Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup sour cream

½ cup chopped nuts

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 350.  Grease and flour 10 inch Bundt pan, set aside.

Sift flour, baking soda and powder, and salt. 

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla, eggs and sour cream.

Mix dry and wet ingredients in large bowl

In separate bowl, mix nuts, brown and white sugars, and cinnamon.

Place half of batter in Bundt pan; sprinkle nut mixture on top.  Cover with remaining batter.

Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes until top is lightly browned and toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean.

Cool slightly and unmold cake.

Alternative:  Omit nut mixture and fill with raspberry jam.

Vanilla Whipped Cream

Vanilla Whipped Cream

This is the easiest thing you can make.  I cannot see buying canned whipped cream when you can make it so easily and cheaply at home.    Homemade whipped cream adds a big ‘wow’ factor to desserts; you can buy a poundcake and some fresh berries, but when you add a dollop of fresh whipped cream, your guests think you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen all day.  

There’s nothing better than a scoop of fresh whipped cream on a cup of coffee—life is good when you can start your day that way!  

To preserve the cream, line a colander with cheesecloth, set it in a bowl, and pour the whipped cream into the cheesecloth.  This will remove the excess liquid and keep the cream stiff for a couple of days in the fridge.  If you don’t do this, the leftover cream will die in a day.

You can also make flavored whipped cream—add instant espresso powder and/or kahlua for coffee whipped cream.  Or Gran Marnier and/or some freshly grated orange zest. 

  

Ingredients

1 quart of heavy cream
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

Instructions

 Chill bowl and whipping attachment for one-half hour before making. Add heavy cream and sugar to the bowl and set it on stir until cream and sugar begin to mix, about 30 to 60 seconds.

After mixing for about a minute, add pure vanilla extract, and increase speed.

Watch as the cream thickens and be sure to stop when you can easily spoon out the cream. (If you continue whipping too long it will turn to a buttery substance.)

Fresh Horse Radish Crusted Haddock

Horseradish Crusted Haddock

1 cup fresh-grated horseradish

1/2 cup chopped parsley

Juice plus zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1  egg white

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper

1 cup Panko, (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

8 (6-ounce) haddock fillets, skin removed

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the horseradish, parsley, lemon juice and zest, garlic, egg white, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a medium bowl. Stir in the breadcrumbs.

Toss 1/4 cup olive oil into the breadcrumb mixture using a fork. Break apart any clumps and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the fillets with the remaining salt and pepper and place 3 of the pieces in the skillet — skin side up. Cook for 2 minutes, gently turn the fillets with a flexible spatula and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer to a baking sheet and repeat with remaining fillets. Top each fillet with an equal amount of breadcrumb mixture, press lightly to adhere, and roast in the oven until the breadcrumb crust  is golden and the fish is cooked — 4 to 6 minutes. Serve immediately over a bed of sauteed swiss chard or spinach.

Baked Shrimp Burgers

Baked Shrimp
 Burgers Recipe


1 slice sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 lb extra large shrimp (raw, not precooked, I used the 26-30/lb size), peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons Cains mayonnaise 
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
pinch cayenne pepper
oil for frying

Add the bread to the bowl of your food processor and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Transfer to a measuring cup - you should have about 3/4 cup of crumbs. Wipe the bowl of the food processor out, then add the shrimp. Carefully pulse just until you have a mixture of finely minced and coarsely chopped pieces, about 7 pulses. Add the breadcrumbs and shrimp to a large bowl but do not mix yet.

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, lemon zest, salt, pepper and cayenne together until well combined. Pour this mixture over the shrimp and breadcrumbs, and use a rubber spatula to gently fold everything together. 

Transfer the shrimp mixture onto a small baking sheet. Divide the mixture into 4 portions, and loosely pack each into a 1-inch thick burger. You want to be gentle here - don't try to pick up the mixture and shape it the way you might with a traditional burger. Cover the burgers with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). 

