PEANUT SAUCE

I first made this peanut sauce as a dip for coconut shrimp, served either as an hors d/oeuvre or a main course. It makes a great combination. Later, I tried it with cold poached chicken with angel hair pasta and sugar snap peas. That, too was really good. You can eliminate the garlic or use less of it but be sure to include the cayenne. The sauce needs that snap. Try it; you'll like it.

PEANUT SAUCE

makes about 2 cups

2/3 C crunchy peanut butter

1 1/2 C coconut milk (or use 1/3 can of Coco Lopez and 1 1/4 C water)

2 T soy sauce

1/4 C lemon juice

2 t brown sugar

4 cloves garlic, pressed

pinch of cayenne

1. Place these ingredients in a saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thick. Puree in a blender or food processor. Then add:

1/4 C chicken stock

1/4 C heavy cream

2. Blend until smooth; then cover and set aside.



Note this suggestion: cook some angel hair pasta and drain well. Cool. Be sure to use some olive oil in the water so the pasta doesn't stick together. Poach boneless chicken breasts in some water and white wine and cool. Boil sugar snap peas only until tender, then shock in ice water to stop cooking. Assemble by placing a bed of sauce on a plate. Top with angel hair pasta and sliced chicken breast. Garnish with sugar snap peas. All cold. All easy. All good. As Ina Garten would say, "How bad can that be?"

CHILLLED CARROT AND ORANGE SOUP

This is an old recipe, first made famous in the 1970's at the old Boxtree Restaurant in New York. It's easy to make and the combination of the tastes of oranges and carrots is unusual and very refreshing. This soup contains neither cream nor chicken broth so it's fairly low in calories and fat. It's also a very pretty orange color, important if presentation is your fetish, as it is mine.

CHILLED CARROT AND ORANGE SOUP

makes about 6 cups



1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 T unsalted butter

1 1/2 lb carrots, sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 4 C)

4 C water

3/4 t salt

1/4 t black pepper

large pinch of ground cloves

1 C fresh orange juice, pulp removed

2 t fresh lemon juice

fresh mint for garnish

1. Cook onion in butter in a 3-4 quart heavy saucepan over moderagely high heat, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add carrots, water, salt, pepper and cloves and simmer, covered, until carrots are very tender, about 15 minutes.

2. Puree soup, in batches if necessary, in a blender or food processor until very smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and stir in orange and lemon juices.

3. Chill soup, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours. Serve cold.

BASIC PESTO SAUCE/PASTA WITH PESTO

Many years ago, when my food processor was new and I didn't yet Know how to make the most of it, my friend Bill invited a good friend of  his who was a great cook to come to my house to show me how to use it. She asked that we buy the ingredients for a dinner and she would do the cooking. The list was somewhat foreign to me but I trusted her judgment. She arrived with a huge bunch of fresh basil and sarted by making a tangy pesto sauce. By the time the dinner was ready, the kitchen was a total wreck - she wasn't the kind of cook who cleans as she goes - but the food was great. This sauce keeps, its surface covered with plastic wrap, chilled, for a week. (Or more. I've kept a small covered jar filled with pesto sauce topped with olive oil in my refrigerator for months.)

BASIC PESTO SAUCE

3 large garlic cloves

1/2 C pine nuts (best toasted; it brings out the flavor)

2-oz parmesan cheese, coarsely grated (about 2/3 C)

1 t salt

1/2 t black pepper

3 C loosely packed fresh basil

2/3 C extra virgin olive oil

1. With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Stop motor and add nuts, cheese, salt and pepper and basil, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated. The mixture should have the consistency of a thick sauce.

Note: for a different flavor, you can use walnuts instead of pine nuts and walnut oil instead of olive oil.

PASTA WITH PESTO

Put 2/3 C pesto in a large bowl and reserve. Cook 1 lb linguine or spaghetti until al dente, then whisk about 1/3 C pasta cooking water into reserved pesto. Add drained pasta to thinned pesto with salt and pepper to taste and toss well. Serve with additional parmesan. Seves 4-6

GREEN TOMATO MARMALADE

When tomato season is just beginning, about the middle of July, I like to go to the farmers' market, where I can usually find green tomatoes to make this tasty garnish for all kinds of meat. It only takes patience; the tomatoes have to cook down until they're caramelized, about 2 hours. And don't skip step one. The tomatoes need to steep in the sugar and lemon juice overnight.

GREEN TOMATO MARMALADE

makes about one cup



1 lb green tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped

1/2 heaping C sugar

juice of 1 lemon

1. Combine all ingredients, cover and refrigerate overnight.

2. Place in a heavy saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the mixture is simmering steadily, but not boiling furiously.

3. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent burning - this is important; watch it -  until the tomatoes are tender and sweet, at least 2 hours. Cool and refrigerate in a covered container. Will keep for at least a week. Bring to room temperature before serving. Goes well with most meats, chicken and even fish.

