Contents
Campfire Cuisine – Part 1
The first step is to build a good fire pit if you don’t have a camp stove or fireplace to cook on. Clear an area 3-4 feet in diameter. In the center, dig a shallow hole about 4” deep and 15” wide. Place 3-4 rocks or mounds of dirt on opposite ends of the pit. This will support your grill. Use paper, bark or dry grass as starter and lay small twigs teepee style over them. Make sure you allow room for air. Light the starter and slowly feed the fire with more sticks. The object is to keep a low and steady source of heat as you build up the coals never leave a fire unattended and always put it out when you to go to sleep.
Campfire Short Ribs
Cast iron pans work well if you are making short ribs.
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk of celery, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 2 dried chili peppers
- 2 Tbsp of canola or olive oil
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ C of red wine
- 3 lbs of beef short ribs, in 3” pieces
- salt & pepper to taste
In a Dutch oven, brown the short ribs in oil then set aside. Sauté onions, celery & carrots in same pan until soft. Stir in tomatoes, wine & garlic over a simmer. Return ribs to pan and cover. Cook for about 2 ½ hours over low heat on grate or in hot coals.
Strawberry Fields
Portland, Oregon has many delights, strawberries being one of them. Who knew this little gem could be so divine? According to the Oregon Strawberry website they are “Sweeter, Redder, Simply Better”. The pride of Oregon, it is one of the oldest and best loved agricultural crop, because of their sweet flavor. Their secret is a long growing season, which lets the berries ripen on the vine.
Thanks to a warm spring this year, they made an early appearance at the Farmer’s Markets. Light in fat, carbohydrates and calories, packed with antioxidants, they make a great snack. One cup of fresh strawberries is a mere 46 calories. We love to put them on cheese displays, in smoothies, lemonade, desserts, quick breads and salads. They show up in cocktails with regularity as well. All month long we are serving a GP salad in conjunction with the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts: a work of edible art consisting of Spinach, Arugula, Strawberries, Feta Cheese, Big Daddies Pecans & White Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Dressing recipe:
- 1 ½ TBSP Minced shallots
- ½ TBSP Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup of Strawberry white balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Inspiration From Around the Globe
Cultural and ethnic flavors are more admired in kitchens across America this year. The shift in our population reflects our craving for diversity in cuisines. Chefs are subtly, as well as boldly, expanding their menus and skills, to incorporate ingredients and products from allover the globe.
So many of the traditional favorites are now being made locally, right here at home! Not only have we seen a rise in Asian fusion, but dishes from Brazil, Argentina and Peru are also beginning to mainstream. Watch for farmstead cheeses, Asian comfort foods such ramen noodles & dumplings, as well as Latino flavors and Scandinavian twists.
One of our favorite ethnically inspired dish is the Thai Lemongrass Chicken Skewers. Stop in to Gourmet Products this week and grab a few for dinner, or if you are feeling really adventures, see our recipe below to re-create them yourself!
Thai Lemongrass Chicken Skewers
- 2 ½ lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thigh Meat, cut into ½ in cubes
- 2 T Finely chopped Lemongrass (only use the bottom third of stalk)
- 1 t Chopped Shallot
- 1 t Ground Turmeric
- ¼ C Lime Juice
- ¼ C Soy Sauce
- ¼ C Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1 T Fish Sauce
- 2 T Olive Oil
- 2 T Brown Sugar
- 2 T Cilantro
Soak 10, 10-inch bamboo skewers in water for an hour.
Marinate chicken in the lemongrass, shallot, turmeric, lime juice, soy sauce, mirin, fish sauce and olive oil for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Skewer the chicken on the skewers, reserving the marinade as you go.
Place reserved marinade in a saucepan, add the brown sugar and bring to a boil. Lower temperature to a simmer and reduce marinade until thickened into a loose syrup.
Grill chicken and finish in the oven until done. Brush the chicken with the reduced marinade. Allow to cool slightly, top with the chopped cilantro and serve!
