Author: collardgreensandscaviar

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Reimagined neck bones and rice never tasted so good

Pork neck bones seasoned just like mom used to do.

My ancestors were culinary innovators.

With the scraps from their owners, they reimagined  the use of pig intestines and chitterlings. And similarly they turned oxtails, pig feet and neck bones into hearty, rib sticking entrees that remain the breadcrumbs to my past and the soul of my legacy.

Back in the day,  my siblings and I. Left to right: Me, my brother Montie and sister Roxanne. I love this picture!

My story

My parents migrated from the great state of Alabama. Southern food was squarely in my mom’s wheelhouse. Black-eye peas, cornbread and collard greens were often on mom’s stove. These Southern favorites were interspersed with dishes like spaghetti and chili which Mom learned to cook as a Southern California transplant.   

My brother Montie and I are the foodies in my family. We often talk about food and reminisce about some of our favorite dishes my mom prepared when we were children.  Pork neck bones and rice is one of those dishes. Mom would cook them in a big pot on our stove top.  The aroma was unmistakable rich and robust. As the meat cooked down, the bone marrow and connective tissue would dissolve and create the most amazingly luscious and flavorful broth.  When the neck bones were completely fall off the bone tender, mom added rice and seasoned the pot with salt and lots of pepper.

That was good eating! Well at least we felt that way. And even today, the thought of eating Mom’s neck bones and rice makes me darn near euphoric.

Flour coated neck bones browning in a skillet.

A recipe reimagined

Recently I had a hankering for neck bones and rice. With all the events happening today, I needed to recreate a little culinary nostalgia to shift my mood. Neck bones and rice was the perfect remedy.

I picked up three pounds of pork neck bones from Buddha Market in South Los Angeles. The butcher cut them in the most perfect serving sizes.    

When I got home, I rummaged through my less than organized kitchen cookware cabinet and found my pressure cooker buried in the back left corner. After closely examining it, it was in pretty good shape – so  it was on and cooking.

I generously seasoned the neck bones with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chipotle chili pepper for a little smokiness. After dredging the seasoned neck bones in flour, I browned them in a skillet, then added them to the pressure cooker. I made a roux with the pan drippings which I poured over the neck bones.

Top left: simple pantry ingredients seasoned these neck bones; top right: roux mixture poured over neck bones; bottom: roux mixture poured over browned neck bones placed in pressure cooker.

After 35 minutes under pressure, they were done to perfection. I served them over brown jasmine rice cooked in chicken stock with a little turmeric. This reimagined version had all the delicious and satisfying flavor of mom’s version. The slight adjustments I made to the recipe elevated the dish a bit. I bet you never imagined that!

Reimagined Neck Bones and Rice ready to serve.

An unexpected result

I called my mom and told her about the dish. I was so anxious for her to try it. However she was not. In fact she confessed she didn’t like pork neck bones at all and was not interested in trying them. She also said the only reason she made them when we were growing up is because they were inexpensive and for a little of nothing she could feed her family something filling when money was tight.

I was stunned! I had no idea that she felt that way. I always thought neck bones and rice was something special. Mom’s revelation just underscores the power of food memories and feelings they stir up.

It was a very awkward moment between us. Sensing that, she agreed to try a small sample which I packed up and sent with my brother to give to her.

Ahh . . . plated Reimagined Neck Bones and Rice never looked and tasted so good!

It’s all good

About an hour later, mom called me and said, “Girl, I don’t know what you did to those neck bones, but they were delicious! You can make them for me anytime.

And I have – several times since then – with a giant smile on my face.

If you would like to take a culinary trip and try my reimagined version of a time honored entrée that has fed generations, the recipe is below. Here’s to good eating!

Reimagined Neck Bones and Rice

  • Servings: 4 to 6
  • Difficulty: You can do it!
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This reimagined version is sheer comfort food.


