Sunday, August 11, 2019

Spiced Pecans



Spiced Pecans

These pecans make an excellent addition to a charcuterie board or salad, but are also a highly-addictive stand alone snack!

1 c. pecan halves
2 T. sugar
1 T. butter
1 T. Simply Orange
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. cayenne

Combine ingredients in skillet and cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves.  Spread nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with greased foil.  Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  

While hot, transfer pecans to a colander.  Sprinkle generously with salt and shake or stir to ensure all nuts are well-salted.  Stir every 2-5 minutes until nuts are cooled to prevent sticking.     

The Perfect Salad

The Perfect Salad

Greens: 1 c. (2.5 oz) of greens per person
Spring Mix
Arugula
Romaine
Cilantro

The Good Stuff:
Dried Tart Cherries
Bacon, fried and crumbled
Green onion, diced

Spiced Pecans:
1 c. pecan halves
2 T. sugar
1 T. butter
1 T. Simply Orange
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. cayenne

Combine ingredients in skillet and cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves.  Spread nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with greased foil.  Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  

While hot, transfer pecans to a colander.  Sprinkle generously with salt and shake or stir to ensure all nuts are well-salted.  Stir every 2-5 minutes until nuts are cooled to prevent sticking.     

Dressing:
1/3 c. coconut vinegar
1/4 c. cider vinegar
3 T. Simply Orange
1/2 c. vegetable oil
3 T. sugar
1/4-1/2 t. cayenne pepper

Combine ingredients in a processor and whirl until ingredients are well-blended.


Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Blueberry Bacarita

Blueberry Bacarita

What's a bacarita?  It's a lime based cocktail with an agave spirit...so *almost* a margarita, except this spirit is made from an agave variety called Bacanora.  In honor of the hometown team's playoff performance, I decided to make a "BLUES" version - which is, incidentally, not blue at all.  But it's delish!

In a cocktail shaker with ice, blend:

1 shot lime juice
1 shot blueberry syrup (recipe below)
1/2 shot blue curacao
1 1/2 shots Bacanora

Pour into a chilled, salt-sugar rimmed glass and ENJOY!

Blueberry Syrup
1/2 c. fresh blueberries
1/2 c. water
2 T butter
1/4 c. sugar

Boil until berries are softened.  Smash, strain through a fine sieve, then cover and cool until ready to use.


Saturday, June 1, 2019

Hey, Boston...Welcome to Food in The Lou

Enterprise Center Poutine


How does Enterprise Center celebrate the St. Louis Blues playing in the Stanley Cup finals? Like any good St. Louisan would: with pork steaks.

Just in time for the Blues to head back to St. Louis to face off against the Boston Bruins in Game 3, Enterprise Center has unveiled an extensive lineup of 22 new specialty food items. 

The menu was developed by the STL Kitchen team under the direction of executive chef Steven Maak and includes several dishes inspired by the signature flavors of Boston and St. Louis. These include Pork Steak Chowder Poutine with Provel cheese and seasoned waffle fries (near portal 115 and 311); a clam bake with littleneck clams, shrimp, lobster, corn cobette, baby red potato and grilled sourdough (Jack Daniel's Bar) and a lobster roll melt with chopped lobster, celery, green onions, lemon aïoli, Gruyère, Cheddar, Fontina and caramelized onions on a griddled New England roll (Jack Daniels Bar). Near portals 108 and 322, guests will find dueling hot dogs inspired by each city, including the STL Dog with pulled barbecue pork steak, Provel cheese sauce and green onions, as well as the Boston Dog, with baked beans, pork belly and Peppadew relish.

Enterprise Center will also offer St. Louis-inspired food specials throughout the stadium, including the signature Big-As-Your-Head Toasted Ravioli (near portal 102 and 115), the "Mac Schwartzy" Hat-Trick Mac 'n' Cheese with crushed Red Hot Riplet chips and three-cheese sauce (Jack Daniels Bar) and the Budweiser BBQ Beef Dip-Double Minor with shaved beef brisket and Budweiser-infused au jus (Biergarten pop up).

For thirsty fans, signature cocktails will be available in concessions at the Jack Daniel’s Barrel House, Sub-Zero Bar, Brews of the Lou, Top-Shelf and Biergarten; all-inclusive clubs at Bommarito Automotive Group Lounge, Bull and Bear by Stifel, Sub-Zero Vodka Bar, Scott Credit Union Rinkside Club and Pub ’67; and premium concessions at the Bud Light Sports Pub.

Cocktails include the Smoked Blue (Patrón Añejo, mezcal, orange bitters, agave nectar, soda, charred cherry and charred orange and, of course, the aptly named Callin’ Gloria (Grey Goose vodka, elderflower liqueur, thyme-rosemary nectar, grapefruit soda and rosemary salt).

The handful of local restaurants that operate inside the arena will also be offering special dishes throughout the finals. Near portal 117, Byrd & Barrel will be serving Beat Up Beantown Fries (fries topped with baked beans, Provel, toasted ravioli and barbecue sauce). Sugarfire Smoke House will offer Chief Beef (brisket, Canadian bacon, maple barbecue sauce and Cheddar sauce) near portal 11, while sister restaurant Hi-Pointe Drive-In will have The Fat Trick (three patties topped with blue cheese, bacon, Donair sauce and arugula) near portal 3. Unlike the other Stanley Cup offerings from Enterprise Center, these dishes will also be on offer during the watch parties inside the arena on Thu., June 6 and Wed., June 12.

