Hamburgers A La Francaise with Sauce Bordelaise

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Hamburgers a La Francaise

 

Whenever I’m looking for something new to try I always go through all my Julia Child’s books first.  I didn’t feel  like BBQing so I was looking for something different, this recipe certainly fit the bill.

This recipe comes from Julia Childs book The French Chef Cookbook.  It’s relatively easy and certainly will change your view of the lowly hamburger,(watch out Mickey D).

Julia paired it with a red Bordelaise sauce that is a great accompaniment for burgers and steaks, and don’t omit the marrow.  Our take was to add a bun bottom to help soak up the sauce!

Ingredients for Hamburger a la Francaise & Sauce Bordelaise
Hamburger a la francaise
  1. ¾ cup finely minced onions cooked in 2 Tbs butter
  2. 1½ lbs. ground beef (lean)
  3. 2 Tbs beef marrow or softened butter
  4. 1½ tsp salt
  5. ¼ tsp pepper
  6. ¼ tsp thyme
  7. 1 egg
  8. All purpose flour and 1 Tbs butter for cooking
Sauce Bordelaise
  1. 4 inch piece of beef marrow
  2. 2 Tbs minced shallot
  3. 1 tsp cornstarch blended with 
  4. 1 Tsp water
  5. ½ cup good beef stock or bouillon
  6. 2/3 cup good red wine
  7. salt & pepper to taste
  8. 2 Tbs minced parsley

Directions for Hamburger a la Francaise

In a food processor finely mince the onions, then cook until softened and allow to cool.

In a bowl place the ground beef, marrow or butter,salt & pepper, thyme and egg, and cooled onion and mix all until fully combined.

Form into 4-6 patties, refrigerate until ready to use.

 

Take the marrow out of about a 4″ long piece of bone, and cut into pieces. 

In a sauce pan bring the bouillon and wine to a boil then take off the heat add the marrow and set aside.

Lightly flour the patties and cook in a large sauté pan until done.  

Drain the excess grease from the pan, stir in the shallots.  Cook for a few minutes.

Drain the marrow out of the wine and reserve,then add the liquid to the pan and boil rapidly making sure to scrap up the fond or browned bits on the pan.

Reduce the liquid to about ½ a cup remove from the heat and add the cornstarch,  stir lightly and allow to simmer for about a minute the taste adjust the seasoning, then add the marrow and parsley and pour over the meat.

Although the original recipe calls for the burger to be served plain, I liked to add a bun bottom that makes a great way to sop up the extra sauce.

 

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
http://amzn.to/2rQQtRw     Large Sauté pan
http://amzn.to/2rQMcO5     Silicone Whisks

The Official Taste Tester

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Beef, no need to add anything else, but the sauce was tasty, always a 5 paw effort for meat.

 

 

 

 

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Reuben Sandwich Casserole

Rueben Sandwich Casserole
Rueben Sandwich Casserole

 

 

 

 

 

Reuben Sandwich Casserole

The Reuben has been for so many years my all-time favorite sandwich.  This idea came from somewhere on line as my wife surfed through recipes, with a little tweaking here is my version.  

I have for years made the Reubens as a openfaced sandwich, easy to eat with a knife and fork and saving considerably on cleaning of many stained shirts with 1000 island dressing all over them.  This just breaks the open-faced sandwich up a little more but retains most of the great taste of the original sandwich.

Ingredients for Reuben Sandwich Casserole

  1. ¾-1 pound Corned Beef Diced
  2. 6 slices of sliced, thin Rye bread
  3. 3 Tbs softened butter
  4. 5-6 oz shredded Swiss Cheese
  5. 16oz Sauerkraut drained
  6. 1 cup or more Thousand Island Dressing
  7. 1 cup or more Thousand Island Dressing warmed
  8. vegetable spray

Directions for Reuben Sandwich Casserole

Start by lightly buttering one side of the six slices of rye bread. Stack and cut into ½” or smaller cubes.

Spray the sides and bottom of a 9X9″ glass baking dish with the vegetable spray.

Spread the rye bread over the bottom of the dish.  Sprinkle the cubed Corned Beef over the bread and optionally if you like the dish very moist spread a little of the 1000 Island over the corned beef.

Now spread the sauerkraut over the dish, and top with a generous amount of 1000 Island and finish with a layer of swiss cheese.

