Armenian Ratatouille from Mama Metafora

 

Jeanette Arax Melnick: examples from The Donkey Calendar 2022 PLUS her 2020 calendar for NJWO

 Before the placement below of her commissioned 2020 calendar, here are a few panels from Jeanette's new 2022 Donkey Calendar, a sort of love poem:

January

July

December

Here are the leaves of her 2020 calendar commissioned by New Jersey Wind Orchestra:

Video of Jeanette's art show PLUS Mama Metafora's Gingerbread Boy 2020-2021: Recipes. Peace and good health for the new year

Video of Jeanette Arax Melnick's Art Show:

                                Recipes for the 2020-21 Gingerbread Boy:                    

  In the 1980s. our family lived in Cambridge, England, for a year.  During the holidays, it was too expensive to send packages back to friends and family in the states. So we made these little recipe booklets, called the Gingerbread Boy.  When we came back home, we continued the tradition.  After a few years the booklets became letters, and email, when it came, made things even easier. Some years, the winter holiday “Gingerbread Boy” was sent out as a Valentine.  This helped keep the holidays less stressful.  This year I am sending it out during Christmas and Chanukah due to extra time on our hands from being in quarantine.

            Danny‘s Kalamata Olive Pasta

For four servings - Ingredients:
  Half a cup of pitted, drained ,and chopped kalamata olives
   2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  About one cup of chopped fresh tomatoes - little grape or cherry tomatoes are good in the winter
  3 Tablespoons olive oil
   Seasonings - a pinch of salt (olives already provide some salt); pepper to taste. If you like heat you can add crushed red pepper, or a jalapeño which you can sauté with the tomatoes.
  Herbs - a teaspoon dry or Tablespoon fresh - you can use basil, oregano, thyme , or herb of   
      your choice
  8 ounces pasta - linguini type works well
   Optional - freshly chopped parsley
Procedure
  1. Sauté garlic in olive oil-but don’t brown the garlic.  Add the tomatoes, and seasonings and herbs.  Sauté for about ten minutes while cooking the pasta.
  2. Drain pasta and add to olive-tomato mixture.  Can mix in some fresh chopped parsley if desired.
   I bring the frying pan to the table and serve from there - it's easy, fast, and yummy with a green salad.

                     

Something Sweet - Blondies

     These blondies are a great hit with our grandchildren, and also their parents.
Fast, easy and they freeze well.  Do not need a mixer!
Ingredients:
8oz. Butter(2 sticks), melted.  I use unsalted for baking.
1 and 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed lightly
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs and one egg yolk - large size eggs
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

Instructions
1.prepare a 9” by 13” baking pan by buttering or lining with parchment paper. Preheat 
  oven to 350 degrees.
2.Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder in bowl.
3. In another bowl combine and stir well the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated
    sugar and stir well.  Add the eggs and egg yolk and stir until smooth.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter-egg mixture until completely combined.

If you want add-ons, this is the time. Possibilities: 2/3 cup chocolate chips-dark or white chocolate, a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.  Alas, our grandchildren like them without add-ons - one of them likes them plain, the others likes the simple icing i put on once they have cooled.  Recipe at end.

5. Mix in add-ons if using them.

6. Spread batter in prepared pan and put in oven-middle rack.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes-until toothpick placed in center of pan comes out clean.
8. Cut after blondies have cooled on a rack.  

When cool and before cutting, you can add a simple icing - I melt 4 oz. of butter and dark chocolate (chips or cut small) melted, cooled for about 5 minutes and spread on the cooled blondies.  I usually frost only half the pan, for those who prefer the blondies without icing.

Poppy Seed Lemon Squares

 Poppy Seed Lemon Squares

I offered to bring cookies to a recent event and my "Why Didn't You Make More Cookies" we're requested (from mamametafora.com post on  February 27, 2016). This was the recipe I developed for lemons sent by my dear friend from California - it was a poppy seed thumbprint cookie topped with homemade lemon curd.  I took them to a friend's party and they were gone within minutes. Many guests asked "Why didn't you make more?' Hence the cookie's name.  

