When I went to the local farmer's market, they had some lovely leeks and beets available. I bought both. I made pickled beets with the beets, and then struggled with what to do with the leeks. Usually, I make a Quiche, but I really didn't like the idea of turning my oven on twice, once to pre-bake the shell, and then to bake the Quiche itself. Now that I have my mandoline, I have had so much fun, and I thought to combine potatoes and leeks together in a casserole.
I also had a lovely pork loin in my refrigerator, and leeks and pork go together so nicely. A bottle of white wine was waiting to make it a perfect meal.
I bought meat to make Beef Stroganoff, but then realized there was not enough meat to make a meal enough for four people. Not only that, my friend had come by with a bottle of white wine, just the thing for Risotto. I thought I could combine the two and make something really wonderful. I was right, and I even had enough for the next day's lunch!
When I was a little girl my mother used to make a beef dish that I loved. I never knew what it was until I became an adult and learned it was called brisket of beef. I liked that the meat was tender, and full of flavor. Finding it in the market, however, was a chore. I would only see Corned Beef, which I like very much, but it's not the same thing.
While I was thinking about that brisket I had as a little girl growing up in Germany, I realized that my mother never made it after we moved back to the United States. Maybe it wasn't my mother's dish after all, maybe it was our German maid, Elfrida's brisket I remember so fondly.
Either way, when I found brisket at the local butcher shop, I knew I had to try making it. I figured I would do something similar to Oxen Shvantz Suppe – Braised Oxtails, which also takes a long time to cook. It's hot and I didn't want to be in a hot kitchen all day, so I used my 4 quart Nesco to slowly braise the brisket. It was delicious!
In the summer, even though it's hot, I still think about fried chicken, and I'm not talking about that stuff at Kentucky Fried that tastes like a salt lick either. I'm talking about fried chicken like my Grandmother, Grace Boswell, used to make. She came from Texas, and she made the best friend chicken in the world, well in my opinion. Now, it's my turn to pass on a tradition.
No Instructions, Experimentation Necessary
My Nana did not like to share her recipes, and really didn't want anyone in the kitchen when she was cooking. She just wanted, and got, the accolades when the finished dish was on the table. The only time I saw the chicken before it got to the dining room was when there was a pan of it already fried, waiting to go to the table, which was too late. So, I've had to do some experimenting to get it right.
What!!!!! What did you say? Hellman's Mayonnaise in California? Well, actually, no it was Hellman's Sandwich Spread in Glendale, California.
Best Foods and Hellman's, Together?
Spane and I were at the 99 Cents Only store on our way to visit Alexandria's Archives's President, and stopped at the store to get a Danish or something, and I spied these jars of Hellman's. I was amazed, and then found a jar of Bestfoods next to it. I couldn't help take a picture, considering that I will probably never see the two brands together in the same place, unless I take it upon myself to start rock climbing or something. Don't get your hopes up, folks, this was a jar of Hellman's that will expire in August, 2014, just a few weeks after this post. So, no, we won't be buying that.
I have to say I was flabbergasted when I found Hellman's in Glendale. I told Spane that the jar was very, very far from home. Hellman's is typically not sold west of the Rocky Mountains, where Best Foods is sold. The ingredients on both are the same, while some people prefer Best Foods because it is perceived to have a more tangy flavor, more vinegar. Wikipedia has an interesting article about the history of the popular condiment.
Mayonnaise is a great starter for sauces, including my Summer Bean Salad with Lemon Mayonnaise. It also has a host of other uses, but we will talk about those another day.
Better Than Best Foods Parmesan chicken has a little secret surprise that gives a more flavor a little satisfying crunch. Have it with white wine, a nice salad, broccoli, and a baked potato you can bake at the same time as the chicken. This is a great dinner for a weeknight, yet impressive enough for company. Enjoy!
A few days ago, someone asked me for a different way to roast a chicken, and I have her this recipe. I haven't made this in a long time, and it was a welcome change from the ho-hum regular roasted chicken we all know and love.
Recipes in this Post