Set a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. When it shimmers, carefully transfer the burgers to the pan. Cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 8-10 minutes total.  Serve on toasted buns with Tartar Sauce or Cocktail Sauce.

4 burgers

Sheree Delorenzo's Seafood Casserole

• 12 to 16 ounces cooked medium to large shrimp, cut up
• 8 ounces lobster meat
• 4 ounces crabmeat
• 4 ounces sautéed mushrooms
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine or sherry
•  1 c. crushed Ritz Cracker Crumbs mixed with 2-4 tbsp. Butter and 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese for topping
• Preparation:

In a buttered 1 1/2-quart casserole, combine seafood. Add cooked mushrooms.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat; stir in flour until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in seasonings and wine. Gently stir sauce into seafood mixture. Sprinkle with Ritz Cracker Crumbs and Parmesan cheese, drizzle 2-4 Tbsp butter on top of crumbs. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, then broil for a minute to brown top. Serve immediately.
Serves 4

This kicks up the Lobster Roll another NOTCH! Lobster BLT - Makes 2 Sandwiches

THE LOBSTER BLT

kicking the lobster roll up another notch!

4 slices of bread toasted

shucked lobster meat from 2 lobsters and cut into bite size pieces

4-6 pieces of crisply fried bacon

1/3 c. Cains Mayonnaise

4-6 slices tomato

4-6 lettuce leaves

Fry the bacon, toast the bread, shuck the lobsters and cut the lobster meat into bite size pieces. Mix the lobster Meat with the Mayonnaise. Assemble the Sandwiches by layering the ingredients between two slices of toast.

Serve Immediately, don't expect this sandwich to last too long. Enough for you and a friend! Enjoy!

Cape Ann Seafood Exchange's Nina Jarvis and Eric Morse prepares with Vinwood Caterers a fine selection of Under Utilized Species Dishes for 2nd Annual Gloucester, MA Maritime Summit - Grilled Monkfish, Pan Fried Redfish, Skate Wings in a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce, and Deep Fried Dogfish

Nina Jarvis from the Cape Ann Seafood Exchange brought and Eric Morse cooked with the help of Vinwood Caterers a selection of Under Utilized Species for the enjoyment of the 150 people who attended the City of Gloucester's 

2nd Annual Maritime Summit at 

Cruiseport Gloucester on Feb. 7, 2013.

All the Species showcased are at sustainable levels in their fishery and make good alternatives to our traditionally caught species such as cod, haddock, and pollack.

Deep Fried Dogfish
using a  Traditional Beer Batter
Please note: This Dogfish is MSC Certified and Cape Ann Seafood Exchange in Gloucester, MA is the first fishery in New England to have this sustainable certification.

Skate Wings 
were sauteed in a
Butter Lemon Caper Sauce

Grilled Monkfish
grilled with olive oil, parsley, salt,
pepper, and lemon sauce

 Pan Fried Redfish
very lightly pan fried 
with butter, salt, and pepper

Mayor Carolyn Kirk
Making her selection with a few ohhs and ahhs!

Nina Jarvis from the Cape Ann
Seafood Exchange serving
her delectable fish at
the 2nd Annual Maritime Summit

From front ot Back: Grilled Monkfish, Pan Fried Redfish,
Skate Wings in a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce,
and Deep Fried Dogfish

Under Utilized Fish are fish that only a small percentage of allowable catch are caught and sold.

One of the most delicious fish cooked by Nina was the Pan Fried Redfish. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has some amazing facts about under ultilized species such as Redfish also known as ocean perch, are slow-growing, deep-water fish that yield small, flaky white fillets. To catch them, a rather large net is used

Apparently the fish can live for up to 60 years. These days there is not all that much demand (fishermen here only pulled in 22% of their federally allowable catch of redfish in 2010) but years ago it was considered a tasty fish and was eaten with gusto. These days Redfish are often used as lobster bait.

