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The holidays are a time for something very nice… and just a little bit naughty. Oh, yes, I bet you thought I forgot the fruit cake, didn’t you? No Way! I love fruitcake when it’s done to its finest. Forget those stupid, nasty, overly sweet cakes with the maligned, mass-produced citron and fluorescent cherries. — no icky sticky citron here!

Every year we turn Kathy Casey Food Studios® into our OWN holiday factory… except instead of building toys, we are baking Over 21 Fruitcakes made with Maker’s Mark! We make about 100 cakes ever year and sell them at my Dish D’lish location in Ballard (they are also available to order on line) but quantities are limited and they sell out fast! Mostly fruits and nuts, with a little spiced batter to bind them, these cakes are made with more than ten kinds of natural dried fruit, including local dried cherries and apricots, cranberries, prunes, apples and candied pears, and loads of nuts, including toasted pecans, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts. The plump little loaves are truly chock-full of goodies. We bake up the cakes, then after it’s baked, it’s soaked and soaked and soaked… with a Maker’s Mark syrup for a little added cheer! Now that’s soooome fruitcake!

Now, if you are feeling “the baker within” this year, I’ve included a fantastic new recipe that is super d’lish!  It’s a Manhattan –you can eat! We’ve taken this recipe on a few test-runs at various parties and the response has been outstanding – it’s a real crowd-pleaser! Chock full of bourbon, red vermouth and cherries – this could almost be considered Santa’s little helper cake! Go ahead and whip one up at home to bring to your next holiday party – I promise you: it won’t end up as a “regift” under YOUR tree the next year! And PS – I’ve included 2 recipes – one from scratch and one not… so no matter how busy you are there’s a Manhattan Cake for you!

You can also purchase these fruitcakes and other homemade gifts this year at my Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 12th from 11am-7pm at my Food Studios in Ballard.

Holiday Manhattan Cake
Makes 1 cake – serves about 10 – 12

Cake
2 (10 oz) jars maraschino cherries
4 large eggs
1 Tbsp. grated fresh orange zest
3/4 cup Maker’s Mark bourbon
2 Tbsp. red vermouth
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
16 Tbsp. (2 sticks) butter, cut into chunks, softened

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. Makers Mark  bourbon

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Drain cherries and reserve 6 cherries for garnish; roughly chop remaining cherries. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, orange zest, bourbon, and vermouth until combined. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed, adding butter, 1 chunk at a time. When all butter has been incorporated, beat at medium-low speed until mixture is crumbly, about 30 seconds. With mixer on low, add egg mixture in a steady stream. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until batter is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Stir in chopped cherries. Lightly grease or spray a non-stick Bundt pan, and pour batter evenly into pan. Bake in preheated oven on a lower rack until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, about 40 – 45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan. While the cake is cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Unpan the cake onto a cookie sheet or serving platter and drizzle with glaze while cake is still slightly warm. Garnish with reserved maraschino cherries. © Kathy Casey Food Studios® 2009

Quick & Easy Holiday Manhattan Cake
Makes 1 cake – serves about 10 – 12

2 (10 oz) jars maraschino cherries
1 box (18.25 oz) super-moist yellow cake mix
3 eggs
3/4 cup Maker’s Mark bourbon
1/4 cup red vermouth
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp Maker’s Mark bourbon

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Drain cherries and reserve 1/4 cup of juice and 6 cherries for garnish; roughly chop remaining cherries. Combine the cake mix, eggs, bourbon, vermouth, oil and the 1/4 cup reserved cherry juice in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl and then mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in the chopped cherries. Lightly grease or spray a non-stick Bundt pan, and pour batter evenly into pan.Bake in preheated oven on a lower rack until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, about 35 – 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan. While the cake is cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Unpan the cake onto a cookie sheet or serving platter and drizzle with glaze while cake is still slightly warm. Garnish with reserved maraschino cherries.
© Kathy Casey Food Studios® 2009

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You know it’s holiday time when eggnog starts a’pouring! Velvety smooth and rich with eggs, cream and nutmeg, served cold, “straight up,” over ice, or with a splash of rum or brandy, it puts the holiday cheer into any gathering.  But it’s not just for drinking…

Since the “eggnog” flavor is so popular, I thought it would be fun to create recipes using this old-time favorite. During the season, most dairies now offer “ultra” or “gourmet” eggnog and a non-fat or low-fat version as well as their standard product. I tested these recipes using Darigold Egg Nog – my timeless Fav!

A do-ahead dessert is always welcome during the  hectic holidays and my  Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiced Cranberry Compote is just the thing—silky smooth and dolloped with a bright and perky, quick-cooking cranberry compote. Soooo easy! And … you can make the panna cotta and compote up to 3 days ahead, then assemble quickly right before serving.

