these are a few of my favorite things

pumpkin oat bars

2011-11-23T13:03:00.000-05:00

Adapted from a recipe posted by active.com

Ingredients:

Cooking Spray
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
¼ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup cold, unsalted butter cut into half inch cubes

2 cups pumpkin puree (if using fresh, make sure you let it drain well first)
2 eggs plus one egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, ¼ c brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in the butter to the dry mixture until it resembles a coarse meal. Do not over mix, but leave some of the butter in chunks.

3. Pour half the dry mixture into the baking pan and press in lightly. Bake for at least 15-20 minutes until slightly browned.

4. In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, egg yolk, ½ c brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix thoroughly. Pour wet mixture onto partially baked crust, and sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Bake until the topping is slightly browned, usually about 30 to 35 minutes.

veal and wild mushroom ragu

2011-01-24T17:43:00.002-05:00

This is based very closely on Marcella Hazan's recipe in Marcella Says...

I don't think the exact proportions of the different varieties of mushrooms are essential; however, you do want both dried and fresh, as the dried provide an earthy richness that makes the dish much more interesting.

1 oz dried porcini mushrooms
1 oz dried shiitake mushrooms
2-4 oz sundried tomatoes, roughly chopped
8 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms
8-12 oz fresh cremini mushrooms
8-12 oz fresh white button mushrooms
olive oil
1 c finely chopped shallots
4 T butter
1 c finely chopped onion
1-1 1/2 lbs ground veal
1 c dry white wine
1/4 c dry vermouth
6-10 fresh ripe plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

The day before, put the dried porcini and shiitake mushrooms in a heat safe container (I use a 3-cup glass measuring pitcher) and pour very hot or boiling water over them. Let soak overnight. Do the same for the tomatoes if they are very dehydrated. If not, maybe soak for an hour or two before preparing.

When ready to prepare, remove and discard the fresh shiitake stems. Brush mushrooms with a damp cloth as needed to clean them, then slice very thin.

Strain dried mushrooms, pouring liquid into a bowl to set aside. Wash the soaked mushrooms, and cut any oversized pieces into bite-sized ones. Pour the soaking liquid through a coffee filter or paper towel to remove grit and dirt.

Heat the olive oil over medium high in a 12" saute pan, and add the shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until colored a deep gold. Add the soaked mushrooms, cook for a minute or two, then add the soaking liquid and cook until liquid has evaporated.

Once liquid is gone, add as many of the fresh mushrooms as will fit, and sprinkle with salt. Turn them over once or twice to coat well, then turn the heat down to medium/medium-low. When the mushrooms have released some liquid and shrunk in bulk, add the remaining mushrooms. Cook, turning over occasionally, until they are very soft and all liquid has evaporated; this will probably take about 90 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, when mushrooms are cooking, put the butter and the chopped onion in a second saute pan. Cook the onion, stirring from time to time, until it begins to brown. Add the ground veal, crumbling it with your fingers or a fork, and turn to coat well. When the meat has browned lightly and uniformly, pour the wine and vermouth into the pan, and add salt/pepper to taste.

Once the wine has bubbled away completely, add the sundried tomatoes and fresh tomatoes, and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible (on your smallest burner). Cook uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring from time to time.

Once both meat and mushrooms are finished, empty contents of both pants into a large bowl, and stir gently but thoroughly to combine.

Wipe both pans clean. Divide the meat-mushroom mixture between both pans, and cook on medium low for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. If not using the sauce the same day, empty the contents of both pans into the bowl, cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently but thoroughly before using.

You can refrigerate the finished sauce in a tightly sealed container for 5 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Bring to room temp before reheating.

fried black eyed peas

2011-01-02T09:40:00.001-05:00

adapted from a recipe I found in the paper, and inspired by the fried black eyed peas at Relish, in Roswell

16 oz dried black eyed peas (although, if you're Sherm, use chick peas)
1 carrot, peeled and cut in half lengthways
1 celery, cut in half lengthways
1/2 onion, peeled
1 bay leaf
1-2 t Old Bay seasoning (could use any spicy seasoning blend, such as creole)
canola oil, at least a few quarts
salt
other seasonings to taste

Rinse and drain the peas, pick through for stones or other debris. Put in big pot and cover with cold water. Let soak overnight.

In the morning, add the celery, carrot, onion, bay leaf and seasoning to the beans and water, and simmer until peas are almost done (done but still a little firm), usually around 40 minutes. Drain and chill.

When ready to fry, heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy, deep pot to 350 degrees. Fry peas in batches, using a slotted spoon to transfer them to hot oil. Be careful not to put too many in, because of the high moisture content, the oil will bubble up significantly when you add the peas. The oil will drop in temp with each batch, so let it heat back up before doing the next batch.

Fry each batch around 2 minutes, until peas are starting to brown a bit. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a strainer or paper towels to cool. Sprinkle with salt and other seasonings of your choice. Creole seasoning is good, as is lemon pepper.

basler brunsli (traditional swiss cookies, revised)

2009-12-12T17:31:00.002-05:00

This is supposedly a traditional Swiss Christmas cookie--I fiddled with the recipe until it turned out the way I wanted.

8 oz Trader Joe’s almond meal
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
250g Trader Joe’s bittersweet chocolate with almonds, roughly chopped (I buy the half kilo bars in the baking chocolates section).
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large egg whites

In a food processor combine almond meal and chocolate and pulse until chocolate is well ground. Add sugars and spices and mix until fine. (Do not overmix or chocolate will melt.) Add spices and egg whites and mix until dough comes together. I usually turn the dough out into a metal bowl and finish mixing with my hands, just to make sure the dry stuff in the corners gets well incorporated. Chill dough for about 1/2 hour.

Preheat oven to 350º F. On a surface covered with sugar, roll dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out cookies with a small cookie cutter (heart or star shaped is traditional) and transfer onto baking pan lined with parchment paper.

Put cookies into the oven and reduce the temperature to 325º F. Bake for 15 minutes or until firm. Be careful not to overbake or the cookies will be too hard.

pan-fried onion dip

2009-09-06T00:43:00.004-04:00

adapted from one of my new favorite food bloggers, Rebecca at Ezra Pound Cake, who adapted it from Ina Garten's recipe in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

2 large yellow onions, or 3 medium
2 T unsalted butter
1/8 c vegetable oil
1/4 t ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 t kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1/4 t white pepper, freshly ground if possible
1/4 - 1/2 t dried thyme
4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature, light is fine
1/2 c yogurt, lowfat is fine
1/4 - 1/2 c mayonnaise (as usual, we recommend Blue Plate or Duke's)
onion salt to taste, optional

1. Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half-rounds. (You will have about 3 cups of onions.) Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, cayenne, salt and pepper, and saute for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 more minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized. Allow the onions to cool.

2. Place the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Taste for seasonings. Depending on how much bite your onions have, you may need to add onion salt or granulated onion at this point. Depending on how dense you want the finished product, you can mix at a medium high speed for a few more minutes to get it nice and airy. This can be refrigerated until needed in an air-tight container, but take it out of the fridge ahead of time so that you can serve at room temperature.

Key Lime Pie

2009-08-11T22:14:00.004-04:00

crust:
1 1/4 c gingersnap crumbs
2 T sugar
1/3 c butter,melted

filling:
5 large eggs yolks
1/2 c key lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/3 c sugar
1/8 t salt
2 T lime peel coarsely grated
2 1/2 c heavy cream
1 small lime,sliced,optional

Prepare crust:
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
In 9" pie plate combine gingersnap crumbs and 2 T. sugar; stir in butter until blended.
Press mixture firmly and evenly over bottom and sides of pie plate; bake 10 minutes until browned. Cool completely on wire rack.

Prepare filling:
In top of double boiler using wire whisk, beat egg yolks, lime juice, 1/3 cup sugar and salt until well blended. Set over simmering water; cook about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is thick enough to coat back of metal spoon. Remove from heat; stir in grated lime peel.

Refrigerate mixture about 45 minutes until cool. Meanwhile, in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed, beat cream until soft peaks form. Set 1 cup whipped cream asidefor garnish; fold cooled lime mixture into remaining cream. Spoon filling into prepared crust; refrigerate at least 2 hours until set.

To serve:
Spoon remaining whipped cream decoratively over top of pie; sprinkle cream with remaining 1 T lime peel. Garnish with limeslices, if desired.

Serves: 8

Carrot Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

2009-08-10T21:16:00.004-04:00

from Allrecipes.com

makes 12 regular-sized cupcakes.

2 oz white chocolate
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 t orange extract
4 c confectioner's sugar

2 T heavy cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 c + 2 t white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 t vanilla extract
2 c shredded carrots
1/2 c crushed pineapple
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 1/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/4 t ground ginger
1 c chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350F and put muffin cups into a muffin pan.

In a small saucepan, melt white chocolate over a low heat. Stir until the melted chocolate is smooth, and then let it cool to room temperature.

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter till it's smooth. Mix in the melted white chocolate, one teasspoon of vanilla, and orange extract. Gradually beat in the confectioner's sugar until the mixture is fluffy. Mix in the heavy cream.

Beat together the eggs, white sugar and brown sugar in a bowl, and mix in the oil and the other teaspoon of vanilla. Fold in the carrots and the pineapple. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Mix the flour mixture into the carrot mixture until it's moist. Fold in HALF of the nuts and then spoon the mix into the muffin cups.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool completely on a cooling rack, before topping with the icing and a sprinkle of the remaining nuts.

baby back ribs

2009-08-10T21:10:00.005-04:00

ribs:

3 slabs baby back pork ribs (about 6 lbs)

1/4 c lemon juice

1/4 c olive oil

rib rub:

1 c Greek seasoning (sometimes we use rib rub or make our own)

1/4 c garlic powder

1/4 c paprika

1/4 c firmly packed brown sugar

sauce:

1 T butter

1 T olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

1 c firmly packed brown sugar

1 c cider vinegar

1 c chili sauce

1 c bottled barbecue sauce

1 T mustard powder

1 T paprika

3 T fresh lemon juice

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T hot sauce

2 T molasses

salt

pepper

Make rub by mixing together the Greek seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar.

To make the sauce, melt butter with olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion and next 3 ingredients, and saute 5-6 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in brown sugar and remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer to bowl, discarding solids. Rub and sauce can be made days ahead of time.

Rinse and pat ribs dry. Remove the thin membrane from back of ribs by slicing into it with a knife and then pulling. Place lemon juice in small bowl and add oil in slow stream, whisking. Coat ribs evenly with lemon juice mix. Sprinkle evenly with rub and rub it into the meat. Wrap ribs in plastic, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then put in fridge to chill overnight.

The next day remove the plastic, wrap in heavy foil, and put then on baking sheets, and put the ribs in a 200-degree oven. Cook for at least six hours. You can unwrap the foil at the top but make sure the ribs do not dry out by basting with the juices in the foil packets.

We like to finish these up on the grill right before serving, basting with some of the sauce until heated completely through.

tomato feta pasta

2009-07-20T13:24:00.005-04:00

all quantities are rough estimates. this dish is an art, not a science.

1 yellow onion, or 4 shallots, diced
2 cloves garlic, pressed, or finely minced
decent olive oil
red pepper flakes (optional)
4 medium tomatoes, chopped into small chunks
8 oz good feta, preferably packed in brine, crumbled**
freshly ground black pepper
fresh basil chiffonade

If serving with pasta, start the water before you do any prep work. By the time you're done chopping, the water should be hot enough to add the pasta. The sauce doesn't take long to make but it does require frequent attention. We like thin spaghetti or angel hair with this sauce, but smaller pasta like penne works too.

Heat olive oil in a good sized skillet over medium high heat until shimmering, then add onion, stir for a minute, turn down heat to medium, and add garlic. Stir frequently so garlic does not turn brown. Throw in red pepper flakes to taste.

When onion and garlic are soft, add tomatoes including any juices they produced when chopped. cook for another few minutes until tomatoes begin to soften. Turn heat to low, add feta, stir gently. Cook at least long enough to warm the feta through, but keep an eye on it as the feta chunks will break down quickly.

Remove from heat, add black pepper to taste. Serve over pasta, sprinkling basil on top.

