Oswald Rivera

Author, Warrior, and Teacher

Category: all (page 23 of 76)

TOFU WITH BEANS

March 9, 2022 / / 0 Comments

I like tofu and I like beans. So, in the following recipe, I’ve combined the two. Most of us are familiar with pasts fazool,  or pasta fagioli, which combines beans and pasta, usually small shells, ditalini or even orzo. I guess this would be tofu fazool or tofu fagioli. In my old neighborhood we’d probably call it Tofu con Habichuelas. Whatever. It’s simple to make and utterly delicious.

I don’t usually use canned beans. The flavor just does not compare to beans conjured up from scratch. I acknowledge that it’s easy just to open the can and use. However, if you’re a purist like me, dried beans (in this case, black beans) are best. But you can use whatever bean type preferred.

For dried beans, here’s the drill: Place 2 cups beans in a colander, and rinse under cold running water; place in a kettle or pot  with water to cover by at least 2 inches (do not use hot water); let it soak in the fridge, ideally, overnight; put in a heavy pot or kettle with water to cover, again  by about 1 inch, bring to boil; cover and cook over moderate-low heat until beans are tender (about 1 hour). Note that, during cooking, if water is absorbed or water level runs low, you can add more water, Then cook as you would in the recipe given. Again, if you want to use canned beans, more power to you.

The other thing,  when cooking tofu is it should be pressed prior to cooking. This a technique used to remove moisture and make it easier to cook Normally, even with extra firm tofu, if it is too wet it can break up during cooking. Also, unpressed tofu will not absorb flavor as well, and will not have a good texture. To press: Wrap tofu in a few layers of paper towels; place a cast iron or similarly heavy pan on top, balancing it so that it stays level; wait about 30 minutes and you’ll get at least ¼ cup to ½ cup excess liquid that you’ll discard; remove weighted object; unwrap tofu and cook as instructed.

This time around, I serve this dish with tostones (fried green plantains); but you can serve it with rice or other grain (like quinoa or couscous).

Ingredients:

Cooked beans, as instructed above, or 2 (15.5) oz. cans black beans
2 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Salt  and ground black pepper to taste
1 (14 oz.) package extra firm tofu, pressed

Instructions:

  1. Place beans in  a heavy-duty pot or large skillet. Add tomato paste and cook over moderate-high heat, stirring, until paste has dissolved and is on longer in clumps, about 4-5 minutes. Add rest of ingredients, stir and cook, covered, over  medium heat for 10 minutes.
  2.  Stir in tofu, cook another 2 minutes and serve.
    Yield: r servings.

HAM SKILLET DINNER

March 7, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This is one of those spur-of-the-moment dinners that, amazingly, comes out right. If you got a ham steak and want something different and delicious, this recipe is it. This is one of those family dinners that is simple, and stick to the ribs. What more could you want? All you need is ham, onion, potatoes and chicken broth. If desired you can add some frozen vegetables to it like green peas or green beans. You are only limited by your imagination.

This meal goes great by itself with some crusty bread or with rice (or your favorite grain like, let’ say, couscous). With a hearty red wine like a chianti or cabernet, or a white, if that’s your preferences, you’ve got yourself a feast.

HAM SKILLET DINNER

Ingredients:

I large ham steak, about 1-inch thick, preferably maple and sugar cured
3 tablespoons butter
2 medium potatoes, washed and sliced thin (do not peel)
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced thin
Salt to taste
Pinch of pepper
½ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

  1. Heat butter in a large frying pan or skillet. Add ham steak and brown on both sides.
  2.  Add potatoes, onion, salt, pepper and broth. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 20 minutes, Cut ham steak into 4 portions and serve  with potatoes and onions.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

 

RED COOKED MEAT

February 24, 2022 / / 0 Comments

The Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor (CHAA) is an organization of scholars, cooks, food writers, nutritionists, collectors, students, and others interested in the study of culinary history and gastronomy. They publish a quarterly, Repast, which is a treasure trove of information on culinary history. The Spring 2021 edition contained an article, ‘How Chao and Chiang Changed Chinese-American Cuisine.’