If a warm winter drink is your fancy – try my Eggnog Buttered Brandy … a D’lish take on a traditional favorite! You can make the batter for this winter warmer and store it frozen for up to a month to have on hand for unexpected holiday guests.

Here are some other fun ideas for using eggnog:

-Try eggnog instead of milk or cream in your coffee
-Non-fat eggnog in your oatmeal makes a delicious breakfast
-Order your next latte with steamed eggnog
-Make an Eggnog Splash — Serve eggnog over ice, with spiced rum, Grand Marnier and a splash of soda water
-Make your next rice pudding using eggnog
-Experiment making Homemade Eggnog Ice Cream to top your pumpkin pie

Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiced Cranberry Compote
This recipe can easily be doubled. All the components of this dessert can be made up to 3 days in advance.

Makes 6 servings or 8 -10 small sampler servings

1/3 cup pecan pieces (optional)

Eggnog Panna Cotta
1 cup high-quality eggnog such as Darigold
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
1 cup (8 oz wt) mascarpone
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. powdered Knox gelatin
2 Tbsp. water 

Spiced Cranberry Compote
1 1/2 cups frozen or fresh cranberries
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 tsp. orange zest 

Place pecans on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated 350-degree oven until just golden, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool.

To make the Panna Cotta: Place the eggnog, sugar, nutmeg, extract, mascarpone and sour cream in a large metal bowl over a pan of simmering water (bain marie). Whisk until smooth and warmed. In a small bowl sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let bloom for a couple of minutes, then heat in microwave or over hot water until melted. Whisk into the warmed eggnog mixture. Divide mixture between 6 small custard cups, martini glasses or if you want to make tiny servings divide into 8 small espresso cups or small ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours until set, or overnight.

To make the Spiced Cranberry Compote: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan place the cranberries, nutmeg, sugar, orange juice and zest. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer then reduce heat to medium. Let cook until cranberries are popped and mixture is a nice compote consistency, about 5 – 6 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.

To serve dessert: Scatter the cranberry compote over the tops of the custards. Sprinkle with toasted pecans if desired and serve immediately.

Chef’s Note: All the dessert components can be made up to 3 days before serving. Copyright © 2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Eggnog Buttered Brandy
Makes 1 drink 

3 tablespoons Eggnog Buttered Brandy Mix (recipe follows)
1 fl. oz. brandy*
4- 5 fl. oz. boiling water
ground nutmeg 

Place Eggnog Buttered Brandy Mix and brandy in coffee glass or mug. Stir in boiling water until batter is dissolved. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.

*Chef’s Note: This drink is also delicious made with rum instead of brandy.

Eggnog Buttered Brandy Mix
Makes about 7 cups (36 servings) 

1/2 pound butter (2 sticks), softened
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 pint very high-quality vanilla ice cream
1 cup high-quality eggnog such as Darigold
1 Tbsp. real vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. rum extract 

Be sure butter is softened. Cream butter and sugars together  with a beater in a mixing bowl until totally smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 1 month. Copyright © 2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

If you missed the show, you can listen to it here!

The holidays are upon us and it’s time to start planning those holiday dinners for friends and family. Everyone has their favorites: from old-school marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, to the classic green bean casserole. But for me it’s all about the turkey! Juicy and golden, it graces most of our holiday dinner tables. But, alas! there can be many turkey tragedies, “turkey sins” I call them. From the overcooked and dried out, to the not-fully-defrosted-and-then-baked-raw travesty! Zowie!

Ample planning and some good rules of thumb can ensure a low-stress turkey roasting day. Below, I’ll walk you through the 10 turkey sins, and provide tips on how to have a d’lish holiday meal.

Turkey Sin #1: Roasting a Half-Frozen Bird
If you’re buying a standard bird at the grocery store, take into consideration most of these babies are frozen or “half” frozen. The rule of thumb is: you should start defrosting your bird in the refrigerator about 5 days in advance—up to 7 if it’s a biggie! If you can order one fresh, then great; get your order in at least 2+ weeks ahead at your favorite market or butcher/poultry shop. Remember to get to “know your turkey” – if your going for local and free range it will cook a bit quicker (and need more seasoning) than a traditional “plumped” turkey.

Turkey Sin #2: Leaving the Bag of Giblets in the Bird
How many of you have seen these left in during baking!? Once your bird is ready for the big day, take it out of the wrapper. Remove the bag of “goodies and giblets” from inside, and also check inside the neck cavity. (NO body wants a turkey “butt” surprise). You can use the neck and giblets to make a little pan of turkey stock for adding to gravy if you like.

