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Appetizers, Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summertime Meal, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Smoky Sweet Corn Riblets

September 9, 2023

If there is a better way to do corn on the cob than as corn “ribs” I have yet to find it. They are so good I’ve made them twice a week for three weeks in a row. I know I’m late to the game, corn ribs became a thing back in 2021. A recipe for corn ribs went viral on TikTok and ever since, people have been making corn ribs their thing too. There are tons of variations for seasoning corn ribs. Spicy, sweet, cheesy, buttery, herby and so on. This recipe comes from Bon Appetit and it’s just about perfect. Buttery, sweet and smoky.

The first time I tried to cut the corn into ribs I almost gave up. The corn cob is tough and hard to cut through. There were corn kernels on the floor, counter and backsplash, oops. I asked my husband to give me a hand. We tried a few different knives and found two that worked great along with a mezzaluna. I know that not everyone has a mezzaluna but it sure came in handy for cutting corn ribs.

The first step after removing the husk and silk from the corn is to cut off the ends of the corn so they are flat. This is important! The next step is to cut the corn in half diagonally. This will make it much easier to cut the corn into riblets and being shorter to cut through means less risk of accidents. It is much more difficult to cut down the entire length of the corn cob when it is long. You will now be able to stand the corn on end and cut into riblets.

Here we are cutting the corn in half with a mezzaluna. It worked well because you are able to control your cutting with both hands. It’s very stable.

This time we cut the corn in half with a very sharp chef’s knife. It also worked well and will likely be what most people have available.

The third option is to use a very sharp Nakiri knife which is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife.

When slicing the corn with a chef’s or Nakiri knife, wearing a thick oven glove will help to stabilize the knife while you use pressure to cut through the corn cob.

The mezzaluna was the winner for cutting the corn into quarters but both the chef’s knife and Nikiri knife also worked.

This is what your corn should look like once you cut it into riblets.

The corn is seasoned with a little oil, salt and pepper. It roasts at 450 degrees for 10 minutes before being turned.

The corn already looks delicious after being in the oven for a short time.

After roasting for 10 minutes, the corn wedges are turned cob side up and roasted for another 10 minutes.

The corn riblets have been in the oven for 20 minutes and have taken on a nice color and smell divine. At this point they are cooked and ready to eat. But broiling the riblets for a minute or two will encourage lots of smoky flavor and a bit of charring around the edges which is always a good thing.

Corn riblets are best served soon after they emerge from the oven while still warm. Slather with smoky sweet butter and start nibbling on those delectable corn riblets. There’s no better way that I can think of, to prepare fresh corn.

Smoky Sweet Corn Riblets
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Smoky Sweet Corn Riblets

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit magazine.

Ingredients

  • For the corn

  • 4 ears of corn, husked and silk removed

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal of 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt

  • Freshly ground pepper

  • Smoky Sweet Butter

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks (for lactose free version) or unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • few dashes of cayenne (more for spicier flavor)

  • 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal or 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt if using unsalted butter

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil.
  • Using a chef’s knife or Nakiri knife and securing your cutting board by placing a damp kitchen towel underneath, cut the top of the cob and bottom stem so the ends of the corn are flat. Cut each ear of corn in half crosswise. Working one at a time, stand each piece up on a cut end and slice lengthwise in half. Lay each half cob side down on cutting board and using a chef’s knife, Nakiri knife, or mezzaluna cut each in half again. You should have 8 wedges per ear. Continue with the remaining 3 ears of corn. Drizzle wedges with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, season with kosher salt and pepper, toss to coat. Spread out wedges evenly arranging kernel side up.
  • While oven is preheating, mix together the Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. If using unsalted butter mix in 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal or 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt.
  • Roast corn for 10 minutes then turn corn over cob side up. Continue to roast for 10 more minutes. Remove pan from oven and turn corn kernel sides up. Broil corn on upper rack for about 1 minute, or until the corn takes on more color. Watch closely so the corn doesn’t burn.
  • Transfer corn riblets to a platter and serve with seasoned butter.
Beef, Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Sauces, Vegan, Vegetarian

Béarnaise Butter

September 1, 2023

A good sauce will elevate that most decadent cut of beef, the filet mignon. And especially béarnaise sauce, one of the fundamental sauces of French cuisine. It can transform any dish into one that is truly extraordinary. The piquant flavor of the reduced wine, butter, eggs, and fresh tarragon whisked into a silky sauce is divine. But we don’t always have time to whip up béarnaise sauce so that’s where béarnaise butter comes in. It can be made well in advance and stored in the refrigerator for a month or in the freezer for several months.