Serves: 8-10 Skewers
Healthy Foodie
Healthy eats are becoming increasingly influential in kitchens across America. Chefs, diners and market shelves are incorporating a slew of smarter, healthier options that you can devour and feel great about.
As our global awareness grows so does the need to accommodate all types of diets. Whether you choose a diet for trend, socio-economic reasons, or health, specialty diets are becoming increasingly more popular. A growing trend in our world today is the Gluten Free Diet. More and more Americans are finding that they are gluten intolerant. In fact, did you know that on average, 1 in every 133 Americans is diagnosed with celiac disease and must avoid foods containing barley, rye, triticale and wheat.
As a result, food establishments have to become more accommodating to the requests of their customers. Fortunately, it is possible to find tasty dishes and knowledgeable personnel to navigate menus and still keep kosher. At Gourmet Productions we like to have food options for everyone. For those wondering if it’s possible to have your pie and eat it to? The answer is YES! It sure is.
Gluten Free Apple Almond Cream Tart
Gluten Free Flour Blend
2C Rice Flour
2/3C Potato Starch
1/3C Tapioca Flour
¼ t Xantham Gum
-Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Pastry Crust
2 ¼ C Gluten Free Flour Blend
1t Salt
¼ t Baking Powder
¾ C Butter
1T Cider Vinegar
7T Cold Water
Pulse flour, salt, baking powder & butter in a food processor until the consistency resembles cornmeal. Mix vinegar and water together and then blend into flour mixture. Press into a tart pan and place in freezer for 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. (The crust will only partially be baked)
Almond Cream
1C Ground Almond
½ C Sugar
2T GF Flour Blend
7T Butter
2 Eggs
1t Vanilla
Blend ground almond, sugar and flour in food processor until fine. Add butter and cream together. Add eggs, one at a time and vanilla. Mix until well blended then spoon into partially baked tart shell.
Slice two apples and toss with 1t lemon juice. Arrange apple slices atop the almond cream, making a pattern of your choice. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a light golden color forms on the almond cream.
Cool to room temperature. Drizzle with caramel and top with toasted sliced almonds
Out With The New, In With The…Old?
That’s right folks, GP is celebrating this week with our latest 2013 food trend – we’re talking all-things retro. Over the past several years we have seen the infamous macaroni & cheese dish take on new twists and flavors, not to mention modern versions of mashed potatoes, jello and the Waldorf salad, but now, more than ever, there are new spins on classic favorites. Who says new is better? Old-fashioned diner & deli favorites are back and better than ever, inspiring chefs to explore new tastes among all the classic foods of the past.
Ranging anywhere from appetizer menu, to main course, to dessert, these fun favorites seem to be catching fire on menus all across the US. Some of our latest favorites taking flight include: Fondue, Deviled Eggs, savory soufflés, tripe, Swedish meatballs, chicken pot pie, S’mores, chiffon pie, and last but not least the Whoopie Pie!
Our stellar Dessert Diva and pastry chef, Mandy has put a new spin on this beloved retro treat, incorporating flavor favorite – Red Velvet. Red Velvet cake is no longer just a wedding or cupcake staple; we are seeing this flavor incorporated into cookies, pancakes, scones, ice cream, truffles, brownies, and even batter for fried chicken!
Check out Mandy’s amazing Red Velvet Whoopie Pie recipe below or pop in to Gourmet Productions on Valentine’s Day and pick up a few to enjoy (with no clean up needed.)
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
1oz Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
6 T Butter
¼ C Sour Cream
2 Eggs
1 ½ t Vinegar
1 T Vanilla
1 T Red Food Coloring
¾ C Oil
½ C Buttermilk
2 ½ C + 2 T Flour
1 ¼ C Sugar
3 T Cocoa Powder
1 ½ t Baking Soda
1 t Salt
Filling:
1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
½ C butter, softened
2 ½ C Powdered Sugar
2 t Clear Vanilla
Preparation:
Melt chocolate chips and butter in microwave, approximately one minute.
