Sunday, March 21, 2010

Mexican Cooking(Basic) 2010

Mexican Cooking
Basic Class

The most po














FLOUR TORTILLAS トルティーヤ
3 cups Flour
小麦粉 3カップ
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
塩 小さじ1
4-6 tbs. Vegetable Shortening (Crisco)
ショートニングオイル 大さじ4~6
1 1/4 cups warm water
湯 1 1/4カップ

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
大き目のボウルに上記材料を入れ、混ぜる
Use a fork to cut in shortening until crumbly.
フォークを使い、ショートニングオイルを砕けやすくする

Using your hands mix in warm water a little at a time.
湯を加え、手で軽く混ぜる
Knead the dough for 5-8 minutes until firm and not sticky.
生地が固まるまで5~8分程度こねる(ねばりが出ないように!)
Form 12 small balls. Allow to rest for a few minutes.
生地を12個にわけ、2,3分おく
Dust balls with flour and roll into thin tortillas.
小麦粉をまぶして広げ、薄いトルティーヤを作る
Heat a skillet on low heat and brown tortillas lightly on each side.
弱火でフライパンを温め、広げたトルティーヤを両面焼く(油はいれない)
Wrap bewteen two clean towels to keep warm and moist until ready to serve.
食べる直前まで乾いた布で包んでおく


Simple Mexican Refried Beans
1 lb. dry pinto beans, or kidney beans
1/2 C. pork lard/bacon fat
1 Tbs salad oil
2-3garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
1 Tbs cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Directions
Sort beans, remove any pebbles or debris. Rinse thoroughly. Soak dried beans in cold water overnight. Put in large cooking pot using the same water the beans soaked in. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer (approx 40 minutes) Remove from heat and leave beans in the pot to cool (You can test the doneness by placing a bean in a spoon and blowing on it-the outer skin should burst- which means it is done. After cooled, drain all the liquid except for 1/2 cup.
In a skillet fry the pork lard in 1 Tbs salad oil. (It’s not the healthiest food but it’s very satisfying.) Fry the beans and garlic together in the lard. Add the bay leaves and salt and cook the beans 20 minutes. Remove the lard, bay leaves, and garlic cloves and smash the beans. Add the retained bean water and blend until smooth.
Café Gecko’s Tequilla Fajita Chicken
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 to 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 Tequilla
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
6 chicken breast halves, skinned and boned, cut into strips
1 dozen flour tortillas
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 green or red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1 medium onion, cut in half and sliced into strips
Suggested Condiments:
Chopped green onion
Chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Guacamole
Sour Cream
(fresh salsa)
1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large self-sealing plastic bag; add chicken and seal, removing as much air as possible. Allow to marinate for several hours in refrigerator. Drain chicken, reserving marinade.
2. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil; bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet. Add chicken; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add peppers and onion and saute vegetables for about 2 minutes. Add marinade and continue cooking until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from heat.
4. To serve, spoon a portion of chicken mixture onto a warmed flour tortilla and top with desired condiments.


Thank you everyone for coming!









Muchos gracious!


Sunday, February 7, 2010

February 2010 Valentines Cooking

Valentines Cooking February 2010
Every year this class is very popular so I decided to hold two sessions in February.
The first session was held on a Sunday so many children and students could attend.
The second session offered an opportunity to embellish with more richer chocolates and liqueurs.











クリスピーライス Crispy Rice Squares
10分で簡単!
In only ten minutes!
A classic sweet for kids. Almost every child growing up in the US would make these at home with your parents- if you had been especially good! Kellogs brand Rice Krispie"snap-crackle-pop!"cereal was hard to find. Most supermarkets in Japan sell the cocoa rice cereal. I had to go all the way to the US Army base to get the white, vanilla flavored cereal- but it was worth it !
Recipe
3 tablespoons butter
バター 小さじ3
1 package (10 oz.,(283g) about 40 regular marshmallows
マシュマロ1パック (小さめの場合は、4カップ分)
(or) 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Cereal
ライスシリアル 6カップ


Directions 作り方:
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
フライパンにバターを入れて、弱火で溶かす
マシュマロを加え、完全にとかしたら、火からおろす
2. Add crispy rice cereal. Stir until well coated. Optional: Add butterscotch chips.
ライスシリアルを加えてよく混ぜ、さらにバタースコッチチップスを加える
3. Using a damp spatula (damp hands are the best-don’t be afraid-watch Rodger!) evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.
スパチュラでパンにのばしていき、よくさます
5センチ角程度にカットしたら出来上がり



