Government ENTERS the BLOGOSPHERE

"It might be more worthwhile if we stopped wringing our hands and started ringing our congressmen."

5 Federal blogs worth reading ("Federal Computer Week")

1. The Impact of IT on Businesses and Their Leaders By Andrew McAfee, associate professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School
blog.hbs.edu/faculty/amcafee

2. Department of Health and Human Services blog
secretarysblog.hhs.gov

3. Congressional Budget Office Director’s Blog
cboblog.cbo.gov

4. DipNote, the State Department’s public blog, started in September 2007 and offers a different take on U.S. foreign policy information.
blogs.state.gov

5. Navy Department CIO blog. Robert Carey, the Navy’s chief information officer, is the first federal CIO to regularly write a publicly posted blog
www.doncio.navy.mil/Blog.aspx

Remember, democracy is a government where you can say what you think even if you don't think.

Mushroom challah pudding

Mushroom challah pudding

Servings: Makes 8 servings

4 cups (1/2-inch) fresh challah cubes (about 5 ounces), 1 1/2 pounds mixed fresh wild mushrooms such as chanterelle, cremini, and oyster, trimmed, 1/2 cup finely chopped shallot, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped, 2 cups half-and-half, 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
Bake bread cubes in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan until golden-brown, about 10 minutes.

Tear or cut mushrooms lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.
Cook shallot in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until liquid mushrooms give off has evaporated, about 15 minutes. Add parsley and garlic and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Whisk together half-and-half, eggs, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Stir in mushrooms and bread cubes until coated well and let stand 10 minutes for bread to absorb some of egg mixture.
Mushroom bread pudding can be baked in a buttered 2-quart shallow baking dish (not lined with parchment).Spoon mixture into dish and bake on a baking sheet until firm to the touch, 30 to 35 minutes.

Грибная запеканка
На 8 порций.

4 чашки свеже нарезанных хлебных кубиков, 750 грамм свежих грибов, 1/2 чашки мелко нарезанного лука, 2 столовые ложки сливочного масла, 1/2 чашки мелко нарезанной петрушки (по желанию), 2 зубца чеснока, 2 чашки сливок, 4 яйца, 1/2 чашки натертого сыра "Parmigiano-Reggiano", соль и перец по вкусу.
Нагреть духовку до 350Ф.

Выложить хлебные кубики на деко и подсушить в духовке в течении 10 минут. Тем временем нарезать грибы.
Нагреть сковороду на огне, предварительно добавив сливочное масло. Домавить лук и грибы. Жарить на среднем огне 15 минут. Посолить, поперчить. В конце добавить чеснок.
В небольшой посуде смешать сливки, сыр, соль, перец, яйца. Добавить пожаренные с луком грибы и подсушенные хлебные кубики. Дать постоять этой смеси около 10 минут.
Приготовить деко. Выложить смесь и запечь в духовке в течении 30-35 минут. Остудить и в теплом виде подавать со сметаной.

Recipe from GourmetDecember 2007

Pear Cake with Pine Nuts

Pear Cake with Pine Nuts

Many bakers believe, that pears are an underutilized fruit when it comes to baking and dessert. So, I decided to try something new and light.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces, 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/3 cup fat-free sour cream, 1/4 cup 1% low-fat milk, 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1 large egg, cooking spray, 2 cups thinly sliced peeled pear.Preheat oven to 350°.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Remove 1/3 cup flour mixture; place in a small bowl. Stir in pine nuts and cinnamon; set aside.
Combine the remaining flour mixture, sour cream, and the next 6 ingredients (sour cream through egg) in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Pour the batter into a 9-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray.

Arrange the pear slices evenly over the batter. Sprinkle with pine nut mixture. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely on a wire rack.

Летняя шарлотка с грушами.
На 8 порций.

1 1/4 чашки муки, 3/4 чашки сахара, 1/8 чайной ложки соли, 1/4 чашки холодного сливочного масла, порезанного на маленькие кусочки, 2 столовые ложки мелко нарезанных орех, 1/4 чайной ложки корицы (по женланию), 1/3 чашки сметаны, 1/4 чашки молока, 1 чайная ложка свеже молотой лимонной цедры, 1 чайная ложка ванильной эссенции, 1/4 чайной ложки соды, 1/2 чайной ложки разрыхлителя, 1 яйцо, 2 чашки мелко нарезанной груши.
Нагреть духовку до 350Ф. Приготовить круглую 9-дюймовую формочку для выпечку тортов.
Смешать муку, сахар и соль. Добавить кусочку масла и растереть. Отделить 1/3 чашки смеси в отдельную посуду.
Остальную мучную смесь смешать со сметаной, молоком, цедрой, ванилью, разрыхлителем, содой и яйцом. Все хорошо взбить миксером. Былить тесто в приготовленную форму. Выложить кусочки грушы на поверхность торта, посыпать мучной смесью и орехами.
Запекать в духовке 45 минут. Вынуть и остудить полностью.

Recipe from Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2001

Herring in America... Селедка в Америке

I don't have to say a lot of words about herring. Just read :

1. The World on a Plate

2. Какова роль селедки в мировой науке и культуре? (Натощак не читать!)

