Category Archives: Rudy’s Twin Falls

Interesting Trivia and other Pieces of Knowledge

03 Tuesday May 2011

Posted by in Rudy's Twin Falls, Special Information, Thought For The Day, Trivia

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May is by no means a dull month. We have flowers blooming! Trees are in bud! Gardens are being planted! And from Rudy’s in Twin Falls, we get this information. Enjoy!

May is:
National Artisan Gelato Month
National Asparagus Month
National Barbecue Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Home Brew Day (1st Saturday)
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
And…
National Strawberry Month
What’s not to love about May?!

And then, for the more daring folks, here is a recipe from Rudy’s (There is a hot link to Rudy’s in the sidebar. Give them a visit!) on how to make a Jamaican Jerk Sauce. Just remember, the sauce is as different from kitchen to kitchen as Beef Stew. The varieties are endless. But with that in mind, here is the recipe. This can be quite spicy hot. Enjoy!

Jamaican Jerk Sauce

“Jerking” is actually a method of cooking in Jamaica. Typically chicken, pork roast, or cuts of goat are marinated in jerk seasoning-either dry spices or a wet marinade like this recipe-then roasted in a pit or grilled slowly over wood planks from the pimento tree. Scotch Bonnet peppers are some of the hottest chili peppers in the world. You may substitute jalapenos instead if you can’t handle the heat. The best flavor for this jerk recipe is from whole allspice berries, which are also called pimientos in Jamaica. Whole allspice berries may be ground in a coffee mill or you may use ground allspice powder. 

· 1 Scotch bonnet or jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded
· 4 scallions, sliced into 2-inch lengths
· 3 cloves garlic, peeled (1 1/2 teaspoons)
· 3 tablespoons freshly grated ginger (1 2-inch piece)
· 4 sprigs fresh thyme, minced
· 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries, ground in a coffee mill, or 2 teaspoons dried
· Juice of 2 limes
· 1/2 cup ketchup
· 1/2 cup pineapple juice or tomato juice


In the bowl of a food processor or in a blender, process the Scotch Bonnet pepper, scallions, garlic, ginger, and thyme leaves until finely ground. Add the allspice, lime juice, ketchup, and pineapple juice and puree the mixture for 30 seconds, until well combined.


Recipe Bonus: Keep a batch of jerk sauce in your refrigerator; it will keep for up to a month. You may use it to baste everything from tofu chunks to poultry, seafood, or red meat while roasting or barbecuing. It’s especially good when you marinate chicken, roast pork, or thick slices of tofu overnight. Grill, roast, or broil the following day. Serve with additional sauce for dipping.
*Grab some Red Stripe Beer to go with this!

Food Trivia From "Rudy’s – A Cook’s Paradise"

02 Tuesday Nov 2010

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Now this looks like an interesting week. There is even a recipe posted. Enjoy! (Source: Rudy’s – A Cooks Paradise)

Week in the History of Food and Drink

November 2: The Soup Nazi first appears on the ‘Seinfeld’ TV show.
November 3: National Sandwich Day
November 4: National Candy Day
November 5: National Donut Day (This week just keeps getting better!)
November 6, 1993: The world’s largest peanut butter and jelly sandwich was created in Peanut, Pennsylvania. It was almost 40 feet long and used 150 pounds of peanut butter and 50 pounds of jelly.
November 7, 2010: Happy 45th birthday to ‘Poppin’ Fresh aka The Pillsbury Doughboy.
November 8: National Harvey Wallbanger Day.

In the United States alone, over 10 billion doughnuts are made every year.
However…Canadians Win! They consume the most doughnuts in the world and Canada has the most doughnut shops per capita.
OK. So we here in the States can try to win this competition. Here is a recipe from Rudy’s – A Cook’s Paradise for doughnuts. Enjoy them!

