Thursday, February 27, 2020

Arepas with Beef Brisket Recipe • A Pre-Colombian Favorite! | Club Foody

My culinary curiosity has no limits. I love trying new recipes, experiencing different cuisines and cooking with exotic spices, herbs and ingredients… it’s fun! I’m lucky that my husband is willing to let me do my “foody” adventures in the kitchen although he’s come around a lot and now wants to try new “dishes” as well… awesome!
 
David and I have a big bucket list of things we’d like to do and places to visit. South America is on that list; Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile (including Easter Island), Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador (Galápagos Islands), and many more…
 
There’s a food item that I was introduced to years ago by Joe, a friend of mine, who was originally from Venezuela. It was quite good and after he wrote down how to make it on a small piece of paper, I never got around to making it until recently. The reason was I wanted another kind of food vessel for my sandwiches and that is when I decided to give it a try with my Arepas with Beef Brisket!
 
These little corn cakes are so delicious! They can be an accompaniment for cheese, meat, fish, eggs or spreads as well as being used just like bread for sandwiches, slicing them in half. That’s the reason why I made these Arepas so I can enjoy my Beef Brisket sandwich with a pre-Columbian flair to it.
 
Apparently, arepas have been around for over 2500 years. Although this is a popular cultural food item and considered to be a symbol of gastronomy in Venezuela, it has also been one in Colombia. Both countries enjoy this corn cake daily and claim that it’s theirs. They make a great food vessel for sandwiches and are so easy to prepare. They are made with maize flour giving a slight sweet taste. When grilled, fried or baked, they become crunchy with a soft texture. It’s an interesting taste… definitely not your everyday “bread”. In my opinion, they remind me vaguely of tortillas.
 
Here’s a quick tip to successfully make arepas. When mixing the masarepa (pre-cooked corn meal) in the hot water by hand, it might get hard to blend it all. Just add 1 tablespoon of hot water at the most so you can finish blending it. Now after resting for 10 minutes, when forming them into disk, if the sides start cracking a lot, add another tablespoon of hot water, mixing well after the addition.
 
There are many different sandwiches you can make with these corn cakes such as Arepa Reina Pepiada which is a chicken salad with avocado, or my favorite one… Arepa Gatira which is made with chicken, gouda cheese along with sofrito sauce as well as another popular one which is filled with pulled pork, avocado and tomatoes and it’s called Arepa Pernil. You can always try my Arepas with Beef Brisket… they’re pretty good!
Bon Appétit!
 
Check out these delicious bread recipes…
– French Baguettes
– Cheddar Biscuits
– Mexican Cornbread
– Dinner Rolls
– Indian Naan Bread
– Hamburger Buns
– Mediterranean Olive Bread
and for even more International recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • International

For ingredient amounts and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/recipe/arepas-with-beef-brisket/

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Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe • A Decadent Dessert! | Club Foody

If you have been following me for a while, you know that New Orleans along with other great destinations is on my bucket list. Well, guess what guys? I’m finally going this year with my husband David and our friends Kelly & Wilf including Michelle & Murray.
 
I can’t wait to go and try some of their signature dishes like JambalayaOysters RockefellerMaque Choux, Gumbo, Shrimp Étouffée, Po Boy, Andouille Sausage, Beignets and many more as well as this featured recipe… Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie!
 
Today is Mardi Gras and what a great time to post this scrumptious dessert! Since we have been together, David has his favorite pies like Apple Cheese and Bumbleberry. One that he’s always liked since childhood is pecan pie but now with the addition of dark chocolate and bourbon, he likes it even more.
 
The subtle flavor of bourbon gives this pie a nice flavor. It’s a great one to make for the chocoholics out there. This decadent Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is sure to please you and your guests especially if you are hosting a Mardi Gras party!
 
For the crust I use my Foolproof Pie Dough and trust me, that’s the only recipe the crust doesn’t turn into a brick. There’s also a handy kitchen trick when handling sticky ingredients such as corn syrup that you should know. To find out more about it, click on this link… Measuring Honey, Syrup or Molasses without Sticking
 
While I’m a bit impatient about going on our trip to New Orleans with David and our friends, I can still make popular recipes like this Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie! If I play some soft Jazz and close my eyes at the same time while I’m enjoying this yummy dessert, it almost feels like I’m at the Big Easy somewhere in the French Quarter…
Bon Appétit!
 
