This One Simple Hack Makes Cheap Steaks Taste Absolutely Incredible.

This One Simple Hack Makes Cheap Steaks Taste Absolutely Incredible.

Can't find your favorite cuts in the meat case at the store? Use this brilliant hack to transform even the cheapest cuts into deliciously tender and juicy steaks!
By Jill Nystul.
With significantly more people making most of their meals at home now, it’s no wonder that so many products are hard to get your hands on in stores. That’s why in times like these, being adaptable is one of the most useful and valuable skills you can have!

And I hope to help you out with that today by showing you one way to adapt to the constantly changing selection in the meat department. This quick and easy hack will help you turn whatever steaks you happen to find at the store (even the cheapest ones!) into tender, juicy, and amazingly delicious steaks you’ll be proud to serve at dinnertime.
The Secret
So what IS the simple secret behind this trick? It’s SALT! (The more I learn about cooking, the more I come to realize that the secret is almost always salt. Except for when the secret is butter.) ;-)

Yes, salting your steaks for one hour before cooking them will cause a miraculous transformation! From chewy and tough, to tender and juicy.

But not just ANY salt will do! You need to use a coarse sea salt or kosher salt. Coarse salt helps to break down the proteins and muscle fibers in the meat, resulting in maximum tenderness. I’m getting hungry already!
Why Salt?
Salt is an interesting substance that can do a lot of different things to the food we eat. You may well be wondering, “I thought salt dried stuff out?” And you’d be right! When using salt in the kitchen, it’s all about the timing.

Over a short period of time (like an hour or even up to overnight,) a layer of coarse salt on a steak will draw out some of the meat’s natural juices. The juices will dissolve the salt, creating a brine. Most of the brine will then be reabsorbed, where it will tenderize and flavor the meat.

If left for a longer period of time (like weeks to months,) the salt would slowly pull all of the moisture out of the meat, curing and preserving it in the process. Fascinating!
How To Make Cheap Steak Taste Expensive
To properly tenderize a steak, lay the steak out on a plate and cover each side with approximately 1 teaspoon of coarse kosher salt or sea salt before cooking. Use your fingers to gently work the salt granules into the surface, breaking down the fibers of the meat. (For even more flavor, add crushed garlic to the salt.)

Let the steak sit with this covering of salt for 45 minutes to an hour. Longer for thicker cuts.
After the waiting period, use some paper towels to wipe away most of the salt. Then pat your steaks until they are good and dry, so you can get the delicious, crispy sear you want. If you don’t pat them dry, you’re basically steaming the meat, and steamed meat is bland and less flavorful.
Season as desired, then grill to desired doneness.
Serve and sit back and enjoy the happy faces around the dinner table.

Agustus 05, 2020

BEST HOMEMADE MARGHERITA PIZZA | The Best Homemade Pizza You'll Ever Eat.

BEST HOMEMADE MARGHERITA PIZZA | The Best Homemade Pizza You'll Ever Eat.

Ok, so let me be honest. I rarely ever, EVER tell you that a recipe is the best of anything. Let alone, put it in caps! Sure, I’ll say that something is delicious, but declaring such bold statements generally makes me extremely uncomfortable. I’m terrified that you will go home and make said best-ever-recipe and be disappointed. I would hate that.

But I’m feeling very good about this best margherita pizza recipe and I’m confident that you will love it. I’m not an authority on homemade pizza by any means, but I’ve definitely eaten my share of pizza, both excellent and not so great.

The best margherita pizza that I’ve ever eaten in my entire life was in Naples, Italy a few years ago during our trip to the Amalfi Coast. We stood in line in a cobblestone street just off of Via Tribunali in the historic neighborhood (known for having the best pizza places in the entire world), and snagged a table at the famous Gino Sorbillo.

It’s always a good sign when you’re in Italy and a million other Italians are standing in line for the exact same pizza. No tourists, just Italians. It wasn’t fancy in the slightest. There was a disco light hanging from the ceiling and the cups were of the flimsy plastic variety.

Oh, but it was glorious. The pizzas cost only three euros and arrived flopping off of the plates. Literally, flopping. They were huge. I ate every last bite of that pizza and came back for another one the very next day.

So, when I say that today’s recipe is the best homemade margherita pizza, I’m taking all of these pizza-eating experiences into account. I’m not going to  claim that this pizza tastes identical to a true Neapolitan pizza or that you’ll never taste a better pizza outside of your kitchen again. That would be ludicrous (and slightly obnoxious) and just not true.

But I do believe that this is the best margherita pizza that you’ll be able to make in your own kitchen, with a standard oven, with normal everyday ingredients (no fancy flours required), and without preparing an incredibly time-intensive pizza dough days in advance.

HOMEMADE PIZZA EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

First things first. Let’s talk equipment. A baking stone or steel is a must for great pizza at home. I used to own this one and though its bulky and sometimes annoying, I store it in my oven 99% of the time so that it doesn’t take up valuable storage space (just be sure to remove it from your oven when you are baking or cooking other recipes!). I recently replaced it with this baking steel and love it even more.

Pizza stones can be expensive, but I genuinely believe they are 100% worth the investment if you are interested in making pizza or bread at home. Baking stones absorb the heat from your oven and allow you to mimic brick-ovens, which generally reach temperatures in excess of 800 degrees Fahrenheit. They help you achieve crispy crusts by pulling moisture from whatever dough you are baking, including pizza crusts.

I also recommend a pizza peel, because it will make pizza-making so much easier. Wooden or metal, it will allow you to slide the pizza quickly onto the baking stone and make it much easier to remove the pizza from the oven once it is done.

If you don’t own a pizza peel (or don’t want to own a pizza peel), you can use the back of a large baking sheet or flat cookie sheet to transfer the pizza onto the stone – but it is cumbersome!

TIPS FOR MARGHERITA PIZZA SUCCESS.

For the best margherita pizza, you will want to preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible. For my oven, that is 550 degrees Fahrenheit. I allow my baking stone to preheat for at least 30 minutes (regardless of whether my oven is ready as it takes time for your baking stone to come to temperature). The higher the temperature the better. This recipe makes two 10-inch pizzas, and they should be able to properly cook in 7 to 8 minutes at that temperature.

