Necessity.is.the.mother.of.invention..Cook,on a Grill

On Friday I was about to.put my challah in the oven..I heard zzzzap and found my stove on .fire.....I Unpluggedit and made the dinner I planned on,the grill.
We had chicken en papillote.(on.cookie.sheet),we had grilled butternut squash,lentil.soup.and.apple.cobbler....yummmy...

Now I plan out Holiday dinners around my grill and crockpot and butane stove....I.am forced to think outside the stove/box...

Will.advise.the.full.menu.tomrrow.

Helen

Challah Baking

On Tuesday night, I attended a class at Rebbetzin Leah Rosenfeld's home in Greenacres. Leah is a great baker and cook. I have been baking my own challah for 18 years (since I moved to Florida) and have always believed that there is something to be learned from every person that we meet.

Leah helped me improve my challah baking. I became clearer on the mitzvah of taking challah. It is not as simple as it seems. We had about 15 ladies at her home and I tried a few different (small, thanks to Weight Watchers) samples of her breads and yeast cakes as well as the herb "butters". Delish!! I plan on using some of her recipes for clients.

Helen

I finally did it!!

I realized it was time . I finally joined Weight Watchers. I have betwen 15 and 35 pounds to lose. I hope to use the skills learned on the program to help other people get to a healthier weight. I plan on using the Core program to get to a healthier point. I also want to wear the size 8 clothes I own from a few years ago.

Helen

More Details on the Miele Cooking Demos

I just spoke with my contacts at Mieleusa.com We have a planned schedule and list of dishes. If you want to join us call me or Miele and you will get the details. Remember, this is a draft.


Cooking Lessons/Demos by Helen
For Miele

Great American Family Dishes
9/24/8 11AM to 1PM
Meat Loaf
Twice Baked Potatoes
Apple Cobbler

Tour of Italy
10/8/2008 11 AM to 1PM
Make your own Pizza
Toppings of your choice
Lasagna
Garlic Bread

Baking Made Easy
10/22/8 1PM to 3PM
Banana Bread
Cranberry Nut and fruit breads
Challah or other bread (would take more advance prep)
Chocolate chip cookies





Thanksgiving Celebration
11/12/08 11AM to 1PM
Main course (Turkey Breasts??)
Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry sauce
??

Baking for the Holidays
11/18/08 11AM to 1PM
4 or 5 dishes, to be decided

Any feedback you can give is appreciated.
Helen Gottesman
561-676-2078

Miele Demos to start

On Wednesday, I did my practice demo at the Miele showroom in Boca Raton, Florida.
After having a cup or two of their coffee and being shown how efficient and easy to use the steam oven, convection oven and standard ovens were, I kept thinking "I want it and I want that one too!"

I made some simple dishes for James (the sales manager) and Robert (the showroom manager. We had previously decided on Trout Amandine and risotto. I did the demo on the two dishes explaining things such as how to chop the garlic, the difference between the red and green peppers (ripeness), how to tell when the fish is ready (it flakes).

To compare their different ovens, we did 2 trout fillets in the steam oven (only 4 minutes!) and 2 in the regular oven (20 minutes)

Becaust the steam oven did not "crisp" the almonds, we all decided that a short time under the broiler would be the finishing touch. In the regular oven,it was perfect.

I made the risotto with onion, garlic, peppers and boxed stock. It still took the standard 18 minutes on the range.

The guys said the food was wonderful. On 9/24 on 10/8 at 111AM to 1PM, I will be doing the demos at Miele. If you want to go, ask me for an invitation or call Miele.com in Florida and ask.

We decided on doing foods from different countries as the weekly themes, with comfort foods as the focus. If everything goes according to plan, there will be a Jewish week, Italian, French, Chinese, American and a baking demo (challah and quick breads). I will advise when we have confirmed the menus with Miele.

Helen

Chicken Soup Recipe

I have had numerous requests for my chicken soup with matzoh ball recipe which I consider one of the easiest dishes to prepare.. To make this dish, you must allow the soup to simmer for 2 to 3 hours. If you don't have the time, it is not a dish that will do well with quick cooking. You can easily cook it in the evening, refrigerate and enjoy on succeeding days.

I have consistently found the cheapest pieces of chicken, (necks, backs or thighs) provide the tastiest soup. I have also found that kosher chicken provides a much tastier soup (I still don't know why).

Use a Dutch oven or stock pot. Not all of the vegetables are necessary and as you try the recipe a few times.you will see which combination works for your taste

Fill stockpot with at least 5 quarts of water and bring to a boil Add 1/2 Tbsp salt and 1 tsp pepper (amounts are approximate, and to taste). Adding the salt is recommended in the beginning and adding it later will never give the soup the right taste.

Add in about 1 pound or more of chicken pieces (I use necks,and at $1.50 for about 2 to 3 pounds, a bargain). Let the chicken cook for 20 to 30minutes and a foam known as scum forms. Many people will skim this off and toss it. I have been told by experts there is nothing wrong with this and stir it right back in!!

Keep cooking and put in a few peeled and sliced carrots (size is up to you), onions peeled and sliced as well as 2 to 3 garlic cloves. You need not get fancy with this, the veggies will be cooking for hours.

Depending on your taste,add in a few ribs of celery, a turnip (peeled and diced) and a parsnip (peeled and sliced),

All together, I cook the soup about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. When it starts to smell like chicken soup throughout your house, Add in the matzoh balls (even easier to make) and cook for at least half an hour before serving.

At the very end add in a few sprigs of fresh dill,or add directly to the soup bowl as you serve it. (people will think the soup is gourmet this way).

You can chill to room temp and chill in the fridge. The next day (depending on which type of chicken you used), there may be a layer of chicken fat on top which you can skim off.

Helen
your kosher personal chef

Getting ready for Hurricane Ike and Miele

Hi.Today, my husband and I drove over to Home Depot to get Hurricane Boards, flashlight, batteries, lots of water and juices and other incidentals.Rob is cutting the boards to the right size now. I am cooking up a storm. I already made matzoh ball soup, chicken piccata, challah, risotto. I will make meat loaves, roast chicken and another dish or 2.

On Wednesday, I will meet again with the staff at Miele (high end appliance manufacturer from Germany). We will go over recipes, menus, demos etc. It looks good.

Helen

Experience as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome

I just saw the greatest video that explains what it is like having a son with down Syndrome.

http://www.cflparents.org/_vti_bin/shtml.dll/presentations/holland/index.htm

Helen

Let me know what you think.