Gia's Blog

Social Networking Apple Crumble Style

Gia Freer (RealSeekr.com) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:19:47 -0500

Okay, so you all know I love to cook. But does it have anything to do with RealSeekr, real estate, social networking or business in general? I think so!

Let me explain...How many times have you gone to a party and met new people (while gathering in the host's kitchen)? I know I have. Or, have you ever been to a networking event where they had appetizers and drinks? Voila - NETWORKING in a nutshell - a place where you can meet, interact and engage with others while enjoying good food and company.

So, in the spirit of networking (in your kitchen with friends - or elsewhere), I thought I'd add a recipe that is fun and a sweet way to gather together (not to mention that it is one of Grant's favorites). Apple crumble (make sure you have plenty of ice-cream on hand)

For the pie: 1 14 inch pie crust (frozen if you are in a hurry) 6-8 firm tart apples (peeled, cored and sliced thin) 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon pinch of ground mace and ground nutmeg approximately 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter cut into small pieces Preheat the oven to 375 F. Mix the spices in a bowl. Place the apples in the pie crust and sprinkle the sugar/spice mix over them. Dot with the butter. Then top the pie with the crumble (see below) and bake for 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

For the topping: In the food processor place 1 stick of cold unsalted butter, 1/2 cup of all purpose flour (pulse until crumbly) then add 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar and 1 cup of rolled oats. Pulse a couple of times to combine.

After you make this recipe, I guarantee you will make tons of friends, meet new clients and have a larger sphere of influence (provided you SHARE!) LOL

I hope you enjoy my little sweet corner - let me know if you have gone to a party and picked up a client or 2...what recipe did it for you?

Ropa Vieja

Gia Freer (RealSeekr.com) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:37:02 -0500

2 pounds flank steak or 1 whole chicken (cook in advance in your pressure cooker)
Canola oil (or veg oil - I eyeball it - about 2 TBSP)
1 onion sliced into strips
2 garlic cloves
1 large pepper (Although I use 1/2 of a green and 1/2 of a red or yellow pepper) cut in strips
1 can of tomato sauce (14 oz)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup of dry white wine (don't use the "cooking" stuff - YUK)

After you pressure cook the meat or chicken, let it cool and then shred it. Set that aside.

In a large pan (or in the pressure cooker pan with the lid off) saute the onions in the oil for a few minutes then add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes more. Add the meat, peppers and the wine. Let that cook for about 5 minutes then add the sauce, bay leaf and salt (to taste). Let it cook on medium for about 10-15 minutes.

Serve with white rice and sweet plantains.

HINT: You can also put all the ingredients in a crock pot (uncooked meat) without the oil or the peppers and leave it on low from about 10 a.m. until about 6 p.m. About 1/2 hour before you are ready to serve, add the peppers. The meat will shred itself - FANTASTIC!!

Super Simple Carrot Soup

Gia Freer (RealSeekr.com) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:33:17 -0500

1 TBSP of butter or margarine
1 onion chopped
1 celery stalk chopped
4 carrots scrapped and chopped
2 cups of veggie broth
1/4 tsp of nutmeg
black pepper (to taste)
ground cayenne pepper (to taste or can be omitted)
1/2 cup of milk or cream (skim milk works great)

In a medium sauce pan, saute the onions on medium high for a few minutes then add the celery and carrots. Let that cook for about 5 minutes giving it a little stir in between. Add the 2 cups of stock and let it cook on medium until the carrots are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Then, puree the vegetables with a hand held or in the blender until smooth. Add the milk (or cream if you are not on a diet) and put the soup back on the stove on low. Sprinkle in the nutmeg, black pepper and ground cayenne pepper.

You can serve this with a good grilled cheese sandwich (as an alternative to tomato soup, although I love tomato soup with grilled cheese) for a change of pace.

Enjoy.