[I have heard of some substitutes for pizza stones (such as using a cast-iron pan, which does work or preheating a baking sheet), but I generally find that they involve a very, very hot piece of equipment (that you’re then transferring the pizza onto) and it involves a lot more hassle.

It is essential that your pizza dough is very thin when it goes into the oven. The edges can be slightly thicker, but you should be able to see some light through the dough (in the center), otherwise you won’t be able to achieve a thin, yet crisp pizza crust.

MARGHERITA PIZZA TOPPINGS.
Ok, that was a lot of discussion about pizza equipment. Let’s get to the toppings! I’ve experimented a lot with homemade pizzas over the years and have generally been disappointed in my early attempts at margherita pizzas for various reasons.

WHAT TOMATO SAUCE IS BEST FOR PIZZA?
I have learned along the way that raw tomato sauces are the way to go. They are also extremely easy, flavorful, and authentic. Pureed San Marzano canned tomatoes (if you can’t find San Marzano, Italian plum tomatoes are the next best option), garlic (pressed or grated with a microplane), a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it!

Whatever you do, avoid putting a thick layer of sauce on the pizza as it will result in a less crisp crust. It should be very thin.

WHAT IS THE BEST MOZZARELLA FOR PIZZA?

Mozzarella! Buy fresh mozzarella, preferably not packed in water. Avoid the cheap variety that you find in the refrigerated section of your grocery store alongside the milk and yogurt (please don’t buy grated cheese).

Go to the special cheese section and buy the good-quality cheese. It makes a huge difference. I recommend BelGioisio mozzarella, which is widely available.

Instead of thinly slicing the cheese and placing it in large slices over your pizza, I strongly recommend cutting it into 1/2-inch cubes and sprinkling it evenly over the pizza. Alternatively, you can tear it by hand into small pieces, no thicker than 1/2-inch. This extra step helps distribute the cheese and moisture evenly.

If you can only find water-packed mozzarella: Be sure to pat the cubed mozzarella dry with paper-towels before it goes onto your pizza. Otherwise, it can leach water during the cooking process, and result in a soggier crust.

OTHER MARGHERITA PIZZA TOPPINGS.
Finishing touches! Fresh torn basil, a sprinkling of freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, and a little drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil.  Whatever you do, don’t over-do it with the toppings.

Minimalism is essential when it comes to a great pizza at home. Go forth and make pizza!!! If you want to make other variations, you’ll love this red pepper pizza. If you prefer pizzas without tomato sauce, try this arugula pizza or this mushroom pizza.

NOTE: If you want to save time (and be able to make this pizza on a weeknight, which is totally do-able!), this pizza dough can be prepared and frozen ahead of time. See the recipe notes for more details!

INGREDIENTS.

HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH.
 2 and 1/2 cups (300 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour.
 1 teaspoon granulated sugar.
 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast (or SAF instant yeast).
 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
 7 ounces warm water (105 degrees F – 115 degrees F).
 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
 2 tablespoons semolina or all-purpose flour, for the pizza peel (divided).

PIZZA SAUCE.
 1 cup pureed or crushed San Marzano (or Italian plum) canned tomatoes.
 2-3 fresh garlic cloves, minced with a garlic press.
 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling.
 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
 2-3 large pinches of kosher salt.

TOPPINGS:
 2 – 3 tablespoons finely grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, plus more for serving.
 7 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (*preferably fresh mozzarella not packed in water).
 5 – 6 large fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnishing.
 crushed dried red pepper flakes (optional).

INSTRUCTIONS.

Prepare Pizza Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil, and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the dough just begins to come together. It will seem shaggy and dry, but don’t worry.
Scrape the dough onto a well-floured counter top and knead the dough for three minutes. It should quickly come together and begin to get sticky. Dust the dough with flour as needed (sometimes I will have to do this 2 to 3 times, depending on humidity levels) – it should be slightly tacky, but should not be sticking to your counter top.  After three minutes, the dough should be smooth, slightly elastic, and tacky. Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with olive oil, and place the dough into the bowl.
Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel (or plastic wrap) and allow the dough to rise in a warm, dry area of your kitchen for 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size. If your kitchen is very cold, one great tip that I do all the time is to heat a large heatproof measuring cup of water in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. This creates a nice warm environment and I’ll immediately remove the cup and place the bowl with the dough in the microwave until it has risen. [If you are preparing in advance, see the note section for freezing instructions.]
Preheat Oven and Pizza Stone: Place the pizza stone on the center (or top third) rack of your oven, and preheat the oven and pizza stone to 550 degrees Fahrenheit (for at least 30-45 minutes). If your oven does not go up to 550 degrees, heat it to the absolute maximum temperature that it can go. If it can heat to higher than 550 degrees Fahrenheit, even better!
As the oven is preheating, assemble the ingredients. In a small bowl, stir together the pureed tomatoes, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, pepper, and salt. Set aside another small bowl with the cubed mozzarella cheese (pat the cheese with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture). Set aside the basil leaves and grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese for easy grabbing.
Separate the dough into two equal-sized portions. It will deflate slightly, but that is OK. Place the dough on a large plate or floured counter top, cover gently with plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Assemble the Pizza: Sprinkle the pizza peel (alternatively, you can use the back of a baking sheet – but it will be harder!) with a tablespoon of semolina. Gently stretch one ball of pizza dough into roughly a 10-inch circle (don’t worry if its not perfectly uniform). If the dough springs back or is too elastic, allow it to rest for an additional five minutes. The edges of the dough can be slightly thicker, but make sure the center of the dough is thin (you should be able to see some light through it if you held it up). Gently transfer the dough onto the semolina-dusted pizza peel or baking sheet.
Drizzle or brush the dough lightly with olive oil (teaspoon or so). Using a large spoon, add roughly 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce onto the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch border on all sides. Use the back of the spoon to spread it evenly and thinly. Sprinkle a tablespoon of parmigiano-reggiano cheese onto the pizza sauce. Add half of the cubed mozzarella, distributing it evenly over the entire pizza. Using your hands, tear a few large basil leaves, and sprinkle the basil over the pizza. At this point, I’ll occasionally stretch the sides of the dough out a bit to make it even thinner. Gently slide the pizza from the peel onto the heated baking stone. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and caramelized and the edges of the pizza are golden brown. Remove the pizza carefully from the oven with the pizza peel, transfer to a wooden cutting board or foil, drizzle the top with olive oil, some grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, and chiffonade of fresh basil. Slice and serve immediately and/or prepare the second pizza.
If you’re serving two pizzas at once, I recommend placing the cooked pizza on a separate baking sheet while you prepare the other pizza. In the last few minutes of cooking, place the prepared pizza into the oven (on a rack below the pizza stone) so that it is extra hot for serving. Otherwise, I recommend serving one pizza fresh out of the oven, keeping the oven hot, and preparing the second pizza after people have gone through the first one! The pizza will taste great either way, but it is at its prime within minutes out of the oven!.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS.

