Frog Tales

RED AND GREEN PEPPER JELLY Adapted from  Best of Bridge INGREDIENTS 2 cups finely chopped red bell peppers 1 or 2 jalapeño peppers, minced 1 1⁄2 cups cider vinegar 1⁄2 tsp hot pepper sauce (or 1⁄4 tsp/1 mL hot pepper flakes) 6 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar 2 pouches (3 oz/85 mL each) liquid pectin INSTRUCTIONS In a large, deep, heavy-bottomed pot, combine red peppers, jalapeño peppers, vinegar, hot pepper sauce and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Bring to a full boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Immediately stir in pectin; return to a full boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off any foam. Stir for 5 to 8 minutes to prevent floating peppers. Ladle into prepared jars to within 1⁄4 inch (0.5 cm) of rim; wipe rims. Apply prepared lids and rings; tighten just un...

Sunday seems to be the day that I get to play in the kitchen! Last weekend it was Sushi Stacks and this weekend we took a culinary trip to Vietnam with Bun Cha (Vietnamese Pork Meatballs) and Lemongrass Beef Summer Rolls with a Hoisin Peanut Sauce. The Bun Cha are small pork meatballs that remind me of Bahn Mi. Bun Cha (inspired by eatlittlebird.com ) Ingredients For the Bun Cha - 1 lb ground pork 1 T raw sugar 1 t kosher salt 1/2 t fish sauce 1/2 t ground black pepper 2 - 3 spring onions (green parts - save the whites for the beef), finely chopped 1 - 2 springs cilantro, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced For the dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham) 2 T raw sugar juice of 1 lemon 1/2 t fish sauce 4 to 6 tablespoons water (to taste) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 t chili garlic sauce For the noodles and salad (these ingredients will also be used in the summer rolls) 11 oz dried vermicelli noodles, cooked according to packet instructions and left to cool leaf lettuce,...

Sushi Stacks Allow yourself about 2 to 3 hours of prep time if you are going to make this, but trust me it will be worth it. Rice 2 c Sushi Rice 1.5 T Seasoned Rice Vinegar Cook the rice according to the package. While still hot, add the rice vinegar and gently fold to incorporate into the rice. Lay some parchment paper on a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet) and scoop the rice onto the pan. Using a wet spoon, spread out and flatten the rice into an even layer. Cover with two layers of damp paper towel and let cool. I usually make the rice in the morning and let it chill in the fridge till supper. Teriyaki Beef ½ lb bottom round steak, cut thinly across the grain and in bite size pieces 2/3 c Teriyaki sauce 2 cloves grated garlic 1 t grated ginger S&P 1 T coconut oil Mix the sauce, garlic, ginger and S&P. Add the sliced beef and let marinate in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours. Remove from the fridge, drain and reserve the marinade in another bowl. Heat u...

Steak with Chimichurri Sauce Chimichurri Sauce §   ½ cup parsley stems, washed and rinsed. §   ½ cup cilantro stems, washed and rinsed §   ¼ cup green onion §   ¼ cup coconut oil §   ¼ cup balsamic vinegar §   5 garlic cloves §   1 teaspoon crushed red pepper §   ½ teaspoon cumin §   ½ teaspoon kosher salt Steak marinade §   1 pound flank steak §   ¼ cup coconut oil §   1 tablespoon fresh parsley §   1 tablespoon fresh cilantro §   ¼ teaspoon sage §   ¼ teaspoon cumin §   ¼teaspoon curry §   ¼ teaspoon paprika §   ¼ teaspoon basil §   ¼ teaspoon chili powder §   ¼ teaspoon coriander §   3 cloves garlic, chopped §   salt and pepper To make Chimichurri Sauce: Place all ingredients in a blender and process for a few minutes u...