Anadama Rolls

November 30, 2011 by Leave a comment

Anadama Rolls

A New England tradition, our Anadama Rolls combine cornmeal and molasses to create amazing flavor you will want to taste time and again.

Once upon a time in the village of Rockport, Massachusetts, there was an old fisherman whose lazy wife always gave him steamed cornmeal mush and molasses for dinner. One day, when he returned from working on his boat, he went home only to find the same meal yet again. Angrily, he cursed his wife as he mixed his mush and molasses with flour and yeast, then shoved it in the oven and baked it. The bread was so delicious, he shared it with his neighbors and they began baking it too. Since that time, the recipe has been passed among friends, handed down from one generation to the next. When we first served these ultimate rolls to our guests, everyone was delighted and begged us to make them again. Now, once a year, we prepare them for our annual formal dinner. Flaky and delicious, our Anadama Rolls deliver a warm contrast of flavors that are quite addictive. Admittedly, they are a process to make and probably aren’t for beginner bakers, but they are definitely worth the time and effort it takes to prepare them. Serve them warm and lather them with Whipped Cinnamon Honey Butter for an extra special treat.

PREP: 2 hours 33 minutes
COOK: 32 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 3 hours 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/3 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
  • 1 envelope dry yeast
  • 5 1/2 cups (about) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sesame or poppy seeds

DIRECTIONS

  1. Bring milk, 1 cup water and salt to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook until mixture thickens and boils, whisking constantly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in molasses and 2 tablespoons butter. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Cool until thermometer inserted into center of mixture registers 115°F, whisking often, about 15 minutes.
  2. Pour 1/2 cup warm water into small bowl, sprinkle yeast over. Let stand until yeast dissolves and top looks spongy, about 13 minutes. Stir yeast mixture into cornmeal mixture. Gradually mix in 4 3/4 cups flour, about 1 cup at a time, to form soft dough that pulls away from sides of bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup flour onto work surface. Turn dough out onto floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, sprinkling with more flour by tablespoonfuls if needed, about 10 minutes (dough will remain slightly sticky). Form dough into ball.
  3. Coat large bowl with 1 tablespoon butter. Add dough to bowl and turn to coat dough with butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
  4. Coat each of two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1/2 tablespoon butter. Roll dough into 18-inch-long log. Cut into 18 equal pieces. Using floured hands, form each dough piece into ball. Place 9 dough balls in each pan, spacing apart. Cover each pan loosely with towel. Let rolls stand in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
  5. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Brush top of rolls with melted butter, then sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. Place rolls in oven and immediately reduce temperature to 350°F. Bake rolls until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

TIPS: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely and store airtight at room temperature. Wrap rolls in foil and rewarm in 350°F oven 10 minutes.

YIELDS: 18 rolls

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Filed under Baking, Breads, Food Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

Sweet Potato Spoon Bread

November 29, 2011 by Leave a comment

Sweet Potato Spoon Bread

The perfect blend of sweet and savory, our Sweet Potato Spoon Bread is a decadent side dish perfect for any gathering.

From the first time we tasted this decadent recipe, we knew we’d found a keeper. Delicious enough to be desert, this rich and creamy spoon bread is a sweet and savory blend of vegetables and spices. Sweet potatoes are baked until their natural flavors literally ooze through their skins, then they are combined with a medley of spices, pureed and baked into a rich custard. Whether served with roasted poultry or glazed pork, this is a luscious taste of home-baked goodness your family will ask for time and again.

PREP: 20 minutes
COOK: 100 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 2 hours

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 large sweet potatoes, about 4 pounds
  • 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat oven to 400°F. Bake sweet potatoes until soft when pierced with a knife, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool. Peel, and discard skins.
  2. Reduce heat to 350°F. In a medium saucepan over medium heat combine cornmeal, milk, butter, brown sugar, spices, salt and 1 cup water. Cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
  3. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Working in batches if necessary, place cornmeal mixture, sweet potatoes, flour, honey, eggs, and cream in a food processor. Process until smooth; pour into dish. Bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes. Serve.

TIPS: When baking the potatoes, be sure to poke them all over with a fork so they don’t explode in the oven. Also, place a baking sheet beneath them to collect any juices that may drip down to ensure easy cleanup.

YIELDS: 10 servings

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Filed under Food, Side Dishes, Vegetables Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cranberry Sunrise

November 28, 2011 by Leave a comment

Cranberry Sunrise

A touch of orange liqueur transforms traditional cranberry sauce into a festive grown-up treat!

