Recently our pals over at Stoltzfus Meats sent me a new box  of meats and part of the box included a smoked ham hock. You may recall I used the Cottage Bacon from  Stoltzfus Meats  when I did my Smoked Hog Muffuletta.

So what to do with Ham Hocks?

I don’t cook with them often and when I do use them it’s usually like many people do. I put them in greens, lentils or beans.I wanted to come up with a recipe that was a little different and given it was a warm spell – not a soup. After a little researching in the vintage book collection,  I came up with a variation I have to say it was pretty good.

Smoked Ham Hock Cheese Herbed Pasta

What you will need:

• 2 smoked pork hocks
• 1 large bunch of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• 1 cup Parmesan, grated
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp good olive oil
• 8 tbsp mascarpone ( more or less to your taste and texture)
• 1 package of linguine or any pasta of your choosing.
• 2 cup peas

Feel free to experiment – capers, other seasonal herbs,  vegetables, even garbanzo brands could be included.

Making It

1. Place the hocks in a large pan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. 
2. Remove from the heat and leave until cool enough to handle.
3. Reserve about a cup of the stock. (you can  freeze the rest for the fall when its time to make split pea or lentil soups
4. Remove the ham hocks from the broth, then peel off the skin and discard along with any excess fat. 
5. Pick off all the meat and roughly shred/chop.
6. In a medium bowl, mix 3/4 of the chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, black and red pepper flakes, olive oil, mascarpone cheese, apple/lemon mixture, 1/2 lemon zest and reserved stock. Mix well. Thin with the remaining lemon juice. Thicken with more mascarpone or grated cheese
7. Fold in the ham hock pieces
8. You want this to be a thicken “grace”texture. Remember when you mix it into the pasta it will loosen some with the heat.
9. Bring a large pan of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the packet’s instructions (dont overcook the pasta). 
10. Drain pasta (reserve 1 cup of the pasta water), returning the past to the hot pan,  toss with the ham mixture. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen. 
11. Garnish with the remaining parsley and lemon zest and few thin slices of apple
12. Serve warm.But I will say it reheat well too!

If adding other components like beans or veggies – sauté them off with pepper, garlic and olive out while the ham hocks simmer and let cool then mix into at step #6

If you aren’t into a lot of cheese – I also made it with just the grated cheese and it was just as good! Made a great side dish

This was a simple lunch my Dad used to make me on Saturdays when I would go into work with him At the New Haven Animal Shelter. He was the Director at the local Animal Shelter and I would spend weekends helping out. My Dad’s Saturday Shelter Tuna Salad is an Italian/Mediterranean inspired salad, based on the tuna packed in olive oil (instead of water), herbs and the sharpness of red wine vinegar instead of the traditional mayonnaise based tuna salad. This goes great on warm crusty breads or topped over greens even some warm from the oven Walnut, Bacon & Cheese Muffins

Back when I was still collaborating with @Foodtoktv and went live for them, I did a Spring Fresh Pasta & Vegetables, loosely based on Pasta Primavera. After a minor issue with boiling the pasta ( don’t ask) it finally all came together to rave reviews.

I paired it  with this  Toasted Coconut Shrimp Dip from the same period in the 70’s. Since there reaction previously to my vintage Clam Dip Crostini was such a huge hit. This version is adapted from Mrs Larry Simon’s version shared in the “WHAT’S COOKIN’? In Cleveland Ohio”  circa 1973

So I hate to toss away stale bread products and luckily I am a huge fan of bread puddings – so recipe was as a result of seeing what I had handy

I recently started using an app called TooGoodToGo as a way to see what kinds of food and perishables are available from local vendors as a reduced cost. This saves them from tossing out perfectly good merch and it saves me some money too! Danish and baked goods are a popular item and a a result I have some assorted danish and croissants that I wasn’t able to eat at its freshest. So what came to mind was, “lets turn it into a “bread pudding”.

I rummaged around and saw I had granny smith apples and some smoked cheddar cheese from Stoltzfus Meats out of PA. I had the opportunity to try some of the product they produce in a few recent recipes including Bacon, Onion, Cheese, and Walnut Bisquick Muffins and a Smoked Hog inspired Muffaletta and had been saving the last piece of cheese for something special.

