The "Muslim" Bean Pie

The "Muslim" Bean Pie  

from M. Coleman

If you've never had a Bean Pie, you've missed one of life's genuine delights.  The history of this pie goes back to the "Nation of Islam" (The Honorable Elijah Muhammad) who had a deep interest in improving nutrition among African Americans.  

The "Navy Bean" is one of the most complete foods on the shelf, being almost pure complete protein and fiber.  One can literally live off of Navy Beans alone, they are that healthy.  This recipe was created to get more people to eat more Navy Beans, and it worked.  

Bean Pies were sold by street vendors (always impecably dressed, in suits with bow ties) in pink boxes, and at Shabaz Bakeries all over America.  They represented an icon of African American independence and were usually sold by well dressed men in suits, on street corners, along with "Muhammad Speaks."  

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I spent years working in African American neighborhoods, so I often bought both, wishing to expand my knowledge base, but loving the flavor and texture of the pies, which are similar to Sweet Potato or Pumpkin, but "better." 

With the passing of Elijah Mohammed, the "Nation of Islam" has fallen away.  The Muslim faith is welcoming of all persons.  The pie is still around, but harder to get.

After years of trying to make them with disappointing results, I found this recipe.  Hope you enjoy, The "Muslim" Bean Pie.  The taste and texture are similar to pumpkin or sweet potato pie.

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2 cups navy beans (cooked according to package instructions) You may use canned beans.  Drain and rinse.

Note: You'll want to make sure that you have planned ahead to make this pie because you need to pre-soak the beans before you can cook them.   Cook beans until soft. 

1/2 tsp. of salt (unless the canned beans have some salt, check the label) 

1 stick butter 

2 tablespoons flour 

4 eggs 

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups sugar 

1  14oz. can evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

2 tablespoons vanilla 

Preheat oven. to 350 degrees. 

In electric blender, blend beans, butter, milk, eggs, nutmeg and flour about 2 minutes on medium speed. 

Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add sugar and vanilla. Mix well. 

Pour into pie shells.  Bake about one hour until golden brown. 

Makes 2 or 3 Bean Pies.

I made a quadruple recipe:

Sweet Potato Pie (easy and VERY good !!)

In the South, we generally don't eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving or other festive occasions.  One of the many ways we distinguish ourselves is with a rich culinary tradition, closer to Native American and West African cuisine.  Pumpkins don't grow that well in warm humid climates.  Sweet Potatoes, or Yams, will grow about anywhere, in poor soil, and they are loaded with iron and other nutrients that are not abundant in pumpkin (which is basically a squash).

Also, they need a LOT less sugar to make a sweet pie, particularly with the canned yams I use in this recipe.  In California, traditional "Southern" Sweet Potatoes, deep orange inside, are less common in the stores.  We have lots of Yams, which also have a deep orange color and are closely related to Sweet Potatoes, but have less stringy fibers in the body of the potato.

I found this recipe in "A Taste of Georgia" the Newnan Georgia Junior League cookbook.  I've been using it for over 25 years, and I have never found a better pie.  I have shared it with friends and acquaintances over the years, and the comments are always glowing.  "You put your foot in it Ed !!" is the usual response after a few bites.  

If you decide to try it, a few pointers:

An extra egg or two won't hurt.  This recipe makes a Sweet Potato CUSTARD filling which is what sets it apart.

Use real butter, salted is fine, like all baked goods, it needs a tiny bit of salt to taste "done."  You can also add a dash of salt if you like.

I save the syrup from the canned yams and boil it down, add some brown sugar and cloves to make an incredible ham glaze.

I usually make about 12 pies the week before Thanksgiving to share with friends and neighbors.  For that reason, I choose convenience over "purity."  The pie tastes outstanding.

DON'T PUT ANY OF THE USUAL SPICES (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) IN THIS PIE !!

DON'T PUT ANY SPICES IN THE FILLING OR ON TOP !!

The Vanilla, or what other flavoring you use is what "pops" the pie flavor.  My favorite is Amaretto, or Spiced Rum.  I have used Bourgon too, it's your choice.  I usually put a little Vanilla in too.

I have done mixes with brown sugar and white sugar.  A 3 to 1 (3 parts white, 1 part brown) seems toe sweet spot.  I've also used "Mexican" sugar, pressed in cones in the produce section of most markets in the southwest.  

Have fun, play with this recipe.  Make your own pie crust, or buy them at the store.  Your call.

