Category Archives: Cooking Techniques

Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Turkey Roulade

Shugga Taps 2005After ringing in the New Year, all that debauching from the Holidaze has given you “buyers remorse”. Packed on a few pounds, eh? I know I did my fare share debauching pound packing! So, we’ve all decided we’re going to exercise every day, eat right, drink less. Torture is what I call it!

Believe it or not, you can actually come up with some pretty tasty recipes that won’t pack on the pounds, but they will give you plenty of taste. One such creation is the Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Turkey Roulade. The flavors in Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ will remind of currants and plums. Think how well those flavors go with turkey. Once you’ve prepared this delightful treat, pair it with Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ (should be served in a brandy snifter at 55 degrees); you’ll immediately get a hint of peach aroma that works magic with the turkey roulade - but be careful, this Sweet Release packs 10% alcohol! Let the good times roulade!

Ingredients

  • 1 whole (2 halves) turkey breast, boned and butterflied (5 pounds)
  • 1/4 pound bacon
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed Oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 1/2 cups finely diced sweet onion
  • 3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 bunches fresh spinach, stems trimmed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 3 cups herb-seasoned stuffing mix
  • 1 1/4 cups dried pomegranate (or cranberries)
  • 1/2 cup Lagunitas Brown Shugga’
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 extra-large egg, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy over medium-high heat. Remove bacon and chop. Add onions and garlic to pan and saute until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until caramelized around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes more minutes. Add the spinach, grapeseed oil, butter,1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, granulated garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted and any juices have evaporated from the pan. Transfer to a colander to drain and set aside until cool enough to handle. Once cooled, squeeze lightly to release any excess liquid, then transfer to a large bowl. Add the chopped bacon, stuffing mix, pomegranate, Lagunitas Brown Shugga’, brandy, pine nuts, chicken stock, egg and remaining teaspoon of salt. Mix well (I use my hands!).

Lay the butterflied turkey breast skin side down on a cutting board. Sprinkle the meat with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Spread the stuffing in a 1/2-inch-thick layer evenly over the meat, leaving a half-inch border on all sides. Place any leftover stuffing in a buttered baking dish and bake for the last 45 minutes of roasting alongside the turkey. Starting at 1 end, roll the turkey like a jelly roll and tuck in any stuffing that comes out the sides. Tie the roast firmly with kitchen twine every 2 inches to make a compact cylinder.

Place the stuffed turkey breast seam side down on the rack on the sheet pan. Brush with the melted butter, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and roast at 325 for 1 3/4 to 2 hours (150 degrees F in the center). Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Carve 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve warm with the extra stuffing.

Gravy

Saute 2 tbss minced shallots and 1/4 cup dried pomegranate in 1 tbs of butter until shallots are translucent. Add 1 cup of Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ and allow to reduce until about half. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Combine 2 tbs softened butter and 2 tbs flour; mix until smooth. Add to broth mixture. Whisk until slightly thickened and smooth. Serve over roulade.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Henriettibles Herb Turkey Brine

Turkey brine. It strikes fear in the hearts of many. B-R-I-N-E. Say it. Love it. Embrace it. It’ll change your turkey day! Brining turkey, chicken or pork creates a succulent and ahhhmaaazing beast. Be creative. Use your imagination. Just follow the basics of brining, and you can create magic. Add whatever flavors you love. I like to throw a little Hanky Panky in there. :) Grab a glass of wine and follow along!

Chow yumly!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Perfect Pie Crust Recipe

For some reason, many folks find the prospect of making a pie crust from scratch to be very daunting.

© Karcich | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
© Karcich | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Often times, people who aren’t afraid to make pie crust, really shouldn’t be doing it. The first secret for a great pie crust recipe is FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS PRECISELY!

Baking is a science; if you don’t use precise measurements, you’ll end with a science project gone wrong. You know that commercial that the volcano science project explodes all over the kitchen ceiling?

Okay, it probably won’t explode all over the kitchen ceiling if you aren’t precise, but you get the gist. Purchasing a bra requires knowing the precise size; would you purchase a bra without knowing measurements or what size to purchase? Or shoes? And so it goes, you shouldn’t bake without precise measurements. And don’t substitute! People tell me all the time that they can’t bake; as the conversation progresses, I find out not only did they not follow the directions precisely, they also made non compatible substitutions. Okay, enough of the lecture!

If you want to use this crust for something savory, add some fresh herbs when you add the butter, just not a lot of it. You want just a hint of flavor, not overwhelming flavor. The savory crust is great to use in making an amazing chicken pot pie.

Some folks use half butter and half shortening. I prefer butter all the way, baby! I love the buttery, flaky taste of this crust and I bet you will, too! This pie crust recipe is enough for two bottom crusts, or a bottom and top crust, or about 2 dozen tartlets.

