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[/frame] This event just keeps getting better!
A big shout-out to Charee Edwards for coordinating the event, & to the Ojai Rotary Club!
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As always the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort hosted Taste of Ojai -2014.
The Indian-Summer conditions were spectacular, as October often presents in our little Nest-
The music was great & the ever-smooth Alquimia Organic Tequila divine!
People danced, laughed, & enjoyed tasty items from; Surf Brewery, Bliss Frozen Yogurt, Suzanne’s Cuisine, Feast Bistro,
& of course the Jelly Gals were serving up Ojai Habanero Apricot Jam over Cheese Cake!
Mark your calendars for Taste of Ojai 2015- it’s well worth attending!
Tag: Organic
Local Artisans Market @William Sonoma
First Saturday
12 noon to 4 pm
Saunter into William Sonoma & Sample our Delightful + Delicious Epicurean Treats!ย
Friendly staff + talented Artisans throughout – Did I mention scrumptious treats?
ย
- have you tried our new Jam?
OJAI HABANERO APRICOT JAM – heat level 2ย
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- OJAI JALAPENO JELLYย – heat level 3
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- OJAI HABANERO JELLY – heat level 4
Year of the Horse Salad
A special THANK YOU to local Santa Barbara artist; Katie Upton.
I โฅ her work!
Wine Pairing; Zaca Mesa Winery 2011 Viognier
Toss together;
2 c. organic beets, spiralized, then lightly steamed, or microโd ‘al dente’
2 c. organic Granny Smith Apples, spiralized or sliced thin
1/2 c. organic kale, or a handful of fresh parsley- chopped
1/2 c. organic celery root, (anise root, or jicama are also delicious)- chopped
Dressing;
(heat & mix over low heat, do not boil)
1/2 c. olive oil
2-3 t. Ojai Jalapeรฑo Jelly
Once it’s cooled, complete by adding;
1/2 c. “White Apple Balsamic Vinegar“
1/2 c. White Stilton Mango & Ginger Cheese
squeeze of lemon (โฅ Meyers)
At the last moment throw in
a handful of “NutC” Sweet n’ Spicy Walnuts– broken up, irregularly
Toss & serve-
enjoy!
Sweet & Sour Fish (chicken or pork)
Use organic, local ingredients whenever possible-
On the Sea of Cortez Dorado & Wahoo are plenty- Tonight’s dinner: “Ruby’s Sweet & Sour Dorado”.
Tip; have everything prepped & ready to go. Don’t have hot oil waiting- it’s a recipe for disaster…
Serves about 6
2 pounds fresh fish (Dorado, Halibut, Sea Bass, Wahoo- any mild white fish, chicken or pork is excellent)
2-3 t. salt
oil for frying (about 2″ deep in a frying pan)
Batter:
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. cornstarch
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. cold water
Sauce:
3 T. apple cider vinegar
1/3- 1/2 c. Ojai Habanero Jelly (I prefer the flavor & color)
3-4 fresh squeezed Mexican limes
1 1/2 c. pineapple juice
4 T. cornstarch
Garnish:
1 1/2 – 2 c. fresh, sweet pineapple chunks- cut in bite size pieces
1-2 carrots- cut in circles
1 c. sugar snap peas- tips cut off
1/2 c. sesame seeds- dry roast in frying pan until golden brown & beginning to “pop”
1.
Rinse then pat dry fish. Cut into bite size pieces. Be SURE to remove all bones.
Sprinkleย salt over fish.
2.
Toss fish into medium size plastic bag with
3/4 c. flour.
Shake. Remove excess flour & set aside.
3.
In a big bowl; prepare batter by mixing dry ingredients, then whisk in cold water. Set aside.
4.
In a medium size saucepan prepare sauce over low-medium heat. Add vinegar & Ojai Habanero Jelly, & lime juice.
In a separate small bowl mix; cornstarch & pineapple juice. Drizzle & whisk juice/cornstarch mixture into saucepan with the
Jelly mixture. Stir until thickenedย & somewhat translucent. Keep slightly warm until you’re ready to serve.
5.
Dip fish in batter mixture.
6.
