dried thyme – Aubrey About Town https://aubreyabouttown.com The going-ons of SF party host & chef, bon vivant, homme du monde, & man-about-town Sun, 06 Dec 2020 22:19:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://i0.wp.com/aubreyabouttown.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-43DD7C41-CD23-44CF-9EC7-C1D81E967BB4.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 dried thyme – Aubrey About Town https://aubreyabouttown.com 32 32 58900657 Ham-Bone Split Pea Soup https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/ham-bone-split-pea-soup/ https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/ham-bone-split-pea-soup/#respond Tue, 01 Dec 2020 01:55:03 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=3229 Always a staple for the week following Thanksgiving or Easter, this cozy and nostalgic classic is a must for that leftover holiday ham. But no need to wait for the ham, a large smokey ham hock does the trick just fine!

Ham-Bone Split Pea Soup
A rich, cozy, and nostalgic repurposing of that left-over Easter & Thanksgiving spiral-cut ham bone. This recipe uses the bone from a 7-pound half ham, just double the recipe if using a full/whole ham. You didn’t have a ham?... A large split smoked ham hock is a fabulous substitution. This recipe makes about 2-1/2 quarts.
Servings2-1/2 quarts
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time2 hours
Ingredients
Ham-Bone Broth
Ham-Bone Split Pea Soup
Instructions
To Prepare Ham-Bone Broth
  1. From the bone of a half ham, cut off any good ham, leaving ham scrapes attached to the bone. Cube the good ham, and set aside for later; you should have 2 cups ham.
  2. To a stockpot , add olive oil, onions, crushed garlic, ham bone, and bay leaves.
  3. Heat over MED heat until onions begin to turn translucent, occasionally stirring.
  4. Add chicken stock and water, and (stirring occasionally) continue to simmer over MED heat for 1 hour, or until liquids reduces to 8 cups.
  5. With a sieve or kitchen strainer, strain onions, garlic, ham bone & meat scraps, and bay leaves from broth. Reserve broth. Recipe should yield 8 cups of broth; if shy, adjust with water to yield 8 cups (2 quarts).
To Prepare Ham-Bone Split Pea Soup
  1. To a stockpot, add dried split peas, ham-bone broth, thyme and bay leaf.
  2. Simmer over MED heat for 1 hour, until the split peas have softened, and begun to break apart - and the liquid has reduced by a third.
  3. Add 2 cups water, carrots and celery, and 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer over MED heat 20 minutes longer until the carrots have softened, and can be easily smashed in between your fingers, and the soup has thickened. Add a bit more water, if a thinner consistency is desired.
  4. To serve, garnish top of soup with remaining cubed ham, and minced chives, if desired.
Recipe Notes

In addition to cubed ham, try topping your HAM-BONE SPLIT PEA SOUP with a dollop of sour cream, bacon bits, scallions, or cheddar. 

]]> https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/ham-bone-split-pea-soup/feed/ 0 3229 Aubrey’s ‘San Francisco Style’ Barbary Coast Sourdough & Oyster Stuffing https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/aubreys-san-francisco-style-barbary-coast-sourdough-oyster-stuffing/ https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/aubreys-san-francisco-style-barbary-coast-sourdough-oyster-stuffing/#respond Wed, 25 Nov 2020 05:26:52 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=3196 As a native San Franciscan, I’m proud of the local delicacies that the San Francisco Bay Area has to offer. From the best Chinese food, Dungeness crab, Pacific Ocean oysters, and of course, sourdough bread, just to name a few. And this stuffing highlights two of these local delights wonderfully

The “Barbary Coast” was a nine block area of San Francisco, in-between the Financial District, Jackson Square, and North Beach neighborhoods, and was centered on a three-block stretch of Pacific Street (now Pacific Avenue), between Montgomery and Stockton Streets, and my residence is right-smack in the middle! Known to be a colorful neighborhood, full of jazz clubs, gambling, and lawlessness, I couldn’t think of a better name…so my “Barbary Coast Sourdough & Oyster Stuffing” was born, and I’ve been serving it for years, and I’m delighted to share it with you.