Zeppoli
(also spelled zeppole)

(Adapted from Desserts by the Yard, by Sherry Yard) If you’ve ever been to a street festival in any Little Italy in the United States, you know this lovely treat– a kind of fried doughnut that is tossed in a paper bag with powdered sugar. Use Sherry Yard’s basic batter recipe and then divid it into three portions, flavoring one with lemon zest, one with orange zest, and one with chocolate and orange zest.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
‘2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups ricotta
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
3/4 – 1 cup confectioner’s sugar

vegetable oil, for frying
about six brown paper lunch bags

Directions:
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs and sugar. Add the ricotta and whisk until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla and nutmeg and combine well. Whisk in the flour and divide into three smaller bowls. Add the lemon zest to one, mixing well. Add 1 teaspoon of the orange zest to the second, mixing well. Add the last teaspoon of orange zest and the cocoa powder to the last bowl and mix well. Cover the three bowls and put them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (you can leave them for up to 4 hours).

Before you start frying the zeppole, set out a baking sheet with a wire rack on top of it for draining. Open and turn down the tops of six brown paper bags.

In large heavy pot heat two inches of oil to 350 F. Carefully spoon tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil in batches. Start with the lemon batter, then the orange, and finish with the chocolate-orange. Cook the batches of zeppole for about 2 – 2 1/2 minutes, flipping them over every 30 seconds. Fish them out with a mesh skimmer and let them drain on the rack. Keep cooking the zeppole in batches until you have no batter left.

Divide the zeppole into the brown paper bags and then sprinkle about 1 1/2 tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar into each bag. Close up the tops and give them a good shake to coat the zeppole with sugar. Eat warm.

Rudy’s Food Trivia and Marsala Sauce

12 Tuesday Oct 2010

Posted by in Classic Sauces, Rudy's Twin Falls, What's For Dinner?

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Well, lets see. It’s 31 degrees outside. There’s a light frost – the first of the season. Wind chill is minimal. So it sounds like a great pasta night! But tonight, the dinner menu is not up to me. the Buzz Bistro has the honor tonight along with some great Pinot Grigio. But here is some good food trivia information and a recipe for Marsala Sauce, one of the classic souces. The Food Trivia and the recipe for the Marsala Sauce is from Rudy’s – A Cook’s Paradise. Enjoy!

Week in the History of Food & Drink

“Allez cuisine!”

October 12, 1950: Takeshi Kaga was born. A Japanese actor, he is best known as the host of the very successful TV show, Iron Chef. It has been shown around the world dubbed or subtitled.

October 13, 54 A.D.: Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, Emperor of Rome A.D. 41-54, died by poisoning. He was poisoned with mushrooms by his wife Agrippina.

October 14: National Chocolate Covered Insect Day and Aubrey Fisher’s birthday!

October 15, 1959: Emeril Lagasse was born in Fall River, Massachusetts. TV cook and actor.

October 16: World Food Day

October 17: National Pasta Day

October 18: St. Luke’s Feast Day, patron of butchers among other things.

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And as promised, here is the recipe for a Marsala Sauce. This is a great sauce. Try it! The recipe calls for More Than Gourmet Demi-Glace, which Rudy’s sells. But if you are not in Twin Falls, any good store, Cash and Carry for example, should have this or a similar product.

Recipe of the Week
Marsala Sauce

Marsala Sauce is one of those great sauces that’s easy to prepare with the right ingredients. Most of us have heard of Chicken Marsala and Veal Marsala, two classic Italian- American recipes featuring Marsala wine. Below is a classic recipe for making the sauce for both.

The one ingredient you often don’t see in other recipes is Demi-Glace, a beef/veal reduction used by many popular classic sauces by professional chefs around the world. You can get it straight from Rudy’s!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
1 oz. Butter
1/2 Tsp. cracked peppercorn
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh thyme (1/4 tsp. dried)
¾ cup Marsala wine
¼ cup red wine (Use a good table wine)
1 cup “More Than Gourmet” Demi-Glace
¼ cup heavy cream (optional)

Directions:
1). Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté shallots, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns for (approximately 5-6 minutes).

2). Add Marsala wine and red wine and reduce to half (approximately 5-6 minutes).

3). Add “More Than Gourmet” demi-glace and stir with a whisk until demi-glace is incorporated.
4). Simmer for approximately 5-6 minutes (until sauce has thickened).