**Good feta makes or breaks this sauce. I have been fond of a certain goat-sheep's milk imported blend from the DeKalb Farmers Market, but they don't seem to have it anymore. The Pastures of Eden feta from Trader Joe's is a very good alternative. It's not cheap, but has the right blend of creamy, tangy, and salty; and we consistently prefer it to other more expensive feta from Whole Foods.

mascarpone tart with fresh strawberries and port glaze

2009-07-12T20:16:00.004-04:00

from Epicurious.com

For tart shell:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons cold water

For filling:
1 1/2 pounds strawberries (about 1 1/2 quarts), trimmed and halved lengthwise
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup ruby Port
1 pound mascarpone (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

To make tart shell:
Blend together flour, sugar, salt, and butter in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) just until mixture resembles coarse meal with some roughly pea-size butter lumps. Beat together yolk, vanilla, lemon juice, and water with a fork, then drizzle over flour mixture and stir with fork (or pulse) until mixture comes together.

Gently knead with floured hands on a lightly floured surface until a dough forms, then gently knead 4 or 5 times. Press into a 5-inch disk. Place in center of tart pan and cover with plastic wrap. Using your fingers and bottom of a flat-bottomed measuring cup, spread and push dough to evenly cover bottom and side of pan. Prick bottom of tart shell all over with a fork and freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.

Line tart shell with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until side is set and edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights and continue to bake until shell is deep golden all over, about 20 minutes more. Cool in pan, about 45 minutes.

Make filling while tart shell cools:
Stir together strawberries and granulated sugar in a bowl and let stand, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Strain in a sieve set over a small saucepan, reserving berries. Add Port to liquid in saucepan and boil until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, whisk together mascarpone, confectioners sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until stiff.

Assemble tart:
Spread mascarpone mixture evenly in cooled tart shell, then top with strawberries. Drizzle Port glaze all over tart.

two-bite brownies

2009-06-01T20:46:00.001-04:00

about 72 mini-cupcakes

vegetable-oil cooking spray

4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces

8 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 3/4 c all-purpose flour

1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)

1/2 t salt

3 3/4 c granulated sugar

8 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line mini-cupcake tins with liners. Spray liners with cooking spray. If not using liners, mix 1 T cocoa powder with 1/2 c flour, spray tins with cooking spray and dust cups thoroughly with the cocoa-flour mixture.

Melt butter and chocolate in a 4-qt heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring until smooth. Whisk together flour, cocoa and salt. Remove pan from heat and whisk in granulated sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking after each addition until incorporated, and stir in flour mixture until blended.

Spoon batter into muffin liners, filling cups to top, and bake in middle of the oven 25-30 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering. Cool 5 minutes in tins and turn out onto racks. Repeat with remaining batter.

cornmeal-crusted black bean cakes

2009-05-10T18:23:00.003-04:00

1 16oz can black beans, drained but not rinsed
4 green onions, finely chopped
1 egg
1/2 c diced red or yellow bell pepper
1/2 c corn flakes cereal, crushed, or finely crushed corn chips
1 T chopped cilantro
1 t chipotle chile powder
1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 t granulated garlic
hot pepper sauce
1/3 c cornmeal
2 T olive oil

Combine all ingredients except cornmeal and olive oil in medium bowl; refrigerate 1 hour.

Place cornmeal in large shallow bowl. Shape bean mixture into 6 3" patties, using 1/3 cup per patty. Gently press each patty in cornmeal to coat.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Gently cook patties in batches, 6 to 8 minutes or until slightly browned, turning once. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole or sour cream.

6 servings, 160 cals, 6 g fat, 6.5 g protein, 21.5 g cabs, 6.5 g fiber

citrus roast chicken

2009-04-23T18:32:00.002-04:00

1 4 lb whole chicken
1 T chopped fresh oregano
1 T chopped fresh parsley
1 T chopped fresh cilantro or rosemary
1 t kosher salt
1 t ground cumin
2 T butter, softened
3/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1/2 t paprika
5 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
1 small orange, quartered
1 lemon, quartered
1 small onion, quartered
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken; trim excess fat. Starting at heck cavity, loosen skin from breasts and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat.

Combine oregano and next 7 ingredients (through paprike) in a small bowl. Rub oregano mixture under loosened skin and over breasts and drumsticks. Place garlic in body cavity, arrange orange, lemon, and onion quarters in cavity.

Tie ends of legs together with twine. Lift wing tips up and over back, tuck under chicken. Place chicken, breast side up, on a roasting pan coated to cooking spray. Bake at 375 for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until thermometer registers 165 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes. Discard skin. Remove orange quarters, squeeze juice over chicken. Discard oranges, garlic cloves, lemons, and onions.

lemon-almond buttermilk loaf

2009-03-21T20:08:00.001-04:00

from Epicurious.com

2 1/4 c all-purpose flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 t baking soda

2 c sugar

3/4 c unsalted butter, room temperature

3 large eggs

1/4 t almond extract

3/4 c buttermilk

3/4 c ground almonds

1 T grated lemon peel

5 T fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9x5x2 1/2" metal loaf pan. Sift flour, salt, and baking soda into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 c sugar and butter in large bowl until well-blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in almond extract.

Add dry ingredients to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each, beating until well blended after each addition. Add ground almonds and lemon peel and beat 1 minute. Transfer batter to prepared pan.

Bake cake until deep golden brown and cracked on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 25 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir remaining 1/2 c sugar and 5 T lemon juice in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Place rack on baking sheet. Turn cake out onto rack, top side up. using skewer or toothpick, poke holes 1 to 2 inches apart all over cake. Brush top and sides of cake with all of lemon glaze, allowing some glaze to soak into cake before brushing with more. Cook cake completely.

dilled new potato salad

2009-03-17T19:14:00.001-04:00

from prevention.com

2 lb small waxy potatoes

1-2 ribs celery, thinly sliced

1 c lightly mashed haas avocado (about 2 avocados)

1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 T reduced-fat sour cream

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1 T finely chopped fresh dill

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold water (add salt if desired). Bring to a boil and cook 20 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Chill in refrigerator for about an hour.

Slice potatoes and place in large bowl. Stir in celery. Mix avocado and lemon juice in small bowl . Add sour cream, scallions, dill and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Combine with potato mixture. Serve immediately, garnishing with more fresh dill if desired.

Add more lemon juice to leftovers to help maintain color. Keep tightly covered and chilled.

4 servings, 273 cal,10 g fat, 6 g protein, 43 g carb, 8 g fiber

oven-seared salmon with snap peas

2009-03-10T18:13:00.002-04:00

4 6oz salmon filets, skin removed
4 T butter, divided
1/4 c minced shallots
4 T chopped fresh dill or tarragon
1 1/2 c diagonally thinly sliced sugar snap peas (1/8" slices)
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle salmon lightly with salt and pepper.

Melt 2 T of the butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add salmon, increase heat to medium-high. Cook 60 to 90 seconds or until salmon just begins to lightly brown. Turn salmon, place on small rimmed baking sheet.

Melt remaining 2 T butter in same skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots, cook 10 seconds or until fragrant. Sppon 1 T of the shallot mixture over slamon; sprinkle with 2 T of the dill. Bake 4-7 minutes or until salmon just beings to flake.

Meanwhile, ad peas to skillet; toss to coat with shallot mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 2 T dill and season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes or until peas are tender-crisp. Serve salmon wiht peas.

4 servings, 365 cals, 22 g fat, 38g protein, 5 g carbs, 1 g fiber

sun-dried tomato biscuits

2009-02-26T20:01:00.001-05:00

from This Is Atlanta Cooking, Rathbun's episode

1 1/4 c buttermilk

1/2 t salt

1 t sugar

freshly ground black pepper

2 1/4 c all-purpose flour

1/2 c cubed unsalted butter, chilled

1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes, warmed and softened, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut butter into flour until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Stir in baking powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in tomatoes. Pour in buttermilk while folding until most of the flour is incorporated. Do not overmix. Sprinkle a little flour on the counter and gently form dough together. Sprinkle flour on top and use biscuit cutter to cut into rounds. Bake on ungreased sheet for about 12 minutes.

spicy hot chicken soup

2009-02-03T20:24:00.003-05:00

This soup is excellent for eating when you have a cold. From the Penzey's catalog.

about 8 servings

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)

2 T vegetable oil

2 medium onion, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 t cayenne pepper

1 t powdered ginger

8 c water

2 T chicken soup base

3/4 lb extra wide egg noodles

2 scallions

Cut the chicken meat into 3/4" cubes. In a large, heavy pot or soup kettle, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken, and then cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the onions and garlic until everything is starting to brown up, add the cayenne pepper and ginger.

Stir constantly for about a minute, and then add the water and chicken soup base. Let everything come to a slow boil and then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 20 minutes. Bring a separate pot of water for the noodles to a boil, add noodles and cook for 1 minute less than the recommended cooking time on the bag. Drain the noodles and add to the pot of soup, turn off the soup, let stand 5 minutes and serve. Top each bowl with a sprinkling of chopped scallions.

Noodles don't reheat very well, so if the soup won't be eaten all at once, add some cooked noodles to each bowl, top with soup, let stand a few minutes for the noodles to absorb the chicken flavor, and keep the rest of the noodles in a covered container in the fridge to add to the reheated soup the next day, or just cook new ones.

basic Brussels sprouts

2009-01-30T20:20:00.001-05:00

from Alton Brown

1 lb Brussels sprouts

1/2 c water

1/4-1/2 t kosher salt

Cut off the stem end of the Brussels sprouts and remove any yellowing outer leaves. Cut each Brussels sprout in half from top to bottom. Place the Brussels sprouts, water and salt into a 3 to 4 qt saucier and cover. Place over high heat and cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Remove, toss with a bit of butter, and serve immediately.

cinnamon-almond snaps

2009-01-10T15:52:00.002-05:00

These are strangely addictive, especially with tea or coffee. Excellent for the holidays. I have no idea where we found this recipe, but we didn't create it ourselves.

makes about twelve dozen small cookies

3 c all purpose flour
2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1 c unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 t salt
1 3/4 c blanched sliced or slivered almonds

Sift first four ingredients into medium bowl. Beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in both sugars. Add egg and egg yolk; beat to blend. Beat in vanilla and salt.

Add flour mixture and beat until dough comes together in moist clumps. Add almonds and knead gently in bowl wiht hands until blended.

David dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each into 10" long log, about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2" in diameter. Wrap dough in 2 layers of plastic and place in freezer until frozen, at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 month ahead. Keep frozen.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Working with one log at a time, remove plastic and cut crosswise into 1/4"-thick-rounds. Place rounds on ungreased baking sheet, spacing 1" apart. Bake until light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer cookies ot rack and cool completely. Store airtight at room temperature.

Russian tea cakes

2008-12-20T16:09:00.001-05:00

from Epicurious.com

2 1/4 c all purpose flour
1/4 t salt
1 c butter, room temperature
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla extract
3/4 c finely chopped husked hazelnuts, toasted
powdered sugar for rolling

Sift flour and salt together. using electric mixer, cream butter in large bowl until light. Gradually add 1/2 c powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients in three batches. Mix in hazelnuts. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Form dough into 1" balls. Space 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until just firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool slightly. Roll in powdered sugar. Cool completely. Roll cookies in powdered sugar again. Store in airtight container for at least a few days.

cranberry orange oatmeal cookies

2008-12-19T16:16:00.001-05:00

adapted from several similar recipes to suit our tastes

1 3/4 c all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
3/4 t salt
2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t ground cloves
6 T unsalted butter, room temperature
10 T vegetable shortening (preferably Crisco butter flavor), room temperature
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 t vanilla extract
1/4 t orange oil
1 1/3 c old-fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
1 1/2 c dried cranberries, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two light colored baking sheets.

Stir dry ingredients in small bowl to blend. Using electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugars in large bowl until blended and smooth, about 1 minute. Add egg, vanilla, and orange oil, and mix thoroughly. Stir in flour mixture and just incorporated, then stir in oatmeal an cranberries.

