Mandarin Martini

My niece shared this recipe for Mandarin Martini with me last weekend. It just so happened that I had some extra Mandarin orange juice and a lime in the refrigerator so I gave it a try. It has great flavor and it's simple to prepare.

Ingredients:
1 shot vodka
juice from 1/2 a lime
2 shots of Mandarin orange syrup/juice
crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Mix all of of the ingredients in a cocktail glass.
2. Serve immediately.

China

Zucchini Rigatoni Recipe

Zucchini Rigatoni is a light pasta dish that is perfect for the warm summer months. The zucchini, garlic, basil, onion, tomato, mushroom, and other vegetables combine to create a complex flavor mosaic. Zucchini rigatoni is an uncompromising vegetarian classic!

Ingredients:
extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper
3 tbsp butter
1 Serrano pepper, chopped with seeds removed
3/4 medium yellow onion, diced
1 15oz. can tomato sauce
1 tbsp dry basil leaves
2 tbsp butter
1/2 of one large zucchini
2 1/2 tbsp dry porcini mushrooms, chopped fine
4 sprigs flat leaf parsley, chopped
14 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Rigatoni pasta noodles
Parmesan cheese, grated

Preparation:

1. To a skillet over medium heat, add 3 tbsp of olive oil, 3 tbsp butter, and the Serrano pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes.
2. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until the onions begin to change color and are translucent.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then pour the tomato sauce into the skillet along with the dry basil.
4. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer.
5. In a pot, boil water for the pasta. When water begins to boil, add pasta noodles and cook until al dente.
6. Cut the zucchini into thin medallions. I like to cut the zuchinni at a diagonal to create medallions with a greater surface area.
   
7. In a separate pan, add 2 tbsp butter along with 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat.
8. Add the zucchini medallions, porcini mushrooms, flat leaf parsley, and fresh basil leaves to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. When the pasta is ready, strain it and pour it into a large bowl.
10. Coat the hot pasta with a thin layer of grated Parmesan cheese, mixing it with the pasta noodles.
11. Next, pour the red sauce into the bowl and mix it with the pasta. You may not need to use all of the red sauce. Use enough to coat all of the noodles.
12. Add the zucchini mixture to the bowl to combine with the pasta.
13. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if needed.
    

Italy

Orange Chicken Recipe 陈皮鸡

Orange chicken is a dish originating from Hunan cuisine. It is similar to General Tso's chicken in appearance and in the way it is prepared. Orange chicken is battered chicken that is fried and then coated with a sweet, citrus flavored chili sauce.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp orange juice
2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp orange zest, grated
1 tspn fresh ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3-4 green onions, chopped
1/2 tspn red pepper flakes
3 tbsn corn starch
2 tbsp water
3-4 chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tspn salt
1/4 tspn pepper
extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water, lemon juice, orange juice, soy sauce, and rice vinegar into a saucepan on medium high heat. Add the orange zest, ginger, brown sugar, chopped onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
2. Bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
   
3. Put 1/2 inch pieces of chicken into a resealable plastic container. Pour 1 cup of sauce (after it has cooled) into the container with the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Save the remaining sauce in a separate container.
   
4. In a resealable plastic bag, mix the salt, pepper, and flour.
5. Remove the pieces of chicken from the marinade and put them into the bag containing the flour mixture. Seal the bag and shake the chicken so that it is coated with the flour mixture.
6. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add some of the chicken to the skillet and cook it for about 4 minutes until golden brown. (You will probably need to cook about 3 batches this way in order to cook all of the chicken).
7. After each batch has cooked, remove the chicken and place it on a plate covered with paper towels. Cover the plate with a piece of aluminum foil.
8. After all of the chicken has been cooked, clean the skillet. Add the remaining sauce from step #3 to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium high heat.
9. Add 2 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch and slowly add this mixture to the sauce then reduce the heat to low.
10. Add the chicken back to the sauce and stir so that all of the chicken is coated with sauce.
11. Serve over rice with fresh orange slices.
    

China

German Coffee Cake Recipe

This recipe for German Coffee Cake has been popular in my family for as long as I can remember. It was always baked on weekends when people were in town for a visit. German coffee cake is a great choice for a stand alone breakfast paired with a strong cup of coffee and fresh fruit.