5). Add heavy cream (if desired), and serve over beef, veal, or chicken.

Sauce is excellent over most grilled meats, such as veal or beef medallions, chicken breasts, and pasta! The heavy cream is strictly optional and gives the sauce a richer flavor.

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So there you have it. Enjoy the trivia and enjoy the recipe. Cheers!

Rudy’s Food Trivia

31 Tuesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Food Trivia, Recipes, Rudy's Twin Falls, Thought For The Day

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Here is another great week of Food Trivia from Rudy’s – A Cook’s Paradise in Twin Falls, ID. We were just there looking for a deep dish ceramic pie dish – my old one cracked.

Week in the History of Food and Drink

August 31: It’s grape blessing day in Armenia!

September 1: Oyster season begins.

September 2, 1666: The Great Fire of London began in the shop of the King’s baker. After burning for four days, more than 13,000 buildings had been destroyed.

September 3: National Welsh Rarebit Day

September 4, 1885: National Macadamia Nut Day! Celebrate by making the Grilled Pork with Macadamia Salsa above. *Pssssst: Happy Birthday Patti!

September 5, 1643: Louis XIV, King of France (the ‘Sun King’) was born. A gourmet, gourmand and many say a glutton. During his reign food began to be served in courses, rather than placed on the table all at once, and forks came into widespread use.

September 6: National Coffee Ice Cream Day

For more information about Rudy’s, visit us online at Cook’s Paradise

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And for another treat, look at this recipe that Rudy’s sent along! This really looks good. And seeing as how this comes from Australia, it might even be good with lamb. Yum!

Grilled Pork With Macadamia and Peach Salsa

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
4 pork fillets or pork leg steaks
Macadamia oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Salsa Ingredients:
1/2 cup roasted macadamias
1/2 cup diced peach
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
1 tablespoon ginger or lime marmalade (optional)
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:
1). Brush the pork fillets with oil and some of the lemon juice and season to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

2).Combine all the salsa ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Allow to marinate for 20 minutes, if time allows.

3).Heat a grill pan or barbecue to very high and sear the pork for 2-3 minutes on each side or cook as desired. Serve with the salsa. This is delicious on a bed of mixed leaves or sauteed potatoes.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Macadamia Society

Rudy’s Food Trivia

25 Wednesday Aug 2010

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Here is the latest Food Trivia from Rudy’s. By the way, we will be in Twin Falls later this week and are planning to stop in at Rudy’s. This could be fun and dangerous. Enjoy the trivia!

Week in the History of Food & Drink

August 23, 1902: Fannie Merrit Farmer opened Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery in Boston, Massachusetts and now you can take a cooking class right here in Twin Falls!

August 24, 1869: Cornelius Swarthout received the first U.S. patent for an electric waffle iron. Today is also National Waffle Day!

August 25: National Banana Split Day

August 26, 1728: Johann Heinrich Lambert was born. He proved that pie was irrational. Oops – never mind – that was ‘pi’ that he proved was an irrational number.

My Note: Brother Dave, who always liked to sit in the shadow of a pyramid at high noon always said, “Pie R Round, Cornbread R Square!” Think about it, but not for long. (I will probably never be allowed back in Rudy’s again.)

August 27, 1970: ‘Spill The Wine’ by Eric Burdon & War is #1 on the charts.

August 28, 1798: The first American vineyard was planted in Lexington, Kentucky.

August 29, 1896: Supposedly, the Chinese-American dish, chop suey, was created in New York City by the Cantonese chef of Chinese Ambassador Li Hung-Chang.

"Rudy’s – A Cook’s Paradise" Food Trivia

03 Tuesday Aug 2010

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It’s been a while since I have posted this Food Trivia from Rudy’s in Twin Falls. No excuse! Just lazy in the summer. Nut here is the trivia for this week. Try the mustard. Maybe have Rabbit in a Mustard Cream Sauce? I’m getting hungry!

