Photograzing = Love

I will be glad when they get a badge...lol

http://photograzing.seriouseats.com/2011/09/curry-roasted-wings.html

Homemade Vanilla Extract



 I've been writing this vanilla extract post since I purchased the vanilla bean pods!  Had I known how incredibly easy it was to make my own vanilla extract I would have been caking this stuff for years!

It's a wrap! I will never ever, ever, in the history of ever purchase store vanilla extract. I mean it is SO FREAKING easy to make a better quality at home! Vanilla Beans, Vodka, 6 weeks. Yeah. That's it.

The flavor and smell and richness is far superior to anything I have purchased and let me tell you I have bought some expensive vanilla extracts in my time.

There are no additives in the homemade version, just likka and vanilla bean pods! The REALLY awesome thing about making vanilla extract at home besides cost and flavor is that you can continue to top the vodka off for a near endless vanilla extract stash!

I used Tahitian beans for this batch but I will be experimenting with other varieties and with Bourbon in addition to the vodka. Most vanilla extract recipes use vodka as it has a "clean" flavor.



Week 1



Week 2



What you need:

• 1 Liter Vodka
• 1 dozen vanilla bean pods (I purchased mine from Bean.illa.com)
• At least 6 weeks

What to do:

• Pour off about 1/2 cup of the vodka (By "pour off" I mean make a drink, take a couple of shots...by all means DO NOT waste good likka!! LOL)
• Run a sharp knife up each vanilla pod careful not to cut through the pod and keeping the ends intact
• Place all the pods in the vodka, close and give it a good shake
• Store the vodka in a cool, dark, dry place
• Give the extract a good shake once a week until set
• When your extract gets low simply fill with more vodka, shake and store

Orange Glazed Salmon

So I already have an orange salmon recipe and it is delicious. However, since I am on this cook new stuff kick and I Stan for Cuis.ine At Ho.me, I tried this one.

It was just soooooooo good and worth the one or two extra steps it took to cook it. The fact that it was just as easy as my go to orange salmon is just a plus!

I used regular old orange marmalade (I found one that had orange peels in it....so good) as I didn't find, nor search that hard, for Seville orange marmalade as the original recipe called for. I also added an additional teaspoon of brown sugar because the my Cajun mix would have been too spicy for Babe's tastes. I also added the juice of an entire lime and about a tablespoon more of the marmalade because I wanted more sauce to drizzle over salad greens.

Orange Glazed Salmon
Adapted from Cuisine at Home

What You Need:

• 2 Tbs Cajun spice
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 4 boneless, skinless salmon fillets (6oz. each)
• 2 Tbs. vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbs orange marmalade Juice of one lime

What To Do:

• Combine Cajun spice and sugar in a small bowl
• Rub the spice mixture over all surfaces of fillets
• Saute fillets in oil in a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat for 3-4 min per side. Carefully remove salmon to a plate
• Place marmalade and lime in the skillet until melted. Swirl to prevent burning
• Carefully place salmon back into the pan and spoon glaze all over fish.
• The salmon is done when it begins to flake when tested with a fork.

Photograzing = Love

Quickie post...I am on Photograzing again...Go Me!

http://photograzing.seriouseats.com/2011/08/fresh-trout-almondine.html

Farmer's Market Fresh

I've found a new Farmer's Market! They even have a co-op and grass fed meats! #Schwing!!!!!!

On my first visit, I purchased the most awesome fruit and vegetables and decided to try the co-op option.

For $20 you pick fruits and vegetables from their in season list and you get enough to feed a family of four. A week later you pick up your stash.

We got a lot of quality, local vegetables and fruits and herbs for the low. I made salmon tacos with pico...chile please!  We are regulars at that joint now. I am going to try the grass fed meats directly...that goodness is not cheap but I believe it is absolutely worth it!