Chilly? Make Chili.

Once again Mother Nature decided to throw a curve ball in the game called Spring.  As the temperatures last week were in the 60's, higher in Moab, looked like winter was finally in hibernation.  We awoke yesterday morning to find a dark, dreary sky and intermittent showers of rain or hail.  It was chilly in the house, so the heat was turned back on; and the crock pot came out of the closet.  This was the perfect type of day to make chili and cornbread. 

So, while the crock pot cooked up this wonderful concoction called chili; hubby and I cleaned out boxes of clothing.  We downsized from 10 large Rubbermaid boxes to only 5, and wished we had done this before our big move from PA to Utah.  He loaded bags of used clothing into his car, and it will be going to the local charity shop in Moab before he goes to work.

Several hours later, the batter for red chili cornbread was in the oven; timed just right to be ready at the same time as the chili.  The cornbread recipe is located on my March 22, 2011 blog post, and all I did was add 1/4 cup of diced red chile peppers.

...and here is my recipe for chili.

Sirloin Beef Chili

Ingredients:

3 lbs boneless beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 Tbsp flour

1 large onion, diced

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles plus one (10 oz) can.

1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained 

1 can (15 oz) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 ½ Tbsp ground cumin

2 Tbsp chili powder

½ tsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation:

Set 6-qt crock pot on low, place in beef, flour and onion; mix thoroughly and let cook for 2 hours before adding rest of ingredients.  Continue cooking on low for 4 hours more.  Serve as is, or garnish with sour cream and/or shredded cheese.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Note: the type of, and amount of, beans used is flexible; 2-5 types can be used, as desired.

Mary Cokenour

October 13, 1991

Sabaku Sushi is NO master of Japanese cuisine.

Sabaku Sushi

90 E Center Street
Moab, UT, 84532

(435) 259-4455

Website: http://www.sabakusushi.com/

When entering this establishment, one will be surprised to find that not one employee is of Japanese ethnicity. The two owners are from Salt Lake City, UT and Colorado who have supposedly worked for, and been trained by, Japanese sushi masters. Where you would most likely expect to see the sushi masters dressed in typical white garb denoting their ability; t-shirts, jeans and baseball caps are more their style.

Upon being seated, the waitress took our drink orders; and the listing of alcoholic beverages available is longer than the sushi menu itself. We opted for tea which was lukewarm and tasteless.

We chose to have salads with our lunch order, and this was a wise choice...if you were a cow and didn't mind chewing your fiber for a long while. The salad consisted of half a bag of spinach leaves with a drizzle of ginger dressing.

From my vantage point, I was able see what was taking place behind the preparation station. Lots and lots of cleaning by the owners, and it concerned us a bit when this continued for the full hour and half we were there. Little plates of plastic covered fish were on a shelf, and were kept moving around during the cleaning process. To say service was slow is an understatement. A third man was attempting to prepare our specialty rolls; he kept referring to the order ticket, looking very confused, and his hands shook while trying to prepare the rolls.

When we received our order, the pieces were cut unevenly, the rice surrounding the filling was thick, and the filling itself was very sparse. If the fish was as fresh as they claim, we couldn't really tell, since there was very little of it.

Questioning the waitress, she would refer to the owners if an answer was not known by her. Now the owners themselves never came over to talk with us, nor introduce themselves; and this was after an hour of being the only diners there. As I stated before, they were quite busy cleaning the preparation area.

Sabaku Sushi crosses a cultural borderline that the owners should never have tried to cross...their passports should be revoked. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, avoid this place, or get ready for a great disappointment.

Mary Cokenour

Ocean Pearl Chinese Restaurant new to Cortez, Colorado

Ocean Pearl Chinese Restaurant
300 E Main Street (Rte 160)
Cortez, CO, 81321

(970) 565-3888
Fax: (970) 565-4888

Website: N/A

This month a new Chinese restaurant opened up in Cortez, CO, making this the third such place in the area. As lovers of Chinese cuisine, we just had to try out the new place, and while disappointed in some aspects; we enjoyed others and are willing to try it out again.

Don't let the outside of the restaurant fool you; it's much prettier inside.  Tables in the center area and booths  line the walls allowing for seating of about 150 people; the bathrooms are faux marble and very clean.  The staff is friendly, attentive, and don't mind answering questions about the menu items, or where they are from.  As with other Chinese restaurants in this area, they are from California's Chinatown, so specialize more in Mandarin style cooking.  Being from the East Coast, and very used to Cantonese cuisine, this different style of cooking takes a little getting used to for me.

There are basically two menus for dining in, depending when you are there: lunch or dinner.  The lunch menu provides for combination meals that include: egg roll, soup (or salad), fried rice and the main item (a large variety of choice for this).  The dinner menu is ala carte; has a larger variety of menu items, and include items listed on the lunch menu.  There are also appetizers, soups and vegetarian items as well.