Heat oil in deep frying pan, wok or deep fryer (about 375โข)
Cook fish about 3 minutes- until golden brown. Drain off excess oil. Set aside in a warming dish until all fish is prepared.
7.
I suggest you serve the sauce on the side & let your guests add sauce to their liking.
Top with sesame seeds.
This dish is excellent served with rice.
enjoy!
Summertime Carrots
In a saucepan lightly steam;
5 medium size carrots- peeled
Drain well & transfer to a serving bowl
In the same saucepan heat;
2-3 T. Ojai Habanero Jelly
Heat till it sizzles for about 45 seconds
Add 1 T. Molasses
3 T. Lemon Balsamic Vinegar (Robbins Family Farm)
Stir for just a moment & remove from heat.
Pour sauce over carrots,
add 1 finely chopped green onion
Toss & serve-
Delicious warm or cold
enjoy!
Blood Orange Tequila Sunset Cocktail
What youโll need;
ice
1 1/2 oz GOOD tequila (per person)
4 oz Tangerine Juice (per person)
1/2 oz blood orange syrup (per person)
The syrup is easy to make. You’ll have extra for the next time youโre craving this cocktail.
It stores well in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
Blood Orange Syrup
4 c. fresh squeezed Blood Orange juice
2c. sugar
Combine ingredients in a saucepan, then simmer for about 15 minutes, reducing liquid to half. Set aside & let cool.
The trick to making this beautiful Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise Cocktail is to add the ingredients in a specific order, creating striations of color. First in the glass goes the ice, then the tequila, the tangerine juice, and lastly the blood orange syrup. Slowly drizzle the syrup over the back of a spoon to allow the syrup to make itโs way to the bottom of the glass. Give it a slight stir, and youโre finished-
Garnish with a curl of zest & make a toast!
Serves well with a gaggle of giggling friends, telling stories, creating new ones & watching the Ojai “Pink Moment” “Sunset” disappear together-
enjoy!
Lime-Orange Cupcakes with White Chocolate & Peppercorn Frosting!?!
makes 14-16 cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350โข
These cupcakes are unique, delicious & light- This recipe was inspired by the amazing Amalfi white chocolate bar
I recently discovered @ Paradise Pantry in Ventura, CA.
In a bowl mix the dry ingredients then set aside;
1 1/2 c. Swan’s Down Cake Flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
pinch of salt
In a different bowl cream;
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter (@ almost room temperature)
To the sugar & butter add;
1 egg yolk (save the egg white)
1/2 c. milk + 1/4 c. sourcream or 3/4 c. buttermilk
about 11 drops of Orange Oil
1-5 ounce jar “E. Waldo Ward & Son” Lime Marmalade- chopped up
In another bowl;
Beat 3 egg whites until light & fluffy, not dry or stiff
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, then fold in the egg whites gingerly.
Line & fill your cupcake tins.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes.ย Ready when toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on rack for about 10 minutes, then take cupcakes from tins & allow to fully cool on rack before frosting.
My favorite new kitchen tool is a “Batter Pen“- it makes filling cupcake tins fast, clean & easy.
I also recommend using cupcake paper liners that are made of special parchment paper, they don’t allow the cupcakes to stick.
White Chocolate-Lime Zest & Pink Peppercorn Frosting
With an electric mixer, cream;
6 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 c. butter (room temperature)
1 heaping T. sourcream
Then add & mix well;
pinch of salt
about 10 drops “Orange Oil”
Mix in;
3/4 c. powdered sugar
6 ounces +/- white chocolate bar- finely grated
1 t. lime zest
3-7 pink peppercorns- ground
Pipe;
frosting onto cupcakes & decorate with a slight dash of lime zest + a pinch of white chocolate & simply a hint
of pink peppercorn-
enjoy!
Chronic Cellars, Paso Robles
What a fun place to taste GREAT wines- They even have a pool table in the middle of their tasting room!