Semolina flour has a higher burn point than regular flour, and ensures that the dough will not stick to the peel when transferring the pizza to the oven.
There is no need to dissolve the yeast in warm water before using (as commonly believed). Active dry yeast has been reformulated in recent years to contain significantly smaller granules and will not have trouble dissolving into the dough. However, it is important to ensure that your active dry yeast is indeed alive and well. Double check your expiration date and when in a doubt, proof it.
If preparing the dough in advance: once the dough has rested for two hours, separate into two portions, wrap each piece of dough well in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. The dough can be chilled in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or frozen for 3 months. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator, and allow it to stand at room temperature (in a greased bowl, covered with a kitchen towel) for at least 30 minutes before using.

Juli 23, 2020

8 Ways to Cook Cheap Steak.

8 Ways to Cook Cheap Steak.

If we had it our way, we’d be eating porterhouse and ribeye for dinner every night of the week. Then again, if we had it our way, pay day would be every day and bourbon—all of the bourbon everywhere—would be free. Unfortunately, we hardly ever get to have it our way. We pay for our bourbon, we wait patiently for Friday, and when our wallets wince at ribeye, we settle for some of the “lesser” cuts of beef: Flank, brisket, London broil, hanger, chuck eye, etc. But there’s always a way to eat it without breaking your bank or some teeth in the process.

London Broil (Top Round) with Herb Butter.
Top round, also popularly called London Broil, is one of the cheapest cuts of steak money can buy, but it’s one of our favorites because of its availability and because it’s so damn easy to prepare if you know what you’re doing. This recipe calls for a skillet, but would do just fine on a conventional grill, too. The steak gets a simple marinade of soy sauce, Worcestershire, lemon juice, olive oil, beef bouillon, salt, and pepper, and the herb butter really sets it off with chives, parsley, tarragon, and lemon juice (we like to throw in some fresh garlic, too).
When it comes to cheaper cuts, preparation and marinating is important as cooking. Do not forget to add the lemon juice and soy sauce to the marinade, make sure you’re marinating it for long as possible (up to one day), and make sure you’re cutting against the grain so it stays tender.

Slow Cooked Wine Braised Beef Brisket.
Another extraordinarily inexpensive cut, brisket is cut from the breast and lower chest of the cow. Because it is such a dense muscle that works hard, it is chock full of connective tissue and must be cooked perfectly for it to be worthwhile. That’s exactly why the low-and-slow technique of a slow cooker suits it so well.
This particular recipe calls for tomato paste, onions, carrots, Worcestershire, garlic, and a little liquid smoke and chili powder to keep things flavorful. But most importantly, it calls for red wine. The alcohol in the red wine helps soften all that connective tissue, and the slow cooking process over the span of 10-12 hours leaves this dish incredibly tender and juicy, as well as exceptionally flavorful.

Texas-Style Smoked Brisket.
We’re giving brisket two spots on the list not because it’s a great of a cut, but because we’d be remiss not to include a smoked brisket recipe here. Another low and slow process of cooking—but one that yields an entirely different kind of meal—this Texas-style barbecue recipe is superb. It’ll take you a little longer to set up, and you may need to get creative if you don’t have a dedicated smoker, but in the end, it’s totally worth it. The best part is prepping the meat takes almost nothing, save for a little salt and pepper. Why? Because like most smoked barbecue, your brisket will pick up the majority of its flavor from the hickory/oak/apple wood chunks you’ll be using. Trust us when we tell you that if done properly, this is probably some of the best meat you’ll ever have in your life, let alone best brisket.

No-Nonsense Chuck Eye Steak.
Chuck steak covers a lot of area on a cow, and you’ll find everything from shoulder meat right on through to the ribs. The “chuck eye” cut isn’t a very common cut, but when you can find it, it’s an incredible piece of meat that comes at a low cost. While ribeye is cut from ribs 6-12 on a cow, the chuck eye steak is cut from the fifth. It’s a little smaller and admittedly not as tender or flavorful as the rib eye, but it’s called “The Poor Man’s Rib Eye” for a reason. For a fraction of what you’d get a normal rib eye, you can have a wonderfully tender everyday steak to rival it.
Like other steaks, we prefer this in red-hot cast-iron skillet, liberally seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, and rubbed down with olive oil. We also advocate some healthy butter basting, with some thyme, rosemary, and a clove or two of garlic for good measure.

Pan Seared Flat Iron (Top Blade) Steak With Peppercorns and Blue Cheese Butter.
Of all the steaks on this list, the flat iron probably has the most interesting story. It was developed by a team of researchers at the University of Nebraska and University of Florida who were tasked with figuring out what to do with an otherwise unusable cut of beef from the cow shoulder. The cut showed good marbling and proved tender, but was marred by a massive piece of tough connective tissue that ran directly through the middle of the cut. The research team found a way to cut the tissue out, and so was born the Flat Iron (also known as the Top Blade).
It looks a lot like top round and can be prepared and cooked as such, but this recipe for peppercorn-crusted flat iron steak slathered in blue cheese butter is absolutely delicious. This cut of steak is incredibly tender, and cooked medium rare, delivers some of the most enjoyable steak experiences you’ll ever have—on a budget or not.