We tried the fried cheese wontons, also known as cream cheese wontons; wontons were fried perfectly - crisp and light.  The cream cheese filling was smooth and creamy; and the accompanying sweet-sour sauce and Chinese hot mustard went well with this dish.

We had soup with our meal; the Wonton soup tasted too familiar, sort of like instant onion soup mix with one wonton in it, and pieces of green onion floating on top.  The Hot and Sour soup, on the other hand, was delicious - rich, thick broth with plentiful ingredients; the taste was satisfying.

Roy tried the Sweet and Sour Shrimp which we both tasted and agreed upon - the shrimp was overly coated in fried batter, and it was more like eating a shrimp donut; the shrimp itself was lost in all that batter.  So, not too happy with this choice.

I had the Sesame Chicken which was a milder version of General Tso's Chicken; in other words, there were red pepper flakes in the dish giving it a bit of heat. (General Tso's has the actual chiles in the sauce)  Sesame Chicken is a very mild dish, and there were no vegetables, just chicken and sauce; usually steamed broccoli is served.  Don't get me wrong though, it tasted very good and we both enjoyed it.

The Fried rice was just white rice (very visible) with soy sauce; no vegetables or fried egg pieces.  Eaten alone it was very bland, mixed with the main dish helped to enhance both items.

Overall, it was better than the other two Chinese restaurants in the area; but from our experience with many Chinese restaurants out East, it was certainly not the best.  However, as stated before, we will definitely give them another try.

Mary Cokenour

First barbeque of the spring season.

Temperature was in the 60’s, a few dark clouds warning of rain to come, but I didn’t care; I wanted barbeque and was gonna make it no matter what. Ribs, bratwurst, baked beans, coleslaw and cornbread; we were in pig heaven once again. The baked beans were easy, since I didn’t have the time to make them from scratch; the canned variety had to do. Add bacon, diced onions and barbeque sauce; bake in the oven for an hour; almost as good as homemade. The coleslaw only took minutes; bag of precut slaw mix, Miracle Whip, salt, black pepper and onion powder; refrigerate until needed.

For the ribs, a rub is a must; not only does it season, but tenderize. I use my all purpose rub on almost everything I barbeque or smoke: ribs, beef, chicken, pork; the dogs even love it on the smoked pigs’ ears I make for them. When using the smoker, I put some in the water, and the scent is awesome!!!

My rub is not overly complicated; no great secret ingredients and we like it, so that’s all that counts.

All Purpose Rub for Smoking and Grilling
Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp each sea salt, ground black pepper, ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp each paprika, onion powder, garlic powder

Preparation:
In medium bowl, mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Rub onto all sides of meat or poultry; refrigerate overnight. Smoke or grill.

….and yeah, I make my own barbeque sauce, but that recipe is for another day.

Mary Cokenour

What’s black and white, and found in a bakery?

If you’re from New York, you don’t even have to think twice about what this post is about…Black and White Cookies.  While it’s still debated about whether it is a cookie or a cake; once you eat one, you won’t even care anymore.  No one can really say who originated the recipe first, but it’s a New York thing, and that won’t be debated.  Every bakery worth’s its flour makes them; they’re as popular for breakfast as bagels and cream cheese.

I tried ordering some online, but the shipping costs were just too high; so who came to the rescue, but my mom.  She was able to find a supply of them at the local supermarket (small ones in a plastic container; large ones individually wrapped), and send them via priority mail.  Receiving the box, opening it and discovering these treats; it was like hitting the lottery big!  I ripped open one of the containers of small black and whites, and ate three; oh the pleasure was indescribable.

Now what the heck is a Black and White Cookie you are asking, if you’ve never had one.  Well, it’s a large round vanilla cakelike cookie; one side is white (vanilla) fondant, the other is black (chocolate).  Fondant is a thick frosting that can be softened up enough to spread like frosting; then hardens up to remain on the item it has covered.  The fondant will have the same shiny consistency that rolled out fondant has; it’s just easier to get on the cookie when spread as a frosting.  That’s the best way I can describe them; you’ll just have to eat one to truly understand.

There will come a day when I will attempt to make these delights myself, but until then….Mom!!!!!!

Black and White Cookies

To Make the Cookie

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar
1 ½  cups plus 1 Tbsp vegetable shortening
1 tsp melted butter
½  tsp salt
½  cup plus 2 Tbsp nonfat dry milk
1 tsp light corn syrup
3 eggs
4 cups plus 2 Tbsp cake flour
1 ½  tsp baking powder
2/3 cup cold water
1 ½  tsp vanilla

Preparation:

Pre-heat the oven for 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, medium-high speed; beat together the sugar, shortening, butter, and salt; add in nonfat dry milk and corn syrup; cream together.  Gradually add in one egg at a time until mixture becomes fluffy.

In a large bowl, combine the cake flour and the baking powder in a separate bowl.  Add 1/3 of dry ingredients plus 1/3 cup of water to creamed batter.  When well incorporated, add 1/3 of dry plus other 1/3 of water; when well mixed, add last of dry ingredients and mix well.