Now before you say “no way” – remember for New Englanders eating pieces of cheddar cheese with Apples slices or on a piece of warm Apple Pie is cultural. So I figured what the hell. I also made a yummy caramel drizzle to use as a side sauce with some of the Celtic Sea Salt Caramels from Bequet that my pal Christine (Tiktoks @OctoberDragonfly)

My Day Old Danish, Smoked Cheddar & Apple Pudding

You can start with this Basic Bread Pudding Base; good on it own and very adaptable to any additions

• 1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) milk (or heavy cream)
• 3 large eggs
• 6 cups day old danish, cut into 1″ cubes
• 5 tbsp light brown sugar (depending on how sweet you want this)
• 2-3 tsp Ground Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie spice Mix ( to your taste)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Butter or cooking spray for greasing pan

This amount makes for a perfect Loaf pan or regular pie tin. For a deep dish pie pan- double the recipe and pile it high before backing!

For Smoked Cheddar & Apple Danish Pudding variation you will need:

• 1 cup small diced Stoltzfus Smoked Cheddar Cheese
• 1 large granny smith apple diced in10 1″ pieces (washed but you can peal or not up to you)
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter
• Pinch of salt

Making it

1. Up to 1 hour before (or overnight), vigorously whisk together the milk, eggs, 1-2 tbsp of the brown sugar, vanilla and seasonings in a medium bowl.
2. Put the cubed bread pieces into a large bowl and pour the liquid mixture over the bread pieces, stirring to combine and gently pressing to help absorb the liquid base.
3. Let sit for at least 60 minutes, or overnight to soak up liquid.
4. Cover and refrigerate

Baking Time!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Take the soaked danish out
3. Peel and chop the apples.
4. Sauté the apples in a skillet; with remaining brown sugar,  butter and a pinch of salt until soft
5. Remove from the heat
6. Add the diced cheese to the cubed mix incorporate
7. Using a slotted spoon, add the cooled fruit into the soaked danish, reserving the liquid in the pan and gently mix well .
8. Grease/butter a pie plate or casserole dish and pour mixture into it. Pile it high.
9. Drizzle the reserved sugar and apple glaze from the saute pan over the pudding.
10. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon
11. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour on middle rack until the pudding begins to pull away from the sides and has raised some. You want it to have a nice golden-brown top.
12. Check for doneness (should not be any liquid when a knife inserted and pulled apart)
13. Let cool 15-30 minutes before serving

The addition of the cheddar makes this a version a more New England inspired taste and can work as an unusual side dish dressing with roasted meats or add the caramel sauce, or top with a scoop of ice cream as a warm sweet treat.

You can substitute apple pie filling for fresh apples.

I made this Clam Crostini recently to serve along side a  Spring Potato & Leek Chowder . The inspiration for these warm and bubbly appetizers comes from my Moms cookbook her cooking club created in the early 1907’s.  I have just amped up some of the flavors a bit

Most people spend a significant amount of time in the kitchen. It’s the designated food preparation space and often where people gather to eat and socialize. After all, nothing brings people together like good food. Of course, in the process of preparing that food, you may run into a few hazardous situations. Heat and sharp objects are ubiquitous in kitchens. So how do you avoid injuries and accidents?

Prevent Fires

Kitchen fires can be uniquely dangerous. Far too many people don’t know how to address a kitchen fire and make the wrong decision, resulting in disastrous consequences. Of course, the best thing to do is to prevent them from happening in the first place. 

Never leave your stove unattended while you’re cooking. Keep your equipment and work area clean and free of combustible materials. Choose your clothes wisely–sleeves that are fitted, tightly rolled, or short are less likely to catch fire. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure you know how to use it as well.

Practice Knife Safety

Knives are some of your most essential kitchen tools. The very thing that makes them so useful, however, is also what makes them dangerous–their sharp edge. Avoid injuring yourself or someone else by practicing knife safety. 

Wear a cut-resistant glove when using a knife, especially if you don’t have good knife skills yet. Cut-resistance gloves can prevent a serious accident with a knife while cutting food. Verbalize that you’re moving with a knife when doing so. Never leave a sharp knife in the sink. Always watch what you’re doing when handling a kitchen knife.

Take Extra Care with Hot Things

Fire isn’t the only hot thing in the kitchen. Boiling liquids, hot food, roasting ovens, and more can all cause serious burns. Reduce the risk of spills by keeping pot handles turned toward the back of the stove. Similarly, stirring implements should be placed out of reach when you’re not actively using them. Use quality oven mitts that are in good condition when handling hot pots and pans, and make sure you have a good grip before moving things.

