Friday, September 29, 2006

Braised Swiss Chard

• 2 large shallots, chopped• Olive oil as needed• 1 large batch Swiss chard, stems removed• Salt and pepper to taste• 2 garlic cloves• Half cup chicken broth

Sauté the shallots in the olive oil. Or, if you are including the chard stems, chop them and sauté them first. When they just start to soften add the shallots. After the shallots soften add the chard leaves, salt and pepper. As soon as the leaves reduce add the garlic and sauté one minute more. Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce to low heat, cover, and cook until the chard is completely soft. About 10 minutes.

Stuffed things, wrapped things

Pancetta-wrapped Stuffed Prunes

12 dried prunes, pitted1 cup dry white wine almonds, whole12 thin slices pancetta (or substitute unsmoked bacon)

Preheat the oven to 400°. Soak the prunes in the wine until soft. Drain, and stuff each prune with an almond. Wrap each prune with a slice of pancetta (secure with a toothpick if necessary), and place them on a baking sheet with the openings of the pancetta face down. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the pancetta is crisp and golden, turning once. Serves 4


Prosciutto-wrapped stuffed dates

pitted dates (preferably Medjool)
prosciutto or bacon slices, cut crosswise into thirds
chevre
walnuts

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
Pit dates, stuff with chevre, walnut, then wrap 1 piece of bacon around each date, securing it with a pick. Arrange dates 1 inch apart in a shallow baking pan.
Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a paper bag or parchment. Serve immediately.
Cooks' note:Dates can be stuffed and wrapped in bacon 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before baking.Makes 6 hors d'oeuvre servings.

Monday, September 11, 2006

How to Brine Meat

How Long To Flavor Brine:It is possible to end up with meat that's too salty for your taste. To avoid this, brine on the low end of the time range on your first attempt. You can always brine longer next time, but there's no way to salvage a piece of meat that's been brined too long.

Pork Chops (1-inch to 1 1/2-inch thick)....................12 to 24 hours Whole Pork Loin........................................................2 to 4 days Whole Pork Tenderloin...............................................6 to 12 hours

Brine: 3/4 cup coarse kosher salt --- ¼ C table salt 3/4 cup sugar – 3/16 C sugar (roughly 1/5 C)1 cup boiling water – ¼ C boiling water1 gallon cold water – 1 quart cold water 1 tablespoon pepper – ¼ Tbs (¾ tsp. Pepper)

A heavy-duty plastic tube, stainless-steel bowl, or resealable plastic bag can work as a brining container, as long as the pork is fully submerged. Weight with a plate, if necessary, to keep the meat fully covered by the brine.

To determine how much brine you'll need, place the meat to be brined in your chosen container. Add water to cover. Remove the meat and measure the water.

Dissolve salt and sugar in the boiling water. Add it to the cold water; add pepper and stir to combine. Chill brine completely in the refrigerator before adding pork. Place your pork in the water and place in the refrigerator for the time required.

Experiment with seasonings. Salt is essential, but everything else is optional. Consider garlic, ginger, fresh herbs, juniper berries, clove, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, mustard seed, coriander seed, star anise, hot pepper flakes or Sichuan peppercorns. To give pork a sweet edge and encourage browning, add 1/2 cup sugar to each 2 quarts of water.

Rinse pork twice after removing it from the brine solution; discard brine. If you are not ready to cook at the end of the brining time, remove and rinse the meat. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Do not salt brined meat before cooking. Cook pork according to your favorite recipe. Do not overcook your brined pork. Once brined, the pork cooks faster so be careful and use a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Charlotte and Stefan's Dinner Menu

Appetizers

Scallop ceviche, white fish ceviche and tortilla chips
Mesclun, pear and gorgonzola salad with mini arepas (and sesame ginger or honey mustard dressing)

Ceviche
2 lbs of firm, fresh red snapper fillets, cut into 1/2 inch pieces, completely deboned
1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 purple onion, finely diced
1 cup of fresh peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes
1 serrano chili, seeded and finely diced
2 teaspoons of salt
dash of ground oregano
dash of Tabasco or a few grains of cayenne pepper
Cilantro garnish

In a non-reactive casserole dish, either Pyrex or ceramic, place the fish, onion, tomatoes, chili, salt, Tabasco, and oregano. Cover with lime and lemon juice. Let sit covered in the refrigerator for an hour, then stir, making sure more of the fish gets exposed to the acidic lime and lemon juices. Let sit for at least 6 hours, giving time for the flavors to blend.

