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Mother’s Day Dinner with Cornish Hens and Sauerkraut  

May 28, 2014 by Mary 32 Comments

We have had a consistent thread running through our celebrations lately, and that is not celebrating on the exact day – but boy do we celebrate! We’ve got our own calendar going! We celebrated Easter Sunday on the Saturday before, Zach’s birthday (which is July 10th – but he’ll be in Europe for the summer) on May 10th and Mother’s Day for us was a week later as we had to travel to Boston for business on the actual holiday. My boys, with the help of one girlfriend, once again made a spectacular meal using recipes from Jamie Oliver, Mark Bittman, and the Chocolate Covered Katie blog. Not too shabby, right?! The standout main dish, unusual but terrific, was Bittman’s Cornish Hens and Sauerkraut recipe.

My boys always ask what I want and I promptly say, “Surprise me!” I like/love nearly everything except processed food and of course they’re not going to go there because after all, they were raised by me. When the older one texted me to ask if I had juniper berries at the apartment, I knew I was in for something great. I LOVE juniper berries – as I love my gin martinis on a Friday night!roasted tomato bread soup

They started with a Jaime Oliver roasted tomato bread soup. It was different (I can always count on that from them) and delicious but was supposed to have used day-old bread which may have been better to add a bit more substance instead of the bread being so fresh as to soak everything up. No matter – that was a texture issue – the taste was fabulous! And since I was really hungry, it was substantial and great! Here’s the recipe – cute name! http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/bread-and-tomato-soup-pappa-al-pomodoro

The next course (yes, we have courses!) was this amazing salad of really unusual ingredients – fennel, red onion, cucumber, radishes and oranges. Yes oranges! They provided a wonderful refreshing burst of flavor!Fennel cucumber red onion and orange salad

Here’s the complete recipe – they did not use the ice cubes.

 INSALATA AMALFITANA Amalfi Salad – Adapted from Jamie’s Italy.

1 bulb of fennel, washed
1 red onion, peeled
1 cucumber
a large handful of radishes, washed
2 tablespoons good-quality herb or red wine vinegar
good-quality extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black peper
4 oranges, peeled, segmented, and seeds removed

Optional: a small handful of ice cubes

Remove the herb-like tops from the fennel and set them aside. Then trim the fennel at both ends and take off the outer layer. Split the fennel in half and slice lengthwise as finely as possible. Put into a large bowl. Remove both ends of the onion, then halve it and slice it as finely as possible. Slice the cucumber finely into disk shapes. Leave the stems on the radishes as a grip. Then slice a little bit out of the side of the radish so it will be stable on the counter. Slice as finely as possible into disks.

Throw a few ice cubes in the bowl and toss the salad with them for a few minutes. Jamie says that this makes the vegetables get crunchier. I’m not sure why it works, but it really does.

Remove the ice cubes. In a bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of good herb or red wine vinegar and about 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Mix well, and taste. If your oranges are super sweet, you may want some extra vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss the salad with the dressing, then add the orange segments with their juices. Sprinkle the reserved fennel tops over the salad right before serving.

And then we had the amazing main course of the Cornish hens with sauerkraut served with some sliced, crispy roasted Yukon gold potatoes.Roasted Cornish hens with sauerkraut and sliced roasted potatoes

CORNISH HENS AND SAUERKRAUT – By Mark Bittman
From the How to Cook Everything Essentials® app

An elegant but straightforward dish and an excellent introduction to sauerkraut. But steer clear of the canned stuff; instead, look for a bottled brand that contains no more than cabbage, salt, and water. This preparation also works well with pheasant, chicken, and duck.

4 Cornish hens, about 1 pound each
4 slices bacon, diced, or 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 pounds sauerkraut
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon juniper berries, crushed with the side of a knife
1 sprig fresh thyme or a pinch dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup dry white wine
Stock or water as needed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Remove the backbone of the hens by cutting along their length on each side. Separate breast and leg quarters. Cook the bacon over medium heat in a large, deep ovenproof skillet until crisp, about 10 minutes, or heat the oil until it shimmers. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Add the hen pieces to the bacon fat or olive oil and brown them on all sides. Meanwhile, rinse the sauerkraut in a colander and heat the oven to 300°F.

When the bird is nicely browned, add the sauerkraut, cloves, juniper berries, thyme, bay leaf, and white wine to the skillet. Cook over medium heat until about half of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes; move the skillet into the oven.

Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding liquid as needed to keep the sauerkraut just moist, until the legs are tender and the sauerkraut is slightly browned. Remove the skillet from the oven, then remove the cloves and bay leaf. Taste the sauce, adjust the seasoning, garnish with the bacon pieces (oops – they forgot that) and serve hot or warm.Chocolate mousse garnished with raspberries and strawberries

And for dessert, they made this amazingly rich, decadent chocolate mousse topped with fresh raspberries and strawberries, that had this secret surprise ingredient that not one of us could guess – it was tofu!!! Yes tofu was used instead of cream. Can you imagine?

It was delicious – and no doubt a whole lot healthier for you!

Here it is from the Chocolate Covered Katie blog. She apparently specializes in healthy chocolate desserts. How cool is that?!

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/02/06/chocolate-chocolate-chocolate-mousse/

Chocolate mousse with raspberries and strawberries half eaten

I couldn’t eat the whole thing!

