The Lederman Kitchen

While my Mom has always taken the reins on Thanksgiving dinner, this year she asked me to help by making gravy.  I was planning on making gravy using the drippings, but I wanted a back up in case I messed up.   For the traditional gravy, you will need: 1/2 onion 1 celery stalk 1 carrot 1 cup of chicken stock 2 tablespoons of butter 2 tablespoons of flour To get started, roughly chop the vegetables. Then pulse them in a food processor until very fine. Add a couple of tablespoons of butter to a non stick pan and saute over medium high heat. Once the vegetables are very soft and fragrant, maybe 5-7 minutes, add the flour and cook for another minute to 2.  You'll want to really incorporate the flour well and cook until there is no more raw flour flavor. Then add the chicken stock and bring to boil.  Simmer for about 5 minutes. Next, use a fine mesh strainer and pour the gravy into another pan over m...

I enjoyed the horseradish sauce  earlier in the week so much, that I had to use up the remainder.  I decided to make another piece of salmon, but  instead of searing the salmon, this time around I decided to bake it.  To finish off the meal, I paired the salmon with mashed potatoes and a delicious side of braised leeks and carrots. For a delicious meal for two, you will need: 1/2 lb of salmon 1 lb of yukon gold potatoes 1/4 cup of milk 2 tablespoons of butter 1 lb of carrots 3 leeks 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 cup of water 1 clove of garlic horseradish sauce The get started, preheat the oven to 400.  Then wash and peel the carrots.  Try to get carrots that are all about the same size, and on the smaller side.  Slice the leeks in half and wash thoroughly    Scrub the potatoes and place in a pot of water over high heat.  Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until fork tender (about 20 minut...

The first rule of cooking salmon is to always buy fresh fish, the frozen stuff (or previously frozen) just isn't the same.  The second rule of salmon is to keep it simple.  For me, this means salt, pepper, and a little olive oil.   I typically don't make a sauce to go with the salmon, but I came across a horseradish sauce recipe that sounded interesting.  Turns out it was crazy delicious and paired wonderfully with the salmon and leftover potato salad . For a great dinner for two, you will need: 2 salmon portions 3/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons prepared white horseradish 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon dill (fresh or dried) You can make the sauce ahead to get it out of the way.  Just mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.  This recipe makes a lot of sauce, plenty for 4 people.  Next time I make this sauce for just the two of us I'l...

I love couscous but only when it is kicked up a bit with good mixings.  I think of the couscous more as a base than anything else.  It's just screaming to be mixed with something else.  Tonight I made a Mediterranean inspired meal that was kicked off by finding this great recipe on Epicurious .  To go along with our veggies and grains I grilled up a chicken breast.  To keep with our Mediterranean theme, I topped the chicken with a really easy yogurt sauce. For the couscous you will need: 1/3 cup sliced almonds  1 tablespoon olive oil  3 cups mixed cup-up vegetables (I used zucchini, carrot, celery, red onion, green and red bell pepper )  1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin  1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander  1 cup dry white wine  1/3 cup golden raisins  3/4 cup broth (I used chicken, but the original recipe called for vegetable) 2 tablespoons feta cheese 1 cup dry couscous For the yogurt sauc...