My sister has wanted this recipe for some time. It comes from Williams Sonoma's Best of Taste Magazine cookbook.
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of butter
2 Tablespoons of canola oil
1 large sweet onion chopped
2 Tablespoons of finely chopped ginger
3 lbs. of carrots, peeled and chopped
5 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
2 Tablespoons of peanut butter
juice of 1 lime
salt and fresh ground pepper
Cilantro-Chile Salsa (garnish):
1/2 cup of coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tablespoons roasted peanuts
2 teaspoons chopped jalapeño
fresh lime juice
salt
1. In a large pot, melt butter with oil over medium low head. Add onion and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. (Basically sweat your onions.) Add the carrots and stock. Bring to a simmer. Cook until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in peanut butter.
2. In a blender, puree the soup in 2 batches. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or chinois into a pot, using back of a spoon to push soup through. Discard remaining solids. Reheat soup over low heat. Add lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. For SALSA: In a mortar, point cilantro, peanuts and jalapeño to a paste. Add lime juice and salt to taste.
4. To serve, top individual servings with salsa.
Here is the thing. I didn't strain the soup. We made this soup for the first time in November, so not straining it made it more of a winter soup. Also, I added some cooking sherry to the onions in the beginning. Also, I stirred the salsa into the soup, because I love cilantro.
I wouldn't have thought that the jalapeno was an essential part of this recipe, but it is. I don't have a high tolerance for heat, but this seriously was incredible against the layered smooth texture of the peanut butter and the carrot.
Have fun Sara! Yumm!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Balconi Lemon Cake
I love to shop at SOFO's Italian Market on Monroe St. Lauren and I went there last week, and we got all kinds of goodies.
One new dessert was a lemon cake by Balconi, an Italian import. This cake was a light sponge cake layered with lemon cream. Very good. I served it with strong espresso.
One new dessert was a lemon cake by Balconi, an Italian import. This cake was a light sponge cake layered with lemon cream. Very good. I served it with strong espresso.
Rosemary White Bean Soup
What's cookin? I am always looking for really simple recipes with complex, rich flavor.
While white bean soup is a very Italian dish in origin, in the Midwest usually you think of white northern beans cooked in a slow cooker with a ham bone or a bit of fat back. Well, this soup is as rich in flavor, but no pork.
I usually don't use a recipe to make this dish, but keep it simply to garlic, olive oil, and cannellini beans (or white kidney beans). Just sauteing garlic, then adding beans; cooking for 20 minutes. Then serving over rustic bread.
Lauren recently gave me a recipe for Rosemary White Bean Soup from the Barefoot Contessa website, http://www.barefootcontessa.com
I started with her recipe but instead of 4 cups of onion; I just had one large sweet, yellow onion. I chopped this onion and sweated them till the just began to turn brown. I then used olive oil, cooking sherry, and butter, as opposed to just olive oil. Also, I didn't have the bay leaf, which I didn't miss even though I love what bay leaf adds.
The end result was creamy and very rich. I recommend. If you want me to provide a detailed recipe, just post the request.
While white bean soup is a very Italian dish in origin, in the Midwest usually you think of white northern beans cooked in a slow cooker with a ham bone or a bit of fat back. Well, this soup is as rich in flavor, but no pork.
I usually don't use a recipe to make this dish, but keep it simply to garlic, olive oil, and cannellini beans (or white kidney beans). Just sauteing garlic, then adding beans; cooking for 20 minutes. Then serving over rustic bread.
Lauren recently gave me a recipe for Rosemary White Bean Soup from the Barefoot Contessa website, http://www.barefootcontessa.com
I started with her recipe but instead of 4 cups of onion; I just had one large sweet, yellow onion. I chopped this onion and sweated them till the just began to turn brown. I then used olive oil, cooking sherry, and butter, as opposed to just olive oil. Also, I didn't have the bay leaf, which I didn't miss even though I love what bay leaf adds.
The end result was creamy and very rich. I recommend. If you want me to provide a detailed recipe, just post the request.
Inky's Italian 3945 N. Detroit Ave.
Friday night in Toledo? Where should we go? Toledo has a number of choices since it is the test market for national chains. We have more restaurants per capita then most Cities in the midwest, so there is a wide range of choices.
Greg and I had received recommendations for an Italian restaurant that we'd never been to Inky's, a home-style Italian restaurant located at 3945 N Detroit Ave.
I have lived in Toledo for the past 17 years. I don't know much about the history of the restaurant, but I know enough to share with you that it has been around a long--long enough to be considered a Toledo tradition. Everyone to whom I mentioned our weekend dinning plans to, more or less freaked out that we hadn't been there. We had heard of Inky's but just never ventured there. The area it is located in is an older part of the city that was disrupted by the highway when it was put in.
