Heavenly Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam....recipe update

I think everyone should have a rhubarb patch tucked in their garden. If you have had the luxury of having your own fresh supply of rhubarb year after year, you know what I'm talking about. Growing up we always had rhubarb, and with that, we always had rhubarb jam, or more specifically Heavenly Jam. Heavenly Jam is something I associate very strongly with my grandmother, or nan as we say in Newfoundland, and luckily for me, her jam was something my mother was able to master, and now I enjoy making each spring.

While I only planted my first New England rhubarb patch last year (will have to wait a seasons until I can get a good harvest), I do have the luxury of buying rhubarb at local farmers markets and grocery stores. If you don't have your own rhubarb, hopefully you can find a market that sells it, or better yet, have a neighbour that is willing to share. If they do, promise them you'll give them a bottle of Heavenly Jam.

Heavenly Jam

Growing up, I thought Heavenly Jam was my Nan's special and secret creation. I didn't know anyone else who made jam like that. It was our family's signature recipe. With that being said however, I have since seen Nan's exact recipe published in local church cookbooks and the like between New England and Newfoundland. Not such a secret recipe after all, but a darn good one just the same.

Heavenly Jam, is a close relative to traditional strawberry rhubarb jam, and they taste quite similar There are some differences however. First, in place of real strawberries, we add strawberry jelly powder. Secondly, there is crushed pineapple in heavenly Jam...the "je ne sais quois" if you will! While Nan or Mom never needed to use fruit pectin to aid in the thickening process, I am not the master they were/are and thus I find that adding a packet of natural fruit pectin gives the jam the perfect jell quality.

This jam recipe is a cooked jam, that is meant to be stored in hot sterile jars. I submerge my jars, lids and rings in a large pot of boiling water and retrieve them with tongs as I fill my jars. I also have a large canning funnel which keeps the sides of the jars clean while filling.


In a large, heavy bottom pot, add

• 6 cups of rhubarb, chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 3 cups of white granulated sugar
• 1 package of powdered fruit pectin
• 1 large (16 ounce) can of crushed pineapple

Cook on a medium-low heat and bring up to a slow simmer.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until rhubarb has broken down a bit and given off its juice.

Add and stir well:
1 large pack (2 small packs) of strawberry flavoured jelly (I use Jello)
Mix well, reduce heat to low and after a minute or two, your jam is ready to bottle.

Fill sterile jars to near the top, add the lid and the ring, and turn just until tight (do not fully tighten) Wipe off any excess. As the jars/jam cools, the jar will seal and the lid will pop down. After this, you can fully tighten the lids and store jam in a cool dark place, like you cellar.

This recipe makes about 5-6 pint sized jars of jam.

I enjoy this jam on many things, the best of which is on toasted homemade white bread, buttered cream crackers, toasted bacon and jam sandwiches (I kid you not!), in a pie or tart, or on vanilla ice cream. The list could go on. I hope you enjoy.

Pantry Stuffed Chicken Breast

One of the first "fancy" things I ever cooked were stuffed chicken breast roll-ups. It was a tasty recipe I got from the Downhome Almanac & Cookbook which was a gift to Mom for Mother's Day one year. The recipe featured boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded flat, dipped in melted butter, dredged in Newfoundland style bread crumbs (breadcrumbs seasoned with salt, pepper and savory), rolled up and baked in the oven. As I remember these were tasty and always a hit.

I don't make this recipe as much as I used to, but I am sometimes inspired by the technique to make other kinds of stuffed chicken breast roll-ups.The following recipe was created by picking ingredients out of my fridge one day after work. I had thawed some chicken breast, pounded them flat between two pieces of plastic wrap and set them in a bowl to quickly marinate in some olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest and fresh herbs. I then started picking through my stockpile of condiments in the fridge, namely marinated artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red bell pepper, hot cherry peppers, and capers. I guessed on how much to use of each ingredient, chopped them up, and added some chopped parsley, oregano and garlic. I also had some leftover Gorgonzola cheese on hand so I put a small handful of the pungent cheese in the stuffing mixture as well. Each marinated chicken breast was then dredged in some store bought fine breadcrumbs, a big dollop of the stuffing went down on each breast (near the end, not in the middle), and then each breast was rolled up like a burrito, trying my best to tuck in the sides so the stuffing didn't spill out. The last step was to lace the stuffed breasts seam side down on an oiled baking sheet. Each breast received an extra drizzle of olive oil over the top and in they went to a hot 400 oven to cook for about 30 minutes.As you can see in the photos they came out crisp and golden brown! A side of roasted potatoes, carrots and green beans made for a memorable weeknight supper.


