Monday, April 28, 2014

Name that cake!

I'm sure that somewhere on the internet there is an "official" name for this cake.  But I think we need to come up with our own version.  Will you help me name this 2 ingredient "cake"?  There is no baking involved and is one of the easiest cakes to make.  It's light and delicate and will wow people when you tell them it's just cookies covered in whipped cream




Ingredients:

  • Whipping Cream
  • Chocolate Wafer Cookies


Steps:
  • Whip cream until stiff peaks form.
  • Ice each cookie with cream, and form small stacks, 5-6 cookies high

  • Arrange stacks of cookies/cream on a plate to form the shape of your cake
  • Cover the whole thing with whipped cream
  • Decorate with any left over cookie crumbs 


  • Chill for a minimum of 4 hours.


Sunday, January 26, 2014

Parsnip Chips

I love parsnips chips, but they are very hard to find.  Making them myself allows me to control the amount of oil that I use, and they are baked instead of deep fried.  My plate full today, made from 2 parsnips was only about 200 calories and made a very satisfying mid afternoon snack





Ingredients:

  • Parsnips
  • Olive Oil
  • Seasonings - Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Cayenne Pepper


Steps:
  1. Peel Parsnips
  2. Slice thinly - use a mandolin if you have one
  3. Toss with oil and seasoning
  4. Spread evenly on cookie sheet
  5. Bake at 350 till done to desired crispness - approx 15 minutes

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Ants Climbing Trees

This is one of my favorite Asian recipes that Hilary makes.  I admit, I was concerned when she first told me what she was making, but I quickly realized that it was a descriptive name, not a reference to actual ingredients.   The ground pork (or turkey) clings to the egg noodles, giving the illusion of ants climbing trees.






Ingredients:

  •  8 oz ground pork or turkey
  • 7 oz fine egg noodles
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 green onions, chopped finely
  • 8 oz hot chicken stock
  • 2 green onions, chopped - for garnish

Marinade
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp dry sherry or sherry vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp chili sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • pinch of salt


Steps:
  1. Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a bowl
  2. Add the pork (turkey) and stir well to mix.
  3. Cover and let marinate for about 30 minutes
  4. Cook the noodles according to packet instructions; drain thoroughly
  5. Heat the wok until hot
  6. Add the oil and heat over moderate heat until hot
  7. Add the pork and spring onions and stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until the meat loses its pink colour
  8. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then add drained noodles.
  9. Stir-fry for 1 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and the noodles are hot
  10. Sprinkle with spring onions and serve at once.




Serves 3-4

Source: Wright, Jeni, 1990, Sainsburys Wok and Stir-Fry, Sainsbury, London, p.55