A lot of what goes into avoiding accidents and injuries in the kitchen can boil down to slowing down and being careful, yet deliberate. It’s tempting to rush around to get as much done as quickly as possible, but that’s when mistakes get made and people get hurt. Ultimately, that slows everything down. Make “less haste, more speed” your mantra when working in the kitchen.

Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read. Who is the Paleo Diet Best For?

Last month as I wrapped up my time with Foodtoktv I did. bunch of vintage inspired recipes and one particularly was well received. the Cherry Focaccia is  surprising flavoring full fruit style dish that is great as a breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Step 1 For the cherry topping

• 2 lbs pitted fresh or frozen cherries

• 1 cup sugar

Step 2 For the dough

• 1/2 cup warm milk

• 1 tsp dry active yeast (used Caputo)

• ½ cup warm water (110F)

• 4 tbs unsalted butter, softened plus extra for greasing pan

• 1 large egg

• Zest one large orange

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 4 cups (approx) unbleached all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 sliced almonds

• 1/8 cup confectioner’s sugar

Directions

1. Place pitted cherries in a large mixing bowl and add the sugar, lemon juice and zest.

2. Mix well and let the cherries rest covered for several hours or, even better, overnight.

3. The cherries should have given off quite a bit of the liquid.

4. Place the cherries and their liquid in a large saucepan.

5. Simmer, covered, for about 20-30 minutes, or until the cherries are quite soft and the liquid has thickened enough so that a wooden spoon will leave an open trail behind it when it is scraped it along the bottom of the saucepan.

   For the dough

6. Pour the water into a large bowl and add the yeast; stir to dissolve then add the milk.

7. In a smaller bowl, mix the butter with the egg, zest and sugar.

8. Stir into the yeast mixture.

9. Add the 3 cups of the flour and stir in or use your hands.

10. Add the salt and up to another cup of flour to create a ball of dough.

11. Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth ball.

12. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size.

13. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with butter. Set aside.
    Preheat oven to 375F

14. When ready to bake: punch dough down with your hands and transfer it to the parchment lined baking sheet.

15. Spread the dough out with your hands so that it an even thickness. The dough does not have to reach the edges of the pan.

16. Do the “Focaccia Poke” then spread the cherry topping evenly over the surface of the dough.

17. Cover and allow to rise for 20 minutes.

18. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the dough is golden brown on top and bottom.

19. Transfer to a cooling rack.

20. When cool, sprinkle the nuts over the top and dust liberally with confectioners sugar.

21. Cut into squares to serve.

    From Maryann Esposito, This recipe was featured on Season 30 – Episode 3003. Of Ciao Italia

The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. This diet is based on the idea of eating only foods that were available to our ancestors during the Paleolithic era. By adopting this diet, you can reap many benefits that will positively impact your health.

Lower Your Cholesterol

The paleo diet has many advantages, chief among them being the ability to reduce cholesterol. Excess amounts of this waxy substance can boost your chances for developing heart disease and other health issues. Through a meal plan consisting of wholesome fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and nutrient-dense fats, you can substantially decrease your cholesterol levels over time. In fact, numerous studies have demonstrated that following a paleo diet for just several weeks leads to significantly lower cholesterol readings in individuals.

Ditch Processed Foods

Another benefit of the paleo diet is that it encourages you to ditch processed foods. Processed foods are loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats, and preservatives that can wreak havoc on your digestive system. By cutting out processed foods and replacing them with whole foods, you are giving your body the nutrients it needs to function properly. Most unprocessed foods, including meat and fish, don’t contain gluten, making the paleo diet a great option for those with gluten sensitivities.

Lose Weight

The paleo diet can also help you lose weight. Many people struggle with weight loss, and the paleo diet offers a natural and healthy solution. The diet is rich in protein, which helps keep you feeling full for longer periods, reducing the chances of overeating. The paleo diet eliminates processed foods, which are often high in calories yet low in nutrition. If you substitute them with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables along with healthy fats, it can help you quickly lose any extra weight. Additionally, the paleo diet encourages eating whole foods that are free from added sugars and other preservatives. This combination of factors can help you reach your desired weight in no time!

Starting on a paleo diet can have many benefits that can positively impact your health. By adopting this diet, you can lower your cholesterol, ditch processed foods, and lose weight. The paleo diet emphasizes the importance of eating whole foods, which can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. If you’re looking to make a change in your diet and improve your overall health, then consider giving the paleo diet a try.

If you enjoyed this article you might also enjoy: Diet Changes You Can Make to Feel Better