I'm not providing an ingredient list for this recipe for a couple of reasons. For one, I didn't measure how much of each ingredient I used....I just made it work. What didn't fit in each breast was spooned over the top and cooked in with the crust. Secondly, the possibilities are endless as to what ingredients you can put in your stuffing. In the past I've tried Tex-Mex style with pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapenos and tomatoes, and Greek style with spinach and feta. The possibilities are endless. The goal here is to get creative and use what you like and what you have on hand. Let me know what you come up with!

Fried Fish Sandwich

A Wicked Scoff just returned from a Memorial Day weekend vacation touring beautiful Cape Cod, Massachusetts. While a lot of the days were filled with activities such hiking along the sand dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore and soaking up the sun on the beaches, there was no shortage of time spent enjoying the fresh local seafood. The first feed I had was a fried fish sandwich at Cooke's, one of the many seafood places (known as clam shacks) on the Cape. These establishments usually both eat-in sit down/take-out places and often there is the option of outdoor picnic table seating.  The sandwich was served on a fresh, warm New England style hotdog roll with a long, thick piece of battered and fried white fish fillet (haddock I think, and definitely freshly caught) topped with shredded lettuce and a side of tarter sauce. The combination of taste and textures was just perfect, and paired with some thinly slices homemade onion rings and a strawberry milkshake and I was in heaven.


Unfortunately the Fried Fish Sandwich is not all that popular in Newfoundland, as I've rarely seen it anywhere besides McDonald's (the Filet-o-Fish) and that doesn't really count in my opinion.I encourage you to try making this sandwich at home. The recipe I have hear uses a soft hamburger roll and a wide, flat cut of cod, however you could use hot dog rolls and a thin, long cut of fish. You can also use cod, haddock or any kind or fish for that matter...just make sure it's fresh! The key to this sandwich is a good quality soft roll. As for the tarter sauce, you can use one out of a jar, but since it's so easy, just whip one up yourself and you'll be happy.



Battered and Fried Fish
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold beer or water
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- pinch of salt

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. I like a thin batter. To get the desired consistency I dip my fingers in the batter and let it drip off. I do a count on how long it take to see my skin through the batter. I'm looking for a count between 1 and 2 seconds. Next season portions of fish with a little salt and pepper, dredge in flour, and dip in the wet batter, and Cook in 375 degree oil until the fish is golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6  minutes. Season hot fish with a little salt. Lay cooked pieces off fish on a wire rack and reserve in a warm oven until ready to serve. Best to serve them right away so they are crispy.

Tarter Sauce

Before preparing the fish, mix the following ingredients in a small bowl and season to taste. Place in the fridge to let the ingredients get to know one another.

• 1 cup mayo
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 heaping Tbsp sweet green relish
• 1 Tbsp brown malt vinegar
• pinch of salt and black pepper

 Assemble the sandwiches by toasting the rolls a little on their cut side (place under the broiler for a minute) and then add tarter sauce, the fried fish fillet, lettuce and more tarter sauce. Bite in and enjoy.

Weeknight Pork Carnitas

Mexican pork carnitas are traditionally made with a slowly braised pork roast. The fatty, but wonderfully tasty pork but roasts are heavily seasoned with herbs and spices and the slow cooking breaks down the meat so it becomes very tender. My adaptation for a weeknight version of pork carnitas uses leftover grilled pork tenderloin. While pork tenderloin is very lean, it is also quite tender, so it works very well in this recipe. Since it's already cooked through, all it takes to get to the final product is to cut the pork into small cubes, season well with spices, and saute over a high heat with onions and pepper. Served the traditional way in warm flour tortillas with chopped cilantro, homemade fire roasted salsa, some grated pepper jack cheese and a squeeze of fresh lime and you'll think you're in Mexico in the middle of a busy work week. Here's how I put these carnitas together.