What does get processed for human consumption is mostly shipped to the Midwest where there is a slightly bigger market for redfish. It seems that the most recent popularity for the species was in the 1940s and '50s when the military fed a lot of it to the troops. I remember eating it as a child in Gloucester and it was considered as good as and as delicious as Flounder. It does seem amazing that this healthy, delicious, and abundant protein source accounts for only 22% of what can be caught and processed for this species.

Nina's Redfish was delicious and I remember a popular New England Redfish hash from years ago. I looked around on the internet and found an interesting Redfish Recipe from Maine:

Redfish with Green Grapes adapted from

Seafood Cookbook, Volume 1 by the Maine Fisherman's Wives Association 

• 1 pound redfish fillets
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup of large seedless green grapes, cut in half
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 3/4 cup fish stock
• 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

1. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a large saucepan. Add grapes, cut side down and saute them until the pick up a bit of color. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Salt and pepper the fillets. Add the shallots in the same hot pan as you've cooked the grapes. Cook 1-2 minutes to soften them. Add the fish bone side down. Cook until the fish gets a bit golden (3-4 minutes). Flips the fish and add the wine and stock. Bring the liquid to a simmer and let the fillets sit in it until they are cooked through (3-4 minutes). Removed the fillet from the pan with a fish spatula and keep warm on a late. Sprinkle the grapes over the fish.
3. Increase the heat to high and reduce the liquid to about 1 cup. Turn off the heat and whisk in 1 Tablespoon of cold butter. Add lemon juice to taste. Stir in parsley. Pour the sauce over the fish and serve immediately.

The whole question of using and enjoying Sustainable Species is really a matter of education and changing needs and tastes. Nina Jarvis and the Cape Ann Seafood Exchange have really done a fantastic job getting Dogfish MCS certified and creating sustainable fishing alternatives for the port of Gloucester, MA

Happy Cooking,

Sheree

Diners at the 2nd Annual Maritime Summit
enjoying the underutilized Species Dishes!

The Side Car - Recipe and Video

This drink goes back to my father’s days as a bartender at the Ritz Carlton.  Whenever I make this drink, all the bartending skills that he taught me come back rushing back and I raise a ceremonial glass to him.  Cheers, Dad!

I trained as a food and beverage manager, but my favorite part of food and beverage is definitely beverage. People often ask me, "What is your Favorite Cocktail"? I don't have a favorite but when I think of a classic, I remember my father and the "Side Car". 

Please Note: When I Pour, I count “one-two-three” for is a half-shot measure.  

click here to see Gloucester Times Video of Sheree making a Side Car Cocktail

Side Car

1 full shot of Hennessy cognac

½ shot glass Cointreau (or to taste)

Fresh squeezed lime juice (1/4 cup)

Fresh squeezed lemon juice (1/4 cup)

Fresh squeezed orange juice (1/8 cup)

Sugar for rimming glass

Fresh orange slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Rim martini glass with lemon and then coat with sugar. Set aside.

2. Fill cocktail shaker with ice.

3. Add cognac and Cointreau.

4. Squeeze lemon, lime and orange juice into one container. Add juices, shake and serve.

Garnish with orange slice and enjoy!

Sheree's New England Pot Roast

New England Pot Roast  

This the perfect one-dish family dinner.  Kids love it because the meat is very tender, adults love the complexity of the flavors, and most importantly, the cook loves it because you just throw everything in the crock pot and leave it alone for ten hours.  

When you prep the vegetables, cut the onions very thick, so the roast can rest on top of them.  This keeps the meat from sitting directly on the bottom of the pot, so the heat and flavors circulate evenly.    And I have to confess:  I don’t particularly like turnip.  I find it very bitter, but my family is from Nova Scotia where turnip is very common.  So, I like the flavor it infuses into the pot roast, even if I don’t eat the actual turnip.

