Kathryn Raaker, The Chef, You, and I

Kathryn prepares her childhood favorite, Pork & Sauerkraut for this episode of The Chef You and I Show. She also prepares her version of Cheesy Stacked Potatoes, as well as, a delicious side salad. Kathryn will prepare a Pork Roast from Circle B Ranch Pork using her 360 Cookware and CornHuskers Duck Fat Gourmet Cooking Spray, which added a great deal of flavor. All in all, these recipes are fun and easy to clean up afterwards. I hope you will enjoy these recipes as much as we did. If you are intrested in purchasing the 360 Cookware, use the code KRaaker20 and get a 20% discount!

BEST EVER PORK ROAST AND SAUERKRAUT

PERMISSION TO USE THIS RECEIPE FROM MARINA BACKES OF CIRCLE BRANCH PORK

Ingredients

  • 3-4 lb Boneless Port Loin Roast I used Circle B Ranch brand
  • 2 lb sauerkraut I do not rinse mine
  • 1 Tbsp caraway seeds you can omit this if you hate caraway seeds but for me it makes the dish
  • 1 cup sweet onion chopped
  • 1 Granny Smith apple Peeled and chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup water optional
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil I used Cornhusker Duck Fat Spray

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325F, rack in the middle. Pat the pork dry and sprinkle the entire roast with salt, pepper and smoke paprika. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium0high heat and add in the olive oil. When the olive oil starts to simmer carefully place the pork roast in. Sear on all sides until golden brown – 5-8 minutes per side. Sauté onion and then apples in the same pan.
  • In a lidden 6 qt Dutch Oven, place the sauerkraut all over the bottom. Sprinkle over the caraway seeds, onions, apples, and brown sugar. Place the seared pork roast on top nestling it in the sauerkraut. If you’ve drained your sauerkraut, add the water. If you did not, you do not need the water. You want at least a cup of liquid in the pot.
  • Cover tightly with a lid and bake for about 2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads between 145F-150F. While it is cooking, check the pot to ensure that it is not drying out. If needed, add more water. I have never had to but I always add at least a cup of liquid. Remove from the oven once the thermometer reads 145F-150F. Carefully remove the roast from the pan and place on a cutting board covering loosely with foil.

Kathryn’s Cheesy Potato Stacks

Equipment

  • Muffin Pans

Ingredients

  • 6 medium Yukon gold potatoes scrubbed, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup freshly grated gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1/4 stick butter
  • 1 tsp dried Thyme finely chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon Pepper
  • ½ cup half & half
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, add: butter, thyme, half & half, kosher salt, and black pepper. Heat until butter is melted and cream is warm, about 3-4 minutes.
  • While the herb cream warms, slice the potatoes. I used a slicer or sharp knife, thinly slice potatoes using a knife glove or a guard. Place in a large bowl. Pour herb cream over sliced potatoes and add half of the gruyere and pecorino Romano cheese. Toss the sliced potatoes until they are fully coated.
  • In a non-stick muffin pan (if you don’t have non-stick, lightly grease), start stacking the potato slices all the way to the top of the muffin tin. Take the remaining herb cream and evenly disperse over the stacks. Top with the remaining cheese.
  • Cover the muffin pan with parchment paper followed by foil (the parchment will keep the cheese from sticking). Place muffin tin in a sheet pan and place in the oven. Roast for 30 minutes covered, then remove foil/parchment and roast an additional 20 minutes until tops are browned and bubbling.
  • Once the potatoes are done cooking, use a knife or spoon to loosen around the sides and carefully scoop out of the tins.

Chef Kathryn’s Pear and Fruit and Lettuce Salad with Feta Cheese

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 head Red Leaf Lettuce Torn in pieces
  • 1 Cup Strawberries cut in half
  • ½ cup Blueberries
  • 1 cup Seedless green grapes cut in half
  • 1/4 cup pecan Pieces
  • 2 to 3 Bartlett Pears Slice in small pieces
  • 1/2 small red onion Slice in half moon pieces
  • ¼ cup feta cheese

Dressing

  • 1 to 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Honey
  • 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

Dressing

  • Whisk olive oil, honey, and balsamic vinegar. (You can also add ingredients to a small mason jar and shake until combined.)

Salad

  • Prepare your salad I tear the lettuce in medium pieces then add, all the sliced fruit and onion, toss the salad and then sprinkle the nuts and feta cheese to the salad. Add prepared dressing and serve.

