Comfort (of Family) Food: October 2010

The Beginning!

My 1st blog! I have mentioned to many of you that this was an idea of mine to keep us in touch and drooling. I have had a curious obsession and interest in cooking since I was young and I sure do like to eat (especially when its made for me). This Blog is for OUR ideas and creations in the kitchen. I would like a combined effort from all of you family and friends to add your culinary ups and downs. Share your advice, Play with your food, and then BLOG! Blogging is a horrible word so think of it as food critiquing or a food journal. As soon as we get enough people using it, your recipe book will be full. You will also have a easier time deciding what to make throughout the week. The average American spends $163.5 a week on food. The reason why is because they just pick items and do not plan. This blog will hopefully help you plan your recipes for the week and also inspire us all to try what you made. My wife and I each week switch off who is cooking and try different recipes from various cookbooks. We both have very distinct and different palates, her's is simple with many flavors and usually vegetarian, while mine leans towards hearty and homestyle. There are many types of palates out there especially in our circles of friends and family. Sweet to Sour, Light to Heavy, European to Asian, Winter to Summer, Party or Dinner for One. This Blog will hopefully bring ideas and recipes from all these palates and let us explorer and adventure. This blog is mainly for me because I miss all of you and want to hear from you but I thought this idea would be a great experience. Hope to hear and see things from all of you!

Love,
Chad..der Box

Saturday, October 30, 2010

I AM THE WORST PHOTOGRAPHER

I am not a photographer, just a guy taking pictures. Usually many pictures and then picking the best one if there is one. I do not do my recipes or the food justice. I am sorry! We need a new camera, anyone have any tips on what kind or type to get?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Past Dinners... Help me help you..

Email if you would like any of these recipes.

Kayla's BDAY Strawberry CheeseCake

Sour Cream Blackberry Cobbler

Pork Verde Chili

Chad's Favorite BBQ Chicken Pasta w/ Grilled Asparagus

Herbed Chicken and Wild Mushroom Risotto

Operation POPTART......Yes...Homemade Pop Tarts

You heard it right... I tried to make homemade poptarts. Jordan.. How'd I do? I thought they were mighty tasty. Here is my recipe but remember play with it. This recipe you can put whatever type of fillings you want. My favorite is the Brown sugar and Cinnamon PopTarts so thats what I did!

Pastry Crust
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsbp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 cup unsalted Butter
2 Eggs
2 tsbp Milk

Fillings-
1st- Blueberry Preserve
2nd- Cinnamon/Brown Sugar
   some brown sugar
   cinnamon
   little flour

Mix all the dry ingredients Flour, Sugar, Salt in the KitchenAid.

Worked in butter that has been cubed. Then mix in milk and 1 egg to make into the dough.

Knead together with hand and place to be rolled out on floured counter.

Place the dough in plastic and the fridge for about a hour.

At this time pre-heat oven to 375.

Next, allow the dough to thaw.

Flour counter again and start to roll the dough out. This will be one side and create about 3. Create the top layer duplicating the first piece.

Then add the fillings leaving about a 1/2 in on all sides for the top to be pressed over the bottom. Add the top layer and pinch around all the edges and sides. Cut each poptart to size. Take a spatula to keep the dough from sticking and messing up the shape of the poptart. Be careful because it is very easy to open back up. Take the other egg and make it into a egg wash so that it can be brushed on top of the pastries and cooked to leave a nice light-brown crispy crust. Poke holes in it, Make a design with extra crust, even make a strawberry glaze if you dare.

Cook for 11- 13 minute or until golden brown.

~BLUEBERRY~

~CINNAMON AND BROWN SUGAR~