Using a tablespoon or a #50 disher, drop dough onto sheet. Bake until tops and bottoms are lightly golden, rotating baking sheets, front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking to ensure even browning, about 10-13 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

Will keep for several days in airtight container. Should freeze well.

quick italian breaad

2008-11-02T19:05:00.001-05:00

from recipeland.com

makes 1 loaf

2 1/4 t yeast, active dry
7/8 c warm water
2 1/2 c bread flour
1 1/2 t sugar, divided
1 1/2 t salt
cornmeal

Proof yeast and 1 t sugar in 7/8 c warm water for 10 minutes in a warm place. In food processor fitted with dough blade, mix flour, remaining 1/2 t sugar and the salt for 20 seconds. With processor running, pour in the yeast mixture in a continuous stream. Dough should combine and pull away from the sides of the bowl within a few seconds. Add more warm water by the teaspoon if necessary. After dough combines, let processor run for 30-40 seconds to knead.

Remove dough and roll it with your hands to about 18 inches long. Place on baking sheet that has been sprinkled with cornmeal to prevent dough from sticking. Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 minutes. Remove plastic and diagonally slash loaf with sharp knife at about three-inch intervals. Put in middle of the oven. Spray loaf with water and bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

rustic shrimp stew

2008-10-04T18:39:00.001-04:00

from wholeliving.com

makes 4 servings

2 T olive oil
1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed, halved and thinly sliced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, quarted and sliced crosswise
2 links (3 oz each), fully cooked Italian-style chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/4 t cayenne pepper
2 T all-purpose flour
2 c reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 c parsley leaves, chopped
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add potatoes, carrots, garlic, onion, sausage, and cayenne; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp-tender, 15 to 17 minutes.

Sprinkle flour over potatoes and vegetables. Stir in broth, bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes more. Top mixture with shrimp. Cover and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until shrimp are opaque throughout. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.

chicken and white bean soup with greens

2008-09-30T19:53:00.001-04:00

from health.com

1 T olive oil

2-3 thinly sliced leeks, white parts only

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 c carrot, cut into 1/4" thick slices

6 c low sodium low fat chicken broth

1 1/2 c shredded rotisserie chicken

1 fresh rosemary sprig

1 19oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 c packed roughly chopped fresh kale

1 c packed baby spinach

1 T chopped fresh parsley

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Heat oil in a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 3-4 minutes or until tender but not browned. Add carrots and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add broth, chicken and rosemary and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add beans and kale, and simmer for about 5 minutes more. Add spinach and cook 2-3 minutes more or until tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove rosemary sprig (and garlic cloves, if desired). Ladle soup into 6 warm bowls; sprinkle each with fresh parsley.

6 servings, 209 cals, 6 g fat, 20 g protein, 21 g carbs, 5 g fiber

oriental chicken salad

2008-09-10T20:53:00.002-04:00

this is our attempt to recreate the chinese chicken salad from california pizza kitchen

chicken:

1/4 c teriyaki sauce

2 t olive oil

1 t minced garlic

1 t minced fresh ginger

1 to 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

salad:

greenleaf or iceberg lettuce, washed, dried, and cut into 1/8"-wide strips

romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and cut into 1/8"-wide strips

1 c shredded carrots

1/3 c sesame seeds, toasted

1/3 c minced fresh cilantro

1 red or yellow bell pepper, julienned

1 cucumber, seeds scooped out and julienned

12 large fresh basil leaves, cut crosswise into thin strips

1 large bunch scallions, thinly sliced, both green and white parts

dressing:

1 c bottle hoisin sauce

3 oz red wine vinegar

2 T minced fresh ginger

2 T Dijon mustard

1 1/2 t Vietnamese chili sauce

1/2 c olive oil

2 T toasted sesame oil

Put all the dressing ingredients except the 2 oils in a mixing bowl. Blend thoroughly with a handheld electric mixer or a whisk. Then, mixing or whisking continuously, slowly pour in the olive an sesame oils, stirring until thoroughly blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Preheat a stovetop grill or the broiler. In a mixing bowl, stir together the teriyaki sauce, olive oil, garlic and ginger. Coat the chicken with the marinade and leave them to sit for 10 minutes at room temperature. Grill or broil the chicken until cooked through, 5-6 minutes per side. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator, then cut crosswise into 1/4" strips. Cover and refrigerate.

Combine lettuces, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and basil. Add most of scallions and some dressing. Toss to combine. Transfer to serving plates. Arrange chicken strips on top of each salad. Drizzle a little salad dressing on top and garnish with remaining scallions.

French Tuna Salad

2008-09-05T23:24:00.002-04:00

(From the New York Times Magazine 9/5/04)

10 to 12 ounces good-quality solid tuna packed in olive oil, well drained
2 scallions washed, trimmed and chopped fine
6 pepperoncini peppers, destemmed and julienned
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup roasted or smoked almonds, chopped roughly, or a small handful toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup good-quality olive oil (or the oil the tuna was packed in)
1 tablespoon smooth Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or more to taste
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Mix all the ingredients well with a fork in a medium-size, nonreactive bowl. Taste and adjust the lemon juice and pepper. The salad can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated.

Yield: About 2 cups.

chicken broccoli ziti skillet dinner

2008-08-24T23:06:00.002-04:00

from America's Test Kitchen

cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite sized pieces on the diagonal, season with salt and pepper.

heat a tablespoon of veg oil in a large nonstick skillet, when pan is hot add chicken, leave for a few minutes to brown on one side, then stir to cook other sides.

mince half a large onion and three cloves of garlic. when chicken is mostly cooked, remove it, add another tablespoon of oil, the onion, and 1/2 t salt. cook for 3-5 minutes until onion begins to soften, then add 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 t oregano, 1/8 t red pepper flakes, 8 oz ziti, 1 can low sodium chicken broth (1 3/4 c), 2 c water. turn up heat to high and simmer uncovered.

meanwhile cut broccoli into evenly sized bite sized florets. rinse 3-4 oil packed sun dried tomatoes, then chop them finely.

once liquid is almost completely absorbed, add 3/4 c water, the broccoli florets, and the sun dried tomatoes. cover and steam for 2-3 minutes.

meanwhile, shred 1/2-3/4 c asiago cheese. uncover skillet, add the chicken, 1/2 c heavy cream and the shredded cheese, and simmer for a minute or two until the sauce starts to thicken. serve with a little shredded asiago on top.

brown rice crispy bars

2008-07-28T20:16:00.001-04:00

adapted from Alton Brown

3 oz puffed brown rice

3 T flax seed oil, plus extra for the pan

1 T honey

7 oz mini-marshmallows

3 oz toasted slivered almonds

4 oz dried chopped fruit (cranberries and cherries)

Lightly coat the inside of a 13x9x2" metal pan wiht oil and set aside. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Spread the brown puffed rice evenly on a sheet pan. Toast in the oven for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the rice is toasting, prepare the marshmallow mixture. Place the oil, honey, and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl set over a port of gently simmering water. Stir until the marshmallows are melted, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

Once the marshmallows are melted, quickly add the toasted brown rice, almonds, and fruit; stir to combine. Coat your hands or a spatula with oil and spreadh the mixture evenly in the pan. Once the mixture has cooled completely, cut into squares and store in an airtight container for a few days.

ginger-infused rice pudding

2008-06-22T20:35:00.000-04:00

makes 10 small servings

syrup

1/2 c water

2/3 c cup plus 2 T brown sugar

1/2 c granulated sugar

pudding

3 T grated peeled fresh ginger

3 c low-fat milk, divided

3 c plain soy milk

1 c short-grain rice

1/4 c heavy cream

sliced fresh strawberries and crystallized ginger, for garnish

To make the syrup, combine water and sugars in a medium saucepain. Cook over medium heat until boiling. Turn heat to low, stir and simmer about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Combine milk, soy milk, and ginger in a large saucepain. Simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Occasionally skim top. Pour milk/ginger mixture through a sieve to separate out ginger.

Stir rice and syrup into milk (you may not want all the syrup if you don't want it quite as sweet). Cook on high until mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring often, until pudding thickens and rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Add heavy cream.

Spoon pudding into each of 10 cups, topping each with strawberry slices and ginger, if desired.

bistro steak with garlic & olive oil mashed potatoes

2008-06-15T17:04:00.004-04:00

using rinse and pat steaks dry on paper towels. season liberally with salt and pepper. place on baking rack set on jellyroll pan and put in 275 degree oven for around 20-30 minutes until internal temperature is 90-95 degrees.

wash 2 pounds of russet potatoes. do not peel or cut out bad spots (you will do this later) put them in a pot and add cold water to cover by about 1". bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

while potatoes are cooking:
put 4 oz olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. mince/press 5 cloves of garlic into oil. cook until garlic is golden. meanwhile, put 6 oz of olive oil in a medium bowl. mince/press one clove of garlic onto a cutting board, then sprinkle a bit of salt on and smear with the side of a knife to make a paste. add that paste to the uncooked oil.

after about 5 minutes of cooking, the garlic/oil mixture on the stove should be ready. add to the fresh garlic/oil mixture. add a squeeze of lemon, a teaspoon of kosher salt and mix.

as potatoes finish (a knife should pierce very easily), remove them from the oil. hold the potato in a towel, and remove the peel with a knife. mash into a large bowl using a potato ricer. repeat until all potatoes are cooked, peeled, and mashed. stir in garlic/olive oil mixture.

unless serving immediately, keep potatoes warm by making a double boiler by turning the cooking water to a very low temperature, and placing the plastic-wrapped bowl on top.

put a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a 12" skillet and heat until oil is shimmering. add the steaks, spacing them evenly. steaks will start to smoke quickly. after 60-120 seconds, depending on thickness, the steaks should be ready to flip. after another 45-90 seconds, they should be done (120-125 degrees internally for rareish). remove from the pan and set on clean rack. brown the sides by turning the pan down to medium heat, and using tongs to hold the steaks to the pan, rotating a few times until all sides are evenly browned.

to make a pan sauce, pour the grease out of the skillet, but do not scrape bottom. add a little vegetable oil and 8 oz of mushrooms and let wilt for about five minutes over medium heat. meanwhile, mince a shallot finely. while mushrooms are golden, add shallots and saute until softened. add 1/2 c chicken broth, 1 c red wine and bring to a simmer. cook for about 6 minutes until the liquid is a little syrupy. add a tablespoon or two of balsamic vinegar, a couple tablespoons of dijon mustard, chopped fresh chives. then whisk in a couple tablespoons of cold butter; sauce should be glossy and somewhat thickened. stir in any juice from the dripping pan.

Cream of Avocado Soup

2008-06-12T23:11:00.000-04:00

1 T unsalted butter
1 very small onion, chopped (about 1/3 c)
2 t peeled finely chopped fresh ginger root
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, scooped out
¼ c fresh basil leaves
¼ c fresh cilantro leaves
¼ to 1/3 c heavy cream
¼ to 1/3 c fresh lime juice
3 ½ c ice water
salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

Place small pan over med low heat; when hot, add butter. When butter is melted, add onion, ginger, garlic, cook til golden. Cool for at least 5 minutes.

Place the avocados, basil, cilantro, cream, and lime juice in a blender and blend until pureed. Gradually, while the machine is running, add the water and reserved onion mixture and blend until completely smooth. Add seasonings to taste.

Transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Garnish with basil and cilantro.

cheese straws

2008-06-09T23:49:00.001-04:00

recipe #1

Into the food processor put 4 oz. grated extra-sharp cheddar, 4 Tbs softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes and pulse until it resembles coarse meal. Then add 1 Tbs half and half and process until it forms a ball.

Now you roll it out into a 8 X 10 inch rectangle on a floured surface.

After that, you cut the dough into long, tin strips 1/4 top 1/3 inch wide. Place on a cookie sheet 1/4 inch apart:

Then bake 12 to 15 minutes in a 350 oven until the ends are barely browned. Take out, cool and eat!

recipe #2:

from the NY Times

Time: 20 minutes

½ pound Cheddar or other hard, flavorful cheese
1/3 pound Parmesan cheese
2 cups (about 9 ounces) all-purpose flour
Pinch cayenne
8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled butter, cut into chunks, plus a little more for greasing the baking sheet
Few drops ice water, if necessary
Coarse salt (optional).

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Grate cheese by hand or in food processor and place in bowl. Pulse flour and cayenne in processor. Add butter and process until butter and flour are combined. Pulse in cheese.

2. Turn out onto counter or cutting board and knead by hand, adding a few drops of ice water if necessary. (You may wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 2 days, taking it out for about a half hour before proceeding.)

3. Roll out into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick, on a lightly floured surface or between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, then cut into ½-inch-wide strips as long as you like. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, if using. Bake until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Yield: At least 10 servings.