Check out these other delicious pie recipes…
– Tarte au Sucre • Sugar Pie
– Lemon Meringue Pie
– Silk & Satin Chocolate Pie
– Pumpkin Pie
– Key Lime Pie
and for even more dessert recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Dessert

For ingredient amounts and much more, visit

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Saturday, February 22, 2020

Roasted Garlic • Easy Methods - Tips & Tricks | Club Foody

I always have many different ingredients on hand in my kitchen because I constantly cook with them. One of them is garlic which I keep in my little garlic “house”. I love garlic because of its taste but also for its nutrients and health benefits. It has vitamin B and C plus important minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus and zinc.
 
It also helps to reduce high blood pressure. Unfortunately my mother suffers from low blood pressure so she has to stay away from garlic or have very little of it. On the other hand, my cousins who both have high cholesterol, started to increase their garlic intake along with 1 tablespoon of raw oats in the morning. That was the only thing they changed and their doctor couldn’t believe the positive results. I wish they could reduce their sodium intake a little…
 
Apparently another positive aspect of garlic is it can reduce the risk of digestive tract cancer and strengthen your immune system. My grandmother was a firm believer of drinking boiled garlic water during the cold season. Very seldom did she ever have a cold…
 
Garlic can be cooked in many different ways: fried, sautéed, boiled, or baked. Here are a few methods I like to use for my Roasted Garlic!
 
There’s the famous one with a whole head of garlic wrapped in foil. If you want to stay away from the aluminum, you can always wrap it first with parchment paper and then foil. Another method I use is to place them in a loaf pan and then cover with parchment, then foil. Even just foil is fine because it doesn’t touch the garlic. The other alternative is with a muffin pan where I place my heads of garlic and then cover again with parchment and foil. This was one of my aunt’s favorite ways to cook hers because she was always roasting a lot at the same time and froze them for later use. A cooking vessel I like to use for my Roasted Garlic is my mini cocotte and simply put the lid on.
 
There are a couple stove top methods to roast them. If you only need a couple cloves you can just dry-roast them by placing them in a small skillet over medium heat leaving the skin on and sautéeing until they are blackened on all sides. They won’t be as caramelized as they would be in the oven but it’s a quick way to get some for a recipe – it takes about 20 minutes. You can also add a few to a small skillet on medium heat with about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of canola, grapeseed or olive oil. When it just starts to sizzle, turn the heat down to medium-low and toss them around in oil to coat. When done (about 30 minutes or so), remove them with a slotted spoon. Don’t throw your garlic infused-oil, keep it a in glass jar for other recipes like soups, meat, vegetables, dressing, etc…
 
Every time I roasted garlic, I either pour on a little oil or even water which cuts down on the calories. I also like to have fun with it by mixing in some herbs with my oil or water… why not! It gives a very subtle flavor to the garlic. You can also add a little Chili Oil to it…
 
Roasted Garlic is amazing and can be used in so many recipes like in garlic mashed potatoes (coming in 2021), hummus, etc. Choose between the different methods above and freeze them so you can always have some on hand for your recipes…
Bon Appétit!
 
Check out these great kitchen tips & tricks…
– Buttermilk from Scratch
– Secret to Better Freezer Meat Storage
– Perfect Meringue
– Beurre Manié
– Blanching Tomatoes for Cooking & Canning – How to
– Homemade Mixed Spice – Épices Mélangées
and for more handy kitchen tips and tricks, click on this link… Recipe Category – Tips & Tricks
 
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For more info, visit


Thursday, February 20, 2020

Meat Lasagna Recipe • Best Lasagna Ever! | Club Foody

I have a few weaknesses when it comes to food and pasta is definitely one of them. There are so many variations when making pasta; the sauce can be either rosé, tomato, cream, butter, meat or vodka/tequila with some vegetables, different types of cheese along with different sizes and shapes of pasta, plain or flavored like whole wheat, carrot, beet, spinach, etc.
 
There are also many different pasta recipes like Spaghetti Carbonara, Gnocchi, Pappardelle Ragu, Penne all’Arrabbiata, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Mac & Cheese, and so on. What a beautiful range of different dishes to choose from… no wonder I like pasta so much!
 
There’s a pasta dish I have been making for over 30 years now and it’s a success every time! The first time David tried it, he was hooked and was begging me to make it more often. The dish I’m talking about is my Meat Lasagna! This dish is incredibly tasty. Using a few different types of deli meats (trust me… the combination is awesome!) along with cheeses and other fresh ingredients, this delicious dish is very different from others you may have tried.
 