Week in the History of Food and Drink

August 2, 1980: The oldest known goldfish in Great Britain, Frederica, died at the age of 40. Goldie, you’ve got a ways to go.

August 3: National Watermelon Day
(Note: Take a plug from one end. Fill with 1 bottle Southern Comfort. Chill for 2 hours. Drain watermelon reserving liquid. Slice and serve at your next picnic!)

August 4, 1958: The first potato flake manufacturing plant opened in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

August 5: National Mustard Day! (You would believe the variety of mustards that Rudy’s has in store! Celebrate!

August 6: National Cheesecake Day

August 7: National Root Beer Float Day.

August 8, 1794: The Whiskey Rebellion. Protesting the 1791 federal tax on distilled spirits a large gathering of rebels in western Pennsylvania burned the regional tax inspectors home. President Washington ordered 13,000 troops to the area, but opposition disappeared.

For more information about Rudy’s, visit us online at http://www.cooksparadise.com/

Rudy’s Food Trivia

08 Tuesday Jun 2010

Posted by in Food Trivia, Rudy's Twin Falls, Thought For The Day

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Ah yes! Another week in the saga of Food Trivia From Rudy’s. Such fun! And this week I’ll even post the Recipe of the Week – It has peanut butter in it. (I think, though, I would change the margarine to butter.)

Recipe of the Week: Celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day (June 12th) with this recipe!

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Margarine, Softened
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 1/4 Cups Rolled Oats
3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

Directions:
In a large bow combine the softened margarine and peanut butter. Add the sugar or and the egg to the bowl. Mix until smooth, fluffy and glossy. Add the vanilla and stir. Add the salt, baking soda, oatmeal, and flour. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients. Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

These cookies don’t spread very well so flatten the cookies with a fork or the flat bottom of a cup which has been dipped into flour.

Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.

Half a cup of chocolate chips may be added to the batter if desired.

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This Week in the History of Food Drink

June 7, 1867: At the Café Anglais, Chef Adolphe Duglere served the now famous ‘Dinner of the Three Emperors,’ for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, his son (later to become tsar Alexander III) and King William I of Prussia. The table service used for the dinner is still on display at the oldest existing restaurant in Paris, La Tour d’Argent.

June 8, 1784: (Author’s note: Sorry for the length of this day in history. Carême is just too huge a figure in food history to pass over lightly!)

Marie-Antoine Carême was born in Paris, France. Marie Antoine Carême was known as “the cook of kings and the king of cooks”. He is the founder and architect of French haute cuisine. His story is one out of a Dickens novel. He was one of 25 (?) children born to an impoverished family who put him out on the street at the age of about 10 to make his own way in the world. Lucky for the world he knocked on the door of a restaurant for a job.

By the age of 21 Carême was Chef de Cuisine to Talleyrand. He also served as head chef to the future George IV of England, Emperor Alexander I of Russia, and Baron James de Rothschild. He wrote several large books on cookery, with hundreds of recipes and menus, a history of French cooking, instructions for organizing kitchens, and directions for elaborate architectural constructions of food for display (pièces montées). Carême died at the age of 48.

June 9, 1902: Frank Hardart and Joe Horn opened the first Automat on June 9, 1902 at 818 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. The birth date of modern fast food. (My Note: I think Horn and Hardart’s is still in existance. Someone out there should know. I remember going there with my Dad, usually when we went to the Phillies baseball game.)

June 10, 1869: Frozen food was shipped long distance for the first time. Frozen Texas beef shipped by steamship to New Orleans.

June 11, 1742: Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin Stove. He purposely did not patent it, so that others could freely copy the design.

June 12: National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

June 13, 1789: Mrs. Alexander Hamilton served a new dessert treat for General George Washington. The highlight of the dinner party was ice cream! And all this time you thought Dolley Madison was responsible.

Rudy’s – Food Trivia

10 Monday May 2010

Posted by in Anthropology of Food, Food, Rudy's Twin Falls, Thought For The Day, Trivia

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I just love these little quips of trivia. Some of them are so unique. Enjoy!