Turkey Sin #3: “Steaming”, Rather than Roasting, your Bird
Roasting your turkey in a big old deep roasting pan creates steam from the turkey juices and does not make for a crispy-skinned bird. To avoid this, rinse your turkey inside and out; then pat it dry. Place in a wide shallow pan, up on a roasting rack. Stick some aromatics, such as quartered onions, an orange, and a few big sprigs of fresh herbs, such as thyme, sage and rosemary, in the inside cavity.

Turkey Sin #4: Underseasoning
All the gravy and cranberry sauce in Plymouth Rock can’t hide an underseasoned bird. You can carefully stuff fun things, like fresh sage leaves, sprigs of thyme, fresh basil leaves, and small tufts of rosemary, under the turkey’s skin but watch out for tears in the skin. Herbs will add a nice flavor to the meat. Season your turkey liberally with kosher salt and fresh-ground black pepper – or I love to use my Dish D’Lish French Seasoning Salt! This means really season it well—rub it all over, under the wings, on the back of the bird—massage that baby! For a medium-sized turkey, you want to use at least 1 tablespoon of kosher salt plus about 1 teaspoon of pepper or about 2 Tbsp of my Dish D’Lish French Seasoning Salt.

Turkey Sin #5: An Undercooked or Overcooked Bird
Undercook your bird, and put your guests at risk. Overcook your bird, and you’ll need to offer guests a LOT of wine for washing it down…which could lead to family drama! Cooking your bird just right is tricky. To start with, there are a million different methods. I’m a roasted-turkey gal, but I know there are lots of you turkey-fryers out there. And it does make a good bird (but beware of garage fires!) —but I gotta have my gravy. To keep it simple, get yourself a good instant-read thermometer and be sure to preheat your oven. See my favorite recipe and tips, below, for roasting. To avoid overcooking your bird, plan your day. When are you serving dinner? Work back from there. Unless you are cooking a 40-lb monster turkey or eating dinner at 11 AM, there is no need to get the bird in the oven at 6 AM!! Yes, I have succumbed to eating one of those roasted-for-8-hours birds, and it wasn’t pretty! Turkey sin #5-B note- do not leave the thermometer in the bird when you are roasting it – see sample below….

Turkey Sin #6: An Improperly Carved Turkey
After all that hard work put into creating a picture-perfect, delicious-tasting bird, do not let the knife get into inexperienced hands! It may be tradition to let the man of the house perform the ceremonious carve, but not if he’s going to hack it to death (Family Note: seen at the in-laws frequently- for God sakes just let me do it)! Give the bird 20 minutes to rest. This will allow you to get the rest of the dinner on the table. To start carving, take off the breast first, and slice thin. Disjoint the legs, thighs, and wings and slice the thighs if desired. My in-laws use an electric knife (it was probably a wedding gift from the 60’s!) and, actually, the thing works pretty darn well. I favor my super-sharp Hinkel chef’s knife. But, hey! use whatever gets you the nicest slices.

Turkey Sin #7: Not Enough Gravy
Gravy and turkey is like milk and cookies: delightfully harmonious. To be sure you make enough, immediately transfer your roasted bird to a platter to rest, and collect all those yummy juices for making pan gravy. Or, what I like to do is make turkey stock a few days ahead using some purchased turkey legs and then make a big batch of gravy in the bird-cooking pan. There’s nothing worse than not enough gravy! I like my do ahead gravy recipe below – and it makes LOTS!

Turkey Sin #8: Letting the Cooked Bird Sit Out…. All Day… and beyond
Once you have the meat off the bird, remember to not let it sit on the counter all evening, increasing the risk of spoilage. I like to take off any extra meat and refrigerate it for soups or sandwiches. Don’t throw away that turkey carcass! Break it up, throw it in a big pot, cover with water and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 1–2 hours. Strain the stock well, then cool. Now you have yummy turkey broth to make some tasty soup later in the week.

Turkey Sin #9: No Turkey Leftovers for Sandwiches
And this brings us to the sin second only to not making enough gravy: not cooking enough turkey. Turkey sandwiches—I love them piled high with homemade cranberry compote—are absolutely de rigueur for next-day snacking … or midnight refrigerator raids, for those who cannot wait! So if you’re inviting your peeps over for dinner –encourage people to bring some their own Tupperware –  give them some leftovers …. it will make for very happy guests and less to cram in the already packed refrigerator!

Turkey Sin #10: Not Enjoying Yourself
Running around the kitchen like a turkey with its head cut off is no way to enjoy the holiday. Don’t allow the day to consume you. Why not give each person something to bring to the dinner? Maybe even send them a recipe you would like them to make. The holidays are all about gathering over a meal, so get those football-watchers off the couch and into the kitchen. Get your guests involved by setting the table, pouring drinks, warming the rolls, anything to help. You’ll relax more and create lasting memories with your family and friends.