Ingredients

For neck bones

3 pounds pork neck bones, cut in serving sized pieces

¼ cup unbleached flour for roux

½ cup unbleached flour for drudging coating neck bones

4 tablespoons oil (grapeseed used but can use canola, corn, vegetable)

1   32-ounce carton of chicken broth (Simple Truth Organic Free Range Chicken Broth used in this recipe)

Sea salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Chipotle chili pepper

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped (for roux)

For rice

2 cups rice (brown Jasmine rice used in this recipe)

1   32-ounce carton of chicken broth (Simple Truth Organic Free Range Chicken Broth used in this recipe)

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon turmeric

2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

Directions

Preparing neck bones

Rinse neck bones and pat dry.

  1. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to large skillet set on medium heat.
  2. Wash and pat dry neck bones. Place on a cutting board lined with waxed paper.
  3. Generously season all sides of neck bones with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Season all sides lightly with chipotle chili pepper.
  4. Add ½ cup of flour to a paper bag or large zipper bag. Add ½ of the neck bones to bag, shake to coat will with flour.
  5. Shake off  the excess flour and add to heated skillet.
  6. Cook about 2 minutes on at least two sides until golden brown. Remove and add to pressure cooker.*
  7. Coat the remaining neck bones in flour (add more flour if needed) and place in skillet. Add more oil if needed.
  8. Cook about 2 minutes on at least two sides until golden brown. Remove and add to pressure cooker. 

Making roux

  1. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to same skillet used to brown neck bones. Set skillet on medium heat.
  2. Whisk in ¼ cup of flour and mix well.
  3. Continue to whisk until roux is medium brown, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and chopped garlic.  Reduce heat to low; simmer gently until thicken.
  5. Remove from heat and pour roux over neck bones in pressure cooker.
  6. Pour remainder of the chicken broth over the neck bones.  

Cooking the neck bones

  1. Lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Bring the pressure cooker up to full pressure. Reduce heat to medium high heat, maintaining full pressure, and cook for 35 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat after 35 minutes. Let stand about 30 minutes to let pressure naturally release.

*Cooks Note:  While I used a traditional pressure cooker for this recipe, my brother followed the directions and made the recipe in an Instant Pot and achieved the same results. 

Making rice

  1. While neck bones are cooking, add 2 cups of rice to a sauce pan. Wash and rinse rice. If using white rice, wash and rinse at least twice to help remove the starch.
  2. Pour a 32- ounce carton of chicken stock over the rice. Add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric and 1 teaspoon of salt.
  3. Bring rice to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and cook according to directions.
  4. When rice is done, let stand uncovered until cool.

Putting it all together

  1. Transfer rice to a large serving bowl or large casserole dish.
  2. Place all the neck bones on top of the rice. Pour some of gravy left in the bottom of the pressure cooker over the rice. Reserve any unused gravy for those who want a saucier serving.
  3. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grilled chopped red bell pepper if desired.
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A pantry ready recipe with a lemony twist

Lemony Tuna Noodle Casserole requires no baking. Just a little time at the stove top.

Many of our kitchens have become well-seasoned because we’ve been compelled to cook a few meals – not because we want to, but because necessity has called upon our cooking angels to pull us back into the flames because of COVID-19.

We are still weathering this pandemic and in many parts of the country restaurants are only open for takeout. And those that are open for business are for the most part al fresco (outdoors) or have limited indoor seating.

This is why today home cooked meals rank right up there with baseball, hotdogs and apple pie.

A good home cooked meal starts with a well-stocked pantry. Just having an array of staple pantry and refrigerator ingredients saves so much time when you finally step up to that cutting board. It also inspires a range of epicurean possibilities when inspiration strikes or when guests arrive unexpectedly.

Lemony Tuna Noodle Casserole plated. It’s so good.

My Lemony Tuna Noodle Casserole was totally inspired by ingredients I had on hand. My early memories of this classic dish weren’t that thrilling. It was merely a staple in my dinner rotation because it was quick to make, inexpensive and it fed my ravenous family of four.

Listen to me on 94.7 The Wave website as I step you though making this delicious dish. Just click on the arrow above. Listen closely on how to “level up” this dish for you and your quarantine boo.

