Searching4Zen

Welcome to Searching4Zen, a recipe sharing and blog discussing adventures in Food & Wine, Travel and Cycling. We hope you will register with us and share your comments.

  • French Style Vanilla ice Cream

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    Everyone needs a terrific vanilla ice cream recipe in their repertoire, and here it is. Keeping a tub of homemade vanilla ice cream in my freezer is standard policy, since I can’t think of any dessert that isn’t made better with a soft scoop of vanilla ice cream melting alongside. Ingredients 1 cup (250 ml) whole […]

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  • Stir-Fried Asparagus with Bacon and Crispy Shallots

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    The pan-flip doesn’t just look cool, it ensures that food cooks evenly over high heat. Too learn how to flip like a pro. Ingredients ¼ cup black vinegar ¼ cup sherry vinegar 2 small shallots, thinly sliced into rings 4 ounces slab bacon, cut into 1x¼-inch pieces 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for frying […]

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  • Casatiello (Neapolitan Easter Bread)

    3 hours
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    Ingredients For the dough: 500g (1 lb.) flour 100g (4 oz.) lard 1 tsp yeast Salt and pepper Water, q.b. 100g grated parmesan cheese (optional) For the filling: 250-500g (1/2-1 lb.) mixed cured meats (salumi) and cheeses (see Notes) For the topping: 5 whole eggs Instructions In a mixer, mix together the dough ingredients with […]

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  • Pizza rustica (Easter Cheese and Salumi Pie)

    3 hours
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    Ingredients For the crust: 5oog (1 lb) flour (see Notes) 250g (1/2 lb) lard (or butter) Salt, to taste 100 ml (1/2 cup) tepid water, or enough to form a ball For the filling: 350g (12 oz) ricotta 5 medium eggs 350g (12 oz) mozzarella, cut into small cubes (see Notes) 150g (5 oz) prosciutto […]

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  • Coconut Chicken Curry with Turmeric and Lemongrass

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    Ingredients 2 lemongrass stalks 1 large shallot, chopped 4 garlic cloves 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 chicken legs, drumsticks and thighs separated Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 4 kaffir lime leaves (optional) 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick 4 cardamom […]

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  • Chicken and Mushrooms with Taleggio Polenta

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    Ingredients Polenta 3 cups chicken stock 1 cup stone-ground cornmeal Salt and pepper Freshly grated or ground nutmeg 5 – 6 ounces ripe Taleggio cheese Chicken 1 2-oz. package dried porcini mushrooms 1 cup chicken stock 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 2 tablespoons butter 3/4 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced 2 large […]

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  • Marcella’s Broccoli and Potato Soup

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    Author Notes: This is one of those soups that relies on the caramelization of the onions. Don’t rush it, accept the fact that it takes time and depending on the sugar content of the onions may take even longer. Obviously this recipe is adapted from Marcella Hazan’s in her book Marcella Cucina. —thirschfeld Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted […]

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  • Polenta Shortcake with Raisins, Dried Figs, and Pine Nuts

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    When James Beard sojourned in Venice many years ago, he was fascinated by this local specialty, whose nuts and dried fruits are redolent of imperial Venice’s trading days with the Near East, and he asked me to provide the recipe. Jim was surprised to find it contained only one egg, but it does rise to […]

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  • Home made Croutons

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    Ingredients A partial loaf of slightly stale bread (about 1/2 pound) 1/4 cup of olive oil or melted butter or a combination of the two Salt Optional flavorings: 1 clove of garlic 1 teaspoon dried herbs such as oregano, basil, or thyme OR 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, finely minced 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan Equipment […]

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  • Thai Steak And Noodle Salad

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    This is no simple salad: It’s a multicourse meal on a plate. Its dramatic presentation is part of the allure. Ingredients Steak 1 ½-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped ¼ cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons raw sugar or light brown sugar 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon fish sauce ½ teaspoon freshly ground black […]

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