Serve with chopped cilantro and slices of avocado with heated tortillas for ceviche tacos or with tortilla chips.Optional: Can use shrimp and or scallops as a substitute for some of the fish. Can use a firm cod in place of the red snapper.

Entree


Cider glazed pork chop on a bed of garlic mashed turnips

Side of broccoli rabe

4 1 inch pork chops
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Pat pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chops until browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Stir together cider and brown sugar and add to skillet. Simmer, uncovered, turning chops once, until meat is almost cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer chops to a plate. (I used my instant read thermometer and pulled them out at about 135 degrees) Add vinegar and mustard to sauce and boil, stirring to scrape up any brown bits, until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 5-7 minutes. Return chops with any juices on on plate to skillet and simmer until meat is just cooked through and sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Garlic Mashed Turnips

3 cups diced turnip
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 T melted butter
salt, pepper

Cook turnip cubes and garlic cloves in boiling water 15 min or til soft. Drain very well. Mash turnips (can use food processor), then add cream and butter with salt & pepper.
Serves 4 @ 7 carb, 2 fiber (5 NET carbs), 156 Calories, 14 fat, 1 protein



Dessert

Mascarpone mousse au citron with lace cookie garnish

16 oz. Mascarpone cheese

2/3 cup sugar + 1/4 cup sugar for the egg whites

3 lemons

zest of 1 lime

5 eggs, separated

1. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until they are very pale.

2. Beat in the mascarpone cheese, the lemon juice and the lime zest until very well combined.

3. In a clean bowl, with clean beaters, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form.

4. add the 1/4 cup of sugar into the whites and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

5. Gently fold the whites into the mascarpone/lemon mixture until no streaks remain.

6. Divide among 6 ramequins or other decorative bowls and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.

Lace Cookies

1 c. oatmeal

1/4 lb. butter (1 stick)

3/4 c. sugar

3 tbsp. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 egg

Melt butter; add sugar and egg. Fold in dry ingredients. Drop onto oiled shiney side of foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes until light brown. Cool before removing foil, about 15 minutes.NOTE: Egg Beaters can be substituted. Baking time varies 5-8 minutes.To serve:Serve cold with an additional sprinkle of lime zest and a lemon peel twist.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Cider Glazed Pork Chops

4 1 inch pork chops
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Pat pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chops until browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Stir together cider and brown sugar and add to skillet. Simmer, uncovered, turning chops once, until meat is almost cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer chops to a plate. (I used my instant read thermometer and pulled them out at about 135 degrees) Add vinegar and mustard to sauce and boil, stirring to scrape up any brown bits, until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 5-7 minutes. Return chops with any juices on plate to skillet and simmer until meat is just cooked through and sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Ice Cream Recipes

Avocado-Jalapeno Ice Cream

2 ripe, soft avocadoes, about 1/2 pound each
1/2 cup sour cream
3 T. lime juice
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded, veined and roughly chopped (optional)
1 cup light cream

Peel and pit the avocadoes. Roughly chop the avocadoes and place in a food processor along with the sour cream, lime juice, sugar, salt and jalapenos. Process until smooth. Transfer the puree to a medium mixing bowl and stir in the cream. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Stir the chilled mixture, then freeze in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. When finished, transfer the soft ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze at least 2 hours, or until firm. Serving suggestion: place 1 scoop of ice cream in a bowl of gazpacho. From The Ultimate Ice Cream Book by Bruce Weinstein


Bacon Ice Cream

12 oz, bacon, diced
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (no fake stuff please)
8 egg yolks

1) Cook bacon over medium-low heat. Don't get too much color on it (no burning it or the fat; you want the ice cream white). After cooking, strain the fat from the bacon and reserve both.
2) Prepare a crème anglaise: In a large saucepan, bring milk, heavy cream, cooked bacon and maple syrup to a boil.
3) Remove from the heat, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside for at least 1 hour. Then remove the plastic wrap and bring back to a boil.
4) In a large mixing bowl, lightly whisk egg yolks together. Pour boiling cream mixture onto the yolks, whisking constantly.
5) Pour everything back into the saucepan, and stir over low heat until it coats the back of the spoon. (This should happen almost right away; the fat from the heavy cream keeps the temperature from dropping very much.)
6) Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean, dry container. Put the container in a bigger container (or the sink) with ice water coming halfway up the sides. Cool completely.
7) When the mixture is cool, taste, and add a pinch of salt.
8) Churn the ice cream according to your ice cream maker's instructions. Scrape into a resealable container and freeze for half an hour before serving.