Café Gecko’s Chocolate Marbled Kaluha Brownies
チョコレート カルーア ブラウニー


· 140g unsalted butter無塩バター140g
· 200g dark baking chocolate (100%+cocoa) ベーキングチョコ 200g
· 200g light brown sugar三温糖 200g
· 2 tsp Kaluha カルーア 小さじ2
· 2 eggs卵 2個
· 1 egg yolk卵黄1個
· 85g flour小麦粉 85g
· 75g walnuts, chopped くるみ(きざんだもの)75g
作り方
Preheat the oven to 320F/160°C.
オーブンを320F/ 160℃に加熱
Grease and line the base of an 18cm square cake pan.
18cm角のケーキパンに油をしき、クッキングペーパーをしく
Place the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (don't let bowl touch water).
バターとチョコレートをボウルに入れ、湯せんする

When butter and chocolate have melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
バターとチョコレートが溶けたら、なべボウルをおろし、徐々にさます
Beat the sugar, vanilla and a good pinch of salt into the mixture. バターとチョコレートを溶かしたボウルへ砂糖、バニラ、塩少々を入れる
Whisk eggs and yolk, then add flour, beating until smooth. 卵と卵黄を泡立て、小麦粉を加え、なめらかになるまでまぜる
Fold in the walnuts and pour mixture into pan, smoothing the top.
くるみをなべにまぜ、なめらかにする
Marbling Effect.(not to be confused with the Butterfly Effect) Before combining the Chocolate mixture reserve about three table spoons of the WHITE mixture in a small bowl. Add the choclate mixture until well blended and BROWN. After pouring the mixture into the pan and setting it spoon on thick drubbings of the WHITE mixture and run a fork or knife through the mixture in opposing directions to form a marbled effect.
Bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (not sticky batter). Allow to cool, then turn onto a wire rack and peel off lining paper.
オーブンで40分焼き、竹串をさして焼き具合を確認する
オーブンから出してさまし。さかさまにしてパンから取り出し、ワイヤーラックにおく
Cut into 12 neat squares and dust with cocoa before serving.
12等分にカットし、お皿に盛るまえにココアをふりかける
Note: Brownies will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
カーメリタ Caramel Sandwich Cookies

An easy recipe for a coffee shop favorite. Rich crust layered with sweetened caramel sauce, nuts and chocolate chips.失敗無しの簡単なクッキーです。数種の材料を層(レイヤー)にして焼く、初心者向きのレシピです。アメリカのちょっと粋なコーヒ屋さんでCarmelitasと呼ばれて売られています。
20cmx20cmの型で焼いて、約20個分に切る。7inchx7inchpan Serves 20
· オートミ-ル 90g (6 Tbs) Oatmeal
· 小麦粉 130g (9 Tbs)All purpose flour
· 黒砂糖  100g (7 Tbs)Brown Sugar
· ベーキングソーダ(重曹) 小さじ 1/2tsp Baking Soda
· 塩 小さじ 1/4tsp Salt
· バター 100g (7 tbs)Butter
·
チョコレートチップ 120g (8 Tbs)1/2 cup Chocolate chips
·
ナッツ(くるみ) 60g(1/2 cup)Walnuts
· キャラメルソース Caramel Sauce
キャラメル 120g (1/2cup)Soft caramels
生クリーム 40cc (3 Tbs)Heavy Cream
Prepare Caramel Sauce ahead of time. It will keep for 2-3days in the fridge.If it should become hard, microwave on low to regain consistency.
キャラメルソースを前日にでも用意します。 キャラメルソースは密閉して冷蔵庫で2~3週間は大丈夫です。時間が経つと少し硬くなりますから、使う前に、キャラメルソースは電子レンジで温めて、よく混ぜてソース状にして使います。
20cmx20cmの型の側面にサラダオイルを塗り、小麦粉を軽くふるい、余分の粉は払い落とす。底には
ベーキングペーパーか油を塗ったアルミ箔をしく。
Cover the baking sheet with waxed paperナッツは荒く砕き、オブントースターで軽く煎る。 又は油を塗っていないフライパンで乾煎りする。Heat the nuts in a pan with no oil.
オブンを175度C(350度F)に予熱する。
Preheat oven to 175C/350F
キャラメル 100グラムを電子レンジで80%溶かし、生クリーム 40ccを加えて、更に完全にキャラメルが溶けるまで(沸騰直前)加熱し、ソース状になるまで良く混ぜる。
Place caramels in an oven proof dish. Microwave till its about eightly percent percent melted. Add heavy cream and mix until well blended.

