May, 2011 - - Page 7

by Miss K

Friday Fuck Up: Peanut Sauce Doesn’t Look So Good on the Counter

Too much liquid + food processor = Sadness

If there is one liquid my husband and I love, it’s beer. If there are two: beer and peanut sauce. We have yet to combine them, but that doesn’t mean we won’t someday. Might be a little thick, but I do love a good shandy now and then.

So, last week, my dear one set out to make a mega-double batch of the good stuff. Peanut sauce, that is. I was chillin’ with the babe in the other room when all the sudden I hear, “Oh, God.”

Based on recent events, I figured something was on fire, or my darlin’ had cut off part of his finger. But no, instead I came upon the scene above.

A Kentucky Derby Cupcake

You know we’re big fans of eating our booze for dessert here at Endless Simmer, so here’s an oldie but a goodie, just in time for Derby Day: mint julep cupcakes recipe

in Desserts 0 comments

by Miss K

One-Man Food Fight

Let’s face it.

Feeding a baby is gross.

And by face it, I mean rub it all over our faces, put it anywhere but inside our mouths, and hope that some nutrition is absorbed through our pores. At least, that’s seems to be my darling child’s interpretation of “face it.” As in:

“Elijah, open your mouth so I can spoon some mush into it.”
“No, Mom, I’d rather face it.”

In the past few weeks we have progressed from total body coverage to mainly face/bib/hand/spoon, but it’s still a messy, messy business, this baby feeding.

Always Do a Lap Before You Commit

Hallelujah! My neighborhood far mar, Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market, is opening this Saturday. I’m working there the first day and cannot wait to be surrounded by spring’s fresh vegetables. But I just couldn’t wait and headed to FRESHFARM’s Dupont far mar this past Sunday. A little sneak peak, if you will.

I listen to Cher and always do a lap before I commit (see last quote), checking options, quality, prices and variety around the far mar. I selected the spring staple asparagus, as well as spinach. And then I made my one out-there purchase: peppercress. I’d never heard of it before. My rule at market is if I haven’t heard of it I’m allowed to buy it and will try not to buy something else that I’ve already discovered.

I tasted the mirco-green and holy crap, it’s like eating horseradish. It has that fantastic harsh heat, sort of like a radish as well. I was stoked but wasn’t at all sure how I’d like to use it. And then I went with my standby: whiz it into a sauce.

Recipe, with mysterious berry, after the jump.

Asparagus, Strawberries and Fava Beans! Oh My!

With farmers’ markets all over the country re-opening for spring’s bounty, Endless Simmer put together a guide on what you should be cooking for the next few months. Don’t get tomato envy yet – we have plenty of ideas for the year’s first round of vegetables.

Below are some highlights from our archives, which we’ll sure to be updating as we try out new far mar finds, including <wait for it> peppercress. (I hope I’m not the only one addicted to How I Met Your Mother.)

Endless Simmer’s Spring Recipe Guide

Asparagus and Cannellini Bean Salad
Pasta salad is so 1973. Beans are where it’s at for a party dish.

Edamame Radish Spring Salad
Bright pink radishes, bright green edamame, bright bright flavor.

Pickled Ramp Vinegar
Ramps do live up to the hype.

Roasted Poblano and Garlic Scape Dip
Zesty. Smoky. Creamy. Just Right.

Sesame Enhanced Fava Bean Puree
Take the trouble to peel, boil and peel again those darn little fava beans.

(And if you wanna take a look at all of Endless Simmer’s cooking experiments – try our Recipe Index.)

in Recipe 0 comments

by Emily

100 Ways to Cook with Tequila

Ahhh, tequila, Mexico’s miracle elixir. This mysterious potion has the ability to both enhance and ruin lives. Often in the same 24-hour period.

There is no better time to celebrate the wonders of tequila than mid-spring, that festive portion of the year when Cinco De Mayo comes to call! Cinco is the ideal excuse for a night of debauchery. However if you, like me, crave a year-round “south of the border” journey for your tastebuds without the shame spiral and permanent liver damage, these tequila-based recipes are just what the doctor ordered! That and some anti-cirrhosis pills. (Do they make those? They should. I’ll look into this for everyone. You’re welcome.) Ole!

Click on the photos for full recipes.