Showing posts with label cucumber recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cucumber recipe. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Anna Sultana’s German-Style Apple Pancakes, Potato Pancakes, Cucumber Salad, Potato Salad, Pork Schnitzel with Red Cabbage and Rhubarb Platz

 

It looks like we're having another hot weekend.
Some Dads love playing cook for the day in the great outdoors.
Other Dads prefer staying indoors and sitting down to a complete meal - especially if the weather is begging for the air conditioner to be cranked up to top speed.

No judgement. 


It’s Dad’s day and these recipes are good and easy.
Why not start with a brunch of German-Style Apple Pancakes and ham, followed by a traditional dinner, complete with a dessert?

Don’t want to make a Platz? Take a look at the June 11 post for recipes for German-Style Chocolate Cake, Kuchen and Gingerbread.
https://imturning60help.blogspot.com/2023/06/anna-sultanas-german-style-chocolate.html

Happy Father’s Day!!


Hints:

About the German-Style Apple Pancakes…
Dousing these apple pancakes in rum and setting them on fire is optional and easy to do.
After you've made the pancakes, take the skillet you used to cook the apples and place in it
1/4 Cup dark rum or cognac
1 Tablespoon butter
Warm over medium heat.
Place the pancakes in the skillet, spoon the rum mixture over them, and remove the pan from the heat. Working carefully, use a long match to set the pancakes on fire. Gently shake the skillet until the flame goes out, then transfer the pancakes to a platter and serve warm.

About the Potato Pancakes…
Kartoffelpuffer can be served with other meats, such as bratwurst sausages.

You can leave out the onion and add chopped apple instead. Serve with apple sauce or another fruit compote, and/or dust with powdered sugar. You can also serve with cranberry sauce and maple syrup.

About the Cucumber Salad…
This recipe for Gurkensalat calls for either sour cream (more traditional) or yogurt (adds extra protein) or a mixture of the two.
If you don’t like raw onions, just leave them out.

This salad is best when chilled for a few hours. It can be made up to one day in advance.

You could make a meal of this by adding cooked shrimp or crab.

About the Pork Schnitzel…
Schnitzel means meat in a crust. Wiener Schnitzel is a popular Viennese dish traditionally made with veal, garnished with a slice of lemon and served with either potato salad or boiled potatoes with parsley and butter.
Schnitzel can also made using pounded slices of chicken, mutton, beef or turkey.

Consider serving with cranberry sauce. In Germany they serve schnitzel with small berries. Cranberry is similar.

About the Rhubarb Platz…
Don’t have light cream? Condensed milk will work in this recipe.

Just like Kuchen, Platz can be made with whatever fruit is available. Instead of rhubarb you can use peaches, apples, plums, apricots, cherries, berries, pears, whatever you have.
If you don’t have fresh fruit use canned or frozen. All you need is 4 cups of fruit.


                                                               German-Style Apple Pancakes

Peel, core, and thinly slice
2 Granny Smith (about a pound) or other tart cooking apples
Place slices in a bowl and add
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Toss to coat.

Place in a medium skillet
2 Tablespoons butter
Melt over medium-high heat and stir in
1/4 Cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Add the apple slices and cook 12 minutes.
Remove from heat and set aside.

Place in a large bowl
3 large eggs
Beat well then add
3/4 Cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
Pinch of kosher salt
Stir until smooth.
Add
1 Cup whole milk
Beat until you have a thin, smooth batter.

Place in a nonstick 8-inch skillet 
1 teaspoon butter
Warm over medium heat.
After the butter has melted pour in 1/3 cup batter, tilting the skillet to coat the surface.
Cook until the thin pancake has just set, about 2 minutes.
Evenly spread one-third of the cooked apple slices over the pancake.
Pour another 1/3 cup batter on top, tilting the skillet to coat the apple slices with batter.
Cook 2 minutes, until the batter has set, then use two spatulas to flip the pancake.
Cook 2 minutes more, then place pancake on a large platter.
Sprinkle with sugar, then roll the pancake up, like a jelly roll.
Sprinkle with more sugar and drizzle with lemon juice (optional).

