Knowledge Kuliner

For this Kentucky fried chicken recipe, you can use lard, crisco (shortening), or one of the vegetable oils. You can also add butter, if you choose, skimming off any foam that rises to the top while heating the oil. You can toss in chunks of ham or bacon to add flavor. Crucial are the skillet or pan, and the temperature of the oil. On my first try the oil was too hot; the result was burned, undercooked chicken. Oil that is not hot enough will not deliver crisp chicken.

INGREDIENTS:
1 good chicken (Kosher or 'natural' chickens are usually best), cut into serving pieces, or use 8 to 10 leg pieces (drumsticks and thighs), trimmed of excess fat.


AND
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice


OR

fines herbes mix:
1 tsp chopped tarragon
1 tsp chopped chervil
1 tsp chopped chives
1 tsp chopped parsley
(or any combination of the above, plus whatever else you fancy)




PLUS
1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
1 egg
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Enough oil or lard to fill skillet to a depth of about 1/2" - lard, lard and butter combined or vegetable: Crisco shortening, corn, canola, peanut. Canola or corn oil imparts the least flavor, lard the most. Crisco shortening seems to result in the 'crispest' chicken. Canola is considered the healthiest.

Ingredients:

Meatballs:
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3 slices bread, crumbled
2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, smashed, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
.
Sauce:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large can (28 to 36 ounces total) crushed Italian tomatoes
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
16 ounces thin spaghetti
Parmesan cheese
Preparation:

Recipe for spaghetti and meatballs
Make meatballs. In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly; add milk and bread and let stand for about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper; mix gently until well blended. Shape into about 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place meatballs in a generously greased large shallow baking pan. Bake meatballs at 450° for 25 minutes.
In a Dutch oven, in hot oil over medium heat, sauté onion until tender and just begins to turn golden. Add remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, if necessary. Add meatballs; cover and simmer 50 to 60 minutes longer, stirring from time to time.

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s fast, healthy, seasonal, and delicious, this is the recipe to try. Use store-bought pizza dough and pile on some seasonal toppings, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs, and you have yourself a pizza that is just as good for you as it is good to eat.

You can vary the recipe according to what you have on hand, and it makes a great use for leftover steamed spring veggies. The directions are so easy, you may end up having a Family Pizza Night–but it will be a really healthy one! Such a clever way to get your kids to eat their greens:



INGREDIENTS:

One pizza crust (store-bought, homemade, or purchased from your local pizzaria)
Olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced

One or more of the following cooked toppings:
Broccoli florets
Spinach
Asparagus
Peas

One or more of the following fresh toppings:
Sliced mushrooms (or dried mushrooms, reconstituted in liquid, and drained)
Rosemary
Oregano
Thyme
Basil

1 cup cheese, any of the following, or a combination:
Fresh mozzarella, sliced
Regular mozzarella, grated
Freshly-grated Romano or parmesan
Feta
Ricotta
Goat cheese