As we arrived, the setting sun was still relatively high in the sky. I mention this because in Toledo the overcast has been overwhelmingly depressing this past Winter, so it was refreshing to drink in the sun, a nice way to begin the evening; I was excited about the promise of a good meal.
I had in mind a home-style meal that we had over two years ago while we were visiting Chicago. The restaurant there is named Maggiano's located on 516 N. Clark St. Wonderful! Everything was served family style. Greg got gnhocci with sausage and fresh sage. I had the wild mushroom stuffed ravioli, but I digress. I'll try to revisit this in a Chicago post later; we ate at several incredible restaurants there, several that I would recommend.
Atmosphere:
The parking lot was full. This place looks like a little dive almost like a bar. I wasn't sure what to expect as I entered, but it was surprisingly spacious. The bar was located to the left as you entered the small building from the entrance that faced Detroit Ave. We passed spacious booths that lined the wall that enclosed the bar, as we were seated in the larger dining room that was obviously designated to seat families. We were seated by a polite teen that seemed intrigued by our dinner guest Fawad. Fawad is our Pakistani, atheist, ska, punk friend who wears nothing but dock martins everywhere. The dining room was absent of people of color until we arrived, but everyone seemed to settle in when another table of Inky's regulars greeted us. The dinning room was clean decorated with plants and painted a pleasant green. Very pleasant and clean.
Service:
The waitresses were fantastic. No complaints. In fact, if you know me, you'll know that I like those who talk back. Our waitress came over at one point to ask how we were doing, and I must have made a face that she misinterpreted. She responded saucily with a "what do you mean by that . . . you don't like it?" I enjoyed this attitude and exchange. It made me feel like I was in someones home where they care about the food they put in front of their guest. She was awesome.
Food:
Menu was good. I was disappointed to see that there was no gnhocci which happens to be my favorite. But, right away, my eye was drawn to the egg plant Parmesan. My mind was set. Greg got the manicotti. Fawad got the chicken cachatori. Sorry, I can't spell. I'll come back and correct these later. Anyway, the salad sucked, lettuce with some tomatoes and bad dressing (I had blue cheese-awful). But, I wasn't there for salad.
The meals were served with spaghetti. I don't think homemade pasta, but I could be wrong. My eggplant was fantastic; I'd highly recommend. My only complaint is the homemade sauce was to thin. I personally prefer a thicker sauce. And, there was too much of it. I'm surprised I didn't wear half of it home. Fawad loved the chicken. And, Greg was in heaven with the manicotti. The reader should understand that it doesn't take much for Greg to be happy where food is concerned (chili tofu for those of you who know us--need I say more).
Overall, I'd give Inky's a high rating. I will definitely go back for the eggplant. I also want to go back for the pizza. The table next to us got a pie, and it looked beautiful. I learned from guest at another table that they preferred Inky's pizza over any other in the City. I can believe it from the looks of what was brought to their table. I say this as someone who is loyal to CALVINO'S (more later). Can't wait to give it a try.
The only complaints I have is that there was too much sauce, and the attitude of other guests to the presence of a person of color in their dinning room. I don't think I mistook the unease, but the waitresses more then made up for this attitude in the way they treated us. Despite their youth, they were welcoming, professional, and went out of their way to make us comfortable.
As for cost, I didn't pay. Three large meals, drinks, desserts, plus tip--for $45. I little steep for me, but overall reasonable. It was no Maggiono's, but were not in Chicago's little Italy either.
For more reviews on Inky's, http://local.yahoo.com/readreviews?id=15510487
Greg and I had received recommendations for an Italian restaurant that we'd never been to Inky's, a home-style Italian restaurant located at 3945 N Detroit Ave.
I have lived in Toledo for the past 17 years. I don't know much about the history of the restaurant, but I know enough to share with you that it has been around a long--long enough to be considered a Toledo tradition. Everyone to whom I mentioned our weekend dinning plans to, more or less freaked out that we hadn't been there. We had heard of Inky's but just never ventured there. The area it is located in is an older part of the city that was disrupted by the highway when it was put in.
As we arrived, the setting sun was still relatively high in the sky. I mention this because in Toledo the overcast has been overwhelmingly depressing this past Winter, so it was refreshing to drink in the sun, a nice way to begin the evening; I was excited about the promise of a good meal.
I had in mind a home-style meal that we had over two years ago while we were visiting Chicago. The restaurant there is named Maggiano's located on 516 N. Clark St. Wonderful! Everything was served family style. Greg got gnhocci with sausage and fresh sage. I had the wild mushroom stuffed ravioli, but I digress. I'll try to revisit this in a Chicago post later; we ate at several incredible restaurants there, several that I would recommend.
