BrokeAss Gourmet

BrokeAss Gourmet

Rosemary-Shallot Pork Tenderloin with Fig-Balsamic Compote

  • Prep Time 0:30
  • Cook Time 0:28
  • Estimated Cost $7.25
  • 34 Comments

My friend Paul likes to tease me about my tendency to combine sweet and savory flavor elements in recipes. I pretend to be annoyed, but all things considered, it’s pretty generous of him considering he knows me well enough to come up with measurably worse things to rib me about. So go to town Paul—I’m ready for your running commentary. Fig season had finally arrived and I just couldn’t resist.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin $3
  • 1 shallot, diced $0.25
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped Pantry
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for pan Pantry
  • leaves from 2 springs of fresh rosemary, chopped $1
  • salt and pepper to taste Pantry
  • 8 fresh figs (any kind), stems removed, diced $3 for a carton
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar Pantry
  • 1 tbsp honey Pantry

Recipe Serves 3-4

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking dish and set aside.
  2. Combine shallot, garlic, olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper to to taste in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. Using a sharp knife, butterfly the tenderloin by making a horizontal slice lengthwise through the tenderloin almost all the way to the other side. Open the meat like a book. Cover with plastic wrap, and use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or small cast iron skillet to pound the pork so that it's about 1/2" thick.
  4. Pour shallot-garlic mixture over one lengthwise side of the pork and roll up, securing tightly with toothpicks.
  5. Roast in oven for 22-28 minutes or until pork is cooked thoroughly and very fragrant.
  6. While pork cooks, combine figs, balsamic vinegar, honey,salt and pepper to taste in a small pot over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to a thick jam-like consistency. Turn off heat.
  7. To serve, slice pork into 4 to 6 slices. Serve pork slices topped with a few spoonfuls of compote and more fresh rosemary for garnish.

Pork Pho

  • Prep Time 0:30
  • Cook Time 1:15
  • Estimated Cost $11.75
  • 4 Comments

Pho is one of those foods that periodically inspires intense cravings for most people I know. Amazingly flavorful broth with soft-yet-chewy rice noodles, meat and an array of add-ins that contribute an assortment of flavors and textures—you just can’t beat it. And yet, I know few people who actually make it at home, which is strange because it’s so easy and cheap. This recipe will easily feed 2-3 people for less than $12 total. Make sure to buy your ingredients at an Asian specialty grocery store for the best prices and selection.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin, half chopped coarsely, half sliced thinly $2
  • 5 cloves garlic, finely minced Pantry
  • 1 small piece ginger, finely minced $0.50
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped $1
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar Pantry
  • 1 tbsp salt Pantry
  • freshly ground pepper Pantry
  • 1 bunch cilantro, stems removed and reserved $1
  • 1 red onion, half chopped coarsely, half sliced thinly $0.50
  • 1 lb rice vermicelli noodles $1
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges $0.50
  • 1 green jalapeño, sliced into rings $0.25
  • 2 cups mung bean sprouts $1
  • hoisin sauce $2 for 8 oz.
  • Asian chili sauce or Sriracha $2 for 12 oz.

Recipe Serves 3-4

Directions

  1. Fill a pot with 3 quarts water. Add coarsely chopped pork, garlic, ginger, lemon grass, brown sugar, salt, pepper, cilantro stems and coarsely-chopped onion. Cover, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 45 minutes and up to two hours. Strain broth, discard solids, and return broth to pot.
  2. Bring broth to a boil and add thinly sliced pork and rice vermicelli. Cook until noodles are done and pork is cooked, about 10 minutes.
  3. To serve, use a ladle to portion broth into bowls. Use tongs to add noodles and pork to bowls. Serve with cilantro leaves, sliced red onion, lemon wedges, jalapeño, bean sprouts, hoisin sauce and chili sauce or sriracha to add in.

