Stuffed Tomatoes

Earl was looking for any easy appetizer to compliment his duck on the weekend. I haven't yet caught any specifics on how the duck is to be prepared but this appy is an easy one as was part of his request. Thought I'd post it in the mean time (pending more duck info) as I came across this pic last evening whilst doing some long overdue editing of my Christmas footage.

Stuff:cherry tomatoes, equal parts stilton and marscapone, mini shrimp (all as needed)

It: Slice the tops off the tomatoes. I used a baby spoon to scoop out the seeds (great tool...even if you don't happen to have a baby!) without disturbing the natural 'wall'. Blend the 2 cheeses together. Pipe* the mixture into one side of the tomato and place a shrimp on the other side. Done.

*I bought a cake piper with an assortment of tips at my local dollar store. Works like a dream...for a buck!

Pear and Potato Soup

3 Green Anjou pears, peeled, cored and diced
2 large yellow potatoes, peeled and diced
3 leeks, washed and sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of extra old white cheddar (2yrs or older), crumbled
1/4 cup of butter
3-4 cups of chicken stock
1/8 tsp white pepper
few dashes of allspice

Melt the butter in a stock pot. Then add the garlic, pears and potatoes. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the leeks and seasonings and cook for another few minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce and let simmer for 10 minutes. Puree in the pot with a hand mixer or in a blender. Taste and correct seasonings. Serve into bowls, garnishing each with a portion of the crumbled cheese. Serves about 6.

You're welcome ;o)

Killer Crock Pot Chili

Have I mentioned that I love fall? Here's a recipe to warm your bones as the cool weather rolls in.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
1 can tomato paste
1 can black beans
1 can browned beans in tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup corn, frozen or canned
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 medium Spanish onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
2 jalapeño, seeds removed, diced
1 small zucchini, diced
1 large portabella mushroom, cut into chunks
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp cumin seed
2 tbsp chili powder
Salt and cracked pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
3 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ cup combined, cider and malt vinegars
¼ cup brown sugar, not packed
1 tsp Tabasco
Vegetable oil

Method
Turn on the crock pot to high and add the diced tomatoes, corn, beans and mushrooms. Sauté the beef, onions, peppers, celery, zucchini and garlic until they are half way cooked, then add them to the crock pot. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, spices and Tabasco. Stir the mixture into the crock pot along with the bay leaves. Cover and bring the pot to a bubble. Then reduce to low and let cook for at least 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve in bowls and garnish with extra old, shredded cheddar cheese.

~ you're welcome ;o)

Smokey Potato Soup

~Shopping List~

8 yukon gold potatoes, washed and cubed (reserve 2 cubed potatoes)
1/2 cup of cooked and diced Virginia smoked ham
100g shredded, smoked Gouda (about 3/4 cup)
100g shredded, extra old Cheddar (about 3/4 cup)
6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth/stock
1 cup of heavy cream (*warning* you can substitute lesser cream or milk but it just won't be as tasty)
4 shallots, diced
2 clove of garlic, minced
20g fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
1/2 tsp each of mustard powder, onion powder and white pepper
6 tbsp butter


~Chopping Block~

Dice Potatoes
Dice Ham
Shred Cheese
Dice Shallots


~Stove Top~

In a non-stick skillet- melt 3 tbsp of butter and begin to saute the 2 potatoes that you set aside from the rest of the pile. Make sure you do this on a low heat so as not to brown them too fast. We'll come back to this pan.

In a stock pot- melt the remaining butter and add shallots and garlic. Saute on medium heat until shallots are caramelized (golden). Add remaining potatoes, rosemary, stock and seasonings. Bring to a soft boil. Cover and let bubble until potatoes are soft.

Back to the skillet- Once the potatoes are browned, add the ham and turn the heat up to med high. This should only take several minutes. Remove from heat and turn off the burner.

Back to the pot- Remove the pot from the burner but leave the burner on. Using a hand mixer (if you don't have one use a blender or Cuisinart) blend the mixture until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Slowly stir in the cream and then the cheeses. Add the sauteed potatoes and ham. Heat for several more minutes then serve.
Garnish with a few shreds of gouda and a sprig of fresh rosemary. Serve with cracked pepper flat breads.

You're welcome ;o)