One of my favorite turkey-roasting methods follows, so whether you are a first-time cooker or an old hand at the turkey game, I hope my tips and recipes will allow you to have a super-successful holiday meal!

Kathy’s Herb-Lacquered Roasted Turkey
Chef’s Notes:  Read recipe all the way through a few days before your dinner. A tasty do-ahead turkey gravy that makes LOTS follows.

Allow about 1 1/2 hours’ roasting time for a 12-pound turkey (that is totally defrosted and not stuffed), and add about 5 to 10 minutes for each additional pound. This will be one of the most beautiful turkeys you’ve ever roasted!
If roasting a large turkey 20 – 24 lbs, bake at 350 degrees. A 22-lb turkey should take about 2 1/2 – 3 hours to reach 175–180 degrees internal temperature (insert an instant-read thermometer in the back side of the thigh- not sutffed).

Makes 8 to 16 servings, with leftovers

1 12- to 16-pound turkey
4 or more large, fresh rosemary sprigs
1 large onion, skin on, quartered
1 head of garlic, broken apart
8 large sage leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt + 1/2 – 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
OR 2 + tablespoons Dish D’Lish French Seasoning Salt

Place an oven rack low in the oven, removing extra racks if necessary. Preheat oven to 375°F.
Remove the giblets and neck from turkey cavities, checking that both cavities are empty. Rinse turkey with cold water, inside and out, and pat dry. Keep the legs tied together with the metal clip, or tie with butcher’s twine.
Place half of the rosemary sprigs and all the onion and garlic in the bird’s body cavity.

(If you decide to stuff your turkey with traditional stuffing there are some things you must know: When stuffing a turkey, do so just before roasting; do not stuff it the night before. Loosely stuff the turkey so that the stuffing will completely cook through. Do not pack the stuffing. You can stuff both ends of a turkey, the large inside cavity and the smaller nook under the skin flap at the neck – cooking time may need to be increased.)

Pull the leaves off the remaining rosemary sprigs. Carefully loosen the turkey skin over the breast and legs (by running your hands under it), being careful not to tear it. Keeping them as flat as possible, tuck the sage leaves and the rosemary leaves you pulled off under the breast, thigh, and leg skin, arranging the herbs decoratively. Carefully pull the breast skin tightly down over breast bone, then, using metal closure skewers, thread them through both sides of the skin flaps to bridge the turkey body-cavity opening. Thread skewers alternately from left to right then right to left. With a 12-inch piece of butcher’s twine or white cotton string, work back and forth around the skewers to lace up the cavity, shoelace-style.
Spray a roasting rack with nonstick vegetable spray and place the turkey on the rack in an open, shallow roasting pan. Rub the turkey all over with the olive oil, then generously sprinkle the turkey with the salt and pepper or French Seasoning Salt, seasoning it well all over.
Place the turkey on the low oven rack and roast until the inner, thickest part of the thigh registers 175°F. (Insert metal stem, instant-read thermometer in the back side of thigh by the turkey body.)
If you are cooking a larger turkey, you may need to tent the breast loosely with a piece of buttered foil to avoid over-browning of the breast. About 30 to 45 minutes before the end of cooking, remove tent to allow browning.
When the turkey is done, remove from the oven. Before carving the turkey, let it stand for 15 minutes to allow the juices to settle. As the turkey stands, the turkey thigh temperature will reach 180°F. (If stuffing be sure stuffing comes to 165°F) Use the pan drippings to make your gravy – see recipe below.
© Copyright 2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios® blogging at Dishing with Kathy Casey – Twitter 

Old-Fashioned Turkey Mushroom Gravy- THAT MAKES A LOT!
Makes 10 cups, or about 20 generous 1/2-cup servings
You can make this a few days ahead and then re-heat in your turkey roasting pan for extra turkey flavor goodness! Read through the entire recipe before starting.

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary – or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
8 ounces (4 cups) thinly sliced mushrooms, or chopped wild mushrooms
1 cup flour
10 cups Rich Turkey Stock (recipe follows)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Melt the butter in a large, heavy saucepan. Add the rosemary and mushrooms and sauté over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir vigorously until combined and smooth. Cook for about 1 minute. Add the stock all at once and whisk vigorously so as to eliminate any lumps. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the gravy is nicely thickened. Season with salt and white pepper.

You can make the gravy a couple of days ahead to save yourself some precious holiday time!

Then right before serving- and while your turkey is set aside to rest – ready your turkey roasting pan full of turkey goodness: remove excess fat from your turkey roasting pan. Place the pan over a burner – add a big splash of white wine, champagne, potato cooking water, chicken broth or water. Using a metal spatula – scrape up all the goodies in the bottem of the pan… this is the turkey goodness. Then add your prepared Turkey Mushroom gravy – whisk well and heat till hot. Serve up and enjoy – you’ll have lots of gravy for all!

