Searching4Zen

Welcome to Searching4Zen, a recipe sharing and blog discussing adventures in Food & Wine, Travel and Cycling. We hope you will register with us and share your comments.

  • Satay Shrimp in Rice Noodle Wrapper

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    Ingredients 12 uncooked shrimp peeled and deveined 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 tablespoon green curry paste 1 package rice noodle wrappers 1 head leaf lettuce leaves separated, washed, dried and trimmed 1 cup fresh bean sprouts that have been sautéed for 30 seconds 12 fresh min leaves 12 fresh cilantro sprigs Peanut Sauce 1 […]

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  • Pasta Estate (Summer Pasta)

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    Ingredients 6 ears corn 1/4 cup olive oil 3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 pound small yellow summer squash, diced 1/2 inch 2 pounds very ripe tomatoes, skinned and coarsly chopped 1 large handful basil leaves, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon salt 1 pound shell pasta 3/4 pound green beans, preferably flat Romano type, cut […]

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  • Gnocchi with spinach, peppers and Gorgonzola

    20 mins.
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    Ingredients 1 package (12 ounces) frozen gnocchi 1 tablespoon hot chili oil (or use olive oil and a large pinch of crushed red pepper flakes) 1/2 small onion, diced 1 small red bell pepper, diced 1 cup packed baby spinach leaves 2 teaspoons, minced fresh herbs, preferably a mix, such as rosemary, chives, thyme 2 […]

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  • Gratin of macaroni and cheese with asparagus and wild mushrooms

    1 hour 40 mins.
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    Erwin Dreschler’s updated rendition of this classic American dish can perform as an entree or side dish. Ingredients 1/2 pound asparagus 1/2 pound shiitake mushroom caps, optional 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt, freshly ground pepper 4 cloves garlic, slightly crushed 1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter 1/4 cup […]

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  • Bacon-Cilantro Fried Rice

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    Ingredients 4 eggs 8 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dice 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 bunch scallions sliced thinly, separate white and green 8 cups cooked jasmin rice, day old 1 tablespoon naturally brewed soy sauce 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Canola […]

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  • French Bread

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    Ingredients 3 cups of bread flour (highest gluten content) 3 cups all purpose unbleached flour 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 packets of yeast 1 tablespoon sugar 2 1/4 cups of warm water (110 to 115°) Instructions Combine bread flour, all purpose flour and salt in food processor work bowl, fitted with the plastic bread dough […]

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  • Pizza Dough

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    Ingredients 3 1/2 cups Flour 1/2 cup Semolina 1 tablespoon Salt 1 1/2 tablespoon Sugar 3 tablespoons Olive Oil 1 1/2 cups Warm water (110 to 115°) 2 teaspoons yeast Instructions Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup of the warm water. Let stand five minutes, until foamy. Place flour and semolina and salt in […]

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  • Trish Karter’s Dancing Deer Shortbread Recipe Variations

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    Ingredients Chocolate Shortbread and Toasted Pecans with Orange 2 cups Butter Shortbread Cookie Dough ½ cup mini chocolate chips ½ cup toasted pecans, chopped ¾ teaspoon orange oil or 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional) Lemon Ginger with Toasted Almonds Shortbread 2 cups Butter Shortbread Cookie Dough ½ cup preserved or candied ginger, chopped ¼ cup […]

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  • Five Spice Shortbread

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    After much experimentation, I found a way to give the savory “warm” five-spice taste to sweets by substituting powdered ginger for the peppercorns. Ingredients 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise 1/4 cup turbinado or other granulated sugar 1 chilled log […]

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  • Butter Shortbread Cookie Dough

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    I’m really enthusiastic about this dough. It produces shortbread and other cookies that are everything they should be: buttery, just sweet enough, crisp, yet melt-in-your-mouth tender, too. Some, me included, like their butter cookies plain. Others like them with flavorful additions, like chocolate. To satisfy everyone, this chapter offers both. To make the various cookies, […]

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