How To Make Cake Flour

Sorry it's been a long time since I last blogged but I do hope that it gave you time to go through all my previous recipes and tips.

I recently started researching the Swiss Roll cake after I saw a recipe that intrigued me.  Upon further research, I noticed that practically all of them called for "cake flour" which is a flour with lower gluten protein.

The ingredients to make your own cake flour in a pinch is everything you can find in your well stocked pantry, simply AP (All Purpose flour) and cornstarch!

For 1 cup of cake flour:

• 1 cup AP (All Purpose) flour minus 2 tablespoons
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Combine the two ingredients and sift together well.

Easy Pumpkin Soup

Halloween has come and gone and you may have extra cans of pumpkin left in your pantry for pumpkin pie (or stocked up on them when they went on sale).
Here's a great, tasty, and FAST recipe for pumpkin soup using that canned pumpkin. You can also substitute sweet potato puree or butternut squash puree for the pumpkin. Grating the onion will make the final soup smoother in texture and you won't have to use an immersion blender.
Many of the ingredients listed are traditional fall grocery sale items so you can make this on a budget.

 Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium onion, grated
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 29 oz. can pumpkin puree
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup cream
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan on medium heat, saute the grated onion in olive oil for 3 minutes or until soft.
2. Stir in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, cream, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
3. Bring to a simmer stirring for 3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and divide into 4 soup bowls.
5. Serve.

Braised Fennel

This week in the Pathmark supermarket sales circular, I noticed that fennel is selling at 98¢ each. 98¢ EACH! That's right! E-A-C-H! You don't always see that vegetable going for that price at a large supermarket so that's a bargain!
 If you have never had fennel, it is a vegetable that has the texture and crunch of celery but the subtle sweetness and flavor of anise or licorice. In it's raw state, it's fabulous sliced and served with fresh orange slices in a salad but when cooked, the flavor is more delicate with a soft texture.  It is popular in Mediterranean cuisine.

Here is a braised fennel recipe that I like from the October/November 1992 issue of Martha Stewart Living. It's simple and easy to make.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium bulbs fennel
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 or 2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 cup water
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Flat-leaf parsley leaves, as garnish

Directions

1. Trim the tops of the fennel bulbs; cut bulbs in half lengthwise.
2. Melt butter in a large iron skillet over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until melted. Add garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add fennel, cut side down, and cook until well browned, about 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to let the fennel burn.
3. Turn over bulbs and add orange juice, water, and salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover pan and cook until fennel is soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 to 30 minutes. If the pan becomes dry during cooking, add a little more water. If any liquid is left at the end of the cooking time, continue to cook, uncovered, at medium heat until the liquid evaporates. Garnish with parsley leaves and serve immediately.

CVS Pharmacy

Consumer Value Stores (known as CVS) which is the second largest pharmacy chain in the United States, has become my favorite place to stop by to see what's on sale whether it be food, snacks, beauty products, or prescription. I used to be a die hard Duane Reade shopper but when it was acquired by Walgreens, the prices sky rocketed and the prices not competitive.

First off, sign up for the CVS membership card which will offer more saving when you swipe it at the card reader near the entrance to the store. The kiosk will spit out coupons for you on certain products as well as a possible 20% off your total purchase or $4 off a $20 purchase. Occasionally you will also receive a printed coupon on your purchase receipt. If you don't mind promotional mail, CVS will periodically send you a 25% off your purchase coupon.

Of all the pharmacy chains in NYC, only CVS seems to provide the most savings.

Recipe: Filipino BBQ Marinade

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is coming up and Americans will be grilling and barbequing as part of the annual celebration.
Here is a nice change from the store bought BBQ sauces and marinades that you may be used to. I first tasted this at a friend's rooftop BBQ cook out and was intrigued watching her making the marinade especially with the use of 7 Up. She said that it helps tenderize the meat and adds sweetness and that lemon-lime flavor. Traditionally in the Philippines, the juice of calamansi is used but here in the United States, a lemon will have to suffice.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup 7 Up or Sprite
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and taste for flavor balance, you may need to add a pinch of salt or more lemon juice depending on the soy sauce you use and sourness of the lemon.
2. Pour the marinade over the meat of your choice and marinate (chicken: about an hour, pork or beef: over night or longer).
3. Grill and enjoy!  

Recipe: Japanese Carrot Ginger Dressing (Revisited)

I had another carrot ginger dressing recipe posted that was very simple to make if you didn't have Japanese ingredients.
This one is another version that has more ingredients and a more complex flavor.
This recipe makes 2 cups.

Ingredients

• 3 medium-size carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 thumb sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced across the grain
• 1 shallot, minced
• 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
• ¼ cup neutral flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil (I like Kadoya brand)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 teaspoons white miso paste
• 2 teaspoons mirin

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend/process until a creamy puree. You may add a bit of water and mix until it is to your preferred consistency.
Keeps in the refrigerator for about a week.

Dark sesame oil is made with toasted sesame seeds and has great depth of flavor.
The miso you find at Asian markets is often sold red or white with white being the one commonly used in miso soup.
Miring is a sweet cooking wine that gives teriyaki dishes it's shiny luster.

Video: How To Make Sushi Rolls

    Making your own sushi at home can be fun and cheaper than going to a Japanese sushi bar.
You'll need to buy sushi rice which is a small grain rice that is sticky when cooked. Other ingredients needed are dried nori sheets and seasoned rice vinegar. You can find these in the Asian Foods section of a large supermarket chain or in Chinatown. Pick up an inexpensive sushi mat too.
Fillings can be endless!

Video courtesy of AllRecipes.com