Classic Braised Beef Short Rib.
Beef short rib can come in a couple different cuts; smaller cubes, longer strips, bone-in, and boneless. What we love most about this inexpensive cut is that for all intents and purposes, it doesn’t matter how you buy it because no matter what you do with it, it’s sure to be delicious. While you can definitely season and grill beef short ribs like any other cut of beef, we’re big fans of braised short rib because it’s easy to do and yields melt-in-your-mouth tender steak.
If you’re looking for a more no-fuss recipe, there are plenty of slow cooker braised short rib recipes out there, but we love this recipe because try as we might, we can’t find a single thing wrong with it. Your base is a mix of onion, garlic, beef broth and a little Worcestershire sauce, and even though it takes about 3 hours to cook, it’ll quickly make its way to the top of your favorite steak dishes list.

Grilled Mojo-Marinated Skirt Steak.
Another very cheap cut of steak, most people complain that skirt steak is just too tough for anything other than use in a fajita or some kind of steak taco. And hey, we love steak tacos as much as the next hombres, but this is still incorrect. When it comes to skirt steak, it’s really all about how you marinade the cut, how you cook the cut, and how you slice the cut.
This recipe calls for a mix of homemade mojo with olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, chopped cilantro, and a mix of both lime and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Keep in mind that citrus is super important, because it’ll soften up all that rough connective tissue. Let it marinate overnight, and grill it accordingly—high heat, flipping occasionally. The recipe also involves creating a pan sauce with the leftover marinade, which we aren’t opposed to.

Barbecued Tri-Tip.
Tri-tip is another particularly low cost cut of beef that we pick up any time we see it. The only issue is that it may be incredibly difficult to find for you non-West Coasters out there. But, if you can find it, this will quickly become your favorite cut because it’s very thick, very well-marbled, and offers up exactly the kind of flavor you think of when you dream about a fresh grilled steak. It’s cut from the bottom sirloin part of the cow, and is famous for being incredibly versatile and tender. In the Santa Maria valley of Southern California where this steak became famous, it is usually smoked with red oak, but this classic rub of salt, pepper, garlic, cumin, and a hint of coriander would also do well on the grill. All you need to do is liberally rub the seasoning over the steak, and cook it your preferred way.

Agustus 05, 2020

how to roasting avocado fries in an oven

How to Roasting Avocado Fries in an Oven.

Avocados are a delicious superfood packed with nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber. While there are many ways to cook with this versatile fruit, baking avocados is one easy and delicious technique that leaves plenty of room to be creative. You can cook a simple but delicious breakfast with avocado and eggs while adding your own zesty toppings. For a healthy alternative to potatoes, you can roast avocado fries as a side dish to a meat- or plant-based burger. And if you're in the mood for a quick and easy snack, simply putting avocado halves in the oven topped with your favorite cheese will fill you up!

Ingredients.
3 avocados.
1⁄2 cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour.
Salt and pepper.
2 eggs.
1 1⁄2 cups (350 ml) panko breadcrumbs.
1 tablespoon (15 ml) melted butter or margarine.
1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder.
1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder.
1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) paprika.
1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt.
1⁄4 teaspoon (1.2 ml) ground black pepper.
3 mixing bowls.
Cooking spray.
Baking sheet.
Wire rack.

Steps.

1. Preheat the oven to 450 °F (232 °C). As your oven is preheating, gather all of your ingredients, including your avocados, flour, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, and assorted spices. In addition, grab three mixing bowls.

2. Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits and skins. After removing the pits, carefully scoop the avocados out of the skin while keeping their shape. Slice the avocados lengthwise for the desired thickness. The slices should not be too thin but thick enough to keep shape.

As long as the avocado is not overripe, it should come out solid but not too hard. 3 avocados should yield 20-22 fries.

3. Add 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of flour in the first mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper into the flour. Mix the flour, salt, and pepper well.

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper work well for this recipe.

4. Crack the eggs into the second bowl. Keeping the egg whites and yolks together, lightly beat the eggs. As you crack the eggs into the bowl make sure that no shells fall into the mixture. Set the bowl to the side.

One vegan alternative to eggs would be 6 fluid ounces (180 ml) of silken tofu with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of non-dairy milk.

5. Combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter in the third bowl. Mix the ingredients, and add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients.

6. Dip the avocado slices into the flour and beaten egg. After you have dipped each avocado slice into the flour and egg, coat the slices thoroughly with the panko and place on the wire rack. Spray the avocado slices with the cooking spray of your choice.

The wire rack should be placed on top of a baking sheet for stability and to catch any ingredients that fall off the rack.If you do not have a wire rack, it is fine to bake the fries on greased aluminum foil or parchment paper on a baking sheet. Turn the fries halfway through baking.

Olive oil or vegetable oil spray works well for this recipe.

7. Bake the avocado slices for 20-25 minutes. Once the panko is lightly brown, remove the avocado fries from the oven. Let the slices cool for 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!



Tips.

As with most fruits, ripeness is key. Always cook with ripe avocados. You can tell when an avocado is ripe by holding it in the palm of your hand and squeezing. If the avocado is hard, it is not ripe. If it is mushy, it is overripe. The perfect avocado will yield a minimal amount of pressure, and the skin should “give” slightly but not remain indented.

Some methods for increasing the ripening speed for avocados include putting the fruit in a paper bag overnight or baking the avocado wrapped in foil at 200 °F (93 °C)}. While these methods might work occasionally, it is always best to let avocados ripe naturally.

There are countless ways to bake avocados. Be creative with your ingredients, and do an online search for many more recipes.

Warnings.

As with any baking recipe, make sure to use safe handling practices when removing your avocados from the oven. Be mindful of oven temperatures, and keep a close eye on your avocados as they are baking.

Practice sanitary cooking methods, and wash your hands often.

Wipe down all kitchen surfaces with an antibacterial cleaner and disposable paper towel.

Januari 15, 2020

How to Make a Cheap Cut of Steak Taste Like Filet Mignon

How to Make a Cheap Cut of Steak Taste Like Filet Mignon.

BY HEATHER FISHEL.