This Week in the History of Food & Drink

May 10, 1850: Sir Thomas Johnston Lipton, grocer and tea merchant, was born.
May 11: National Mocha Torte Day
May 12, 1777: According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the first ice cream advertisement appeared in the New York Gazette on this date.
May 13, 1993: The Red Hot Chili Peppers play on the Simpsons TV show.
May 14, 1853: Gail Borden applied for a patent for condensed milk.
May 15, 1989: Hershey’s reduces the size of the Hershey bar to 1.55 ounces. The price remains 40 cents.
May 16: St. Honoratus’ Day. Patron saint of bakers, pastry chefs, confectioners, flour merchants.

Food Trivia From "Rudy’s"

26 Monday Apr 2010

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Once again, we have some very interesting Food Trivia from Rudy’s in Twin Falls, Idaho. Enjoy!

This Week in the History of Food and Drink

April 26: National Pretzel Day

April 27, 1995: On ‘Seinfeld’ Kramer began sculpting with pasta.

April 28, 1944: Alice Waters was born. Executive Chef and Owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant, opened in 1971 in Berkeley, California. Waters is largely credited with the birth of farm to table movement.

April 29: National Shrimp Scampi Day

April 30, 1952: Mr. Potato Head is introduced to the world. Mr. Potato Head is the also the first toy to be advertised on television.

May 1: May Day! Also, in 1971, ‘Brown Sugar’ by the Rolling Stones is released.

May 2: National Truffles Day

"Rudy’s – A Cooks Paradise" Food Trivia

06 Tuesday Apr 2010

Posted by in Anthropology of Food, Food, Food Trivia, Rudy's Twin Falls, Thought For The Day, Trivia

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By now, I suppose that you anxiously await each month the Food Trivia from Rudy’s – A Cooks Paradise in Twin Falls. This is an interesting month, because it includes an ancient delight – Twinkies!! Some of these trivia points of interest are amazing. I don’t know who keeps these “records”, but it would be interesting to see their library. Oh! There will be a surprise at the end of the trivia list. Cheers!

This Week in the History of Food & Drink

April 5, 1774: The Sugar Act passed in Britain, placing new restrictions on the import of molasses to America.

April 6, 1930: Twinkies go on sale for the first time. I wonder how they tasted back in 1930, before they had ingredients like this. The BBC article calls the ingredient list a “veritable who’s who of the chemical world”. Instead, why not try the Homemade Twinkie recipe below!

April 7, 1948: The World Health Organization was established.

April 8: St. Walter of Pontnoise’s Day, patron of vintners.

April 9, 1850: William Prout died. An English chemist, he was the first to classify food components into 3 main divisions – carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

April 10, 1633: Bananas were supposedly displayed in the shop window of merchant Thomas Johnson. This was the first time the banana had ever been seen in Great Britain. It would be more than 200 years before they were regularly imported.
In 1999 remains of a banana were found at a Tudor archaeological site on the banks of the Thames River. This would seem to date it 150 years earlier than Thomas Johnson’s banana. A classic food mystery!

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And as promised, a “treat surprise”! Thanks to Rudy’s for the recipe and the photo.

Homemade Twinkies

Ingredients:
1 Cup Cake Flour
¾ Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Powder
3 Eggs
¼ Cup Milk

Directions:
Whisk together the dry ingredients. Add eggs and continue to whisk to combine (or use a hand or stand mixer). Add half the milk. If the batter is too thick, gradually add the rest of the milk until the batter is thick, but easily pourable. Divide batter into nine mini loaf pans.Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 10 minutes and invert onto wire cooling racks. Cool completely.

To add filling (recipe follows), fill half a pastry bag & tip with the filling. Poke each loaf three times, squeezing out icing while pulling up and out. Stop pressure prior to pulling the tip out completely. If the cream overflows a little, use a butter knife/spatula to carefully scrape off.

For the Filling

Ingredients:
½ Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
1 Cup Confectioners Sugar
2 Cups Marshmallow Cream Such As Marshmallow Fluff
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2-3 Tbsp. Milk

Directions:
Beat together all the ingredients in a bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.