Mini Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

  • Prep Time 0:25
  • Cook Time 0:15
  • Estimated Cost $9.00
  • 3 Comments

I recently realized that I have been telling people for years that cinnamon rolls can easily be made out of pizza dough, but that I’ve never actually done a recipe for these easy treats. So when my brother’s girlfriend Holly (who is basically responsible for BrokeAss’ web traffic from the entire state of Texas) asked me for a cinnamon roll recipe (along with a very long list of other recipes that I will slowly but surely get to—I promise), I was happy to oblige.

As for these cinnamon rolls’ “mini” status, I find normal-sized cinnamon rolls to be a little overwhelming, so I make mine little. If your guests are bigger eaters they can just take more.

Ingredients

  • cooking spray or vegetable oil for greasing pan Pantry
  • flour for rolling Pantry
  • 1/2 recipe pizza dough $1.50 for a whole recipe
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature $1 for a stick
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted price listed above
  • 2 tsp cinnamon $1.50 for 1 oz.
  • 1/2 cup sugar Pantry
  • 1/2 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar $1 for 16 oz.
  • 1 tsp vanilla $4 for 4 oz.

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with oil or cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Mix cinnamon and regular sugar in a bowl. Combine well.
  3. On a floured surface, roll pizza dough into a 14" x 10" rectangle. Use a spatula to spread 4 tbsp of the soft butter over the dough, making sure the entire thing is covered.
  4. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter, making sure all is covered. Start at the bottom of the dough and roll the longest way from the bottom to the top, pinching to seal until you have an 10" cylinder.
  5. Cut the cylinder into 10 1" pieces and transfer to prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake cinnamon rolls for 12-15 minutes or until outsides are golden brown and butter-cinnamon mixture begins to lightly bubble. Allow to cool slightly.
  7. Whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tbsp water until creamy. Add a bit more powdered sugar if needed to achieve a smooth glaze.
  8. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve.

Makes 10 cinnamon rolls.

Herb Pesto Pizza with Shaved Asparagus and Fresh Eggs

  • Prep Time 0:25
  • Cook Time 0:12
  • Estimated Cost $13.50
  • 1 Comment

So basically, I went to the farmers market and then turned my purchases into a pizza. The herbs, garlic, cheese, vegetables and eggs are all locally-grown and fresh. If you’re avoiding dairy, the cheese can easily be omitted—it’ll be just as delicious.

Ingredients

  • flour for dusting and rolling Pantry
  • 1/2 recipe pizza dough $1.50 for a whole recipe
  • 1 handful cilantro $1 for a bunch
  • 1 handful flat-leaf parsley $1 for a bunch
  • 3 tbsp olive oil Pantry
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled Pantry
  • 1/8 cup raw almonds $2
  • salt and pepper to taste Pantry
  • 1/2 cup grated white cheddar or mozzarella cheese $3 for 8 oz.
  • 6 stalks asparagus $3 for a bunch
  • 1 tomato, thinly sliced $0.50
  • 2-3 eggs $1.50 for 6

Recipe Serves 2-3

Directions

  1. Preheat oven 475 degrees F. Lightly dust a baking sheet or pizza pan with flour and set aside.
  2. Place herbs, olive oil, garlic and almonds in a food processor or blender and puree into a slightly chunky pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. To shave the asparagus, lay a stalk on a cutting board and carefully run a vegetable peeler over the length of the vegetable, creating a thin strip. Continue until all that is left is as thin strip of asparagus and repeat with remaining asparagus. Set with other pizza ingredients.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll pizza out into a 12" circle. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
  5. Spread pesto over base of dough, leaving a 1" border. Sprinkle with cheese. Crack eggs over cheese. Top with shaved asparagus and tomato slices. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crust is crisp and browned on the edges.
  6. Sprinkle with red chili flakes, if desired.

Shitake Dumplings in a Dashi Mushroom Broth

  • Prep Time 0:45
  • Cook Time 0:25
  • Estimated Cost $19.00
  • 1 Comment

Yesterday, my awesome friend Alex arranged for me to go to modern Asian cuisine restaurant Namu to cook with his friend Chef Dennis Lee. This extraordinary San Francisco gem of a restaurant has been getting a ton of amazing press, and so I was excited to get behind the bar and into the kitchen where the magic happens.