Chronic Cellars is on the outskirts of Paso Robles, CA. -on the way to Lake Nacimiento
Their general theme; FUN! Zany! & Dia de los Muertos characters throughout- All wine names are a play-on-words My favorite; “Sofa King Bueno“
Asparagus Spears wrapped in Prosciutto, drizzled with Habanero-Balsamic Reduction
This is a delicious appetizer- & the first way I tried prosciutto-
One bunch of organic asparagus spears- ends cut off, washed
About 10 thinly shaved pieces of prosciutto-
Cut each strip into 3 long strips, about 1″ wide
Boil a pot of water then turn off the heat.
Add asparagus & let sit for 2-3 minutes.
Drain & immediately cover with ice to preserve color.
Drain & gently pat dry. Set aside.
In a saucepan over low to medium heat add;
3 T. Ojai Habanero Jelly
1/2 c. Balsamic Vinegar
handful of craisins
Whisk together & stir until thickened, then remove from heat.
Wrap towel-dried asparagus with strips of prosciutto by twisting the asparagus as you hold the prosciutto.
For easy clean up, lay wrapped asparagus side by side on foil, in a baking dish.
Drizzle with balsamic Habanero reduction.
Broil for 5-7 minutes-
Served warm or @ room temperature-
Savory, sweet, salty wonderfulness- & you get your vegetable too!
enjoy!
Valentine’s Day Cake
preheat oven to 350*
Iโve experimented with this RICH yet surprisingly light cake for many years-
Itโs my favorite & regardless of friends & families dietary restrictions
they LOVE it too-
No flour, oil or leavening is added-
Rich coffee flavors runs throughout the cake & frosting-
Iโll admit that sometimes I get distracted because I tend to multitask & occasionally forget to add the egg whites-
so itโs less light & moreย brownie-like.
With or without the egg whites, this cake is hands down the most rich, decadent, delicious cake Iโve ever had-
It pairs nicely with freshly churned vanilla ice cream & a hot cuppa–
Cake;
1 packet of Starbucks Italian roast โViaโ plus 1/3 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 c. chocolate chips (1- 11 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips)
1 1/2 t. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. butter
12 egg yolks (keep egg whites for later)
1 3/4 c. organic walnuts, ground (food processor, ground like coffee grounds)
In a medium size saucepan, over low heat;
Coffee, water & sugar. Mix then add chocolate chips & stir.
Once mixed add vanilla & remove from heat.ย Let cool 5-10 minutes.
With an electric mixer;
Cream butter, add egg yolks & mix. Add ground walnuts, then chocolate mixture.
In a separate (metal) mixing bowl;
Beat egg whites until firm but not dry- ย Fold whites into the chocolate batter-
Place 3 layers of parchment paper on counter top, draw around the cake pan with a pencil then cut out with scissors- Cut some straight pieces to use for the pan sides. Line pans.
Evenly distribute the batter into cake pans. I add 1 or 2 scoops of cake batter to each cake pan until all three
are evenly filled.
They will look a bit empty- but donโt worry-
Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes (a little less time in a convection oven).
Frosting;
2 c. chocolate chips (1 eleven-ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips)
1 packet of Starbucks Italian roast instant โViaโ plus 1/3 c. water
1 c. + 2. T. butter
4 egg yolks
2 c. powdered sugar + a little for dusting the finished cake plate edges.
In a medium size saucepan, over low heat;
Slowly melt the coffee , water & chocolate chips.
Once smooth & blended; remove from heat.
Cool for about 7-10 minutes.
In a separate bowl;
Cream the butter, add egg yolks, then sprinkle in the powdered sugar.
Once smooth & well mixed, add in the chocolate mixture.
note; make sure when adding something hot to eggs that you donโt cook the eggs-
add a little at a time & keep stirring because you donโt want a lumpy cake-
enjoy!
All American Cranberry Sorbet
WHAT SCREAMS A-M-E-R-I-C-A like anย Oxycoccus? The genusย Vacciniumย aka theย CRANBERRY-
I โฅ experimenting with cranberries! ย In preparation for Thanksgiving I made this today;
Cranberry Sorbet with an Ojai “Pixie” Tangerine Reduction
3-4 c. fresh, organic “Pixie” tangerine juice
In a medium size saucepan,ย over medium heat;
reduce tangerine juice to about one half. Stir often. ย Once reduced, set aside to cool.
In a medium size saucepan over medium heat;
cook the cranberries in water w/ cloves, until cranberries begin to ‘pop’, then set aside to cool.