In all, Enterprise Center estimates that fans will eat about 29,400 toasted ravioli throughout the finals. Just remember: The more local eats you try, the more fuel you’ll have to sing "Gloria."

SSS: Salmon, Smoke, Salt



A classy last-minute appetizer: Water Cracker, Boursin, Arugula, Smoked Salmon, Assorted Olives


Thursday, March 7, 2019

Creamy Tomato Soup

Creamy Tomato Soup
Serves 6

8 large cloves garlic, peeled

Wrap cloves in foil and roast at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.   

2 large leeks, thinly sliced
2 T. cooking oil
3 T. butter
2 T. brown sugar

Saute leeks in oil/butter until tender and caramelized.  Stir in brown sugar. Puree with the roasted garlic cloves.

2 (14.5 oz) cans fire roasted tomatoes, pureed
1 (12 oz) can tomato paste
4 T. vegetable base
~3 T. Worcestershire
~3 T. adobo sauce 
3 c. water

Add to a large soup pot, along with the pureed leeks and garlic.  Simmer for up to 30 minutes.  

Just before serving, incorporate:

3-4 c. heavy cream (to your desired texture and taste)

NOTE: The soup is very tasty without the cream as well...a little spice and a LOT of tomato, but I thought it was delish!




Saturday, December 22, 2018

The Lou Ranked #5 by Food & Wine

"St. Louis never gets enough credit for the things that it does well, and one of those things is food..."  Food & Wine


Monday, December 10, 2018

Rhone Rum Bar

If you know my Eric, you know he has spent the past couple of years becoming quite the rum aficionado, even to the point of seasoning multiple barrels and aging small batches of his own.  I imagine no one in The Lou will be happier than he at the upcoming opening of the latest restaurant by the Hamiltons: The Rhone Rum Bar.  Even if you don't know the Hamilton name, chances are, you've already dined at one of their establishments which include, among others:

Hamilton's (which opened a mere 6 months ago with yet another exquisite menu!)

Rather than replicate their first successful restaurant, Paul and Wendy have chosen to remain in the Lafayette Square neighborhood and create a new concept for each new space.  They have not relied on the reputation of their prior ventures to guarantee a dedicated patronage, but each and every time have created a compelling atmosphere and menu that keep us showing up time after time. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Yellow Curry Paste

Yellow Curry Paste

Amazingly good and worth the trouble.

Coat lightly with oil, then roast for 45 minutes at 350 degrees:

1/2 - 3/4 c. garlic cloves, wrapped in foil
5 lg. shallots
4" ginger root, thinly sliced and single layered in foil (remove after ~20 minutes)

Process roasted garlic, shallots, and ginger with the following spices until well blended:

3 T. sambal oelek (fresh chili paste)
3 T. lemongrass paste
3 T. turmeric
3 T. yellow curry powder
1 T. pink Himalayan salt
2 t. ground coriander
1/3 c. cilantro

Store in tightly sealed container in refrigerator until ready to use.  I froze 3-4 T. batches in snack baggies for quick use. 

Indian Spice Butternut Squash Soup

Indian Spice Butternut Squash Soup
Serves 4

Double roast the squash.
1st roast: 
Place 1/2 squash face down in a roasting pan with about 1/4" of water, then roast at 350 degrees until flesh is fork tender (35-45 minutes).

2nd roast: 
Remove flesh and place in a dutch oven.  Stir in 2-4 T. coconut oil and return to oven.  Roast for another 20-30 minutes, until edges are slightly browned.  

Puree the squash in a blender or processor til flesh is smooth.  Transfer to a soup pot and stir in the following:

4-5 T. yellow curry paste
1/2-1 T. garam masala spice blend
1/2-1 T. tandoori spice blend
4 c. water
3-4 T. chicken base

This one has deep, complex flavors plus a bit of a kick.  Bon appetit! 

Sweet Cream Butternut Soup

Sweet Cream Butternut Soup
Serves 4

Double roast the squash.
1st roast: 
Place 1/2 squash face down in a roasting pan with about 1/4" of water, then roast at 350 degrees until flesh is fork tender (35-45 minutes).

While the squash is roasting, peel and core the following, then roast at 350 degrees for 20 minutes:
2 anjou pears
1 honeycrisp apple

2nd roast: 
Remove flesh and place in a dutch oven.  Stir in 2-4 T. coconut oil and return to oven.  Roast for another 20-30 minutes, until edges are slightly browned.  

During second roast, in skillet on medium heat, simmer until thickened:
2 T. butter
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 T. pure maple syrup

Puree creamed fruit and double-roasted squash.  Add:
1 can coconut milk
1 1/2 c. water
3-4 T. chicken base

This is a smooth, creamy, sweet soup.  Serve with pumpkin bread croutons for a starter course, or with a Fall Flatbread Sandwich for a satisfying lunch.