Mousse au Chocolate (Chocolate Mousse)

Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 c. granulated sugar

4 egg whites

pinch of salt

250 g. dark chocolate (1 large Lindt bar, 70 % cocoa)

300 ml heavy whipping cream

Preparation:

1. Melt the chocolate over hot water and let it cool down (double boiler).
2. Melt the sugar with a little bit of water until soft ball (about 1/4 c.)
3. Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks and then add the syrup whilte mixing. Mix until the bowl gets cold.
4. Add the melted chocolate while still mixing.
5. Whip the whipping cream until you form a canal. (Use a whisk so you don't overwork it.)
6. Fold the whipping cream into the chocolate (cross and fold); mix it in in thirds.
7. Spoon the mousse into serving dishes.
8. Chill well before serving. Garnish with cherry and or mint.

Pommes Dauphinois (Potato gratin with garlic and cheese)

Ingredients:

150 ml milk

100 ml heavy whipping cream

Some butter (about 2 T.)

2 garlic cloves, crushed (mix with salt to make a paste)

salt, ground white pepper and nutmeg to taste (couple of dashes)

1 lb. potatoes (2-3 sliced thinly for an 8 x 8 pan)

1.5 oz. gruyere cheese (or shredded mozzarella with parmesan)

Preparation:

1. Melt the butter in a hot pan and add the garlic. Pour the milk and the heavy cream. Season them with salt and nutmeg. Cook it gently.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut into thin slices.
3. Place some of the potatoes in a layer in a buttered baking pan. Season with salt and ground with pepper. Sprinkle with a little of the cheese. Repeat until all the potatoes and about 3/4 of the cheese are used up.
4. Pour the milk mixture over the potatoes until it nearly reaches the top (you don't use it all). Top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake uncovered at 350 until done, about 35-45 minutes. Check at 30 minutes, and see if knife slides through cleanly.
6. To plate, use a round cookie cutter and serve it with steak.

Steak au Poivre (Peppered Steak)

4 6-7 oz. steaks (filet mignon, tenderloin)

oil

salt and fresh ground black pepper

Sauce:

1/2 c. chopped shallots

3 tsp. fresh crushed black peppercorns

30 ml Cognac

400-500 ml beef broth

150 ml heavy whipping cream

2 tsp green peppercorns

Preparation:

1. Season and saute the steaks in the oil. Remove them from the pan and put them into the oven, 350 degrees.
2. Drain off the excess fat from the pan (dab with paper towel) and add the shallots. Saute the shallots with the black peppercorns, then deglaze the pan with the cognac.
3. Stir in the veal stock and bring to a boil. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the cream, then season with salt.
4. Let the cream boil until you see big bubbles and strain it (to remove peppercorns and shallots).
5. Add the green peppercorns into the sauce (do not add the brine/liquid).
6. Place the steaks on hot plates, spoon the sauce around, and garnish with watercress.

Serve with potatoes au gratin.

Alfredo Baskets

1 pkg. Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry shells 1/2 lb. diced cooked chicken (or 1/2 lb. medium shrimp, shelled and diveined) Alfredo sauce, purchased and warmed or make your own
Alfredo sauce:
1/2 c. butter
8 oz. cream cheese, cubed (low-fat neutchetal)
1 c. milk
1/2-1 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 t. garlic powder

Mix over low heat until smooth.

Bake pastry shells according to directions. Make alfredo sauce. Warm chicken or shrimp in sauce. Spoon into prepared shells. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese.
From Lori Bennett, Thanksgiving Point cooking class

Chicken Baskets

1 box long grain and wild rice mix (rice-a-roni or uncle ben's)
2 c. cooked chicken, canned, leftover, or rotisserie
1/2 can cream of mushroom soup (or all)
1/3 c. chopped green onions
1/3 c. diced red bell pepper
1/3 c. diced celery
1/3 c. chopped fresh parsley
1/3 c. chopped slivered almonds
1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)
1/4 c. milk (maybe add a little more)

Prepare puff pastry shells, thawed and baked according to directions.

On stove: prepare rice according to package, add mushrooms, nuts
In side bowl: mix chicken, green onion, cream of mushroom, add remaining ingredients, then add it all to the pan on stove. Mix well and heat through. Fill pastry shells with rice mix. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated swiss or parmesan cheese.

From Lori Bennett, Thanksgiving Point cooking class

Honey glazed carrots

3 lbs. baby carrots
3 Tbs. butter
5 Tbs. honey
1 Tbs. fresh grated ginger

In a large pot bring water to a boil. Add carrots to the boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes. Depending on the size of the carrots cooking time may vary. While carrots are cooking, fill a large bowl with cold water and plenty of ice. As soon as carrots are al dente, remove from the boiling water and immediately put them in the ice water. This process is called blanching and will assure bright colored carrots. in a large skillet combine the butter, honey, and ginger and melt together. Add the carrots to the mixture and toss lightly with salt. Toss the carrots over med. high heat until completely covered and the honey mixture begins to bubble. Serve immediately.

Green Beans with pomegranate and walnuts

1 lb. beans (wax, green)
1 Tbs. garlic finely chopped
2 tsp. dijon mustard
2 T. butter
1 pomegranate
walnuts
salt
pepper

In a saucepan bring enough water to boil that will cover beans. Have ice water prepared in a large bowl off to the side. Add the beans to the boiling water and cook until tender--about 4 minutes. Immediately place beans in the ice bath. in the same pan bring the butter, garlic, and dijon to a bubble and toss in the beans. Stir fry the beans for just a few minutes until coated. Toss in the walnuts and the pomegranate seeds. Make sure to add salt and pepper to taste.

Apple scalloped potatoes with gouda

2 lbs. yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced
2 large granny apples, thinly sliced
1 c. gouda
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
pepper
salt
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 c. apple cider
1 c. half and half
2 Tbs. flour
3 Tbs. butter

In a heavy skillet melt butter and add flour to it. When mixture bubbles add the half and half and stir until smooth. Whisk in broth, cider, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a bubble over high heat stirring constantly. Mix together apples and potatoes and arrange half in a butter baking dish Sprinkle half of the grated cheese over them and arrange the rest of the apples and potatoes over the cheese. Pour the cider mixture over the apples and potatoes. Bake for 30 min. then remove from oven and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top and bake for an additional 20 min. Let stand for at least 15-20 min. until the cream sets.