PLEASE NOTE: This makes a VERY sweet pie which most people who like sweets will LOVE.  
If you don't like things very sweet, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup.

SWEET POTATO PIE

1 cup sugar (I mix 1/4 cup brown & 3/4 cup white)

3/4 stick butter, melted

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1.5 cups canned yams mashed (I usually just whip them with the mixer until they are close to liquid.  You'll get some lumps, but that enhances the texture of the pie)

1 Tsps  Vanilla extract (or Rum, Bourbon, Amaretto instead of Vanilla

2 regular 9” pie shell(s), unbaked

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Add the sugar and eggs to the mashed/whipped potatoes/yams.

Then add the melted butter and vanilla extract..  

Mix

Then add milk.  

Mix thoroughly

Pour into pie shell(s)

Bake at 350F for about an hour.  My convection oven at 325F takes about 80 minutes, but the pies are  grreat.
Insert a toothpick.  It will come out clean and wet (from the butter) when it's "done."  If any loose filling sticks, let it cook a bit longer.

Any left over filling can be put in a bowl and microwaved for a quick custard.

DO NOT USE ANY SPICES !!  DO NOT USE ANY SPICES !!

Variations:

Finely chopped Pecans (about 1/2 cup) folded into the pie filling mixture before filling the pie shells.

Instead of pie shells, use pre-baked 3" tart shells, bake at 350, about 25 minutes.

 The "mashed" yams in the mixer

 Afer I've added the sugar, butter and milk.  

 Pie shells ready to be filled

Pies in the oven

This is when having a convection oven is redally great.

Maury Calvert's BBQ Sauce

From "Tampa Treasure" cookbook, Junior Service League of Tampa Florida 

(an EXCELLENT cookbook).

This much requested recipe was a closely guarded secret of Eleanor Crowder until she stepped down as President of the Junior Service League of Miami.  As a parting gift to the League, she allowed it’s magazine, “Tropical Topics”, to publish her father’s treasured Tennessee barbecue recipe.

I LOVE this BBQ Sauce.  It is a "mustard base" sauce, with NO SUGAR so you can cook with it, nothing to burn or char.  It is exceptional on ribs, really "pops" the flavor of pork, though it is equally good on chicken or beef.

If you ever want to make a "Pickin Ham" for a party, cover a ham in this, wrap it tightly in foil, and slow cook it at 250 F for several hours.  The ham will fall apart, perfect to fork onto rolls or bread for sandwiches.

Ingredients approximately 2 quarts of sauce:

1 Pound Butter  

1 (10oz) bottle Worcestershire

2 Tablespoons Tabasco  

1 Cup prepared mustard (as in the same stuff you put on hot dogs, NOT powder)

3 Lemons, whole  Wash & cut off the ends of the lemon.  Cut them in half or thirds and run them through a food processor until completely pulverized "mush."  Include the juice, rind, pulp and seeds.  
1 Pint Vinegar

Salt, Black or cayenne or red pepper to taste

Melt Butter; add remaining ingredients.  Blend thoroughly, simmer fabout 30 minutes to cook the lemon "mush."  

Keep warm on grill while using to baste chicken, ribs, steaks, etc.  

Keeps indefinitely in the refrigerator.

How to make ribs in your oven

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I like to make a big batch and put it up in jars for later use.  It will not need to be refrigerated until it's opened.  Enjoy the photos below of a batch I made this afternoon.  

NOTE

The butter will separate as it cools in the jars.  Just shake it well before you open it.

Melting the Butter ~ DO NOT USE MARGARINE

The lemon "mush."

I've found this really works, gives the sauce "body" and excellent flavor.

I suspect Maury didn't have a food processor when he started.

 I recently got an induction range (which I LOVE!!) but the stockpot I had was too small so I had to split the sauce into two pans.

I've ordered a 16 quart induction ready stock pot for future use.

The final product.  Notice the butter has separated to the top, just shake it before you open it for use.

Thank you to Robin Adair who introduced me to "Tampa Treasures" and this incredible recipe.

BROWN SUGAR KITCHEN’S CORNMEAL WAFFLES WITH APPLE CIDER SYRUP

BROWN SUGAR KITCHEN’S CORNMEAL WAFFLES WITH APPLE CIDER SYRUP
From Jonathan Gold, Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/food/recipes/la-fo-sos-waffles-brown-sugar-kitchen-20170719-story.html

The best waffles commercially available, I am prepared to state, come from Brown Sugar Kitchen, a small, fragrant breakfast diner on Mandela Parkway in West Oakland.