A perfectly cooked steak right off the grill with a generous pat of béarnaise butter is the epitome of steak perfection.

Known as “the King of Herbs” in France, tarragon is highly aromatic and essential in béarnaise sauce and this butter. It lends itself well to many dishes such as potatoes, chicken, omelettes, pasta and just about anything you use it with.

It doesn’t take but 5 minutes or so for the liquid to evaporate from the pan of shallots. You will then be left with the most flavorful shallots imaginable.

Once the shallots have cooled, they are mixed with the softened butter along with the minced tarragon, parsley, salt and pepper. The butter is transferred to a piece of plastic wrap and shaped into a tube then chilled in the freezer until slightly firm (it will be quite soft). Once it firms up a bit you will be able to re-shape the tube into a perfect circular log and re-wrap until ready to use.

Lightly smoked then grilled filet mignon with béarnaise butter is surely one of the grandest meals imaginable.

Leftover béarnaise butter is delicious tossed with long strands of linguine and asparagus. Use leftover béarnaise butter on sautéed vegetables, steamed green peas, on baked fish or chicken. Swirl some béarnaise butter in a pan before pouring in lightly beaten eggs then serve on toast.

Béarnaise Butter
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Béarnaise Butter

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

8-10

servings

Adapted from Food & Wine magazine

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup finely minced shallots

  • 1/4 cup dry white wine

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

  • 6 ounces (170g) Miyoko’s hint of salt vegan butter or regular butter
    (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature

  • 1/4 cup minced tarragon

  • 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf parsley

  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine shallots with wine and vinegar. Cook over moderate heat until all of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Transfer shallots to a small bowl to cool to room temperature. You can speed up the cooling process by placing shallots in the refrigerator.
  • Scrape shallots into bowl with butter. Beat together with a handheld mixer until creamy. Fold in herbs and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer butter to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log. The butter will be soft at this point so don’t worry too much about getting the perfect shape. Transfer to the freezer for 10 minutes then re-shape as needed. Wrap a piece of foil around the plastic wrapped butter. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • Remove butter from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. The butter will be easier to slice into neat rounds and will melt perfectly over the steak.
Dinner, Italian, Pasta, Recipes, Summertime Meal, Vegetarian, Veggies

Pasta Primavera with Asparagus & Peas

August 1, 2023

With its beautiful bright green colors and aromatic tarragon, this pasta primavera earned 5* ratings on NYT Cooking site. After making this dish I can see why everyone loves it. It’s loaded with fresh asparagus, snap peas and green peas. Fresh tarragon is what makes this dish special.

The pasta I used (Mafaldine) is wide and flat with ruffled edges. It has a striking appearance when cooked and works well with many pasta dishes. The original recipes calls for fettuccine or tagliatelle which are much easier to find. If you want to try malfadine, you can find it at Amazon. Fresh tarragon can be found at Whole Foods.

Pasta Primavera (Spring in Italian) is a dish that combines lightly cooked vegetables with fresh herbs. Now that spring has passed and summer is here, it’s still a perfect time to find fresh asparagus at the markets. Sugar snap peas seem to be available year round as well as peas (frozen). I bought a well known brand of frozen peas that were chalky and had no flavor. I searched online for reviews of peas and found multiple top ratings for Woodstock Organic Peas. They are sweet and have a nice texture. So these are the only peas I buy now. You can find Woodstock Organic Peas at Hawaiian Moons on Maui.

Serve your pasta primavera with focaccia or good sourdough bread and you have the perfect summer meal.

Pasta Primavera with Asparagus & Peas
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Pasta Primavera with Asparagus & Peas

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Adapted from NYT Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1/4 pound sugar snap peas, stems trimmed

  • 1/2 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed

  • 2 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter

  • 3/4 cup frozen peas, defrosted

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallot

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • kosher salt

  • freshly ground black pepper

  • 10 ounces mafaldine, fettuccine, or tagliatelle

  • 2/3 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano + more for serving

  • 1/2 cup warm half and half (I used Organic Valley Lactose Free)

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus spears into 1/3-inch wide pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
  • Melt Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, and shallots. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (not soft or mushy), about 3 minutes. Stir in peas and garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
  • Cook pasta until al dente. Drain pasta and transfer to the bowl with vegetables. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano Reggiano, half and half, and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Grate extra cheese over the top before serving.
Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Sandwiches, Tofu, Vegetarian

Balsamic-Soy Marinated Tofu

July 20, 2023

Tofu can be controversial in some American kitchens. Not in mine! I saw a photo of this glorious tofu in Bon Appétit magazine and couldn’t pass it up. Writer and editor Ali Francis had this tofu in a sandwich she bought at a bakery and was immediately smitten with it. She contacted the bakery and asked for the recipe. Though she didn’t receive an actual recipe with exact measurements, they supplied her with an ingredients list which was enough to devise a very close rendition of the tofu dish she had fallen in love with.

