If you watch any cooking shows, eventually you'll hear a strange French term - Mise en Place (meez-on-plahs). This translates to "putting in place" or "everything in place." This simply refers to making sure your prep work is done before you start to cook - the meat and vegetables are cleaned, portioned or measured and cut to size, each in it's own separate container. The spices and dry ingredients are pre-measured and placed in small ramekins or cups. The oven and grill are preheated, the pans are heating. The oils, butters and stocks are all portioned out.
While some may say that this adds too much time to your already-over-scheduled life, not to mention all the extra containers that need to be cleaned up afterward, my experience has been that the effort is not only worth it, but it also saves time in the long run, and prevents discovering at the most inopportune moment that you are missing a crucial ingredient.
Like most home cooks, for a long time, my preferred method of cooking was to pull some things out of the fridge or pantry, set them on the counter and then start going. I figured I would wash, peel and chop vegetables as I needed them, and measure out ingredients on the fly. Inevitably I would discover I was low or completely out of an ingredient, requiring me to make a trip to the store while my half-cooked meal wilted on the stove, or I would just skip that ingredient. I would discover that I needed to wash and dry measuring utensils as I was going. Cooking became a chore, and the results were oftentimes less than desirable. Once I discovered the importance of making sure I had "everything in place" before I started cooking, the process was less stressful, and the results were fantastic!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Vegetable Stock
Wow...I can't believe it's been over 2 months since my last blog post. Life's been busy, and I've been trying to adjust to my wife's decision to step beyond being vegetarian, and move into being vegan. Of course, this happened right after I discovered how to make homemade paneer (an Indian cheese, which I'll blog about later). Despite my initial resistance, I'm slowly embracing her choice.
In the fall and winter months I like to make soups. The key to a good soup is to start with a good stock. Though it's possible to buy stock from the grocery, I prefer to make my own. Stock is fairly easy to make, but it takes a bit of time. Fortunately, once the ingredients are prepared, it's just a matter of letting it simmer. Today, we're looking at making Vegetable Stock. This recipe is one I've been using for a while, but feel free to use vegetables you have on hand, and your favorite seasonings. If you know you're going to be making stock, try saving some of your vegetable scraps from other meals you prepare (once they've been cleaned of course!).
Not only do I use this for soups, but also for making rice, beans, quinoa, as a braising liquid for kale and heartier vegetables like brussels sprouts, as the base for sauces, etc. Basically, most places where you use water, you can substitute stock to add additional depth to your flavors.
Ingredients:
In large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat and sweat all vegetables except mushrooms and cilantro.
Once vegetables and aromatics become fragrant and release some of their moisture (approx. 10 minutes) add water and remaining ingredients. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let ingredients continue to "steep" in water for 20 minutes - 1 hour.
Strain stock through fine mesh sieve or china cap. Makes approx. 8 cups stock. Refrigerate and use within 1 week, or freeze in ice cube trays for later use.
In the fall and winter months I like to make soups. The key to a good soup is to start with a good stock. Though it's possible to buy stock from the grocery, I prefer to make my own. Stock is fairly easy to make, but it takes a bit of time. Fortunately, once the ingredients are prepared, it's just a matter of letting it simmer. Today, we're looking at making Vegetable Stock. This recipe is one I've been using for a while, but feel free to use vegetables you have on hand, and your favorite seasonings. If you know you're going to be making stock, try saving some of your vegetable scraps from other meals you prepare (once they've been cleaned of course!).
Not only do I use this for soups, but also for making rice, beans, quinoa, as a braising liquid for kale and heartier vegetables like brussels sprouts, as the base for sauces, etc. Basically, most places where you use water, you can substitute stock to add additional depth to your flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups celery, coarsely chopped (approx. 4 ribs)
- 2 cups carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped (approx. 4 carrots)
- 1 cup broccoli stems, trimmed, peeled and coarsely chopped (approx. 2 stems)
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped (I leave as much of the onion skin on as possible for color)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (I use baby portabellas)
- 2 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped)
- small bunch parsley/cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 Tablespoon whole coriander
- 1/2 Tablespoon whole mustard seed
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 cups water
In large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat and sweat all vegetables except mushrooms and cilantro.
Once vegetables and aromatics become fragrant and release some of their moisture (approx. 10 minutes) add water and remaining ingredients. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let ingredients continue to "steep" in water for 20 minutes - 1 hour.
Strain stock through fine mesh sieve or china cap. Makes approx. 8 cups stock. Refrigerate and use within 1 week, or freeze in ice cube trays for later use.
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