 I know I’m lucky. Hope all you moms out there enjoyed a fantastic Mother’s Day, filled with LOVE too!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Dinner, First Course, Poultry, Salads, Soups Tagged With: chocolate mousse with tofu, Cornish hens with sauerkraut, insalada almalfitana, Jaime Oliver tomato soup, Mark Bittman, pappa al pomodoro soup, salad with fennel onion cucumber and oranges

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Comments

  1. ela@GrayApron says

    May 29, 2014 at 1:20 AM

    No, not too shabby at all, Mary. I’d go for that chicken with sauerkraut first!

    ela h.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 15, 2014 at 6:29 PM

      LOL – but of course – you guys LOVE sauerkraut!!

      Reply
  2. Margot | Gather and Graze says

    May 29, 2014 at 1:46 AM

    I’m very much looking forward to the day that my 2 boys prepare us a 4 course dinner, just like yours do Mary! Absolutely fabulous!
    Margot | Gather and Graze recently posted…Zaatar and Haloumi Man’ousheMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 15, 2014 at 6:52 PM

      Margot – you’ll get there – quicker than you think! I can’t believe how old my boys are and it seems like all of a sudden!

      Reply
  3. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    May 29, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    It must be wonderful to be feted like this on Mother’s Day. You are deserving of all the attention. What a wonderful meal!
    Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Fabulously Fudgy BrowniesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 15, 2014 at 6:55 PM

      It’s pretty darn good!! It’s a shame you’re so far away from yours. 🙁

      Reply
  4. Jovina Coughlin says

    May 29, 2014 at 10:15 AM

    What a lovely dinner, Mary. You must be proud that your boys can cook such a fabulous meal.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 15, 2014 at 6:57 PM

      I am – and truly, they’re becoming better than me – and they’re fearless!!

      Reply
  5. apuginthekitchen says

    May 29, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    Everything looks wonderful, I love that you are not married to celebrating on the exact day. You are so lucky to have such a lovely doting family.
    apuginthekitchen recently posted…The Virtuous Lacto-Fermented Vegetable For Fiesta FridayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 22, 2014 at 7:37 PM

      I know…!!!!

      Reply
  6. Barb Bamber says

    May 29, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    What a treat, Mary! You are so loved to be presented with a fabulous gourmet meal like that!
    Barb Bamber recently posted…Ribbons and Roses Cookies {vegan}My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 22, 2014 at 7:39 PM

      I know – I am so lucky!!

      Reply
  7. Amanda says

    May 29, 2014 at 12:00 PM

    Wow, Mary Frances. This meal is decadent and just the way I like to eat because it’s also light. So full of Almafi flavors and culture. I love it. I also love not celebrating occasions on the day. There’s something about being able to enjoy them when you get to them. What a lovely cornish hen and that salad! Wow.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 22, 2014 at 7:40 PM

      Thanks Amanda!! It was really very special!!

      Reply
  8. Ansh says

    May 29, 2014 at 3:02 PM

    Oh wow!! The boys sure know their Mom! The spread looks divine.
    Ansh recently posted…Petit Pain au LaitMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 22, 2014 at 7:41 PM

      Yep!! They sure do!

      Reply
  9. Liz says

    May 29, 2014 at 5:14 PM

    I think I’d pass out if my boys made such a magnificent meal! Lucky you!! And fun tip about tossing the salad with ice cubes!
    Liz recently posted…Strawberry Salsa Topped Salmon #SkinnyTipMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      June 22, 2014 at 7:49 PM

      They might bring home that George Foreman grill and surprise you one day!! And yes, Jamie always has some neat tricks!

      Reply
  10. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    May 30, 2014 at 3:21 AM

    everything looks delectable 🙂 We are behind in celebrations most of the time but that has to do with coordinating between the children and their plans.
    Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Out And About: Friday 30 May 2014My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:04 PM

      I know Tandy – life is SO busy!!

      Reply
  11. Kumar's Kitchen says

    May 31, 2014 at 2:57 AM

    Everything on the menu is so amazing and delicious….and what a lovely treat for you Mary, you are a lucky and happy mom for sure…and in a way we feel proud of your adorable boys…see how beautifully they have made such goodies….and the mousse along with strawberries looks indulgent,thanks for sharing 🙂
    Kumar’s Kitchen recently posted…Cooking BasicsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:12 PM

      Thank you Rakesh and Swikruti – you are so sweet! It was a very lovely treat!

      Reply
  12. Mimi says

    May 31, 2014 at 8:55 AM

    Very nice!! You are quite lucky!!!
    Mimi recently posted…Cheese LoverMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:13 PM

      I know… thank you Mimi!!!

      Reply
  13. Mimi says

    May 31, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    Oh my these look so good! I bet salmon would be good cooked this way as well!
    Mimi recently posted…Cheese LoverMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:18 PM

      Hmmm – that’s an interesting thought!

      Reply
  14. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says

    June 1, 2014 at 11:29 AM

    Wow your kids are amazing, what a feast for their awesome mom.
    Evelyne@cheapethniceatz recently posted…Fiddlehead and Wild Asparagus California PizzaMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:19 PM

      Thanks Evelyne!! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Angie (@angiesrecipess) says

    June 1, 2014 at 2:26 PM

    It looks like a great meal, Mary.
    Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted…Vegan Gluten Free Seeded Oat BreadMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:20 PM

      It was divine Angie!! Thank you!

      Reply
  16. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    June 4, 2014 at 10:11 PM

    What a fabulous and impressive meal! Your boys must be very good cooks! I can get my daughter interested in cooking, but never my son.
    Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Roasted CornMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      July 1, 2014 at 4:26 PM

      Well Christin you never know – his interest might show up later. I know it did with our younger one. When they’re on their own and have to figure out how to eat just as well as they did when they lived at home, then they’ll rise to the occasion!

      BTW – I roast my corn like you do too! It’s the best!

      Reply

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