The waffles, Tanya Holland’s cornmeal-enhanced riff on Marion Cunningham’s famous yeasted waffles, are crisp, light and so violently leavened that they threaten to leap from the waffle iron in which they are cooked. If you drive up from Los Angeles about 6 a.m., you can be at Brown Sugar Kitchen by noon. The hour you spend in line on a weekend morning will be the longest hour of your life.

Holland includes a splendid recipe for these waffles in her book “Brown Sugar Kitchen,”and it works as well in my battered old waffle iron as it does at the restaurant. You mix the batter the night before, chill it in your refrigerator while you sleep, and stir in a bit of baking soda just before you pour it into your hot iron. (Remember to grease the iron well, or your first waffle will tear into delicious waffly shards when you attempt to lever it out onto a plate.) At the restaurant, Holland serves it with a sticky syrup made from boiled-down cider, but I always end up using good maple syrup instead, because I am lazy and I am a barbarian. They are the best waffles you will ever taste.

I still wouldn’t rule out an early morning drive to Oakland, though. Holland tends to pair the waffles with insanely delicious herbed fried chicken, and you also get a shot at her shrimp ’n’ grits.

The cookbook "Brown Sugar Kitchen" is available on iBooks, and from Amazon in hardcover and via Kindle.

Apple cider syrup is poured onto a cornmeal waffle. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Recipe in our California Cookbook »

1 hour, 15 minutes, plus proofing time. Serves 12

APPLE CIDER SYRUP

1 ½ cups firmly packed brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1 quart apple cider

2 cinnamon sticks

½ cup (1 stick) butter

In a large pot, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, cider, cinnamon and butter. Bring to a boil, then reduce the mixture to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1 ½ cups, about 45 minutes. Discard the cinnamon. The syrup can be made up to 1 month in advance; cover tightly and refrigerate until needed, then warm and stir well before serving.

WAFFLES

2 teaspoons active-dry yeast

¾ cup warm water

3 eggs

3 cups milk

1 cup cornmeal

2 cups plus 2 heaping tablespoons (9 ounces) flour

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

1 ½ teaspoons sugar

¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, melted

Vegetable oil for the waffle iron

½ teaspoon baking soda

1. In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In another large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, salt and sugar. Add the yeast mixture to the eggs and milk, then whisk in the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the melted butter until just combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to overnight.

3. Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Heat the waffle iron and grease lightly with oil. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.

4. Remove the batter from the refrigerator and whisk in the baking soda. Ladle some batter into the waffle iron, close the lid, and cook until the waffles are golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This makes about a dozen waffles, depending on the size of your waffle iron.

5. Transfer the waffle to the rack to keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining batter, placing the cooked waffles in a single layer on the rack.

6. Serve the waffles warm with warm apple cider syrup.

Each of 12 servings: Calories 498; protein 7 grams; carbohydrates 67 grams; fiber 1 gram; fat 23 grams; saturated fat 14 grams; cholesterol 103 mg; sugar 39 grams; sodium 252 mg

Note: Adapted from a recipe in “Brown Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Down-Home Recipes From Sweet West Oakland” by Tanya Holland.

CHICKEN POT PIE (and pies in general)

My Mother Edna loved baking cakes and cookies, but the never made pies.   Although I never asked her, I suspect that the art of making pie crust was not her favorite thing to do.  In my own attempts at making crust, I never knew all the little "secrets" so mine were not the best.  Years ago, I started using  "Pet/Ritz" frozen pie crusts, already in an aluminum pan.  They made my annual Sweet Potatoe pies much easier to do.

As part of my "recovery" I realized that I needed to explore making foods that were not familiar so that I could expand my culinary reperatoire and add some adventure to my culinary experience.

I'm sure some of you will laugh, particularly if you've been making home made pies for decades.  I discovered Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts.  So, with this new knowledge in hand, I've been exploring the ease of basic pie making.

Some generic tips:

0.    No matter what the filling, it must be thickened with either flour, corn starch, tapioca, or some other "starch" that will thicken the juices.  The only exception, "custard" pies where the eggs do the thickening.