Using two cookie sheets, nest one cookie sheet inside the other to make a double-thick cookie sheet; line the top cookie sheet with baker’s parchment paper.   Hint: For a guide, draw 3” circles on one side of the parchment paper with a pencil; place pencil side down on cookie sheet.  Spread batter over the 3” circles; make sure thickness is even (1/4” will puff up to ½” thickness).

Bake for 18 minutes; remove cookies to wire rack to cool.

Makes 18 cookies.

To Make the Frostings

Vanilla Fondant

2 ½ cups fondant powder (found in stores that supply cake decorating supplies)
¼  cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla

Put tap water in the bottom of a double boiler and bring to a simmer.  To the upper part of the double boiler, add the fondant powder, ¼ cup cold water and vanilla   Keep extra cold water nearby as fondant tends to be a dry frosting; without sufficient water the frosting will dry too fast, harden, and crack on the cookie. When the ingredients are well blended and thin (it should run slowly off of a spoon), frost one half of the cooled cookies; set aside to allow the frosting to harden.

Chocolate Fondant

2 ½ cups fondant powder
¼ cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips  

Follow the directions for the vanilla fondant, but include the chocolate chips. When the frosting is melted and well mixed, frost the other half of the cookies. Make sure the vanilla frosting has set before starting to frost them with the chocolate frosting.

Let the cookies continue to set on a wire rack. When the frosting is no longer warm and pliable, you can store the cookies individually in food storage bags or wrapped in wax paper.  

Mary Cokenour

Salisbury Steak isn't the boogeyman anymore.

My first husband, who will remain nameless, loved Salisbury Steak; to the point that I had to make it every week. Now this first husband was an abusive thing; he doesn't even deserve to be called a man. Why I stayed with him so long? That's a long boring story, so won't bother to tell it.  However, he did pass away in 2008, so I never have to worry about him interfering with my life ever again.

Anyway, it got to the point that I actually developed, I don't know what to really call it; a phobia, allergy, aversion to...Salisbury Steak. The sight or smell of it made me gag, so I stopped making it altogether. I did attempt to make it a few times over the past few years, since my divorce from him, but always the same physical reaction.

Well, I tried it one more time, and only because Roy (my beloved 2nd husband) asked me to. He knew how I felt about this particular recipe, but knew I had to get over it; and I had to agree. It was absolutely silly to be afraid of a simple meal.  And who are we kidding anyway?  Roy really wanted it, and I wasn't going to deny him the pleasure.  So, I made it, even ate some of it; and while I still wasn't too keen on it, no violent physical reaction to it.

So while I'm sticking to just the buttered noodles; Roy is left to enjoy the rest of the Salisbury Steaks, and that's ok with both of us.

Salisbury Steak

Ingredients:

5 lbs. lean ground beef

1 cup each diced mushrooms and onions

1 cup beef broth

1 ½ cups plain dried bread crumbs

2 tsp each salt and ground black pepper

1 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp butter

2 large onions, slivered

Gravy:

3 Tbsp flour

2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup

2 cups milk

1 cup beef broth

1 (3/4 oz) packet brown gravy mix

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400F.  Spray a large jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together beef, mushrooms, onions, broth, bread crumbs and seasonings thoroughly.  Use a 1 cup measuring cup to scoop out mixture and make oval shaped “steaks”; flatten down to 1” thick; place on spray pan.  Bake in oven for 30 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients listed under “Gravy”.

In a large skillet, melt butter on medium-high heat; sauté onions until softened.  Pour gravy over onions; mix and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.  Remove steaks, dabbing on paper towels to remove excess grease, and immerse into gravy-onion mixture.  Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve over buttered noodles, rice or potatoes.

Makes 10 servings.

Mary Cokenour

Crystal's Cakes and Cones

Crystal’s Cakes and Cones

26 W. Center Street

Moab, UT, 84532

(435) 259-9393

Website: http://crystalscakesandcones.com/

Located down the block from the Slickrock Café and across from Pasta Jay’s, this little shop is the perfect place to visit for a treat.   16 flavors of ice cream are offered, and while not homemade, they are cold, sweet and delicious.  I tried the “Coconut Almond” which was creamy, luscious, loaded with bits of chopped almonds, and you could really see the coconut, not just taste it.

Baking is done on premises, and while the cupcakes are a major seller, the cakes are nothing to ignore.  The daily cupcake flavors include: German Chocolate, Red Velvet, Butter, Butter Pecan, Carrot, Chocolate and Vanilla.

The owner, Crystal, is all smiles, as are her staff; tourists and locals enjoy the atmosphere, and most especially, the treats.

So, if you’re just looking for a little snack, a dessert after a meal, or something to cool you off after a day of hiking or sightseeing; check out Crystal’s.

Mary Cokenour