Rich Turkey Stock
Makes about 10 cups

2 large turkey legs or thighs, about 2 pounds total
1 yellow onion, unpeeled, coarsely chopped
1 large or 2 medium carrots, cut into large chunks
Up to 2 cups mushroom stems, optional
4 stalks celery, cut into chunks
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup white wine
12 cups water

Preheat an oven to 400°F.
Roast the turkey pieces in a baking pan for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the skin is golden brown. Place them in an 8-quart pot and add the vegetables and seasonings. Deglaze the roasting pan with the wine, scraping the pan well to loosen browned bits, and add to the pot. Add the water.
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a rapid simmer. Reduce the heat to low and lightly simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Strain the stock and skim off any fat. Discard the vegetables. (Most of the flavor will have cooked out of the turkey; however, the meat can be removed from the bones and saved for another use.)
© Copyright 2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios® blogging at Dishing with Kathy Casey – Twitter

Ahh… just back from exotic, UAE where my associate Keith Waldbauer and I conducted  training for the Fairmont Art of Mixology Culture at the new and faboo Fairmont Abu Dhabi. Yes, it’s Vegas on steroids and the playground for the rich.

Me on the rhinestone couch in the lobby of the
Fairmont Abu Dhabi  – Bling bling!

It was 3 weeks of hard, but fun, work. We set up and opened multiple bars – from Marco Pierre White’s new Steak House Restaruant to Frankie’s Italian Restaurant… to the beautiful Pool Bar and the Lucious Chocolate Gallery. (And I want to add that the staff and managers were AMAZING!)

Miss Kirsten and I after testing a LOT of chocolate cocktails that we shook up for the new Chocolate Gallery!

Needless to say we were up to our eyeballs in cocktails! Since, beer, wine and spirits are served only at hotels; you can imagine non-alcoholic drinks are also super popular. 

The non-alcoholic drinks WERE amazing. The most popular, was the super simple, “why didn’t I think of that,” Minted Lemonade. This is not just mint in lemonade, this is lemonade, ice and fresh mint blended smooth and brilliant green. It’s the perfect refresher for the hot HOT heat.  It’s tart, sweet, tangy, and refreshing! I’ve given a basic recipe below.  Just be sure to use a decent lemonade with a good punch – none of this “watery lemonade,” …the kind masquerading as lemonade in the refrigerator section with a whole whopping 7% lemon juice!  It’s important to use a good lemony lemonade.

Blend in a small slice of ginger for an even more intense refreshing kick.

What else did we eat and drink while in Abu Dhabi and Dubai? Only the best Indian food either of us has ever had in the Elements Restaurant at the Fairmont Abu Dhabi! Dal, also spelled dahl, dhal, or daal, tikkas  and curries of a zillion variations. No matter how you spell it, they were all amazing.  We also enjoyed delicious Lebanese food at Café Blanc a cool café at the Dubai mall. We sat outside one lovely warm evening and sampled so many great dishes I thought I would burst.

Favs: Fattoush salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, crisp flat bread with sumac and coriander, chicken livers in pomegranate molasses, and another amazing non alcoholic drink – served in layers of blended avocado, red dates, blended rose ….. 3 layers of sipping goodness – zowie!

Click here for a fun video I took and edited with my new Flip Video Camera, showing how they made the above three-layer drink!

And yes – I know you all want to know if I drank Camel Milk?
Of course and I made a cocktail out of it too!  

Minted Lemonade
Makes 1 serving

3 large sprigs fresh mint
1 cup big flavored lemonade
1/2 – 3/4 cup ice
Garnish: fresh mint sprig

Tear mint and add to blender. Measure in lemonade and ice and blend on high till smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with mint. Enjoy! © 2009 Kathy Casey Food Studio

If you missed the show on KOMO, click here to hear it online!

Salt is the universal seasoning—it makes flavors pop and go “Wow!” Salt brings out other tastes, even sweetness! All creatures like to eat salt—except, as we know in the Northwest, NOT slugs!

Salt is either mined from ancient, now dry, salt lake deposits or evaporated from sea water. There are many varieties. Refined table salt has additives to keep it flowing freely and iodine to ensure thyroid gland health in inland areas. Kosher salt is additive-free; and chefs appreciate its coarse-grained texture. Pickling salt contains no additives, which could cloud the pickle brine. Less refined, rock salt retains more minerals; it’s used in making ice-cream, baking potatoes, and nesting baked oysters in pans.