Espinacas con garbanzos

2008-05-17T22:09:00.002-04:00

adapted only slightly from one of my favorite food blogs, Lobstersquad

1 small onion
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup tomato sauce ( tomate frito, without corn syrup or dubious stuff, please. Just add a bit of sugar if you like) - I used most of a can of muir glen organic whole tomatoes, whizzed around in my food processor until sauce-like
1/2 tsp of cumin, or to taste
400 gr. fresh spinach
1 can chickpeas, drained
sherry vinegar
Tabasco or dried chili
salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice

In a biggish pan hat has a good lid, sautee the onion in olive oil, and when it´s transparent, add the minced garlic and cumin. Let it cook for a minute, until it´s fragrant.
Now add the spinach, tomato, and drained chickpeas.This is a messy procedure, as the spinach takes up a lot of room, but it will collapse quickly, so just move it around, clamp the lid, and after a minute, shake it around. The idea is that the liquid the spinach gives out is soaked up by the chickpeas, so there´s no sogginess. In no more than five minutes, it will be dark green and soft, but very juicy. Taste for salt and cumin, add a splash of Tabasco, vinegar or a squirt of lemon juice, and you´re in business.
It tastes better lukewarm, so try not to be greedy.

thai-style chicken soup

2008-05-14T00:17:00.002-04:00

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3 lemongrass stalks, tough outer leaves removed, bottom 5 inches halved lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise
3 shallots, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
8 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tablespoons fish sauce
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 (14-ounce) cans coconut milk, well shaken
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 pound white mushrooms, cut into 1/4-inch slices
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-6 ounces each), halved lengthwise and sliced on the bias into 1/8-inch-thick pieces
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice from 2 to 3 limes
2 teaspoons Thai red curry paste

Garnish:
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 serrano chiles, sliced thin
2 scallions, sliced thin on the bias
1 lime, cut into wedges

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until just shimmering. Add the lemongrass, shallots, cilantro, and 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce; cook, stirring frequently, until just softened, 2 to 5 minutes (the vegetables should not brown). Stir in the broth and 1 can coconut milk; bring to a simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the flavors have blended, 10 minutes. Pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids in the strainer. Rinse the saucepan and return the broth mixture to the pan.

Return the pan to medium-high heat. Stir the remaining can of coconut milk and sugar into the broth mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium, add the mushrooms, and cook until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, stirring constantly, until no longer pink, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove the soup from the heat.

Combine the lime juice, curry paste, and remaining 2 tablespoons fish sauce in a small bowl; stir into the soup. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the cilantro, chiles, and scallions. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

aglio e olio

2008-05-13T23:58:00.002-04:00

1 lb spaghetti
table or sea salt
6 T good quality olive oil
1/4 c minced garlic
3/4 t red pepper flakes
3 T chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 t lemon juice
1/2 c Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position, set large heatproof serving bowl on rack and heat oven to 200 degrees. Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil, covered, in large Dutch oven or stockpot. Add pasta and 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt to boiling water, stir to separate pasta, cover, and cook until al dente; reserve 1/3 cup pasta cooking water and drain pasta.

2. While water is heating, combine 3 tablespoons oil, 3 tablespoons garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon table salt or sea salt flakes in heavy-bottomed nonstick 10-inch skillet; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until garlic foams and is sticky and straw-colored, 10 to 12 minutes. Off heat, add remaining tablespoon raw garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons pasta cooking water to skillet and stir well to keep garlic from clumping.

3. Transfer drained pasta to warm serving bowl; add remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and remaining reserved pasta cooking water and toss to coat. Add garlic mixture and 3/4 teaspoon table salt or 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes to pasta; toss well to combine. Serve immediately, sprinkling individual bowls with portion of Parmesan, if desired.

Refried Beans with Cinnamon and Clove

2008-04-18T12:13:00.000-04:00

from the weekly newsletter sent by the The Splendid Table

Excerpted from The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper: Recipes, Stories, and Opinions from Public Radio's Award-Winning Food Show by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift (Clarkson Potter, April 8, 2008). Copyright 2008 by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift

Serves 4 to 6

5 minutes prep time; 18 minutes stove time
The beans hold in the refrigerator for 5 days; add liquid as needed when reheating.

* Good-tasting extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 large onion, chopped into 1/4-inch dice
* Salt and fresh-ground black pepper
* 4 garlic cloves, fine chopped
* 1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and fine chopped
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
* One 14-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained
* Two 15-ounce cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
* 1-1/2 cups water
* 2 Tablespoons butter

1. Generously film the bottom of a 10-inch skillet with olive oil, and heat over medium-high heat. Saute the onions with salt and pepper to taste until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. You want to hear a sizzle as they cook.

2. Add the garlic, jalapeño, cinnamon, and cloves, and cook the mix until it is fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn the spices. Add the tomatoes, crushing them as they go into the pan. Saute for another minute.

3. Stir in the beans and water. Bring to a fast simmer, crushing the beans with a potato masher (or the back of a large spoon) as they cook, and scraping the bottom of the pan as the beans begin to thicken. Simmer until the beans are thick, about 10 minutes. Blend in the butter, and taste for seasoning just before serving.

Chocolate-Chunk Oatmeal Cookies with Pecans and Dried Cherries

2008-03-13T15:31:00.000-04:00

[these might be the best cookies ever, we highly recommend doubling the recipe]

1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (flour should total 6.25 ounces)
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 1/4 cups rolled oats, old-fashioned, (3 1/2 ounces)
1 cup toasted pecans (4 ounces), chopped
1 cup dried tart cherries (5 ounces), chopped coarse
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped into chunks about size of chocolate chips (about 3/4 cup)
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened but still cool
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (10 1/2 ounces), preferably dark
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions; heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large (18 by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. In second medium bowl, stir together oats, pecans, cherries, and chocolate.

In standing mixer fitted with flat beater, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until no sugar lumps remain, about 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula; add egg and vanilla and beat on medium-low speed until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape down bowl; with mixer running at low speed, add flour mixture; mix until just combined, about 30 seconds. With mixer still running on low, gradually add oat/nut mixture; mix until just incorporated. Give dough final stir with rubber spatula to ensure that no flour pockets remain and ingredients are evenly distributed.

Divide dough evenly into 16 portions, each about 1/4 cup, then roll between palms into balls about 2 inches in diameter; stagger 8 balls on each baking sheet, spacing them about 2 1/2 inches apart. Using hands, gently press each dough ball to 1 inch thickness. Bake both baking sheets 12 minutes, rotate them front to back and top to bottom, then continue to bake until cookies are medium brown and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft (cookies will seem underdone and will appear raw, wet, and shiny in cracks), 8 to 10 minutes longer. Do not overbake.

Cool cookies on baking sheets on wire rack 5 minutes; using wide metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack and cool to room temperature.

freezer biscuits

2008-02-25T22:04:00.002-05:00

This is a light and fluffy cut biscuit that can be made well in advance and stored in the freezer, just like the frozen biscuits sold at supermarkets--only better. The biscuit dough will not bake well unless it's frozen. Makes about 24 biscuits.

6 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra for the counter
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups heavy cream

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (if your baking sheets are small, you may need to use 2); set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in the cream with a wooden spoon until a dough forms, about 30 seconds. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and gather into a ball. Knead the dough briefly until smooth, about 60 seconds, adding extra flour as needed if the dough is too sticky.

Pat the dough into a 3/4-inch-thick circle. Cut out the biscuits using a 2 1⁄2-inch round biscuit cutter. Lay the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 1/2 inch apart. Gather up the scraps of dough and reknead them briefly to combine, then pat the dough again into a 3/4-inch-thick round and cut more biscuits; repeat this process again for a third time. You can either discard any remaining bits of dough or gently pat them into rustic hand-formed biscuits.

To Store: Wrap the baking sheet tightly with greased plastic wrap and freeze the biscuits until frozen solid, about 6 hours. Transfer the frozen biscuits to a large zipper-lock bag and freeze for up to 1 month. (Do not thaw before baking.) The unbaked biscuit dough cannot be stored in the refrigerator.

To Serve: Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Lay the desired number of biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. (If baking a large amount of biscuits, spread them out over 2 baking sheets and bake the sheets separately; do not bake both sheets at the same time.) Serve hot.

Smoked Paprika-Roasted Salmon with Wilted Spinach

2008-01-03T11:04:00.000-05:00

adapted very slightly from McCormick Recipes

The only thing I'd change next time is maybe to use a little less cinnamon than the recipe calls for, but it's really terrific as-is.

1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons thyme, divided
2 pounds salmon fillets
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (I used bittersweet pimentòn)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bag (10 ounces) fresh spinach leaves
1 garlic clove, minced

Mix orange juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil and 1 teaspoon of the thyme in small bowl. Place salmon in glass dish. Add marinade; turn to coat. Cover. Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, cinnamon, orange peel, remaining 1 teaspoon thyme and sea salt in small bowl. Remove salmon from marinade. Place in greased foil-lined baking pan. Discard any remaining marinade.

Rub top of salmon evenly with smoked paprika mixture. Roast 10 to 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in large skillet on medium heat and sauté garlic until golden. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes or until wilted. Serve salmon over spinach.

ginger cupcakes

2007-12-27T23:03:00.000-05:00

makes 12 cupcakes

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 T ground ginger
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
3/4 c finely chopped candied ginger
1 1/4 c granulated sugar
1/2 c unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 eggs
3/4 c milk

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. prepare a muffin pan with paper liners.

in a small bowl, mix together flour, ginger, baking powder, and salt. stir in candied ginger. in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together sugar and butter until well combined. add eggs, one a time, beating well after each addition. alternately beat in flour mixture and milk, making three additions of flour mixture and two of milk, beating until smooth.

scoop batter into prepared pan. bake in preheated oven for 23-28 minutes or until golden brown and tops of cupcakes spring back when lightly touched. let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. remove from pan and let cool completely on rack. frost as desired.

ginger cream cheese frosting

4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 c unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/4 c confectioner's sugar, sifted
1/4 c finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 t ground ginger
pinch salt

in a bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. with mixer on low speed, beat in confectioner's sugar, 1/2 c at a time so that sugar doesn't fly all over the place. increase speed to medium-high, beating until light and fluffy. add crystallized ginger, ground ginger, and salt, beating until well mixed.

spread frosting over cupcakes and refrigerate until ready to server or for up to 8 hours.

Penzey's Poppy Seed Cookies

2007-12-21T23:38:00.000-05:00

1 c butter, softened
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c finely ground almonds
1/2 c whole blue poppyseeds
1/4 t salt

Cream the butter. Add the sugar, egg and vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, almonds, poppyseeds, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture and beat well. Divide the dough in half and roll into logs. Roll in sugar if desired.

Wrap in waxed paper and chill for a few hours. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Slice logs about 1/4" thick and bake at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes or until the edges start to brown.

cranberry orange oatmeal cookies

2007-12-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

You can leave out the orange oil if desired, but we think cranberry orange is a nice festive combination. Try adding pecans or walnuts.

1 3/4 c all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
3/4 t salt
2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t ground cloves
6 T unsalted butter, room temperature
10 T vegetable shortening (preferably Crisco butter flavor), room temperature
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 t vanilla extract
1/4 t orange oil
1 1/3 c old-fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
1 1/2 c dried cranberries, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two light colored baking sheets (or use cooking spray).

Stir or sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in small bowl to blend. Set aside. Using electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in large bowl until blended and smooth, about 1 minute. Add egg, vanilla, and orange oil, and mix thoroughly. Stir in flour mixture until just incorporated, then stir in oatmeal and cranberries.