The plan is a simple one. Grab a few ingredients, place in a Ziploc freezer bag, marinate, bake, eat.

My reliable Tofuxpress has never let me down after using it for more than 13+ years. There are many other versions that do the same job of pressing out the water. If you love tofu as I do, it’s an essential gadget to have on hand.

I used cubed tofu but you could also slice the tofu into slabs for sandwiches. Fresh cilantro can be switched out with parsley or dried herbs.

The tofu has been marinating for 16 hours and is ready to be baked.

The leftover tofu marinade is reduced and brushed over the tofu as it bakes.

Now that is some good-looking tofu. If you chose to bake tofu slabs instead of cubes, you can use them in a sandwich. Slather sriracha mayonnaise on a soft baguette, top with balsamic tofu, crispy lettuce, sliced cucumbers and cilantro sprigs.

Balsamic-Soy Marinated Tofu
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Balsamic-Soy Marinated Tofu

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

2-3

servings

Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit magazine

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup balsamic dressing or equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tablespoon chopped herbs such as cilantro, flat leaf parsley, or a teaspoon of dried Italian herbs

  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional but recommended)

  • 14 ounce extra firm tofu, water pressed out, cubed or cut into slabs for sandwiches

Directions

  • Whisk balsamic dressing, soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped herbs, and maple syrup in a 2 cup measuring cup. Pour marinade into a Ziploc freezer bag. Place tofu cubes or slabs in marinade and turn to coat. Place bag in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, turning once or twice. I marinated the tofu from 7pm – 11am the following day (16 hours) so that it would be ready for lunch at noon.
  • Preheat toaster oven or standard oven to 375 degrees. Line a small baking sheet with foil and place a piece of parchment paper over the foil (for easy clean up). Transfer tofu cubes or slabs to baking sheet. Pour any leftover dressing from the marinated tofu into a small sauce pan (skim off some of the oil and discard). Gently simmer leftover marinade on very low heat until it reduces and thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. (It should not be bubbling vigorously or it will burn).
  • Bake tofu cubes or slabs for 45-50 minutes or until deeply golden brown, turning once, and basting occasionally with the reduced marinade. Serve with rice, steamed broccoli or your favorite salad or sandwiched between a soft baguette topped with crunchy iceberg lettuce and cucumbers.
Dinner, Lactose Free, Potato Salad, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summertime Meal, Vegetarian

Tri-color Fingerling Potato Salad with Red Onions

July 7, 2023

I remember not long ago markets featured only four types of potatoes; russets, white, red, and yellow. Today there are many more varieties to choose from. One of my favorites is fingerlings. They have a firm yet creamy texture which makes them perfect for this potato salad. The array of colors add a visual beauty to this dish.

Fingerlings come in many shapes and sizes so when purchasing them (I found them at Safeway) look for the bag with the most uniform sized potatoes. This makes for even cooking.

Many of us have multiple types of vinegars in our pantry. Each has its own use in different recipes. The one I reach for most often is champagne vinegar. Its flavor is crisp and light which makes it the ideal vinegar to use in dressings. Here on Maui you can find O Champagne Vinegar at Safeway and Whole Foods.

Though it is optional, peeling the potatoes once they are cooked makes for a gorgeous salad. The skins are thin and easily removed.

Gently sautéed red onions adds a subtle sweet flavor and color to the salad.

This potato salad is the perfect accompaniment to any type of sandwich, grilled chicken, pork, barbecue, tofu, or any other of your favorite summertime meals.

