| June1, 2009 |
| Editor's Note |
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As
spring turns to summer, many of our favorite pastimes are rediscovered,
such as lazy days at the beach, playing Frisbee in the park, and of
course grilling up a delicious meal in the backyard. It is funny how the smell of the barbecue can bring back a wave of memories of summer days gone by.
In this issue we are introducing a new guest writer, Allison Baloglu.
Megan Field who has provided much of the material for the last several
months has decided to get a real job as editor for a newspaper in
Southern California. I should have talked to her about the future of
newspapers in this age of the Internet.
Allison shares with us some easy recipes for using on your stove top,
grill or even campfire to create some truly unique flavors. And of course, what good would a summertime meal be without a tasty side-dish? Allison will share with us a new twist on fava beans and artichokes that is surprisingly tasty and easy to make.
One
of the great benefits of having Megan and now Allison writing for us,
is they are both chefs and are willing and interested in trying recipes
and products before commenting on them. So we get not only good articles but information based on experience.
(As a side note we would like to include your experience as well, so
send me recipes, comments, and stories about your experience - both
good and bad - and I will try to include then in this newsletter.}
Our
featured products in this newsletter are the newly added Stovetop
Smoker from Cameron's Professional Cookware {Note, it says Stovetop
Smoker but it works just as well on the barbecue or in the oven).
As seen on the Today Show, it is a great gift for any man in your life!
(Hint: Father's Day is fast approaching!) We also are now carrying the
Cameron's Smoker Bags, now endorsed by celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse.
The bags are especially handy for times when you can't bring all of
your equipment with you, such as at the campsite or tailgate party! Or simply when you want no clean-up! (Note: We have been using these for a few weeks and the vegetables prepared in these bags our outstanding.)
We actually have more great summertime recipes on our website and blog such as smoked BBQ ribs and watermelon gazpacho.
We are excited to now be carrying the professional quality Stovetop
Smoker and Smoker Bags from Cameron's on our website, they will yield
restaurant quality results for a fraction of the cost. And the best part? Now you can achieve the smoked flavor in minutes, and all year round. Now that will impress your guests. Enjoy!
Terry Retter
Managing Editor
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Adventures in Smoke-Cooking |
| By Allisno Baloglu, for Your Smart Kitchen |
I
am always striving for new ways to achieve healthy, flavorful cooking,
but without breaking the bank, or having to follow difficult recipes.
One of my favorite types of fish to prepare is salmon. With summer
right around the corner, I started researching recipes for grilled
salmon. I came across a recipe for smoke-cooked fish.
However, the process of creating smoke-cooked fish at home was
something that I had not attempted, and the process sounded complicated
for someone with little grilling experience. So when I learned about a new Stovetop Smoker that would make it so simple to get great smoked flavors, I became very interested. Best of all, it can be used on the grill or stove top!
This is good news for those wishing to get great smoke-cooked flavor
all year round, but also for those of us unfamiliar with using wood
chips with the grill. And
since I cannot stand wearing the smell of smoke after cooking over a
grill, I really appreciate the tightly sealed lid on the Stovetop
Smoker.
I also discovered the wonderful invention of Smoker Bags. The notion that we just  have
to throw chicken, fish, vegetables or meat into a bag, that is already
full of the wood chip flavorings, toss it on the campfire, grill, or in
the oven and enjoy all the great taste without any pans to clean up, is
one that has me very excited. And as an added bonus, as with the Stovetop Smoker, all the smoke stays inside with the food.
Of
course with any new cooking adventure, I am always interested in what
this new endeavor is going to cost me, and more importantly, will it be
healthy. I was pleasantly
surprised to see that the Smoker Bags are only $10.50 for a three pack,
and have different wood flavors to choose from. The Stovetop Smoker is also a great deal at only $43.99, and it can be used all year round. It is also a great gift idea under $50. Now for the healthy part.
Because this method of cooking doesn't require any added oils or fats,
that means no added calories, but still plenty of flavor thanks to the
wood chips.
While enjoying the health benefits of eating fish, such as salmon, is important, no meal is complete without a vegetable. Another great part of summertime is the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in season. Eating local, seasonal foods is something that is really easy to do; and fun when you try new things. Fava beans are showing up at farmer's markets this month, and I wanted to find a new way to enjoy them. My Greek recipe collection came to the rescue. I decided to try Fava Beans and Artichokes. The fresh fava beans are a tasty side-dish, especially when mixed with the tart taste of lemon and flavorful artichokes.
The recipe below for fava beans and artichokes can be made ahead of
time, stored in an airtight container and simply reheated when ready.
So
there you have it, a new and easy way to smoke-cook fish, or anything
for that matter, and a new side-dish to try. Eating healthy never
tasted so good.
Featured Products
Stovetop Smoker by Cameron's Professional Cookware Made
of durable stainless steel and produced by Cameron's, it has a tight
sealing lid which keeps the smoke out of the kitchen. Thanks to the
Stovetop Smoker, getting that wonderful smoke flavor in your cooking is
not only easy, you can use it year round on your stove top. It can also
be used on the grill or campfire as well. Simply place the wood chips
in the bottom of the smoker, add your fish, poultry, meat, tofu, or
vegetables and place on your grill, campfire or stove top and sit back
and relax while it does the rest! Very little cleanup and all of the
great flavors of smoke-cooking. When not being used as a smoker it can
also steam veggies and poach fish - very versatile.