0.    Pie filling is a great way to use up left overs and other odds & ends in one's refrigerator.

This is actually the origins of Quiche, which is basically French peasant food.  Thanks to John Beeman for telling me this decades ago in Tampa Florida, Quiche is how the French get rid of leftover cheese, vegetables that are not so fresh but still edible, eggs, milk and cream that are also no longer fresh, eggs ditto.  Just mix it all up, (using eggs to thicken) throw it in a pie shell and it all cooks together and tastes great.

0.   And there are two paradigms for pie making regarding ingredients.  One can either cook them first and then "fill" the pie.  Or one can leave most of the ingredients (except meats) uncooked, or barely cooked and let them cook in the pie.  Quiche is one notable exception, as well as some "fresh fruit" pies that use a "glaze" to hold them together.  (Of course, most "cream" refrigerated and "fresh fruit pies require the "shell" to be pre-cooked before filling)

0.    And lastly, letting the pie cool is essential to not having a runny mess when you try to open it.


So this is what I did for my first home made Chicken Pot Pie.

I pre-cooked the filling on top of the stove.  I added extra flour because I wanted a "stand up" pie, not a runny one.  Specific directions (more or less) and "why" are below.

I put half a stick of butter in a deep skillet.  Once melted and sizzling, I added about a cup of chopped onions, and teaspoon of chopped garlic.

I sautéed this till translucent, then added 2 cups of small cut up chicken (raw), and cooked this until the chicken was almost done.

Then I added 3 cups of thawed frozen vegetables (vegetable mix from a bag).  You can certainly use fresh vegetables too if you prefer.

If you want a lot of "crunch" then don't pre-cook them.  Same if you're using already cooked meat.  You can just make the "gravy" with the spices and then dump in the meat/vegetables and pour it into the pie shell.

I stired this together, then added 1 tablespoon of dry chicken soup mix (I use Knorr).  This substitutes for any salt and adds chicken flavor.  Also, I ground some fresh black pepper, some basil and you can certainly add other seasonings to your taste.  I add the seasonings BEFORE any liquid so that the flavors bond with the food, sort of like "stir fry."

I mixed 2 cups of milk with 3 tablespoons of flour and once dissolved poured this into the chicken vegetable mix.    After it was mixed, I added a cup of plain greek yoghurt.  I also added some white cooking wine.

Once this had cooked enough to thicken, I turned off the heat, and let it sit for a few minutes while I prepared a pan with the pie crusts.  I have developed a fondness for using cake pans so I get the ultimate "deep dish" pie.  I just spray the pan thoroughly with cooking spray so the pie will be easier to take out.

Once I filled and covered the pie, I put it in a 375 F oven (I have a convection oven, otherwise I would do 400 F) for about 45 minutes, or until it turns a golden brown.

Once cooled, I got the pie in the photo above and it was very yummy.

There are many videos on YouTube about making pie crust and Chicken Pot Pie and there are as many variations as their are cooks.

Enjoy !!!

"Hermits" (GREAT cookies)

My mother Edna made these.  

They were her favorite cookies, and we ALL loved them.

They are great for the holidays !!!

Hermits  (great cookies)

2 Eggs

1  1/2 Cup Sugar (substitute 1/2 cup of brown sugar/1 cup of white sugar if you wish)

2/3 cup Oil

1 Tablespoon Syrup (any maple, Log Cabin, Ala-Ga, your favorite)

2 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

1 Teaspoon Baking SODA dissolved in 1 Tablespoon Water

Cream the eggs, sugar and oil, add the syrup and Marmalade

3 Cups Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1/2 Teaspoon Allspice

1/2 Teaspoon Ginger

1 Cup seedless Raisins

1 Cup chopped nuts (Walnuts/Pecans, can be mixed)

Mix together the above DRY

Then fold in the eggs, etc from above, mix well.

Drop with a teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets and bake at 375 F (350 if you have a convection oven) until medium brown (about 12 minutes).  

 Yield 2 or 3 dozen (depending on size of cookie).

I have a small scoop, about the size of a melon ball, that I got at a restaurant supply.  Using that, I get 3 dozen cookies out of a single recipe.

This is a very old recipe, some say dating back to the 14th century.  The Orange Marmalade and Allspice give it the unique flavor.  

Enjoy !!

Edna Garren at her 95th birthday party

Ribs In The Oven with Maury Calvert's Barbecue Sauce

I live in an apartment and can't barbecue right now because there is no place for a barbecue grill.

