The key to keeping basil fresh and fragrant for days (and even weeks) after purchase or harvest is to not store it in the refrigerator. Basil leaves quickly turn black and slimy and lose their signature spicy sweet flavor when refrigerated. A better way to store them is in a jar of water on your kitchen counter top.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
* Short, stout jar or vase
1. Fill a short, stout vase or jar with 3 or 4 inches of tepid tap water.
2. Try to harvest longer stems if you pull it from a garden (rather than pinching off a few leaves). Bring the basil indoors and immediately stick the stems into the jar of water, making sure to add more water to the jar if the end of each stem is not submerged.
3. Remove the basil from its packaging if you purchase fresh basil from the grocery store. Trim the ends of the basil's stems and place them into the jar of water (this increases the basil's ability to take up water).
4.Place the jar in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Don't worry if the basil droops at first; it should perk right up after about 12 hours. Change the water in the jar daily. When stored this way, basil will stay fresh for weeks. In fact, if you leave the stems in water, they will eventually root and you can replant them in a pot or out in the garden.
Read more: How to Store Fresh Basil | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4482024_store-fresh-basil.html#ixzz1Fe045Uv8
Friday, March 4, 2011
Grilled Eggplant
The last step in this recipe says to chill the eggplant. According to other recipes I've read, that's not necessary. (This will be our first time eating eggplant.)
Printed from COOKS.COM
BASTING SAUCE:
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
2 med. eggplants
2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
3/4 c. olive oil
Combine all ingredients for the basting sauce and let stand for one hour.
While the oil is standing, slice the eggplant crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Arrange the slices in one layer on a large rack set over a tray and sprinkle them with half the salt. Turn the slices, sprinkle with remaining salt and let drain, turning them once for one hour.
Pat the slices thoroughly dry with paper towels. Brush one side of each slice with the basting sauce and grill the slices, oiled side down on an oiled rack set 3 to 4 inches above glowing coals. Grill for about 3 minutes per side. Brush with more oil and turn them. Grill for about 3 to 4 minutes more or until they are browned and tender.
Transfer grilled slices to a platter. Drizzle with a small amount of any remaining oil. Sprinkle with ground pepper to taste.
Chill the eggplant, covered, for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve them cold or at room temperature as a salad or appetizer with sliced French bread.
Printed from COOKS.COM
BASTING SAUCE:
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
2 med. eggplants
2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
3/4 c. olive oil
Combine all ingredients for the basting sauce and let stand for one hour.
While the oil is standing, slice the eggplant crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Arrange the slices in one layer on a large rack set over a tray and sprinkle them with half the salt. Turn the slices, sprinkle with remaining salt and let drain, turning them once for one hour.
Pat the slices thoroughly dry with paper towels. Brush one side of each slice with the basting sauce and grill the slices, oiled side down on an oiled rack set 3 to 4 inches above glowing coals. Grill for about 3 minutes per side. Brush with more oil and turn them. Grill for about 3 to 4 minutes more or until they are browned and tender.
Transfer grilled slices to a platter. Drizzle with a small amount of any remaining oil. Sprinkle with ground pepper to taste.
Chill the eggplant, covered, for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve them cold or at room temperature as a salad or appetizer with sliced French bread.
Eggplant Parmesan II
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour
Servings: 4
"Eggplant slices are dipped in egg and bread crumbs and then baked, instead of fried. The slices are layered with spaghetti sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses."
Ingredients:
1-1/3 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
7/8 eggs, beaten
1-3/4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2-2/3 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1/2 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese,
shredded and divided
3 tablespoons and 1-3/4 teaspoons grated
Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Directions:
You have scaled this recipe's ingredients to yield a new amount (4). The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield (9).
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2009 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 5/5/2009
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour
Servings: 4
"Eggplant slices are dipped in egg and bread crumbs and then baked, instead of fried. The slices are layered with spaghetti sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses."
Ingredients:
1-1/3 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
7/8 eggs, beaten
1-3/4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
2-2/3 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1/2 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese,
shredded and divided
3 tablespoons and 1-3/4 teaspoons grated
Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Directions:
You have scaled this recipe's ingredients to yield a new amount (4). The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield (9).
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2009 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 5/5/2009
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Kickin' Collard Greens
Ingredients
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 3 slices bacon
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* 3 cups chicken broth
* 1 pinch red pepper flakes
* 1 pound fresh collard greens, cut into 2-inch pieces
Directions
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, crumble and return to the pan. Add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant. Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt.
2. Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender.
allrecipe.com
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 3 slices bacon
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* 3 cups chicken broth
* 1 pinch red pepper flakes
* 1 pound fresh collard greens, cut into 2-inch pieces
Directions
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, crumble and return to the pan. Add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant. Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt.
2. Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender.
allrecipe.com
Collards
Widely considered to be a healthy food, collards are good sources of vitamin C and soluble fiber and contain multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and sulforaphane.[citation needed] Roughly a quarter pound (approx. 100 g) of cooked collards contains 46 calories.