Smoker Bags by Cameron's Professional CookwareNow
endorsed by celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse, the Smoker Bags from
Cameron's will give you yet another way to achieve great smoke-cooking
without any extra equipment. The bags already have the wood chip
flavorings inside, simply add your fish, poultry, meat, tofu, or
vegetables and place on your grill, campfire or in your oven and then
enjoy the flavors. No clean up required!
Tips
Smoker TermsSmoking
- The process of preserving meat or fish by cooking it at a low
temperature (50°F) for a long period of time. This is a slow and highly
skilled process and not to be confused with smoke-cooking.
Smoke-cooking - The process of "hot"
cooking meat or fish (or other items as well) at a higher temperature
to give the food a richer, deeper color and a more piquant flavor.
Unlike smoking, this process does not seek to preserve the meat.
Smoke-cooking can be done on any charcoal or gas-fired barbecue; and
now on stove tops with the proper equipment - Stovetop Smoker )
Smoke-cooking is a healthy way to infuse flavor without the use of
added fats, salts or oils.
Wood chips -- The smoking woods used in the process of smoking or  smoke-cooking
foods. Hickory is often the most popular. Also common are oak and
mesquite. Hardwoods suitable for smoke-cooking include cherry, apple,
beech, alder, sycamore and poplar. Do not be tempted to use pine, or
other resinous wood, as doing so will impart an unpleasant taste to the
food. Chips should be well soaked in water before added to coals. Some
commercial smokers will allow for chips that are dry or soaked.
Cameron's Wood Chip suggested quantities are to generally use two
tablespoons of wood chips per smoking.
Cooking Times -- The temperature inside the Cameron's Stovetop Smoker is about the same as an oven at 375° F. Per the manufacturer's suggestions, if the smoker rack is filled with:
- Fish - about 22 - 28 minutes
- Chicken - about 30 - 35 minutes
- Vegetables - about 8 to 18 minutes - (depending on how full)
- Nuts - about 10 minutes (depending on how full)
- Cheese - 4 minutes after smoker is at temperature (placed in foil cups or make a foil boat. Best if cubed.)
- Ribs or pork fillet - Smoke 45 minutes, bake or grill until brown
- Hamburgers - about 20 minutes (depending on size), then brown under broiler or on grill
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Recipes
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Smoke-Cooked SalmonServes 2-4
- 1 lb fillet of fresh, uncooked Salmon
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp dry white wine
- 1 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
- Smoker wood chips
Step
1: Using your Stovetop Smoker, slide the top open and place the desired
amount of wood chips in the bottom of the cooker (use more or less for
desired flavor).
Step
2: In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine and honey. Use
a basting brush to brush the mixture over the salmon fillet.
 Step
3: Place the salmon fillet on the rack within the Stovetop Smoker and
slide the lid almost closed. Place the smoker on your stove top (grill
or campfire), watch for smoke to appear and close lid tightly. Cook for
20 minutes on medium heat.
Step
4: Remove smoker from heat and using an oven mitt, slide open the
smoker and remove the salmon to a clean cutting board surface. Divide
the salmon among the plates and serve fresh lemon wedges alongside.
Safety Note:
Check your stove's manual if you have a flat top stove, to confirm that
you can use a pan that is larger than the element under the glass.
Variation: To
make this recipe in the Smoker Bags, simply start with Step 2, then add
the fish to the bag, and fold the opening end three or four of times to
seal and press firmly. Place the bag on the campfire or grill on medium
heat, or on the bottom rack of the oven at 500°F, for 20-25 minutes.
The bag will balloon while cooking. Remove and cut the top open with a
sharp knife. Serve as directed above.
Fava Beans and ArtichokesMakes about 6 servings
- 1 ½ lbs fresh fava beans, shelled
- 1 14oz can artichoke hearts
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, to garnish
Step
1: Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the fava
beans and cook for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain the water from the
pan, carefully reserving ¼ cup of the water and set aside.
Step
2: In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and lemon juice. Add the
cornstarch and lemon juice mixture to the ¼ cup of reserved cooking
liquid and stir. Add the parsley, salt and pepper into the mixture and
stir until combined.
Step
3: Drain and rinse the artichoke hearts. Cut the artichoke hearts in
half. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the artichokes and the
fava beans. Pour the cornstarch mixture over the fava beans and
artichokes. Bring to a boil. Continue cooking until the sauce is
slightly thickened. Transfer to serving dish, garnish with fresh
chopped parsley on top and serve.
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Comments Received |
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"Got the shipment today. Beautiful!"
JD from
Conifer, CO
"Thank you so much for following up. Yes, I did receive the red bowl
and we started our fund raiser this week. It is absolutely beautiful
and lots of oohs and ahhs!"
MW from
Kansas City, MO
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| Questions or Suggestions |
If you have any questions regarding this newsletter, products, recipes or just want to express on opinion, please send us a note.
We would also like your ideas of topics we should cover in future issues of this newsletter.
Special Note |
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We are excited to announce the addition of two great product lines
- Fissler staiinless steel cookware
- Swiss Diamond non stick cookware
A wide array of Swiss Diamond products are included in the Nonstick section in Cookware.
The
Fissler products will be added throughout this week and will be
included in the Stainless Steel section and the Cookware Sets section.
As an introductory offer, use coupon "New Additions" for 10% off our low prices until May 14th.
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