I LOVE pork ribs (who doesn't?) and (as we'd say back home) "got to hankering some ribs" for New Years Day.

In years past, we would roast a whole pig in the back yard on New Years Day.  Here is the link to both the story I sold the L.A. Times in 2000, and the YouTube video of our January 1st,  2000 Pig Roast Party.  

But this year, 2016, a more modest version of roast pork and Black Eyed Peas was in order.

So, I made ribs in the oven.

The first thing to do is make up some Maury Calvert's Barbecue Sauce.  

Link:
MAURY CALVERT’S BARBECUE SAUCE

(from Tampa Treasures cookbook). 

This is the finest Mustard based barbecue sauce I’ve ever tasted, and is excellent for pork, chicken and fish.

1 pound butter (NOT margarine)

1 (10 ounce) bottle Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons Tabasco

1 cup prepared mustard

1 pint vinegar

3 lemons, include juice and grated rind 

(I use the grater on my food processor to grate the entire lemon, then switch to the "steel knife" blade and continue to pulverize all of it till it's sort of a lemon mush.)

salt, black pepper to taste, cayenne or red pepper to taste.

Melt butter; add remaining ingredients; cook until blended thoroughly.

 USE THIS SAUCE WHILE COOKING/BARBECUING.  It has no sugar, so it won’t burn like “sweet” red sauces.  You can also use it after, but it’s power is while you are cooking the meat.  Keep the meat wet with this, cook it slow, and it comes out incredibly moist and flavorful.

(This Sauce is great if you are roasting pork or ham. You can slow roast the meat by covering it in this sauce, wrapping it tightly in foil and roasting it at 275 for about double the usual time. Serve with rolls for mini sandwiches. Have extra sauce as a side to the meat on the table.)

This much requested recipe was a closely guarded secret of Eleanor Crowder until she stepped down as President of the Junior Service League of Miami.  As a parting gift to the League, she allowed it’s magazine, “Tropical Topics”, to publish her father’s treasured Tennessee barbecue recipe. 

I always make a double recipe so I can bottle some up for later.  Like most Southerners, I save jars that other sauces have come it to re-use.  Because this sauce is loaded with vinegar, it keeps very well, but once you open it, put it in the refrigerator.  Also, the butter will sometimes separate, just shake it vigorously to mix it again.

Once you've made the sauce, the rest is simple.

Preheat your oven to 300 F

Coat the ribs with the sauce.

Slow roast in the oven for about 2 hours.   You can continue basting the ribs while they are roasting, or not, your choice.  When they are very tender, remove and put another coat of sauce on the ribs.

Or, if you DO have a barbecue,  remove them and "finish" them on a hot grille for a few minutes.

Ed Garren’s 21st Century Fruitcake

Ed Garren’s 21st Century Fruitcake

Fruitcake gets a very bad rap, mostly because of poorly made commercial fruitcakes (Claxton’s is the WORST !!) that have permeated the market.  If you’ve never had home made fruit cake, you don’t know what you’re missing.  Give this recipe a try for a very enjoyable holiday treat !!

Our mother Edna Garren made rather well loved fruitcakes every season.  She had gotten her recipe from our neighbor Dempsey (Lee) Webb.  When my mother moved from California to North Carolina, her recipe got lost, much to everyone’s disappointment.   After years of not having fruitcake, I found Lucille Harvey’s fruitcake recipe from the Tampa Tribune.  I looked it over, and decided it was close enough.  When I went to the store, they didn’t have the traditional red and green candied cherries & pineapple that my mother and Mrs. Harvey used, so I decided to try something different.  Hence my “21st Century” Fruitcake, using dried fruits, “candied” at home with Captain Morgan Spiced Run and sugar.  I think you will like this variation.  It does not have the bright colors typically associated with fruitcake, but the flavor is exquisite.

Makes 5 pounds of fruitcake which equals 3 loaf pans.