Repeat with the remaining batter and apples to make a total of 3 rolled pancakes.


                                                               Potato Pancakes

Peel and coarsely grate
2 1/4 Cups potatoes
Wring out in a clean dish towel to remove excess moisture.

Place in a large bowl
the prepared potatoes
1/2 Cup sliced green onions
1/3 Cup flour
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
Combine all ingredients.

Heat in a large skillet
2 Tablespoons oil
Scoop batter, 1/4 cup at a time, and place in the oil. Spread to flatten.
Fry on one side, then flip to fry on second side.
Remove to platter and keep warm.


                                                               Cucumber Salad

Thinly slice
1 peeled cucumber
1 medium to large tomato

Chop finely
2 thin slices onion

Combine in a medium serving bowl
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dill
Pinch of salt
Add
1/2 Cup sour cream or plain yogurt
2 to 4 teaspoons white vinegar or lemon juice
Mix well.
Add prepared vegetables and stir until they are coated with the dressing.


                                                               Potato Salad

Chop
1 medium red or yellow onion

Slice
2 pounds potatoes
Boil in salted water until tender.
Drain, place in large serving bowl and sprinkle with
1/2 Cup apple cider vinegar
Set aside.

Cut into 1/2-inch pieces
5 slices bacon
Place in a large skillet and cook, stirring regularly, until crisp.
Using a slotted spoon remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside.
Discard all but 2 Tablespoons drippings from skillet.
Add the chopped onion
Cook until soft.
Add to warm potato slices and toss.
Add
cooked bacon pieces
1/2 Cup chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
Serve warm or at room temperature.


                                                               Pork Schnitzel

Place in a shallow dish

1 large egg

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

salt and pepper to taste
Beat to combine.

Place in another shallow dish

1/2 Cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

Pound with a meat tenderizer to make thin
4 boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick

Dredge pounded chops in

1/4 Cup flour

Dip chops, one at a time, into the egg mixture to coat, then in the bread crumbs turning to evenly coat both sides of each chop.

Place in large heavy frying pan
2 Tablespoons oil
Heat over medium heat.
Fry prepared chops until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side.
Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the cooked chops.
Schnitzel can also be served with cabbage and mashed or roasted potatoes.


                                                               Traditional Red Cabbage

Shred
red cabbage, enough to make 5 Cups

Thinly slice
green apples, enough to make 1 Cup

Place in a large pot

2 tablespoons butter
the shredded red cabbage and sliced apples
1/4 Cup white sugar

Stir in

1/3 Cup apple cider vinegar

3 Tablespoons water

Season with

2 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cloves

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the cabbage is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.


                                                               Quick Red Cabbage

Shred
red cabbage, enough to make 4 Cups

Thinly slice
1 large shallot

Cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 slices bacon
Place bacon in a large skillet and cook, stirring regularly, until crisp.
With slotted spoon remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels.
Discard all but 2 Tablespoons drippings from skillet.
Add cabbage and shallots to reserved drippings.
Cook and stir 4 minutes.
Add

1/2 Cup chicken broth 

1/4 Cup apple cider vinegar 

2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard

the cooked bacon
Stir until blended.
Cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 10 minutes or until cabbage is softened.


                                                               Rhubarb Platz

Grease an 8 inch square baking pan

For the crust:

Place in a small bowl
1 large egg
1/2 Cup light cream
Stir together.

Sift into a large bowl
1 1/2 Cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 Cup sugar
Add and cut in to make large crumbs
1/4 Cup margarine
Stir in the egg / cream mixture
Press the dough across the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of of the prepared pan.

For the filling:

Place in a small bowl
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons melted butter or margarine
Stir together.

