself in the house, and so I turned to my silent servants for answers. They were very happy to leave their bookcase houses and be strewn happily on the table and floor and handled with loving care.

This is an activity I really love. With a hot cup of coffee at hand, sun streaming through the window, and the morning to do as I please, going through my cookbooks is pure pleasure. Occasionally ShahayCat is perched quite close on the arm of the chair though his new place is a narrow basket.

I looked up everything  could find on Ice Cream, the most probable thing to make, keeping in mind the heated discussions I have had with a doctor friend who specializes in ice cream but decries sugar, eggs and cream. (What kind of ice cream is t h a t?)

My answers came from Deborah Madison's "Local Flavors," with Honey Ice Cream - milk, sugar, egg yolks, light cream.  Done.  Delicious.

Next,  a discovery in a very old book for Blueberry Ice Cream. Very straightforward with a puree of cooked blueberries with sugar, and light cream. What, no blueberries? Not to worry with a big stash of blackberries in the freezer. Midway through the ice cream maker process I stepped off the kitchen curb again, and plopped more whole blackberries in, then juicy chunks of banana. (Once I made a really remarkable jam with things on hand that I called AAMB Jam - Apple, apricot, mango, banana.)

It is easy to get in a panic when you want to make a recipe and find you are lacking an ingredient or two......it is easier to just think of something else to use and create your own glorious new food.  The more you cook, the more you will discover how rewarding this is.  I M A G I N A T I O N.

Tomato Fever and More

There is not a lot left of 85 pounds of local tomatoes from the corner produce market, mainly because I discovered making juice was easier than making tomato sauce and I am drinking it; what sauce I did make is in the freezer, but most of the juice was consumed for its terrific flavor, vitamins, and natural goodness without anything being added to it. Very simple. Very inexpensive.   had noticed the tomatoes for sale were really getting ripe, so, wearing one of my hats that give me a lot of extra confidence, I approached the owner and offered to buy the overripe tomatoes for a lesser cost.  Yes. $.29 a pound, irresistible.

The oddest part of the process happened when I loaded a big pot with tomatoes, added some water, then went off for an hour or so at the computer and completely forgot the tomatoes. Going back into the kitchen, the scorched smell was evident, but all was not lost.  The burning caramelized the tomatoes and left a rich taste in the final product - a very amazing juice, accomplished after  running the tomatoes and liquid through a food mill, then a strainer.

If you make the juice, you can always make other things with it. One of my favorite soup-starter combinations is equal parts beet juice, tomato juice and homemade chicken broth. Wonderful without anything else added.

Here is a quick chicken broth, after a roast chicken buying trip to Costco: Save all the "good", skin, and bones from 2 Costco roast chickens, freeze all until you are ready. Place everything in a good sized pot, cover with water, just.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 - 40 minutes.  Let cool,  strain broth *and put in refrigerator until fat solidifies on the top, which you can then remove with a slotted spoon, and go about pouring broth into containers for the freezer, and please, take the time to label and date. in San Francisco the Packaging Store has a 3M freezer tape that is wonderful.
*Don't forget to look for some choice chicken morsels among the bones.

Coming soon, using extra milk and cream.