However, a recent request was denied for lack of time. But now I have come up with a quicker and very nice alternative - a variation on classic lemon squares. These were also a big hit. and they are much faster to make.

Crust-preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place rack in bottom 1/3 of oven, and use an 8-inch square pan, lined with foil.

8 Tablespoons unsalted butter(one stick) softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar.

1/8 teaspoon salt 

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1. Melt butter which has been cut in chunks in medium saucepan over medium heat.  Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and salt.  Mix flour with poppy seeds and add to the pan. Mix a little, just until the flour is incorporated.

2. Press the dough evenly over the bottom of the pan, and bake for about 20 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.

Topping

1/2 cup  plus 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

1 and 1/2 Tablespoons flour

2 eggs

1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel

1/4 cup lemon juice

1. While crust is baking, stir the sugar and flour together in a medium bowl until well mixed.

Whisk in the eggs, stir in the lemon juice and zest.

2. When crust is ready, turn oven down to 300 degrees F. Pour filling over the crust.

3. Bake about 15 minutes or until topping is puffed at the edges and no longer jiggles in the pan when tapped.

4. Set on rack to cool completely.  Lifting ends of foil, transfer to cutting board.

Use sharp knife to cut into 16 or 25 squares.  I do the 25 - less calories.

5. Sieve powdered sugar on the bars just before serving.

The lemon bars may be stored in the refrigerator, airtight, for about 3 days.  I usually freeze the extras.  

Cartoons from Arax - 2018

New cartoon from Arax - Trump and Putin

CANNELÉ FROM BORDEAUX

CANNELÉ FROM BORDEAUX

This winter, looking in Trader Joe's freezer I saw something new to me-Cannele-I liked the look of the little cakes on the box, the intriguing description of a dark firm exterior and a custardy interior.  I also liked the calories-only about 120 per small cake-lovely with coffee or tea.  We brought them home and Papa and I loved them-a good and lightish dessert.

But alas, sometimes Trader Joe's was out of them for a long time.  Then as I was looking through a favorite baking book by Dorie Greenspan, "Cooking Chez Moi" I noticed a Cannele recipe.  I found out they are from Bordeaux but are available in Paris and other parts of France. Traditionally they were baked in copper molds brushed with beeswax. Today most bakers use silicone molds and no beeswax.  Papa and I went online and ordered a silicone mold(about  $20) which were the exact size and shape of the Trader Joe product.  Easy recipe, no mixer needed-just an overnight refrigeration of the batter between baking.  The recipe was wonderful-even better than the Trader Joe's version if I must say so myself.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups milk(Greenspan calls for whole milk-but 2% is just fine)

Sugar divided:3/4 Cup and 1/2 cup

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter(one ounce)

1 cup flour(I use unbleached-whatever)

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

3 Tablespoons dark rum

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract -optional

Procedure

1. Bring milk, 3/4 cup sugar, and the butter to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Bring the mixture to a boil in a medium saucepan, occasionally stirring.  Remove from heat, let cool for 10 to 15 minutes-will still feel hot to touch.
2. Sift the flour and remaining 1/2 cup sugar onto a piece of wax paper. Have a strainer ready.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs and egg yolk together with a whisk until blended.  Keep whisking while adding the hot milk-slowly at first. Add the flour mixture and whisk with energy.  When the batter is pretty smooth(a few lumps won't be a problem) strain it into a large bowl.  Discard the lumps that remain in the strainer.
4. Whisk in rum and vanilla.  I often omit the vanilla, but the rum, never!
5. Refrigerate the batter overnight -at least 12 hours.
6. Brush the Cannele molds with melted butter and put mold in the freezer.  With the silicone molds, I ordered I only had to do the butter thing once-after that they come out like a dream.  I put the molds in the freezer when I put the batter in the fridge -so I won't forget and need to wait for the molds.
7. Baking: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Take pan from freezer, pour batter into molds about 3/4 full.  Place mold on rack with a cookie sheet covered with parchment underneath.  Bake at 400 degrees for ten minutes then turn down the heat to 375 degrees.  I usually bake them for another hour-you want the canneles pretty dark-so you will need to play with the time a bit -all ovens are different.
8. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes so they will hold their shape.  Then turn them out on a cooling rack. (I just use the rack they were baked on.)
9. They are delicious warm or at room temperature.  These canneles freeze beautifully. 

