Chilled Cucumber Soup

My neighbor gave me a bunch of cucumbers so I dug out this recipe and went to work. It’s a good one because it uses four of them. It is also unique because you cook the cucumbers first. It is really delicious, smooth and creamy. This soup is great made ahead as it needs time to chill.

Chilled Cucumber Soup–Makes 8 cups of soup (recipe is easily halved)
 

4 large cucumbers, peeled–cut in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds out with a spoon, then slice crosswise
4 scallions, white part only, chopped (I used chopped vidalia onion instead, about 1/2 a medium onion)
2 Tbsp butter
 
In a large skillet cook the cukes, onion and butter about 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
 
2 Tbsp flour
 
Sprinkle the flour over the cucumbers and cook another 3 minutes, stirring until combined.
 
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup milk
 
Meanwhile, heat the broth and milk in a glass bowl in the microwave until hot. Slowly stir into the cucumber/flour mixture.
 
1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
1-2 Tbsp dried dill (add 1 Tbsp to start, then taste the soup after it’s pureed and add more if you think it needs it)
1 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
a few dashes of white pepper
 
Add the lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper. Simmer gently about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Pour it all into a blender and carefully blend untl smooth. Remove the center doohickey from the blender lid and cover with a towel so the steam can escape, start on low and increase the speed once you know it won’t overflow. My blender canister was almost full. Pour into a large bowl, cover and chill until cold.
 
16 oz fat-free Greek yogurt or light sour cream
 
Whisk in the yogurt, taste for seasoning. Cover and chill 4-6 hours before serving. Garnish with chopped chives if you like.

Triple Chocolate Biscotti

I’ve made these often for myself and for gifts. I just ordered Black Cocoa powder and decided this is the best recipe to try it out on. They turned out AWESOME, almost like an Oreo (black cocoa powder is what makes them black!) Black cocoa is ultra-dutched, meaning it goes through a process to make it darker and mellower. It’s very dry though and has less fat, so in other recipes you may want to up the fat a bit. In this recipe I didn’t make changes since they are a hard dry cookie on purpose, for dunking in your coffee or milk!

2 ½ cups flour

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (replace half with black cocoa powder if you have it)

2 cups sugar (this batch I used 1 1/2 cups and liked it just as well)

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

5 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla ( I also add 1/2 tsp espresso powder or instant coffee granules to bring out the chocolate flavor even more)

1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°.  Mix everything together, except chocolate chips, until well combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Dough will be very thick and sticky.  Spoon the dough in thirds on your largest baking sheet. Spread each of the 3 blobs into slightly rounded 3×12-inch loaf, about ¾ inch thick.  It doesn’t have to be perfect because it’s pretty gooey.  But it will spread out as it bakes, so use more than one sheet if you need to.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and reduce the heat to 325°.  Allow the partially baked dough to cool on the sheets for 25-30 minutes.  Remove to a cutting board and slice each loaf into many ½-inch slices.  Place cut side down back onto the cookie sheets.  Bake 15 more minutes at 325°.  Turn slices over and bake another 15 minutes until crisp.  Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.  This recipe makes a lot of cookies, about 4 dozen.  

Classes Fall and Winter 2010

The following classes are offered through Anoka-Hennepin Adult Community Education.

About the Instructor: Melanie Foster is a personal chef who recently began conducting successful cooking classes and cooking parties for friends. She is inspired by her travels and from international cookbooks. Melanie loves cooking healthy, comforting, family-friendly food. Melanie believes people can enjoy learning to cook  in a hands-on environment which builds confidence. Plus, she says that a little advanced planning can make cooking fun and foster closer relationships, healthier kids, and more money in the bank account.

CHINESE BUFFET AT HOME – NEW!

