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"A passion for cooking is what I have...Sharing that passion is what I love to do." -Sarah Vasques, The Home Chef

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R2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 15

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… Cape Cod Potato Chips produces 30,000# per day?

… Yellow onions are grown in “muck” soil?

… Frito Lay Company makes 40,000# of Cheetos’ an hour?

… Churro’s were invented in the 1500’s?

… Asparagus grows wild in Europe, Africa and Western Asia and has been cultivated as a vegetable for centuries?

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Q2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 1

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… In 1932, Charles Elmer Doolin bought the recipe for Frito’s corn chips in Huston Texas?

… Doolin’s mother, Daisy, pawned her wedding ring for $100 to buy that recipe?

… Kentucky Fried Chicken stared in the Heartland with Colonel Sanders cooking for his siblings?

… Sanders was given title as Kentucky Governor in the mid 1930’s?

… Frito means “fried” in Spanish?

 

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T1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 15

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… “Tremblege” is a creamy pudding made with coconut milk that “trembles”  when it is turned out of its mold?

… Spatula means a small elongated intrument?

… The hotter the peppers, the higher the antioxident content?

… Grapefruits are high in Lycopene (a cancer fighting agent)? The Lycopene becomes more easy for the body to absorb when the grapefuit is put into a blender.

… In 1885, Daniel E. Salmon discovered the first strain of salmonella in the intestine of a pig?

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S1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 1

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… When your body feels the burn from eating hot peppers, it releases endorphins which make you feel happy?

… In ancient Rome “Flan” was made from lambs blood & eel?

… Warming eggs in hot tap water for 3-5 minutes makes a better omelet?

… “King Cake” – a Mardis Gras must have, is a sticky coffee cake covered in purple, green & gold sugar?

… Avocado’s are also known as “alligator pears?”

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VV: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 15

… The ancient Greeks used mussel “beards” to make work gloves & they had to be stored in sea water?


Tartuffo means truffle in Italian?


… Beans cause gas due to the carbohydrates that the small intestine cannot break down; so the large intestines “good bacteria” attacks those carbs & release methane & hydrogen gasses = SMELLY?!


… The French word saute literally means jump?


… The English Muffin dates back to 10th century Windsor?

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UU: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 1

… Mussels are Bi-valves which means 2 shells?

… The first food dehydrator was created by French inventors Chalet & Mason in 1795?

… The difference between a chowder & a bisque is chowders are chunky & bisques are smooth?

.. The basil, mozzarella & tomato on a margherita pizza represent the Italian flag?

… Mussels were first introduced in quantity during WWII as an alternative protein?

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Apricot & Tuaca Risotto

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 29

Tuaca is a specific apricot flavored liquor. If you cannot find it, just use apricot brandy instead.

4 T Butter, divided
2 tsp Lemon Juice
½ tsp each
 – Ground Nutmeg, Ginger & Cinnamon
3/4 c. Tuaca Liquor
1½  c. Arborio Rice
1½  qt. Apricot Juice
4 oz. Mascarpone Cheese (Italian cream cheese)
½ c. Sugar
2 c. Apricots
Caramel Sauce
Toasted Pine Nuts

Melt 2 T butter and add lemon juice, spices, Tuaca liquor & rice. 
Let rice absorb liquid. 
Slowly add apricot juice ½ c, at a time and let absorb each time. 
Remove to a bowl. 
Add remaining 2 T butter, masacapone, sugar & apricots. 
Spoon onto serving dishes and garnish with caramel sauce & pine nuts.

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Lace Cookies

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 28

I used to have these when I visited my grandmother. I couldn’t get enough of them!

1/2 c. + 2 T Pecans, chopped fine
1/4 c. Flour
1/2 stick Unsalted Butter
1/4 c. Packed Dark Brown Sugar
1/4 c. Light Corn Syrup

Combine first 2 ingredients in a bowl. 
Set aside. 
In a sauce pan, bring remaining ingredients to a boil. 
Add flour mixture and let sit 25 minutes. 
Preheat oven to 350°.
Roll dough into 1” balls & place on HEAVY cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 
Bake 12 minutes or until no longer “bubbly” 
Cool 4 minutes and shape around rods & cones for “cigarette” cookies & “ice cream” holders.
Place on juice glass for a “basket” 
If cookies begin to stiffen, return to oven for 1 – 2 minutes until pliable.

NOTE: You don’t have to “form” them. Just leave round – they taste the same!

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Baked Brie with Raspberry Sauce

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 28

This single serve version of “Baked Brie”  will make your guests feel special in that they each have their own personal wedge of cheese to enjoy.

1 Wheel Brie Cheese**
1 Pkg. Puff Pastry
1 Egg, beaten
4 – 6 T. Raspberry Jam
½ c. Raspberry Liquor
Fresh Raspberries
Fresh Mint Leaves

A small wheel = 4 servings. **
A large wheel  = 8 servings. **

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut cheese into single serving wedges. 
Roll out 1 sheet of pastry & cut into 4 squares (use both sheets for 8 servings)
Wrap wedges in pastry squares.
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Brush with a little beaten egg.
Bake 20 minutes until golden brown.
While cheese is baking, whisk together jam and raspberry liquor. 
          – be sure not to make it too soupy. 
Heat to just boiling in sauce pan.

To Serve:
Ladle sauce onto a serving dish. 
Place cheese wedges on top of sauce.
Garnish with fresh raspberries & mint.

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Chocolate Somethings

Published by: Sarah

  • Dec
  • 28

I call these “Chocolate Somethings” because I really don’t have a name for it. What I can tell you is they are delicious!

¾ c. Water
12 oz. Butter
6 oz. Sugar
2 c. Semi Sweet Chocolate, chopped fine
5 Eggs
5 Egg Yokes
Powdered Sugar
White Chocolate, shaved
Fresh Raspberries

Preheat oven to 350°.
Lightly grease 6 custard cups with non-stick cooking spray.
Place on cookie sheet and set aside. 
Combine water, butter & sugar and bring to a slow boil. 
Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate. 
In a bowl, whisk together eggs & egg yokes. 
Whisk into chocolate mixture. 
Pour into custard cups and bake 6 – 8 minutes. 
Cool, loosen with a knife around the edges and invert onto serving dish. 
Sprinkle with powdered sugar & garnish with white chocolate & raspberries.

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