Few things say autumn like cranberry sauce. As a child, I used to love the prepackaged jellied sauces available at the grocers. Every fall, I remember slipping the can into my mother’s cart and hoping she wouldn’t notice. Now that I’m older, I still love this gorgeous sauce. So simple to prepare, I forego the jellied sauces and make this dish myself, as it only takes minutes to put together and can cook and chill while I’m assembling other parts of the meal for my family and guests. Pairing tart cranberries with sweet juice and a touch of orange liqueur, this grown-up twist on a perennial classic is destined to become one of your new favorites as well.

PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 1 hour + 4 hours chill time

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup orange juice with pulp
  • 2 tablespoons Triple Sec or other orange-flavored liqueur

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place cranberries in 8- x 8- x 2-inch glass baking dish. Add sugar and orange juice, stir to combine. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until juices form and cranberries are very soft, about 1 hour. Uncover, mix in liqueur. Cover and refrigerate until very cold, about 4 hours. Transfer to a beautiful bowl and serve.

TIPS: This dish may be prepared up to 3 days ahead. Keep chilled. Try serving with a roast turkey or glazed ham as a delicious, festive garnish.

YIELDS: About 2 cups

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Filed under Food, Sauces, Sauces & Condiments Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Simple Sauerkraut

November 25, 2011 by Leave a comment

Simple Sauerkraut

A staple in German cuisine, our Simple Sauerkraut puts a quick and delicious spin on a cultural classic.

When I lived in Dallas, I used to frequent a little German restaurant called Henk’s European Deli and Black Forest Bakery, because I loved their sauerkraut and sausages. When I moved to Ohio, I quickly discovered that the buckeye state’s culture and geography resemble certain places in Germany. Communities like MainStrasse Village in Covington and German Village in Columbus are steeped in a rich Germanic heritage and still hold many ties to the Rhineland. Here in Porkopolis, aka Cincinnati, German cuisine is easily accessible, and numerous festivals celebrate Germanic culture, like Oktoberfest downtown, the GoettaFest in Newport, Kentucky and the Sauerkraut Festival in Waynesville, Ohio. But you don’t have to wait for a festival or even go out to eat at one of our German restaurants to satisfy your sauerkraut cravings. It is quite simple to prepare at home, and it delivers health benefits like vitamins A and C, is high in phytonutrient antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which some studies indicate may help combat some cancers.

PREP: 15 minutes
COOK: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 head red cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider or apple juice

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, add onions and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent, 5 minutes.
  2. Add cabbage, apple cider vinegar, apple cider, and 1/2 cup water to a saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer until cabbage is tender, 30 – 35 minutes.

TIPS: Serve over hot dogs, on Reuben sandwiches, or with bratwurst and mashed potatoes for a German-inspired meal.

YIELDS: About 4 cups

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Filed under Food, Side Dishes, Vegetables Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Italian Scramble

November 24, 2011 by 5 Comments

Italian Scramble

Infused with salty prosciutto, sautéed vegetables and served with a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan cheese, our Italian Scramble elevates simple scrambled eggs to a whole new level of deliciousness.

One of the best things about having a day off from work is that we have time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast as a family. Time spent together, whether reading the paper or chatting about the events in our lives, is always made more pleasurable by dishing up something a little extra special to eat. Our Italian Scramble fits the bill, elevating simple scrambled eggs to a whole new level with bright, savory flavors that make our taste buds dance with joy. Infused with bits of salty prosciutto, sautéed vegetables and served with a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan cheese, this dish is also a great addition to a brunch with friends. Serve with homemade Buttermilk Biscuits and fresh jam (our Pineapple Jam is shown here) to round out the meal.

PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 slices prosciutto, diced
  • Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat a stainless-steel pan over medium-high heat, add oil. When oil shimmers, add onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, sauté for an additional 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it should not cook until golden. Reduce heat to low and remove pan from heat.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and pepper until light and frothy. Set aside.
  3. Place pan over low heat, add butter and swirl until melted. Pour egg mixture into the pan, and stir gently to mix vegetables. When eggs begin to congeal on bottom of pan, sprinkle prosciutto over top. Using a heat-resistant rubber spatula, slowly drag eggs toward center of pan until eggs cook through and all liquid is gone, about 5 minutes.
  4. Serve eggs immediately. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, as desired.

TIPS: For variety, add fresh rosemary and thyme to egg mixture when prosciutto is added. For a slightly stronger flavor, sprinkle grated Pecorino Romano cheese over instead of Parmesan.

YIELDS: 6 servings

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Filed under Breakfast, Food, Italian cuisine, Main Dishes Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

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