Hand-collected from coastal France, sel gris, also called grey or Celtic salt, is moist and unrefined; its pale color comes from the salt flats clay. During evaporation, a light film forms on top; this is fleur de sel, considered the “champagne” of salts.

‘Alaea is the traditional Hawaiian table salt; this sea salt gets its natural color from volcanic red clay. Danish smoked salt is flavored by the woods used when the evaporation is done over an open fire. 

Looking for big flavor—but from natural products—today’s consumers want gourmet salts from both culinary and health standpoints. And SaltWorks™, Inc., based in the Seattle area, does all–natural very well. The company buys directly from the farmers who produce the salt and imports it without a middleman. Founded in 2002 by owner Mark Zoske, SaltWorks now sells over 10 million pounds of sea salt a year. The company’s Artisan Salt Co. retail brand offers more than 30 varieties of salt and is available in hundreds of high–end retailers across the country.

Salt can headline a menu item, such as in Chinese Salt & Pepper Squid or Whole Snapper Baked in a Salt Crust. We love to sprinkle a little salt in salads before tossing; it’s a natural with hard-boiled eggs; and, heaven knows, we all love our salty snacks. We even enjoy it with our drinks—from a simple Salty Dog to the very popular Margarita.

Brining has become very trendy for flavoring food and keeping meats moist. My recipe for Pacific Rim Style Brine for Salmon for the Grill is an easy way to try out brining. I also included a recipe for a Citrus Herb Salt Rub for Chicken or Fish. This recipe infuses the salt with wonderful flavors to enhance any protein dish that needs a little “oomph”. It is great on roast chicken or used as a finishing salt on roasted scallops or plain grilled fish.

Pacific Rim Style Brine for Salmon for the Grill
Makes about 1 quart of brine

3 tablespoons kosher salt
1/2 cup, packed, light brown sugar
4 cups water
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh ginger

To prepare the brine: Add salt and brown sugar to water and mix until dissolved. Stir in remaining ingredients. Refrigerate unused brine for up to 10 days.
To brine and cook fish: Place salmon in brine, enough to totally cover fish. If needed to keep it submerged, weight down salmon by placing a plate or plastic bag filled with water on top of fish. Marinate fish in brine, refrigerated, for 3 to 4 hours only; DO NOT OVER-BRINE FISH! Remove fish from brine and lightly rinse off with cold water. Throw away used brine immediately!
Refrigerate fish, covered, till ready to cook. Grill the fish in your usual way, but do not salt the fish. Taste after cooking to see if salt is needed—it probably won’t be.
Chef’s Note: This brine is also great for brining chicken breasts, scallops or pork chops.Copyright ^©2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios^®

Citrus Herb Salt Rub for Chicken or Fish
Makes about 1/2 cup

1 lemon
1 orange
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
15 large fresh mint leaves
3/4 cup fleur de sel
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

To make the salt rub: With a potato peeler, peel the lemon and orange, removing the colored part of the skin but not the white pith. Cut peel in very fine strips. (Reserve fruit for another use.) In a large, shallow, glass baking pan, mix peel, herbs and salt together and leave uncovered in a warm place in the kitchen. Stir a couple of times a day. Let sit at room temperature until the citrus peels and herbs are thoroughly dried—this should take about 3 to 4 days.

In small batches, grind the dried mixture in a coffee grinder (preferably one that you use only for spices) or with a mortar and pestle. Grind until the herbs and citrus peel are in small pieces and incorporated well in the salt. Then stir in the pepper. Place in a tightly covered jar until needed. This mixture should keep well at room temperature for up to 3 months.

To use salt: I like to use this seasoning on chicken or fish before roasting or grilling. It is also great used as a finishing salt and sprinkled on fresh vegetables, sautéed mushrooms, grilled shrimp, sliced poultry, or meats such as lamb or pork.

If roasting a whole chicken, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Rinse chicken under cold water and dry inside and out with paper towels. Place in a roasting pan fitted with a roasting rack. Rub outside of chicken completely with 2 teaspoons olive oil and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the salt rub.

Roast chicken in preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until an instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees. Let chicken rest 10 minutes before carving. (It will continue to cook and come up to 165 degrees F while resting.)

I like to sprinkle a little more of the rub on the carved meat as a finishing salt just before serving. Copyright © 2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

To hear my KOMO segment online, click here!

We all know the most commonly used spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and mostly use them in baked goods. But what about all the other spices and exotic combinations? Like Chinese Five-Spice—a sultry blend of fennel seed, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. Great to sprinkle on homemade roasted peanuts!

Or to consider a totally different spice profile, the cardamom seed. A native of India, this extremely flavorful spice has spread throughout the world—the white pod form is used in Scandinavian baked goods, green pods are preferred in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking, the unique black pod is used in African cooking, with its alluring and smoky flavor. I love it in squash soups!