Aubrey’s ‘San Francisco Style’ Barbary Coast Sourdough & Oyster Stuffing
This recipe is also delicious with lump crabmeat as an addition or substitution for oysters.
Servings15-20 servings
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Passive Time1 hour
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.
  2. Cut the sliced sourdough bread into 1/2 inch cubes by stacking three slices of bread at a time and slicing lengthwise, then across.
  3. Place cubed bread onto two 1/2 sheet pans, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes.
  5. Rotate sheet pans, toss bread cubes, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until lightly golden in colour, and crisp.
  6. Remove from oven, and allow to cool in the pans completely - giving them a toss now and then.
  7. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a very large bowl, add chopped parsley. Set aside.
  8. Heat a large skillet on MED-HIGH, add cubed bacon.
  9. Render fat from bacon, until bacon is just cooked and is golden brown.
  10. Drain, all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat.
  11. Add chopped onions and chopped celery to the cooked bacon and reserved bacon fat, sauté until onions turn translucent.
  12. To the onion-bacon mixture, add dried & fresh sage, dried & fresh thyme, ground black pepper, chicken bouillon, granulated garlic, and salt. Mic to combine.
  13. Add the chicken stock, dried cranberries, and dried apricots.
  14. Turn heat down to MED and allow to simmer 15 minutes, or until the dried cranberries plump up.
  15. Add 8 ounces butter, stir until butter has melted.
  16. Remove oysters from packing liquid (oyster liquor), and pat to dry with paper towels - patting off as much moisture as possible. Add oyster liquor to the chicken stock mixture.
  17. Salt & pepper the oysters with the 1/4 tsps of salt & pepper. Dredge seasoned oysters in all-purpose flour to evenly coat, shaking off any excess.
  18. Preheat a small skillet to MED-HIGH heat.
  19. Add olive oil, then oysters, being sure they’re spaced apart.
  20. Brown oysters for 2 minutes per side, or until they just begin to turn golden brown. Transfer to a plate to cool enough to handle (5 mins).
  21. Select 2 or 3 nice oysters, set aside for garnish. Rough chop remaining oysters. Set aside.
  22. Slowly mix chicken stock mixture into toasted bread cubes, fold in until the bread cubes have absorbed the stock.
  23. Cover bowl of stuffing with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and allow to rest 10 minutes to absorb completely.
  24. Fold in chopped oysters.
  25. Butter the bottom and sides of a large casserole dish or a 13”x9”x2” pan. Evenly distribute stuffing in buttered casserole dish, cover with foil - poking one vent hole in top. The stuffing can be kept this way for two up to two days prior to the next step.
  26. In a 325 degree oven, bake stuffing for 20 minutes. The top should begin to brown.
  27. Garnish with additional whole sage leaves (as pictured) or parsley sprigs, and with the reserved oyster in the middle to denote the oyster stuffing.
  28. Serves 15.
]]> https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/aubreys-san-francisco-style-barbary-coast-sourdough-oyster-stuffing/feed/ 0 3196 Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/salisbury-steak-with-mushroom-gravy/ https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/salisbury-steak-with-mushroom-gravy/#respond Sat, 10 Oct 2020 23:07:48 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=2797 Invented in the late 19th century by Civil War physician, James H. Salisbury, as a means to incorporate a meat-rich diet for soldiers on the battlefield, this American original soon became a family classic that is still a favorite today. 

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Servings4 Servings
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Ingredients
Steak Patties
Mushroom Gravy
Instructions
To Prepare Steak Patties
  1. On the course grate of a box grater over a large bowl, grate one small onion.
  2. Add ground beef, minced parsley, garlic paste, kosher salt, dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper.
  3. With clean hands, knead beef mixture until well-combined. (About 2 mins)
  4. Form beef mixture into four 5-inch long, 3/4 inch thick oval shaped patties. (For smaller family-style or luncheon size, form eight 4-inch, 1/2 inch thick patties. See notes for alternative)
  5. Season patties with the remaining 1 tsp ground black pepper.
  6. Set patties on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour.
  7. Heat a large skillet over MED-HIGH heat, add olive oil.
  8. Brown Steak Patties 2 minutes per side, or until a rich chestnut-brown crust forms, and fond (tasty brown bits) has formed at the bottom of the skillet.
  9. Remove patties and transfer to a plate, move on to Prepare Mushroom Gravy.
To Prepare Mushroom Gravy
  1. To the hot skillet, add the olive oil, then the sliced onions and mushrooms. Allow the onions to sweat.
  2. With a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the skillet to release the fond.
  3. Add brandy, and continue to scrape the bottom of skillet until all of the fond has melted from the surface.
  4. Add demi-glace (or the alternative found in the Notes below), water, Worcestershire, and ground black pepper.
  5. Adjust heat to MEDIUM. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes, or until the gravy coats the back of the wooden spoon.
  6. Add the juices that formed on the bottom of the plate from the Steak Patties.
  7. Nestle the browned Steak Patties in to the Mushroom Gravy, simmer (uncovered) 12 minutes or until sauce has thickened to the desired consistency.
  8. Serve over mashed potatoes, buttered parsley egg noodles, or buttered spätzle. Serves 4.
Recipe Notes