Living on a budget often means compromising what you want for what you need—or at least, for what's affordable. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to compromise on flavor, especially if you know the right tips and tricks to make something spectacular out of the ordinary.

That's exactly what salt and the right amount of time will do for your cheaper cuts of steak: turn them into buttery, juicy slabs of meat that taste more like high-priced cuts.

A note before we get down into the nitty-gritty of this (extremely easy) method: this is not salt curing, which preserves meat for long stretches of time by exposing meat to salt and nitrites over a prolonged period. What we're doing instead is tenderizing the meat by marinating the steak in salt before cooking it over heat.

How to Tenderize Your Cheap Steak with Salt.
Jack Scalfani of the YouTube Cooking with Jack Show demonstrates how any piece and cut of steak can become as high-quality as filet mignon. All you need is salt and about an hour or two, depending on the steak's thickness.
Place your (cheap) steak on a baking sheet or in a pan and coat its entire top surface with salt. Yes, you heard that right—bury the entire slab of meat in salt. Make sure you're using a coarse grain, such as coarse sea salt or kosher salt. Table salt cannot be substituted; due to its fine grain size, it dissolves and is absorbed too quickly into the meat and over-salts the steak.

Now it's time to let the meat marinate. Leave the salted steak untouched and at room temperature, basing the length of your marinade on the thickness of your cut. Each inch in thickness equates to one hour of letting it sit: if your steak is two inches thick, you'll want it to marinate for two hours, and so on.

When time is up, rinse your steak very thoroughly, washing off all of the visible salt on the surface. As the salt sloughs off, you should see and feel tenderness in the meat. Additionally, the color of the meat will be slightly darker than before—very similar to an aged cut.

After rinsing, pat your steak dry with paper towels. Don't skip this step: if the surface of the steak isn't dry, you'll be steaming your meat instead of heating the steak surface directly.

Lastly, grill or cook your steak to the doneness you desire—of course, skip the salting step you would normally incorporate in your cooking method. The resulting steak will be tender, flavorful, and oh-so-juicy.

Why Salt Works So Well on Steak.
According to this quoted explanation from On Food and Cooking, when salt is added well ahead of cooking time it dissolves the muscle fibers by forcing protein-based filaments to swell and separate. These denatured muscle fibers then trap the fat molecules and now-brined juice of the steak.
Since low-priced cuts of meat feature more tough tendons and muscle fibers than the prime, more expensive cuts, salting them in advance both tenderizes and improves its consistency and flavor.

If you'd like a more in-depth and step-by-step diagram of this chemical process, Jaden of Steamy Kitchen has an excellent and funny explanation that I recommend.

How Well Did This Trick Work for You?
Steak, especially high-quality cuts like filet mignon, are known for being both expensive and exclusively for higher budgets. But thanks to coarse salt, the cheapest of cuts can still result in a delicious and tender piece of steak. (If you're not a big salt fan, you can use kiwi, papaya, or pineapple instead of salt.)

Agustus 05, 2020

how to bake corn

How to Bake Corn.

Corn is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be baked in a variety of ways. To roast ears of corn, start by removing their husks. Smear the ears with butter, wrap them in foil, and place them in the oven. Casseroles are another great way to bake both whole kernel and cream-style corn. For something different, try a roasted corn and pepper salsa. Shuck and roast the corn, then slice the kernels off each ear. Combine the corn with fresh ingredients and serve the salsa with tortilla chips.

Method 1 Roasting Corn on the Cob

Ingredients.
4 ears of corn, 2 tablespoons butter, melted, Serves 4.

Steps.
1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Let your oven heat up while you shuck the corn and prepare it for roasting.

2. Remove the outer leaves of each ear of corn. Each ear of corn is enveloped in light green leaves called the husk. To shuck the husk from the corn, start by peeling off the outer leaves on each ear and discarding them. Stop peeling when only 1 thin layer of inner leaves remains on each cob.

3. Expose the tip of each piece of corn to create a “zipper.” Peel back the remaining inner leaves at the end of each cob until you see a few yellow kernels peeking out. Think of these pulled back leaves as the corn’s "zipper."

The tassels are the silky strings bunched at the end of the cob.

4. Pull the “zipper” down firmly with your dominant hand. Hold the bottom of 1 ear of corn firmly with your non-dominant hand. Grab the zipper and tassels with your dominant hand. Use 1 firm, quick tug to yank down the ear's zipper. Pull the husk all the way down to the bottom of the cob, and keep pulling until the husk is inverted.

This will also expose thin, silky strands on the inside of the husk.

5. Pull the husk off the cob in 1 smooth motion. Keep your dominant hand on the inverted husk. Quickly snap your wrist to pull the husk off the end of the cob. Try to do this in 1 smooth motion. Discard the husk and the silky strands that came with it.

6. Pull off the remaining silky strands with your fingers. Some of the silky strands may cling to the corn kernels after you remove the husk. Use your fingers to pull off any silk still clinking to the cob. Discard the silky strands.

7. Smear about ½ tablespoon of softened butter on each ear of corn. Let the butter soften at room temperature for a few minutes, then use a butter knife to spread about ½ tablespoon of it onto each cob. Be sure to spread the softened butter from the top to the bottom of the ear, then all the way around.

8. Wrap each buttered ear of corn individually in aluminum foil. After smearing on the butter, place the ear of corn on a small sheet of aluminum foil. Fold the foil around the ear so that it’s fully encased. Do this for all 4 cobs, wrapping each one individually in foil.

9. Bake the corn for 20 to 25 minutes. Place each ear of corn onto a baking sheet. Carefully place the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

10. Remove the baking sheet and serve the corn. The foil will be very hot, so let it cool for a few minutes or wear gloves to unwrap each ear of corn. Serve the corn immediately. You can serve it as is, still on the cob, or you can slice the kernels off of each cob and serve it that way.

Method 2 Baking a Corn Casserole.

Ingredients.

1 can or 15 oz (430 g) whole kernel corn, drained, 1 can or 14 oz (400 g) cream-style corn, 1 package or 8 oz (230 g) corn muffin mix.

