Kerala Style Beef Stew

Once you’ve added the coconut milk, be sure not to boil it too long or else the milk may curdle. You can substitute yogurt or plain milk for the coconut milk for health reasons.  Thank you to Chacko’s Kitchen for submitting this recipe.

Kerala Style Beef Stew
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Soups
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 potato
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 1-1/2 c. shallots
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 c. coconut milk
  • 4-5 curry leaves
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2-1/2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 2-4 green chilies
  • 4 cloves
  • 1-1/2" cinnamon stick
  • 6 green cardamom
  • 1 star anise
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Clean & cut the beef into 1″ cubes. Drain.
  2. Peel & finely slice the shallots.
  3. Finely slice the tomatoes & store separately.
  4. Peel, wash, & cut the potato & carrot into 1″ cubes.
  5. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a non-stick pan. Add the Garam Masala ingredients (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, & star anise) & saute for 1 minute.
  6. Add shallots (reserving about 1 tbsp) & saute until translucent, taking about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the drained, cubed beef, potato, & carrot along with the turmeric, salt, & pepper. Saute until all sides are seared & lightly caramelized and browned.
  8. Add the tomatoes, green chilies, & ½ the coconut milk. Transfer to a pressure cooker & cook on high heat until 1 whistle, reducing to a medium flame. Continue to cook for 20 minutes & then 10 more minutes on low flame.
  9. In a separate non-stick pan, heat the remaining oil & saute the reserved shallots & curry leaves. Add the remainder of the coconut milk & bring to a boil on medium heat. Remove from heat.

 

Pea and Leek Soup

If you prefer the soup to be 100% Vegetarian, you can substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock.  I prefer to serve with toasted sourdough.  A swirl of cream will make this look nicer and taste richer.

Pea and Leek Soup
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Soup
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 3 baby leeks, sliced
  • 1-1/2 c. boiling water
  • 1 c. petits pois (peas), frozen
  • 1 tbsp chives, chopped
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp cider vinegar
  • salt & black pepper
Instructions
  1. Place the baby leeks in a small saucepan with the olive oli until the leeks are soft. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the chives, setting them aside.
  2. Simmer until the peas are cooked through. Add the chives to the pan & use a hand blender to blend until smooth, or your preferred consistency.
  3. Serve with warm bread.

Photo Courtesy of M. King on Flickr

Gary’s Favorite Clam Chowder

Chowdah by Kim Jones on FlickrGary Says: A great recipe for classic, New England style clam chowder on a cold day!

Gary’s Favorite Clam Chowder
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Soups
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 13 oz. clams, minced (2 cans; reserve juice)
  • 1 c. yellow onions, chopped
  • 1 c. celery, diced
  • 2-1/2 c. potatoes, diced
  • ¾ c. all-purpose flour
  • ¾ c. butter
  • 1 qt. half & half
  • ½ tsp granulated sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • Dash black pepper
Instructions
  1. In a medium to large saucepan combine onions, celery & potatoes. Pour clam juice over vegetables. Add enough water to barely cover vegetables. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium & simmer until potatoes are tender (approximately 20 minutes).
  2. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, melt butter. When melted, add flour, blend & cook for 2 minutes. Add half & half & cook, stirring until smooth & creamy. Drain vegetables, reserving liquid. Return vegetables to saucepan. Add clams & sauce mixture. Heat thoroughly (add reserved cooking liquid to make consistency to your taste.

Photo Courtesy of Kim Jones on Flickr

Alethea’s Grocery Bag Potato Salad

Alethea's Grocery Bag Potato Salad
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: German
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
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Ingredients
  • 6 Eggs
  • 6-10 White Potatoes
  • ¼ c. fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 small jar sweet pickles
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
Instructions
  1. Hard boil the eggs. When done, set aside to cool. This can be done ahead of time.
  2. Lightly wash the unpeeled potatoes to remove any loose dirt. Place the potatoes in a clean plastic grocery bag. Loosely tie the bag once & cut a small slit in the bag about half way down. Cook the potatoes in the microwave for 15 minutes on high. When you think they're done, stick a fork in and it should slide out easily and smoothly when done.
  3. When the potatoes are done remove them from the bag carefully as they'll be hot. Using a sharp knife, peel the loose skin from the potatoes. Cut up or dice the potatoes & place in a suitably sized bow.
  4. Peel the hard boiled eggs & dice them finely. Add to the potatoes. Add salt & black pepper to taste. Add pickles, parsley, & enough mayonnaise to mix together with your preferred taste and moistness. Cover with plastic

Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Lunch
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 1 c. chicken, chopped
  • 1 c. celery, chopped
  • 1 c. grapes, halved
  • ⅓ c. toasted pecans
  • ¼ c. green onions
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅔ c. Pace Picante Sauce (Mild)
  • ½ c. mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
  1. Mix together the chicken, celery, grapes, salt, & pecans.
  2. Separately, mix together the Pace, honey, mayonnaise, & green onions.
  3. Combine both mixes together.

Photo Credit: Joshua Blount | Flickr