As an easy-to-find alternative to demi-glace, use two 24 gram packets of brown gravy mix, plus 1 cup water, plus two 10oz cans of Campbell’s Beef Consommé.

To feed a crowd or the little ones, in Step 4, form beef mixture into 48 1-inch meatballs, continue as directed. Serve over Buttered Parsley Egg Noodles.

 

]]> https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/salisbury-steak-with-mushroom-gravy/feed/ 0 2797 Dinner for Two: Herb Roast Rack of Lamb https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/dinner-for-two-herb-roast-rack-of-lamb/ https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/dinner-for-two-herb-roast-rack-of-lamb/#respond Tue, 26 May 2020 23:20:41 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=2607 The Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb pairs beautifully with Gruyère Potato Gratin, as seen in the featured photo. And is also delicious with my simple Browned Butter Pinoli & Currant Rice.

  • Step 5: Season Lamb
  • Step 8: Roast Rack of Lamb with bones upwards
  • Step 10: carve chops
Herb Roast Rack of Lamb
Servings2-3 servings
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Rinse, pat dry, and french bones of the rack of lamb. Cover bones with foil.
  3. Mince garlic cloves. Add salt. Using the side of a chef’s knife, press minced garlic and salt to form a paste.
  4. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to garlic paste, mix to combine.
  5. Rub lamb with garlic paste mixture, massaging the entire surface. Season with rosemary, oregano, and thyme.
  6. Heat 10 inch skillet on MED-HIGH heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil.
  7. Sear all sides of lamb, ending with bottom, transfer to preheated oven.
  8. Roast lamb rack with rib bones facing up for 15 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven, and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
  10. Slice into chops.
]]> https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/dinner-for-two-herb-roast-rack-of-lamb/feed/ 0 2607 Scrumptious Side: Gruyère Potato au Gratin https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/scrumptious-side-gruyere-potato-au-gratin/ https://aubreyabouttown.com/recipe/scrumptious-side-gruyere-potato-au-gratin/#respond Mon, 25 May 2020 11:16:03 +0000 http://aubreyabouttown.com/?post_type=recipe&p=2533

Gruyère Potato au Gratin
Servings6 servings
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time60 mins
Passive Time1 hour
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease a 8”x8-inch square baking dish or 2-1/2 quart gratiné dish, place on a foil-lined sheet pan. Set aside.
  3. Wash & peel potatoes. With a mandoline, or sharp knife, thinly slice potatoes (approximately 1/8 inch thick in thickness).
  4. Combine heavy cream and flour, mix well.
  5. Arrange one layer of sliced potatoes in baking dish, overlapping slices in a ‘scallop’ pattern.
  6. Sprinkle layer with 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, and 1 cup shredded gruyère.
  7. Repeat layers twice for three layers. Finish the fourth (top) layer with just potatoes (use the nicest slices for top layer.
  8. Slowly pour cream & flour mixture evenly over the top.
  9. Tightly cover with aluminum foil, poke three small vent holes in foil.
  10. Bake covered for 50 minutes.
  11. Carefully remove aluminum foil. Evenly top with 1 cup shredded gruyère. Return to 350 degree oven and continue to bake until the gratin top is bubbly and golden brown - about 15 minutes.
  12. Remove from oven, and allow to rest for 45 minutes for liquids to distribute and absorb into potatoes, making them easier to slice. Serves 6.
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