Using a tablespoon or a #50 disher, drop dough onto sheet. Bake until tops and bottoms are lightly golden, rotating baking sheets, front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking to ensure even browning, about 10-13 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

Will keep for several days in airtight container. Should freeze well.

cheddar cauliflower soup

2007-12-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

2 T olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 head cauliflower, about 2.5 lb, cut into florets
5 c low-sodium chicken broth
2 c cream
2 t kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground pepper (white and/or black), to taste
8 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded

in large Dutch oven over medium-high head, warm oil. add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. add cauliflower; cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. add broth, cream, salt, pepper; bring to boil. reduce heat to low; simmer until cauliflower is easily pierced with fork, about 10 minutes.

using immersion blender, blend soup to a fine puree, 3-5 minutes. add cheese; stir until melted and well combined with soup. adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. ladle soup into individual bowls and serve immediately with toasted bread.

skillet penne with tomatoes, cannellini, and olives

2007-11-23T22:45:00.000-05:00

2 c low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
2 c water
8 oz penne pasta
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 c cannellini beans, rinsed
1/2 c pitted kalamata olives
1/2 c minced fresh basil
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 t extra-virgin olive oil
fresh lemon juice
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

cook broth, water, penne and 1/2 t salt in 12" nonstick skillet over high heat, stirring often, until penne is tender and liquid has thickened, 15 to 18 minutes. while pasta is cooking, cut tomatoes in half and chop the olives. once penne is tender, stir in tomatoes, beans, and olives, and continue to cook until they are heated through, about 2 minutes. remove from heat, and stir in basil, parmesan, and oil. season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

oven-crisped latkes

2007-11-12T21:56:00.000-05:00

1.5 lbs russet potatoes, scrubbed and shredded (2 large)
1 medium onion, shredded
2 shallots, minced
1 t salt
2 pieces whole-wheat matzo (6x6”), broken into pieces
½ t white pepper
3 T peanut or olive oil, divided

Toss potato, onion, shallots, and salt in medium bowl Transfer to sieve set over large bowl; let drain for about 15 minutes. Squeeze the mixture a handful at a time, over the bowl, to release excess moisture (don’t oversqueeze—some moisture should remain). Transfer the squeezed potato to another large bowl. Carefully pour off the liquid, leaving a pasty white sediment—potato starch—in the bottom of the bowl. Add the starch to the potato mixture. Stir in egg.

Put matzo pieces in a sealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin into coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs and pepper over the potato mixture and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate until the matzo is softened, 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425º F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Heat 1 T oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Stir the potato mixture. Cook 4 latkes per batch: place ¼ c potato mixture in a little of the oil and press with the back of the spatula to flatten into a 3 1/2 –inch cake. Cook until crispy and golden, 1 ½ to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the latkes to the prepared baking side. Transfer the latkes to the prepared baking sheet. Continue with 2 more batches, using 1 T oil per batch and reducing the heat as needed to prevent scorching. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Makes 12 latkes.

Per latke: 108 calories, 4g fat, 18mg chol, 16g carb, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 204mg sodium.

bacon wrapped pork with cider sauce

2007-10-28T23:19:00.000-04:00

We prefer natural to enhanced pork (pork that has been injected with a salt solution to increase moistness and flavor), though both will work in this recipe. Begin checking the doneness of smaller medallions 1 or 2 minutes early; they may need to be taken out of the pan a little sooner.

Serves 4 to 6

12-14	slices bacon (1 slice for each pork medallion)
2	pork tenderloins (1 to 1 1/4 pounds each), trimmed of fat and silver skin, cut crosswise into 1 1/2-inch pieces; thinner end pieces scored and folded (see steps 1 and 2 below)
	Kosher salt and ground black pepper
2	tablespoons vegetable oil

1. Place bacon slices, slightly overlapping, in microwave-safe pie plate and cover with plastic wrap. Cook in microwave on high power until slices shrink and release about 1/2 cup fat but are neither browned nor crisp, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels until cool, 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Wrap each piece of pork with 1 slice bacon and secure with 2 toothpicks where ends of bacon strip overlap, inserting toothpicks on angle and gently pushing them through to other side, (see illustration of Bacon 'Twine' below).

3. Season pork with pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork cut side down and cook, without moving pieces, until well-browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn pork and brown on second side, 3 to 5 minutes more. Reduce heat to medium. Using tongs, stand each piece on its side and cook, turning pieces as necessary, until sides are well browned and internal temperature registers 145 to 150 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 8 to 14 minutes. Transfer pork to platter and tent lightly with foil; let rest while making pan sauce, then serve.

Makes enough to sauce 2 pork tenderloins

1 1/2	cups apple cider
1	cup low-sodium chicken broth
2	teaspoons cider vinegar
1	cinnamon stick
4	tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 4 pieces
2	large shallots , minced (about 1/2 cup)
1	tart apple , such as Granny Smith, cored, peeled, and diced small
1/4	cup Calvados or apple-flavored brandy
1	teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
	Table salt and ground black pepper

1. Combine cider, broth, vinegar, and cinnamon stick in medium saucepan; simmer over medium-high heat until liquid is reduced to 1 cup, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and discard. Set sauce aside until pork is cooked.

2. Pour off any fat from skillet in which pork was cooked. Add 1 tablespoon butter and heat over medium heat until melted and foaming subsides. Add shallot and apple and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and add Calvados. Return skillet to heat and cook about 1 minute, scraping bottom with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Add reduced cider mixture, any juices from resting meat, and thyme; increase heat to medium-high and simmer until thickened and reduced to 1 1/4 cups, 3 to 4 minutes. Off heat, whisk in remaining 3 tablespoons butter, and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over pork and serve immediately.

savory zucchini muffins

2007-10-20T15:48:00.000-04:00

3 cups unpared zucchini, cut in quarters lengthwise, and thinly sliced)
1 c Bisquick baking mix
1/2 c grated parmesan or romano cheese
1 t seasoning salt
1/2 t basil
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t marjoram
dash white pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 c salad oil
1/2 c chopped onion
2 T chopped fresh parsley

Combine all ingredients except zucchini. Add zucchini and put immediately in well-greased muffin pans (oil or Pam), 1/2 c per muffin. If using silicone muffin pans, there's no need to grease the pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. You can also use mini-muffin tins, adjust cooking to 15-20 minutes.

Ginger Carrot Soup

2007-09-22T23:08:00.000-04:00

1 T unsalted butter
1 Spanish onion, coarsely chopped
2 lbs carrots, peeled if desired and sliced
pinch ground cinnamon
8 c chicken stock
2 t peeled, coarsely chopped ginger root
½ c heavy cream
chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Place stockpot over med heat and when hot, add butter. When butter has melted, add onion and carrots and cook until tender. Add cinnamon, stock, and ginger, raise the heat to high, an bring to boil. Lower heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove the solids and place in a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth, gradually adding the cooking liquid and heavy cream. Transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate up to three days, or serve immediately, garnished with parsley or chives.

olive oil brownies

2007-08-27T22:57:00.000-04:00

4 oz (115g) finest quality bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
1/3 c (80ml) fruity extra virgin olive oil
1/2 c (70g) all-purpose/plain flour (if using a soft flour like Italian type 00 or White Lily, add an extra tablespoon)
1/4 t sea salt or kosher salt
2 large or extra large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 c (150g) superfine/caster sugar
1 t vanilla extract
2/3 c (70g) lightly toasted hazelnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

preheat oven to 350F. line an 8" square baking pan with a lightly oiled and floured piece of parchment paper that overhangs the pan on two sides (this aids in removal later).

melt the chocolate over low heat or in the microwave and whisk in the oil. let cool.

mix the flour and salt. beat the eggs and sugar until pale, thickened and billowy, about five minutes. fold in the vanilla and chocolate mixture, then fold in the flour and optional nuts. pour into the prepared pan and distribute evenly.

bake for 20-25 minutes. the top will be dry and crackly, though a toothpick inserted in the center should emerge still a little wet. cool completely, then cut into squares. serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

2007-08-01T22:51:00.000-04:00

Serves 8

Casserole:

12 slices white bread, crusts removed

2 pkgs (16 ounces total) cream cheese

1 c fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

12 eggs

2 c milk

1/3 c maple syrup or other syrup

Sauce:

1/2 c sugar

1 T cornstarch

1/2 c water

2 c fresh or frozen blueberries

1 T butter

Cut bread into 1" cubes; place half in a greased 13x9x2" baking dish.

Cut cream cheese into 1" cubes; place over bread. Top with blueberries and remaining bread. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Whisk in milk and syrup, blending well. Pour egg mixture over bread mixture. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover with foil and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes more or until golden brown and the center is set.

In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; add water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in blueberries; reduce heat. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until berries have burst. Stir in butter until melted. Serve sauce with French toast.

blueberry & ginger mojitos

2007-07-27T22:38:00.000-04:00

adapted from tyler florence (doom)

for 2 tall glasses:

1-2 c fresh blueberries
1-2 limes, cut into wedges
20-24 fresh mint leaves
4 oz ginger simple syrup
4 oz light rum
5 oz club soda
ice cubes

add the blueberries, lime wedges, and fresh mint leaves to the pitcher. muddle with a wooden spoon so the blueberries are broken and the mint and lime release their juices and flavor. when ready to serve, add the ginger simple syrup, light rum, and top off with club soda. give it a quick stir and then pour into glasses with ice cubes. garnish with fresh blueberries, lime wedges, and/or a sprig of mint.

ginger simple syrup
1/4 c grated fresh ginger
1 c granulated sugar
1 c cold water

peel and grate the ginger and add it, together with the sugar and cold water, to a saucepan. bring it to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves. cover and let steep for 10-25 minutes, depending on how strong a flavor you like. strain and cool in the refrigerator when done.

Coconut Macaroons (from my Italian grandmother)

2007-07-12T21:54:00.000-04:00

2 eggs
1/8 t salt
¾ c sugar
½ c flour
1 T melted butter
2 c coconut
6 oz chocolate chips
1 t grated lemon rind
1 t vanilla

Beat eggs & salt until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beat until thick and ivory colored (6-7 minutes). Fold in flour and melted butter, stir in coconut, chips, lemon and vanilla. Drop by teaspoons on lightly greased and floured cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees 12-15 minutes.

crusted chicken breasts

2007-06-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

4 chicken breasts
2 T Dijon mustard
1 c white wine
2 crushed cloves of garlic
2 c fresh bread crumbs, preferably panko
1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese
3 T melted butter
1/4 chopped parsley
salt and pepper

Cover a large baking dish with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, mix the mustard, wine, and garlic. Put in large ziploc bag, and add the chicken breasts. Squish everything around so the chicken gets nice and coated.

On a big plate, mix the bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, melted butter and salt and pepper. One at a time, take the chicken out of the soak and coat each breast liberally with bread crumbs.

Bake the chicken for 30-45 minutes until thoroughly done and crust is nicely browned.

shrimp potpies

2007-06-26T00:55:00.000-04:00

1 T butter
1 c chopped onion
1/2 c chopped celery
1/2 c chopped carrot
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2-3 T brandy or tawny port or Marsala
3/4 c half & half
3 T tomato paste
1 (8 oz) bottle clam juice
3 T cornstarch
2 T water
2 T chopped fresh parsley
3/4 lb cooked shrimp, chopped (about 1.5 c)
1 t marjoram
red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper, to taste
kosher or sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 c oyster crackers, coarsely crushed

preheat oven to 400 degrees.

melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. add onion, celery, carrot and garlic; saute 5 minutes or until tender. add liquor; cook for 30 seconds. stir in half & half, tomato paste, and clam juice; bring to a boil. cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. combine cornstarch and water, stir until smooth. add cornstarch mixture, parsley, salt, peppers, marjoram, and shrimp to pan, cook a minute or two, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. taste, adjust seasonings if necessary.

divide the shrimp mixture evenly among 4 10 oz ramekins. top each with 1/4 c cracker crumbs. bake for 10 minutes or until bubbling and lightly browned.

honeyfire roast pork

2007-06-24T20:16:00.000-04:00

3-5 lb pork loin
2 qt water
1/4 c caster sugar
1/4 c kosher salt

trim excess fat off pork. do not worry about affecting the shape of the loin, just go get the fat out. rinse pork and pat dry. put water in a container big enough to hold the loin and stir in sugar and salt. add the pork, and put it in the fridge for 1.5-2 hours.

remove pork from fridge and discard brine. pat loin dry and then tie with kitchen twine, making the knots a few centimeters apart as needed to keep the loin in a nice solid log shape. season with kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper.

preheat oven to 375 degrees. heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet on medium high and brown loin on all sides. this should take about ten minutes. if oil starts to smoke, your pan may be too hot. once nice and brown, transfer to roasting pan or heavy baking dish (not a broiler pan) and put in oven for 50-70 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time. after internal temperature registers 135 degrees, remove the roast and let sit 10 minutes. internal temperature will rise to 145 degrees.

after you put the roast in the oven, make the glaze:

3/4-1 c honey
juice of 4 medium limes
2 T champagne or other good white vinegar
1 t red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 t cayenne, or to taste
1 t smoked paprika (sweet or hot, to taste)
1/2 t dried thyme

in the pan that you browned the pork, combine the glaze ingredients, scraping up any brown bits. simmer until mixture begins to thicken and become fragrant. you will want to begin basting the pork with this when the internal temperature reaches 110 degrees, about 15 minutes before it's done. if glaze starts to get dry on the bottom of the roasting pan, add some water so it doesn't burn. any leftover glaze can be served on top of pork.

slice, drizzle, and serve.

cauliflower, cannellini and feta salad

2007-06-03T21:24:00.002-04:00

1/3 c olive oil
1 T minced fresh rosemary
3 T fresh lemon juice
2 T red wine vinegar
2 t finely grated lemon peel
2 t kosher salt
1/2 t ground black pepper

1 medium head of cauliflower, trimmed, cut into small florets (about 3 cups)
1 can cannellini, rinsed and drained
1-2 bulbs fennel, thinly sliced
2 T chopped fresh parsley
4 oz crumbled feta cheese

combine oil and rosemary in small saucepan. stir over medium heat just until fragrant, about 1 minute. set aside and let cool.

whisk lemon juice, vinegar, lemon peel, salt, and pepper in small bowl.

combin cauliflower, beans, endive, parsley, and rosemary oil in medium bowl; toss. mix in cheese. add lemon juice mixture and toss to coat. season salad with salt and pepper. refrigerate until ready to serve.

spinach ricotta pie (quiche)

2007-06-02T20:02:00.000-04:00

from the original Moosewood Cookbook by Molly Katzen

crust:
1 c flour (a mixture of 3/4 c all purpose and 1/4 c whole wheat is ideal)
1/4 t salt
1/3 c unsalted butter, chilled well and cut into small pieces
3 T buttermilk

working quickly, cut butter into flour and salt until thoroughly blended. add about 3 T buttermilk and combine until dough sticks together in a ball. cover or wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.

filling:
1 lb ricotta cheese
3 beaten eggs
12 oz chopped spinach
1 small onion, diced
unsalted butter
1/2 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t dried basil
3 T flour
1 c grated cheese (a mixture of fontina and cheddar is nice)
dash nutmeg
1 c sour cream
parmesan cheese (if desired)
paprika (if desired)

preheat oven to 375 degrees. saute spinach and onion in butter with salt, pepper, and basil until just wilted. let cool. mix together cheese, eggs, flour, cheese and nutmeg. stir in spinach mixture. roll out dough to line bottom and sides of glass pie plate. spread filling in unbaked crust.

top with sour cream, spread to the edges. sprinkle with parmesan cheese and paprika.

cook for 40-45 minutes until set. serve hot.

stir fried thai style beef

2007-05-31T23:19:00.002-04:00

beef and marinade:
3/4 t ground coriander
1/4 t ground white pepper
1 t light brown sugar
1 T soy sauce (should be fish sauce but i hate fish sauce so there)
1 t rice wine
1 t white wine vinegar
1-2 lbs blade or flank steak

stir fry:
2 T soy sauce (again should be fish sauce)
1 T rice wine
1 T white wine vinegar
1 T light brown sugar
1 T chili-garlic paste
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
3 T vegetable oil
3 serrano or jalapeno chiles, halved, seeds and ribs removed, cut crosswise 1/8" thick
3 medium shallots, trimmed of ends, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and layers separated (green onions also work in a pinch)
1/2 fresh mint leaves, large leaves torn into bite sized pieces
1/2 c fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

combine marinade ingredients and then toss with beef to combine; marinate 15 minutes.

in a small bowl, combine soy, rice wine, vinegar, sugar, chili-garlic paste until sugar dissolves; set aside. in another small bowl, mix garlic with a little oil; set aside. heat 2 t oil in 12" non-stick skillet over high heat until smoking; add part of the beef to skillet in one even layer. cook, without stirring, until it begins to brown on the bottom, then stir and continue cooking to desired doneness. transfer beef to bowl; repeat with additional oil as needed and the beef in however many batches needed.

after transferring last batch of beef to bowl, reduce heat to medium; add remaining 2 teaspoons oil to now-empty skillet and swirl to coat. add chiles and shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. push chile-shallot mixture to sides of skillet; add garlic to cleared area and cook, mashing garlic with spoon, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. stir to combine garlic with chile-shallot mixture. add soy sauce mixture to skillet; increase heat to high and cook until slightly reduced and thickened, about 30 seconds. return beef and any accumlated juices to skillet, toss well to combine and coat with sauce, stir in half of mint and cilantro.

serve immediately, sprinkling individual servings with remainder of herbs, chopped green onions, peanuts, and/or lime wedges. excellent with jasmine rice and ginger roasted green beans.

salmon with mustard dill crust

2007-05-28T23:42:00.000-04:00

2 8 oz salmon fillets, skin-on, about 1" thick
1 c panko
1 oz thick-cut potato chips, crushed into rough 1/8" pieces
1 green onion, white part only, minced
1 1/2 T chopped fresh dill
1/2 t olive oil

adjust one oven rack to 3-4" from heat source and second rack to upper middle position. toast panko in 300 degree oven on lower rack until light brown. combine with crushed chips, dill and green onion. set aside.

increase oven setting to broil. line baking sheet with foil and place salmon on foil. rub each fillet evenly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. broil salmon on upper rack until surface is spotty brown and outer 1/2" of thick end is opaque when gently flaked with paring knife, 7 to 9 minutes. remove fish from oven, spread each fillet evenly with mustard, and press bread crumb mixture onto fillets. return to lower rack and continue broiling until crust is deep golden brown, about 1 minute longer. use spatula to transfer salmon to serving plates, leaving skin behind on foil.

creamy peas with tarragon

2007-05-28T23:39:00.000-04:00

2 T unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
1 T minced fresh tarragon, or 1 t dried tarragon
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 c heavy cream
1 lb frozen peas
2 t sugar
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

melt butter in 12" nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. add shallot, tarragon, and garlic, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. add peas and sugar. cover and cook until peas are heated through, about 4 minutes. season with salt and pepper to taste.

african ginger soft drink

2007-04-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

6 cups boiling water
1 cup grated fresh peeled ginger root (yes, 1 cup. that is not a typo)
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup lime or lemon juice
1 cup orange juice (or pineapple, or guava)
8 cups cool water

Pour the boiling water over the grated ginger root, sugar, cloves, and cinnamon in a large pot or bowl. Stir. Cover and let sit in the sun for an hour.

Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Add the juices and water. Throw all that grated ginger your worked so hard on into the garbage. Let the mixture sit for another hour. Store in fridge.

strawberry rhubarb cobbler with gingered biscuit topping

2007-04-07T17:40:00.000-04:00

adapted from Sara Moulton

cobbler:
4-5 pints strawberries, hulled, rinsed and quartered
1-1.5 lbs rhubarb, peeled and cut into .5-1" wide pieces
1/3 cup sugar, or to taste
2 T all-purpose flour
2 t finely grated lemon zest
generous pinch of salt
1 T unsalted butter, cut into slivers

topping:
1 c all-purpose flour
3 T sugar
1 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
4 T very finely chopped crystallized ginger
4 T unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 c buttermilk, plus more for brushing

Put rhubarb in a large, heavy saucepan. Add a tablespoon or two of the sugar and stir over high heat until the sugar has started to dissolve, 1-2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the fruit has exuded some of its liquid, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar, then add the rhubarb mixture (if the rhubarb has given off a lot of liquid, you may not want to add all the liquid here), lemon zest, the rest of the sugar, and the salt. Let cool a bit, then pour into a lightly buttered baking dish, and dot with the slivers of butter.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. use a pastry blender or your fingertips to mix in the ginger and to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles the texture of small peas. Quickly stir in the buttermilk to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a well-floured work surface, knead into a ball, and roll out to a thickness of about .5". Cut out biscuits using a cookie cutter or thin rimmed glass about 2" in diameter.

Arrange the biscuits tightly over the fruit. Brush lightly with additional buttermilk, sprinkle with demarera sugar, and bake until cobbler is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown, 35-45 minutes. Serve hot, possibly with vanilla ice cream.

2007-03-12T23:19:00.002-04:00

Almost any variety of brined or oil-cured olive works in this recipe, although we preferred a mix of both green and black olives. Instant yeast is commonly labeled rapid-rise yeast. Use a spray bottle filled with water to mist the loaves. The bread will keep for up to 2 days, well wrapped and stored at room temperature. To recrisp the crust, place the bread in a 450-degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes. The bread will keep frozen for several months when wrapped in foil and placed in a large zipper-lock bag.

1 3/4 c water (14 oz, room temperature)
2 t instant yeast
2 T honey
3 1/2 c bread flour (19.25 oz), plus extra as needed for dough and counter
1/2 c whole wheat flour (2 3/4 oz)
2 t table salt
2 T chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 c pitted olives (6 oz), rinsed, chopped roughly, and patted dry

Whisk water, yeast, and honey in bowl of standing mixer. Add flours and mix on low speed with dough hook until cohesive dough is formed, about 3 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Remove plastic wrap; make well in center of dough and add salt and rosemary. Knead dough on low speed (speed 2 on KitchenAid) for 5 minutes (if dough creeps up attachment, stop mixer and scrape down). Increase speed to medium and continue to knead until dough is smooth and slightly tacky, about 1 minute. If dough is very sticky, add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour and continue mixing for 1 minute. Transfer dough to lightly floured counter and pat into 12 by 6-inch rectangle. Press olives evenly into dough. Starting at long side, roll rectangle into tight log. With seam side facing up, roll log into coil. Transfer dough, spiral side up, to oiled container or bowl, at least 2 quarts in volume, and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in warm, draft-free location until it increases in size by 50 percent, about 1 hour.

Fold partially risen dough over itself. Turn bowl 90 degrees; fold again. Turn bowl again; fold once more. Cover with plastic wrap (illustration 5) and let rise 30 minutes. Repeat folding, replace plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.

Transfer dough to lightly floured work surface, being careful not to deflate. Divide dough in half (illustration 6), loosely shape each piece into ball, and let rest 15 minutes. Flip each ball over and, starting from top, roll into tight oval shape (illustration 7). Using palms, roll each oval (seam side down) from center outward until 12-inch loaf is formed (illustration 8). Poke any olives that fall off into bottom seam, then pinch seam closed. Transfer each loaf, seam side down, to 12 by 6-inch piece of parchment and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours (dough is ready when it springs back slowly when pressed lightly with finger). Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position, place baking stone on rack, and heat oven to 450 degrees at least 30 minutes before baking.
Slide parchment sheets with loaves onto peel or back of inverted baking sheet. Starting and stopping about 1 inch from each side, use razor blade or sharp knife to cut 3 1/2-inch-deep slashes on diagonal along top of each fully risen loaf (illustration 9); spray loaves lightly with water. Carefully slide parchment with loaves into oven using jerking motion. Bake 15 minutes, spraying loaves with water twice more in first 5 minutes, and then reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Continue to bake until bread is deep golden brown and instant-read thermometer inserted into center of loaf registers 210 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to wire rack, discard parchment, and cool loaves to room temperature, about 2 hours.

salt roasted salmon

2007-03-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

adapted from a recipe by Virginia Willis

2 c coarse Kosher salt
3-6 cinnamon sticks, broken into 1" pieces
1-2 T whole fennel seeds
1 T black peppercorns
4 6 oz salmon fillets

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the salt, cinnamon, fennel, and peppercorns in a medium bowl. Spread spice mixture evenly over the bottom of a heavy-duty or enamelware baking dish. Place the salmon, skin side down, one inch apart on spice mixture. Cover salmon with parchment paper, cover dish with aluminum foil to seal. Bake until desired doneness. Remove salmon from oven, allow to rest 3 minutes. Remove the foil and parchment paper. Using a spatula, remove fillets, leaving skin behind, serve immediately.