Register Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The October 28th session of Chinese Buffet at Home is full. Another section has been added for you on November 11 with same time and location.    Bring yummy, healthy Chinese food into your home! Prepare egg drop soup, sesame cucumber and tomato salad, peanut soba noodles, chicken and broccoli, and salt and pepper pork. Eat in class. Hands-on class. Supply fee of $13/person cash paid to instructor Chef Melanie Foster in class. Class fee: $29.

 

UPCOMING CLASSES

Registration available starting Dec 20, 2010  here.

 
Inspired by India                              February 2, 1011
Spice up your usual comfort food routine with this meal inspired by classic Indian flavors and ingredients. Prepare Aloo Matar, a saucy potato stew, Dal (lentils) and rice, Indian Burgers with a delicious topping, and Vegetable Curry all enjoyed with Homemade Flatbread.
 

Shortcut Classics Class                           February 24, 2011
Satisfy your cravings for popular favorite recipes in a fraction of the time. Prepare quicker, and many freezer friendly, versions of homestyle recipes including: Eggs Benedict, Baked Ziti & Chorizo and Bean Burritos, and also make a Pierogi Bake and Cabbage Roll Casserole.

 Mardi Gras Feast                       March 1, 2011
Laissez le bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll) with this festive meal straight from Nawlins’ ya’ll! Make Shrimp Creole, Red Beans and Rice, Zydeco Coleslaw, tangy Mustard-y French Bread and a classic King Cake finale.

The following classes are offered through Columbia Heights Adult Community Education.

Register here.

ADULT Cooking Classes *New*
 
Cooking for a family does not need to take a lot of time. A little advanced planning can make it fun, foster closer relationships, healthier kids and more money in the bank account. Learn to cook healthy homemade food with a personal chef. As a bonus, you’ll leave each class knowing tips and techniques for cooking more efficiently. Either by cooking double duty meals getting 2 meals out of one, or by doubling up your meals and freezing for later. All classes are hands on and eat in class.  Min 5/Max 10
 
Who:  Adults      Where: Kitchen at Murzyn Hall
When:  Tuesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, March 8, 15
Time: 6:30 – 8:45 pm Fee: $15 per class
*Sign up for one class at a time or multiple classes.
 
Double Duty Pork   Feb 1   Activity # 2413
Make a succulent roast pork entrée once and reserve half for tasty Cuban Quesadillas. Supply fee of $5 per person cash paid to instructor at class. 
 
Double Duty Steak  Feb 8   Activity # 2414
Learn a simple method for preparing an inexpensive, yet, mouth-watering round steak once, then half is reserved for satisfying Beef Noodle Bowls. Supply fee of $5 per person cash paid to instructor at class.
 

Double Duty Corned Beef  Feb 15  Activity # 2415
Learn a fool-proof recipe for Corned Beef and all the trimmings right in your slow-cooker, then reserve some for tasty Ruebens for a quick weeknight treat. Supply fee of $5 per person cash paid to instructor at class.
 
Double Duty Chicken   Feb 22   Activity # 2416
Learning how to roast the perfect chicken is a valuable skill! Perfect for dinner anytime, and nothing goes to waste when you use leftovers for Spanish Noodles with Chicken and Sausage. Supply fee of $5 per person cash paid to instructor at class.
 
Double Up Comfort Food   Mar 8  Activity # 2417
Eastern Europeans knew what they were doing when they brought over Pierogis and Cabbage Rolls so learn my simplified versions of these delicacies that freeze beautifully. Supply fee of $5 per person cash paid to instructor at class.
 
Double Up Indian Bread   Mar 15  Activity # 2418
Perfect for the freezer are the potato and pea stuffed Indian treasures called Samosas. Also try lentil Dal and learn how to make perfect rice. Supply fee of $5 per person cash paid to instructor at class.

Cakes and Classes

Upcoming classes:

Healthy and Fast Weeknight Dinners: Do you have a spouse or kids with diabetes, a food intolerance or allergies? I can show you how to keep things simple so everyone can eat what they like and you don’t have to cook multiple meals a night. By mastering the simple cooking and seasoning techniques you can mix and match these dishes to create healthy meals in your favorite flavors, such as Mexican, Thai, Southwest, Northeast, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Chinese or Caribbean.