The article featured a recipe by Buwei Yang Chao who, in 1945 published her pioneering work, How to Cook and Eat in Chinese (New York, John Day Co.). The Book introduced refined and authentic Chinese food to American readers. It included a discussion of red-cooked meats, which are large pieces braised in soy sauce,. wine and spices.

I was unaware of red-cooked meat until I came across this gem.  As noted in the title, this one is a very plain dish, easy to prepare and renders a delightful meat entrée (in this case, pork) that served over steamed rice, is a definite winner.  Be aware that for this recipe, the only modification I made is that I used chicken broth instead of water in the ingredients. I also added chopped fresh scallions. Either way, you can prepare the recipe as is, or enhance it any way you see fit.  Tradition is great, but innovation (in some cases) ain’t so bad. Also, the recipe doesn’t say anything about servings. I would figure 3-4 pounds of pork is enough for 4-6 servings.

So add a touch of history to your cooking. It won’t disappoint, and will leave family and friends hankering for more.

RED-COOKED MEAT PROPER: PLAIN

For this type of Red-Cooked Meat, the order of preference of cuts should be fresh bacon, fresh shoulder, fresh ham, pork chop.

3-4 pounds pork                                                                 1 tsp. salt
1 cup water                                                                            4 slices ginger
3 Tbsp. sherry                                                                              (if you can get it)
½ cup soy sauce                                                                    ½ Tbsp. sugar

Wash meat, cut into 1- or 1½-inch cubes. Put meat and 1 cup water in a heavy pot and use big fire. When it boils, add sherry, soy sauce, salt and ginger. Cover pot tight and cook over very low fire for 1½ hours. (In case of pork chop, use only 1 hour here.) Then add sugar. Again, over low fire, cook ½ to 1 hour. Test meat (for doneness by inserting a fork or chopstick).

 

 

ZUCCHINI BAKED WITH CHEESE

February 17, 2022 / / 0 Comments

I’ve been cooking zucchini with cheese for years. Simple, slice the suckers, layer with cheese, usually Parmesan, and bake until tender. Then I discovered that I had been preparing a  fancy-dan classical dish all the while. Leafing through a book on classical cuisine I came upon Courgette Gratinées à la Milanaise. Guess what, all it is is zucchini baked with cheese. I’ve been cooking from the classical canon all these years and didn’t know. Figure that one out.

This dish goes good with a crusty loaf as a vegetarian meal. It also makes a great accompaniment to grilled or broiled meats or hearty roasts be it pork, beef or poultry.

ZUCCHINI BAKED WITH CHEESE

Ingredients:

8 medium-sized zucchini, trimmed
¼ cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Wash the zucchini under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.  Cut into ¼-inch slices.
  3.  In a large frying pan or skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over moderate heat. When the foam subsides, add the zucchini slices and stir-fry for 3 minutes, Add salt and pepper. Remove the frying pan from the heat.
  4.  Sprinkle the bottom of a greased baking dish with one-quarter of the grated cheese. Cover the cheese with a layer of zucchini slices and on top of them spread a second layer of ¼ cup of grated cheese. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the cheese. Repeat the layers until all the zucchini and cheese have been used, then pour over the remaining melted butter.
  5.  Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender. Serve immediately.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

SAUTEED BAY SCALLOPS

February 11, 2022 / / 0 Comments

I’m always on the lookout for good scallop recipes. Mainly because they are so easy to prepare. So, today, we have a recipe of scallops sautéed with garlic. I did a post back in 01/30/15 on scallops cooked in garlic butter. It was more of scallops cooked in a sauce that included butter, lemon juice, and oregano.  This dish is different in that it has garlic, breadcrumbs and parsley. Along with salt and pepper, that’s it. Also, I would recommend bay scallops.

The trick to cooking  scallops is to never overcook them. When they’re done, their usual ivory color turns opaque.

This time around we served the scallops over yellow rice; but you can pair it with any grain or even pasta. Have fun.

