Political Satire Sovereign Grilled Salmon

Steven Colbert is a genius of satire.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Steven Colbert!
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/217132/january-29-2009/the-word---the-audacity-of-nope

Steven! Steven! Steven!

Political Satire Sovereign Grilled Salmon
Makes 6 servings


Grill THIS!

1 untreated cedar plank, soaked in water 4 hours or overnight (place a weight on top of plank to keep it submerged)

2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided

1 (1-1/2 lb.) salmon fillet

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill

1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

Heat grill to medium heat.  

Brush top of plank with 1 Tbsp. oil and place fish on plank. Brush fish with remaining oil.  With gloved hands, rub fish with garlic and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place on grill; cover grill with lid.

Grill 15 to 20 min. or until fish flakes easily with fork.  Sprinkle with dill and serve with lemon wedges.

Tip:

Look for a salmon fillet that is about 1-inch thick.

PAYDAY Bars

President Obama's re-election campaign is reaping financial benefits from his same-sex marriage endorsement.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-gay-marriage-announcement-followed-by-flood-of-campaign-donations/2012/05/10/gIQA2ntCGU_story.html


PAYDAY Bars
Makes 18 bar cookies


Sweet treats for an energy surge and staying power!

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) softened butter, divided

1 box (18 oz.) yellow cake mix

1 egg

2 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup peanut butter chips

2/3 cup corn syrup

2 cups crispy rice cereal

2 cups lightly salted dry roasted peanuts

Heat oven to 350°F.

Set aside 2 Tbsp. butter.  Mix remaining butter, cake mix and egg.  Press into foil-lined, lightly greased 9x13-inch pan.  Bake 20 minutes.  Sprinkle marshmallows over cake mix layer and return to oven for 5 minutes. 

Meanwhile, cook 2 Tbsp. butter, chips and corn syrup in small saucepan on medium-low heat, stirring often, until chips are melted and mixture is well combined.  Stir in rice cereal and peanuts off heat.

Pour peanut mixture over crust, spreading evenly with offset spatula.  Refrigerate 2 hours to cool completely.  Use foil handles to lift out of pan before cutting into bars.

Tip:

Great as an after-school snack for hungry teenagers.

Bad Barbering Buffalo Wing Dip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romneys-prep-school-classmates-recall-pranks-but-also-troubling-incidents/2012/05/10/gIQA3WOKFU_story.html

Bad Barbering Buffalo Wing Dip

28 servings, 2 Tbsp. each

Don't let a bad hair day keep you from enjoying this delicious dip.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) reduced fat Neufchatel cream cheese

1/4 cup hot pepper sauce

1/2 cup reduced fat Ranch dressing

1 cup chopped cooked chicken

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

2 Tbsp. sliced green onions

Heat oven to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, mix Neufchatel, hot pepper sauce and Ranch dressing. Stir in chicken and cheddar cheese. Spread into a 9-in. pie plate.

Bake 30 minutes. Sprinkle with blue cheese and green onions.  Serve with celery sticks and plain crackers.

Tip:

This is a great way to use up leftover chicken.

Reduced fat cream cheese and Ranch dressing work best in this recipe, but you can use regular products (the dip will be slightly oily).  

Same-Sex Marriage Rights Fried Chicken 'N Waffle Bites

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/us/politics/obama-says-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal.html?_r=1&hp
It's about time!


Same-Sex Marriage Rights 
Fried Chicken 'N Waffle Bites
48 appetizers


You have the right to remain satisfied.

Waffles (makes 6)

1 egg

1 cups flour

1/4 cup melted butter

7/8 cup milk

2 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

48 pieces popcorn chicken (from Popeye's or KFC)

1/2 cup pancake syrup

Beat egg; whisk in remaining ingredients until smooth.

Pour batter into heated waffle iron.  Bake according to manufacturer’s directions or until steam stops, 3 to 4 minutes.

Cut waffles into quarters, then cut quarters in half on diagonal.  Top each waffle with 1 chicken piece; drizzle with syrup.

Tip:

Serve with dark or amber beer.

Higher Ed Whole Wheat Millet Bread

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/us/politics/senate-republicans-block-bill-on-student-loan-rates.html?_r=1&ref=politics
The GOP would choose to increase interest rates on college student loans.


Higher-Ed 
Whole Wheat Millet Bread
Makes 16 servings


You need food to live, but you need a college degree if you want to live comfortably.  

6 Tbsp. honey
2-1/2  tsp. dry yeast
1-1/2 cups warm water
2-1/4 cups whole wheat bread flour
2 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup millet
1/4 cup bulghur wheat
1-1/2 cups white bread flour
1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp. milk


Dissolve honey and yeast in warm water.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Stir in 1-3/4 cups whole wheat bread flour, oil and salt.  Let rise, covered, in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.


Stir in remaining whole wheat bread flour, millet and bulgur.  Place in food processor with fitted blade.  Add white flour and run 1 to 2 minutes or until stiff dough forms and pulls away from sides of work bowl.  Put dough in greased bowl and let rise 1 hour.


Heat oven to 375°F.  Punch down dough and divide in half.  Shape dough into two round loaves.  Place loaves on lightly greased baking sheet.  Cover and let rise 20 minutes.


Brush loaves with egg mixture and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until loaves are well browned and bottom sounds hollow when tapped.  Cool on wire racks.


Tip:
Serve warm with butter, or serve the next day with a thick slice of Havarti cheese.

Mundo FOX Rocks

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/culture/21720-newscorp-and-rcn-join-to-form-us-spanisk-speaking-tv-channel.html


Democrats should have seen this coming!


Mundo FOX Rocks
Makes 76 cookies


As sweet as a Colombian telenovela.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
3 cups sifted flour 
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 cups raisins
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. milk


Heat oven to 375°F.


Cream butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar 3 minutes until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.


Mix flour with baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, salt and nutmeg.  Stir flour mixture, raisins and walnuts into batter using wooden spoon or spatula until well blended.


Drop dough by tablespoons onto parchment-lined (or lightly greased) baking sheet.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until just brown on bottoms.  Remove with metal spatula to wire racks.  Mix powdered sugar and milk to make a thin glaze; brush over cookies and cool completely.


Note:
Rocks are traditional German spice cookies.  My grandmother use to make them all the time.  This is her recipe, passed down by my Uncle Elmer.  I've added a sweet glaze to the original recipe, and I like to  mix dark and golden raisins.

German Potato Salad

On this day in history in 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender, effectively ending World War II in Europe.


German Potato Salad

Surrender your taste buds to some good home cookin'.

8 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
6 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt (or to tasted)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
5 large red potatoes (3 lb.), cooked in water until tender, sliced 1/4" thick
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp.  Remove with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.  Discard all but 2 Tbsp. bacon drippings.  Add onion to drippings in skillet; cook and stir 6 min. or until onion is tender.

Add vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper.  Bring to a simmer.  Gently stir in potatoes and bacon; sprinkle with parsley. Serve warm, room temperature or even cold.

Tips:

I choose to NOT peel the potatoes because I like the texture and the color of the red potato skins.

When slicing large potatoes, it is easier and safer if you cut them in half first and then slice them, flat-side down, using a sharp knife.

This recipe is pure comfort food from my childhood.  It was always served with a baked ham for Easter. My mother taught me how to make this, but when SHE prepares German Potato Salad she uses ALL of the bacon drippings.  I think you get plenty of bacon flavor using just enough rendered fat to cook the onion. 

Kitchen Caucus Queen, Berlin, Germany (6/11); Checkpoint Charlie