中くらいのボールに下記の材料を合わせるIn a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients.
そこに溶かしバター 110グラムを加えて良く混ぜる。
Melt 100g butter and add to dry ingredients.
半分を型に均等にのせ、上からラップをかけて、手で押さえる。175度C(350度F)で10分焼く。オブンから取り出す。Take half the mixture and spread on the bottom of the pan. Cover with wrap and press down evenly. Remove wrap and bake in the oven for 10min. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.
半焼きにした生地の上に、層にして均等にふりかける。(ここでは100%チョコレートチップの代わりに、ホワイトチョコレートチップ、バタースコッチチップを混ぜてあります):
Spread chocolate chips and nuts evenly over the cookie layer.
Pour Caramel sauce over the chip layer
最後に残りの粉類をふりかけ、上から軽く押さえて平らにする。Use the remaining cookie mixture and spread over the top. Cover with wax paper and press evenly.
再びオブンに戻し、175度C(350度F)で約25分焼く。冷えてから型からだし、16個~20個に切る。 Bake again for 16-20 minutes
Allow to cool and set. Then cut into square servings.
Thanks to all for coming! Have a nice Valentines Day!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

January Cooking: Oysters Rockefeller

生がきFresh Oysters
Before starting anything we all had to learn...
How To Schuck Oysters

Using a thick kitchen towel, grip the oyster, flat side up, and force the tip of an oyster knife,(or in this case we used cheap metal butter knives)
which has an inflexible, pointed blade, between the shells just next to the hinge. Pry, twisting the knife, while at the same time trying to push the blade into the oyster, breaking the hinge. Run the blade along the inside of the upper shell to free the oyster, removing the top shell. Then scrape along the lower shell and remove the oyster if you´re serving it on the half shell, pick out any loose fragments of the shell, being careful not to spill the oyster´s delicious liquid. You can wash off the small broken particles of the shell with salted water. Keep the oyster happy. It looked harder than it was but everyone gave it a try! Each of us had one fresh raw oyster sprinkled with some fresh lemon juice and tabasco. It tasted great! But we saved the rest of the shelled oyster for the next dish!

オイスター・ロックフェラー(Oysters Rockefeller) Oysters Rockefeller is a famous oyster dish served at many restaurants throughout the United States. The dish consists of oysters on the half-shell that have been topped with various other ingredients (often spinach or parsley, cheese, a rich butter sauce and bread crumbs) and are then baked or broiled.

Combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth. Adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce as desired.
すべての材料をスムーズになるまでよく混ぜ、お好みによりシーズニングとしょうゆを加えます。
1 garlic clove にんにく1かけ
2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach ほうれんそう2カップ
1 bunch watercress
1/2 cup chopped green onions みじんぎりしたたまねぎ1/2カップ
3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 無塩バター3/4カップ(室温に戻す)
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs パン粉1/2カップ
2 tablespoons Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueur Pernodリキュール 大さじ2

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, ground フェンネル 小さじ1
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce ホットペッパーソース 小さじ1
1 pound (about) rock salt 塩 1ポンド(454g)
24 fresh oysters, shucked, shells reserved 生ガキ24個 殻はとっておく。
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese パルメザンチーズ1/4カップ
Preparation
Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Finely chop garlic in processor. Add spinach, watercress and green onions to garlic. Process, using on/off turns, until mixture is finely chopped. Transfer mixture to medium bowl.
オーブンを約320C℃に熱します。にんにくをフードプロセッサーに入れ、みじん切りし、ほうれんそう、クレソン、玉ねぎを加えます。プロセッサーのON/OFFをうまく切り替え、よくまざったら、ボウルにうつします。
Combine butter, breadcrumbs, Pernod, fennel and hot sauce in processor. Process until well blended. Return spinach mixture to processor. Process, using on/off turns, just until mixtures are blended. Season with salt and pepper.
バターを加え、パン粉、リキュール、フェンネル、ホットソースをプロセッサーに入れ、よく混ぜます。すでに混ぜたものをプロセッサーに戻し、軽くまぜます。シーズニング、塩、こしょうを加えます。
Sprinkle rock salt over large baking sheet to depth of 1/2 inch. Arrange oysters in half shells atop rock salt. Top each oyster with 1 tablespoon spinach mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until spinach mixture browns on top, about 8 minutes.
塩1/2インチのクッキングシートにひろげます。カキ殻半分を塩の上に並べ、カキの上にプロセッサーでまぜたほうれんそうを大さじ1のせます。約8分、こげがつくまで焼きます。

Put flour, beaten eggs, and panko in separate plates. Coat oysters with flour, eggs, then panko. Fry the oysters in oil 350F /170 C until turn brown. Place thinly julienned cabbage on a plate and serve fried oysters on the side. We made fresh Tartar Sauce to go with the Fried Oysters, or Worchester Sauce, and I also recommend this ...
Spicy Wasabi Cream Sauce スパイシーわさびクリーム
2 Tablespoons powdered wasabi 粉わさび 大さじ21 Tablespoon water 水 大さじ11 Tablespoon soy sauce しょうゆ 大さじ13 Tablespoons heavy cream 生クリーム 大さじ31 Tablespoon sour cream サワークリーム 大さじ1