Yield-16 little cakes-my pan makes 8 canneles -since I have only one pan, I just put the pan back in the freezer and bakes the remaining 8 the next day, or even the day after.

Information about the Cannele pan I ordered: the brand I found online is called-LEKUE(with accents over each "e" and they seem to be from Spain.  The quality seems excellent.  My pans are the 8 cup(as in 8 cakes-not measuring 8 cups)CANNELE BORDELAIS(REF. 0621108)

More political cartoons from Arax

      

          

New political cartoons - the start of "The Infernal" cartoons - also one on Trump's wall

About Trump and his wall:

Inspired by Dante's Inferno, here are the first of a series of political cartoons titled "The Infernal."

Another political cartoon from J. A.!

Arax political cartoon about Election day 2018

A new political cartoon from J:

Why not bleach?

Dutch Baby(Dutch Pancake)

Hello. I am Liam, the grandson... And it's story time. Once upon a time, a child and his grandma made a Dutch baby for his little sister and cousin. The cousin loved it and asked for the recipe. And here I am... Talking about it.

Liam

This pancake can have syrup on top or powdered sugar... Or both.

Recipe Time!

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter,softened

2 eggs, large

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup of milk

Pinch of salt

1.Heat oven to 400 degrees.  

2.Spread butter on bottom and sides of a 9" pie plate

3.Put eggs in medium bowl, beat with wire whisk or handheld egg beater.

4.Beat in flour, milk, and salt. Gently mix, Avoid overbeating  so pancake will puff.

5.Pour batter into buttered pie plate

6.Bake 25-30 minutes. Pancake is done when puffy and deep golden brown. 

7.Serve immediately sprinkle with powdered sugar or syrup. Or both. Dutch Baby can also be sprinkled with fresh lemon juice or topped with fruit.

Note: Dutch Baby doesn't stay puffy but it still tastes good.

More political cartoons from Artemis

There are several more political cartoons from Artemis at https://www.facebook.com/Artemispoliticalcartoons/

Papa's Caesar Salad

Papa's Caesar Salad (added recipes - and political cartoons - are forthcoming):

     This version of Caesar salad is a big hit and is often requested at pot lucks. Papa generally doubles the recipe for such occasions.

Ingredients : 1/2 large head of romaine lettuce, 1/4 baguette or crusty Italian bread, olive oil(extra virgin), 2 fresh garlic cloves, fresh lemon, salt, mayo (we use either Hellman's or our homemade  vegan mayo - recipe for vegan mayo at end of this recipe), Parmesan cheese, and avocado (optional )     

Procedure

1. Prepare croutons: cut bread into 1/2 inch pieces, crust and all. You will have about 1 1/2 to 2 cups bread.  In a skillet warm 1 tablespoon olive oil, add one clove garlic (either minced or crushed ). As soon as garlic begins to color, add the croutons. Mix around until croutons are mixed in with the garlic and oil. Place in preheated 375 degree oven and bake until toasty, 10-15 minutes.  Let cool.

2. Thoroughly rinse 1/2 head of large romaine lettuce.  Spin or towel dry.  Tear into medium pieces into salad bowl.

3. Dressing : whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, juice of one fresh lemon, with 1/2 teaspoon salt (and optionally a half teaspoon of wine vinegar); then whisk in 2 tablespoon of mayo.  (You can substitute the vegan homemade mayo  which will be in a recipe following this one).

