Most “store brand” Stone Ground or Dijon brown mustard – offered 12 oz squeeze bottles are pretty much the same. Either makes a good base for different condiment needs. (sandwich spread, dipping, glazing, etc)
Wheat’s Hot-n-Spicy Mustard Dip 3 Tbl Stone Ground Mustard 1 tsp Horse Radish POWDER ….. or 1 TBL Prepared Horse Radish 3 Tbl Water or other liquid to thin to dipping consistency – Mix well and allow to sit at room temp for a few hours OR overnight in fridge – Store, covered in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.
Although I will use most of their recipe for the ingredients and the technique, as of those with chronic arthritis, the dough for this recipe could easily be prepared using the dough cycle of your Bread Machine – Just remember to follow your machine’s recommendations for the order in which to add ingredients. My suggestion/rule of thumb for things like sourdough and in this case, the tangzhong is after other liquid
So far the only sub I will make is using a comparable amount of previously prepared shredded pork that needs to leave the freezer and used. It only slightly differs from the recipe in that it was modified to avoid certain ingredients which do not sit well with us. Just the first of what I suspect will be many experiments.
Serves if no sides – and depends on size of pita –
3 or 4
3 or 4
lamb ground
1 lb
1 lb
Beef 80/20
½ lb
Garlic granual
½ tsp
1 tsp
onion granual
1 tsp
1 tsp
Tuscan Blend ** see note
1 tbl
1 Tbl
Pepper Black coarse ground
½ tsp
½ tsp
sea salt coarse or if table grind, use ½ amount
½ tsp
½ tsp
Lemon zest or peel *optional but worth including for more “greek” like taste
1/8 tsp
1/8 tsp
Paprika smoked
1/8 tsp
1/8 tsp
Panko or Maize – optional in fact I usually forget it
¼ c
Gravy Mix – Brown -optional – enhanced meat flavor
1 Tbl
Meat Directions – This is an easy recipe to double or more “as written” – I recommend freezing uncooked extra for future meals in unsliced “logs” (just add a few extra minutes to baking or air fry time for fresher flavor.
Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly
Mix Dry into meat REALLY MASH – into an almost paste like texture.
Place in covered bowl and refrigerate at least 3 hours if time allows.*
Shape into approx 5 x 5 x 1 inch square (easiest when refrigerated but the world does not end if you don’t)
Cut into 1 in square “Logs” (like a square hot dog)
Optional, chill the logs before Bake/AirFry – if you have time, if not, not to worry it will be fine. place on rack in shallow pan – chilling does make it easier to shape.
Either Bake at 350F – 30 mins Or AirFry 325 – 20 mins Check for Internal temp of 160F/72C Allow to rest 5 mins before slicing.
* The world does not end if you do not have time to refrigerate and allow flavors to meld. It is also easier to shape the logs when cold.
**Drogheria & Alimentari Organic Tuscan Herb Seasoning is my preferred version of Italian Seasoning – We use this Tuscan Herb Blend in many ways. In this recipe, usually calling for Greek Seasoning by adding Lemon Zest or Peel and Mint adding 1/8th tsp (teaspoon) each per tablespoon of the Drogheria & Alimentari Organic Tuscan Herb Seasoning offers a pleasant flavour to the this or any other Mediterranean regional dish. For other ways see my post: Ingredient: Tuscan Herb Seasoning
Your Kitchen = Your Choice: Many recipes call for diced black olives. We don’t like olives.