Raspberry Sorbet

1 c sugar
1/2 c water
1 heaping quart fresh raspberries, about 1 pound
juice of half a lime

Combine sugar and water in small saucepan over low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and syrup is clear. Cool to room temperature. Blend raspberries in food processor or blender along with syrup and lime juice until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Pour through a strainer to remove seeds. Put in ice cream maker for 25-30 minutes, freeze in container for at least 2 hours if you want it firmer.


Peach Sorbet

1/2 c sugar
1/2 c water
1/4 c light corn syrup
1 1/2 lbs fresh sweet peaches, pitted and sliced
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 t salt

Combine sugar, water and corn syrup in small saucepan over medium heat and stiur until sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring 1 minute, cool to room temperature. Place peaches in blender or food processor with lemon juice, salt and cool syrup. Process for about 30 seconds. If puree is too thick, add water 1 T at a time until mixture blends easily. Put in ice cream maker according to mgfr's directions, freeze in container 2 or more hours if you want it firmer.

Cantaloupe Sorbet

1 small ripe cantaloupe
1/4 c orange juice
3/4 c superfine sugar
1/2 t salt

Remove rind and seeds from the melon. Cut the flesh into 1/2 inch cubes. You should have about 2 heaping cups of fruit. Place the cut up fruit in a blender with the other ingredients. Blend until melon is pureed and sugar has dissolved, about 30 seconds. Cover and refrigerator until cold. Stir chilled mixture and put in ice cream maker. Remove to another container and freeze at least 2 hours until firm.


Clove-Mascarpone Gelato

2 cups whipping cream
18 whole cloves
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups mascarpone
1 tablespoon cognac -- or substitute 1
1 teaspoon vanilla -- (1 to 2)

1. Heat the cream with the cloves, set aside to infuse for 30 minutes, then strain.
2. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and creamy. Beat in the cream, then cook in a double boiler, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon. Do not boil or the mixture will curdle. Transfer to a bowl, cool and chill.
3. Put the mascarpone in a separate bowl and stir well to soften. Add some of the custard to lighten the mixture, then stir this back into the remaining custard. Stir or whisk lightly until completely blended. Stir in the cognac or vanilla. Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
4. Transfer to a bowl, cover and store in freezer. About 30 minutes before serving, put bowl in refrigerator to soften.

Nutritional Information:
281 Calories (kcal); 24g Total Fat; (76% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 161mg Cholesterol; 25mg Sodium


Cream Cheese Ice Cream

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream

Blend cream cheese, milk, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, then stir in cream. Freeze cream cheese mixture in ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours. Let ice cream soften 5 minutes before serving. Makes about 1 qt.


Chocolate Gelato

1 cup sugar
2 cups whole milk
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
3 1/2 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
4 large egg yolks, beaten lightly

In a dry 3-quart heavy saucepan cook 1/4 cup sugar, undisturbed, over moderate heat until it begins to melt and cook, stirring with a fork, until melted completely and deep golden brown. Remove pan from heat and dip pan briefly into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. (Caramel will harden.) Cool pan about 5 minutes and return to heat. Add milk and cook over moderate heat, whisking, until caramel is melted. Whisk in cocoa until combined well and keep mixture warm. In a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (or a double boiler), melt chocolate, stirring, and remove from heat. In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat egg yolks with remaining 3/4 cup sugar until thick and pale. Whisk in caramel mixture and chocolate in streams, whisking until combined. Pour custard into another 3-quart heavy saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 140° F. Cook custard, stirring (do not let it boil) 4 minutes more and remove pan from heat. Cool custard completely. Refrigerate several hours or overnight until well chilled. Freeze in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer instructions. Make sure the ice cream maker is extremely cold and has been in the freezer for at least 48 hours. Gelato will keep in the freezer for one week. Makes about 3 cups.

Parmesan Cheese Ice Cream
Gelato di Parmigiano
(serves 6)

This unusual starter used to be served later in the meal, replacing the cheese course. As an appetizer, it goes very well with thin slices of prosciutto (Parma ham).

2 cups/16 fl oz/500 ml light/single cream
3 cups/12 oz/350 g. freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
Dash of cayenne or chile pepper

Mix the cream with the parmesan, salt and pepper in the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl. Cook over simmering water until the cheese is completely melted. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

Pour through a sieve to strain.

Pour the resulting liquid into an ice cream maker and process as directed.

If you don't have an ice cream maker; pour the liquid into a freezerproof container and freeze, stirring at intervals as the mixture thickens and freezes.

After 3 hours in the freezer, take the mixture out and transfer to a food processor. Blend until smooth, then replace it in the freezer. Repeat this process after another 3 hours' freezing.

Serve with an ice cream scoop or a tablespoon.

Suggested wine: a dry or medium, lightly sparkling red (Lambrusco di Sorbara).


Blue Cheese Ice Cream with Fig Compote

2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tbs corn syrup
4 oz. blue cheese

Blend together cheese and corn syrup util smooth (immersion blender is great for this) - set aside. Bring milk and cream to a boil. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar and slowly whisk in some of the hot cream to temper. Pour eggs into cream mixture and continue to cook over medium heat until thickened slightly and it coats the back of a spoon (like creme anglais). Off heat whisk cheese and syrup into hot custard until smooth, then strain through fine sieve into a bowl. chill until very cold and process in ice cream maker.

The fig compote:
Roughly chop a couple handfulls of dried mission figs. Put them in a sauce pan with ruby port and red wine to almost cover. Add a couple Tbs of sugar (or less, depending on how much port you use), half a stick of cinnamon, half a star anise, a couple strips of orange zest with a clove stuck in one, and maybe 10 black pepper corns. Simmer until the figs are soft, but not falling apart and the liquid reduces and gets syrupy.


Pumpkin Ice Cream

3/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. canned solid-pack unsweetened pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 egg yolks
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
2 c. heavy cream
2 c. milk
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1. Combine cream, milk, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is hot but not boiling, about six minutes.

2. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk 1 c. of the warm cream mixture into the bowl with the eggs.

3. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5 to 10 minutes. Do not boil.

4. Strain the custard into another bowl and cover it partially with plastic wrap. Cool at least one hour at room temperature.

5. Combine pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a medium bowl and blend well. Add to the cooled custard and mix so that all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Refrigerate, covered completely, in the coldest part of your refrigerator until the mixture is very cold, about six hours.

6. Stir the cold pumpkin mixture, then pour into the mixing bowl of an ice cream maker. Freeze according to ice cream maker manufacturer's directions.

7. Put pumpkin ice cream in a container with a tight cover. Freeze at least three hours before serving.

Tips:
When thickening the custard so that it coats the back of a spoon (step 3), the temperature of the mixture should register at least 160 degrees F on a candy thermometer.

The refrigerated custard that has yet to be frozen in the ice cream maker (step 5) can stay covered in the refrigerator as long as three days.

The finished pumpkin ice cream tastes best if eaten within four days of making it.

Make sure your ice cream maker can accommodate 1 1/2 quarts. If not, throw away the excess.


Stem Ginger Ice Cream Recipe

1/2 pint (250 ml) double (heavy) cream
1/4 pint (125 ml) water
3 oz (75mg) caster sugar
3 egg yolks
3 oz (75mg) finely chopped stem ginger
1 tablespoon of syrup from the ginger jar.

Place the sugar and water into a saucepan and slowly heat until the sugar has dissolved (using a low heat is essential in this process). When dissolved, increase the heat and bring to boiling point, then actually boil the mixture for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, allow the mixture to cool a little and then pour onto the egg yolks whilst whisking as pouring. Whisk until the mixture is like a mousse in texture. Separately whip the double (heavy) cream until thick (not stiff) and then fold the chopped stem ginger into it. Take this ginger/cream and slowly fold it into the ginger syrup mixture. Transfer the complete mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.


Chestnut Ice Cream Recipe

1 tin (size approx 9oz or 225g) of chestnut purée (already sweetened)
2 tablespoons single cream
1/2 pint (250ml) whipping cream
2 oz (50g) icing sugar

Place the purée in a mixing bowl and pour in the single/light cream or milk, mixing until you have a smooth paste. Separately, take the whipping cream and add the sugar. Whip together. When thick (not stiff) add this to the purée paste mixture. Stir gently until fully blended in. Transfer the complete mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.


Prune Ice Cream

1 and 1/2 pints (750ml) milk
1 can of condensed milk (440g /14oz)
3 egg yolks
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon of cornflour
1 cup of chopped, stoned prunes
1 teaspoon vanilla essence.