Cover the dish lightly with foil so the foil does not stick to the cheese and place into a preheated 375° oven for about 15- 20 minutes.  Remove the foil and baked for another 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely and lightly brown.

Remove from the oven let stand a few minutes so the cheese firms up a bit then serve.

Makes 4 satisfying portions.

In a Small sauce pan on medium heat warm the additional 1000 Island while the casserole in baking and serve on the side.

Reuben Sandwich Casserole
Reuben Sandwich Casserole

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
https://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Advantage-Ceramic-Square-Baking/dp/B00GJ0RZSA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1484446256&sr=8-4&keywords=9×9+glass+baking+dish&&linkCode=ll1&tag=rantsravesa06-20&linkId=b3d1ed71835154d3d0c102e4d5f3be30
https://www.amazon.com/Zwilling-J-Henckels-8-Inch-Stainless/dp/B00004RFKP/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1484446361&sr=8-1&keywords=henckel+four+star+bread+knife&linkCode=ll1&tag=rantsravesa06-20&linkId=a6451907211b54e3700e3dc48975961e

 

 

 

The Official Taste Tester
The Official Taste Tester

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of those recipes that I cannot possibly comprehend.  Not a big fan of Corned Beef, not a fan at all of sauerkraut, and you can keep the 1000 island dressing. About the only thing acceptable would be to make a cheese sandwich with whats left.  Not a very S.A.P.P. friendly dish, so – SO SORRY ! no paws !

 

 

 

 

Reuben Sandwich Casserole

Reuben Sandwich Casserole

Ingredients

  1. ¾-1 pound Corned Beef Diced
  2. 6 slices of thin sliced Rye bread
  3. 3 Tbs softened butter
  4. 5-6 oz shredded Swiss Cheese
  5. 16oz Sauerkraut drained
  6. 1 cup or more Thousand Island Dressing
  7. 1 cup or more Thousand Island Dressing warmed
  8. vegetable spray

Instructions

  1. Start by lightly buttering one side of the six slices of rye bread. Stack and cut into ½" or smaller cubes.
  2. Spray the sides and bottom of a 9X9" glass baking dish with the vegetable spray.
  3. Spread the rye bread over the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the cubed Corned Beef over the bread and optionally if you like the dish very moist spread a little of the 1000 Island over the corned beef.
  4. Now spread the sauerkraut over the dish, and top with a generous amount of 1000 Island and finish with a layer of swiss cheese.
  5. Cover the dish lightly with foil so the foil does not stick to the cheese and place into a preheated 375° oven for about 15- 20 minutes. Remove the foil and baked for another 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
  6. Remove from the oven let stand a few minutes so the cheese firms up a bit then serve.
  7. Makes 4 satisfying portions.
  8. In a Small sauce pan on medium heat warm the additional 1000 Island while the casserole in baking and serve on the side.
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https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/reuben-sandwich-casserole/

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site.  It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .  

Please help us keep our blog going by letting your friends know we’re here and by checking out the links on our front page.

copyright © rantsravesandrecipes 2017 all rights reserved

 

 

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swedish Meatballs

The other day it was suggested that I make Swedish meatballs, as something different.  “Something different” because I have not made them in over 30 years.

Many years ago when ever I would be home for a weekend and had time to cook we would invite my grandmother to have dinner with us.  One night I made Swedish meatballs and we sent the left overs home with her.  A few days later my wife was talking to her on the phone and asked how she enjoyed the leftovers.  ” Oh they were fine after I washed that sauce off.” she answered.   I was devastated.

But don’t worry this isn’t the recipe I used then.

Ingredients for Swedish Meatballs

  1. 2 Tbsp butter
  2. 1 medium onion finely diced
  3. 2/3 cup milk
  4. 5 slices day old bread finely chopped
  5. 2#’s lean ground beef or a combination of ground pork, beef & veal (optional)
  6. 1 tsp each salt & pepper
For the Sauce:
  1. 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  2. 2 tsp pepper
  3. 1 tsp cardamom
  4. 1/3 cup flour
  5. 6 Tbsps butter
  6. 32 oz (appox) Beef Stock
  7. ¾ cup sour cream
  8. Salt & pepper to taste
  9. 4 Tbsps lingonberry Jelly
Optional:
  1.  1# wide egg noodles 

While the recipe calls for cardamom, it is a quite expensive ingredient.  You could if you wish substitute a ½ tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg or cloves.  Additionally you could substitute raspberry or another of the berry jellies instead of the lingonberry but it is a fairly common commodity and not that expensive compared to other jellies and does make a difference in the final taste of the sauce.

