Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food

30 November 2009

Catch Up on Funny Posts at Dennys Funny Quotes 1 Dec 2009



What'd ya say? I'm so smart? But are you sure about that?

From Denny: OK, so I've been slacking off for the holidays... :) What can I say? I've been in a "food coma"? Nice try; Thanksgiving Day was last week... My only defense would be that food comas take a long time from which to recover, uh, ok, equally lame...

This morning I've been working on Dennys Funny Quotes ever since I found out Blogger only backs up posts. Sweet. All those category lists which took hours and hours to build are basically toast so I've been creating posts of all my categories.

For a grin today take a look at what I've rounded up so far:

Funny Retirement Quotes

Funny Friendship Quotes

Funny Ironic Humor Quotes

Funny Crazy Cat Quotes

Funny Quotes About Quotations

Funny Cooking Quotes

Funny Conan OBrien Quotes

Funny Jay Leno Quotes

Funny Inspirational Quotes

*** Try not to dine too much you might end up in a funny quotes coma! Save room in your mind tummy for tomorrow's Cheeky Quote Day! :)

27 November 2009

Easy Party Foods: Short Ribs and Chicken Pot Pie



From Denny: Warm comfort food at a party only appetizer size, now we're talking! Now this one teaches the simplicity and ease of braising short ribs and then shows you how to portion it out for party food. How to serve chicken pot pie as a party food too.



Braised Short Ribs

From:
Chef Michael Lomonaco, Porter House New York

Serves: 6 – 8

INGREDIENTS

• 6-8 pounds beef short ribs, on the bone, cut into 4 portions for a main course, or 6-8 pieces when served as part of a tasting menu
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 cup red wine
• 3 cups low-sodium, store-bought beef broth
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Bouquet garni seasoning packet: several generous sprigs of fresh or dry rosemary, thyme, oregano, several black peppercorns, 2 -3 bay leaves, 2 or 3 cloves; all enclosed and tied together in culinary grade cheesecloth

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Pour the oil into a wide, deep casserole, set on the stove top over medium heat. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, add them to the pan, and brown evenly, approximately 5 minutes per side. Transfer the short ribs to a large platter to hold.

3. Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the casserole, brown for 5 minutes to lightly caramelize them. Add garlic, tomato paste, wine, and broth to the pan. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil, add the seasoning packet of bouquet garni and return the short ribs to the casserole, arranged evenly in one layer. The liquid should not cover the short ribs, but rather should rise 2/3rd up the hunks of meat, partially submerging them. If it seems like you have too much braising liquid or the short ribs are too tightly packed together, try dividing the short ribs and liquid among 2 casseroles for more even cooking.

4. Cover the casserole and place in the pre-heated oven, and braise the ribs approximately 2 ½ hours. Keep the meat partially submerged throughout the braising process, Should the braising liquid evaporate too quickly additional beef broth may be added.

5. After 2 ½ hours of cooking pierce the short ribs with a fork; if cooked enough, the fork will meet no resistance. If the meat still feels dense and the fork meets resistance return the casserole to the oven for an additional 30 minutes, checking again for tenderness afterwards.

6. Remove the casserole from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring the ribs to plate or platter. Degrease the braising liquid, strain it, discard the solids and return the short ribs to the liquid. The short ribs and their sauce can be served immediately; or cool thoroughly, cover and refrigerated for up 3 days. Re-heat thoroughly before serving.

7. Serve the short ribs family-style, passing the reduced braising liquid alongside in a sauce boat.



Chicken Pot Pie with Mushrooms, Tarragon, and a Flaky Pastry Top

From: Chef Michael Lomonaco, Porter House New York

Serves: 6-8

INGREDIENTS

To cook the chicken and make the broth:


• 1 large roaster chicken, 5 – 6 pounds
• Bouquet garni seasoning packet: several generous sprigs of fresh or dry rosemary, thyme, oregano, several black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, 2 or 3 cloves; all enclosed and tied together in culinary grade cheesecloth
• 1 large onion, peeled, diced
• 2 large carrots, peeled, diced
• 1 stalks celery, diced
• 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed, kept cold

For the sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 large shallots, finely minced
• 2 cups assorted mushrooms, shitake, oyster, cremini, sliced and broken up by hand
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 cups freshly made chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 bunch fresh tarragon, leaves chopped
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Cook the chicken and make the broth: may be prepared 1 day in advance

1. Wash the chicken under cold, running water and pat dry with paper towels. Put the chicken into a large pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, carefully skimming off any impurities that accumulate on the surface.

