Fresh Approach Cooking

.
.
Apparently, I did not blog in 2011. Well, not here anyway. I did post a few of my (edited) thoughts elsewhere though. On the L.A. Weekly blog Squid Ink in particular. That was fun.

Labels: Appetizer, Vegetarian

.
To make arancini you first must have left-over risotto.

But honestly – who has such a thing? Leftover risotto? Ha! But even if one does – who suddenly thinks to fry it instead of re-heating it?

Oh, wait, I know! I know! (Hand shoots up in to air)

Me. I had left over risotto and I fried it.

That’s sort of what I do. I guess. I cook, I eat, repeat.

Anyway…

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this site. Not for lack of cooking, or photographing, but just from lack of…um…posting.

Ha!

But here I am. Posting. I think I was motivated to do so because I am attending something called Blogger Prom this upcoming week and part of me realized I don’t exactly qualify to be there unless I am a blogger…so I thought I might as well hop to it. (Though in actuality, I’m not even going as a blogger, I’m going as a guest of one of the Prom Committee members. Insert confused snickers here.)

So here you go my peaches, my loves…

A simple recipe (well, no, that isn’t true at all…it’s a bit complex. Not in a Top Chef kind of way, but still…) for you to make at home.

And I do hope you will.

So try this my peaches, and taste the joy.

2 cups day old mushroom risotto (porcini mushroom, if you can)
3 ounces brie with truffles (or, not, your call)
2 eggs
1 ounce water
1 cup flour
3 cups panko breadcrumbs
3 cups vegetable oil
Truffle salt to taste
1 small black truffle, shaved (domestic is realistic.)
½ cup mayonnaise (home-made is best!)
White truffle butter
Silver dust (available from high end pastry supply shops)
Chives

Put the truffle butter on a plate.

Slice your chives on the bias.

Form the risotto in to balls with a pinch of the brie in the center. (If you dampen your hands before doing this, it works better.)

Pour the mayo in to a small squeeze bottle.

Stir together the eggs and water in a small bowl. Place the flour in another bowl and the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

In a deep sauce pan heat the oil over medium high heat to 350F.

Dip each ball of rice in to the flour, then egg, then panko.

Fry until crispy. Remove from oil and place on a cooling rack. Sprinkle with truffle salt immediately.

When cool enough to handle, inject the balls with a small squirt of mayo.

Rub the mayo insertion point on the truffle butter. Top with a slice of black truffle that has also passed over the truffle butter. (This helps it stick)

Dip a dry paint brush in to the silver dust. Position the brush over an arancini and knock gently to coat. Top with a slice of chive and serve.

>Makes about 20 arancini.

© 2010 Fresh Approach Cooking
______________________________________

© 2010 Rachael at "Fresh Approach Cooking" http://www.freshcatering.blogspot.com If you are not reading this at the aforementioned URL or in your RSS feed, the site you are looking at are violating my copyright. And that's rude.

Arancini means little oranges.

I've been bloggin' so long, turns out, I've done something like this before...check it out!

Follow me on twitter

Most commercial truffle oils are flavored with synthetic compounds such as 2,4-dithiapentane, one of many molecules that give Italian white truffles their distinctive aroma.

Labels: Appetizer, Vegetarian

.
Hi peaches!

SO get this…recently I was invited to a food event featuring some lovely local chefs doing a cooking demonstration. I was in and excited to go, since a few of my friends were planning on attending, too. Sounded like a nice way to spend a few hours…ya know?

Plus…there were cocktails.

The funny part was that when I checked in and was handed my nametag I honestly was mildly surprised to see I was there representing this blog! Ha!

It’s not that I forgot I had it, I just somehow didn’t realize other people were still tuned in!

Oops.

So…after that jolt…and three weeks later, I’m back here…with a quickie post on pickled Asian pears. Because they are beyond delicious, super easy to pull off and you should make some.