Dennis rolled up to the restaurant at our appointed time on his bike and quickly swapped his sneakers for kitchen clogs and pulled on a beanie to cover his hair. We decided what we’d be cooking and then got to work pulling out the ingredients and equipment (well, he got to work at it—I mostly watched him in awe and snapped photos).

As we cooked, Dennis explained that at Namu, one of the main things they try to do is to isolate the flavor Umami, a basic taste, characterized as “savoriness.” Umami is the dominant flavor in meats, mushrooms, dashi and bonito. The dish we cooked is simply layers upon layers of the Shitake flavor—and hence Umami.

24 hours later, I still can’t get the flavor of this amazing dumpling dish out of my mind. If you haven’t checked out Namu yet, you must go. Tell them Gabi sent you.

Notes: Dennis gave me a great idea for home cooks that I want to share with you: puree equal parts of ginger and garlic and keep in an airtight container for easy use when making soups, sauces, noodles, etc. It’ll keep for up to a week.

Also, when you buy your mushrooms, feel free to buy the #2 type of Shitake. They’re less pretty but they’re cheaper and work just as well.

Ingredients

  • 1 5"x5" piece dashi kombu $1.50 for 6
  • 1 large handful bonito flakes $5 for 4 oz.
  • 1/2 lb fresh (preferably organic) Shitake mushrooms, 3/4 thinly sliced, 1/4 roughly chopped $2
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided $1 for a stick
  • olive oil Pantry
  • 1/8 cup English peas, shelled (or frozen peas) $1.50
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced $0.50
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce Pantry
  • 1/2 cup mirin (Japanese cooking wine) $3 for 10 oz.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced finely Pantry
  • 1 small piece ginger, minced finely $0.50
  • 8 small square won ton skins $1.50 for 30
  • 1 egg $1.50 for 6
  • 2 scallions, sliced $1 for a bunch
  • salt and pepper Pantry

Recipe Serves 2-3

Directions

  1. To make the stock, place the dashi kombu and the bonito flakes in a soup pot with 2 quarts of water. Bring to a simmer and then turn off heat. Allow mixture to sit for 10 minutes. Strain and add soy sauce and mirin. Set aside.
  2. To make the filling, heat 2 tbsp of the butter in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 of the garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds, making sure the garlic doesn't brown. Add the thinly sliced mushrooms and allow to cook for about a minute.
  3. Use an 1/8 cup ladle or measuring cup to add the dashi broth 1/8 cup at a time. Turn the heat up to high as you do this to encourage the mixture to reduce. Add 6 ladles of broth slowly, allowing the mixture to cook and reduce in between broth additions. Use a spoon or scraper to scrape the browning that occurs on the edges and stir it into the mixture. Spread filling onto a sheet pan or clean plate to allow it to cool.
  4. To make the broth, heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Saute shallots, remaining garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, avoiding browning. Add mushrooms and peas. Add 5 1/8 cup ladles of the dashi stock and simmer lightly, just until the vegetables cook, about 1 minute. Turn off heat.
  5. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
  6. While water boils, make the egg wash by beating the egg and about 1 tbsp water with a fork until nearly white.
  7. Set won ton wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Use a pastry brush to coat the borders of each won ton wrapper with the egg wash.
  8. Use a teaspoon to place a small amount of filling in the center of each wrapper ("Don't be overzealous with the filling!" says Chef Dennis Lee).
  9. Gently pinch the corners together to form a point and tightly seal the edges to lock in the filling. Make sure to press the air out of the middle of the dumplings as excess air will cause them to fall apart during cooking.
  10. Cook the dumplings in the boiling water until they float and appear nearly translucent, 5-6 minutes.
  11. While the dumplings cook, turn the heat to medium-low on the broth-vegetable mixture up, just to reheat. Once dumplings have cooked, fish out using a slotted spoon or strainer and add to broth. Cook for 1-2 minutes to incorporate flavors.
  12. Serve in bowls, garnished with scallions.