Use any combination of the following root vegetables, cut to large cubes:
Carrots
Parsnips
Squash
Turnip
White Onion
Celery
Celery root
Potatoes

4 to 5 pound chuck roast
Salt and pepper to taste
Canned tomatoes
1 cup beef stock
½ cup red wine, medium to dry

Herbs:
fresh rosemary
fresh thyme
bay leaf
fresh parsley
4 garlic cloves, whole

Instructions

1. Peel and cut vegetables.  Place onions in first.
2. Place beef into crock pot or slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
3. Place all vegetables into pot around beef until. If they rise above rim do not worry as the lid will settle as the pot roast cooks.
4. Add beef broth and wine, top with fresh herbs and place cover on top.
5. Set crock pot or slow cooker on medium heat for hours.

Remove cover, place vegetables into bowl, and remove and cut beef. Place on a platter or make individual servings, being sure to use some of the liquid broth for added flavor.

Serve with crusty bread for dipping. Enjoy!

Raspberry and Apple Crisp

Raspberry and Apple Crisp
Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream or Freshly Whipped Cream

preheat oven to 350 degrees
9"X9" greased pan

Ingredients:
1 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
5 Lg. Apples
1 c. Raspberries (can use frozen)
1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 teasp. cinnamon
1/4 teasp. salt
6Tbsp melted butter

In a large bowl, mix brown sugar and 1 tablespoon flour. Add sliced apples and raspberries; toss to coat. Spoon into baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix together oats, 1/2 cup flour, cinnamon and salt. Stir in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple mixture 

Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned. Serve warm with Vanilla Ice Cream or Freshly Whipped Cream

I Love My Mother-In-Law Banana Bread! - The key to a happy marriage and loving "The Family"

I Love My Mother-In-Law Banana Bread!

Makes Two Loaves of this Delicious Bread!

The key to a happy marriage and loving "The Family" can be in the "baking". 

RECIPE:
3 cups of all purpose flour
2 cups Sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened
1 - 8oz package of cream cheese softened
2 eggs room temp
4 ripe bananas mashed
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans

I like to have all my ingredients ready to go
before I assemble things!

Flour and Chopped Nuts

Cream Cheese at Room Temperature

Butter at Room Temperature

The Most Important Ingredient!
Overripe Bananas!

I love my Kitchen Aid Mixer!

Cream together the butter and cream cheese, add sugar and mix at med speed until
fluffy, add one egg at a time until blended, add dry ingredients, flour slowly, baking
powder, baking soda and salt, add vanilla, bananas and nuts.
bake at 350 for one hour.

The Batter in the Pans!

Looks Perfect!!

Love it when the top cracks
and opens as it bakes!

Enjoy a piece with your mother or mother-in-law with coffee!

This is my time tested and proven recipe for getting along with your Mother-In-Law or other relative. Bake them a special bread, just for them and spend time with them enjoying it. Pure Heaven!

Happy Baking!
Sheree

PS: If you like my posts and want to subscribe to the blog the email subscription link is below the comments box. Thanks :)

New Years Day No Resolution Soup

Lentil Soup

Happy New Year, I wish you health, happiness and good fortune. Be kind, daring, creative, funny positive, loving loyal honest, genuine, fearless, generous, original, brave, optimistic, grateful and happy! 
If I think of any more Be's I let you know. 

aka New Years Day No Resolution Soup

3 tbsp of Olive Oil
1 cup of diced carrot
1 cup of diced onion
1 cup of diced celery
2 tbsp of diced garlic
1 cup of Red Lentils
2tsp coriander
1 1/2 Tbsp of Curry
2 tsp of salt
2 tsp of fresh ground pepper
1 quart of Vegetable Stock
1 16oz can of petit diced tomatoes
3 cups of water

sauté carrot, onion, celery in olive oil until tender, add garlic, lentils, spices and Stock, tomatoes, and water, simmer for 2 to 3 hours and serve with crusty bread and grated cheese if desired. 


Happy New Year to ALL!!
Live Love
Sheree