Chefs Kathryn and Father Umberg prepare some of their favorite dishes using Chef Mex Poquitto Mas Flour Totillas. 

Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients

  • 24 oz salsa- homemade Salsa About 3 cups
  • 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • ¾ onion diced
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 16 oz jar salsa
  • 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 pkg 8-inch soft tortillas I used Chef Mex Poquitto Mas Flour Totillas
  • 3 Green onions chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a casserole dish and set aside. – I used Cornhuskers Duck Fat Spray
  • In a large skillet add ground chicken and cook until no longer pink. Add chili powder and cumin.
  • Add diced onions and peppers and sauté for another 3 minutes.
  • Add black beans, diced tomatoes and 3/4 of the jar of salsa to skillet and mix to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut tortilla in halves or quarters. Spread a small amount of salsa on bottom of casserole dish. Add one layer of cut tortillas and then layer some of the chicken mixture and some cheese. Repeat layers until casserole dish is filled.
  • Top with leftover salsa and cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese starts to brown and bubble.
  • Top with chopped green onions and your favorite toppings. Delicious!!!!

Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 to 2 tsp pepper
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 cab of Black ripe olives chopped
  • 1 16 oz of Marinara Sauce
  • 4 oz green chili peppers chopped
  • 6 flour Chef Mex Paquito Mas flour tortillas
  • 8 oz Mexican blend cheese grated, or cheddar jack
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  • In a Large Skillet (I used an Electric Skillet) cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain well. Stir the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, olives, tomato sauce, and chili peppers into the meat mixture. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. I sprayed the 13×9 dish with Cornhuskers Gourmet Duck Fat Spray. Then alternate layers of lightly buttered tortillas, the meat mixture, and shredded cheese, ending with cheese sprinkled over top. Add water, and cover with lid or foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Garnish with ripe olive slices, chopped green onions, and fresh chopped tomatoes.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients

  • 1 Roasted Chicken from Store Chopped into pices (about half a chicken or two breasts)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1/3 cup chicken stock
  • 8 Med size Chef Mex Flour Tortillas
  • 5 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup scallions green onions, chopped
  • 1 15 oz can green enchilada sauce optional
  • 1 4.5 oz can chopped green chiles
  • Salsa and sour cream

Instructions

  • Sprinkle the Chicken with the Put the Taco seasoning and one third cup of chicken broth into a bowl and add chopped chicken mix chicken into it and then take the Tortilla put into the Tortilla maker and lay it down on ( I used a Quesadilla Electric maker) You can do it your skillet to the tortilla add a handful of cheese, then a pinch of scallions, then about 1/2 cup cooked chicken mixture. Moving quickly, spoon over a couple spoonsful of the cooked sauce and green enchilada sauce Top with another handful of cheese and top with another tortilla in the Electric Tortilla maker wait until the light is off and take it out of the Maker.
Kathryn and Marty-Vegetarian Cooking II

I love cooking with my friend, Marty Schultz and this time on The Chef, You and I, we will be preparing some of her favorite recipes. 

Puff Pastry Veggie Crown

Ingredients

  • 3 Zucchini
  • 12 oz Campari Tomatoes Sliced or quartered
  • 8 oz Feta Cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 8 oz Pine nuts

Instructions

  • Cut Pastry Sheet into Large Circle slicing six three-inch cuts from the center of the circle outwards makes star shape. Brush Egg wash over entire pastry circle. Cut Zucchini into long ribbons. Cut mi nature to mates in half, arrange zucchini ribbons on the outside of the pastry circle place tomatoes around the ribbons crumble feta cheese around the zucchini and tomatoes, sprinkle pine nuts also and then fold over each triangle to end of Puff Pastry brush triangle with egg wash. Bake at 400F 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Potato Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 Large onion diced
  • 1/2 cup carrots sliced thin
  • 1 lb bacon chopped
  • 2 Stalks celery finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 russet potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups chicken broth Make sure potatoes are completely covered
  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
  • 1 tsp dried tarragon
  • 1/3 cup kale can use frozen thawed Kale as well stems remove and chopped fine
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon in a dutch oven until done. Remove the bacon, drain off all but 1/4 cup of the bacon grease. Cook celery, carrot and onion in the 1/4 cup bacon grease until soft. Stir in the minced garlic, cook for 1 minute more. Add cubed potatoes, toss to coat. Saute the potatoes 3 or 4 minutes. Place the fried bacon back in the pan. Add enough chicken broth to the pan to cover the potatoes, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender.
  • In a heavy duty saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, whisk in the flour, cook and whisk the mixture for 2 minutes to remove the flour taste. While still whisking add the cream in a slow stream to the flour mixture. Cook and whisk until mixture thickens, add the Tarragon and Kale to the pot. Stir the cream mixture into the potato mixture. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Notes