Plating as Pita Pockets. Heat 01 or 2 Pitas per person (or more in you have teenage boys or hardworking adults) Slice meat longways to make strips about 1/8-1/4 inch thick. 1 Tbl Tzatziki smeared inside pocket Add Meat, thin slice onion, tomato and crumbled Feta
Plating as “Dinner” per person 1/2 cup Brown Basmati Rice Cooked and HOT Crumble 1 Tbl Feta onto hot rice Cut meat into bite size pieces. Add Meat evenly distributed over rice Add 2 Tbl Diced Fresh Tomato Add 2 Tbl Diced Fresh Onion Top with tzatziki & finely crumbled Feta
Plating as Salad (my favorite) Shredded Lettuce of your choice Distribute following evenly Meat cut into bite sized pieces 2 Tbl Diced Fresh Tomato Add 2 Tbl Diced Fresh Onion Top with tzatziki & finely crumbled Feta Optional: Top with Tzatziki Dressing (tzatziki thinned w/Mediterranean olive oil 2:1 ratio Top with crumbled Feta
My father’s family immigrated from that corner of the Ukraine that is much influenced by many food traditions of the Ukraine, Poland and Russia.
So whether you call it (Polish) Pierogi or (Ukrainian) Varenyky or (Russia) Pelmni They all use a nearly identical dough with many variations for the traditional fillings sometimes vary.
Depending on your family traditions, they can be prepared in several ways or a combination. Here’s what I do “most of the time”
Kielbasi and Frozen Pierogi Sheet Pan Meal I prefer Fresh Kielbasi – if you use precooked , reduce broiling time Frozen Pierogi can be whatever flavor you like best – Even though I do make Pierogi from scratch – I have found freezing helps produce a better version.
Preferred Prep: 1/4th c Fresh Chives, chopped fine or 1 Tablespoon Dried Chives rehydrated in butter Set Aside
Par-Boil Pierogi Toss in a bowl of garlic and horseradish compound butter Set Aside
Slice Kielbasi into 1/2 -3.4 in button bites 1/3 lb person works for us. Broil on Hi about 10 min Flip at 5. Remove & spread melted fat over pan as you would to “butter” for cake place buttered pierogi “round side down” Broil 5 min on HI FLIP Pierogi so rounded side is up Brush with remaining compound butter PLACE Kielbasi into the pan Broil until tops of Pierogi are browned. Arrange Kielbasi & Pierogi on plate, sprinkle with Chives Eat & Enjoy
VARIATION Suggestions: For Savory (meat & cheese) we like to steam and then either pan-fry with brown butter & onion I have been “practicing” with the not half bad stupid market product: “Mrs T’s” & third place ALDI – Bremer Pierogi.
And yes, they can sub ravoli & Italian sausage if you wish. A good addition to Sunday Snacks.
What can I say, two of my father’s sisters married into Italian families. so not unusual for me to use Italian sausage if Kielbasi is not handy.
What is YOUR Favorite “Eastern European” dumpling and how do you like it prepared?
Plain greek yogurt is often a main ingredient for sauces, dips and marinades. Chobani is one of the two brands I prefer. As a “hand up, not a hand out” sort of person, have always thought food banks a valuable community resource. Donating when I can. So was pleased to read this article in this week’s Aldi Reviewer.
“… Chobani is running a campaign, July 29-Aug 29 2020 called Food Bank Batch. In a partnership with Chicago-based charity Feeding America, Chobani is donating 100% of all profits from sales of its limited-run 4-pack PB&J Yogurt to the charity. The company is pledging a minimum donation of 800,000 meals, or $80,000. So when you see “food bank batch,” that’s what it means. This campaign is not limited to Aldi. It applies to all stores where Chobani PB&J Yogurt is sold. According to Charity Navigator, Feeding America has a 4-star rating, the highest rating the site gives. ,,,”
It all started when the impossible happened. I ran out of Ricotta – an event which has never happened in my entire life. And something that must be prevented at all costs from occurring again.
Step 1: Check local library for cookbooks and wonder of wonders found on that REALLY Looked nearly perfect for my needs. For my Dairy Free friends, there is even a version that may be of interest to you as well
These are the Amazon links, although you may be able to find it for free – but if you do interact with these links, it is possible I may benefit from your purchase.
Since my experiments may need to be suspended for a few weeks (no wifi and unlikely they will set me loose in the facility kitchens, no matter what my first degree says “Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management” at the ReHab facility) Feel free to give either book a try and let me know know it goes.
Meanwhile something to look forward to in the New Yea! (the cooking not the physical therapy)
