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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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Baked Eggs with Canadian Bacon, Spinach, and Aged Cheddar

Published by: Sarah

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  • Feb
  • 10

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more to butter ramekins 2 tablespoons minced yellow onion Salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 ounces baby spinach 4 slices Canadian bacon 4 large eggs 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 ounce grated aged Cheddar, plus extra for serving Sourdough bread Heat oven to 350 degrees F and arrange rack […]

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3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more to butter ramekins
2 tablespoons minced yellow onion
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces baby spinach
4 slices Canadian bacon
4 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 ounce grated aged Cheddar, plus extra for serving
Sourdough bread

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and arrange rack in middle.
Butter 4 (6-ounce) ramekins and set aside.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
When it foams, add onion, season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook until softened, about 1 minute.
Add spinach and cook until spinach is well wilted, about 2 minutes.
Place ham on bottom of ramekins and top with spinach.
Crack eggs into ramekins, place 1 tablespoon cream over each egg, and divide half of cheese evenly among ramekins.
Put ramekins on a baking sheet and bake, rotating pan halfway through baking, until whites are just set but yolks are still runny, about 15 to 18 minutes.
Meanwhile, spread remaining 2 tablespoons butter on 4 slices sourdough bread.
Top with grated cheese and toast until bubbly.

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Egg & Proscuitto Breakfast Cups

Published by: Sarah

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  • Mar
  • 26

This is my version of Giada’s recipe. 12 sl. Prosciutto 1 T Butter 1 T Olive Oil 1 (12 oz.) pkg. Fresh Baby Spinach 2 Shallot, minced 2 -3 T Cream of Onion Soup 1/4 c. Fat Free Half & Half ** Fresh Nutmeg Salt & Pepper 6 Eggs Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 6 cup […]

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This is my version of Giada’s recipe.

12 sl. Prosciutto
1 T Butter
1 T Olive Oil
1 (12 oz.) pkg. Fresh Baby Spinach
2 Shallot, minced
2 -3 T Cream of Onion Soup
1/4 c. Fat Free Half & Half **
Fresh Nutmeg
Salt & Pepper
6 Eggs

Preheat oven to 350°.
Spray a 6 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
Press 1 slice prosciutto into each cup leaving an edge.
Place another slice of prosciutto cross wise in each cup to make an “X”.
Sauté shallots in butter & oil until soft.
Add the spinach & wilt.
Hit with a few gratings of nutmeg and season with salt & pepper.
Add the soup & ¼ c. of half & half
 ** Add more if needed for the correct consistency
Fill each cup with 2 T creamed spinach.
Top each with an egg.
Bake 10 minutes.
Season each with salt & pepper.
Gently remove from the muffin tin & serve.

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Croque Monsieur et Madame

Published by: Sarah

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  • Feb
  • 28

I saw “Brunch @ Bobby’s” last Saturday & he made this classic French dish. It looked really delicious. 3 T Butter 3 T Flour Salt & Pepper Nutmeg 2 c. Half & Half, warmed 1 loaf Brioche 4 oz.  thinly sliced Black Forest Ham, divided 2 c. Gruyere Cheese, freshly grated & divided 2 Eggs Parmesan […]

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I saw “Brunch @ Bobby’s” last Saturday & he made this classic French dish. It looked really delicious.

3 T Butter
3 T Flour
Salt & Pepper
Nutmeg
2 c. Half & Half, warmed
1 loaf Brioche
4 oz.  thinly sliced Black Forest Ham, divided
2 c. Gruyere Cheese, freshly grated & divided
2 Eggs
Parmesan Cheese
Dijon Basil Vinaigrette

Preheat oven to 350°.
Melt the butter & add the flour.
Whisk until flour smells “nutty.”
Season with salt, pepper & nutmeg.
Whisk in warmed half & half.
Continue until thickened.
Add in ¾ c. Gruyere cheese.
Stir to melt & set aside (this is called a Mornay Sauce).
Slice the brioche into four 1” thick slices.
Toast in the oven @ 350° turning once.
Turn oven to broil.
Top 2 slices of bread with ham & a handful of Gruyere.
Set the other 2 slices aside & broil until cheese is bubbly.
Remove, top with reserved slices, some Mornay sauce & a sprinkling of Parmesan.
Put back under the broiler & cook until golden brown.
In the meantime, fry the eggs over easy.
When the Croque Monsieur’s are done, top with the egg to make them Croque Madame’s.
Guild the lily by topping them with a drizzle of vinaigrette (below).

Dijon Basil Vinaigrette

1 T Dijon Mustard
2 T Cider Vinegar or Fresh Lemon Juice
Good Olive Oil
4 leaves Fresh Basil, chiffonade
Salt & Pepper, optional

Place first 3 ingredients into a bowl.
Slowly whisk in enough olive oil to emulsify the dressing.
Whisk in the basil & season with salt & pepper if needed.

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Puff Pastry Hearts with Vanilla Rum Cream

Published by: Sarah

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  • Feb
  • 7

This recipe made the back cover of  the February/March 2006  issue of Taste of Home magazine. 2 Boxes Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed in refrigerator 6 Egg Yokes 3/4 c. Sugar, divided 1/4 c. Cornstarch or Flour 1/4 tsp. Salt 1 1/2 c. Whole Milk 1 tsp.  Rum Extract 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract 1 1/2 c. Whipping […]

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This recipe made the back cover of  the February/March 2006  issue of Taste of Home magazine.

2 Boxes Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed in refrigerator
6 Egg Yokes
3/4 c. Sugar, divided
1/4 c. Cornstarch or Flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 c. Whole Milk
1 tsp.  Rum Extract
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 c. Whipping Cream
Confectioners Sugar
Raspberry Preserves
Fresh Berries
Fresh Mint

In a sauce pot combine milk & 1/4 c. sugar. 
Heat to just boiling. 
In separate bowl, whisk together egg yokes, remaining sugar, salt & cornstarch. 
Slowly whisk in milk mixture to blend – this is called “tempering.”
Pour back into sauce pot. 
Whisk continuously over medium low heat until thickened.
DO NOT BOIL! 
Remove from heat and add vanilla rum & vanilla extract. 
Cover and chill well. 
Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. 
Fold into custard mixture.  
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Unroll pastry dough onto lightly floured surface. 
Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut dough into equal amounts (2 per dessert).
Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. 
While pastry is baking, heat preserves until saucy.

*NOTE:  Work as quickly as possible.  Puff pastry rises better when dough is well chilled before going into oven. If dough becomes to warm, cover tightly and chill for 30 minutes.  

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Warm Winter Salad with Bacon Dressing

Published by: Sarah

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  • Jan
  • 13

This is called a “warm” salad because the eggs are incorporated immediately after cooking. Enjoy & keep warm! For the Dressing: 1 c. Sour Cream 1 c. Mayonnaise 6 sliced Bacon, cooked crisp 1 Lemon, zested & juiced 4 oz. Gorgonzola Crumbles Salt & Pepper Combine all ingredients & set aside. For the Salad & to […]

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This is called a “warm” salad because the eggs are incorporated immediately after cooking. Enjoy & keep warm!

For the Dressing:
1 c. Sour Cream
1 c. Mayonnaise
6 sliced Bacon, cooked crisp
1 Lemon, zested & juiced
4 oz. Gorgonzola Crumbles
Salt & Pepper

Combine all ingredients & set aside.

For the Salad & to Serve:
3 Hard Boiled Eggs, chopped
2 heads Romaine, chopped
1 English Cucumber, chopped
1 sm. Red Onion, sliced
1 lg. rib Celery, chopped

Layer first 4 ingredients in order listed into a large clear salad bowl with eggs on the bottom.
Add dressing & top with celery.
Present to your guests, then toss in dressing.

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Chocolate Somethings

Published by: Sarah

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  • 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°. […]

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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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Potato Croquette

Published by: Sarah

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  • Dec
  • 25

  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 🙂 ! 4 c. Mashed Potatoes 2 Eggs, beaten 1 T. Salt ½ T. Black Pepper ¾ c. Sweet Onion, minced 2 Shallot, minced ½ c. Roasted Garlic, chopped ½ c. Fresh Chopped Parsley 1 c. Grated Romano Cheese** 1 c. Panko (Japanese style) Bread Crumbs  – for gluten free, omit Panko […]

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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 🙂 !

