Ladies Night Out

Emulsified Family

While there are many times I feel like my chef/husband and I live separate lives, last night, our lives truly came together.  He was asked to do a cooking demonstration for a Ladies Night Out at our church.  Oh it was so much fun!  I just love to watch him teach!

So ladies from church and guests who joined us for the evening, this post is for you.  🙂  (And everyone else who is reading, feel free to keep reading.)

As promised, here are the recipes Tom used last night (scaled down to home quantities as best as possible.)

Feel free to email any questions you have or leave a comment on the recipe post and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with an answer!

(And special thanks to my sweet friend Becky for taking some pictures for me (and for the AMAZING family pictures on this site!!  I probably owe you another meal . . .) (more…)

Chicken Brine

Chicken Brine

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs chicken breasts
  • 1/2 gallon cool water
  • 1/4 kosher salt, Diamond Crystal
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

Place defrosted chicken in storage container, making sure to drain off any water from defrosting.

Pour brine over chicken.

Cover, label and refrigerate.

Notes

This is a weak brine (25% normal strength) and the sugar and salt should dissolve without heating.

Because this is a weak brine, the chicken can remain in the brine without over-brining.

Always use new brine for new chicken breasts. Do not re-use the old brine.

http://emulsifiedfamily.simpleseasonallocal.com/recipes/dressings-sauces-seasonings/chicken-brine/

Spring Panzanella Salad

Spring Panzanella Salad

Yield: 1/2 gallon

Spring Panzanella Salad

This recipe is a good base, but don't feel like you have to use all the produce in it. See what spring vegetables look good at your local farmer's market or produce stand and use those.

Ingredients

  • 1 quart rosemary croutons
  • 1 cup cucumber, half moon
  • 1/2 cup grape tomato, halves
  • 1/2 cup fennel, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup castelvetrano olives, halves
  • 1/2 cup asparagus, 1" pieces, blanched
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup green beans, blanched
  • 1/2 cup radicchio, shredded
  • 1/2 cup citrus vinaigrette
  • 1/2 cup ricotta salata, grated

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt.

http://emulsifiedfamily.simpleseasonallocal.com/recipes/salads/spring-panzanella-salad/

Pimento Cheese

Pimento Cheese

Yield: 1 1/2 quarts

This is a large quantity, but it it so good! You'll thank me later for not scaling down this recipe any smaller.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise, best foods
  • 4 w. oz. pickled peppers, drained and diced
  • 1 tsp worcestershire
  • 4 w. oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 lb cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 w. oz. pickled jalapenos, drained and diced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp granulated onion
  • 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a food processor,except cheddar cheese, until thoroughly incorporated.

Mix in shredded cheddar unitl well-combined.

Store, label and date.

When ready to serve, top with bacon marmalade and green onion curls. Serve with grilled bread or flat bread.

Notes

In the restaurant we use a very powerful food processor. If you have trouble with a home version of this appliance, you can also mix it in your Kitchen Aid mixer. It will not be as smooth, but just as good.

http://emulsifiedfamily.simpleseasonallocal.com/recipes/appetizers/pimento-cheese/