theredstove

hi-def food

This photo was processed with a new technique called HDR. The idea is to take several pictures of the same subject, at different exposures, and combine them into a single  image that is closer to the way our eyes see the world. Shadows are rich and full of detail. Colors are deep and vivid.

Food is not easy to photograph. We eat with our eyes, any color that's off in the slightest will ruin our appetite. That's why so much of modern food photography is blurry, only a small part of the subject may be in focus. The thing is, who sees food like this?

I think HDR could be a great tool to show food in a more realistic light. More HDR photos are on the way, here at Theredstove.

World Food Day

World Food Day is celebrated on the 16th of October. The Food and Agriculture Organization  of the United Nations runs World Food Day and this year's event will concentrate on food aid to struggling countries. Read their site and find out all the good work they are up to. You may find something you could do to help.

monte cristo sandwich

This is a sandwich that has been grilled in hotels and restaurants since the beginning of time. It is not for the faint of heart, or diet conscience. They don't call it the Count of Monte Cristo for nothing. This recipe will make two big sandwiches. Making the Count is just like making a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, only it is batter dipped.

monte cristo

Eggs large...2 each
Cream...1/2 cup
Sea salt...1/2 teaspoon
Nutmeg...pinch
Combine all of these ingredients, this is the batter.

Texas sliced bread...4 slices
Ham deli-sliced...4 oz.
Turkey deli-sliced...4 oz.
Cheddar cheese sliced...2 slices
Swiss cheese sliced...2 slices
Butter...2 oz.

• Heat skillet on medium.
• Carefully dip bread into batter, just one side.
• Add butter to the hot skillet,melt, put bread into the skillet batter side down.
• Place 1 slice of cheddar on one slice bread and do the same with the swiss.
• Heat ham and turkey, when hot place on top of the bread with the melted cheese.
• When bread is golden brown, put the two pieces together to make a sandwich.
• Cut into 4 triangles and serve with raspberry jam.

seafood marinade

This is a great marinade for fish, shrimp and scallops. It may used for grilled seafood or as a marinade for raw shrimp and scallops. If used as a marinade for raw seafood, make sure that the seafood is as fresh as can be and allow the seafood 2 hours to 'cook' in the marinade. If used as a marinade for grilled fish, 15 minuets will be just fine to pick up the flavors. Serve the marinated seafood with guacamole and grilled pita bread.

seafood marinade

Lime juice fresh... 16 oz.
Garlic clove fresh chopped...10 cloves
Cilantro fresh chopped... 1/4 bunch
Sea salt...2 teaspoons
Cumin...2 teaspoons
Black pepper fresh...1 teaspoon

chocolate sauce

This recipe is dedicated to all the boys and girls that love chocolate. The most important element of this very easy to make classic sauce is a high quality chocolate. What you put this sauce on is your own business. Make it for someone that you love.

classic chocolate sauce

Milk...2 cups
Cream whipping...3 1/3 tablespoons
Sugar...1/2 cup
Butter unsalted...5 tablespoons
Semi-sweet chocolate chopped or nibs...28 oz.

• Heat the first 4 ingredients in a nonreactive sauce pan on medium heat until they reach a temperature of 180 degrees, don't boil. This heating of milk is called: scald.
• As soon as the mixture is scalded pour it over the chopped chocolate.
• Stir the mixture until all of the ingredient are well combined.
• It is now ready to put on your favorite...whatever.
• This sauce is excellent hot or cold.

the big crush

This garlic crusher is fast. Just roll once, and you are done. The skin is off and the pulp is ready for use. Ineke Hans did right in this cool stainless steel design. You can buy on at the moma store.

tex-mex cheese enchiladas

Use the red chili sauce from yesterdays post to make these cheese enchiladas.

tex-mex cheese enchiladas

Red chili sauce...1 quart
Corn tortillas...6each
Cheddar cheese extra sharp grated...1 pound
Onions yellow fine dice... 1small
Cilantro fresh chopped...1/4 bunch
Eggs large... 4each

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Heat the red sauce in a saute skillet.
• Mix the cheese,onions and cilantro together.
• Carefully place a tortilla in the hot red sauce just to coat and make pliable...2 or 3 seconds only.
• Place the coated tortilla on a oven proof plate, cover with cheese mixture and a bit of sauce.
• Do this again, just like stacking pancakes.
• Finish the stack with more of the cheese mix.
• Three tortillas is a good portion, more if you so desire, big guy! 
• Place in the oven for a couple of minutes.
• Fry an egg or two, while the cheese melts in the oven.
• Place on top of the stacked enchiladas.
• Dig in!

red chili sauce

It's late summer and all of the green chilies from Hatch New Mexico have been roasted. It was a great crop and it will be tough waiting for next season were it not for  the dried red chili pods from, you guessed it, Hatch.

Here is a recipe for red sauce. I  use this tasty sauce with enchiladas, posole, red chili pork, and a Texas-style chili base.

red chili sauce

Red chili pods (stems and seeds removed )...24 pods
Water...7 cups
Garlic fresh minced...6 cloves
Vegetable oil...2oz.
Sea salt...1 1/2 tablespoons
Unbleached flour...2oz.

• Wash the chilies remove the stems and seeds.
• Place in a pan with the water and bring to a boil.
• Turn heat down and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Remove the chilies from the water and save the stock.
• Place the chilies,garlic, 1/2 of the reserved stock and salt in a food processor and spin until the mixture is a brick red paste.
• Heat a sauce pan and add the oil and flour, cook roux until light brown add the chili paste and cook for 5 minutes.
• Gradually add the remaining stock, until the sauce is thickened to the degree that you like.
• It will be like red gravy... yum.
• Cook the sauce for an additional 10 minutes.

See tomorrows post for Tex-Mex cheese enchiladas, made with this delicious sauce.

two heartburn treatments

Researchers at Stanford have found that citrus fruits, caffeine and spicy foods do not cause heartburn.

The study found that eating less and elevating the head of your bed, thus preventing stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus during sleep, were the two most effective ways to prevent heartburn.

different potato salad

Tired of the same old potato salad, want a new taste, try this.

Mix gently the following ingredients and allow to rest together for a couple of hours.

Baby Bella mushrooms sliced thin...8oz.
Celery strings removed thin sliced...8oz.
Red skin potatoes cooked, cooled,sliced thin...8oz.
Artichoke-bottoms sliced thin...8oz.
Place in glass bowl and toss with:
Extra virgin olive oil...3oz.
Champagne vinegar...1oz.
Chives fresh snipped...1 teaspoon
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

This salad would be perfect served along side a wood grilled rib-eye steak.