Directions for Swedish Meatballs

In a sauté pan place the butter and bring up to medium heat, add the onion and sauté until translucent.

Take the bread and in a food processor finely chop.

Combine the meat,onion, bread, milk and the salt and pepper.  Mix well and then gently roll into slightly smaller than golf ball size balls.

Place the finished meatballs on a cooking tray and bake in the center of a 350º oven for about 25-30 minutes until they are cooked through.  This step can be done ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to cook.

In a large sauté pan that will hold all the meatballs in a single layer melt the butter and add the flour and cook for a few minutes to cook out the raw flour.   Add the nutmeg, cardamom, and pepper and combine.  Now add the beef stock and bring slowly up to a boil stirring to dissolve the flour roux.

 Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat add the sour cream and stir to combine completely.  Once combined add the jelly stir to dissolve,  taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.   Place back of a medium heat add the meatballs and allow them to come up to heat and be covered in sauce.

Serve over wide egg noodles.

 

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Calphalon-Nonstick-5-qt-Saut%C3%A9/dp/B001ASBBTK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1464196614&sr=1-4&keywords=large+saute+pan&linkCode=ll1&tag=rantsravesa06-20&linkId=9330d6098afc6ee51f55f1cad49fcaaf
http://www.amazon.com/Farberware-Nonstick-Bakeware-13-Inch-Rectangular/dp/B00008W70F/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1464196676&sr=1-6&keywords=baking+pan&linkCode=ll1&tag=rantsravesa06-20&linkId=69942497d1d882e966d383dcc67fa8bc

 

The Official Taste Tester
The Official Taste Tester

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meatballs !! How can you go wrong?  Although I think they would have been better if you washed that sauce off them.  Still 5 Paws.

IMG

 

 

 

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients

  1. 2 Tbsp butter
  2. 1 medium onion finely diced
  3. 2/3 cup milk
  4. 5 slices day old bread finely chopped
  5. 2#'s lean ground beef or a combination of ground pork, beef & veal (optional)
  6. 1 tsp each salt & pepper
  7. For the Sauce:
  8. 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  9. 2 tsp pepper
  10. 1 tsp cardamon
  11. 1/3 cup flour
  12. 6 Tbsps butter
  13. 32 oz (appox) Beef Stock
  14. ¾ cup sour cream
  15. Salt & pepper to taste
  16. 4 Tbsps Ligonberry Jelly
  17. Optional:
  18. 1# wide egg noodles
  19. While the recipe calls for cardamon, it is a quite expensive ingredient. You could if you wish substitute a ½ tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg or cloves. Additionally you could substitute raspberry or another of the berry jellies instead of the ligonberry but it is a fairly common commodity and not that expensive compared to other jelliies and does make a difference in the final taste of the sauce.

Instructions

  1. In a saute pan place the butter and bring up to medium heat, add the onion and saute until tranlucent.
  2. Take the bread and in a food processor finely chop.
  3. Combine the meat,onion, bread, milk and the salt and pepper.  Mix well and then gently roll into slightly smaller than golf ball size balls.
  4. Place the finished meatballs on a cooking tray and bake in the center of a 350º oven for about 25-30 minutes until they are cooked through.  This step can be done ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.
  5. In a large saute pan that will hold all the meatballs in a single layer melt the butter and add the flour and cook for a few minutes to cook out the raw flour.   Add the nutmeg, cardamon, and pepper and combine.  Now add the beef stock and bring slowly up to a boil stirring to dissolve the flour roux.
  6.  Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat add the sour cream and stir to combine completely.  Once combined add the jelly stir to dissovle,  taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.   Place back of a medium heat add the meatballs and allow them to come up to heat and be covered in sauce.
  7. Serve over wide egg noodles.
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes
https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/swedish-meatballs/

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site.  It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .  

Please help us keep our blog going by letting your friends know we’re here and by checking out the links on our front page.

copyright © rantsravesandrecipes 2016 all rights reserved