Simple Pan-Roasted Chicken, Fish or Steak

Easy Rice, Pasta or Rice Skillet

Plain and Perfect Steamed Veggies

One Pan Roasted Meat and Potatoes

Homemade Mixes: I don’t rely on convenience foods from the store because they are loaded with fat, sodium, sugar and preservatives. But I’ve found that making my own mixes for the things we eat most often makes me feel better about giving the kids (and my husband) what they love with out sacrificing their health or my time.

Taco Seasoning

Onion Soup Mix

Chocolate Pudding

Whole Grain Baking/Pancake Mix

Ranch Dressing Mix

Sports Drink Mix

Instant Oatmeal

Low Fat Cream Soup Mix

Once A Month Cooking or Big Batch Cooking: Have you tried out those ‘make and take’ dinner places? The idea is sound, you make a few batches of meals and freeze them until you’re ready to cook them. If you have a few friends you can each make a couple batches of a dish or two, then exchange them to have a variety of meals waiting in the freezer. I’ve tested several recipes for the freezer and can also show you some tips on taking advantage of weekly meat sales that many grocery stores offer.

Bass Lake Chicken

Meatloaf Gyros

Pizza Pork Chops

Sesame Chicken

Maple Beef Stir Fry

Five Spice Pork or Chicken and Potatoes

Cuban Quesadillas

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Dirty Rice with Beef or Turkey

Pantry Cooking: No time to run to the store? I can show you how to keep a well stocked pantry so you can prepare a quick dinner from things you keep on hand. These dishes are healthy, convenient, quick to prepare and will become favorite meals as well.

Baked Ziti

Brown Rice Salad

Mac ‘N Cheese

Tortilla Soup

Crab Cakes

Smothered Eggs

Chicken Mushroom Mozzarella

Also I’ve been busy planning birthday parties for my kids. They look forward to a cool cake made by yours truly every year. I get ideas from the internet and magazines and have posted some cakes I’ve made in the past on this link. Take a look and maybe you can save $30 by making your own kids cakes this year.

How to Cook with Your Friends

I had a fortunate childhood growing up with a mom who, in the 80’s actually stayed home to take care of me and my brother. I never thought it was out of the ordinary until, as I grew older, I realized that I didn’t have any other friends with a stay-at-home mom, or dad, for that matter. Since my mom was, and still is a great cook, I learned to love food, try new things and how to cook at a young age. Many people I’ve met who grew up in a double income family and are also now part of a double income family of their own, it seems like there is a certain pride in the fact that they don’t know how or care to learn how to cook. I find it pretty sad and a fairly obvious reason why the health of many children and adults is poor or declining.

While I don’t exactly consider myself an expert in anything, I am passionate about learning about cooking and nutrition. This is why, two years ago, I offered myself as a personal chef to an acquaintance in order for her to better care for her two young children. I loved the experience and since then have had many requests from friends and family to teach them how to better cook for their families and themselves. And what better way to learn to cook than with your friends. Check out my website:

mjcooks.com

You’ll find info on the types of classes and dinner parties I can help you plan, as well as info on hiring me as your personal chef. The classes are informal, inexpensive and held in your very own home! You cook, eat, learn and don’t have to worry about the shopping or planning! If you live in or around the Twin Cities, MN, namely Blaine, contact me and together we can plan a fun event based around whatever it is you want to learn about or eat. Even if you want to learn about cooking with kohlrabi or traditional Peruvian dishes, I’d love to do the research and show you how. I get a lot of requests and am personally interested in cooking favorite comfort foods with healthier methods or unique ingredient substitutions.

Some recent and upcoming classes I have scheduled are:

Cooking with Tofu, Vegetarian Curries and Indian foods, Asian appetizers, Homemade Bread and Go-To Meals for Working Singles.