Cooking Around the World: Timor-Leste

The second stop in our tour around the world was East Timor. I have nothing more to add, other than after cooking Sid vowed to never visit the country.

Cooking Around the World: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

We have started a grand undertaking here at Adventure Thyme. We have decided to cook a dish from every country in the UN! In Alphabetical order! Starting with The!

So needless to say, we began with "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." Its totally obvious, am I right?

After looking around we decided to make Macedonia Souvlaki and Tzatziki.

For the Tzatziki:
32-ounces of Greek style yogurt
1 large cucumber
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh chopped dill
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons cider or white vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste


Peel and grate the cucumbers.

Add the cucumber and all other ingredients to the strained yogurt and mix well.



For the Souvlaki:

2 pounds beef sirloin, (we used chuck instead) cut in 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/8 cup dry red wine(optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
1/2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

Combine ingredients and mix to coat meat evenly. Thread onto skewers, and leave alone in the fridge for an hour or so.

We then seared the meat very briefly in a pan with a little olive oil and grilled the meat in a george forman grill for around 5 minutes.

Pork Tenderloin and Mushroom Risotto

For the Pork:

INGREDIENTS

2	pork tenderloins , (12 to 16 oz each), trimmed of fat and silver skin
1 1/4	teaspoons salt
3/4	teaspoon ground black pepper
2	teaspoons vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle tenderloins evenly with salt and pepper; rub seasoning into meat. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Place both tenderloins in skillet; cook until well browned, 3 minutes. Using tongs, rotate tenderloins 1/4 turn; cook until well browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat until all sides are browned. Transfer tenderloins to rimmed baking sheet and place in oven (reserve skillet if making pan sauce); roast until internal temperature registers 135 to 140 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 10 to 16 minutes. (Begin pan sauce, if making, while meat roasts.)

2. 2. Transfer tenderloins to cutting board and tent loosely with foil (continue with pan sauce, if making); let rest until internal temperature registers 145 to 150 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut tenderloins crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices, arrange on platter or individual plates, and spoon sauce (if using) over; serve immediately. We cut on a bias.

   
   

   FOR THE SAUCE:

   INGREDIENTS

   11	cloves garlic (about 2 tablespoons)
   2	tablespoons water
   1	tablespoon vegetable oil
   1/4	teaspoon red pepper flakes
   2	teaspoons light brown sugar
   3	tablespoons lime juice from 2 limes
   1/4	cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
   1	tablespoon chopped fresh chives
   4	tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 4 pieces
   	Table salt and ground black pepper

   INSTRUCTIONS

   1. 1. Mix garlic paste with water in small bowl. Add oil to still-hot skillet and swirl to coat; add garlic paste and cook with skillet's residual heat, scraping up browned bits with wooden spoon, until sizzling subsides, about 2 minutes. Set skillet over low heat and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until garlic is sticky, 8 to 10 minutes; set skillet aside off heat.

   2. 2. While pork is resting, set skillet over medium heat; add pepper flakes and sugar to skillet and cook until sticky and sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Add lime juice, cilantro, and chives; simmer to blend flavors, 1 to 2 minutes. Add any accumulated pork juices and simmer 1 minute longer. Off heat, whisk in butter, one piece at a time.

      
      

      FOR THE RISOTTO:

      INGREDIENTS

      2	bay leaves
      6	sprigs fresh thyme
      4	sprigs fresh parsley leaves
      1	ounce dried porcini mushrooms , rinsed in mesh strainer under running water
      3 1/2	cups low-sodium chicken broth
      2	teaspoons soy sauce
      6	tablespoons unsalted butter
      1 1/4	pounds cremini mushrooms , wiped clean with a paper towel, stems discarded, and caps cut into fourths if small or sixths if medium or large
      2	medium onions , chopped fine (2 cups)
      	Salt
      3	medium cloves garlic , pressed through garlic press or minced (about 1 tablespoon)
      1	pound Arborio rice (2 1/8 cups)
      1	cup dry white wine (sherry)
      2	ounces Parmesan cheese , finely grated (about 1 cup)
      2	tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
      	Ground black pepper

      INSTRUCTIONS

      1. 1. Tie together bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and parsley sprigs with kitchen twine. Bring bundled herbs, porcini mushrooms, chicken broth, soy sauce, and 3 1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce to medium-low and simmer until dried mushrooms are softened and fully hydrated, about 15 minutes. Remove and discard herb bundle and strain broth through fine-mesh strainer set over medium bowl (you should have about 6 1/2 cups strained liquid); return liquid to saucepan and keep warm over low heat. Finely mince porcini and set aside.

      2. 2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When foaming subsides, add cremini mushrooms, 1 cup onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until moisture released by mushrooms evaporates and mushrooms are well browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute, then transfer mushrooms to oven-safe bowl and keep warm in oven. Off heat, add 1/4 cup water to now-empty skillet and scrape with wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits; pour liquid from skillet into saucepan with broth.
         

      3. 3. Heat 3 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. When foaming subsides, add remaining 1 cup onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened and translucent, about 9 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until grains’ edges are transparent, about 4 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring frequently, until rice absorbs wine. Add minced porcini and 3 1/2 cups broth and cook, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes, until liquid is absorbed, 9 to 11 minutes. Stir in additional 1/2 cup broth every 2 to 3 minutes until rice is cooked through but grains are still somewhat firm at center, 10 to 12 minutes (rice may not require all of broth). Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then stir in mushrooms (and any accumulated juices), Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper; serve immediately in warmed bowls.

         
         

         Notes: Don't worry, the rice will absorb all that liquid! Next time, try not to overcook it. The upper times here are probably max times. Good flavors.

         
         

         We served this with steamed snap peas and for desssert: spiced stewed apples over vanilla ice cream.