Tri-color Fingerling Potato Salad with Red Onions
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Tri-color Fingerling Potato Salad with Red Onions

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4-6

servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2pounds tri-colored fingerling potatoes (can substitute with mini yellow or red potatoes)

  • 4 ounces red onion, sliced 1/3-inch wide

  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon finely chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 2 teaspoons chopped chives

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar)

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

  • 1 medium garlic clove, crushed

  • kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water for 10-15 minutes depending on size. Once cooked, remove to a plate to cool slightly. Peel potatoes once cool enough to handle (optional).
  • Meanwhile, heat a medium pan with 1 teaspoon olive oil and sauté onion slices on medium-low for 5-7 minutes or until tender but not browned. Remove to a plate and set aside to cool.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon and honey. Whisk in the vinegar. Add olive oil and canola oil, whisking until emulsified. Stir in 1 tablespoon parsley and 2 teaspoons chives. Mix in 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
  • Slice potatoes into 1/3-inch rounds and place in a low wide bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add onions and enough dressing to coat the potatoes well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle reserved 1 teaspoon parsley over the top. Serve right away or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Stir in spoonfuls of remaining dressing if the salad seems dry (potatoes will absorb dressing as it sits). Salad will keep for 3 days.
Appetizers, Bread, Cheese, Dinner, Italian, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread

May 31, 2023

This made to share pull-apart rosemary garlic bread is baked until the crust is a gorgeous shade of gold, and the interior is soft and fragrant from the herbs, butter, garlic and parmesan cheese. It’s so delicious that you will be going back for seconds and thirds.

Food & Wine magazine mentions that making this bread is for bakers of all skill levels and after making it multiple times I absolutely agree. It’s a lot of fun to make and the final result is a delicious variation on garlic bread.

All-purpose flour, a bit of sugar, rapid rise yeast, milk, and butter are mixed up in a stand mixer before being formed into a ball and set aside in a warm area to rise.

When the weather is warm (always in Hawaii) I cover the dough and place the bowl out on the deck to rise. Some toaster ovens offer a dough proofing setting. If your climate is cool, you might put your bowl in the oven with the light turned on. Otherwise you may leave it out on your counter but expect it to take a bit more time to double in size.

While the dough is rising, make the filling.

Butter, cheese, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper are mixed in a bowl and set aside until ready to use.

One hour of rise time and the dough has doubled in size.

It’s time to roll the dough into 12 round disks. Don’t worry too much about getting them perfectly round.

A tablespoon of filling is spread over the dough rounds that are stacked on top of one other before placing in the baking pan.

Occasionally the dough can be a bit uncooperative, meaning it will resist keeping its shape once rolled out. If it springs back just give it another roll or two and it should be fine.

The stacked dough circles are placed in the baking pan and set aside for the final rise.

After 45 minutes the dough has risen and filled up the empty spaces in the pan.

Baked for 45-50 minutes, the bread emerges from the oven looking spectacular.

The final touch is melted butter brushed over the warm bread followed by a sprinkling of Maldon salt.

This bread goes with just about anything. I serve it often with pasta dishes, but it is superb with roasted chicken, grilled steaks, fish and chicken, herb baked tofu and salads. Any leftover slices would be perfect toasted and topped with sunny-side up eggs for a quick lunch.

Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread
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Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4-6

servings

Adapted from Food & Wine

Ingredients

  • For the dough

  • 2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface

  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal)

  • 2/3 cup (158g) whole milk, warmed

  • 3 tablespoons (42.6g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter

  • For the filling and topping

  • 6 tablespoons (85g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup (90g) finely grated parmesan cheese

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary (1 1/2 teaspoons for a milder rosemary flavor)

  • 1 large garlic clove, finely grated (Microplane works well)

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, melted (to brush on baked bread)

  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt such as Maldon (to sprinkle on baked bread)

Directions

  • Place flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. With mixer running on low speed, beat in warm milk and Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter. Beat on low speed until just combined, 30-45 seconds. Remove paddle attachment from mixer; attach dough hook. Beat on medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Transfer dough to a medium bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. For colder climates, turn your oven light on when you start mixing the dough, then place covered dough bowl in oven. The warm oven environment will help your dough to rise.
  • Meanwhile, stir together butter, parmesan, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
  • Once dough has doubled in size, punch down in bowl and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough evenly into 12 pieces (about 3 tablespoons each). Using a small rolling pin, roll dough rounds into a 4-inch disk. You may also flatten each piece of dough with your hands (the disks do not need to be perfectly round). Spread about 1 tablespoon of filling onto one side of each disk. Stack disks, cheese side up, on top of each other. Turn stack of dough onto its side, and place in an 8 1/2-4 1/2-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Slightly separate disks in loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Bake loaf on middle rack until golden brown, 45-50 minutes, covering loosely with aluminum foil if needed to prevent over browning. Transfer loaf pan to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Invert loaf onto wire rack, turn upright, and let cool for 10 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Leftover garlic bread can be frozen and reheated (covered in foil) in a toaster oven.
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