Try this my peaches, and taste the joy.

xoxo

Pickled Asian Pears

(This is a quick pickle, which means it does not need to ferment and is ready to eat as soon as it is chilled.)

4 large Asian pears, peeled, cored and sliced in to ¼ inch wedges

1 large red onion, sliced in to thin wedges
3 cups water
2 cups white vinegar
2 tablespoons white wine
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 bay leaf

In a large, non-reactive (that means, don’t use aluminum) sauce pot, combine the onion, water, vinegars, wine, sugar, salt and spices. Let simmer for 3 minutes then taste and adjust salt/sugar/vinegar to balance. It should be a bit salty (it IS a pickle) and not overly tart.

When the flavors are to your taste, then add the pear and simmer 4 minutes. Don’t boil, simmer. Boiling not good. Simmer, good.

That’s it! Take off the heat and let cool. Transfer to another container and chill in the fridge until ready to eat.

I served them alone, but you can try them on a cheese plate, or with pork, or any bbq kind of meal. Super yum!

Makes about 3 cups.


© 2010 Fresh Approach Cooking
______________________________________

© 2010 Rachael at "Fresh Approach Cooking" http://www.freshcatering.blogspot.com If you are not reading this at the aforementioned URL or in your RSS feed, the site you are looking at are violating my copyright. And that's rude.

Follow me on twitter!

Asian pears are in season from July into late October.

Desserts for Breakfast posted a beautiful Asian pear frozen yogurt and lemon ginger macarons recipe. Check it out here.

Labels: Appetizer, Condiment, Gluten Free, Pickle, Vegan, Vegetarian

.
Well then kiddies, it’s that time of year again!

Time to get those gifties picked out and who better to help you than lil ol’ me, here at my lil ol’ blog, Fresh Approach.

Just some fun little things for the chefs and food lovers in your life.

I went ahead and chose five things that I know I love and hope you will too!

Happy Holidays!


.

1. Pig Corkscrew from Graham and Greene.

Is this not the cutest thing you have laid eyes on in ages? I love it and everything about it. Plus, it opens wine...so...you know...bonus!

It’s from a British website though…so, it costs a bit, but they do ship overseas, so fear not, you just have to call and arrange it.









2. Royal VKB and Margriet Foolen’s Slow Cooker from A+R store.


A very chic and modern slow cooker/tagine. I love the design asthetic of this, and that there is a video explaining how to use it. What could be better?

In the winter, it's perfect for making warm, delicious stews, and in the summer, you can (and will!) wow your guests with light fish tagines.








3. Krinos Taramosalata – I don't know how things went down at your house way back when, but when I was a little girl my parents always put this out for cocktail parties. It's a caviar spread that captures the taste of the ocean without the pricetag of the Sturgeon stuff.


It’s also the ideal thing to offer with pita or crudite.


Salty, creamy, perfection! If you have never had it, it's worth checking out. Great stocking stuffer, too. Of course.




4. The Forking Fantastic Cookbook – Zora O’Neill and Tamara Reynolds are two ladies who run a supper club in Astoria Queens, (And I think we all know how I feel about supper clubs!) and I have to say…they really are fantastic.

Get a copy and read all about their culinary adventures. Then try their Fried Chicken For a Crowd recipe. Omg, yum.









5. Pewter Place Card Holders.

I know, I already sent you to the Pig Corkscrew, and now these. But seriously…how sweet are these? Plus, they are from Hazelnut New Orleans, a really great store that I am pretty sure you will love.


Okay kids, that's all! I hope you found some inspiration! Have a terrific holiday season and see you in 2010!!!!

xoxo

© 2009 Fresh Approach Cooking
______________________________________


© 2009 Rachael at "Fresh Approach Cooking" http://www.freshcatering.blogspot.com If you are not reading this at the aforementioned URL or in your RSS feed, the site you are looking at are violating my copyright. And that's rude.

This is what I suggested in years past! 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004

Labels: Something Else