The post 4 Roman Pastas That Built Italian Cuisine appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Cacio e Pepe
The name translates simply to “cheese and pepper,” and this minimalist approach reveals the beauty of this dish. High-quality Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper create a sauce that clings to pasta. No butter or cream needed!
(@furetti.cucina)Gricia
Building on cacio e pepe, gricia adds in cured pork jowl. Rendered until crispy, its smoky fat becomes the base of the sauce. This dish is a precursor to Carbonara, but a bit simpler in the ingredient list
Amatriciana
Amatriciana adds tomatoes to the Roman palette. The sauce, a mix of guanciale, Pecorino Romano, and tomatoes, offers a salty-sweet balance that complements the pasta and creates a flavorful dish.
Carbonara
And finally, Carbonara, the most celebrated Roman pasta. This dish introduces eggs to the Gricia base for a silky sauce. Again, you have the guanciale, Pecorino, and a dash of black pepper to create a rich, flavorful dish.
The post 4 Roman Pastas That Built Italian Cuisine appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post How Apple Pie Became the Most American Dessert appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The Origins
Contrary to popular belief, apple pie isn’t originally an American creation. Its history traces back to Europe. The first recorded apple pie recipe was written in England in 1381. This medieval version was significantly different from today’s pies. It included ingredients like figs, raisins, pears, and saffron, and lacked a sugar sweetener.
The Evolution
Apples, the core ingredient of the pie, are also not native to America. They were brought over by European colonists in the 17th century. But as apple cultivation flourished, so did the popularity of apple pie. By the 18th century, recipes began to resemble the modern apple pie.
Symbolism in American Culture
By the 19th and 20th centuries, apple pie became associated with home, comfort, and national pride. During World War II, the phrase “as American as apple pie” was popularized when soldiers often answered “for mom and apple pie” when asked why they were going to war. This cemented the dessert’s status as a symbol of America. So there you have it!
The post How Apple Pie Became the Most American Dessert appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Latke Cookies in Time For Hannukah appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Prepare the Apple Caramel
Add cider to a pan and heat until the liquid becomes syrupy. Add brown sugar, cream, butter, and salt before whisking the mixture together. Cook the mixture and continue to stir for about 6 to 8 minutes until the caramel is thickened and dark brown in color. Finally, add some cinnamon to the mix and whisk it in.
Bake the Cookies
Pour potato chips into the mixture. Spread potato chips onto a baking sheet and place in the oven to bake until dark brown. In a separate large bowl, whisk butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and salt until a paste forms, after which you’ll add some vanilla.
Combine
Add the potato sticks to the mixture and, separately, roll the dough into a large log. After refrigerating for an hour, cut the log into rounds about 1/4″ thick. Place each cookie into the oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. At the same time, warm the caramel. Once the cookies are baked, dip each one into the caramel for a tasty treat.
The post Latke Cookies in Time For Hannukah appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Sweet And Saucy Orange Chicken To Spice Up Your Weeknights appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Coat The Chicken
Start by beating eggs in a shallow bowl before mixing cornstarch and flour in another bowl. Coat the chicken in the egg mixture before putting the chicken into the other mixture. Then, pour oil into a skillet and boil. Once simmering, place the chicken inside, and fry until golden brown and crispy.
Prepare The Orange Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, place one teaspoon of oil followed by garlic, ginger, and red peppers. Stir for two minutes before adding orange juice, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Continue cooking until the mixture starts to simmer.
Time To Serve
Whisk a teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of water in a small bowl. Whisk the sauce for about five minutes so that it is syrupy. Add sauce the to chicken and get ready to serve.
The post Sweet And Saucy Orange Chicken To Spice Up Your Weeknights appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post How You Can Make an Authentic Sicilian Pizza at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Bake the Base
Whether you pre-purchase the pizza base or make your own, you’ll need to ensure that it is well-coated in oil and baked in the oven until it becomes puffy and rises. Make sure to keep checking on your base and ensure that it remains flat and that it doesn’t become too oily. Blot out any areas where there is too much moisture.
and Joe
Becci (@ouritaliantable)Prep the Toppings
Once your base is ready, set it aside to cool for around 20 to 30 minutes. Then, cut some squash into spirals and grate your mozzarella cheese. Cut up some slices of salami and pour one and a quarter cups of pizza sauce into a jug or container so you can pour it later.
Time to Put it All Together
Take a spoon and spread the sauce evenly across the pizza base. Once you have the amount of sauce you want, sprinkle the cheese evenly before adding your slices of squash and salami. Finally, bake the pizza until the bottom is golden brown and enjoy.