4. Grate  1/4 cup parmesan cheese,medium size on grater (i.e. not too fine).

5.Avocado-this is optional, but not to papa, who uses about 1/2 of an avocado, sliced  into pieces, and puts the pieces directly into the dressing until he is ready to serve.

6. To serve: Toss salad with the dressing (and avacado, if using), then toss with the croutons and Parmesan cheese.  Eat soon after tossing.

Homemade Vegan Mayo

     I had stopped making mayo for the same reason I don't use raw eggs in my chocolate mousse-the possibility of salmonella et al.  So when I discovered a healthy alternative, made with the liquid of canned garbanzo beans, I tried it, loved it, and nobody could tell the difference between this mayo and my usual  brand Hellman's(which I believe is still called "Best Foods" in the western United States.)

Only one problem: an immersion blender is needed for this recipe.

Vegan Mayo

15 oz. can of garbanzos(chickpeas)

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teas salt, preferably sea salt

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

3/4 cup vegetable oil (I generally use safflower oil)

1. Reserve the liquid from the drained chickpeas.  The chickpeas you can save for another use such as salads  or hummus.
2. Measure 1/4 cup of this liquid into your immersion blender container.  This liquid is  called "aquafaba" (Latin words for water and bean). Use a little less liquid if your first batch comes out too thin for your taste.
3. Add lemon juice, salt, mustard and mix with immersion blender to combine.
4. With blender running, add your oil in a slow,steady stream.  This process will take four or five minutes to emulsify and thicken.
5. I now put my mayo in a glass jar and refrigerate it.  How long does it last?  Good question.  I used a two week old batch yesterday for deviled eggs and it was as good as fresh made.   

Five Political Cartoons

Here are five cartoons by Mama Metafora. About the first, some Sanders supporters were concerned about my presenting Hillary Clinton as President. I'm a staunch believer in the secret ballot and am not here disclosing my preference, but cartoonists are often realistic and I expect her to be the Democratic nominee. Of course, the point of the cartoon is that a Democrat wins the 2016 election.

Choreg, Armenian Easter Bread: Great Anytime

      I love egg based breads, whether it be Jewish challah, French brioche, tsoureki tou paska (Greek Easter bread), or the Italian pane di Pasqua - all are delicious.  My earliest memories of egg bread go back to earliest childhood and Armenian Choreg, which would be my memories answer to Proust's madeleines, such an iconic memory are these small braided sweetbreads to me.  Of course my mom and aunt made the best Choreg in California - of course.  Though made with yeast, this is a more time-consuming recipe, than it is difficult.  I usually bring the dough to the first rising, then divide the dough in half, freezing it for future baking.

Choreg

Ingredients 

4 cups(plus) unbleached flour (these doughs always need more or less flour  

    depending on the flour)

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground mahlab (optional). But I love the flavor of this spice from the 

   kernel of the black cherry stone with its sweet fragrance.  Available at

   Middle East markets.  Keep in freezer to ensure freshness.

2/3 cup milk, low fat, 1 or 2 percent is fine.

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 1/2 teaspoons dried yeast (preferably not rapid rise - it's usually the amount in one 

      individual package)

1/4 cup warm (not hot) water mixed with 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Note: depending on my energy level I mix my choreg either  by hand(high energy) or for lower energy days, in my mixer (I have a kitchen aid), starting with the paddle attachment then changing to the dough hook after about half of the flour has been added.  Even with the mixer a few minutes of hand kneading with a bit of bench flour is necessary.

