Sunday, February 15, 2009

Banana Bread

From Fusion Meals

Banana Bread

Prep:
  • 2 extremely ripe bananas - peeled and mashed (roughly 1 cup)
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 stick of butter softened/melted
  • 1 TS vanilla
  • 2/3 cup of sugar, light brown sugar or brown sugar (each imparts a different flavor)
  • 1 TS salt
  • 1 TS baking powder
  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Flora Birthday Cake (Strawberry Shortcake)


Strawberry Shortcake

Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)

From Fusion Meals
Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)




Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
  • 1 lb Beef flank (cut to chunks)
  • 1 cup diced turnip
  • 2-3 large slices ginger
  • 2 pods star anise
  • 4-5 pods dried chili
  • 2 TS salt
  • 4 TB soy sauce
  • 2-3 TB rice wine
  • 1 TB rice wine vinegar
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 stalks of scallion (for garnish)

Egg Salad Sandwich


Egg salad sandwich - with endorsement by Flora

Flora's Birthday Cake

From Fusion Meals
Green Tea Cake from Parisienne Bakery, Fort Lee, NJ

From Fusion Meals


From Fusion Meals



Green Tea Cake from Parisienne Bakery in Fort Lee, NJ

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Pan Seared Porterhouse Steak, Sauteed Asparagus and Potato Salad

From Fusion Meals


From Fusion Meals

Background:

I had a simple yet delicious meal of pan seared Porterhouse steak, asparagus sauteed in butter and potato salad (from yesterday - see previous post) tonight.  The steak tonight was cooked medium rare and was quite tasty - flavorful and tender.  This meal was paired with a South African Cabernet Sauvignon - also very decent.

Prep:
  • 1 Porterhouse steak ~ approx. 1 lb. (medium to thick cut)
  • 1 bunch of asparagus
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Butter
Cooking:

Steak
  • Bring steak up to room temperature by taking steak from fridge at least 1/2 hour or 1 hour before cooking -- Very Important!  If steak is not brought up to room temperature prior to cooking, it will cook unevenly resulting in nearly raw center and overcooked surface
  • Season both sides liberally with freshly cracked black pepper and salt
  • Add oil to pan and heat pan on high until nearly smoking
  • Sear steak ~ 3-4 minutes on each side (turn only once)
  • Remove steak from pan and let rest ~ 5-10 min. before serving
Asparagus
  • In the same pan, add 1 TB butter
  • Add asparagus
  • Season lightly with salt (remember, the pan already has residual seasoning from the steak)
  • Cook at medium heat for ~ 5 min. or until cooked through

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Broccoli Stir-Fry, BLT Sandwich and "German-Style" Potato Salad

From Fusion Meals
Broccoli Stir-Fry

From Fusion Meals


From Fusion Meals
BLT Sandwich

From Fusion Meals
Chopped parsley for the "German-Style" Potato Salad

From Fusion Meals
Sauteeing onions, garlic, dried chili pods, salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar for the "German-Style" Potato Salad

From Fusion Meals
"German-Style" Potato Salad

Background:

I'm in FL this week and as a result have a more disorganized dining schedule and dishes...
These are some of the dishes I've cooked so far this week.