Inspired by Bunny’s Warm Oven Recipe

Marty’s Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers

Permission Granted to use the Recipe

Ingredients

  • 5 medium Granny Smith Apples cut into small pieces
  • 1 sheet Puff Pastry
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • Cinnamon to taste

Instructions

  • Peel apples and chop into small pieces mix Cinnamon with sugar
  • Combine apples with sugar mix. Cut Pastry Sheets into 9 equal pieces
  • In the middle of each square place apple mixture fold over forming a little pocket place on parchment paper. Wisk the eggs brush each pocket with egg mixture Bake at 415F -15 minutes or until golden Brown. Let Cool dust with Powered Sugar and serve.
Thankgiving Dinner 2020

Please enjoy this encoure of our 2020 Thanksgiving show. We are hoping that this year, 2021, you are able to gather with friends and family to celebrate another Thanksgiving holiday.  

Kathryn’s Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

  • 20 oz can Yams or Sweet Potatoes (I use Bruce’s Yams)
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 red apple chopped into small cubes
  • 8 oz can crushed pineapple drained and reserve liquid
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie spice*
  • 2 Tbsp Honey
  • ¼ cup dried dates chopped
  • ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 Tbsp Butter melted (Reserve 2 Tbsp for topping)
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans optional

Instructions

  • Drain the Canned Yams pour into a bowl and Mash with Potato Masher add melted butter and spices add the juice from the crushed pineapple blend into the potatoes. Then add chopped apple and crushed pineapple and dried dates fold into the mashed potatoes. Spray a Casserole dish I used an 8” square dish. Add Mashed Potatoes to Casserole Dish smooth the top and then pour graham croaker crumbs over the top of the Potatoes sprinkle the nuts on top and then add melted butter. Put in the Microwave Heat on high for 7 to 8 minutes and serve.

Notes

*Note: You can make your own pumpkin spice by combining the following ingredients and putting them in a small mason jar. Use ONLY 1 tsp of this mixture.
4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Kathryn’s Pork in the Pumpkin or Pig in the Pumpkin

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 lbs. Pork Butt or shoulder boneless, cut pork into 1 ½ inch pieces
  • 1 Tbsp Kosher salt
  • ½ to ¾ tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds crushed
  • 1 ¼ cup shallots thinly sliced-divided
  • 3 to 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 volleyball-sized pumpkin (Type to make Pumpkin Pies)

Instructions

  • Pre Heat oven to 350° F
  • To prepare the Pumpkin, insert the tip of a knife at a 45-degree angle into the top half of the pumpkin. Slowly cut all the way around to remove the ‘lid’. Scrape seeds and fibers off the bottom of the lid and inside of the pumpkin using a large spoon or ice cream scoop.
  • Cut pork into large chunks. Place in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, thyme, fennel seeds, rosemary, Lemon and Pepper and shallots. Mix thoroughly then Add Flour and mix thoroughly to coat the meat.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork in 2 batches until browned, about 3 minutes to 4 minutes per side. Gradually put the Meat inside the Pumpkin until it fills the Pumpkin. Then pour the Wine and Apple Cider into the Pumpkin then add the additional sliced shallots to the top of the meat and then put the top on the Pumpkin. I used a 9X13 Baking pan which I had sprayed with Pam.
  • Place the Pumpkin in the Center of the Pan and Bake for 3 ½ Hours. Meat will be very tender.
  • Once the Meat is out of the Pumpkin, slice the Pumpkin and serve with the Meat.
  • Serve with Vegetables such as Brussel Sprouts or Peas.

Father Umberg’s Carmel Apple Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 Granny Smith Apples chopped in cubes
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans
  • 3 Tbsp craisins
  • 3 Tbsp Carmel Syrup

Instructions

  • Chop up the apples add to a bowl add chopped pecans and then add the craisins
  • mix together and add the Carmel Syrup and mix and serve.