4 c. Mashed Potatoes
2 Eggs, beaten
1 T. Salt
½ T. Black Pepper
¾ c. Sweet Onion, minced
2 Shallot, minced
½ c. Roasted Garlic, chopped
½ c. Fresh Chopped Parsley
1 c. Grated Romano Cheese**
1 c. Panko (Japanese style) Bread Crumbs
 – for gluten free, omit Panko & use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead
Oil for Deep Frying

Combine all ingredients except bread crumbs & oil.
Heat oil to 400°.
Form potatoes into balls slightly smaller than a baseball.
Roll in bread crumbs.
Fry 3 at a time for about 3-5 minutes.
Drain on paper towels.

**Extra sharp Cheddar, Parmesan or Asiago cheese may be substituted for the Romano or mix & match.

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Ziploc Omelettes

Published by: Sarah

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  • Dec
  • 23

I’m hoping many have seen this easy method of making an omelet. For those who haven’t, give it a try! 1. Crack 2 eggs into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.   2. Put out a variety of ingredients such as : Cheeses, Ham, Onions, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Hash […]

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I’m hoping many have seen this easy method of making an omelet. For those who haven’t, give it a try!

1. Crack 2 eggs into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.
 
2. Put out a variety of ingredients such as : Cheeses, Ham, Onions, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Hash Browns, Salsa, Etc.

3. Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake the bag to mix them well.

4. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.

5. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. If you have more omelets, make another pot of boiling water.

6. Cut the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed.

7. Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and it becomes a great conversation piece.

8. These can be made the night before. Just shake the bag before placing in the boiling water to mix ingredients again.

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Classic Creme Brulee

Published by: Sarah

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comments:
  • Dec
  • 8

6 Egg Yokes 5 oz Sugar 1 qt. Heavy Cream 3 Vanilla Beans, spit & scraped Raw Sugar Preheat oven to 325. Put heavy cream into pot and add Vanilla bean “insides”.  Heat to hot but DO NOT BOIL  Whisk together egg yokes & sugar until pale yellow.  Temper together the cream & eggs.  Skim […]

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6 Egg Yokes
5 oz Sugar
1 qt. Heavy Cream
3 Vanilla Beans, spit & scraped
Raw Sugar

Preheat oven to 325.

Put heavy cream into pot and add Vanilla bean “insides”. 
Heat to hot but DO NOT BOIL 
Whisk together egg yokes & sugar until pale yellow. 
Temper together the cream & eggs. 
Skim foam and pour into ramekins. 
Bake IN WATER BATH for 30 – 45 minutes or until set. 
Chill completely. 
Sprinkle with raw sugar and torch to melt sugar. 
Serve with fresh fruit.

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Homemade Eggnog

Published by: Sarah

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comments:
  • Nov
  • 10

I discovered this decadent recipe in an old cookbook. I tweaked it just a little and ended up with a very fattening, but well worth the calories, beverage. 4 c Half & Half 1 c Sugar 11 lg. Egg Yolks, room temperature 1 tsp Vanilla 2 c Heavy Cream 1 tsp Nutmeg Liquor of Choice […]

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I discovered this decadent recipe in an old cookbook. I tweaked it just a little and ended up with a very fattening, but well worth the calories, beverage.

4 c Half & Half
1 c Sugar
11 lg. Egg Yolks, room temperature
1 tsp Vanilla
2 c Heavy Cream
1 tsp Nutmeg
Liquor of Choice (preferably dark rum or brandy)
Cinnamon Sugar

In a large double boiler, stir together half & half & sugar.
Whisk in egg yolks.
Whisk until a light custard forms – DO NOT BOIL.
Remove from heat & let cool.
Refrigerate over night.
Whisk in vanilla & cream.
Stir in nutmeg.
Dip the rims of your serving glasses in water & then in the cinnamon sugar.
If spiking your eggnog, put a jigger of liquor into each glass.
Fill with eggnog & put a dash of nutmeg on the top.

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