4 Cups of shelled Pecans (chopped or sliced into small pieces)

4 Cups (or one bag) of dried Cherries

4 Cups (or one bag) of dried “Tropical Fruits” blend, Pineapple, Mango, Guava, mix

Half a box of “Golden Raisins” (approximately one cup)

1 Cup of Rum, Bourbon, Cognac or other liquor NOT Vodka or Gin)

2/3 Cup Sugar

1 3/4 Cups All Purpose flour

1/2 pound butter

1 Cup sugar

5 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder 

1/8 teaspoon (pinch) of salt

2 Tablespoons each, Vanilla Extract and Lemon Extract (Orange Extract may be substituted)

Chop dried “tropical fruits” into small pieces.  Put all of the dried fruits into a medium sized mixing bowl.  Pour in 1 Cup of Rum or other distilled alcohol.  I use “Captain Morgan Spiced Rum” but this is your preference.  Stir to coat fruits, then add 2/3 Cup Sugar and mix.  Cover the mixture, leave out for about 3 days (if possible) in room temperature, stirring every 4 to 6 hours to evenly distribute the liquor into the fruit.  When most of the liquor has absorbed, add 1/2 Cup of flour and stir to coat the fruit.

On baking day, preheat oven to 250 F.

In a separate bowl cream the 1 Cup Sugar and 1/2 pound of Butter.  Then add eggs and beat until throughly blended.  

In a very small bowl, or large measuring cup, use the remaining flour (1 1/4 cup) and add the Baking Powder and Salt and mix thoroughly.

Pour the dry ingredients into the butter/sugar/egg mixture and mix thoroughly.  Fold this into the fruit that has been coated with flour and mix completely.

Take 8 1/2” X 4 1/2” Loaf pans and line with baking parchment paper.  Spoon the mixture into the pans so they are about half full.  

Place in 250 F oven for approximately 2 hours.  Additional instructions are below for different sized pans.

Once cooled, some folks wrap the cakes in cloth, soaking the cloth in their liquor of choice (my mother used Cognac, others bourbon, others rum).   Place the cloth wrapped cakes in tins, or other airtight containers and set aside in a cool place (do NOT refrigerate) for a week or longer, up to a month.  Open the tins and re-wet the cloths about once a week.

If you make these during early December (Advent to many) they should be perfect for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the festive 12 Days after.  If your holidays are earlier, then plan accordingly, start in November, right after Halloween.

Or just slice and enjoy the fruit cake after it has throughly cooled.

Regards,  Edward George Garren

Bake 2 1/2 to 3 hours in tube pan or 2 hours in 8 1/2- by-4 1/2-inch loaf pans at 250 degrees. 

Check cakes 1 hour before done and again in 30 minutes. When done, remove from oven; cool in pans on cake rack. 

Note: In 4 1/2-by-2 1/2-by-11/2-inch (baby) loaf pans, bake cake about 1 hour. 

For 1-pound cakes in 2-pound coffee cans, bake about 2 hours. In 5-ounce custard cups, bake about 1 hour. 

And in ungreased foil bonbon cups, bake about 30 minutes. 

HOLIDAY (and other) RECIPES !!

It’s that time of year again.  I offer some of the best recipes I’ve accumulated over the years.  If you’re looking for something new or different, give one of these a try.

The stuffing recipe and the sweet potato pie recipe have received multiple accolades from persons as diverse as Korean to African American, all of whom agree that they are outstanding.

  If you are roasting a turkey this year, do it in a paper bag (yes,it really works, no the bag does not catch on fire or even smolder).  Turn the bag flat side down, make sure to use full sized bag.

 You can roast the turkey this way stuffed or not stuffed, it works every time. Get two “virgin” bags from the grocery store. Coat the bird (stuffed or unstuffed) with butter, margarine, oil, etc. then sprinkle it with paprika (lightly, this gives it a magnificent color), then put it in a bag (grocery store brown paper), flat side down, in a pan at least three inches deep. Then cut the bottom 8″of the other bag to make a “cap” for the open end. Put this into a preheated oven, 350 f, and roast for however many minutes per pound (instructions usually on the turkey). THAT’S IT!!!

 No basting, no turning, no worrying, just pull it out (about 30minutes before time to serve) let it cool some in the bag, then cut off the bag and enjoy a marvelously roasted turkey with moist breast meat and a beautiful color. I have cooked about 45 turkeys this way and they have all come out perfect. I learned this from Kay Jackson of Miami Beach who managed restaurants for years.

 I also discovered that “brining” the turkey for about 12 hours before really makes for a great turkey.  There are many recipes, do a “Google” search on “Turkey Brining” to find a recipe that you like

 I have tried to organize this page, so most of the desserts are at the end.

That said, enjoy!!!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Ed's RECIPE PAGE

Korean Bul-Go-Gi (Barbecue Beef)

Like most "exotic" cooking, this is actually very simple.  It's just a different use of flavors that Americans already use, just a bit differently.

