Recipes for Cook

Showing posts with label love. Show all posts

Friday, March 14, 2014

Chocolate Lave Cake 2 0 Return of Molten Chocolate Love

I finally re-visited my chocolate lava cake recipe, and this new user-friendly version looks better, sounds better, and doesnt call for any extra-large eggs. I don’t remember why the original recipe called for them, but this updated formula uses the standard large variety, which should save me from answering another 300 emails.

The original chocolate lava cake video recipe is probably the most watched, most commented, most emailed, and most linked-to recipe Ive ever filmed. Most people like chocolate cake, but when you add "lava" to the name, they go completely mental.

I also had the upcoming Valentines Day in mind. For you single guys that arent handsome, dont have money, and cant play a musical instrument, this may be the only arrow in Cupids quiver. But take heart, it is a devastating weapon when used correctly. End your romantic home cooked meal with this dessert, and watch the magic. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
5 tbsp butter
3 tbsp sugar
3.5 oz dark chocolate (this is one standard chocolate bar)
3 tbsp flour
4 tsp good (aka expensive) cocoa powder
pinch salt
1/8 tsp vanilla

View the complete recipe

* Please help support free video recipes, and visit my new sponsor, MOZO Shoes. Find out why chefs (like me) are buzzing about their great shoes!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Homemade Mayo with Love

This garlic and basil mayonnaise recipe was inspired by my friend Jennifer Perillos fabulous new cookbook, Homemade with Love. As a longtime admirer of In Jennies Kitchen, I expected her cookbook to be filled amazing recipes and gorgeous pictures, and it certainly was, but what I didn’t expect was to see my name and this blog mentioned on page 229!

That’s right, on Jennifer’s homemade mayonnaise recipe, we were credited with the always-impressive immersion blender method seen herein. She even called me a genius, which is obviously a very, very slight exaggeration. I feel kind of guilty since I didn’t invent this technique, but since I don’t remember who showed me, it’s just going to be easier to take credit.

Jennifer and I have very similar tastes, and if you like my videos I’m fairly sure you’ll love this book. I really enjoy when a cookbook author shares little stories and anecdotes to introduce the recipes, and she’s done that throughout.

To understand where a recipe comes from, and why it’s being shared, always makes it more fun to cook and savor. That’s why I talk so much during my videos. Anyway, for more info, follow this link to Amazon where Homemade with Love is enjoying rave reviews. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 1 1/2 cups Garlic and Basil Mayonnaise:

(will last about 3-5 days)
1 cup basil leaves
3 cloves finely minced garlic
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 tsp salt, or to taste
cayenne and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil or a lighter tasting olive oil (or a combination of the two)
*For regular plain mayo, I generally recommend a neutral tasting vegetable oil like canola.

View the complete recipe

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Coconut Milk Rice Pudding with Fresh Mango – I Don’t Like Rice Pudding But I Love This!

I’m not a big fan of rice pudding, but curiosity got the best of me, and I needed to find out how much better/different a version would be that used Arborio rice, and the same basic technique as a savory risotto.

In addition to trying out a new cooking method, I also wanted to sneak in some coconut milk for a little tropical twist, and I’m happy to report great success on both fronts. The Arborio produced a wonderfully creamy texture, and unlike tradition long-grain rice pudding, the grains of rice maintained a certain textural integrity, instead of just disappearing into one big, starchy mass.

The coconut milk gave the pudding another layer of subtle sweetness, and also inspired the fresh mango garnish, which really elevated these bowls of comforting goodness. Of course the mango is optional, and you’re welcome to take your chances with raisins, preferably golden ones. If desired, those can be added at the same time as the sugar and salt.

Speaking of bowls, I generally don’t make dessert for three (except this one time, at band camp…), but I had some new porcelain ones I wanted to use, and didn’t bother to check the volume before ladling in the sweet porridge.

Despite my “odd” yield, you should get four nicely sized portions from the amounts below. And yes, if you can’t find coconut milk (which you can), simply use all milk. I hope you give this coconut milk rice pudding a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 portions:

1 tbsp butter

1/3 cup Arborio rice (Note: I haven’t tested this recipe using regular rice, so no idea if that will work here. My instincts tell me, not nearly as well)

1 cup coconut milk

2 3/4 to 3 cups milk, or as needed

1/4 cup white sugar

1/8 tsp vanilla

salt to taste

1 egg yolk, beaten with 2 tbsp milk

For the garnish:

1/4 cup finely diced mango

pinch of Chinese 5-Spice

View the complete recipe