Here’s a recipe with a multitude of seeds—including black mustard, coriander and cumin seeds—crushed and mixed with vibrant yellow turmeric, sassy cloves, and cinnamon, then stirred into Dijon mustard, oil, fresh ginger and kosher salt. I like to rub this zoomy-flavored paste on pork tenderloin 30 minutes before cooking. The rub imparts all the nice spice into the meat, which roasts up into a juicy, fragrant, d’lish dish. This is so wonderful served with simple, steamed basmati rice!

If you’re new to cooking with spices, I suggest going to the bulk section of a PCC grocery store or one of the spice shops around town, like Market Spice or World Spice, where they have loads of loose spices; there you can buy just what you need, be it a pinch or a squiggle. Then, try my recipe—or create some of your own—to see what “spice of life” you can bring to your cooking!

Fragrant Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

Makes about 4 to 6 servings

2 pork tenderloins, 1- to 1 1/2-pounds each 

Rub
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
5 cloves
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Place a rack in a shallow roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet. With paper towels, pat the pork dry then pull off any loose fat. In a mortar and pestle, crush the chili flakes, mustard, coriander and cumin seeds, and cloves until coarsely ground. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, put spices in a plastic sandwich bag and set on a cutting board. Smash with a meat mallet, hammer, or heavy pot.

In a large bowl, combine the crushed spices with remaining rub ingredients. Add the pork to the bowl and smear the rub onto all sides of the pork, being sure to use all of the rub. Place tenderloins, nicely spaced apart, on the rack. Let sit for 30 minutes so that the rub will flavor the pork well.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pork for about 40 to 45 minutes or to an internal temperature of 160°F at thickest part of meat. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into 3/4-inch-thick pieces for service.^©Copyright 2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios^®

This is Cameo McRoberts filling in for Kathy while she’s shaking up some fun overseas. I’m an Executive Chef here at Kathy Casey Food Studios and I’ve worked with Kathy on a lot of things. What I love the most is sharing ideas with her!  When Kathy asked me to take over this week’s Dishing post, you can imagine I jumped at the chance.  What better opportunity to discuss my favorite subject: Me!! Oh wait, I mean Mexican food!

October normally brings in colder weather and a shift in mentality for heartier meals. With the onset of fall, our cravings turn to slow cooked and braised dishes, a staple in Mexican cuisine. I like to make this Yucatecan style Ceviche to bring about one last taste of a warm Summer before the Winter frost kicks in.

Ceviche is normally fish ‘cooked’ in lime juice, but with this one we cook the seafood first.  It’s great choice for people who don’t enjoy raw or undercooked seafood. I also like to use the 1# seafood medley that is usually available at Trader Joe’s.  It has a mix of shrimp, calamari and scallops that work well in the dish.   I also like to use a Japanese mandolin or julienne for texture appearance.  If you don’t have one, medium dice or julienne so that everything is the same size, but keep the onion pretty thin so it doesn’t overpower.

Now a little about me and my fave Mexican restaurants:
Before joining the D’Lish entourage, I was Sous chef at the highly acclaimed Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, winner of James Beard awards galore. Most recently, Rick Bayless, chef and owner, won Top Chef Masters making him a household name. 
Since my return to Seattle the quest for soul satisfying Mexican fare has left me a little weary.  But Seattle’s taco truck obsession and the honest offerings of a few places in town, eases the homesick pangs in my belly for the truly authentic. 

Taqueria la Fondita II has true carnitas… Pieces of pork butt braised in lard; once the meat is cooked the heat is turned up so the little tender morsels begin to fry.
Senor Moose offers up dishes that I love to see on the menu but don’t always make it, like Mancha Manteles, one of the 7 traditional moles, sweetened with plantains, and usually garnished with grilled pineapple and chorizo.
And dear to my heart, forever underrated, but always busy, is Agua Verde/ Paddle Club.  It’s a pain to get a table. But their dedication to sustainability, their staff (some have been there over 10 years), their delicious food, and not to be forgotten, the view make it one of my favorite Seattle places.
The best place to find Mexican ingredients is La Conosupo Grocery, in Greenwood. They have everything you need, a good selection of cheeses and chilies, and it’s not too intimidating if you don’t speak Spanish. 

With that said, go grab a six pack of Pacifico, some chips and rent ‘The Three Amigos”!  Don’t forget to enjoy the ceviche and reminisce of this past summer… Or plan for the next one!

Yucatecan Ceviche
Serves about 4-8 people

1 lb seafood medley (or 1/3 lb each, shrimp, calamari, or scallops)
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 c. jicama, julienne or med dice
1 cucumber, julienne or med dice
2 oranges, peeled and segmented
1/4 c. cilantro
3/4 c. lime juice, fresh squeezed
3/4 c. orange juice, fresh squeezed
1/4 tsp. habanero chili, very finely minced
Salt & sugar approximately a Tablespoon each. 