Ingredients

2 1/2 Cups flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup COLD, UNSALTED butter (if it doesn’t say “unsalted”, don’t use it!)
1/4 cup ice water

Directions

Combine flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Cut butter into small pieces (I sometimes do this ahead of time and leave in frig so it stays cold. You’ll be surprised how quickly the heat from your fingers can warm it up.) and add to the processor bowl. Process until it resembles coarse meal or large grains of sand (should be about 10 seconds). With processor on, slowly pour ice water through the feeder until the dough holds together - it should not be wet or sticky! Divide the dough in two and fatten each into a round disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. When chilled, roll out on lightly floured surface to desired diameter.

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Simple Baking and Cooking Substitutions!

need a substitute in the kitchenYou know that day you finally decide to get creative in the kitchen? It just happens to be the same day that it’s raining cats & dogs or you’re area is having the snow storm of the century. You just can’t get to the store!

Here are a few simple baking substitutions and cooking substitutions for some common ingredients.

Happy dance!

  • 1 square (1 oz) unsweetened chocolate = 3 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder, plus 1 tbs butter
  • 1 square (1 oz) semisweet chocolate = 1 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder plus 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp butter
  • 1 cup sifted cake powder = 1 cup less 2 tbs all purpose flour
  • 1 cup self-rising flour = 1 cup flour plus 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt. 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tbs flour for thickening = 1 tbs cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tbs balsamic vinegar = 1 tbs cider or red wine vinegar plus 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup corn syrup = 1 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid used in recipe
  • 1 cup honey = 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid used in recipe
  • 1 cup molasses = 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 tbs vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to make 1 cup
  • 1 cup sour cream (only for baking purposes) = 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar = 1 cup sugar plus 2 tbs molasses
  • 1 t\sp lemon juice = 1/4 tsp vinegar
  • 1 cup tomato juice = 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups tomato sauce = 6 oz tomato paste plus 1 cup water
  • 1 tbs fresh herbs = 1 tsp dried herbs

Copyright © Henriettibles 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Sweet and Spicy Turkey Brine

Yeah, just like me…Sweet and spicy…. :)


General rule of thumb with brining. 1 cup of kosher salt per gallon of water. Then add whatever the hell you want!!!!


some of the spices for Sweet and Spicy Turkey BrineHere’s the Sweet and Spicy Turkey Brine scoop; another incredible way to prepare Turkey.

Ingredients:

2 gallons water/ice
2 cups kosher salt
1 cup honey
2 cups brown sugar
4 cloves garlic - coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 tsp whole cloves
Juice from one orange
Bunch of thyme sprigs

Directions:

Bring ONE gallon of water to a soft boil. SLOWLY add the kosher salt. Stir, then let the rest of the ingredients go swimming. Let cool. Add half gallon cold water and stir. Add ice to the equivalent of 1/2 gallon of water. Add the turkey, breast side down, ensuring that the cavities are filled with brine as well. Let set for 12 hours or so.

I personally put all of this into kitchen garbage bags (I double bag to be safe), put it in a cooler and load it with ice.

**** Make sure you keep the turkey iced!!!!

When done brining your turkey in this sweet and spicy brine - cook the turkey, covered, at 325 - 15 minutes per pound. I remove the cover with 30 minutes left, baste with salted butter, and cook the remainder without a cover to crisp the skin. I also cook it breast side down - the juices flow to the bottom of the turkey. Creates a moist little heaven!

I have to say… this was awesome on a stick. The turkey was more than amazing.

I just made the gravy from the drippings. I literally had to do nothing to flavor it except a tiny bit of fresh gound pepper. WOW!!!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2012 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Herbaceous Turkey Brine

A Herbaceous Turkey Brine is a more traditional turkey brine.

As we did in the other Henriettibles turkey brining video, do the basics and add whatever floats your boat!
turkeyIngredients:

Water
32 oz chicken stock
2 cups white wine
2 cups kosher salt
3 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 cups celery, coarsely chopped
1 leek, coarsely chopped
1/4 black peppercorns
4 cloves chopped garlic
Herbs - several sprigs of each

  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Basil
  • Sage
  • Chives

Directions:

Add 64 oz of water to large pot or bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add ice to mix (about 16 oz). Place turkey in brine, breast side down, ensuring that the cavities are filled with brine as well. Let set for 12 hours or so.

I personally put all of this into kitchen garbage bags (I double bag to be safe), put it in a cooler and load it with ice.


***** Make sure you keep the turkey iced while you are brining it!!!! ****


When done brining, cook covered at 325 - 15 minutes per pound. I remove the cover with 30 minutes left, baste with salted butter, and cook the remainder without a cover to crisp the skin. I also cook it breast side down - the juices flow to the bottom of the turkey. Creates a moist little heaven!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2012 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.

Brining A Turkey

turkeyThis is video on how to make my Sweet & Spicy Turkey Brine and my more traditional Herbaceous Turkey Brine.

I know, I know. You watch the cooking channels and you think, “This sure sounds difficult to brine a turkey. I’ll watch, but I’m not crazy enough to actually try it!”

I’m here to show you just how very easy it is! Brining a turkey is very simple, and produces an amazing bird; the meat is moist and tasty.

Start with a basic brine and add anything you want to it. Just keep it cold!

Copyright © Henriettibles 2012 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without Henriettibles’ express consent. Backlinks are allowed.