Bubbly! Cheers!

Bubbly!  Cheers!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

New Recipe of the week: Bacon & Leek Risotto with Poached Egg


This recipe has been sitting in my “Recipes to Try” file and I finally had the perfect fall night to try it out.  My husband isn’t a big egg guy, so I decided to make it during a cooking night with a girlfriend who just had a baby girl.  Her adorable daughter is named Julia after Julia Child.   I love it!   

Original recipe: Bacon and Leek Risotto with Poached Egg

·  PREP TIME: 50 minutes
·  TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes
·  SERVINGS: 6

Recipe by: Jill Dupleix

Photograph by: Nigel Cox
Ingredients
·  6 large eggs
·  5 cups low-salt chicken broth
·  1 tablespoon olive oil
·  6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
·  2 cups thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 2 large)
·  1 1/2 cups arborio rice or medium-grain white rice (about 10 ounces)
·  3/4 cup dry white wine
·  3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
·  1 tablespoon butter
·  2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
·  Fresh Italian parsley leaves (for garnish)
·  Additional finely grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Preparation
·  Bring large skillet of water just to simmer over medium-low heat. Sprinkle water with salt. Working with 1 egg at a time, crack into small bowl and slide egg into simmering water. Cook eggs until whites are cooked through but yolks are still runny, 3 to 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, carefully transfer poached eggs to medium bowl filled with ice water. DO AHEAD Eggs can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate in same bowl of ice water.
·  Bring broth to simmer in medium saucepan; cover to keep warm. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, stirring occasionally. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add leeks to drippings in pan; cook until soft but not brown, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer 2 generous tablespoonfuls leeks to small bowl; reserve for garnish. Add rice to pan; stir 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine; stir until absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add 1D2 cup warm broth to saucepan; stir until broth is absorbed. Repeat adding broth and stirring until rice is tender but still firm to bite and sauce is creamy, stirring almost constantly, about 23 minutes total. Add bacon, chopped parsley, butter, and 2 tablespoons cheese. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
·  Meanwhile, heat poached eggs in medium skillet of simmering water just until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
·  Divide risotto among 6 bowls. Top risotto in each bowl with poached egg. Sprinkle egg with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley leaves, additional cheese, and reserved leeks.

My Variation:  
-          I did not have any white wine on hand so I just skipped it.
-          I just fried the eggs instead of poaching them and kept the inside runny.
-          I did not add butter or parsley.
-          I added more parmesan – what can I say, I LOVE cheese! 

My photo:
 
Verdict:  I would definitely make this recipe again.  It was really good.  For dinner I never think of using egg as my protein but I really liked it.  This recipe would definitely do the trick when I'm craving comfort food this winter. 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

New Recipe: Monster Cookies


Saturday was National Homemade Cookies Day, and of course I couldn’t let that day go by without making some homemade cookies.    My husband requested cookies with M&M's in them and I love peanut butter, so I decided to make Monster Cookies, which I’ve never made before. I found lots of variations online.  Some included raisins, or chocolate chips.  I decided to just go with oatmeal, peanut butter, and M&M's.  

Here is the recipe I decided to use:
Monster Cookies
From your Everyday Home Cook

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
4 1/2 cups oats (quick cooking or old-fashioned)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s chocolate candies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Beat together butter and sugars.  Add eggs, vanilla extract, and baking soda, and mix well.  Mix in peanut butter until well-blended.  Add oats and stir until combined.  Mix in chocolate chips and M&M’s.

Drop cookies by ice cream scoopful (or normal sized) about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cookies cool on baking sheets before moving to wire racks.  Store in an airtight container.  Makes 2 dozen “monster” cookies, or 4 to 5 dozen regular-sized cookies.


My note:   As I mentioned, I did not use chocolate chips.  I used 2 cups of M&M’s instead.   I also didn’t have enough oatmeal, I was about 1 ½ cups short.   This may be the reason I burnt my first batch?   I set my timer for 15 minutes and at 9 minutes they were flat and burnt.   I don’t know if it was because of my lack of oatmeal or what, but I would keep an eye on them if I were you.    My second batch turned out really yummy (although a little flat also).   


Verdict:  I will definitely be making these again.   However, they are dangerous as I LOVE peanut butter and don’t know when to say when.   

Enjoy!