This zhuzhed up version is a delicious departure from the cheesy version I used to make. It’s still budget friendly but it’s certainly not your mom’s or grandma’s tuna noodle casserole. It has a light, delicate sauce made with evaporated milk and fresh grated Parmesan cheese infused with fresh lemon juice and grated lemon zest. The albacore tuna that gets added to this dish kisses the lemony sauce that clings to the pasta like a long lost relative. Oh and this recipe brushes aside traditional elbow macaroni and instead uses orecchiette pasta – which is such a family friendly and fun shape for the kids.

You probably have  most of the ingredients to make this Lemony Tuna Noodle Casserole in your pantry. What are you waiting for?

Are you ready to try this reimagined tuna noodle casserole? Dive right in! Make sure to listen to my podcast as I step you through how I made it and hear about some of the basic pantry and refrigerator ingredients I keep on hand.

For a list of my recommended ingredients click here. Keep in mind this is in no way an exhaustive list. It’s just a baseline to build on so.

Lemony Tuna Noodle Casserole

  • Servings: 4 to 6
  • Difficulty: You can do it!
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You will love this remake of a classic family favorite.

Ingredients


1 large can Albacore tuna (12 ounces)
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely lemon zest
16-ounce package of pasta (orecchiette featured here or use elbow, spaghetti or any pasta of your liking)
Salt for pasta water and to season later
5 ounces can evaporated milk (or ¾ cup)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¾ cup fresh, finely grated Parmesan
1 ½ cups reserved pasta cooking water
Freshly ground black pepper
Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions


Before you start any recipe, gather all your ingredients.

  1. Drain tuna.  Empty contents onto a plate and break apart with a fork.
  2. Zest one whole lemon which should yield about 1 teaspoon of zest.  A microplane grater works best. Cut lemon in half and into a small bowl, squeeze out enough juice to yield 2 tablespoons of juice. Set aside.
  3. Begin your pasta and add salt to the water. Make sure to add lots of salt to your pasta water, about a tablespoon works best. Remember this is your only opportunity to really get favor into the pasta.
  4. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Stir pasta occasionally until it is al dente (pasta will finish cooking at the end in the sauce you will prepare later).
  5. While the pasta is cooking, add evaporated milk and lemon zest to a separate sauce pan and cook over medium heat, whisking often, until it begins to simmer, about 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add unsalted butter and stir until melted.
  7. Add fresh, finely grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice and whisk well until the sauce is creamy and emulsified. Then, remove cheese sauce from the heat.
  8. Scoop out 1½ cups of pasta cooking water just before pasta is al dente.
  9. Drain the pasta when done. Add cheese sauce to the pasta and stir thoroughly.
  10. Stir in the flaked tuna and 1 ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Taste and add additional salt, pepper, pepper flakes and lemon juice to taste. Stir well and cook on medium heat about 3 minutes.
  11. Remove from heat. Cover with the lid and let set aside about 10 minutes. The sauce will appear loose but it will tighten up very quickly as it cools.
  12. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

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A very happy pasta dish to you

Grilled salmon and penne pasta all plated and ready to eat!

If there is one food that makes me deliriously happy, it’s a pasta dish.

I love pasta.

What more can I say.

I love pasta made any way.

I love pasta shapes that cling to the sauce.

I love pasta shapes that swirl in my mouth.

My Penne Pasta with Grilled Salmon recipe is a real winner.

It’s better than any chicken dinner.

Listen to me on 947thewave.radio.com website as I step you though this delicious recipe. Just click on the picture.

Well enough with the schoolhouse rhymes. This family-style recipe is a great addition to your repertoire. The delicate sauce is delicious and tasty. The grilled salmon makes it a filling, one-skillet meal that is great for Sunday dinner, special occasions, or just because you like pasta.

I hope you enjoy what I would say is my favorite go-to recipe because I always have the ingredients on hand and ready to deploy for a quick family dinner, or when unexpected guests arrive hungry carrying a bottle of Pinot – which they have been known to do because they know I am always cooking up something.

Bon appétit!