The post How You Can Make an Authentic Sicilian Pizza at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post What’s Old Bay Seasoning? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>A Full History
Old Bay is popular in the mid-Atlantic and Southern regions of the U.S., and it’s used across the country to add a spicy, citrusy flavor to seafood dishes.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the spice blend is named after the Old Bay Line, a local steamship that traveled from Baltimore to Norfolk, Virginia during the early 20th century. It was invented by Gustav Brunn, a German-Jewish immigrant, who was trying to find the perfect seasoning for crab. Since then, it has been used for lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, corn on the cob, and deviled eggs.
The seasoning is actually pretty easy to make, and all you need to do is combine celery salt, paprika, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground allspice, ground cloves, and ground ginger.
The post What’s Old Bay Seasoning? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Delight Your Dinner Guests With These Greek Starters appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Spanakopita
If you love creamy pastries yet still want to keep healthy, then this scrumptious snack is for you. Spanakopita is a flaky pastry filled with spinach and feta.
Greek Meze Platter
While it may seem complicated, this colorful palette of flavors is actually pretty simple to prepare. All you need to do is buy a selection of Greek cheeses, olives, tomatoes, other vegetables, and dips such as tzatziki along with pita bread.
Greek Layer Dip
For the perfect appetizer, consider making a Greek Layer Dip. From its hummus and feta cheese layers to its tangy olives, tomatoes and cucumbers, this starter will be sure to satisfy your guests with its burst of flavors.
The post Delight Your Dinner Guests With These Greek Starters appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post 4 Lessons From the French About Enjoying Food appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Make Space For Cheese
Camembert, Brie, Gruyère, and Roquefort are just some of the glorious cheeses we have France to thank for (there are more than 1,000 kinds!) and there is no reason they shouldn’t be part of the meal. Traditionally, a cheese platter is served after the main course, prior to dessert.
Life is Short—Order Dessert
Speaking of dessert, the French believe in ending their meals with something sweet. This doesn’t always have to be a crème brûlée or soufflé (though we definitely won’t say no)—a piece of chocolate, biscuit, liqueur, or coffee all do well to wrap up the meal nicely.
Full Flavor
The French don’t believe in compromising on flavor, so it is common for most dishes to include full-fat versions of milk, cream, cheese, and the like. While such elements should be consumed in moderation, food is viewed among life’s simple pleasures, so enjoy!
Take Your Time
With dishes full of flavor, the French know that it is important to slow down and savor every bite. Eating slower is also better for your health as it gives the body time to realize that it is full and prevents over-eating. Meals can turn into long, leisurely affairs that don’t always align with workdays around the world, but hopefully, you’ll be inspired to give yourself some time to enjoy your food.
The post 4 Lessons From the French About Enjoying Food appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post 3 Delectable Delights to Come From Japan appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Sushi
Of course sushi would be the number one entry on this list. This sticky rice and seaweed phenomenon was trickling in western society little by little over the last century, but in the new millennium has become more popular than ever.
(@otsukalog)Sashimi
Essentially sushi but without the rice or seaweed, sashimi is a raw fish-lover’s dream. Commonly served with sushi at most sushi establishments around the world, sashimi is yet another strong culinary contribution from Japan.
Ramen
Ramen noodle soup has influenced the way we think about food, in addition to just how we eat it. Not only is it incredibly tasty, but it’s evolved in our society as a practical way to eating dinner. For a very cheap price, people on a budget can buy instant ramen noodles from a convenience store and it’ll taste delicious.
The post 3 Delectable Delights to Come From Japan appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Are Recipe Books Going Out Of Style? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>This is because human beings have been physically writing things down for thousands of years. However, in this day and age, technology has taken up the mantle, and the way people consume recipes has changed. But are recipe books going out of style?
Same, But Different
Perhaps a less gloomy way to look at the situation is that technology may not be replacing recipe books, but just offering a new alternative. What with TikTok videos, YouTube channels, Instagram posts, and endless chefs with their own websites, the opportunities to consume recipe content digitally are seemingly endless. But the truth is, they’ll take truly take over—as long as one thing stays the same.
•
Syracuse, NY (@mjcusefoodie)The Heart Of It All
Perhaps the one thing that matters most isn’t whether the actual written-down recipes are going out of style. The thing that matters most is whether or not the heart of it all—the warmness, the love, the tradition—will be preserved. This is a crucial aspect to consider. With digital taking over, it can seem like we’re all forgetting about the old ways. But if we fight to retain the heart and beauty of the written down recipes that paved the way for it, we may just preserve it after all.
The post Are Recipe Books Going Out Of Style? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>