[try adding whole cloves, or whole juniper berries. also try sprinkling some of the spice mixture over the top of the filets before baking]

chocolate-orange Guinness cake

2007-02-18T16:08:00.000-05:00

8 oz butter, room temperature
8 oz dark brown sugar
10 oz self-rising flour
1 t baking powder
pinch of salt
2 T cocoa (heaping)
grated rind of one orange
4 eggs
1/2 c Guinness

8 oz icing sugar
4 oz butter
freshly squeezed orange juice

preheat oven to 375F. grease two 8" cake pans. cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa into a bowl. add the orange rind to the creamed butter and beat in the eggs, one at a time, including a spoonful of the measured flour mixture with each one, and beating well between additions. gently mix in the Guinness, a tablespoonful at a time, including another spoonful of flour with each addition. if there's any flour left over, fold it in gently to mix; blend thoroughly without over-beating. divide the mixture between the tins, smooth down, and put the cakes into the center of the preheated oven. reduce the heat to 350F and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cakes are springy to the touch and shrinking slightly in the pans. turn out and cool on a wire rack.

meanwhile, make the icing. cream the softened butter and icing sugar together thoroughly, then blend in the grated orange rind and enough juice to make an icing that is soft enough to spread. when the cakes are cold, use half the icing to sandwich them together, and spread the rest on top.

polish raspberry treats

2007-02-12T23:31:00.000-05:00

2 c all-purpose flour
1 c brown sugar
1 c rolled oats
3/4 c walnuts, ground
1 c coconut
3/4 t salt
12 T unsalted butter, melted
1 lb raspberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a large rectangular pan (13x9" or thereabouts) with foil and butter the foil.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Break up any clumps of sugar with your finger tips and work the ingredients to mix them. Add the melted butter and work with fingers to combine well (if the mixture is too dry and doesn't stick together easily, add up to 2 T butter). Press half of dough in the foil-lined pan, working well into edges and pressing down to compact. Spread out the jam evenly to within 1/2" of edges of pan.

Take handfuls of remaining dough mixture and crumble it over pan, distributing evenly. Press down with palms of hand to compact - but not too hard. Bake until golden-brown, about 45 minutes.

Cool completely before cutting. Cut into 12 pieces.

caramel corn

2007-02-12T23:18:00.000-05:00

18 c popped corn
2 c brown sugar
1 c butter or margarine
1/2 c light corn syrup
1 pinch salt
1/2 t baking soda

mix sugar, butter, syrup, and salt. boil over medium heat for 5 minutes. add soda and mix well. pour over corn, stir until evenly coated. spread on cookie sheets and bake for 1 hour at 205-225 degrees F, stirring every 15 minutes. spread on wax paper sheets on counter to cool.

refried beans

2007-02-11T17:11:00.000-05:00

2 15oz cans pinto beans
3/4 cup chicken broth
3-4 strips bacon
1 small onion, minced
1 medium jalapeno, minced
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t salt
2 cloves garlic, minced

food process pinto beans and broth for 15 seconds, then a series of 1 second pulses to achieve desired consistency

brown bacon in non-stick skillet, remove all but one tablespoon of fat, add the onion and jalapeno, cumin, salt. add garlic after onion begins to soften, cook another couple of minutes.

add the bean mixture and continue to cook, mixing it all together with a wooden spoon. if mixture is too thin, just continue to cook the extra liquid off.

roasted green beans

2006-12-30T15:38:00.000-05:00

1 pound green beans, stem ends snapped off
1 T olive oil
salt and black pepper

adjust oven rack to middle position, heat oven to 450 degrees. line rimmed baking sheet with foil, spread beans on baking sheet. drizzle with oil and toss to coat evenly. sprinkle with 1/2 t salt, toss again and distribute in even layer. roast 10 minutes. (if called for, add 1/2" thick wedges of red onion.)

remove baking sheet from oven. using tongs, coat beans evenly with seasoning mixture (see below), redistribute in even layer. continue roasting until dark golden brown in spots and starting to shrivel, 8 to 12 minutes longer. adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and any additional topping, and serve.

seasoning #1: combine 1 T balsamic vinegar, 1 t honey, 1 t minced fresh thyme, 2 medium thin-sliced garlic cloves in a bowl and set aside. after 10 minutes of roasting, toss beans with seasoning mixture, coating them evenly, and redistribute in even layer. continue roasting. after transferring to a serving dish, sprinkle with 1/3 c toasted and chopped walnuts.

seasoning #2: combine 1 T minced garlic, 1 t minced fresh ginger, 2 t honey, 1/2 t toasted sesame oil, and 1/4 t hot red pepper flakes and set aside. after 10 minutes of roasting, toss beans with seasoning mixture, coating them evenly, and redistribute in even layer. continue roasting. after transferrng to a serving dish, sprinkle with 4 t toasted sesame seeds.

seasoning #3: combine 1 t olive oil, 1 T lemon juice, 1/2 c drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (rinsed, patted dry, and coarsely chopped), 1/2 c pitted kalamata olives (quartered), and 2 t minced fresh oregano leaves in medium bowl. after beans are completely done roasting, add to bowl and toss well. adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. transfer to serving dish, top with 1/2 c crumbled goat cheese and serve.

combine all ingredients, set aside.

orange-cranberry pudding

2006-12-28T19:41:00.000-05:00

adapted from Nigella Lawson

For the fruit:
1/2 stick unsalted butter
4 1/2 c cranberries
3 T sugar

For the batter:
1 1/4 c flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 3/4 c sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
few drops orange oil
flaked almonds
turbinado sugar, to sprinkle over
cream or orange juice, if extra liquid is needed

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Melt 1/2 stick butter in a wide saucepan, then add the cranberries and sugar. Cook over a fairly high heat until the fruit begins to pop. This will take hardly anytime if the cranberries are fresh, and about 10 minutes if they're frozen. Remove the pan from the heat.

Combine the flour, baking powder, soda and sugar in a large bowl and add the eggs, melted butter and orange oil. Mix until smooth. It may need a tablespoon or two of extra liquid here. I use orange juice or cream, whatever's to hand. Pour half of the batter into a deep casserole. Cover with the cranberries, then top with the remaining batter; don't worry if the cranberries are not covered completely.

Sprinkle flaked almonds and turbinado sugar over the top, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden brown and set.

stove-top mac & cheese (from ab)

2006-12-24T09:41:00.000-05:00

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
4 T butter
2 eggs
6 oz evaporated milk
1/2 t hot sauce
1 t kosher salt
black pepper
3/4 t dry mustard
10 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded

in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta to al dente and drain. return to the pot and melt in the butter. toss to coat.

whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard. stir into the pasta and add the cheese. over low heat, continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.

ginger spice cookies

2006-12-20T23:27:00.000-05:00

2 c all purpose flour (do not use high protein flour like King Arthur)
2 1/2 t ground ginger
2 t baking soda
1 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground cloves
3/4 t salt
3/4 c chopped crystallized ginger
1 c (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 c vegetable shortening, room temperature
1/4 c (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 c molasses
turbinado sugar

ombine first 6 ingredients in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Mix in crystallized ginger. Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar, shortening and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add egg and molasses and beat until blended. Add flour mixture and mix just until blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 2 baking sheets. Spoon sugar in thick layer onto small plate. Using wet hands, form dough into 3/4-1" balls; roll in sugar to coat completely. Place balls on prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

Bake cookies until cracked on top but still soft to touch, about 10 minutes. Cook slightly longer for crisp cookies, less for chewy cookies. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Carefully transfer to racks and cool. (Can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Makes about 30.

rosemary butter cookies

2006-12-20T22:34:00.000-05:00

2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1 T chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 c) unsalted butter, softened
2 T mild honey
1/2 c confectioners sugar
coarse white sugar

Preheat oven to 300°F.

Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and rosemary in a bowl.

Mix together butter, honey, and confectioners sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at low speed, then add flour mixture and mix until dough resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Gather dough into a ball and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead dough until it just comes together, about 8 times.

Roll out into logs, wrap in parchment paper or foil. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Unwrap and cut into 1/4" slices. Arrange on parchment paper on heavy cookie sheet. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.

Bake cookies in middle of oven until just beginning to turn golden brown, around 10 minutes. Slide cookies on parchment to a rack and cool.

Basque Bonito del Norte Tuna Dip

2006-12-20T22:08:00.000-05:00

Versatile, hard to categorize but with a distinctive Basque identity, this is somewhere between a snack, starter, dip, spread, stick-your-spoon-in-as-you-pass-the-bowl and good to eat any time of day.

Servings: 6-8 as a starter

Ingredients:

1 large onion, finely chopped
3 yellow and/or red sweet peppers, coarsely chopped
2-4 fat garlic cloves, minced or pressed
olive oil
6 oz mixed green and black olives, pitted and chopped
1-2 oz capers, drained
1 14-oz can tomatoes in rich juice
10-15 oz piquillo peppers, drained and cut in small pieces
1 tablespoon sherry or white wine vinegar
8-12 oz of bonito del norte tuna in olive oil
Salt and black pepper
Toasted country bread (to serve)

Preparation:

Gently fry the onion and garlic in the oil in a deep saucepan for about 10 minutes, add peppers and cook until onions are soft.

Add the olives, capers, tomatoes (plus juice) and cook gently for 5 minutes. Add the piquillo peppers and cook for 5 more minutes.

Stir in the vinegar, followed by the bonito del norte. Check the seasoning, (it will probably need no extra salt but quite a bit of pepper), simmer a little longer and leave to cool. Chill in the fridge, preferably leaving overnight for the flavors to settle, before serving with slices of toasted country bread.

mocha nut balls

2006-12-17T18:43:00.000-05:00

1 c butter
1/2 c sugar
2 t vanilla
1 - 1.5 T strongly brewed coffee (preferably French pressed)
1/2 c cocoa
1 3/4 c sifted flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 c nuts, finely chopped

shape in marble sized balls. place on ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 325 for 15 minutes. cool and roll in powdered sugar.

makes 6 dozen

Brown Sugar Cakes

2006-12-04T22:56:00.000-05:00

6 servings

Brown sugar topping/filling:

2 oz butter

2 oz heavy cream

1 c brown sugar

Cake:

8 oz unsalted butter, very soft

1/2 c sugar

1/4 c brown sugar

3/4 t vanilla

3 eggs

2/3 c almond flour

1 c all-purpose flour

1/2 t salt

1 t baking powder

For topping:

Bring butter and heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour it over the brown sugar and whisk until there are no lumps. Chill. Cover the bottom of 6 (4 ounce) ramekins with brown sugar topping, and reserve the rest for filling the cakes. Place in freezer until ready to fill.

For cake:

Cream the softened butter, sugars, and vanilla extract in a mixer with the paddle attachment. Add eggs and mix well. Take the bowl off of the mixer and fold in the sifted dry ingredients with a spatula. Divide the batter (it will be thick) between the six ramekins. Bake at 325°F for 12 minutes, until the cakes begin to bake around the edges. Remove from the oven and take a small spoon of the brown sugar topping and sink it into the center of each cake. Return ramekins to the oven until cakes are golden brown and firm to the touch, about 7 more minutes. Serve right away, or reheat directly before serving.

tipsy pineapple

2006-11-24T12:56:00.000-05:00

large pineapple
rum, preferably aged or dark
brown sugar
butter

Peel and core the pineapple. Cut into chunks. Melt a tablespoon or two of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add the pineapple and toss gently. After a minute or so, when the pineapple begins to give off some liquid, sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top. Cook a few minutes like this, then stir gently to turn the chunks over. Sprinkle this side with brown sugar, and add a splash or two of rum. Stir and continue to cook until desired softness has been reached, adding more rum and/or sugar if needed. It's not a very scientific recipe--the point is to have the pineapple warm and soft and fragrant, to use the rum and sugar to enhance the pineapple, not to overpower it, so depending on how ripe your pineapple is, you may not need much.

chicken in garlic and shallots

2006-11-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces or 10 chicken thighs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 c plus 2 T olive oil
10 peeled cloves of garlic
10 shallots, peeled and split in half from stem to root
several springs parsley, sage, thyme

large ovenproof straight sided saute pan with tight fitting lid

preheat oven to 350 F. season chicken liberally with salt and pepper. toss with 2 T olive oil and brown on both sides in wide frying pan or skillet over high heat. remove from heat, add garlic, shallots, whole herbs, and remainder of the olive oil. cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

vichyssoise (from ab)

2006-10-29T09:49:00.000-05:00

1 pound leeks, cleaned and dark green sections removed, approximately 4 to 5 medium
3 T unsalted butter
Heavy pinch kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
14 ounces Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced small
1 quart organic vegetable broth
1 c heavy cream
1 c buttermilk
1/2 t white pepper

Chop the leeks into small pieces. In a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and a heavy pinch of salt and sweat for 5 minutes. Be careful that the leeks do not brown at all during this time. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook until the leeks are tender, approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the potatoes and the vegetable broth, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until the potatoes are soft, approximately 45 minutes.

