Tuesday, May 14, 2013

First night in Okoboji




     It was our first night in Okoboji and how lucky were we to be invited to Daniele and Gary’s for a perfectly prepared meal on a beautiful spring night.  Mind you, it would be about 40 degrees in two days, but that night it was 70 and the sun was shining. There was just a slight breeze which is ideal for eating in front of their outside fireplace.  The snow has melted and it almost smells like a cool fall day, but little tulips are starting to pop up all around the house so you know spring is on its way.  This night is the perfect time to have some friends over for good wine, great food and wonderful conversation. 
We entered the Van Hofwagen's newly finished french style house and were greeted by a glass of red wine.   The wine was accompanied by an assortment of their favorite cheese and crackers and a little something they call hillbilly caviar.  But there is nothing hillbilly about it.  All the flavors exploded in my mouth and it was wonderful.  As we drank and snacked we watched Danielle finish rolling out her homemade buns while Gary told us stories about their recent trip to France. Charlie (their  5 year old son) was ready for the fire outside and was attempting to wait patiently, but was so excited to push around the logs he could hardly contain himself. The men went outside to start the fire as Daniele put the finishing touches on the salad that was topped with her own secret dressing. We were ready to begin the feast.
On the menu
Salad
Ham balls
Risotto
Homemade buns
Angel Pie
    
      I wont be giving away all of Danielle's recipies, but I did get her ham balls and homemade buns. (the risotto deserves its own write up)  The ham balls look delicious and juicy and the buns are full of fun and flavor.  These are perfect for having guest over, being easy to prepare ahead of time and serve easily.

Ham Balls  Preheat oven to 350 
1 1/4 ground smoked ham
1 lb. ground pork
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. graham cracker
1 can tomato soup
1/4 c.cider vinegar
1 c.packed brown sugar
1 t. mustard powder
In a large bowl, combine ham, pork, beef milk, eggs, cracker crumbs-mix well
Form into large balls and place in 9x13 baking dish
In a separate bowl, combine soup, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard. mix well- Pour over meat balls
Bake 1 hour or until meat is 160 degrees F internally

Rosemary Dinner Rolls makes 12
1-In small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Place the flour, sugar,2 tsp rosemary and salt in a food processor; pulse until blended.  Add the warm milk, egg, and yeast mixture; cover and pule 10 times or until almost blended.
2- While processing, gradually add oil jut until dough pulls away from sides and begins to form a ball. Process 2 minutes longer to kneed dough (dough will be very soft)
3-Transfer dough to a greased bowl turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubles, about one hour.
4-Punch down dough. Turn on lightly floured surface; divide and shape into 12 balls. Roll each into a 15 inch rope. Starting at one end wrap dough around itself to form a coil. Tuck end under; pinch to seal.
5-Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubles, about 30minutes
6-For egg wash, whisk egg yolk, milk; brush over rolls.  Sprinkle remaining rosemary. Bake at 350 until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm


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