  • Difficulty: You can do it!
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A lovely penne pasta and grilled salmon dish that is pure love


Ingredients


2 pounds of salmon filets, skin removed
Cajun Seasoning
Olive oil

Ingredients For pasta
1 pound Penne pasta
2 can fire-roasted tomatoes (do not drain)
1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
½ medium red onions, chopped
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cracked black pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions


How to make the grilled salmon

  1. Wash and pat dry fish.
  2. Drizzle a little olive oil on both sides of fish and season each side with your favorite seasoning or spice rub.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add fish fillets, and cook 2 minutes on both sides to brown. Remove from heat. Place fish on a baking sheet and place in oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
  4. After 10 minutes, remove from oven to cool.

How to make pasta sauce

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet set at medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until tender and translucent about 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat resistant spatula.
    Add chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, just under a minute.
  2. Add both cans of fire-roasted tomatoes, Kalamata olives, chopped red onion, ¼ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and cracked pepper (to taste). Mix well.
  3. With a potato smasher, mash tomatoes in the skillet until all the tomato pieces are crushed.
    Turn up heat to bring mixture to a gentle boil. Then cover with a lid and reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  4. While sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to directions until al dente – meaning it is firm and not overcooked. Chef tip: make sure to add 1 tablespoon of salt to the pasta water. This is your only chance to thoroughly favor the pasta.
  5. When the pasta is done, drain it in the sink, but reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
    Add cooked pasta to sauce in the skillet and mix well. Add half of the pasta water to loosen sauce. Add more if necessary.

Bringing it all together

  1. Break the cooled salmon filet into generous pieces and place the pieces of fish on top of the pasta.
    Serve with torn fresh basil leaves and Parmesan cheese grated over the entire pan or on separate servings, if desired.

Vegan option: top pasta pan-grilled asparagus and grilled corn.

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A little lift from a lemony loaf

Lots of lemon zest and lemon juice helps to make this lemony loaf delicious.

Around the nation, and for that matter around the world, COVID-19 restrictions are slowly being lifted.

Some restrictions are being lifted more quickly than others. Being able to enjoy some of the liberties we have often taken for granted like playing tennis,hiking, shopping and dining at a restaurant (under safety guidelines) have given us all a much needed lift after being on lock down for nearly three months.

This is a lemony load bread of lemony proportions.

A bit of a lift is what we all need, and this lovely lemon loaf recipe will lift your taste buds right out of the doldrums.

This easy to make lemon loaf bread is filled with lemony goodness from the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice folded into the batter to its delightful lemony frosting that is so darn lemony good.

Listen to me on 94.7 The Wave website as I step you though this easy recipe.

This recipe doesn’t require a fancy stand mixer or an electric hand mixer. A good old fashioned mixing spoon will do the trick because the secret to this recipe is not to over mix the batter. And if you love a good food hack, this recipe has a mock buttermilk trick you will never forget and can always use.

If you love lemons, this light and luscious lemon loaf bread must be on your “quarantine bake list.”

A single slice? It won’t be enough.

So the next time your neighbor, co-worker, or family member asks you if you want some lemons,  don’t pause – take them and get baking.

Lemony Lemon Loaf Bread

  • Servings: 8 to 10 slices
  • Difficulty: Easy
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A luscious and lemony loaf bread .

Ingredients

For the lemon bread:
1 3/4 cups unbleached flour, leveled
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup evaporated milk with 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice added.
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (this juicer makes it easy)
1 tablespoon lemon zest (I use a microplane grater)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons extract (2 teaspoons lemon, or 1 teaspoon lemon and 1 teaspoon vanilla – your call)

For the lemon glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Pour 1 cup of evaporated milk into a bowl and add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Let stand at least 10 minutes until thicken. You are creating mock buttermilk.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    In a separate mixing bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, evaporated milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, and extract (lemon/vanilla) until fully combined.
  4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together and mix until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it around into one even layer.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 40 -50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If needed, tent with foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning on top of the bread.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes in the loaf pan. Carefully remove from the loaf pan and transfer to a plate or wire rack to cool. Make sure lemon bread is completely cooled before frosting.

To make the lemon frosting

  1. Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice. If the glaze is too thick, add more lemon juice as needed. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
  2. Pour the glaze on the bread and spread it around to fully cover the top of the bread. Allow the glaze to set 15-20 minutes before serving.
  3. This tasty loaf can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for 2-3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.