Does it take time to assemble this Meat Lasagna? Yes but definitely not as much as my Ultimate 8 Cheese Vegetable Lasagna. It’s fairly quick to put together considering this is such a big dish… You can always ask your little ones (or not so little ones… lol!) to help you with it. This recipe is perfect for a large group.
 
This Meat Lasagna is another flavorful casserole to add among the others like Turkey TetrazziniFrankie’s Macaroni, etc. So for your next big family gathering or pot luck, make this incredible tasty pasta dish… it will definitely be a big hit!
Bon Appétit!
 
Check out these incredible pasta recipes…
– Zucchini Pork Penne
– Lady Athena’s Rockin’ Crab Shell Pasta
– Orzo with Chicken & Asiago
– Roasted Red Pepper & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Sauce
– Potato Gnocchi
– Creamy Shrimp Linguine
and for even more pasta and pizza recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Pasta & Pizza

For ingredient amounts and much more, visit

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Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Herb & Butter Rice Recipe • A Great Side Dish to Try! | Club Foody

When I started making rice as a side dish, I was using a popular brand. Later on I was buying the pre-seasoned rice packages from the same manufacturer until I started reading the ingredients. That alone threw me off… enough that I never bought it again.
 
In the past, I posted a couple of rice recipes like my Wild Rice Pilaf with Porcini, Cranberries & Toasted Almonds as well as my Indian Basmati with Dry Fruits. Today I’m sharing another one with you… my Herb & Butter Rice! With a great balance of seasoning, this rice can be served with many dishes. One that we always like to pair it with is David’s Hawaiian Chicken Curry… very nice!
 
The beauty with this Herb & Butter Rice dish is it’s very flavorful… perfect to serve with many proteins. It won’t steal the show from your main dish but will definitely complement it well.
 
This side is made with a combination of rice and pasta. Initially, I was making it just with rice. I got the idea of combining these two together when I was invited over for dinner by a friend and she used another popular brand with seasoning included in the box. Although it was quite good (it has to be otherwise they wouldn’t be selling any…), I knew the drill with the little packet of dry seasoning… no thank you!
 
It might take 5 minutes longer to cook than the commercial rice packages but at least you know what goes in it. I make this delicious Herb & Butter Rice often and I’m sure you will too after trying this tasty side dish…
Bon Appétit!
 
Here are delicious side dish recipes for you to try…
– Green Beans with Chili-Orange Oil
– Mixed Mashed Potatoes
– Mushroom Risotto
– Squash à la Canadienne
– Creamed Spinach • Steakhouse Style
– Grand Marnier Glazed Carrots
and for even more side dish and vegetable recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sides & Vegetables

For ingredient amounts, directions and much more, visit https://clubfoody.com/recipe/herb-butter-rice/

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Thursday, February 13, 2020

Pineapple Banana Bread with Coconut & Macadamia Recipe | Club Foody

Fresh produce, vegetables and fruits, are good for us. They have great nutrients that contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and much more which are an important part of a healthy diet. By including them in our everyday diet, we can reduce the risk for some chronic diseases.
 
Every week David and I buy a variety of vegetables and fruits. Sometimes though, some go bad quickly and I can’t stand throwing them in the garbage so I simply have to salvage them. The best example is “bananas”. Many times, these healthy little guys go bad within a few days. When I see they are on their way out, I store them in the freezer for later use.
 
I like to use frozen bananas in smoothies or other baked goods like muffins, cakes or breads. Years ago I shared my Marbled Chocolate Pecan Banana Bread with you. It was slightly different than the regular classic bread which I don’t mind but it’s always fun to step out, creating new versions like my Pineapple Banana Bread with Macadamia & Coconut!
 
This original bread is amazing! With tropical ingredients, this Pineapple Banana Bread with Macadamia & Coconut will take you to the islands of Hawaii! It’s fresh and moist and the flavor is absolutely delicious! Although I have other versions of banana bread in my folder, this one is my favorite…
 
Quick and easy to make, this is an incredible breakfast or brunch item you definitely have to bake. Next time you open your freezer and see those frozen bananas sitting there, take them out and bake this amazing Pineapple Banana Bread with Macadamia & Coconut bread… you’ll love every bite…
Bon Appétit!
 
