Tom Ka Gai

By Darlene Schmdt

Ingredients:

• 6 cups good-quality chicken stock (Serves 2 as the main entree, or 4-6 as an appetizer)
• 1-2 chicken breasts, sliced, OR 1-2 cups roasted chicken or turkey
• 1 lemongrass stalk, OR 3 Tbsp. frozen prepared lemongrass
• 4 kaffir limes leaves (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 thumb-size piece galangal or ginger, grated
• 1-3 fresh red chilies, minced (to taste), OR substitute 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. dried crushed chili
• 1/2 to 1 can good-quality coconut milk
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 2+ Tbsp. fish sauce
• 1 tsp. brown sugar (optional, according to taste)
• handful fresh coriander leaves
• handful fresh basil leaves
• 3 spring (green) onions, sliced
• optional: other vegetables, like sliced bell pepper or cherry tomatoes
• optional: *wheat or rice noodles, if serving as the main course (see tip below)

Preparation:

1. Slice and mince the lower portion of the lemongrass stalk. Retain the upper stalk for the soup pot.
2. Place chicken broth in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. If you have leftover chicken or turkey bones, add those too. Bring to a boil.
3. Add fresh chicken (or leftover chicken or turkey) and mushrooms. Also add the prepared lemongrass (including upper stalk pieces), plus kaffir lime leaves and fresh chili. Boil 5-8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.
4. Turn heat down to medium. Add the galangal or ginger, 1/2 can coconut milk, the fish sauce, and extra vegetables (if using). Stir well. Simmer gently 1-2 minutes.
5. Turn heat down to minimum. Add lime juice and stir.
6. Do a taste test. Look for a balance between spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors. Start with salty, adding more fish sauce if not salty or flavorful enough (1 Tbsp. at a time). If too sour, add the sugar plus a little more if you need it. If too spicy, or if you'd like it creamier, add more coconut milk. If not spicy enough, add more chili.
7. Ladle soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle a little fresh coriander, basil, and spring onion over each bowl. For an extra kick of flavor, add a dollop of either store-bought or my own homemade Nam Prik Pao Chili Sauce Recipe. ENJOY!

Baked cod with butter and lemon

1 lb cod fish fillet
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, melted
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
paprika


1
If fish fillets are large, cut into serving pieces.
2
Mix butter and lemon juice.
3
In another bowl, mix flour, salt and white pepper.
4
Dip fish into butter mixture; coat fish with flour mixture.
5
Place fish in ungreased square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches.
6
Pour remaining butter mixture over fish; sprinkle with paprika.
7
Cook uncovered in 350 degree oven until fish flakes easily with fork, 25-30 minutes. Garnish with parsley sprigs and lemon slices if desired.

Read more: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/lemon-baked-cod-135272?oc=linkback">http://www.food.com/recipe/lemon-baked-cod-135272?oc=linkback</a>

Tomato and cucumber salad

• From allrecipes.com, altered

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

2 cup cucmbers, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1/2 c cilantro, chopped

1/2 c basil, chopped

2 Tb garlic, chopped

2 Tb white wine vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

In a bowl, mix together all ingredients. Serve chilled.

Sauted kale

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds young kale, stems and leaves coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
• 1/2 cup vegetable stock or water (or chicken stock)
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored. Raise heat to high, add the stock and kale and toss to combine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add vinegar.

Baked Patty Pans

Sliced patty pans can be baked with Parmesan to make a casserole. Lightly grease a small casserole dish with unsalted butter, then layer the sliced patty pans in the bottom of the casserole so that the rounds overlap slightly. Dot the slices with a bit of butter. Sprinkle a half-cup of freshly grated Parmesan over the slices. (It's tempting to add more, but you'll want to avoid smothering the mild flavor of the squash.) Add salt and pepper to taste, and then place the casserole in a 350 F oven for 15 minutes, or until the Parmesan is melted and slightly browned.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5124196_cook-patty-pan-squash.html#ixzz2Y84vD5z6

Squash with Bacon

Marlys Waldo original

Bacon
Shallots, chopped
Yellow squash, especially patty pan, cut into 1 inch pieces
Cherry/Grape tomatos

1. Put bacon in a medium pan and cook until done to your liking
2. Put bacon on a plate lined with a paper towel and pour out bacon grease into a container
3. Put shallots in the pan and cook until soft
4. Add sqash and cook until nearly done
5. Add tomatoes and cook until soft
6. Add bacon, chopped

Grilled potatoes

From allrecipes.com

2 russet potatoes, scrubbed

2 Tbs olive oil

salt & pepper

Poke each potato with the tines of a fork. Place the potatoes in a microwave oven, and cook on high power for about 5 minutes. Check about halfway through, and turn potatoes over for even cooking. Slice each potato in half the long way and cook potatoes another 2 minutes on high power. 

Preheat a grill for medium heat.

Brush the potato tops with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook on prepared grill for 15-20 minutes, turning once.