Mix all wet ingredients together in a bowl, then stir in melted chocolate.
Sift all dry ingredients into a large bowl. Fold the wet mixture in, making sure not to over mix.
With a large spoon or scooper, scoop out 1 tablespoon circles onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
When cooled, spread filling on bottom sides of half the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies.
Yield: 2 dozen whoopie pies
Pucker Up
Lemons just might be the most commonly used flavoring ingredient (after salt and pepper) in all cooking. You find lemons in salads, main courses and desserts. They are used in baking, drink making, and barbequing. Ultimately, their light fresh tart flavor and bright aroma enliven just about everything.
Lemons are also highly acidic. For this reason, they are used in marinades to help tenderize meat, and squeezed on fruit salads or starchy vegetables to help brighten and maintain their color.
They are not just a tasty and functional fruit, they also provide an array of health benefits. Lemons help to maintain healthy digestion and a clean liver as well as produce antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers. In fact, did you know that Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons?
Research has also show that lemon oil has a calming effect that helps to remove fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. Think of that lovely bowl of lemons as a room fresher at home and in the office to increase efficiency and calm moods.
Lemons are good for the body, great for your mind and even better for that palate – therefore, we always say – when life gives you lemons, make these tasty lemon treats!
Lemon Curd
3 Eggs
½ C Lemon Juice
2 t Lemon Zest
½ t Vanilla
Pinch of Salt
¼ C Butter
Mix all ingredients except butter in a saucepan and heat to 160?, stirring constantly.
Once temperature is reached, remove from heat and strain into a glass bowl.
Let cool for 10 minutes.
Whisk in butter, one tablespoon at a time. Once all butter is melted, cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for up to four days.
Easy Lemon Curd Buttercream
1/3 C Lemon Curd
1 C Butter
Beat lemon curd and butter on high until fluffy.
Small Portions
Snacks as meals and smaller portions seem to be gracing menus and grocery stores everywhere. With more companies introducing pre-portioned foods in appropriate sizes and restaurants offering smaller plate options, this rising trend is a little like grazing on the foods you love, but with the emphasis on individual portion sizes.
Veggie Dishes – Cauliflower
Whether fried, roasted, boiled, steamed, or served raw with the perfect dip, veggies stay strong in the ring this year, helping us maintain our weight and keeping our bodies happy and healthy.
Toss croutons with 2 tablespoons olive oil and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.
Add lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon olive oil slowly to prepare your vinaigrette.
Place roasted cauliflower, toasted croutons and parmesan in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over and toss. Garnish with chives.
Let’s Pickle It
We are so excited to start sharing the ins and outs of what’s hot this year in food. To kick off our list of the Top 8 Food Trends of 2013, we are dedicating our first post to dishes that have everything to do with — PICKLING!
Here at Gourmet Products we are big fans of pickling asparagus – and not just for munching (although they are a tasty snack!), but we are also big fans of incorporating their delicious flavors in to some of our favorite dishes!
Stop in and grab a to-go box of our delicious salad or, if you’re feeling domestic, see below for recipes on how to create your own pickled asparagus and farro salad.
Bread and Butter Pickled Asparagus
1 Bunch of Asparagus, sliced into ½ in sized pieces
1 Shallot, thinly sliced
3 C Unseasoned Rice Wine Vinegar
3 C Sugar
2T Mustard Seed
1 ½ t Celery Seed
1 ½ t Tumeric
¼ t Cayenne
Preparation:
Place asparagus in a glass or metal bowl and set aside. Combine all other ingredients in a non-reactive pan (such as glass or stainless steel). Bring to a boil and pour over the asparagus. Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate over night. Drain pickles from brine as you need them. Store in the fridge.
Yield: 1 Quart of Pickled Asparagus