Check out these tasty breakfast recipes…
– Ooey-Gooey Cinnamon Buns
– Breakfast Quinoa Cereal with Mixed Berries
– Shakshouka
– Quiche Lorraine
– Healthy Homemade Granola
– Breakfast Burritos
and for even more bread recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Bread

For ingredient amounts and much more, visit

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Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Fondue Bourguignonne Recipe • Beef Bouillon Fondue | Club Foody

For some unknown reason, several popular foods from certain eras disappeared or just became less famous. Back in the 70s’ and 80s’, there were many that we enjoyed and suddenly… they were gone! Why? I can’t explain but one thing is for sure, they were incredibly tasty…
 
There’s one that was a favorite of mine because when I was a young inexperienced cook, I was entertaining my family and friends with it. It was easy to make with not too much to do. After making a few homemade sauces (that’s never been a problem for me) and prepping the broth, this dish is pretty much done. I’m talking about Fondue Bourguignonne also known as Beef Fondue…
 
What is fun about this dish is your guests get to cook their own meat. To serve a great Fondue Bourguignonne, the sauces are the key and today I’m sharing a dozen of them with you … it’s sure to satisfy all your guests.
 
Another plus about this dish is nobody has to rush… everyone eats at their own pace. With Valentine’s Day coming soon, this is a romantic dinner you can have with your partner; just add some candle light, nice smooth music and a great bottle of wine… you know exactly where I’m going with this.
 
There’s a similar version called Chinese Fondue from Québec – now let’s not confuse this with another Chinese Fondue (also known as Chinese Hot Pot) where meat and vegetables are cooked together in a pot filled with broth. The difference between the two (Chinese Fondue from Québec and Fondue Bourguignonne) is the thickness of the meat. The meat for Chinese Fondue (still from Québec) is thinly sliced , while in Bourguignonne it’s cubed. David and I prefer it cubed but if you want to try the thinner version, just ask your butcher to slice it for you.
 
What I like to serve along with my Fondue Bourguignonne is different types of vegetables that can be skewered such as cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, etc. Baked or roasted potatoes is another great choice to add to this dish. Of course, some fresh bread like Baguettes or Dinner Rolls is a must.
 
This is a great recipe to serve for special occasions. A popular dish back then, it should definitely still be. Surprise your valentine with this Fondue Bourguignonne, take your time and enjoy each other’s company… (wink)
Bon Appétit!
 
1 • CHILI SAUCE
– 1/2 cup chili sauce
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1/4 cup sour cream
– 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
Mix all the ingredients together

2 • HORSERADISH SAUCE
– 1/4 cup sour cream
– 1/4 cup Miracle Whip®
– 1 tbsp. horseradish
Mix all the ingredients together

3 • DIJONNAISE SAUCE
– 1/4 cup Dijonnaise
– 1/4 cup sour cream
– 1 tbsp. prepared mustard
Mix all the ingredients together

4 • JAPANESE SAUCE
– 3 tbsp. kewpi mayonnaise
– 3 tbsp. sour cream
– 1/2 tsp. wasabi paste, or to taste
– 1/4 tsp. ponzu
– 1 tsp. chives
Mix all the ingredients together

5 • ROSÉ SAUCE
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 2 tbsp. ketchup
Mix all the ingredients together. You can also add a little garlic salt or dry mustard.

6 • ONION SAUCE
– 1 envelope onion soup mix
– 12 ounces sour cream
Mix all the ingredients together

7 • DIABLO SAUCE
– 1 tbsp. oil
– 1/2 cup white onions, finely chopped
– 2 large cloves garlic, pressed
– 1 cup ketchup
– 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tsp. white vinegar
In a saucepan over medium heat, add oil and when hot, add onions and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

8 • CHEESE SAUCE
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 3 tbsp. milk
– 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, grated
– 1/2 tsp. hot sauce such as Cholula®
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine all the ingredients. Stir until the cheese is all melted.

9 • CURRY SAUCE
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1/4 cup sour cream
– 1 1/2 tbsp. curry powder
– 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
Mix all the ingredients together

10 • CHUTNEY SAUCE
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 1/4 cup chutney
– 2 tbsp. sour cream
– 2 tsp. dry mustard
Mix all the ingredients together

11 • SIMPLE CHILI SAUCE
– 1/2 cup chili sauce
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Mix all the ingredients together

12 • BBQ SAUCE
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1/4 cup sour cream
– 3 tbsp. BBQ sauce of your choice
Mix all the ingredients together
 
Here are some other elegant recipes for you to try…
– Red Snapper en Papillote
– Braised Beef Short Ribs with Sherry & Shiitake
– Spanish Paella
– Pork Tenderloin Vitali
– Sautéed Scallops with Beurre Blanc
– Veal Ossobuco
– Fettuccine alle Vongole – Clam Fettuccine
and for even more recipes like these, click on this link… Recipe Category • Elegant Cuisine

For ingredient amounts and much more, visit 


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