3. Как и когда празднуется День селёдки?

I have heard, that herring is a one of the popular dishes in Israeli Army...

Potato& Pear latkes with Spice Cucumber salad

Potato & Pear latkes with Spice Cucumber salad

Serves 4
1 lb potatoes, 1 pear, 1 small onion, 1 egg, 1/3-1/2 cup flour (use matzo meal for Passover), salt and peppers to taste.

Peel potatoes. Peel and core pear. Grate all with a food processor. Strain any excess liquid. Grate onion. Add egg, flour, salt and pepper. Mix until coated.

Spoon latke mixture onto hot frying pan, forming 2-inch patties. Fry on each side. Serve with cucumber salad.

Spice Cucumber salad.

1 medium cucumber, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tsp white vinegar, 2 Tbsp vegetable/olive oil, 2 gloves of crushed garlic, salt and pepper by taste, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, dash of Chili Garlic Paste, chopped cilantro (optional)
Wisk together Chili Garlic Paste, vinegar, sugar, olive oil, garlic. Let dressing ingredients hang out at room temperature so flavors will blend.
Cut cucumber in half lengthwise and cut each half in to 1/4 inch slices. Stir cucumbers in dressing, enough to coat cucumbers. Add salt and pepper.
Note: You probably won't need all the dressing; save for another salad.
Блинчики с картофелем и грушей.

500 грамм свежего картофеля, 1 груша, 1 маленькая головка лука, 1 яйцо, 1/3-1/2 чашки муки (на Пасху используйте matzo meal), соль и перец по вкусу.
Очистить картофель и грушу от кожуры. Поместить в кухонный комбайн и перемолоть. Вынуть из комбайна и отцедить. Добавить натертый лук, яйво, муку, соль и перец.
Столовой ложкой выкладывать на горячую сковороду. Обжарить на каждой стороне. Подавать с салатом из свежих огурцов.

Острый салат из свежих огурцов.

1 огурец средней величины, 1 чайная ложка сахара, 2 чайные ложки уксуса, 2 столовые ложки подсолнечного/оливкового масла, 1/4 чашки мелко нарежанного красного лука, несколько капель острого китайского соуса "Chili Garlic Paste", 2 зубца чеснока мелко нарезанные, соль и перец по вкусу, мелко нарежанная петрушка (по желанию)
Приготовить соус, перемешав уксус, острый соус, сахар, масло и чеснок. Оставить на 10-15 минут. Тем временем, разрезать пополам в длину огурец. Каждую половину нарезать на тонкие кусочки. Добавить красный лук. Все салить приготовленным соусом. Посолить и поперчить по вкусу.

Шарлотка (apple quick cake)

Что такое шарлотка и как ее готовить?

Lemon Vodka Salmon with Sauteed Mushrooms

Lemon Vodka Salmon with Sauteed Mushrooms
(enhanced recipe)

Serves 4

675g/1½lb salmon fillet, skinned, 5-6 tablespoons vodka, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, 55g/¼ cup butter, 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 1 lemon

Cut the salmon into four equal pieces so they take the same time to cook. Lay them in a non-metallic dish and sprinkle with two tablespoons of the vodka and some salt and pepper. Turn and sprinkle the other sides with a tablespoon of vodka and more salt and pepper. Leave them to marinate for 10-15 minutes so they pickle slightly and pick up taste. Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a dry non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, stirring often, until they are brown and fragrant, 4-5 minutes.

Drain the salmon and pat it dry on paper towels. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Sauté the salmon until browned, 2-3 minutes. For an attractive golden brown it’s best to heat the oil until sputtering stops, then put in the salmon with the cut or backbone side downwards. When brown, sprinkle it with the chopped garlic and fresh lemon juice, then turn and continue cooking. Depending on the thickness of the fillets, this should take 2-3 minutes for medium done salmon that is still translucent in the center, or 4-5 minutes if you prefer it well done. Pour the remaining vodka into the pan, bring just to a boil, then set it alight, standing well back. Take the pan from the heat and sprinkle the salmon with the reserved lemon juice and sesame seeds.

Sauteed Mushrooms in white wine and garlic

1 pound mushrooms, cleaned and cut in half, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup white wine, 2 small cloves of garlic.

Clean and cut in half mushrooms. Put in a same fry pan and sprinkle with butter. Stir mushrooms around the pan, saute in pan and add fresh garlic. When the mushrooms look like they are cooking, pour wine over the mushrooms and cook until the wine has evaporated and the garlic has caramelized.


Arrange the salmon and mushrooms on warm plates and spoon over the pan juices. Garnish the plates with parsley. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Original recipe from http://www.lavarenne.com/recipes/2007/december.htm

Cheesecake, cheesecake, and more cheesecake...

Looking forward for a milky Holiday "shavuot", we need to be educated how to make a cheesecake, and mostly, learn about new good recipes.

For a good recipe, please, visit New York Times

For a good educated experience, please watch some video:

Plain cheesecake:


Chocolate cheesecake:



Let me know, if you need more info for making AMAZING and DELICIOUS cheesecake.