1. In large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and Mahlab (if using); set aside.
2. Heat milk in saucepan, then add butter until melted.  Cool to lukewarm.
3. Proof yeast: in measuring cup mix 1/4 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon sugar.  Sprinkle yeast over water.  After a minute or so mix yeast in with fork and set in a warmish place.  Should start rising within several minutes.
4. Whisk eggs in large bowl.  Add milk-butter mixture.  While mixture is luke warm, add the proofed yeast (sometimes the yeast doesn't rise, so you need to do step 3 again - it's rare, happened only twice in my 55 years of baking).
5. Add the flour-sugar mixture about a cup at a time until dough no longer can absorb the flour.  Transfer dough to a lightly floured board and knead adding flour until dough is no longer sticky.  Some judgement needed here, since this dough will not be as dry as most bread doughs lacking butter and eggs.
6. Place dough in a large buttered bowl, cover with towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about two hours.
7. "Punch " down the dough.  If dough feels too sticky at this point, knead in more flour, a little at a time.  As mentioned above, I immediately freeze half the dough for use in the next three  months. (When ready to use, simply thaw out the dough and proceed as follows).
8. On lightly floured board, pinch off enough dough to make balls approximately 2 1/2 inches in circumference. Roll each ball into rope shape approximately index finger width (about ten inches long).  Then make a simple two strand braid (see picture above). Place each braid on parchment lined cookie sheet (the heavier insulated cookie sheets such as cushion-aire, work best since they keep the bottoms from browning too much.)  Continue making the braids, placing them a couple of inches apart, they double in size from the yeast action.  Repeat using another parchment-lined cookie sheet until the dough is used up. (Any extra dough can also be covered and refrigerated for a couple of days.) Now follow the next stage for second rising:

1. Cover Choregs with tea towel for second rising.  This usually takes about 45 minutes, so after a half hour of rising time, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix one egg yolk with a tablespoon of water and gently brush over the raised choregs just before putting cookie sheet in oven. (You can chill second cookie sheet in fridge so it stops rising while first batch bakes.)
3. Bake for eight minutes, then turn the cookie sheet around in oven to ensure even baking.  Bake an additional 7 minutes or more until the Choregs are light golden brown.  Bake second cookie sheet in same way.  Let cool for five minutes on sheet, then transfer Choregs to wire rack to cool.  Eat that same day.  Any choreg left over should be frozen, since they are not as wonderful the next day.  Enjoy with tea, coffee, or as bread with a meal.

Note: for this type of recipe, or any baking you do, I highly recommend an oven thermometer which can be affordable - some good ones are $10.  My oven was 25 degrees too low, while my former stove was 50 degrees too high.  It happens.

Poppy seed "thumbprint" cookies with lemon curd filling

 Why Didn't You Make More Cookies ? [see update at the end here - 9/2/18]

         

         With any wonderful new recipe there seems to be a story.  This started with two ingredients.  The first were Meyer lemons, plump juicy ones, my oldest (not oldest in age, but oldest in time known) friend Janeen sent me from Chico, California.  The second were poppy seeds I bought on a trip to our local Penzey's (a wonderful spice and herb store).  Magic happened when I combined my favorite thumbprint cookies with the poppy seeds and substituted home made lemon curd for the jam, using the Meyer lemons.  Everywhere I serve these cookies huge raves follow.  The Meyer lemons are long gone but regular lemons work very nicely, though you may need more of them, since they are less juicy.  Perhaps you have an excellent lemon curd that you purchase, and it would probably work well too. I make enough to freeze since these cookies freeze very well.

Thumbprint Cookies

         Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Ungreased cookie sheets.  Yield: 48 cookies

2 cups flour (gently spooned into measuring cup to avoid too tightly packing the flour)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter(2 sticks) - bossy tip: nothing but butter for the great taste. Room 

   temperature.

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup poppy seeds (I keep these in the freezer to ensure freshness along with other 

       seeds and nuts).

1. Combine flour and salt in small bowl, I use whisk to mix thoroughly.
2. Cream butter and sugar  until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in flour, about 1/2 cup at a time. 
4. Gently mix in poppy seeds
5. At this point I usually freeze half the dough unless I need a large batch of cookies.