2. Season with salt and pepper, add the bouquet garni seasoning packet, onion, carrots and celery. When the water returns to the boil, reduce to a persistent simmer and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes.

3. When the chicken is thourougly cooked remove from the broth and cool. As the chicken cools, strain the broth from the chicken, and reserving the broth, discard the vegetable solids. When the chicken is thoroughly cold, strip off and discard the skin. Strip the meat from the bones, and shred using scrupulously clean hands and an immaculate work station. (If you wish you may now refrigerate the chicken and cooled broth for up to 48 hours.)

TO SERVE:

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F. Bake the Pastry tops

4. Use a pastry cutter dividing the cold puff pastry into 3-inch circles. Cover a cookie sheet with baker’s paper, place the rounds on the paper, and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes or until they are nicely browned. Remove the pastry and keep warm.

Make the pot pie filling and finish:

5. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or casserole over medium heat, add the shallots and sauté them. After 3 minutes, add the mushrooms, raise the heat, and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the butter to the mushrooms, allow to heat and bubble before adding the flour to make a quick roux to thicken the sauce. Add warm chicken broth, stirring in with a whisk; add the cream and bring the liquid to a boil, cook for 10 minutes. To the pot with the mushrooms, chicken broth and cream, add the chicken meat.

Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the tarragon leaves, and transfer to small oven proof dishes or crocks (soufflé dishes will do), top each with a pastry lid and serve at once.

*** For more recipes visit Romancing The Chocolate. Thanksgiving Leftovers Ideas: 3 Entrees, 1 Dessert, Recipes, go here.

*** Thanks for visiting! For more recipes, check out Romancing The Chocolate!

Thanksgiving Leftovers Ideas: 3 Entrees, 1 Dessert, Recipes



From Denny: Any time you serve a holiday meal there are bound to be leftovers. The first day after people don't mind the exact same meal reheated but after that it's time to put on our thinking hats and come up with something creative. With the price of food these days we can no longer afford to throw out leftovers. The Scottos are a creative restaurant family in New York City to our rescue.

The turkey croquettes are an interesting and sweet way to use up those sweet potato casserole leftovers even the kids will eat! Do you have some leftover stuffing, vegetables and mashed potatoes? Then make Sheperd's Pie casserole with a little cheese thrown in to make it different.

Do you have leftover sauteed vegetables that are still a bit crunchy? Add them to pasta with your favorite cheese. They use goat cheese here; we like Asiago or Romano in our house. I do a version of this recipe all the time when I have leftover vegetables, sometimes using gravy in the sauce too.

What I really enjoyed here was a new way to use up my cranberry chutney recipe by folding it into bread pudding! Can't wait to try that one even without the additional apples. You could probably do this with almost any leftover fruit as many people do a stewed fruit dish during holiday season.

Recipes Featured:

* Turkey sweet potato croquettes
* Italian shepherd’s pie
* Thanksgiving vegetable fettuccine
* Apple cranberry bread pudding



Turkey sweet potato croquettes

From:
The Scottos

Serves: 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup cooked turkey meat, diced
• 1 cup cooked mashed sweet potatoes
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 cups olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, add turkey, sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, 1 beaten egg, mix thoroughly and form into oblong croquettes.

2. In a second bowl add the flour, and in a third bowl the beaten eggs, and finally in a fourth bowl add the bread crumbs.

3. Dip croquettes into flour, beaten egg mixture, then the bread crumbs, and set aside.

4. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat and fry croquettes, turning occasionally until golden brown. Serve immediately.

5. Heat leftover turkey gravy and serve with the croquettes.



Italian shepherd’s pie

From:
The Scottos

Serves: 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups leftover sausage rice and mozzarella stuffing
• 2 cups any leftover vegetables, diced
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
• 4 cups leftover white mashed potatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine stuffing and vegetables and mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper if needed.

2. In a large bowl, combine parmesan cheese, melted butter and bread crumbs, mix thoroughly and set aside.

3. Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, layer the bottom of the dish with mashed potatoes, then add a layer of the vegetable rice mixture, then finally add a layer of mashed potatoes and top with cheese crumb mixture.

4. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until crumb topping is golden brown and bubbling.

TIPS

Note:
If there is leftover turkey, it can be added to the rice stuffing.



Thanksgiving vegetable fettuccine

From:
The Scottos

Serves: 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound fettuccine, cooked according to package directions
• 1 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons finely diced garlic
• 1 cup cooked mushrooms
• 1 cup cooked string beans
• 1 cup cooked carrots
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup crumbled goat cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large skillet, sauté garlic over medium to high heat for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Add mushrooms, string beans and carrots and quickly sauté for about 1 minute.

2. In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook fettuccine, drain and add to sauté pan containing the vegetables, add butter, toss, plate and top with goat cheese. Season with salt and pepper; serve immediately.



Apple cranberry bread pudding

From:
The Scottos

Serves:
6 to 8

INGREDIENTS

Apple cranberry mixture

• 6 whole Granny Smith, Gala or Rome apples, peeled and cores removed,
• cut into 1/4-ince slices
• 1 stick butter, and 1/4 to grease baking dish
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce

Bread pudding

• Apple cranberry mixture
• 2 cups half and half
• 1/2 cup (packed) plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 cups 1/2-inch cubes egg bread or brioche

DIRECTIONS

Apple cranberry mixture


1. In a small sauté pan, melt the butter, add apples and sauté until apples are soft, about 5 to 8 minutes.

2. In a bowl, add the cooked apples, vanilla extract, cinnamon, maple syrup, and cranberry sauté; toss and set aside.

Bread pudding


1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Whisk half and half, light brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla extract in large bowl to blend. Fold in apple cranberry mixture then finally fold in bread cubes. Mix thoroughly until it’s completed blended.

2. Add to 9 x 13-inch greased baking dish and bake for 40 minutes at 350°F or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

*** For more recipes, visit Comfort Food From Louisiana, Easy Party Foods: Short Ribs and Chicken Pot Pie, go here.


*** Thanks for visiting!

26 November 2009

5 Funny Thanksgiving Quotes, Photos



Trash-talking turkeys just passing the time until someone took them seriously... Photo by stevevoght @ flickr from another of my funny posts: 21 Funny Thanksgiving Fighting Turkey Photos

From Denny: I found some hilarious Thanksgiving Day quotes along with a few smart jokes and LOL holiday poems for this week's Cheeky Quote Day over at The Social Poets blog. Click on the links below for the full post of funnies and the Obama Turkey Pardon Preparation Video. Here's a sampling taste to get you started on your holiday grinning, enjoy!

Quotes

* If you count all your assets, you always show a profit. ~ Robert Quillen

* Here I am 5 o'clock in the morning stuffing bread crumbs up a dead bird's butt. - Roseanne Barr

* It was dramatic to watch my grandmother decapitate a turkey with an ax the day before Thanksgiving. Nowadays the expense of hiring grandmothers for the ax work would probably qualify all turkeys so honored with 'gourmet' status. - Russell Baker

* Thanksgiving is America's national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty. ~ Michael Dresser

* I love Thanksgiving turkey. It's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts. ~ Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

*** For more funny holiday quotes, holiday jokes and hilarious poems, the Obama funny video about his first act of turkey pardoning (wonder if it's name is Cheney???) and great holiday recipe links, check out The Social Poets and Cheeky Quote Day, go here.

*** Thanks for visiting and come back often for a grin! :)

25 November 2009

5 Funny Thanksgiving Quotes, Photos



Trash-talking turkeys just passing the time until someone took them seriously... Photo by stevevoght @ flickr from another of my funny posts: 21 Funny Thanksgiving Fighting Turkey Photos

From Denny: I found some hilarious Thanksgiving Day quotes along with a few smart jokes and LOL holiday poems for this week's Cheeky Quote Day over at The Social Poets blog. Click on the links below for the full post of funnies and the Obama Turkey Pardon Preparation Video. Here's a sampling taste to get you started on your holiday grinning, enjoy!

