White Wine Artichoke Sauce

Do you know how to make artichokes? Like me, you might have tried and failed before but I finally figured out a great recipe for a sauce. I asked so many people, "how do you cook an artichoke?" It seems a lot of people have never made artichokes before because I couldn't get any advice except online. My mission to make a delicious artichoke sauce started about twelve years ago when I ate at a local Cuban restaurant in Gulfport, FL. They had a dish with fish covered in Artichoke sauce and it is still one of the best dinners I have ever tasted. This is a white wine sauce that can be served over seafood, chicken, pasta or even vegetables.

 

Ingredients:

2 Artichokes (I used fresh but canned or frozen hearts might work)

2 sticks butter or equivalent amount of  EVOO

1 1/2 Tbsp. Garlic (I used powder but 4-5 crushed cloves would be easier)

3-5 ounces Drinking White Wine

1 Tbsp. Salt

2 tsp. Basil

1 tsp. Rosemary

1 tsp. Pepper

2 Tbsp. Flour or 1 Tbsp. Corn Starch

1 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

 

Savings: ?

I have only had this once and I have no idea how much it cost and it's not exactly the same. fresh artichokes are not cheap, so the canned or frozen will save a lot time and money but I haven't tried it yet.

Five Consequences of Rationalization And It's Impact on Our Food Culture

Have you ever tried the Atkins diet or are you currently not eating gluten because someone said it's bad for you? At what point in the future will we all become so focused on function that we forget about the connection we get through events like cooking and dining with friends and family? Is our generation the adults who decided the only way to live healthy is to stop enjoying food and simply eat to live? I fear the day when our meals will consist of nothing but a meat cube that is packed with the nutrition our body needs. Forget a meat cube, imagine the kids and parents all gathering around the dinner table to enjoy their all purpose shakes. Why risk eating any solid substance when we can get all the nutrition our body needs through a straw?

I might be exaggerating some what but I have seen a dramatic change in our food culture in todays society. I get living healthy, that is one of the reasons I started this blog but I don't think we should sacrifice our dining traditions so everyone can look like body builders. As a "home chef", a parent, a fitness wannabe and a butcher, here are some consequences I have noticed from the increased rationalization of our diets.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

This is a variation of the classic entrée Chicken Cordon Bleu. I have been making this at my work for so long I could do it with my eyes closed; but it can be easily messed up so be prepared. It's surprisingly pretty cheap and easy if you keep a well stocked fridge. Most of the ingredients can already be found in a typical fridge. The only complicated part of this recipe is that you need a meat tenderizer, basically a mallet for food. If you are careful and you do it right, this is one recipe that can take your cooking level from rookie to all-pro.


Ingredients:
1.5-2lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
2 tbsp. Italian Seasoning (Garlic, Salt, Basil, Rosemary...)
6 slices Swiss cheese
3 slices deli lunch meat (traditional uses ham)
2-3 cups bread crumbs
2 cups parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Savings: 10-25$ (More savings if you already have most of the ingredients on hand)

Make Your Own Birthday/Party Cake

 

 
 
 
 
A store bought cake can cost a lot of money, especially when you have three kids like me. Not to mention including buying cakes for friends and family, we would have to buy at least three cakes a year; that's a cost of at least $100 every year. $2,000 will be spent on birthday cakes by the time they turn 18! Luckily for me my wife is pretty talented in making her own cakes. This is not something easy like most of my recipes I post on here but with practice I think it's do-able. Also, my wife does 99% of the work so I am only describing the process of making the cake, can't really add any tips. If you have any trouble, ask Angel for some tips like how to make flowers or writing on the cake. (https://www.facebook.com/angel.hook.3)

Ingredients:

Butter cream (A lot, left overs can be frozen) 6-10 cups. Recipe
     - powered sugar
     - butter
     - vanilla extract
     - milk
Box cake mix (2)
Food coloring
Cake decorating supplies

Savings: $10-$40