ENTRY INDEX

Phil’s Favorite Food

Blog Entries

Index by Category (as of July 16, 2013)

This is a list of recipes posted on Phil’s blog, Phil’s Favorite Food. Each recipe shows the date of posting so it will be easier to find. These can all be accessed and downloaded at philsfavoritefood.blogspot.com

Drinks

Bloody Marys                                                              Feb 5

Creamsicles                                                               Feb 5

The Authentic, Traditional Mint Julep                          May 2

Champagne Cocktail                                                  Jun 27

Hors d’Oeuvres

Bar Nuts (Phil’s Nuts)                                                 Jan 16

Roasted Eggplant Dip (for Chicken Curry)                 Jan 30

Artichoke Squares                                                      Feb 1

Jim’s Olive Tapenade                                                 Feb 24

Curried Cheese Spread                                              Mar 3

Rice Krispie Squares                                                  Mar 5

Creamed Mushroom Bruschetta with Onions            May 10

Mexican Appetizer                                                       May 13

Cucumber Pickles with Cheese and Rye Bread        May 20

Marinated Olives                                                         May 21

Olive Tapenade                                                           May 22

Pate                                                                             May 23

Caviar with Cream Cheese                                        May 28

Gala Cocktail Dip                                                        Jun 9

David’s Artichokes                                                      Jun 13

Soup and First Courses

Cold Curried Apple Soup                                            Jan 17

Corn Chowder                                                                        Feb 3

Melon Carpaccio                                                         Mar 4

Tomato Aspic                                                              Mar 13

Cold Tomato Soup with Cucumber and Melon          Mar 15

Easy Oysters Rockefeller                                           Mar 20

Minted Pea Soup                                                         Mar 22

Nancy Hernke’s Onion Soup                                      Mar 24

Watermelon Salad                                                      May 24

Senegalese Soup                                                       Jun 8

Pasta e Fagioli                                                            Jun 11

Cold Asparagus, or Zucchini, Soup                            Jun 12

David’s Artichokes                                                      Jun 13

Red Pepper Soup                                                       Jun 14

Butternut Squash Soup with Star Anise and Shrimp Jun 16

Gazpacho (five recipes)                                             Jul 2

Salads and Dressings

Vinaigrette Dressing                                                   Jan 24

Ina Garten’s Green Salad Vinaigrette             Jan 24

Raita (for Chicken Curry Dinner)                                Jan 29

Sweetheart Salad                                                       Feb 14

The Best Caesar Salad Ever, No Kidding                  Mar 8

Chicken Salad Veronique                                           Mar 10

Aunt Nola’s Boiled Dressing                                       Mar 11

Chicken Salad a la Danny Kaye                                 Mar 12

Peggy’s Sweet and Sour Dressing                            Mar 16

Cobb Salad                                                                 Mar 28

Watermelon Salad                                                      May 24

Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Salad                         Jun 17

Watermelon Salad                                                      Jul 7

Meat

Beef Stew                                                                   Jan 19

Bill Blass’s Meatloaf                                                    Jan 20

Meatloaf, Maple Glazed                                               Jan 21

Country Style Sausage and Fried Apples                   Feb 7

Moroccan Lamb Stew with Prunes                            Feb 11

Lemon and Ginger Pork Roast                                   Feb 12

Beef Bourguignon                                                       Feb 16

Sauteed Pork Chops                                                  Feb 21

Veal Marsala                                                               Feb 28

Saltimbocca                                                                Mar 1

Pineapple and Molasses Spareribs                            Mar 2

Roasted Pork Loin with Fig Sauce                             Mar 6

Choucroute a l’Alsacienne                                          Mar 23

Dinah Shore’s Meatloaf                                               Apr 2

Chili                                                                             Apr 7

Hot Dogs (with Pate)                                                  May 29

Zesty Pork Stir Fry                                                      Jul 11

Chicken and Turkey

Chicken Cutlets                                                          Jan 25

Chicken Curry                                                             Jan 26

Chicken Stew with Italian Sausage                            Feb 1

Chicken Cacciatore                                                    Feb 25

Chicken with White Wine and Tarragon                     Feb 25

Turkey Tetrazzini                                                        Feb 27

Chicken Marsala                                                         Feb 28

How to Cook Chicken, Roasting, Poaching               Mar 9

Chicken Marengo                                                        Mar 25

Curried Chicken and Shrimp                                      Mar 26

Grilled Chicken Breasts                                              Apr 9

Perfect Roast Chicken                                               May 11

Tropical Chicken Medley                                             Jul 12

Seafood

Curried Chicken and Shrimp                                      Mar 26

Salmon Mousse with Dill Sauce                                 Apr 9

Mussels with Parsley and Garlic                                Apr 13

Crab Imperial                                                              Apr 17

