Babushka Delight

As a child, Liz’s father did the bulk of the cooking in their home. Norm Robinson was a creative and resourceful culinary artist, never cooking from a recipe and always applying the creativity required when feeding a family on a meager budget. As a hungry child, when Liz began smelling tasty aromas waft from the kitchen she would consistently ask, “Dad, what’s for dinner?” And much to her chagrin he would he would respond, “Babushka Delight…and then insert a random number.” A variation of Baked Ziti would be called Babushka Delight #14 and Pork Chops and Rice entitled Babushka Delight #982…no rhyme or reason for the numbering system and never a dish or number repeated. Night after night, meal after meal, our table and stomachs were warmed with a series of meals made by a loving father each entitled Babushka Delight. As a child, anxious for dinner, Liz found his predictable answer a bit silly. Now, as an adult, when contemplating the daily questions, what shall we have for dinner?” she hears the trusted words of her father ringing clearly in her mind…”Well, tonight we are having Babushka Delight.”

Burke grew up working inside the delicious walls of a professional kitchen at his families business, Jacob Lake Inn nestled near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. While standing on milk crates Burke joined his parents to help peel potatoes, crack eggs, flip burgers, and sling hash. Through this process Burke developed the confidence of a chef, the speed of a line cook, and the creativity of a working mans Iron Chef.

Growing up in a foodie family has real benefits for a newly married couple. For Burke nothing brings a bigger smile than the potential of a handful of chopped onion, celery, carrot, and garlic sautéing in a few hearty splashes of a fine olive oil…and Liz is more than happy to sample the tasty outcomes.

Together Burke and Liz enjoy nothing more than a fine meal shared with family and friends. In keeping with tradition of both families, Babushka Delight is a collection of their favorite recipes and culinary creations.

Enjoy!

The Texas Rich’s

Sunday, January 16, 2011

SIDES: Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup mill

1 tea soy sauce

Dash of pepper

4 cups cooked green beans

1 1/3 cup french fried onions

1. Mix soup and milk together

2. Add soy, pepper, beans and 2/3 cup of onions.

3. Pour into deep baking dish

4. Bake at 350 for 24-30 min

5. Sprinkle remaining onions around the edges.

6. Bake extra 5 min

APPETIZER: Asparagus & Smoked Gouda Melty Dip

Asparagus & Smoked Gouda Melty Dip

1 bunch asparagus

8 oz cooked ham, cubed

1 can cream of asparagus soup

8 oz smoked gouda cheese cued

4 green onions sliced

2 4 oz jars diced pimento drained

1. Chop asparagus and combined all ingredients in a sauce pan.

2. Simmer on low and stir often

3. Once cheese is melted transfer to bowl if used a fondu dip or keep warm in crock pot.

COOKIES: Buried Cherry Cookies

Buried Cherry Cookies

Cookies:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tea vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup coco

1/4 tea baking powder

1/4 tea soda

1/4 tea salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 jar 10 oz maraschino cherries

Frosting:

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Make frosting first by combining into glass bowl and microwave until melting.

2. Set aside and let cool.

3. Heat oven to 350

4. Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy

5. Combine flour, coco, powder, soda and salt

6. Gradually add dry mixture to wet

7. Shape dough into balls about the size of your palm

8. Press cherry into dough until its in the center.

9. Roll ball into 1/2 cup of sugar and place on parchment paper.

10. Bake 10 min or until edges are crispy.

11. Let cool and remove from cookie sheet.

12. Frost cookies and let set until dry.

MAIN: Creamy Herbed Chicken

Creamy Herbed Chicken

1 bag of bow-tie pasta

1 tab oil

2 boneless chicken breasts cut into strips

1 small red onion, sliced

1 10 oz pkg frozen peas, thawed

1 yellow and/or red pepper cut into strips

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 container of garlic herb cream cheese

Salt and pepper to taste


1. Cook pasta and drain

2. Heat oil in skillet and add chicken and onion. Cook chicken until white

3. Add peas and peppers

4. Stir fry until soft

5. Stir in cream cheese and broth.

6. Simmer on low heat until melted

7. Salt and pepper to taste.

MAIN: Simple Chicken Cacciatore

Simple Chicken Cacciatore

4 boneless chicken breast cut into chunks

salt and pepper

flour

paprika

4 tab olive oil

2 cloves garlic

1 26 oz jar spaghetti sause

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

spaghetti - cook according to package

provolone cheese

1. Salt and pepper chicken and coat with flour and paprika

2. Heat oil in skillet and cook chicken with garlic

3. Drain excess oil

4. Stir in red sauce and let simmer for 20 mins

5. Add peppers last 5 min.

6. Add to pasta

7. Top with cheese

SALAD: Emeril's Blue Cheese Waldorf Salad

Emeril's Blue Cheese Waldorf Salad

1/4 cup mayo

1 tab apple cider vinegar

1/3-1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/4 cup grated yellow onion

1/4 tea salt

1/8 fresh ground pepper

pinch cayenne

2 cups diced sweet red apple (Jonathan or gala)

2 cup celery sliced thinly

Red seedless grapes, sliced

1/2 cup walnuts broken up

1. In a bowl wish mayo and vinegar and slowly add buttermilk. Whisk until thick.

2. Add blue cheese, onion, salt, pepper, Cayenne and whisk together

3. In a large bowl combine apples, celery, grapes and walnuts.

4. Add dressing and toss

Serves 6

SIDES: Festive Cranberry Stuffing

Festive Cranberry Stuffing


1 can chicken broth

pepper

1 stalk celery coarsely chopped w. leaves

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

1 small onion chopped

4 cups herbed seasoned stuffing or bread


1. Mix broth, pepper, celery, cranberries and onions in sauce pan.

2. Heat to boil, cover and cook until veggies are soft (about 5 min)

3. Add bread/stuffing and mix lightly

4. Pour into baking dish and bake at 350 for 25 min