1 cup (120 g) sour cream, 1/2 stick butter, melted, 1 to 1 1/2 cups (120 to 180 g) shredded cheddar cheese, Serves 6 to 8.

Steps.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Let your oven heat up while you put the casserole together.

2. Combine the corn, muffin mix, sour cream, and butter in a bowl. Pour both cans of corn and the package of corn muffin mix into a large mixing bowl. Use a spoon to combine them. Add the sour cream and melted butter to the bowl and stir the mixture until completely incorporated.

The mixture will be slightly lumpy.

3. Pour the mixture into a greased 9 in (23 cm) x 13 in (33 cm) dish. Spray your casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, taking care to coat all sides of it evenly. Transfer the corn mixture from the bowl to the casserole dish.

4. Bake the corn casserole uncovered for 45 minutes. Place the corn casserole into the preheated oven. When the casserole has lightly browned on top, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Place the casserole on a heat-resistant surface.

5. Top the casserole with cheese and bake it for 5 to 10 more minutes. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire surface of the corn casserole. Use an oven mitt to place the dish back into the oven. Let it bake at the same temperature for another 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven when the cheese has completely melted.

6. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes, then serve. Set the casserole on a heat-resistant surface and let it cool down for about 5 minutes. Use a large spoon to scoop out and plate each serving. Serve the dish warm.

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.







Method 3 Making Roasted Corn and Pepper Salsa.

Ingredients.

2 poblano peppers, 1 jalapeno.

4 ears corn, husk and silk removed, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, Sea salt and pepper, to taste, ¼ cup (30 g) fresh cilantro leaves, chopped.

½ cup (60 g) red onion, diced, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt.

Serves 6

Steps.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a baking sheet. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the foil evenly with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Remove the husks and silk from the 4 ears of corn. Peel off the light green outer leaves. Gently peel back the remaining inner leaves at the end of each cob. Think of these pulled back leaves as the corn’s "zipper." Grab the “zipper” and tassels and pull them off each ear in 1 smooth motion. Snap the leaves off the ends, then pull off any remaining silk from the kernels with your fingers.

3. Cover each ear with 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of melted butter and season. Place the shucked corn on the foil-lined baking sheet. Use a butter knife to smear 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of melted butter onto each ear. Be sure to spread the butter from the base to the tip of the piece of corn, and then all the way around it. Season each ear with sea salt and pepper.

4. Add the whole peppers to the baking sheet. Rinse the poblanos and jalapeno off with water, then pat them dry. Place the whole peppers onto the baking sheet with the corn. Spray the tops of the peppers with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread the veggies out on the baking sheet so none of them are overlapping.

5. Roast them for 10 minutes, then flip and roast for 10 more minutes. Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven. After roasting for 10 minutes, use tongs to quickly flip over each ear of corn and all of the peppers.

6. Pull out the peppers and continue roasting the corn. Use tongs to flip each piece of corn over again, then remove the roasted peppers from the baking sheet. Close the oven door. Put the peppers in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Let the peppers sit for 15 to 20 minutes while the corn continues to roast.

7. Combine the onions and red wine vinegar in a bowl. Dice the red onion and place it in a medium sized bowl. Pour the red wine vinegar over the onion. Set this aside to marinate for 10 minutes while you finish preparing the salsa.

8. Peel the skin from the roasted peppers and dice them. Remove the peppers from the container. Use a sharp knife to peel off the skin from all of them. Cut into each pepper and remove the ribs and seeds from the inside. Discard these. Dice the peppers and add them to the bowl with the onions and vinegar.

9. Remove the roasted corn and cut the kernels off of each cob. The corn kernels should be lightly browned when you remove them from the oven. Let the ears cool for a few minutes so that you can handle them. Use a sharp knife to slice the kernels off of each piece.

10. Add the corn and cilantro to the bowl with the other ingredients. Chop the fresh cilantro. Place the roasted corn kernels and the fresh cilantro into the bowl with the onions and vinegar. Add the remaining seasonings to the bowl, then stir well to combine the mixture.

11. Cover the salsa and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Use plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid to cover the bowl of salsa. Put the bowl into your fridge and let the flavors develop for about 30 minutes. Pull out the salsa and taste it. Adjust the salt to taste, if needed. Serve the roasted corn salsa with your favorite tortilla chips.

Januari 23, 2020

Hand-Pulled Lamian Noodles Recipe.

Hand-Pulled Lamian Noodles Recipe.

By TIM CHIN.
In the quest for an approachable hand-pulled lamian noodle recipe for the home cook, there’s no shame in turning to science. The goal of any thin hand-pulled noodle dough is repeatable extensibility, which is easier to describe than it is to achieve. Here—as in many noodle shops around the world—we use a dough relaxer to make the stretching process much easier and much, much faster. And while some shops use industrial-grade dough enhancers with all sorts of scary names, this recipe uses a natural ingredient that you can readily find at grocery stores or purchase online: nutritional yeast.

You’ll be able to stretch this dough, but it still takes practice to pull the actual noodles when the time comes. But don’t let that scare you: This is a very forgiving dough, and you can practice pulling noodles over and over again to gain muscle memory and confidence before flouring and cooking off a batch of homemade pulled noodles. Be sure to use bread flour with at least 12% protein content—any lower, and the dough will get too sticky and the noodles will lack both structure and chew.

Why It Works.
High-protein bread flour produces noodles with plenty of chew, and enough elasticity in the dough to prevent breakage when stretching.
Nutritional yeast contains glutathione, a naturally occurring dough reducer that relaxes gluten and produces a dough with repeatable extensibility in a fraction of the time that it takes using a more traditional method.
Oil keeps the dough from sticking to your hands when pulling noodles, and also contributes to its overall extensibility.
Repeated twisting and stretching aligns gluten in a linear direction, so that each successive stretch becomes straighter, more even, and increasingly seamless.
Ingredients.
425g (15 ounces; 3 cups) bread flour, plus more for dusting.
28g (1 ounce; 1/2 cup) nutritional yeast (see note).
4g (1 teaspoon) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight.
285g (10 ounces; 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons) cool water.
1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil.