Pork (Tenderloin) Carnitas


Ingredients:

• 1 cooked pork tenderloin, diced into 1/2 inch cubes
•  chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper...about 1 Tbsp total
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 a green bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced fine
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• chopped cilantro
• juice and zest of half a lime

Directions: Heat the oil in a large skillet (cast iron would work great here) over a medium high heat. Add the onions and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until they soften. Add the jalapeno and the diced pork and toss with the vegetables in the oil and begin to brown the meat. Once the meat begins to pick up some color add a few god shakes of the spices (or use about a tablespoon of southwestern seasoning). Toss or stir the pork and vegetables well so that the mixture is well coated with the seasoning. Continue to cook until the onion and peppers have caramelized and the pork has browned. At the end add the lime juice, zest, cilantro and season with a little salt to taste.

While the pork and vegetable are cooking, prepare the toppings and warm your tortillas. I like to assemble mine by laying down a warm flour tortilla, spooning on some of the pork and vegetable mixture, followed by some grated pepper jack cheese, salsa, chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime and some good Mexican hot sauce.

Southwestern Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Sweet Potato Fries and Fried Zucchini

Now that the weather is warming up I find my self using my grill nearly every evening after work to whip up a nice dinner. One of my favorite meats to cook on the grill is pork tenderloin, which is a lean, tender and tasty cut of pork. Since tenderloin is so lean, I do a couple of things to make sure it really stands out and does not become dry and bland. Before heading out the door in the morning I coat two pork tenderloins in a wet spice rub marinade (dry spices and oil and lime juice) and leave them in the refrigerator to get to know one another for the day. I get home from work, turn them around and let them sit out on the counter to come up to room temperature for about an hour while I go exercise. After a workout I light the grill, prep some veggies for a couple of side dishes and I have a hot, healthy, and delicious dinner on the table in no time. Since I cooked two tenderloins I also have a whole one left over for a second unique meal the next night (pork carnitas). More on that next time. For now, let me show you how I make the rub, cook the meat, as well as make spiced sweet potato fries and some crispy fried zucchini.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients:

• 2 pork tenderloins
• 2 Tbsp cooking oil
• juice and zest of one lime
• chili powder, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper

Directions:

Place tenderloins in a glass dish or zip-lock bag and add a few good shakes of each of the spices, substituting others if you wish. Add the oil, lime juice and zest and rub all over the tenderloins so they are well coated. Marinade for at least a couple of hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat your grill over a high flame and brush the grill with a little oil or cooking spray. Lay the tenderloins on the grill and cover. I aim to turn the tenderloins every 4 minutes or so, rotating on 4 sides to get nice grill marks. Because the tenderloins are usually tapered (thicker on one end) and because grills often have uneven heat, you'll have to strategically arrange the meat every few minutes to attempt even cooking. After I get a good sear on all surfaces I reduce the heat to low and cook until I get an internal temperature of 150 degrees. I then remove the tenderloin from the grill to a plate and cover with foil for 5-10 minutes to let rest before slicing. I'm looking for a slightly pink center so that it's safe to eat and still very tender and juicy. With a little practice you can achieve this without a meat thermometer, but you are unsure I'd recommend using one. Slice the meat thick slices on the bias and serve. After slicing season the meat with some kosher salt.


Sweet Potato Fries

Rinse and scrub 2 sweet potatoes (peel off any dark spots) and cut into french fry size. Lay onto a baking sheet and toss with a 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and a few shakes of chili powder. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. Watch carefully at the end as the high sugar content means these can burn easily.Remove from the oven and season with freshly cracked pepper and kosher salt.


 Fried Zucchini


Here is a super simple way to give plain green zucchini some extra appeal by giving your dish some texture and contrast. Simply slice the zucchini into round slices or into long spears. Season with a little seasoning salt and dredge in plain old corn starch. This makes for a very light, tempura-like batter. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet and get it nice and hot. Remove the zucchini from the corn starch and saute in the hot oil. Cook on one side until golden brown, 3-4 minutes and cook on the other side for a couple f minutes. Drain on a paper towel and season lightly with a little seasoned salt.

Fried Egg Breakfast Sandwich...with a twist

There's nothing like having a fried egg sandwich for breakfast on the weekend. Especially when you might have been up a bit too late and had a few too many the night before. While some might settle for the fast food variety, I prefer to make my own, using homemade white bread, crisp bacon, fried, farm fresh eggs and sharp cheddar cheese. Sometimes I like to add a something extra special...pickle beet slices. Before you say gross or yuck, trust me, this combination is excellent, and you don't even have to like beets to love this sandwich.