Place in a large bowl
4 Cups chopped rhubarb, or other fruit
1 Cup sugar (or less if fruit is sweet)
1/4 Cup flour
Stir in the egg / butter mixture
Spread fruit mixture over the crust base.

Preheat oven to 400º F

For the crumb topping:

Sift into a medium bowl
1 Cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 Cup sugar
Add and cut in to make small crumbs
1/4 Cup margarine
Stir in
2 Tablespoons light cream
Sprinkle crumbs over the fruit filling.
Bake for 35 minutes.
Serve warm, topped with whipped cream (optional).

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Anna Sultana’s Grilled Greek Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce, Father’s Day and the Summer Solstice


Ah… June in Manitoba!!

Time to be outdoors, live outdoors, eat outdoors!
Make a great meal, toss a salad, fire up the grill, call the gang over and have fun!
Time to celebrate - weddings, graduations, whatever.
And the family favourite -  Father’s Day!

Check out this page that has links for some of our old favourite barbecue recipes.
And, hopefully, something that will become a new favourite for you.


Father’s Day has changed a bit over the years.
In 2006 I wrote a piece for the CKUW radio show 2000 & Counting - Older & Wiser.
The story got a chuckle from the other hosts and the staff then.
I hope it will get the same today…

Wishing all you Dads a great Father's Day!


Hints:

If you're using wooden skewers soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading the chicken pieces onto them. Wrap the ends of the skewers with foil before placing them on the barbecue to prevent them from burning as the chicken cooks.

Don’t have a barbecue? This will also work in the broiler.


                        Greek Chicken

6 - 8 servings

Cut into 2 inch chunks
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Combine in a large bowl
1/4 Cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Stir in the chicken breast pieces.
Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.

While the chicken is marinating prepare the sauce.

                        Tzatziki Sauce

Peel and chop
1 small cucumber
Spread the pieces over a paper towel.
Sprinkle over the cucumber
1 teaspoon salt
Let sit 30 minutes, then pat dry.

Finely dice
1 green pepper

Place in a strainer over a medium bowl
1 1/2 Cups plain yogurt
Let drain 15 minutes.
Discard the drippings and scrape the drained yogurt into the medium bowl.
Add
2 Tablespoons mint
2 Tablespoons parsley or coriander
1 clove garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
the prepared chopped cucumber and diced green pepper
Stir together, cover and refrigerate.

Thread the chicken pieces onto 8 skewers. 
Discard the marinade.

Heat the barbecue to medium high heat.
Grill 12 to 15 minutes or until done, turning occasionally. 
Serve chicken with the tzatziki sauce.
For a starch, how about pita bread or a hot cooked whole grain or rice?
A salad with crumbled feta cheese would be nice, too.


About the sky this week and next, thanks to the folks at The Farmers' Almanac…

June 15 - The ringed planet Saturn will light up the night sky from dusk till dawn today. Earth will be positioned between it and the Sun, bringing Saturn to what astronomers call opposition. Saturn is opposite the Sun.

June 17 - Last Quarter Moon, 7:33 a.m. In this phase, the Moon appears as a half Moon. While summer hasn’t officially started quite yet, stargazers can still spot the Summer Triangle on these spring evenings at dusk. Look for a triangle that’s composed of the three brightest stars in the sky: Deneb, Vega, and Altair. 
Lean more about the Summer Triangle here

June 19 - Look to the east one hour before sunrise to spot brilliant Venus and the waning crescent Moon paired up in the sky. Hope for clear skies! The Moon and Venus rank as the second-brightest and third-brightest celestial bodies after the Sun.

June 21 - Summer Solstice at 12:24 a.m.. This is when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the celestial equator. Summer is officially here!  

June 23 - New Moon 10:31 p.m. The Moon is also at perigee, its closest to Earth for the month. A super new Moon!