-Wikipedia
Ingredients
* 6 ounces salt pork
* 8 cups water
* salt to taste
* 2 bunches collard greens
* 1/2 cup cider vinegar
* 4 teaspoons white sugar
Directions
1. Place the pork, water and salt in a medium size pot. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Skim off any fat that rises to the top. Reduce temperature to low and let simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, prepare greens. Discard damaged or yellow parts of leaves. Cut away the tough ends from each leaf. Place greens in a colander, and wash thoroughly until rinse water is clear of dirt. Fold each leaf in half at its center vein, fold over once or twice more, then cut in half.
3. Stir prepared greens into the simmering liquid. Let simmer all together for approximately 1 hour over low heat. Ladle into shallow bowls, and add sugar and cider vinegar to each bowl. Serve.
-Wikipedia
Ingredients
* 6 ounces salt pork
* 8 cups water
* salt to taste
* 2 bunches collard greens
* 1/2 cup cider vinegar
* 4 teaspoons white sugar
Directions
1. Place the pork, water and salt in a medium size pot. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Skim off any fat that rises to the top. Reduce temperature to low and let simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, prepare greens. Discard damaged or yellow parts of leaves. Cut away the tough ends from each leaf. Place greens in a colander, and wash thoroughly until rinse water is clear of dirt. Fold each leaf in half at its center vein, fold over once or twice more, then cut in half.
3. Stir prepared greens into the simmering liquid. Let simmer all together for approximately 1 hour over low heat. Ladle into shallow bowls, and add sugar and cider vinegar to each bowl. Serve.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Bok Choy Tips
Look for a plant with firm stalks that is free of brown spots. Wrapped in paper towels and stored in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator, bok choy should keep for up to a week.
You'll often find recipes calling for bok choy to be stir-fried with a bit of garlic or perhaps ginger. Oyster sauce and bok choy make an excellent combination; soy sauce is another good choice. If desired, add a bit of cornstarch to the sauce to thicken. Alternately, drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the cooked bok choy before serving. For that matter, you can forego cooking bok choy altogether - the raw stalks make a great mid-afternoon snack. Just remember that there's no need to limit your enjoyment of bok choy to those times when you are preparing Chinese food. With its sweet flavor and crisp texture, bok choy works well with a variety of foods. Feel free to experiment and use it as a substitute for cabbage in other dishes. I recently stumbled across an interesting variation on cabbage rolls using bok choy leaves and Asian seasonings. Or how about corned beef and bok choy? The possibilities are endless!
Cooking Times for Bok Choy
* Boiling 3 - 4 minutes for the stalks, 1 - 1 1/2 minutes for leaves.
* Steaming about 6 minutes for the stalks, 2 - 3 minutes for leaves
* Stir-fry about 5 minutes for stalks, 2 minutes for leaves - the leaves should be just wilted and bright green.
About.com
You'll often find recipes calling for bok choy to be stir-fried with a bit of garlic or perhaps ginger. Oyster sauce and bok choy make an excellent combination; soy sauce is another good choice. If desired, add a bit of cornstarch to the sauce to thicken. Alternately, drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the cooked bok choy before serving. For that matter, you can forego cooking bok choy altogether - the raw stalks make a great mid-afternoon snack. Just remember that there's no need to limit your enjoyment of bok choy to those times when you are preparing Chinese food. With its sweet flavor and crisp texture, bok choy works well with a variety of foods. Feel free to experiment and use it as a substitute for cabbage in other dishes. I recently stumbled across an interesting variation on cabbage rolls using bok choy leaves and Asian seasonings. Or how about corned beef and bok choy? The possibilities are endless!
Cooking Times for Bok Choy
* Boiling 3 - 4 minutes for the stalks, 1 - 1 1/2 minutes for leaves.
* Steaming about 6 minutes for the stalks, 2 - 3 minutes for leaves
* Stir-fry about 5 minutes for stalks, 2 minutes for leaves - the leaves should be just wilted and bright green.
About.com
Bok Choy in Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
* 1 pound bok choy
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
* 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions
1. Trim off the ends of the bok choy and chop, keeping the white parts separate from the green as they will need to cook longer. Rinse and spin or pat dry. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl or cup, stir together the vegetable oil and sesame oil. In a separate larger bowl, stir together the water, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Set this aside.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the bok choy stems first; stir fry for a few minutes or until the pieces start to turn a pale green. When stems are almost cooked, add the leaves; cook and stir until leaves are wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer the bok choy to a serving dish. Pour the sauce into the skillet or wok, and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. Pour over the bok choy and toss lightly to coat.
* 1 pound bok choy
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
* 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions
1. Trim off the ends of the bok choy and chop, keeping the white parts separate from the green as they will need to cook longer. Rinse and spin or pat dry. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl or cup, stir together the vegetable oil and sesame oil. In a separate larger bowl, stir together the water, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Set this aside.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the bok choy stems first; stir fry for a few minutes or until the pieces start to turn a pale green. When stems are almost cooked, add the leaves; cook and stir until leaves are wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer the bok choy to a serving dish. Pour the sauce into the skillet or wok, and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. Pour over the bok choy and toss lightly to coat.
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