Sauerkraut

 5 lbs organic cabbage, thinly sliced or diced

3 tbs sea salt

Mix the cabbage and salt in a large bowl. 

Cover with cheesecloth for an hour or so, until it gets juicy.

Pack into a clean stone crock.

Find a plate that will fit the inner circumference of the crock and weigh down the plate to hold the cabbage firmly packed.

Let ferment for 5 to 10 days at around 72 degrees F.

Billy Parisi’s salad dressings

Ranch

1.5 c mayo 

.75 c buttermilk 

2 tsp garlic granules 

2 tsp onion granules 

1.5 tsp dry dill 

1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper 

Bleu 

1.5 c mayo 

1/2 c sour cream 

1/2 c buttermilk 

2 tsp onion granules 

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper 

2 tsp vinegar 

1/2 c bleu cheese 

Italian 

1/3 c red wine vinegar 

2 tsp dijon 

2 cloves garlic minced 

2 tbsp dry oregano 

2 tbsp dry basil 

1 tbsp parsley flakes 

pinch crushed red peppers 

1 tbsp sugar 

1/3 c parmesan 

1/4 tsp pepper 

1 c oil 

Balsamic Vinaigrette 

1/3 c balsamic vinegar 

1/2 shallot fresh chives 

2 tsp whole grain mustard 

3 tbsp honey 

1 c olive oil

1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper

Thousand 

1/2 c diced pickles 

 2 hb egss grated 

1.5 c mayo 

1/2 onion 

2 tbsp pimentos or roasted red peppers 

1/4 c chili sauce 

2 tsp cider vinegar 

2 dashes hot sauce 

1 tbsp sugar 

1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper

Gordon Ramsay's Huevos Rancheros Sauce

 Olive oil

Red & green peppers 1 each, diced

Onions 1 medium, diced, 

Caramelize onions and peppers in olive oil

Add:

Salt & Black Pepper

Garlic cloves

Cumin 1 tsp

Smoked chipotle puree 1-2T

Pork chorizo 1/2 lb pre-cooked and drained

stewed tomatoes (10 oz)

Puree with an immersion blender after fully cooked, and serve over tortillas and eggs with cheese, avocados, black beans, etc.

Purportedly KFC

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons Accent (MSG seasoning)
• 1 can lard (enough to cover chicken in the fryer)

Jacques Pepin's basic Bechamel

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and cook over low heat for about 1 minute, stirring with a whisk; do not let the mixture brown. Add the milk and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching, then simmer over low heat for 1 minute. Add the cream, salt, white pepper, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.

I've seen other bechamel recipes that add spices. M. Pepin seems to only add the particular spices necessary for each dish that he is creating, when he makes a small batch like this, such as nutmeg, or thyme. 

If one is making a larger quantity for general purpose use in a couple different sauces, I believe this basic recipe should do the trick. 

Note: I haven't made bechamel since I trained with Cordon Bleu chef, Peter Rideout, back in 1980. But this looks very similar to my basic country gravy.

Miscellaneous Musings

I just discovered there is a blog with almost the same title and address as mine. Just leave out the "s" in books and you'll find it. I think I may have to spend some time out there.

Insomnia strikes, so I spent a little time applying labels to blog posts here.

A while back, I had to pack up all my recipe books that I had out festooning the cupboard tops above the range and counters. There were probably 150 to 200 of them. I kept out a few I wanted to do some research for seafood ideas (we live at the beach in the heart of some great fisheries, with crab, salmon, razor clams, cherrystone clams, oysters, halibut and various bottom fish freshly available). That research being somewhat complete, now I need to get back into the boxes and see if I can dig out my books by Jacques Pepin - my hero. Probably the only celebrity who I'd really like to meet. I guess Emeril would be cool, too.

Smash seasoning

• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt