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Daughter of two professional chefs provides a young adult's perspective on food, restaurants, and eating!! follow us on facebook @Francis Xavier

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Social Isolation ~ Cooking Projects. Day 58 == Brownies

Social Isolation ~ Cooking Projects. Day 58 == Brownies

Day 58 of social isolation. Back from the ritualistic walk. Time is 9am – just after requested Hawaiian breakfast burritos – Charred flour tortilla, Ham, egg scramble , pineapple chunks and confetti sprinkles. Confetti sprinkles were just for oatmeal – now it is the make […]

Avocado Toast

Avocado Toast

Day 59 in social distancing. Thank goodness for the Rocky Mountain News! It is Wednesday with the Food Section. The news says 5 ways for avocado toast. The easy way is toasting an English muffin and Ssmuushh. With plenty of time…a heart shaped toast, broil […]

Pizza Dough for COV19 Fridays

Pizza Dough for COV19 Fridays

Step – By -Step Pizza Dough

recipe makes 1-3/4 pounds of Dough.
Servings 1

Equipment

  • a large bowl
  • small bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 Ounce One package of dry active yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups Warm water
  • 3-1/4 cups unbleached four prefer bread flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions
 

  • in the small bowl, combine the yeast and sugar. Add warm water (~ 110 F)
  • if the yeast does not bubble with in 5 minutes. Discard and start again.
  • Combine the 3 cups of the flour and salt in the large bowl. Make a well in the flour and add the yeast and olive oil.
  • Stir until the mixture comes together. Begin at the center and work to the edges.
  • turnout the dough onto a lightly floured surface
  • knead the dough and add enough of the remaining flour until the dough is not longer sticky. about 10 minutes.
  • shape the dough into a large ball and back into the large ( lightly oiled) bowl.
  • cover the bowl and set in a warm place. let the dough rise until approximately doubled.
  • punch down the dough and reshape into a ball. cover with plastic and refrigerate until doubled. 20 minutes to an hour.
  • divide into portions ~ 7 of equal weight (4 ounces each). Freeze what you dont use.

Notes

during COV19 i find that i grill more that before. think about grilling this dough on the grill outside.

Just saying – Pizza Friday should not be devoid due to social distancing.

Brownies

Brownies

Brownies – My favorite culinary myth about the brownie is from Betty Crocker’s Baking Classics.. The story goes >> a housewife in Maine, who was making a chocolate cake, forgot to add baking powder. When her cake didn’t rise properly, instead of tossing it out, […]

Nutmeg

Nutmeg

Nutmeg history is rather dark as it was extremely rare. Nutmeg is native to Moluccas (or the spice Islands) . in addition to being limited to a very narrow region of growth, Nutmeg comes from a tree (whose botanical name is myristica fragrans) that takes […]

Urban Garden

Urban Garden

Today … again on the news i heard again about victory gardens from days past. The gourmet garden at the hotel roof top was definitely ahead of its time. Not farm to table, the garden out your side door to the line. Today now more than ever is time to plant your own. Shelves are empty at the markets and produce is difficult to find, let alone fresh herbs. As an easy grow – lemon thyme, rosemary , sage, and mint.

Growing culinary herbs grows metal well being …even in a one gallon clay pot in the city.

Sandwiches to make before your next Webex

Sandwiches to make before your next Webex

Saveur newsletter is my simple pleasure today. Today’s newsletter “5 Two Ingredient Sandwiches to make before your next Video Conference”. COVID -19 social distancing has us meeting by video conferencing. My 4 ingredient sandwich is Justin’s almond butter and banana. The sprinkles add the fouth […]

Uncertain Times: Cooking From the freezer

Uncertain Times: Cooking From the freezer

Last time we ventured to the market, grocery store shelves are empty. The new normal is grocery stores in Denver are the new COVID-19 front line. Social distancing of 6 feet between every one at the grocery store – for the most part – is […]

Bubble & Squeak: COVID-19 Making Due With What you Have.

Bubble & Squeak: COVID-19 Making Due With What you Have.

This is one of my all time favorite leftover creations! After St. Patrick’s Day, there is normally quite a lot of leftovers… and it’s not very exciting to have the same meal 2 or 3 times in a row! So, out of a traditional Irish & Scottish meal (of meat, veggies, and potatoes), we made something equally delicious and just a little different: Bubble & Squeak. Enjoy!

Bubble & Squeak

Frances
A delicious, hearty, and Irish meal – all with St. Patty's leftovers!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Course Main Course
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • A skillet, saucepan, metal spatula, leftovers, and an empty stomach!

Ingredients
  

  • all leftover mashed potatoes
  • all leftover meat whether this is corned beef, turkey, sausage. chicken or ostrich! Have it cooked thoroughly from the previous meal, and chop into cubes.
  • all leftover veggies Brussel sprouts, peas, broccoli, or asparagus

Gravy

  • 1 & 1/4 cups water
  • 1/4 cup poultry gravy powder McCormick Poultry Gravy Mix, For Chicken & Turkey

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Begin by preparing the leftover veggies, meat, and mashed potatoes. Put these on the side for now.

Gravy

  • In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the water until boiling. Then, add the Poultry powder and stir with a whisk.
  • Let this mixture simmer on low heat for 5-8 minutes.

Bubble & Squeak

  • In a skillet, begin by putting the mashed potatoes in on medium heat.
  • Meanwhile, cut the meat and veggies proportionally into small cubes.
  • Using a metal spatula, flip over the mashed potatoes. Keep in mind, it is alright for there to be a little char throughout.
  • Now, fold in the veggies & meat with the mashed potatoes using the same metal spatula.
  • Keep flipping and folding the Bubble & Squeak until… well, it bubbles and squeaks! There should be a light layer of crispness throughout the mixture.

Finalization

  • Take both the skillet and saucepan off of heat.
  • Plate the Bubble & Squeak first, forming it into neat, circular piles.
  • Then, lightly (or heavily!) drizzle the gravy over the Bubble & Squeak.
  • Now, enjoy!
Corona Virus Denver Post Article: March 18th

Corona Virus Denver Post Article: March 18th

Day 3 of self – quarantine. I’ve found relief in the Denver Post’s food section. The first thing I saw in the side column is “Making do With What You Have”. This stood out to me because in this time of an epidemic the hot […]