  6. Shape dough into one inch balls, spacing the cookies 2 inches apart on 

       ungreased cookie sheet.

   7. Bake for 5 minutes, remove from oven and make thumbprint in center of each 

       cookie.  Clever tip: cover regular sized wine cork tightly with foil and use cork to 

       make  "thumbprint".  Rinsed off cork can be used again and again.

    8. Return cookies to oven and bake a total of 15 to 20 minutes, turning cookie sheet

         around 1/2 way to ensure even baking. When cookies are golden, remove from 

         oven and cool on wire rack.  

     9. When cookies are completely cooled fill each cookie with lemon curd.  Keep  

          well wrapped in fridge until serving time.  I do this since the lemon curd contains 

         eggs.  If using jam instead, the cookies can be kept at room temperature.(Papa 

         Metafora also loves these cookies filled with apricot jam when there is no lemon

          curd.)

Homemade Lemon Curd

    Basically this is a "Joy of Cooking" recipe, still a bit of a bible for many basic recipes. As mentioned above I was lucky enough to have the wonderfully flavorful and juicy Meyer lemons on hand, a gift from my dear friend, Janeen. Regular lemons will work just fine.

3 large eggs

1/3 cup sugar

Lemon zest, grated from one lemon

1. Whisk the above ingredients together in medium sized stainless steel saucepan until light in color.     Then, Add:
2. 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, strained.
3. 3/4 stick unsalted butter (6 tablespoons), cut in small pieces.
4. Place the saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted.
5. Then whisk constantly until mixture thickens and simmer gently a few seconds. Longer simmering could curdle the eggs, don't want that!
6. Scrape the filling using spatula into medium -mesh sieve placed over a bowl. Let cool, cover and refrigerate until ready to fill cookies.
7. When cookies are completely cool fill evenly with the chilled lemon curd.  May need a small metal spatula to even top.
8. Taste one with tea or coffee.  Very yummy! 

UPDATE on September 2, 2018:  Poppy Seed Lemon Squares

I offered to bring cookies to a recent event and my "Why Didn't You Make More Cookies" we're requested (from mamametafora.com post on  February 27, 2016)This is the recipe I developed for lemons sent by my dear friend from California - it was a poppy seed thumbprint cookie topped with homemade lemon curd.  I took them to a friend's party and they were gone within minutes. Many guests asked "Why didn't you make more?' Hence the cookie's name.  

However, a recent request was denied for lack of time. But not I have come up with a quicker and very nice alternative - a variation on classic lemon squares. These were also a big hit. and they are much faster to make.

Crust-preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place rack in bottom 1/3 of oven, and use an 8-inch square pan, lined with foil.

8 Tablespoons unsalted butter(one stick) softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar.

1/8 teaspoon salt 

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1. Melt butter which has been cut in chunks in medium saucepan over medium heat.  Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and salt.  Mix flour with poppy seeds and add to the pan. Mix a little, just until the flour is incorporated.

2. Press the dough evenly over the bottom of the pan, and bake for about 20 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.

Topping

1/2 cup  plus 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

1 and 1/2 Tablespoons flour

2 eggs

1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel

1/4 cup lemon juice

1. While crust is baking, stir the sugar and flour together in a medium bowl until well mixed.

Whisk in the eggs, stir in the lemon juice and zest.

2. When crust is ready, turn oven down to 300 degrees F. Pour filling over the crust.

3. Bake about 15 minutes or until topping is puffed at the edges and no longer jiggles in the pan when tapped.

4. Set on rack to cool completely.  Lifting ends of foil, transfer to cutting board.

Use sharp knife to cut into 16 or 25 squares.  I do the 25 - less calories.

5. Sieve powdered sugar on the bars just before serving.

The lemon bars may be stored in the refrigerator, airtight, for about 3 days.  I usually freeze the extras.