2-3 c. water
1-12ounce bag of fresh cranberries
5-7 whole cloves
Drain, saving the cooking liquid. Set aside to cool.
Place cranberries & cloves in a blender & puree.
For each step I strain the cranberry mixture- I like smooth sorbet.
For each step I strain the cranberry mixture- I like smooth sorbet.
In another medium size saucepan, heat & stir until sugar dissolves;
2 c. cranberry liquid reserve
1-2 c. tangerine reduction
1 1/2 c. sugar
Strain the cranberry puree through a sieve, as you don’t want to have seeds or fiber in your sorbet-
Add strained cranberry puree mixture to the liquids & stir to mix.
Add strained cranberry puree mixture to the liquids & stir to mix.
Cool a few minutes then place all ingredients into your prepared ice-cream maker for about 20-30 minutes.
This can be made ahead of time-ย Store in an airtight container in the freezer. Remove from freezer about
15 minutes before serving.
15 minutes before serving.
Scoop to serve with a mini-mellonball tool.
Serve on top of a fresh basil leaf, or in a delicate dessert cup-
A REFRESHING, flavorful dessert after a Thanksgiving Feast-
I don’t likeย pumpkin pie…
I don’t likeย pumpkin pie…
This cranberry dish is also a great between-course palate cleanser –
enjoy!
I’m in L-O-V-E with my new BBQ; Day #1
Main:
BBQ’d Chicken
1 package of hormone free, organic free range chicken pieces; with skin & bones, as you see above-
Savory Marinate-
In a big bowl mix together;
“Earls Gone Wilds” BBQ Rub
“Lea & Perrins” Worcestershire Sauce
“A1” Steak Sauce (I have always โฅ’d A1, just don’t โฅ steak…)
Cayenne Pepper
1 T. “Tapatio” hot sauce + a splash of “Tabasco” Sauce
“Susie Q’s” Seasoning (Red label does not contain MSG)
il Fustino’sย Jalapeรฑo Olive Oil
Coarsely ground Black Pepper
Just a splash of beer (or wine)
Mix, toss, turn & let sit for an hour or so-
when you’re about ready to grill, toss the chicken pieces around as you toss a salad.ย Then let marinate drip off a bit before placing the chicken on the grill-ย You can pretty quickly get some pretty grill “marks” going on, but to keep the chicken real tasty & tender I HIGHLY recommend you switch the chicken over to water-soaked wood cooking planks for about 15 minutes- A moment before removing from heat, pour about 1 T. Ojai Habanero Jelly over each piece for a little extra “kick“.
Vegetables:
Organic Fresh Corn circles
Organic mini- “Yukon Gold” Potatoes
Fresh Corn on the Cob, cut into little discs-
While slowly BBQ-ing the corn, paint it occasionally with “Burnt Sage Butter”
In a microwaveable bowl place;
about 1/2 c. water
7-9 Yukon Gold Potatoes
Sprinkle with salt, pour olive oil over them & fresh coarsely ground black pepper-
Par-bake the potatoes in the microwave, then finish them up on the BBQ, occasionally turning.
& last but not least…
Dessert;
Berry Cobbler…
I BBQ’D dessert in a black “Brazilian” baking dish;
I added about;
2 c. frozen raspberries (because that’s what I had- most any berry will do-)
I threw in about 2 T. cornstarch
Over the berries, I poured about 1/2 c. of “E. Waldo Ward & Son” Apricot Syrup
& a squeeze of fresh “Meyers” Lemon juice.
I added this as the topping;
2 handfuls of “Bisquick”
1 handful of “Swans Down” cake flour
I added about a 1/3 c Organic “Horizon” Milk (2%)
about 1/3 c. melted butter
dash of vanilla extract
pinch of cinnamon
I put it all on the BBQ with the lid closed & it thickened up & cooked beautifully-
It was delicious!
I hope you’ll try some of my BBQ recipes-
It’s enjoyable to be outside cooking + it’s been too hot to cook inside…
enjoy!
Zucchini Bread
This recipe is being Jelly Blogged today for my sweet “Insight” buddy Marc LaFont– he’s up to his ears in zucchini!