SAUTÉED BAY SCALLOPS

Ingredients:

1 pound bay scallops
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Rinse scallops under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2.  Heat olive oil in large skillet or fry pan and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds.
  3. Add scallops and stir fry until they become opaque. Depending on their size, this will take 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Add bread crumbs and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the parsley and cook 20 seconds. Remove and serve immediately.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

SOPA DE LENTEJAS (Lentil Soup)

February 9, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This is one of the premier entries in my cookbook, Puerto Rican Cuisine in America: Nuyorican and Bodega Recipes ( Running Press). Sopa de Lentejas, or lentil soup, is an old family favorite. Back on the block, our preference was for red lentils. But green lentil can be just as good. Your choice. When preparing this soup, the mind boggles with what you can mix in. Celery, carrots and mushrooms are among the most common vegetables added to the pot. Smoked ham or ham hocks  are other ingredients popular in this stew. In some recipes rice is mixed in with the broth. Depending on amount of liquid and cooking time, you can make it as thin  or as thick as you like. Whichever way you make it, with some crusty bread and a hearty red wine, this dish can’t be beat.

Our version is quite simple: lentils, chorizo and potatoes. We include tomato sauce for added flavor and color. Some cooks prefer to adjust their seasoning with salt and pepper added after the soup is done. It’s a matter of personal taste. However you season it, the soup should be served piping hot, with or without croutons, Back in the apartment in Harlem, we never added croutons.

Also note that you can double the quantity of ingredients to make 6-8 servings.

Ingredients:

1 cup red lentils (or green)
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium  green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
3 cups chicken broth
3 small potatoes (or 2 medium), washed and quartered
2 chorizo sausages, casings removed and sliced into ½-inch rounds
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
1 bay leaf
½ can tomato sauce
Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1.  Rinse lentils  under cold running water (best using a fine strainer). Set aside.
  2.  Heat oil in a kettle or Dutch oven.  Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. Stir-fry until tender but not browned.
  3.  Stir in lentils. Add broth and remaining ingredients. Mix well and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low heat until tender but not mushy (about ½ hour).
  4.  Remove and discard bay leaf. Serve immediately.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

 

 

GUINEOS CON LIQOR (Spirited Bananas)

January 31, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This what my father would call one of those ‘fancy-dan’ recipes. It’s designed to impress dining folk. Yet, in contrast, it is so easy to prepare. Good ripe bananas are coated in butter, sprinkled with lime juice and sugar, and baked. Lastly, they are spiced with anisette, or, anis, the preferred Latino liqueur. I’ve discovered that you can use whatever liqueur  is on hand. In our group, we prefer Grand Marnier. Also, we call the recipe ‘spirited bananas.’ The actual translation is ‘bananas with liquor’ (or bananas with booze).  We figure ‘Spirited Bananas’ is a more refine nomenclature. It’s all a matter of semantics. As my father would say, Who gives a flyin’ you-know-what.

Now comes the fancy-dan part. The dish can also be served flambé style. That is, you can heat the liqueur,  pour over the bananas and set aflame. Then bask in all the oohs and aahs from your guests

GUINEOS CON LIQOR
(Spirited Bananas)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
4 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon lime juice
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup anisette, amaretto or Grand Marnier

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Melt butter in an oven-proof serving dish or large skillet.
3.  Add bananas and coat both sides with butter.
4. Sprinkle with lime juice and sugar.
5. Place in oven and bake 15 minutes.
6. Drizzle with liqueur and serve. Or heat liqueur in a flambé cup or small saucepan. Pour over bananas, ignite with a long match. Gently shake your now-flaming pan to evenly distribute the alcohol. Let cook until the flames disappear. The alcohol vapor generally burns off by itself in a few seconds. Serve immediately.
Yield: 4 servings.

 

 

 

 

 

LAMB SHANKS WITH RICE AND GREEN GRAPES

January 27, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This is a dish that was provided by some Greek-American friends. What fascinates is that it combines fruit with lamb and rice. In this case, green grapes. I’ve noticed also that, in Middle Eastern cuisine, they sometimes add fruit to the entrée; and it brings a whole new dimension to a dish.

With a good Greek red wine, like an Agiorgitiko, Mavrodaphne, or Moschomavro, it makes for a fine meal. Besides Greek reds, you can utilize a good Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or Bordeaux.  This is a recipe that will please even your most jaded friends.