Tartar Sauce, or Remoulade                                      Apr 18

Scallops with Leeks and Pernod                                May 3

Eggs

M & J Egg Casserole                                                  Feb 6

Cheese Souffle                                                           May 8

Bacon and Egg Pie                                                     May 14

Sue Ray’s Breakfast Casserole                                 May 15

Breakfast Casserole                                                   May 16

Cowboy Christmas Breakfast                                                May 17

A Simple Frittata                                                         Jun 3

Side Dishes and Vegetables

Corn Pudding                                                              Jan 22

Asparagus                                                                   Jan 23

Hashed Browns                                                          Feb 8

Tomato Pudding                                                         Feb 13

Haricots Verts in Mustard Sauce                                Feb 14

A Riff on Side Dishes                                                  Mar 14

Scalloped Potatoes (Gratin)                                       Mar 19

Fennel Potato Gratin                                                   Mar 19

Chunky Applesauce                                                    Mar 21

Comfort Carrots                                                          Mar 29

Barb’s Baked Mushrooms                                          Mar 30

Succotash                                                                   Mar 31

Brussels Sprouts                                                        Apr  1

Another Corn Pudding                                                Apr 12

Broiled Tomatoes                                                       Apr 15

Peperoni                                                                      Apr 20

Sweet Potato Spears, Molasses and Horseradish    Apr 23

Cooking Sweet Corn                                                   Jun 7

Fresh Peas and New Potatoes                                  Jun 10

Creamed Corn with Onions                                        Jul 1

Tomato Basil Cheese Tart                                         Jul 8

Another Tomato Tart                                                   Jul 9

Baked Lima Beans with Pears                                   Jul 14

Haricots Vert (String Beans)                                       Jul 15

Bread, Rice and Pasta

Basmati Rice (for Chicken Curry)                              Jan 28

Nann (for Chicken Curry)                                            Jan 29

Classic Macaroni and Cheese                                   Feb 17

Barb’s Mac and Cheese                                             Feb 17

Ina Garten’s Mac and Cheese                                    Feb 17

Mark Bittman’s Mac and Cheese                                Feb 17

Giada de Laurentiis’s Mac and Cheese                      Feb 17

The Ultimate Mac and  Cheese                                  Feb 17

Lasagna with Sausage                                               Feb 18

Easy Cheese Lasagna (Weight Watchers)               Feb 19

Bert’s Vegetable Lasagna                                           Feb 19

Bert’s Tomato Basil Sauce                                         Feb 19

Nick and Tony’s Penne with Vodka                            Feb 22

Spaghetti Carbonara                                                   Feb 23

Noodles with Carrots and  Dill                                    Mar 27

Wild Mushroom Lasagna                                            Apr 3

Pasta with Four Cheeses                                           Apr 10

Jenny’s Keugel                                                            Apr 11

Baked Rice                                                                 May 4

Pan Bagnat (sandwich)                                              Jul 5

Dessert

Macaroons with Ice Cream                                         Jan 24

Cardamom Pound Cake (for Chicken Curry)             Jan 31

Fresh Fruit                                                                  Feb 9

Tiramisu                                                                      Feb 26

Pistachio-Crusted Cheesecake                                 Mar 18

Warm Fruit Compote                                                  Apr 4

Alexander’s Apple Cake                                              Apr 5

Apple Brown Betty                                                      Apr 6

Chocolate Amaretti Cake                                            Apr 8

Sweet Potato Pie                                                        Apr 12

Ginger Pound Cake                                                    Apr 14

Sableuse                                                                     Apr 16

Pie Crust, Foolproof                                                    Apr 21

Derby Pie                                                                    Apr 22

Grandmother’s Key Lime Pie                                     Apr 24

Pumpkin Banana Mousse Tart                                   Apr 25

Cherry Tortoni                                                             Apr 26

Chocolate Flan                                                            Apr 30

Pernod Flan                                                                May 1

Uncle Dutch’s Pineapple Pudding                              May 5

Katherine Hepburn’s Brownies                                   May 6

$1000 Peanut Brittle Cookies                                     May 7

Rum Raisin Rice Pudding                                          May 9

Strawberry Short Cake                                               May 12

Hummingbird Cake                                                     May 25

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies                              Jun 15

Oatmeal Pecan Cranberry Cookies                           Jun 18

Strawberries Romanoff                                              Jun 20

Summer Pudding                                                        Jun 26

Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar                          Jun 28

Oranges in Marsala                                                    Jun 29

Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake                               Jul 3

Chocolate Macrons                                                     Jul 10

April Fool                                                                     Jul 16

Other

Condiments for Chicken Curry Dinner                       Jan 28

How to Hard Boil Eggs                                                Feb 6

How to Segment Fruit                                                 Feb 9

Hints for Making Brunch Easier                                  Feb 10

Giada’s Bechemal Sauce                                           Feb 17

To Do Ahead                                                               Mar 8

Mom’s Pancakes                                                        Apr 19

A Riff on a Dinner Party                                              May 24