Fr Umberg’s Scorched Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients

  • ½ large bag Brussel Sprouts
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 2 Tbsp Garlic
  • Pinch Cayenne Pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 oz water

Instructions

  • Cut the knobs off Brussel Sprouts and quarter them.
  • In a frying pan add butter and oil heat on low heat add garlic and onions
  • Sauté the onions and garlic for one minute
  • Add the Brussel Sprouts you want to scorch the Brussel Sprouts (they turn a little Brown)
  • Add flavor to the Roasted Brussel Sprouts by adding Hoisin Sauce and 6 oz. of water to the pan.
  • Pour contents of Pan in a Serving Bowl.

Father Umberg’s Sautéed Kale with Garlic

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches Fresh Kale remove stems & chop
  • 2 Tbsp Virgin Olive oil
  • 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
  • 2 ½ tsp salt Divided
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 2 Cloves garlic minced
  • 2 qts Water for blanching

Instructions

  • In a large pan, bring the water to a boil. Once it is at a boil, add 1 tsp salt and the chopped kale. Blanch the kale for about 3 minutes and drain. Kale should look bright Green.
  • Heat a Sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and minced garlic until fragrant but not browned. Next, add kale and crushed red pepper. Add pepper and salt to taste. Sauté the kale for about 3 or 4 minutes moving it around turn the stove off. Put into a Serving Bowl.

Father Umberg’s Coin Sweet Carrots

Ingredients

  • 5 Carrots peeled and sliced into 1/8 inch “coins”
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp Molasses
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat the oil and butter in med to low until the butter melts then add carrots & salt. Sauté carrots until they turn a brighter range about 3 or 4 minutes. Add Molasses and heat for a minute until the carrots are covered and molasses becomes liquid. Turn off the Stove and Add the Parsley leaves pour into a serving bowl.
Chef Kathryn's Peach Salad-web
I love cooking with my granddaughter, Cassie during a recent visit. Come and watch as we prepare some of her favorites.

This summer my granddaughter and I prepared a few desserts before I made some pork recipes courtesy of Marina’s Kitchen and Circle B Ranch pork.

Cassie making Brownie

Ingredients

  • 1 box of Chocolate Brownie Mix (We used Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 Tbsp Water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven 350 degrees
  • Add two eggs and beat lightly add oil and water then add the mix slowly if you are not using a mixer mix well and keep adding dry ingredients when smooth pour into a well grease 9×13 pan and bake for 20/25 minutes check with toothpick and when it comes out clean brownies are done.
  • Put brownies aside to cool

Kathryn’s Edible cookie dough

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups flour In a Microwave safe bowl (microwave for 1 minute)
  • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar tightly packed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ Tbsp milk
  • Sprinkles

Instructions

  • Add butter add brown sugar add sugar mix then add milk, vanilla, salt and then flour use mixer and mix until you have no clumps. Fold the chocolate chips into the mixture. Make a ball with the cookie dough then press down on the brownie square in the center add brownie ball into the center of brownie then take the brownie lifted on the side till you cover the cookie dough, until all the brownies are made into lls with the cookie dough. Then roll until you have balls then dip the balls into melted chocolate and place on parchment paper then place in the refrigerator

Smore cookies – Kathryn Raaker’s Recipe

Ingredients

  • 8 Marshmallows
  • 8 double graham crackers
  • 10 Hershey Chocolate Bars Squares
  • Hershey’s cookies dough

Instructions

  • Use parchment line a cookie pan then place 6 graham crackers on the sheet in rows. Place a graham cracker then top it with chocolate square add marshmallow on top of chocolate and press down a little on the marshmallow then take cookie dough and make a dome on top of each square then when finished put into a 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes cookies will then be done. Let cool and serve

CIRCLE B RANCH PORK PORK LOIN WITH PEACH BASIL BOURBON GLAZE

PERMISSION TO USE RECIPES FROM MARINA’S KITCHEN

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 2 Pork Tenderloins
  • 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper
  • 10 fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 2 shallots-small dice
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 2 large peaches pitted and halved*
  • 1/4 cup of light brown sugar only needed if using fresh peaches

Instructions

  • Stir until the liquid has begun to reduce (about 2-3 minutes) and add in the brown sugar or the peach syrup, cayenne, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and the whole basil leaves. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the mixture thickens and becomes syrupy. Add in the last Tbsp of butter and stir. If using the canned peaches, add them. Spoon the delicious bourbon glaze over the tenderloin and enjoy!