LAMB SHANKS WITH RICE AND GREEN GRAPES
(Arni Me Rizi Ke Stafeli)

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 lamb shanks
½ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely mince
3 cups chicken broth
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups green seedless grapes

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Rinse lamb shanks under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet or fry pan and brown the lamb shanks. Place them in a large pot or Dutch oven..
  4. In the same skillet as before, brown the onion and garlic. Add to the lamb shanks. Pour the chicken broth into the pot or Dutch oven, and add salt, oregano and bay leaf. Bring the broth to a boil, cover, lower heat to a simmer, and cook for 45 minutes or until the meat is fork-tender. Pour off the liquid and keep the lamb warm.
  5. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 1½ to 2-quart saucepan and brown the rice lightly over medium-high heat. Add 2½ cups of lamb broth. Cover tightly. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 30 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a heavy skillet. Just before serving, cook the grapes in the butter over medium-high heat until bright green. Arrange the rice in a large serving dish, top with the lamb shanks, spoon the grapes and butter over the lamb, and serve.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

BROILED FISH FILLETS WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

January 24, 2022 / / 0 Comments

What to do with cucumbers? A time honored question. Cukes are more than just for salads or burgers on a Sunday outing. They also make a great sauce, as envisioned in the recipe given: a very simple medley of cucumbers, herbs, lemon juice and sour cream. Just pour the sauce over white fish fillets such as cod, turbot, tilefish, halibut, flounder, grouper, etc. You get the idea. Just coat the fish with the sauce and broil. And, it goes without saying, the sauce is also great over chicken.

This dish is good with potatoes, a vegetable or any grain. This time around we served it with couscous.

BROILED FISH FILLETS WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Ingredients:

4 fish fillets (about 1/2 pound each)
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 tablespoon finely minced chives
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1 large shallot, peeled and minced
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/3 cup sour cream

Instructions:

  1. Rinse fillets under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a bowl, combine oil, vinegar, chives, lemon rind, salt and pepper. Place fish in a baking dish. Spread seasoning mixture over both sides of fish. Let stand at least 45 minutes.
  3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Sauté the shallot over medium heat until golden. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  4. Broil fish fillets, about 4 minutes per side.
  5. Meanwhile, add cucumber and thyme to shallots. Cook 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and sour cream. Cook for 5 minutes over low heat. Do not allow to boil. Spoon over fish and serve.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

MAPLE GLAZED PORK CHOPS – NUYORICAN STYLE

January 20, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This dish is so easy to make, and its so good, taste-wise. It’s pork chops seasoned with typical Boricua ingredients and then slathered with maple syrup. That’s right, maple syrup. Burt you can substitute honey, if that’s your preference. Also, in the Rivera family, we love to serve these pork chops over steamed rice with roasted vegetables or a side salad.

MAPLE GLAZED PORK CHOPS – NUYORICAN STYLE

Ingredients:

4 (1-inch) boneless tenderloin pork chops
12 whole black peppercorns
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon oregano
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup maple syrup

Instructions

:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Wash pork chops under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
  3.  Place peppercorns, garlic, oregano, and salt in a mortar and pound until crush. Blend in olive oil, and vinegar.
  4. Rub pork chops thoroughly with the seasoning.
  5. Heat an oven-proof frying pan or skillet (we prefer cast-iron) over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops until browned, 2-3 minutes per side.
  6. Add onion to maple syrup. Pour over the pork chops.
  7. Place in oven and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes for thick (1-inch thick) chops, 5-10 minutes for thin (½-inch thick) chops or until the interior temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.  Once you remove from the oven, let chops rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.
    Yield: 4 servings.

    Note: If desired, you can also cook the chops atop the stove. In this case,  heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or fry pan. Add chops and cook over medium-high heat 4-5 minutes on each side till cooked through. In a small bowl, whisked together crushed peppercorn, garlic, oregano, salt, red wine vinegar, chopped onion and maple syrup. Add to skillet and cook another 3-5 minutes, spooning sauce over the pork chops and turning to coat. Serve hot.          

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