If it rains on June 27, it will rain for seven weeks.
If it rains on St. Peter’s Day (June 29), the bakers will have to carry double flour and single water; if dry, they will carry single flour and double water.

Rain on Peter and Paul (June 29) will rot the roots of the rye.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Carmela Soprano's Salmon Steaks with Avocado Salsa


Today is another Friday in Lent.
But we're in the home stretch.
Only another week to go until Easter.


Lent is a good time to visit the shrink, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, M.D., M.A., M.F.T.
She can't absolve us of our guilt, but she does try to help in her own way.

Dr. Jennifer Melfi's chapter Rage, Guilt, Loneliness, and Food in in Artie's
The Sopranos Family Cookbook actually has some nice simple recipes.
Her Salmon Steaks with Avocado Salsa is a nice light meal.
And very healthy, especially if you have a cholesterol problem.
Avocado, olive oil and salmon are filled with good fats.
Yes, there are good fats.

This is a recipe even Guilty Eaters, Angry Eaters and Single Eaters can enjoy.
Dr. J is always trying to help.

When done, the fish should be slightly translucent if cut near the bone.
If the steaks are boneless, flaking is another way to tell if fish is done.


                        Salmon Steaks with Avocado Salsa

Serves 2

In a small bowl stir together
1 Cup plain, low fat yogurt
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
salt to taste

Fold in
1/2 Cup diced ripe avocado
1/2 Cup diced seeded tomato
1/2 Cup diced seeded cucumber

Rub
2 salmon steaks (about 8 ounces each)
With
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Sprinkle with
salt and pepper

Place the broiler pan 4 inches from the heat.
Preheat the broiler.
Broil for 4 minutes, until lightly browned.
Turn and broil another 4 minutes.

Serve the salmon steaks immediately, accompanied by the salsa.


Would I make Salmon Steaks with Avocado Salsa again?
Sure.  And I'd serve it with rice or cornbread.
I'm also thinking the salsa would go well with broiled chicken.
Another heart healthy favourite.


One recipe down.  Thirty-one more to go.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Chicken Souvlaki with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce (Greek yogurt dressing) - Margaret Ullrich

I know... That honking big box of chicken breasts was a really good buy.
And we Winnipeggers love really good buys.

What we don't love is the same old chicken, night after night.

Here's an easy recipe that'll use up 1 1/2 pounds of breasts.

The Tzatziki Sauce is a Greek style yogurt dressing.

Yes, I know you can buy it ready made.
But, sometimes you've got to wonder about store bought stuff.
I mean, why does the label say "May contain mustard"?
Don't they know what they put in it?
What else may it contain?
What if you have an allergy?

And what the heck is Propylene Glycol Alginate?


As with the beef stew, this will take about 2 1/2 hours.
The sauce takes about 45 minutes.
The chicken marinates.

You could, too.


                        Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce


In a large bowl, combine
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cubed (about 2 inch chunks)
1/4 Cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or minced)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
Marinate 2 hours.


While the chicken is marinating, make the 

Tzatziki Sauce

In a medium bowl, toss
1 small cucumber, peeled and quartered
1 teaspoon salt
Let sit 30 minutes.

While the cucumber is sitting, drain for 15 minutes
1 1/2 Cups plain yogurt

Also finely dice
1 green pepper


After the yogurt has drained
Add
2 Tablespoons mint
2 Tablespoons coriander seeds (1 teaspoon ground, more or less)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or minced)
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Pat the cucumber dry and stir it into the spiced yogurt.
Add the diced green pepper.

Broil the chicken 12 minutes, turning the meat twice.


The broiled chicken and sauce can be served on a bed of lettuce,
with more raw veggies (sliced tomatoes, peppers etc.)
Pita bread adds a nice touch.

Or you can serve the sauced chicken on rice, with cooked or raw veggies.
Or on couscous, if you've got it.
Or in pita bread, with a salad on the side.


Cook once, serve 4 different ways.
Great or what?