Recommended Equipment:
tube or bundt pan

Ingredients:
cake
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups butter (softened)
3 eggs
1 1/2 tspn vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tspn baking powder
1 1/2 tspn baking soda
3/4 tspn salt
1 1/2 cups sour cream

filling
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 tspn cinnamon

glaze
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tspn vanilla
1 - 2 tbsp milk

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease a tube or bundt pan.
3. Beat eggs, sugar, butter, sour cream, and vanilla together.
4. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.
5. Mix the mixture from step #4 in with the mixture from step #3.
6. In a separate bowl construct the filling. Mix together the brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon.
7. Pour a third of the batter into the tube pan. Top this with a third of the filling.
8. Repeat step #7 two more times.
9. Bake for one hour and then remove from oven and let cool.
10. Construct the glaze by combining the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a sauce pan. Stir these ingredients over medium-low heat until they form a white, clear glaze.
    
11. Drizzle over cake.
12. Optional: Top with additional chopped pecans.
    

Germany [ print this recipe for German Coffee Cake ]

Chocolate Éclair Cake

Chocolate Éclair Cake is inspired by the French classic dessert. This version is fast and easy to prepare and will be a favorite of anyone that loves chocolate.

Ingredients:
1 box graham crackers
2 packages French vanilla pudding
3 1/2 cups of milk
9 oz. cool whip
3 1 oz. squares semi-sweet chocolate
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
3 tspn light corn syrup
1 1/2 tspn vanilla extract
1/8 cup of milk
5 tbsp butter

Preparation:

1. Oil a 9 X 13 inch baking pan.
2. Cover the bottom of the pan with one layer of graham crackers.
3. Mix pudding powder, 3 1/2 cups of milk, and a 9 oz. container of cool whip in a mixer.
4. Put half of the pudding mixture from step #3 over the first layer of graham crackers.
5. Cover the pudding mixture with another layer of graham crackers.
6. Put the remaining pudding mixture on top of the second layer of graham crackers.
7. Put a third layer of graham crackers on top of the second layer of pudding.
8. In a saucepan, add the chocolate, butter, corn syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1/8 cup of milk. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it forms a smooth chocolate mixture.
9. Pour the chocolate mixture over the third layer of graham crackers. You may need to spread it evenly with the back of a spoon so that it covers the entire top of the cake.
10. Cover the top of the pan with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
    

France

Maryland Steamed Blue Crab Recipe

Sorry for the lack of posts last week but I was on a much needed vacation on the Maryland coast. The regional specialty there was steamed blue crabs. You could buy blue crabs almost anywhere already steamed. However, we decided to buy a couple dozen fresh from the docks and steam them up in our own kitchen.

It is a fairly simple process with only a few basic ingredients. The key is obtaining large, fresh blue crabs which may be difficult for anyone that does not live near the central Atlantic coast of the United States. If your fish monger is able to get you some blue crabs, give this recipe a try.

If you're in Maryland and don't have the time or desire to steam them yourself, you should visit Phillips Crab House. They have an incredible seafood buffet featuring all you can eat steamed blue crabs. Their Crab Imperial is not bad either. If you're in Baltimore, you should visit Lexington Market and go to Faidley's for blue crab cakes.


Cantler's Riverside Inn in Annapolis is another great choice to get blue crab served at its finest.

Recommended Equipment:
large metal pot

Ingredients:
water
apple cider vinegar
Old Bay Seasoning
live Blue Crabs

Preparation:

1. Fill the bottom of the pot with equal parts water and vinegar. Fill to a depth of 1 1/2 inches.
2. Heat liquid to a soft, steady boil over medium high heat.
3. Add live blue crabs to the pot in layers. After each layer, sprinkle generous amounts of Old Bay seasoning.
4. After all of the crabs have been added to the pot, cover the pot with the lid and steam the blue crabs for 30 to 35 minutes. Do not remove the lid during the steaming process.
5. Cover the dining table with newspapers and serve the crabs hot with cold beer.
   

United States Maryland

Cajun New York Strip Steak

If you're tired of grilling hamburgers and brats, try Cajun New York Strip Steaks at your next cookout. Cajun Style New Yorks are rich in flavor with just the right amount of spice. This marinade for Cajun Style New York Strip Steaks also works well with ribeye and porterhouse steaks.

Ingredients:
2 - 4 New York strip steaks
1 tbsp sea salt
1 1/2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp oregano leaves, chopped
1 tbsp thyme leaves, chopped
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup canola oil

Preparation:

1. In a container large enough to hold all of the steaks, combine all of the ingredients.
2. Let steaks marinade in the refrigerator overnight.
   
3. Light grill. Place cast iron skillet on grill.
   
4. When grill is hot enough for a drop of water to sizzle, put steaks on the grill.
5. Cook steaks for about 8 to 9 minutes on one side.
   
6. Flip steaks and cook for another 8 to 9 minutes.
7. Remove and let steaks rest for about 8 minutes. Do not cut into the steak to check how much it has cooked.
8. Serve hot.
   

United States Louisiana