CIRCLE B RANCH Pork Chops with Peaches and Fresh Basil

PERMISSION TO USE RECIPES FROM MARINA’S KITCHEN

Ingredients

  • 2 bone-in Circle B Ranch pork chops 4-6 oz. each
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 peaches pits removed, cut into ¼-inch slices
  • 2 tsp. zest from 1 lemon plus 2 Tbsp. fresh juice
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • Pinch of dried red chili flakes
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. butter

Instructions

  • Season the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat until lightly smoking. Add the pork chops and cook until first side is nicely browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the internal temperature registers 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Do not wipe out skillet.
  • Lower heat to medium low and add the peaches, lemon zest, sugar, salt, and dried chili flakes. Stir gently until the peaches begin to soften but don’t lose their shape, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Place the 2 pork chops on separate plates. Pour any juices from the plate back into the skillet and add butter and lemon juice. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and swirling pan until butter is melted and incorporated into the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in half of basil.
  • Divide the peaches between the two plates of pork chops and then pour the pan juices on top. Sprinkle with the remaining basil.
  • Serve immediately.
Fried Fish Balls

I always love cooking with my friend and fellow chef, Marie Dunaway. Today we tackle a few more of her favorite recipes, which I hope will become yours. Enjoy.

Pancit Canton with shrimp and veggies

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Raw Shrimp with heads and tails
  • ¼ cup Canola Oil
  • Shells of shrimp head and tail taken off
  • ½ head Chinese Cabbage
  • 2 large carrots chopped
  • 5 Scallions chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic minced
  • 1 pkg Asian Stir Fry Vegetables
  • 1 lrg Bok Choy chopped
  • 1 box Shiitake mushrooms sliced
  • 1-2 pkg Pancit Canton Noodles or Egg flour noodles
  • 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
  • Salt taste & Pepper to Taste

Instructions

  • Stir fry all the veggies till tender in canola oil
  • Add soy sauce and spices
  • Add Raw the shrimp we did it in a separate pan then add broth or water cool shrimp and peel shrimp set aside.
  • Add the crispy noodles until slightly soft
  • Add veggie broth or just water and juice from the cooked shrimp add cooked shrimps.
  • Use chopsticks to avoid mashing the noodles
  • Serve right away

Dipping sauce for Fried fish balls on skewers

A popular street food

Ingredients

  • Frozen Pollack Fish Balls from Asian Market
  • 1-1/2 c water
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1-1/2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/8 tsp ground pepper
  • 1 shallot bulb finely diced
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Mix water, soy sauce, and corn starch in a measuring cup. In a small sauce pan, add shallots and cornstarch mixture. Simmer until slightly thick. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
  • Fry fish balls according to package instructions.
  • Serve with dipping sauce.

Avocado Shake

Ingredients

  • 2 Avocados
  • 2 cups of Almond Milk or 1 can of Condensed Milk
  • 5 ice cubes approx
  • Sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Cut Avocado in Half scoop out the flesh
  • Drop in blender
  • Half filled with milk
  • Add Ice Sugar and Blend
  • Then Serve in Tall Glasses
  • With Straw

Mango Royale or Mango float

This is a No bake dessert just assemble this icebox cake night before

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups Nestle cream or table cream
  • 3/4 cups Condensed milk
  • 1 pkg Brojas (Lady's Fingers) (optional: 15 full sheet Graham crackers)
  • 2-3 ripe champagne Mangos* (ataulfo, yellow or Manila mangoes)

Instructions

  • Line up 9 inch pan with parchment paper let the edges over hang
  • Lay down Lady’s fingers or graham crackers cut to fit
  • In a Chilled bowl, Whip cream and slowly add condensed milk until soft peaks form
  • Spread cream mixture in top and layer the cut up mangoes
  • Repeat until you have three tiers
  • Seal top
  • Chill overnight or freeze to turn it into ice cream cake
  • -Serve by lifting cake off pan with parchment paper overhang and cut into serving slices
  • (The Whipped cream softens graham crackers to sponge cake texture. Then whipped cream firms up into rich luscious filling)

I always enjoy cooking with my good friend and fellow chef, Marty Shuttes. Watch as we prepare some of our favorite recipes.