Quotes

* If you count all your assets, you always show a profit. ~ Robert Quillen

* Here I am 5 o'clock in the morning stuffing bread crumbs up a dead bird's butt. - Roseanne Barr

* It was dramatic to watch my grandmother decapitate a turkey with an ax the day before Thanksgiving. Nowadays the expense of hiring grandmothers for the ax work would probably qualify all turkeys so honored with 'gourmet' status. - Russell Baker

* Thanksgiving is America's national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty. ~ Michael Dresser

* I love Thanksgiving turkey. It's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts. ~ Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

*** For more funny holiday quotes, holiday jokes and hilarious poems, the Obama funny video about his first act of turkey pardoning (wonder if it's name is Cheney???) and great holiday recipe links, check out The Social Poets and Cheeky Quote Day, go here.

*** Thanks for visiting and come back often for a grin! :)

21 Funny Thanksgiving Fighting Turkey Photos

... And this is how you do the Turkey Strut to get some jealous feathers flying!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Trash-talking turkeys just passing the time until someone took them seriously...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Hey, there! Anyone wanna rumble?



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


And the lone hearty tail-nipped challenger swaggers in to approach the fight...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Whoa! Hold on there, fella! I'm supposed to be first in line. That's why they call it The Pecking Order!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


... And the yard brawl is well under way with lots of shock and awe spectators...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Are those two squaring off already? Show-offs!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


You know they mean business to win the kickboxing championship - they pull out the spurs on the back of their feet to fight dirty...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Gotcha! Now you know who's top wing around here, mister!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Head stomping you senseless, buddy! That'll teach you to mess with my woman...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


When you're tired all you're left with is neck chomping...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Yeah, we bad, we bad... we love it when we win the fights!



Photo by eye of einstein @ flickr


Last beak dance cuz it's time to kiss and make up, bird brains!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


See ya, time to get outta here!



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


Hey! We were just watching the fight as bystanders...



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


... And we were all getting along so well there for a while...



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


Whoa! Time for a pedicure before the big holiday!



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


I was voted Most Handsome and Most Likely to End Up on the Dinner Table, isn't that just great?



Photo by Kevin Saff @ flickr


Who says I'm a candidate for ugly.com? You says? Naw, the girls, they love me!



Photo by David Reece @ flickr

... But my two cousins in the next photo are stone cold ugly!



Photo by D'Arcy Norman @ flickr


Prez Obama pardoned me today, whew! Glad to avoid the holiday table one more year. Think I'll vacation in the Hamptons for the season...



Photo by kimjonesphotography @ flickr

*** Thanks for visiting and come back often!

21 Funny Thanksgiving Fighting Turkey Photos

... And this is how you do the Turkey Strut to get some jealous feathers flying!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Trash-talking turkeys just passing the time until someone took them seriously...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Hey, there! Anyone wanna rumble?



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


And the lone hearty tail-nipped challenger swaggers in to approach the fight...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Whoa! Hold on there, fella! I'm supposed to be first in line. That's why they call it The Pecking Order!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


... And the yard brawl is well under way with lots of shock and awe spectators...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Are those two squaring off already? Show-offs!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


You know they mean business to win the kickboxing championship - they pull out the spurs on the back of their feet to fight dirty...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Gotcha! Now you know who's top wing around here, mister!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Head stomping you senseless, buddy! That'll teach you to mess with my woman...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


When you're tired all you're left with is neck chomping...



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


Yeah, we bad, we bad... we love it when we win the fights!



Photo by eye of einstein @ flickr


Last beak dance cuz it's time to kiss and make up, bird brains!



Photo by stevevoght @ flickr


See ya, time to get outta here!



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


Hey! We were just watching the fight as bystanders...



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


... And we were all getting along so well there for a while...



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


Whoa! Time for a pedicure before the big holiday!



Photo by Hey Paul @ flickr


I was voted Most Handsome and Most Likely to End Up on the Dinner Table, isn't that just great?



Photo by Kevin Saff @ flickr


Who says I'm a candidate for ugly.com? You says? Naw, the girls, they love me!



Photo by David Reece @ flickr

... But my two cousins in the next photo are stone cold ugly!



Photo by D'Arcy Norman @ flickr


Prez Obama pardoned me today, whew! Glad to avoid the holiday table one more year. Think I'll vacation in the Hamptons for the season...



Photo by kimjonesphotography @ flickr

*** Thanks for visiting and come back often!
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