Directions.
1. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, nutritional yeast, and salt together to combine. With processor running, add water and oil and process until dough forms and runs around processor blade, about 30 seconds.
2. Transfer dough to clean counter. Knead dough until smooth. Roll, knead, and stretch dough, doubling back after each stretch, until dough begins to stretch without tearing, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Stretch dough to arm’s-length, then bring ends together to twirl dough into even, twisted log (roll dough on counter after twisting to even out thicker areas). Repeat stretching and twirling until dough pulls full arm’s-length with no resistance and no tearing, about 10 minutes longer. Roll dough into an even log shape.
4. If you plan to pull and cook the noodles immediately, dust the counter liberally with flour and bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. If you would like to practice the noodle-pulling technique, do not flour the counter and proceed with the pulling instructions. Flouring the noodles is a point of no return—once floured, they must be cooked. If the dough is not floured, you can practice the pulling technique over and over without harming the dough. Gently roll dough log in flour, then use a bench scraper to divide dough into 3 equal portions.
5. Working with one piece at a time, shape into 15-inch log. Holding log at both ends, stretch to about 30 inches in length. (The following instructions are written for right-handed people; invert them if you are left-handed.) Bring right end of dough to left hand, forming loop. Using free right hand, gently tug and pull dough from midpoint of loop in fluid motion to about 30 inches. Move dough through floured surface to keep from sticking.
6. Bring right end of dough to left hand and gently bunch dough ends together, forming another loop of 4 strands. Using free right hand, gently tug and pull dough from midpoint of loop in fluid motion to about 30 inches. Move dough through floured surface to keep from sticking. Repeat process 2 to 3 more times until noodles are about ⅛ inch in diameter.
7. Use bench scraper or knife to cut and separate noodles from small clump of dough in left hand. Immediately transfer portion of finished noodles to the pot of boiling water, and cook, stirring with tongs or chopsticks to prevent sticking, until noodles are cooked through but still chewy, 30 to 45 seconds. Drain noodles thoroughly using a fine-mesh strainer or noodle basket, shaking off as much excess water as possible, then transfer to a serving bowl with hot broth.
8. Repeat stretching, pulling, and cooking steps with remaining two portions of dough. A fourth portion of noodles can be pulled from excess dough scraps if desired. Knead, stretch, and twirl excess scraps of dough into even log, roll in flour, and repeat pulling process. Serve cooked noodles immediately.

Special Equipment : Digital scale, food processor.
Notes.
For best results, use a digital scale set in grams to measure ingredients.
Be sure to use nutritional yeast well within its expiration date. Expired nutritional yeast will not work with this recipe—the dough will not relax as intended.
This noodle dough is designed to be kneaded, pulled into noodles, and cooked all in one go. Unlike other noodle recipes, the dough and noodles cannot be made in advance and cooked at a later time.

Make-Ahead and Storage.
The noodles are best enjoyed immediately. In fact, the recipe calls for cooking each portion of noodles immediately after pulling, as is customary with lamian noodles.

(source : https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2020/04/hand-pulled-lamian-noodles)

Agustus 02, 2020

How To Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies.

How To Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies.

By : Scott Loitsch & Claire King.

Total Time : 56 minutes.
Prep Time : 18 minutes.
Cook Time : 20 minutes.

Ingredients for 18 cookies.

1 cup bread flour (125 g).
¾ cup all-purpose flour (95 g).
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or 1½ teaspoons table salt.
1 teaspoon baking soda.
1 cup unsalted butter (225 g), 2 sticks.
2 tablespoons water, room temperature.
1 cup dark brown sugar (220 g).
½ cup white sugar (100 g).
2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
1 teaspoon espresso powder.
1 large egg.
1 large egg yolk.
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (85 g).
5 oz dark chocolate (130 g), chopped.

Preparation.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flours, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
In a medium or large saucepan, add the butter and melt over medium heat. The larger the pan you use, the quicker the process will be!
Bring the butter to a boil, stirring frequently. As the water begins to boil out of the butter, the milk solids in the butter will separate, sink to the bottom, and begin to toast and brown. As this begins to happen, make sure to stir constantly so the butter browns evenly. It may become quite foamy, splatter a bit, and be difficult to see, so keep a close eye on it, removing from heat and continuing to stir if it starts to foam over.

Once the butter has turned a nice nutty brown, remove from the heat and pour into a large liquid measuring cup to stop the cooking. Allow it to cool down for a minute or two, give it a stir, and carefully add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the butter to bring it back up to 1 cup (240 ml) of liquid.
Set aside to cool to room temperature. To help speed this process up, you can place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. You want to make sure the butter is still liquid when you’re adding it to the dough later on, so make sure to remove after 15 minutes.
In a large bowl, add the sugars, vanilla, espresso powder, and cooled brown butter. Cream together with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
Add the egg and yolk and beat until incorporated.
Add the dry ingredients, about ⅓ of the mixture at a time, and beat between additions until just incorporated. It’s okay for there to be a bit of unmixed flour on the edge of bowl, this will be incorporated in the next step.

Using a wooden spoon, fold the chocolate chips and chunks into the dough
Scoop the cookies onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in 3-tablespoon-sized mounds.
For optimal flavor, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or, even better, overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
Evenly space the dough 3 inches (8 cm) apart from one another on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Bake in a preheated oven for 12-14 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!

Juli 23, 2020

how to easy cook shumai

How to Easy Cook Shumai.

If shumai is your favorite dish at Japanese restaurants, there's no reason not to recreate them at home. These tasty dumplings are usually filled with ground shrimp and pork, so they're easy to make with a food processor and some store-bought wonton wrappers. For traditional shumai, you steam the dumplings in a bamboo steamer, but you can still prepare the dish quickly and easily so there's no need to head to a restaurant when a craving hits.







Preparing the Filling.



Ingredients Filling.

2 pounds (907 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined.

1 pound (454 g) ground pork.

3 tablespoons (45 ml) toasted sesame oil.

3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce.

1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch.

3 tablespoons (11 g) fresh ginger, peeled and grated.

5 cloves garlic, smashed.

4 green onions, chopped.

4 egg whites.

1 lemon, juiced.