Mexican Street Corn by Marty Schultes

Ingredients

  • 8 cobs Fresh Corn boiled
  • 2 Jalapeno Peppers seeds removed and finely chopped
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped either by hand or food processor
  • 5 sweet baby peppers medium chopped
  • 1 bunch cilantros chopped (reserve a few leaves for garnish)
  • ¼ tsp Chili powder
  • tsp Paprika
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Fresh lime juice
  • ½ cup Crumbled Feta Cheese Save some for garnish

Instructions

  • In a small bowl combine sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, pepper flakes, lime juice, and salt. Set aside.
  • Cut the corn off the cob after boiling. Add the chopped vegetables and stir to combine. Next add finely chopped cilatro and mix again. Lastly, top with the sour cream mixture. Add more salt to taste. Garnish with additional feta cheese and cilatro leaves.

Pineapple and Mango Salsa

By Marty Schultes

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 Roma tomatoes – chopped in tiny pieces finely chopped
  • 2 mangoes sliced and cubed
  • 4 sweet baby peppers (red, yellow, and orange) chopped
  • 1 Jalapeno pepper remove seeds and finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • 1-2 Limes Juiced (2-3 Tbsp)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients. Add salt to taste

Kathryn’s Fruit Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 pint Fresh Strawberries Slice in half or quartered (depending on size)
  • 1 cup Raspberries
  • 1 cup Black Berries
  • 1 cup Blueberries
  • 1 banana sliced
  • Manderane oranges (for color) Optional
  • ½ cup Red and Green Grapes
  • 2 Tbsp of Sugar or Sweetener
  • 3 to 4 Tbsp Limoncello I make my own limoncello
  • Mint leaves for decoration.
  • whipped cream

Instructions

  • combine all ingredients. top with whipped cream and garnish with mint leaves

On a hot summer’s day, these are some refreshing recipes based on some Korean recipes I’ve tasted.

Kathryn’s Korean Slaw

Course: Salad
Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

  • 1 inch ginger root grated
  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 green onions chopped – cut on bias of white part and half of the green
  • ½ cup carrots sliced thin or grated
  • 1 head Napa cabbage sliced thin
  • 1 yellow pepper julienne
  • 3 orange mini peppers julienne
  • 1 mini red pepper- julienne
  • ½ tsp sugar Optional honey

Instructions

  • Lime juice soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil add a little sugar, and then minced ginger and mix well then pour onto salad and mix well.
  • Slice the Nappa Cabbage into thin slices, julienne all the peppers and cut on bias of white part and half of the green onions, and carrots put all ingredients into a large bowl. Then make the sauce that will be used to dress the salad

Kathryn’s Korean Beef BBQ

Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 lb Lean ground beef (90%)
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • ½ to 1 Tbsp mato puree
  • 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp Korean barbeque sauce
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice

Instructions

  • Heat the oil and add ground beef until it reddish gray stage then add the onions- rinse meat make the sauce puree, soy sauce, Korean barbeque sauce and brown sugar an add water pour the sauce over the beef and then simmer for 10 minutes then add lime juice. Then serve of Brioche Buns makes enough for four people.

Kathryn’s Homemade Pickles

Ingredients

  • 3 Miniature Cucumbers sliced thin
  • ½ cup Rice Wine Vinegar
  • ¼ tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt

Instructions

  • Add sliced cucumbers to flat bowl add rice vinegar, sugar and salt the let rest stir in 10 minutes twice and then put into refrigerator for a half hour. Serve with Korean Barbeque

Kathryn’s Watermelon Slush

Ingredients

  • 3 cups watermelon chopped
  • 1 ½ Seven-Up or Sprite
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 banana
  • 1 Strawberry garnish

Instructions

  • Blend well and serve makes enough for two people
  • Pour into the serving glasses and top with a strawberry

It is wonderful to be able to celebrate again with family and friends, so my pastor, Father Umberg, joins me in preparing some recipes from Grandma Raaker. Father grilled some brats to go with the potato salad. I hope you enjoy it.

 

With summer in full swing, I enjoyed preparing a few recipes for Father’s Day and the 4th of July with my friend and Pastor, Father Umberg. Check out this video for some summer grilling ideas as well as a couple of favorites from Grandma Raaker.

Grandma Raaker’s Carrot Cake

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Angel Food Cake pan

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 cups grated carrots
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 ½ cup salad oil
  • 4 eggs add one at a time
  • 2 cups All Purpose Flour less 2 Teaspoons
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp Almond Flavoring
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup chopped nuts – optional
  • 3 tsp baking powder

Ingredients for Topping

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ½ tsp of baking soda
  • 1 tsp White Karo Syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven 350° F
  • Mix all ingredients with a spoon use Angel Food Pan
  • Bake for 1 ½ hours.
    10 minutes before taking cake from oven mix
  • Ingredients for Topping
  • Put in large Pan (it will boil up and fill a quart pan) bring to boil for 3 minutes.
  • Remove cake from oven pour liquid over the cake in the cake pan until cool.
  • (Important to see if cake is cool or will break)
  • Then take a piece of wax paper sprinkle Powder Sugar on the wax paper rather thick, and turn cake on sugar upside down.
  • Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes then put on plate and enjoy.