For the seafood: Bring 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil.  Turn heat OFF and add the seafood medley, stir seafood constantly until the shrimp are cooked all the way through.   Strain off water and set seafood into refrigerator to cool.  Prepare all of the vegetables if orange segments are too big; give them a quick chop to break up.    Combine lime and orange juice with the minced habanero, pour over veggies. Add the cooled seafood refrigerate for 1 hour.  Serve the ceviche with chips, or plantain chips.  Also delicious over salad greens for a high protein dinner salad. © Cameo Appearance 2009

Chefs Note: salt and sugar levels are different depending on sweetness of orange juice and other vegetables.  Ceviche should be tart and well balanced.  Add salt and sugar at the end and add a little at a time to find a balance.

Okay, where have all the avocado plants gone? You know the ones — the pit poked with 4 toothpicks and set into a glass of water on the windowsill. What fun that was when you were a kid to get it going … with the anticipation of really having your own avocado tree with maybe even fruit. Well, not in Seattle… but the thought was fun!

Yes, avocados are not only tasty but fun and nutritional, too. Like olive oil, they contain monounsaturated fat, the “good fat,” and also more potassium per ounce than bananas. And a few of you ladies may even have done a facemask with them.

But let’s get down to cooking. Avocado and mango are a d’lish combination. Just recently, when attending the Flavor Conference in San Diego, the two were paired deliciously in many dishes throughout the days I was there. One of the tastiest was nut-crusted, flash fried, avocado wedges on a mango slaw with a sweet and spicy dressing – served in a martini glass…very tasty! There were even mini avocado mini cupcakes with an avocado cream cheese frosting and avocado margaritas! I know…sounds a little weird –but they were super yummy!

Avocados, often called alligator pears by the French, are probably most commonly used in guacamole. In my guacamole recipe I used a little buttermilk. I saw a terrific Mexican lady make it this way years ago and have done it that way myself ever since. It adds creaminess, with a sharp bite to it.

And then, what about Green Goddess dressing? Remember this one? You don’t see it around very much but it is truly one of the most delicious salad dressings ever created. Try making my Retro Green Goddess  Dressing which is great served “old school” style over wedges of iceberg or romaine  with shrimp meat, sliced radishes and diced cucumber – yum!

Another great salad recipe is my Orange, Avocado & Red Onion Jumble with Poppyseed Vinaigrette … wonderful as a compliment to grilled salmon or to top tender bibb lettuce as a starter salad. (also try mixing it up with mangoes subbing for the oranges ).

Just remember when cooking with avocados a few of the “rules.” Buy them a couple of days ahead so they get nice and ripe — but are still firm. Don’t throw that pit away … put it back in your dressings and guacamoles until ready to serve. It helps keep the avocado from turning brown.

And when avocados are cheap, try out a facemask … it really is refreshing!©2009 by Kathy Casey Food Studios

RETRO GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Makes about 2 cups dressing.

1 ripe avocado (reserve pit)
2 egg yolks*
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives (optional)
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon
1 shallot, minced fine
4 anchovy fillets
1/3 cup light olive oil
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Kosher salt to taste

To make the dressing:
In a food processor place the avocado, egg yolks, lemon juice, herbs, shallot and anchovies. Process for about 1 minute until well combined. Then slowly drizzle in the oil, as when making a mayonnaise. Mixture should become smooth and creamy. Turn machine off and scrape down the sides. Add the sour cream and pepper. Process for about 30 seconds more. Taste for salt and adjust seasoning as desired.

Place in a container; submerge the avocado pit to help dressing keep its green color. Lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the dressing’s surface and cover well. Will keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.  © 2009 by Kathy Casey

* Note: Raw eggs are not recommended for pregnant women, children, the elderly or anyone with immune deficiencies.

ORANGE, AVOCADO & RED ONION “JUMBLE” WITH POPPYSEED VINAIGRETTE

This salad is also great with fresh mango substituted for the oranges.

 Makes 4 cups, about 6 servings.
 
3 large oranges
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 ripe but firm avocados

Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons honey
¼ cup salad oil or light olive oil
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Dash of tobacco or pinch of chili flakes if desired
Pinch of salt

Make vinaigrette first. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Chill until ready to serve salad. 

Cut ends off of oranges and then cut skin off the sides of orange, carefully removing all the white pith. Cut oranges in half lengthwise and then cut into ¼-inch slices. Place in a large bowl with onion. Cut avocados in quarters, peel and then slice into salad.  Toss with dressing and serve.
© 2009  by Kathy Casey