Searching4Zen

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  • Duck Confit

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    Ingredients: 3 tablespoons salt 4 cloves garlic, smashed 1 shallot, peeled and sliced 6 sprigs thyme Coarsely ground black pepper 4 duck legs with thighs 4 duck wings, trimmed About 4 cups lard Instructions: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt in the bottom of a dish or plastic container large enough Preheat the oven to 225°F. […]

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  • Diced chicken and Peanuts Sautéed with Dried Chiles

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    Ingredients: 1 tablespoon cornstarch 4 tablespoons soy sauce 1 pound boneless chicken, cubed 3 tablespoons Chinese rice wine 2 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons chicken stock 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil 2 teaspoons Chinese dark soy sauce 3 tablespoons peanut oil 12 dried hot red chilies, stemmed, halved and seeded 4 scallions, […]

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  • Deep Dish Sausage and Tomato Pizza

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    Ingredients: ½ teaspoon sugar 1 cup warm water (110° – 115°F.) ¼ ounce package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast 2 ¼ to 2 ½ cups unbleached flour ½ cup yellow cornmeal 2 ½ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound Italian sausage, casings discarded a 14- to 16-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes, drained […]

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  • Dates Stuffed with Mascarpone and Caramel Sauce

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    Ingredients: ½ cup mascarpone cheese 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 8 pitted dates ¼ cup sugar 3 tablespoons water ½ tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon orange juice 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier Instructions: Beat the cheese until fluffy.  Add the orange zest and fill dates with the cheese mixture. In a saucepan combine sugar and water […]

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  • Dark Chocolate Mousse

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    Ingredients: 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine (Ghirardelli bittersweet with 60 % cacao) 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder 5 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon brandy 2 large eggs, separated 1 tablespoon sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons chilled heavy cream Instructions: Melt chocolate, cocoa powder, espresso powder, water and […]

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  • Curry Soup with Chicken (kao soi)

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    Ingredients: 1 tablespoon oil 2 minced garlic cloves 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste 1 teaspoon cumin 1 tablespoon curry powder 2 pound boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite size pieces 2 cups chicken stock 3 cups coconut milk 1 teaspoon turmeric 3 tablespoon Asian fish sauce 2 tablespoons sugar 4 cups cooked rice or […]

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  • Curried Squash Soup

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    Ingredients: 3 leeks 1 ¼ pounds butternut or banana squash 2 tablespoons butter 2 teaspoons curry powder 4 cups chicken stock ¾ cup cream Salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste Instructions: Clean and slice leeks.  Peel and cut squash into ½ inch cubes. Sauté leeks in butter for about five minutes.  DO NOT BROWN.  Add […]

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  • Curried Garbanzo Soup

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    Ingredients: 3 tablespoons oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1 large tomato, chopped 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander ½ teaspoon cayenne ½ teaspoon ground turmeric 2 cans garbanzos, rinsed and drained ¾ cup water 2 large limes ½ cup chopped cilantro Instructions: […]

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  • Cuban Stew

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    Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds flank steak, cut into 2 inch cubes 4 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cups beef stock 1 carrot chopped 2 sticks celery, chopped 2 medium onions chopped 2 tablespoons lime juice 3 tablespoons orange juice ½ teaspoon salt and pepper or to taste 2 red peppers cut into […]

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  • Crispy Pork with Salsa and Guacamole

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    Ingredients: 4 pounds boneless country-style pork ribs 2 cups (or more) water 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice 6 garlic cloves, peeled 2 teaspoons fine sea salt 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 1/4 cup brandy Warm corn tortillas Instructions: Cut pork pieces crosswise into thirds. Cut off any big chunks of fat from pork and […]

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