Measure 1 and 1/4 pints milk (1250 ml), leaving 1/4 pint (250ml) for use later, and pour into a saucepan with the condensed milk and vanilla essence. Heat over a low heat, stirring occasionally until reaching boiling point. Having already mixed the cornflour, egg yolks and remaining milk together, stir this into the pan mixture then add the prunes. Stir until it starts to thicken, then remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to completely cool. Take the egg whites, beat until stiff and then fold into the cooled prune mixture. Transfer the complete mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.


Tequilla Ice Cream

The recipe makes almost a half gallon-plenty to scoop over eight servings of empanadas, or to just serve on its own.

2 cups milk
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup white tequila
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons honey
8 egg yolks

In medium saucepan, over medium heat, combine milk, cream, and tequila. Simmer about 12 minutes and remove from heat. In medium bowl, whisk sugar and honey into egg yolks until well blended. Pour a third of simmered mixture into yolks while stirring briskly with a whisk. Pour milk and egg yolk mixture back into saucepan, stirring to combine with the rest of the milk, cream and tequila mixture. Stir constantly over medium heat until it is thickens enough to coat the back of spoon. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat, pass through fine strainer and place in refrigerator to cool for 30 minutes. When cooled, process in ice cream machine according to manufacturer's directions. Store, covered in freezer.


Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/07/21/FDGBL7LJEE1.DTL&hw=&sn=017&sc=701

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Variations on Hummus

Cucumber Cilantro "Hummus"
(sort of a hybrid between hummus and tzatziki)

Food process or blend together one can chickpeas, one clove garlic, 1/3 to 1/2 of a peeled cucumber, 1/4 of a green pepper, 1/2 a jalepeno pepper, a few full sprigs of cilantro (I used about five), the juice of half a lime, and a sprinkle of salt to taste. Add a tablespoon or more of tahini if you like and/or some plain yogurt for an even lighter dip. Admire the cool, soothing, muted avocado color, then devour.

Ginger Sesame "Hummus"

1 can chickpeas
1 tbs gari
1-2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbs tahini
1 garlic clove
Adobo or salt and garlic powder to taste

Food process until smooth (or leave it slightly chunky if you prefer).

Miso Marinated Fish

1 tbs miso
1 tbs sugar
shaoshing wine
1 tsp sesame oil
fish filets

Mix a big tablespoon of miso with one teaspoon of sugar. Do this first to make a smoother paste at the end with the sugar well incorporated. Add enough shaoshing wine to thin it down to a paste that still holds together. Add a teaspoon of sesame oil. Spread this over the fish and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour, and up to six. Place in an oven at 350 for 20-30 min. Very easy recipe.

Chinese Sesame Wings

1 1/2 - 2 pounds chicken drummettes (first joint of wing)
1 1/2 cups soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Put ""drummettes"" in large zip-lock bag. Combine remaining ingredients except sesame seeds. Pour over wings; seal and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, turning bag to coat wings occasionally. Spray a shallow baking pan with non-stick spray. Put wings, including marinade in prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, turning wings occasionally. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake 15 minutes longer.

Miso Dressing Recipes

Miso Ginger Dressing

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon thin soy sauce
2 tablespoons light miso paste
1 tablespoon sambal oelek
1/2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons chopped gari (pickled ginger)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup chopped scallion greens
Salt and white pepper to taste

In a blender cup, add vinegar, soy sauce, miso, sambal oelek, sugar and gari. Blend until smooth. Slowly drizzle in both oils. Check for seasoning. Pour dressing into a bowl and fold in scallions.


Miso Ginger Dressing 2

1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons white or yellow miso
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
1/2 cup olive oil


Miso Mustard Dressing

3 Tbs miso
100 ml water
50 ml vegetable oil
2 Tbs vinegar
1 tsp prepared mustard

Mix the miso and the water. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.


Creamy Sesame Miso Dressing

Great with spinach and potato salads, or to dress up chilled slices of fresh tofu.

Yields: 3/4 cup

Ingredients:

5 ounces lite silken tofu
2 tablespoons light miso
2 tablespoons soy milk or water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Pepper to taste
In a blender, mix together all ingredients, stopping to scrape down sides as necessary, until smooth.

Nutrition information: per tablespoon: 18 calories (50% from fat), 1g protein, 1g fat, 1g carb, 116mg sodium, 0mg chol, 0.2g fiber


Ginger Miso Dressing

1 good-size thumb fresh ginger, finely grated
2 T. white or yellow miso
2 T. rice vinegar
1 T. sake
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. soy sauce

Shake it all together.