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

4-ounce can (115 g) water chestnuts or bamboo shoots, minced.



Combine all of the filling ingredients except the water chestnuts. Add 2 pounds (907 g) of large peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 pound (454 g) of ground pork, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of toasted sesame oil, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon (8 g) of cornstarch, 3 tablespoons (11 g) of fresh ginger that’s been peeled and grated, 5 smashed cloves garlic, 4 chopped green onions, 4 egg whites, the juice from one lemon, and kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste in a food processor. Pulse the ingredients until they’re smooth.

You’ll likely need to pulse the ingredients 3 to 5 times to get the right texture. It should be slightly chunky, not completely pureed.



Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the water chestnuts. Once the filling mixture is smooth, use a spatula to transfer it to a medium bowl. Add a 4-ounce (115 g) can of water chestnuts that have been minced to the bowl, and gently fold them in.



Make a small patty with the filling to test the seasoning. When the water chestnuts are incorporated, use clean hands to form a small patty with the filling. You should use approximately 2 tablespoons (17 g) to make the patty.



Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of canola oil in pan and add the patty. Place a small saute pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat for 3 to 5 minutes, and then place the patty made of the filling in the oil.



Cook the patty until it’s browned and drain on paper towel. With the patty in the oil, allow it to cook until it’s browned on the first side, which should take 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the patty over, and cook it for another 2 to 3 minutes or until both sides are browned.



Taste the patty to determine if the filling is seasoned properly. Once the patty is finished cooking, transfer it from the pan to a paper towel-lined plate to drain for a minute. Next, taste the patty to see if you like the filling’s seasoning. If necessary, mix in some more salt and pepper.

You can mix in more of any other seasonings that you feel are lacking as well. For example, you might add a little more ginger or garlic if you want those flavors to be stronger.

If you decide to add more seasonings to the dumpling filling, it's a good idea to make a second patty for tasting to ensure you're happy with the flavors.







Filling the Wonton Wrappers.



Ingredients Wrappers.

10-ounce (284 g) package wonton wrappers.

Napa cabbage leaves, for lining the steamer.

Canola oil.



Brush the edges of a wonton wrapper with water. For the shumai, you’ll need a 10-ounce (284 g) package of wonton wrappers. Unwrap the wontons and cover them with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Next, lift a wrapper from the pile and use a pastry brush to wet the edges with water.

If you prefer, you can use a beaten egg to dampen the edges of the wonton wrappers. The egg is stickier, which can help the wrappers stay closed. However, it's easy to over-saturate the edges with egg so they don't stay closed as well. Using water typically offers more control.



Form a cup with the wrapper in your hand. Make a circle with your thumb and forefinger and lay the wrapper on top. Press down gently so the dough forms a cup shape in your hand.



Add some of the filling to the center and pat it down. Place 2 teaspoons (6 g) of the filling in the center of the wrapper. Use the back of the spoon to gently press down the filling.



Squeeze the wrapper around the filling. If any of the wrapper’s edges are overhanging, fold them up around the filling. Press the wrapper around the filling to ensure that it’s secure, though the filling should be exposed at the top.

Image titled Cook Shumai Step 11



Tap the top and bottom of the dumpling so it’s flat. When the shumai is secure, tap the bottom of it against a plate, countertop, or other work surface to flatten it. Use the back of a spoon to flatten the top of the dumpling as well.

If you like, you can add some frozen peas and/or carrots to the top of the shumai as a topping when you’re finished shaping them.



Repeat the process until all of the shumai are filled. After you’ve filled the first dumpling, set it down on a clean plate. Continue shaping and filling all of the dumplings until you’ve used up all of the wonton wrappers.







Steaming the Shumai.



Line a bamboo steamer with cabbage leaves. To cook the shumai, you need a bamboo steamer. Lay several leaves of napa cabbage in the bottom of the steamer to line it.

You can substitute lettuce for the cabbage if you prefer.

Two to three leaves is usually enough to line the steamer.

If you don't have a bamboo steamer, you can substitute a metal steamer basket. In addition to lining it with the cabbage leaves, though, it's a good idea to mist it with baking spray first to ensure that none of the dumplings stick if there are any gaps in the leaves.



Bring some water to a boil in a large pan. Add 1- to 2-inches (2.5- to 5-cm) of water to a large, wide pan. Place it on the stove over high heat, and allow the water to come to a boil, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.



Place the steamer over the pan and add the shumai. When the water has come to a boil, set the steamer over the pan. Use tongs to place the dumplings into the steamer, and cover the steamer with its lid.

Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer. However, you may need to add more water to the pan as it evaporates during the steaming process.

Depending on how large the steamer is, you may need to cook the shumai in batches.



Steam the dumplings until they’re cooked through. Once the shumai is in the steamer, reduce the heat to medium. Allow the dumplings to cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are cooked through.









Serving the Shumai.



Ingredients Dipping Sauce.

5 tablespoons (75 ml) Asian chile paste.

10 tablespoons (150 ml) light soy sauce.

Makes 60 dumplings.



Mix the chile paste and light soy sauce together. While the shumai is steaming, add 5 tablespoons (75 ml) of Asian chile paste and 10 tablespoons (150 ml) of light soy sauce to a small bowl. Stir together well so they are completely blended.

You can substitute your favorite Asian dipping sauce if you prefer. Even plain soy sauce can work well.



Use tongs to remove the shumai from the steamer. When the dumplings are cooked through, carefully remove the steamer from the pan. Use a pair of tongs to remove the shumai from the basket and transfer them to a serving platter or plate.



Place the dipping sauce on the platter and serve the shumai while still hot. Once you’ve arranged the shumai on the platter, add the bowl of dipping sauce. Set the dumplings out to serve while they’re still warm.

Store any leftover shumai in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.





Tips.

Some shumai recipes include mushrooms in the filling. You can fold in 3 to 5 shiitake mushrooms that have been soaked and finely chopped with the water chestnuts if you like.

Things You’ll Need.

Food processor.

Spatula.

Medium bowl.

Small saute pan.

Paper towel.

Plate.

Large, wide pan.

Bamboo steamer.

Tongs.

November 17, 2019