Friday, February 12, 2016

SOUR CREAM LIME TARTE

I always loved Bon Appetit's column where readers would send in requests for recipes from restaurants all over the country/world.  This one is from the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, CA; a resort that looks incredible, and this dessert is still on their menu!

Serves 10-12
350 degree oven

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (9 double crackers)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 stick butter, melted

Filling:
1 cup sugar 
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup whipping cream
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 stick butter
1 tbsp finely grated lime peel
1 cup sour cream

Topping:
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream

For crust:  Combine all ingredients in medium bowl.  Press onto bottom and sides of 9" pie pan. Freeze for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake crust until lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes.  Cool completely on rack before filling.

For filling:  Mix sugar and cornstarch in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually stir in cream, lime juice, butter and lime peel.  Bring to boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, then reduce heat to simmer and stir until thick and smooth; about 10 minutes.  Cool mixture to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

Fold sour cream into cooled lime mixture.  Spread evenly in prepared crust.

For topping:  Whip cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gently fold in remaining sour cream.  Spread over filling.

Chill pie at least 4 hours prior to serving.

Review:  This dessert is incredibly good. The husband says one of the best things I have ever made!
STEAK AND SHRIMP TOSS
 
 
Serves 4
 
1 lb boneless beef chuck or round
2 lg onions or 8 scallions
8 oz mushrooms
2 peppers; 1 red, 1 green
1 lb zucchini or green beans
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp catsup
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 lb shrimp; shelled
 
Trim fat and cut meat across the grain into strips to stir fry.  Peel and slice onions/slice scallions on the diagonal.  Slice mushrooms, peppers, and prepare green beans.
 
Heat oil in wok or skillet; stir toss meat until brown on both sides (1-2 min).  Push to side of pan (or remove to plate), and add onions/scallions and mushrooms.  Add pepper and green beans.  Cook about 3 minutes.  Add soy sauce stirred with cornstarch, then add catsup, crushed red pepper and beef broth (I threw in a dash or so of sirracha).  Bring to boil, add shrimp and cook until shrimp is cooked through (2-3 min). 
 
Review:  Really easy and very good ... had over rice.
 


Thursday, February 11, 2016

GRANT AVENUE SHORT RIBS

Serves 6
Oven at 325 degrees

4 lbs short ribs
1 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp pepper
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup honey

Dip short ribs in flour.  Brown on all sides.  Add garlic and brown slightly. Crush garlic into oil with fork.  Drain off excess fat.  Sprinkle ribs with pepper.  Mix soy sauce, honey and 1/2 cup water, and add to pan.  Cover and bake for 1-2 hours.

Review:  Yummy!

Editorial Note:  Having been absent from the blog for over one year (unbelievable?) , I decided since this is being used as a journal, I will only post successful dishes.