The combination of of the toasted bread, tangy cheese, fatty and savory bacon, and the running egg yolk are always a winner, but when you add the sweetness and acidity of the pickled beets, this sandwich is elevated to a new level. All your senses become engaged with the texture, smells, taste and look of this masterpiece.

I've been eating this sandwich for years now, and while I wish I could take credit for inventing it, it was actually shared to me by a friend from a community on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula. I heard that my friend's mother made an egg sandwich with beets on it and, like you are probably thinking right now, I thought that it cannot be tasty. Oh how wrong I was! For whatever reason, one morning a few years ago when I was fighting though a Sunday morning, I gave the old pickled beets a try. I thought to myself, I love beets, and I also love the sweet and savory combination (I love strawberry rhubarb jam on my bacon...but that's another story) so why not give it a try. It's one of the best culinary leaps I've ever taken.

Fried Egg Sandwich with Bacon, Beets and Cheddar

Ingredients: (makes one sandwich)

• 2 farm fresh eggs, fried in a little butter and seasoned with a little salt and pepper to desired doneness (over-easy, medium or hard)
• 2 strips of bacon, halved and cooked until crisp
• grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 slices of quality white bread
• 3-5 slices of pickled beets (homemade are best)
• butter for toast

Directions:
Prepare eggs and bacon in skillet to desired doneness. Toast bread and add butter. Arrange sandwich by starting with one slice of toast, followed by the beet slices, the two eggs, the bacon, the cheese and the final piece of toast. To get the cheese warm, after I flip my eggs in the pan, I top them with the cooked bacon, then the cheese. I then turn off the pan and cover with a piece of foil for a minute to achieve a fried egg with a medium doneness (some runny yolk) and to melt the cheese. Do your best to savor every bite of this wonderful sandwich, and enjoy the flavors in your mouth. However, if you're like me, you'll want to wolf it down as fast as you can.
 

Salmon a la Conche

Today I'm feeling like having salmon for supper. Not just because I love salmon, but also because I'm reminded of a place where the best salmon I've ever had can be found. The place is Conche, a very historic and charming fishing community located on the eastern side of Newfoundland's great Northern Peninsula (and part of what was a section of Newfoundland known as "The French Shore"). My career as an archaeologist has given me many opportunities to travel to great places and meet and become friends with excellent people. One of those places is Conche, where I spent the better part of two summers digging for ancient Paleo-Eskimo artifacts, but also enjoying songs, stories, laughs, hikes and the rich history of the French Shore.

Yesterday and today, Conche has been in my mind more than usual as I have been listening to Conche Radio, a collaboration between the French Shore Historical Society and Memorial University _Grenfell Campus. If you're interested in the history and culture of Conche, the Northern Peninsula or Newfoundland I suggest you check it out as today is the last day. So as a tribute to this great place and its people, here a recipe for simply grilled or broiled salmon seasoned with salt, lemon and dill. I ate many a feeds of salmon during my time on the northern peninsula and I certainly hope to make it back there this summer for a few more! It's a wicked place to be.

Simple Broiled Salmon

I really can't eat enough seafood, especially when it's super fresh! One of my favorite things to eat is Atlantic salmon. Here is a quick, super simple way to prepare whole salmon fillets, a recipe that works just as well with smaller fillet portions or steaks, or pretty much any seafood for that matter.

Simple seasoning of kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and some fresh herbs from the garden such as dill or chives, and a good squeeze of fresh lemon once cooked, is all you need to be a master salmon chef. The key is not to overcook it. While salmon is pretty forgiving when it does come to being overcook, because of its fat content (healthy Omega-3 fats), it is exceptionally good when cooked just to the point of doneness.Many people actually prefer a touch of rawness in the center.When I cook my salmon, either by grill, broiler or frying, my goal is to cook it just to the point where the rawness in the center is down to a sliver or has just disappeared. Whatever method, I make sure the heat source is pretty hot. Depending on the thickness, I typically cook it about 4 minutes on side A and 3 minutes or less on side B, starting skin side down. I also love to get the skin crispy as it is quite tasty. Then I let it rest for a couple of minutes and when it hits the plate it is super juicy!