Good use of your abundant crop, but also helps keep it around throughout the year if
you freeze it.
If you friends & neighbors get a whiff of this tasty treat, that wont want your ‘extra’ zucchini anymore, but your zucchini bread instead!
This moist, sweet, nutty bread is very easy to make & it freezes well-
It’s good morning, noon & night!
Stash some in your freezer to last throughout the winter- pull it out in the morning & have in place of toast,
or as a midday snack, or an evening dessert-like treat.
It’s delicious plain, with a dab of butter, or a smear of cream cheese.
Just pop a piece in the toaster & enjoy with coffee or tea-
Preheat oven to 350.ย Grease & lightly flour bread pans.
Ingredients;
3 eggs
1 c. canola oil
2 c. โTurbinadoโ raw sugar (or 1 c. brown & 1 c. white)
2 c. fresh grown, organic zucchini squash
3 c. flour (I use 1 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour & 1 1/2 c. โSwanโs Downโ cake flour)
ยฝ t. salt
ยฝ t. baking powder
ยฝ t. baking soda
3 T. cinnamon
1ยฝ c. walnuts (chopped)
ยพ c. raisins
1 t. vanilla extract
In a large bowl;
Beat eggs till foamy, add oil, sugar & zucchini.ย Mix lightly.
Add dry ingredients & mix.
Bake at 350 for about an hour.
This recipe makes a lot-
I always bake using my all time favorite “French” mini-loaf pan.ย After the loaves cool completely, I wrap each loaf individually with “Press ‘n Seal”, then put them all in freezer bags for my Winter Stash!
enjoy!
Lime Marmalade-Strawberry Cupcakes
โฃ with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting โฃ
makes 14-16 cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350โข
In a bowl mix the dry ingredients then set aside;
1 1/2 c. Swan’s Down Cake Flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
pinch of salt
In a different bowl, cream;
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter (@ room temperature)
To the sugar & butter add;
1 egg yolk (save the egg white)
3/4 c. buttermilk
about 15 drops of Strawberry Oil
3 Organic Strawberries, topped & chopped
2/3 jar (3.5 ounces) “E. Waldo Ward & Son” Lime Marmalade
In a separate bowl;
Beat 3 egg whites until light & fluffy, not dry or stiff
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, then fold in the egg whites gingerly.
Line & fill your cupcake tins.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes.ย Ready when toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on rack for about 10 minutes, then take cupcakes from tins & allow to fully cool on rack before frosting.
My favorite new kitchen tool is a “Batter Pen“- it makes filling cupcake tins fast, clean & easy.
I also recommend using cupcake paper liners that are made of special parchment paper, they don’t allow the cupcakes to stick.ย Company name will be blogged soon-
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
You’ll need 14-16 Organic Strawberries; wash, dry & leave the tops on.
With an electric mixer, cream;
4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 c. butter (room temperature)
Then add & mix well;
pinch of salt
about 10 drops “Strawberry Oil”
Blend in;
3/4 c. powdered sugar
Pipe;
frosting onto cupcakes & decorate with a fresh strawberry on each-
I suggest you don’t tell what’s in your cupcake. It’s fun to let your guests try & sort it out!
enjoy!
McGrath Farm Organic Strawberries
Chocolate Dipped Organic Strawberries with a little flava-
What you’ll need;
1 basket of McGrath Farm Organic Strawberries
1 Dark Chocolate Bar or about 1 1/2 c. Chocolate Chips
Ojai Jalapeรฑo Jelly or Ojai Habanero Jelly
Flavor “Injector” Device (purchase at “Sur la Table“, or any well supplied kitchen store)
Wax paper or Parchment paper
What to do;
Clean strawberries, keep stems on- gently dry.
Melt chocolate over double boiler- let cool a little, but don’t let it harden up.
Slightly warm 3-5 T. Ojai Pepper Jelly on stove-top or in microwave oven.
Using the stem as a handle, dip strawberries in chocolate, swirl till covered.
Place on wax paper.
Fill injector with Ojai Pepper Jelly & carefully inject about 1/2 t. of Jelly into each strawberry.
enjoy!