Key tips:

*     The Sesame Oil is VERY important because of it's distinct flavor.

*     Finely chopped garlic can be substituted for the garlic powder.

*     Finely chopped onions can be substituted for the dried onions.

*     White sugar will work if it's all you have.  

Korean Bul-Go-Gi ("Bur-Go-Gi") Braised Barbecue Beef

This is a simplified version of Grace Ahn's recipe

Flank or "Flap" steak, cut into very thin slices.

Coat the steak in sesame oil, add garlic powder, dried onions and a small amount of brown sugar or honey.  

Coat the meat evenly with the above ingredients, then add Teryaki Sauce until almost covered.  Let marinate in refrigerator for at least four to six hours, stirring occasionally.

Grill meat on open grille, or sear in heavy skillet over high heat.  Serve immediately with rice and vegetables.

** Information about rice:

There are as many varieties of rice as there are cultures who eat it.  Most Europeans (and therefore most North Americans) are accustomed to "long grain" rice, which cooks up "separate and fluffy."

The down side of it is that long grain rice is not very flavorful or substantive.   It also doesn't stick together very well, making it difficult to eat.

Asians (including Koreans) prefer medium or short grain rice, which is more flavorful and "clumps" together easily.   The most popular variety is "CalRose" which is grown in California and exported heavily to Asian countries.  It is also labeled "medium" or "short" grain rice and is available in most places in the U.S.  

My Nephew Michael Garren

offered this story, and video about Korean Purple Rice (Japgokbap), which is excellent as a side to BulGogi:

Every Wednesday, I had a standing lunch appointment (with myself) in a place of solitude and beauty.  A place I liked to call, "Mecca," or more-precisely, my favorite Korean Restaurant "du jour."  Aesthetics were calming, service was seamless, and never a judgment by the lunch staff.  My attentive waiter provided me with several ice buckets without having to request them.  Yes, the plural form of bucket.  Soju, Hite, and a bottle of sparkling water guarded my meal as watchtowers centered within the Demilitarized-Zone.  That very place closed due to the takeover of new leadership, which led me to a new place recommended by my ever-so-attentive and caring [Korean] waiter.

Fast-forward to a week later, I ventured to a more simple and "at-home" dining experience.  The place recommended to me by aforemetioned Korea-Town "local" was a restaurant specializing in all things "chigae," or soup.  The most-attentive "ahjumma" (older-lady, almost like a grandmother) working there, introduced me to purple rice. Until some months ago, I would have never requested purple rice.  I have always preferred steamed, white rice.  Yet, it was "ahjumma" that would automatically serve me this choice of rice without asking.  She was one of the "few" who could tell I was at least partial-Korean, only addressing me in Korean, and therefore, assuming I would prefer purple rice.  To be frank, I only ate the serving of purple rice that day to be polite and gracious to my sweet-as-sweet-could-be elder.  Thanks to her, I have enjoyed purple rice ever since!

Multi-grain purple rice, or Japgokbap, is a healthy alternative to steamed white rice. Depending on how much black rice one uses, the final color will vary; usually in various hues of purple.  Black rice has a glutinous coating which alters the color of the white rice during the cooking process.  Moreover, the rice becomes "sticky" and easy to "clump" due to its' gelatinous coating.  This is relatively easy to source whether it is a store-bought pre-packaged mixture or from scratch.  The store-bought packages may contain any number of grains.  Cooking time is fast as most pre-packaged rice is pre-cooked.  I find the Korean Markets have the best selection.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-eEMhASEw4&feature=youtu.be

You can cut this recipe to suit your needs.  Like all Asian rice, it is one part rice, one part water.  This just adds one part of Black Wild Rice, which turns purple when cooked with white rice.  Rinse the rices thoroughly before cooking (as is demonstrated in the video).


Below are some photos from the many Korean barbecue meals I have thoroughly enjoyed.

 Los Angeles (old "Mana" before remodel)

 Pine Hill Korean Buffet in Buena Park CA

U2 Korean Barbecue Los Angeles CA

 Moo Dae Po (Hansik) Fullerton and Los Angeles CA

(name unremembered) Buena Park CA

Moo Dae Po (Hansik) Fullerton and Los Angeles CA

Davide enjoys his first Korean barbecue in London, just off Piccadilly Circus

Sarah & Krista enjoy their first Korean Barbecue at U2 Los Angeles CA