Atmosphere:
The parking lot was full. This place looks like a little dive almost like a bar. I wasn't sure what to expect as I entered, but it was surprisingly spacious. The bar was located to the left as you entered the small building from the entrance that faced Detroit Ave. We passed spacious booths that lined the wall that enclosed the bar, as we were seated in the larger dining room that was obviously designated to seat families. We were seated by a polite teen that seemed intrigued by our dinner guest Fawad. Fawad is our Pakistani, atheist, ska, punk friend who wears nothing but dock martins everywhere. The dining room was absent of people of color until we arrived, but everyone seemed to settle in when another table of Inky's regulars greeted us. The dinning room was clean decorated with plants and painted a pleasant green. Very pleasant and clean.
Service:
The waitresses were fantastic. No complaints. In fact, if you know me, you'll know that I like those who talk back. Our waitress came over at one point to ask how we were doing, and I must have made a face that she misinterpreted. She responded saucily with a "what do you mean by that . . . you don't like it?" I enjoyed this attitude and exchange. It made me feel like I was in someones home where they care about the food they put in front of their guest. She was awesome.
Food:
Menu was good. I was disappointed to see that there was no gnhocci which happens to be my favorite. But, right away, my eye was drawn to the egg plant Parmesan. My mind was set. Greg got the manicotti. Fawad got the chicken cachatori. Sorry, I can't spell. I'll come back and correct these later. Anyway, the salad sucked, lettuce with some tomatoes and bad dressing (I had blue cheese-awful). But, I wasn't there for salad.
The meals were served with spaghetti. I don't think homemade pasta, but I could be wrong. My eggplant was fantastic; I'd highly recommend. My only complaint is the homemade sauce was to thin. I personally prefer a thicker sauce. And, there was too much of it. I'm surprised I didn't wear half of it home. Fawad loved the chicken. And, Greg was in heaven with the manicotti. The reader should understand that it doesn't take much for Greg to be happy where food is concerned (chili tofu for those of you who know us--need I say more).
Overall, I'd give Inky's a high rating. I will definitely go back for the eggplant. I also want to go back for the pizza. The table next to us got a pie, and it looked beautiful. I learned from guest at another table that they preferred Inky's pizza over any other in the City. I can believe it from the looks of what was brought to their table. I say this as someone who is loyal to CALVINO'S (more later). Can't wait to give it a try.
The only complaints I have is that there was too much sauce, and the attitude of other guests to the presence of a person of color in their dinning room. I don't think I mistook the unease, but the waitresses more then made up for this attitude in the way they treated us. Despite their youth, they were welcoming, professional, and went out of their way to make us comfortable.
As for cost, I didn't pay. Three large meals, drinks, desserts, plus tip--for $45. I little steep for me, but overall reasonable. It was no Maggiono's, but were not in Chicago's little Italy either.
For more reviews on Inky's, http://local.yahoo.com/readreviews?id=15510487
Happy Mother's Day In memory of Enid Amanda Skinner.
As many of you know, I lost my Grandmother last November. In memory of her wonderful spirit, I wanted to share with you something to "sweeten your mouth."
Grandma Skinner’s Cake Frosting
|
In loving memory of Enid Amanda Skinner, my grandma, I share with you
her legacy for life.
| Ingredients: 1 egg white beaten stiff 2 T. Flour 2 T. Water 2 T. Butter ½ c. Crisco Add Powdered Sugar to desired stiffness 1 teaspoon of Almond extract | The photo to the right is one of my favorite photos of |
| | |
Directions:
1. Cream butter and Crisco together.
2. Add four, water.
3. Fold in beaten egg white (beat white in a separate clean bowl till peaks form)
4. Add almond extract and powdered sugar.
Mrs. Enid Amanda (Littler) Skinner (b.
Everyone always was intrigued by my grandma’s first name.
Welcome
Welcome to Toledo Foodie! The basic idea behind this blog is to explore "epicurean delights" that can be found in Toledo, Ohio. From time to time, I may step outside this parameter to discuss experiences in other cities or to discuss experiences that are shared with me by either friends or family. This blog was inspired by my friend Lauren who has a fascination with everything culinary. Originally intended as a way for Lauren and I, to share experiences with you the reader, our hope was to share with you experiences from our individual travels around Ohio and other parts of the United States. Lauren and I will plan to post recipes, restaurant reviews, and other experiments of our own as we try to learn more about eating well. We also welcome post from you the reader, restaurant reviews, comments on our postings, etc.
We'll that should get us off and running. Look for my next post, a frosting recipe for Mother's Day.
We'll that should get us off and running. Look for my next post, a frosting recipe for Mother's Day.
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