La Cuisine Classique

January 24, 2009

Béchamel Sauce

Filed under: Ingredients, Recipes, Sauces and Dips — Tags: , , — La Cuisine Classique @ 4:31 am

Ingredients:
8 Tablespoons unsalted sweet butter
6 Tablespoons flour
1 Quart milk

How to do it:
Melt the butter over medium heat and add the flour. Cook for 6-7 minutes stirring constantly until the roux is a blond color.

Heat the milk in a separate pan until it’s nearly boiling. Add the hot milk one cup at a time to the roux, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes whisking constantly. Remove from heat and set aside until ready for use.

September 28, 2008

Evaporated Milk

Filed under: Dairy, Ingredients, Recipes — Tags: — La Cuisine Classique @ 11:38 am

Ingredients

  • 1 cup nonfat dry milk
  • 1 3/4 cups warm water

How To Do It:
Whip until smooth.

Yield:
12 ounces

September 7, 2008

Yeast

Filed under: Bread, Ingredients — Tags: , — La Cuisine Classique @ 1:35 am

Many recipes call for yeast. Here are a few tips that will hopefully lead you to success.

  1. Buy yeast in bulk. If you use enough of it, please consider buying a jar instead of individual packets. A 1/4 ounce packet is roughly the equivalent to 2 1/4 teaspoons.
  2. Store the yeast in an airtight container in a cool, dry place (such as a pantry of refrigerator.) After the jar has been opened, close it tightly and store at the back of your refrigerator away from drafts.
  3. Use before it expires. Yeast loses its potency as it ages.
  4. Proof yeast. To check the yeast’s potency, combine 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast and the warm water (100-110 degrees) the recipe calls for in a measuring cup and let stand for 10 minutes. If the yeast begins to foam, then it’s fine.

August 31, 2008

Sourdough Starter

Filed under: Bread, Ingredients, Recipes — Tags: , , — La Cuisine Classique @ 1:53 am

Dissolve one package of dry yeast in a half cup of warm water. When the yeast and water begin to bubble, add 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey, 2-1/2 cups flour and 2 cups of water. Store in a sterilized large glass jar (crock or plastic jar are also acceptable.) Cover with clear plastic wrap. Do not use a metal container or utensils!

Keep at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. The mixture will bubble up and should be stirred down and then placed in the refrigerator. Stir daily with a wooden or plastic spoon. On the fifth day, you will need to feed the sourdough starter. Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of sugar and stir well. On the tenth day, take out 2 cups of the starter for baking , then feed same ingredients as on the fifth day to keep starter going.

The sourdough starter can be used to make bread, pancakes, etc.

July 27, 2008

Creole Seasoning

Filed under: Ingredients, Recipes — Tags: , — La Cuisine Classique @ 1:06 am

Do yourself a favor and make your own seasoning. Don’t buy the salty stuff at the store. I mix it and store it in a large mason jar. It should keep for a while, but I wouldn’t know because I use it pretty quickly. ;)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves
  • 2 tablespoons dried sweet basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon celery seed
  • 5 tablespoons sweet paprika

How to do it:
Mix the ingredients and use it. I use it on meat, poultry, pork and in various gumbos, stews and jambalaya

July 13, 2008

Sour Milk

Filed under: Ingredients, Recipes — Tags: , — La Cuisine Classique @ 4:41 pm

No, I’m not referring to that half empty (or is it half full?) milk container full of nasty stuff that was pushed to the rear of your refrigerator. Occasionally, a recipe will call for sour milk. Here’s how I make it.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
  • Combine the two ingredients and let stand for 5 minutes. With today’s pasteurized milk, it’s the only way to make sour milk. Enjoy. Well, don’t try to enjoy it on your morning cereal.

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