Monday, January 4, 2010

Christmas Cooking: Gingerbread and Eggnog

Christmas Cooking 2009
GINGERBREAD and EGGNOG
Of course no Christmas holiday would be complete without whipping up a batch of fresh Eggnog. I remember waiting at the dairy section of the supermarkets in early December, waiting for them to start selling red-labeled cartons of holiday eggnog. I would ask my mom to buy an extra carton-just in case Santa was extra-thirty that year! I wasn't a good boy because, in fact, I wanted to hoard the entire carton for myself! Eggnog is sweet, rich, and creamy and your heart stops when you see the empty bottom of your cup. Mind you, this was several years ago, when I was a small tike, but now that I'm an older, seasoned hog, I can partake of 'adulty' eggnog as my mom would often say-Eggnog with spirits; brandy, rum, whiskey or whatever grows hair on your chest is spiked into the grog. At the cooking class we made two versions: spirited eggnog for the 'adulties' and plain for the children. One of the children best described eggnog as 'drinking melted vanilla ice cream without having to lick.'

Eggnog History
Many believe that eggnog is a tradition that was brought to America from Europe. This is partially true. Eggnog is related to various milk and wine punches that had been concocted long ago in the "Old World". However, in America a new twist was put on the theme. Rum was used in the place of wine. In Colonial America, rum was commonly called "grog", so the name eggnog is likely derived from the very descriptive term for this drink, "egg-and-grog", which corrupted to egg'n'grog and soon to eggnog. At least this is one version...
Other experts would have it that the "nog" of eggnog comes from the word "noggin". A noggin was a small, wooden, carved mug. It was used to serve drinks at table in taverns (while drinks beside the fire were served in tankards). It is thought that eggnog started out as a mixture of Spanish "Sherry" and milk. The English called this concoction "Dry sack posset". It is very easy to see how an egg drink in a noggin could become eggnog.


Eggnog Recipe エッグノック
12 egg yolks/whites separated
卵の黄身 12個
1 cup Sugar
砂糖 1 cup
3 cups Heavy Cream
生クリーム 3カップ
7 cups milk
2 cups Rum
ラム酒 2カップ
Pinch of salt
塩 少々
Nutmeg

In a chilled bowl BEAT egg yolks until light.
冷えたボウルに卵の黄身をいれ、白くなるまでよくかき混ぜる
Slowly ADD sugar, cream and milk and Rum
砂糖、生クリーム、ラム酒を徐々に加える
Whip separately until stiff: 2 egg whites
卵白を別のボウルで泡立てる:2個分
Fold egg whites into mixture.
卵白があわ立つまでよくかき混ぜる
Chill and serve with nutmeg.
ナツメグを加え、よく冷やす













Gingerbread Cookiesジンジャーブレッドクッキー
Preheat oven to 350F/170C
オーブンをあらかじめ170℃にあたためておく
Blend until creamy:
クリーミーになるまで下記をブレンドする:
1/4 cup butter
バター1/4カップ
1/2 cup brown sugar
ブラウンシュガー 1/2カップ
Beat in:
よくかき混ぜるb:
1/2 cup molasses
モラセス(黒砂糖でできたシロップ) 1/2カップ
Sift
下記をふるいにかける
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
小麦粉 3と1/2カップ
Resift with:
再度下記をふるいにかける
1 tsp baking soda
ベーキングソーダ 小さじ1
1/4 tsp. cloves
クローブ 小さじ1/4
1/2 tsp cinnamon
シナモン 小さじ1/2
1 tsp fresh ginger
しょうが 小さじ1
1/2 tsp salt
塩 小さじ1/2
ADD sifted ingredients to butter mixture,
ふるいにかけた材料にバターを混ぜる
Alternating with:
その他:
1/3 cup water.
水 1/3カップ

Work the mixture with your hands for 5 minutes,
手で5分間混ぜ合わせる
Wrap and chill for 3 hours.
ラップし。3時間冷やす
Roll out on well-floured board.
小麦粉をまぶしたボードに冷やした種をのばす
Cut shapes with floured cookie cutters and place on greased cookie sheet.
型でくりぬき、油をしいたパンに並べる
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on a rack.
8-10分焼き、さます
Royal Icing ロイヤルアイシング
2 large egg whites 卵白(大)2個
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 絞りレモン汁 小さじ2杯
3 cups(330 grams) confectioners/
(powdered)sugar, sifted. ふるいにかけた粉砂糖 3カップ(330グラム)

In a cool bowl beat the egg whites with the lemon juice.
冷たいボウルで卵白とレモン汁を強くかき混ぜる。

Add the sifted powder in portions and continue to beat until well combined.
粉砂糖を少しづつ加え、よく混ざるまでかき混ぜる。 Tint portions of icing to desired colors. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use. Icing will dry quickly when exposed to air. アイシングに好みの色をつける。使用しないときはラップをかぶせて
おく(アイシングは空気にさらされるとすぐに固まってしまう)。
Thanks to Everyone and Have a Happy Winter Holiday!