Grandma Raaker’s German Potato Salad

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs Red Potatoes boil in skin
  • 1 large Onion chopped
  • 4 stalks celery chop in small pieces
  • 1 lb bacon fried crisp
  • 6 Hardboiled Eggs
  • ¾ cup vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup water
  • 4 tablespoons corn starch dissolved in 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Fry Bacon, save grease to sauté onion in, cut and peel potatoes, add celery bacon salt and pepper to taste. In onion grease, add vinegar, sugar and water, bring to boil thicken. Dissolve corn starch in about ¼ cup water. Add potatoes add chopped eggs, salt and celery seeds, then serve.

Kathryn and Terri prepare various favorite recipes from Japan.

Kathryn’s Green Tea Cheesecake

Adaptation of a Green Tea Cheesecake
Servings: 8 Slices
Author: Kathryn Raaker

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Cream Cheese Softened to Room Temp
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 ½ Tbsp green tea powder
  • 2 ½ to 3 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 9 in graham cracker pie crust
  • 8 Raspberries Fresh (as a garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven to 350° F.
    In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until very smooth.
    Then mix in the green tea powder, eggs, and vanilla until light and creamy; pour into the graham cracker crust.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the center jiggles evenly when the pie is shaken lightly.
    Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Garnish with Raspberries (optional)

Sushi Rice and Preparing Sushi Rolls

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Sushi Rice
  • 3 cups water
  • ½ rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Directions for making rice for Sushi rolls and preparing the Sushi Roll
  • Rinse rice in a strainer or colander until the water runs clear. Combine with water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil then reduce to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Rice should be tender water should be absorbed. Cool until cool enough to handle. In a small pan combine the rice vinegar, oil, sugar and salt cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Then stir in the cooked rice it will seem very wet. Keep stirring and the rice will dry as it cools.
  • Slice diagonally in thin strips your favorite vegetables and shrimp or other fish for the sushi. Then place seaweed layer on a bamboo mat and then spread rice onto the seaweed. In the middle of the mat with the rice add the sliced prepared vegetables and or fish in a small even row. Roll the bamboo into a long roll by first folding the bottom third in then roll it up. Cut down the middle of the roll, take each half and place them parallel to each other.

Kathryn’s Japanese Dressing

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons mirin Japanese sweet wine
  • 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sunflower seed oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons hazelnut oil
  • 1 ¾ Teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

  • Beat mirin, champagne vinegar, sunflower seed oil, hazelnut oil, sugar, sesame oil, and ground ginger together in a bowl until smooth. Let dressing sit at room temperature until the flavors blend, at least 30 minutes.

Japanese Style Pork Ribs

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 pounds Baby Back Ribs Pork
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup sake
  • 4 Tbsp honey
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Prepare the ribs by removing the silvery skin from the back of the Ribs. Then dry with paper towels.
  • Mix soy sauce, sake, and honey together in a small bowl and set aside. I cooked the ribs in a Hot pot and until they were done about 30 minutes. Then I browned them in a skillet about 3 minutes on either side.
  • I then basted each rib with the sauce and then heated the ribs in the 350 oven for about 10 minutes took them out plated them served.

Japanese Udon Soup

Ingredients

  • 6 cups prepared dashi stock
  • 1 pound chicken breasts cut into chunks
  • 3 carrots sliced in small rings
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 3 ½ Tbsp Mirin
  • ¾ tsp sugar
  • 12 oz 1firm tofu cubed (optional)
  • ¾ pound Shiitake mushrooms
  • 5 ribs and leaves of bok choy chopped
  • 9 oz fresh udon noodles
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 leeks

Instructions

  • Heat dashi stock, chicken, carrots, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and salt in a pot over medium heat. Simmer until chicken is no longer pink in the center, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tofu, mushrooms, and bok choy, stirring until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more.
  • Stir udon noodles into broth and simmer until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add leeks and crack eggs into soup; simmer until eggs are slightly firm, about 5 minutes more.