Turn off the heat and puree the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir the cream and buttermilk together, and add to soup. Stir in white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve hot or cold.

quick cassoulet

2006-10-25T09:03:00.000-04:00

2 T olive oil
1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 lb kielbasa, cut into 1/4 inch coins
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 3/4 lb) cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 c dry red wine
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 t salt
1/8 t cayenne pepper

In a large heavy-bottom pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides for about 4 minutes. Remove pork to a plate and reserve. Add kielbasa and cook for 4 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until nicely browned. Remove to another plate and reserve.

Add remaining tablespoon of oil to pot and cook chicken for 4 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Break up tomatoes and add along with garlic, cook for 3 minutes, stirring to loosen up any browned bits from bottom of pot. Add wine, simmer for an additional 2 minutes.

Add in beans, salt, cayenne and reserved kielbasa. Simmer for 5 minutes. Just before serving, stir pork back in pot and heat through.

panna cotta

2006-10-25T08:55:00.000-04:00

buttermilk panna cotta [with blood orange spread]

1 envelope gelatin
1/4 c cold water
1 c heavy cream
1 c sugar
2 c buttermilk
1 T vanilla
[1 jar Blood Orange Spread]
[2-3 T Grand Marnier, Tuaca, or other liqueur for flavoring]

In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water until dissolved. Let stand for 3 minutes. In a saucepan, heat cream and sugar over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir the gelatin mixture, vanilla and buttermilk into the cream until well-combined and smooth in texture. Brush the sides of 8 6oz. shallow deep cups with oil. Pour into the prepared cups and let chill for 4 hours or overnight, until set.

When ready to serve, unmold by running a warm knife around the edges of the panna cotta, and unmold onto a plate. [Whisk Blood Orange Spread until smooth. Top each panna cotta with a dollop and garnish with sprigs of mint leaves.]

If using Grand Marnier or other liqueur, decrease the amount of cream or buttermilk by an equivalent amount.

lemon panna cotta with blackberry sauce

Vegetable oil
1 c whole milk
1 c whipping cream
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

5 T fresh lemon juice
2 t unflavored gelatin
1/2 c sugar
1 c crème fraîche
2 T grated lemon peel

3 c frozen blackberries (about 12 ounces), thawed, drained, juices reserved
3 T light brown sugar, packed
3 T crème de cassis (black-currant-flavored liqueur; optional)

Lightly oil six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Mix milk and cream in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Cover; let steep 30 minutes. Remove vanilla bean.

Pour lemon juice into small bowl; sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir sugar and gelatin mixture into milk mixture. Stir over low heat just until sugar and gelatin dissolve, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in crème fraîche and lemon peel. Divide among ramekins. Cover; chill until set, at least 6 hours or overnight.

For sauce:
Puree 2/3 of blackberries and all reserved juices, brown sugar, and crème de cassis, if desired, in blender. Strain mixture into medium bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids in strainer. Stir remaining blackberries into sauce. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)

Run small knife around each panna cotta. Place bottoms of ramekins, 1 at a time, in bowl of hot water 45 seconds. Place plate atop ramekin. Hold plate and ramekin together; invert, shaking gently, to turn out panna cotta. Serve with sauce.

gingersnaps

2006-10-25T08:49:00.000-04:00

2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 T ground ginger
1 T finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground black peppre
1/2 t ground allspice
3/4 c butter, softened
1 c brown sugar, packed firmly
1 egg
1/4 c molasses
1/2 c granulated sugar (for coating)

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, both gingers, cinnamon, black pepper, and allspice. Set aside mixer, cream butter until fluffy and lightened in color. Add brown sugar and beat until well-blended. Add egg and molasses. Beat until thoroughly combined. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well. Dough will be sticky. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degress. Shape dough into balls 1 1/2" in diameter. Dip tops in granulated sugar. Place balls, sugared side up, about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 12 to 16 minutes until cookies are firm to the touch and the edges are beginning to brown. Let stand 1 minute. Remove from baking sheets to rack.

Makes about 48 cookies.

ab's chewy chocolate chip cookies

2006-10-02T22:24:00.000-04:00

8 oz butter
1/4 c white sugar
1 1/4 c brown sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 T milk
1 1/2 t vanilla
2 1/4 c bread or high-protein all-purpose flour
1 t kosher salt
1 t baking soda

melt butter in a heavy medium saucepan. meanwhile, sift together 2 1/4 cups bread flour with kosher salt and baking soda.

combine melted butter and sugars in mixing bowl and cream until light and fluffy. add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and combine well. slowly add the flour and beat until thoroughly combined, then add the chips.

chill the batter, then scoop onto parchment paper, and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, remove parchment/cookies immediately and finish cooling on a rack. store in ziploc bags for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.

goulash (Hartig family recipe)

2006-09-12T21:48:00.000-04:00

3 big Spanish onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 lbs sirloin tip roast
salt and pepper to taste
1 large can stewed tomatoes, optional
red wine vinegar, optional
2-3 t sweet paprika
1-2 t hot paprika
olive oil

In a large heavy stewpot, cook onions in a little olive oil on medium high, adding garlic after a few minutes. Meanwhile rinse the meat, and cut it into medium-large cubes, add it to the onions once they begin to brown. Add salt and pepper (to taste?) and cook on high until meat begins to give off juices. Add tomatoes (not drained), then paprika and enough water to cover the meat. You may want to add a couple splashes of red wine vinegar. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower heat. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender. Uncover as needed to reach desired consistency.

smothered beef ribs

2006-09-12T21:41:00.000-04:00

1/2 c olive oil
4 pounds beef short ribs (or flanken)
salt and pepper to taste
1 c all-purpose flour
2 c chopped onions
1 c chopped celery
1 c chopped carrots
2 T minced garlic
3 bay leaves
1 T dried thyme
1 c red wine
8 c beef stock
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Season the ribs with salt and pepper to taste and dredge them in flour. Fry the ribs in the oil in small batches, adding oil as needed, to sear the meat. This should take 2-3 minutes per batch. Set ribs aside.

In the same pot, add the onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 1 more minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and then stir in the garlic, bay leaves, and thyme and cook for 1 more minute.

Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up all the bits on the bottom. Add the stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer. Add the ribs and continue to simmer for 2 hours, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the parsley and serve.

white bean and asparagus salad

2006-09-12T21:31:00.000-04:00

1 lb medium asparagus, trimmed
1/4 c extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 t finely grated fresh lemon zest
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
2 (15-19oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed well (3 - 3 1/2 cups)
4 slices country bread
1/2 c shaved parmesan
1/4 c chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 T unsalted butter, softened
1 garlic clove, halved crosswise

Cut asparagus on a diagonal into 1/8-inch thick slices. Bring oil, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper to a simmer in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then stir in beans and asparagus. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. While beans stand, toast bread until golden. Add cheese shavings to beans along with parsley, then toss.

Spread hot toast with butter and rub buttered side of each with cut side of garlic clove, then season with salt and halve. Serve bean salad with toasts.

lemon olive-oil cake

2006-09-12T21:17:00.000-04:00

3/4 c olive oil (extra-virgin if desired), plus additional for greasing pan
1 large lemon
1 c cake flour (not self-rising)
5 large eggs, separated, reserving 1 white for another use
3/4 c sugar plus extra for the top

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350øF. Grease springform pan with some oil, then line bottom with a round of parchment paper. Oil parchment.

Finely grate enough lemon zest to measure 1 1/2 teaspoons and whisk together with flour. Halve lemon, then squeeze and reserve 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Beat together yolks and 1/2 c sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add olive oil (3/4 c) and reserved lemon juice, beating until just combined (mixture may appear separated. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture (do not beat) until just combined.

Beat egg whites (from 4 eggs) with 1/2 teaspoon salt in another large bowl with cleaned beaters at medium-high speed until foamy, then add 1/4 c sugar a little at a time, beating, and continue to beat until egg whites just hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes. Gently fold one third of the whites into yolk mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.

Transfer batter to springform pan and gentle rap against work surface once or twice to release any air bubbles. Sprinkle top evenly with about a tablespoon and a half of sugar (preferably coarse-grained).

Bake until puffed and golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes, and then run a thin knife around edge of pan and remove side of pan. Cool cake to room temperature, about 1 1/4 hours. Remove bottom of pan and peel off parchment, then transfer cake to a serving plate.

Cake can be made 1 day ahead and wrapped well or stored in a cake keeper at room temperature.

cherry apricot cobbler

2006-08-04T18:10:00.000-04:00

filling
2 pounds fresh cherries, pitted, or two 1-pound bags frozen sweet cherries, thawed, drained
2 pounds fresh apricots, halved, pitted
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional)
1-2 t lemon juice
1 t vanilla or almond extract
2 T Tuaca or other liquer (optional)

topping
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/4 cup chilled buttermilk
zest of one lemon

to make
preheat oven to 400°F. toss all ingredients in large bowl to blend. add cornstarch if you prefer a thicker sauce--we like to leave it out because the juice is fabulous. transfer to a lightly buttered 13x9x2" glass baking dish. bake until filling is hot and begins to bubble at edges, about 35 minutes. reduce oven temperature to 375°F.

while fruit is baking, prepare topping: whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in another large bowl to blend. add butter; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. slowly add buttermilk, a quarter cup at a time, tossing with fork until dough comes together. drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls over hot filling to cover. sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. put cobbler back in the oven until topping is golden and tester inserted into center of topping comes out clean, about 40 minutes. cool 15 minutes. serve cobbler warm with whipped cream or ice cream. also excellent the next day for breakfast.

one bowl southwestern style salad

2006-07-31T18:58:00.000-04:00

Chop into similarly sized pieces:

avocado
turkey breast
tomato
corn (I microwave it first and cut it off the cob, but frozen would work too)
green onion
bell pepper, green or red
cucumber

Throw into a bowl with a can or two of drained black beans. If desired, add cooked rice (white, brown, spanish, yellow, whatever). Chop some fresh cilantro and mix everything together. Dress with a mixture of:

lime juice
wine vinegar (white or red or even sherry)
olive oil
celery seed
cumin
salt
red pepper flakes

Should keep in the fridge for a day or two. Might be good with shrimp, will try that next.

2006-07-25T12:53:00.000-04:00

White Almond Gazpacho

(Bartolomé's Málaga-style White Gazpacho)

from "La Cocina de Mamá " by Penelope Casas

Serves 4

Penelope writes -

"A gazpacho typical of Malaga that relies on blanched almonds for its pure white color and creamy consistency. Sweet green grapes are the essential counterpoint to the soup's tang of garlic and vinegar.

Chef Bartolomé Rodrigo Lucena, a native of Andalucia whose love of cooking began at his mother's side, is today the chef at Malaga's Parador de Gibralfaro, a government-sponsored hotel spectacularly set on a hilltop with extraordinary views of the city's port and the Mediterranean sea.

The shrimp that Bartolomé adds to this traditional gazpacho are unorthodox, to be sure, but give a lovely flavor counterpoint. "

INGREDIENTS:

One 6-inch piece cut from firm-textured French-style bread, crusts removed

1/2 pound (about 1 1/2 cups) blanched almonds

2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup mild extra virgin olive oil

4 cups ice water

16 to 24 skinned seedless green grapes, or 16 small balls of green melon or apple

12 small cooked and shelled shrimp, optional

Preparation:

- Soak the bread in water and squeeze dry. Place it in a food processor, add the almonds and garlic, and blend until very smooth.
- Add the vinegar and salt, and with the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream until fully incorporated.
- Gradually pour in the ice water.
- Transfer to a covered bowl and chill for several hours or overnight.
- Before serving, taste for salt and vinegar and adjust if necessary.
- Serve in small soup bowls and garnish each serving with 4 to 6 grapes or melon or apple balls and 3 shrimp.

buttermilk waffles

2006-07-20T12:36:00.000-04:00

adapted from Alton Brown

2 c flour
1 T cornmeal
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
3 T sugar
2 eggs, separated
pinch of cream of tartar
4 T unsalted butter, melted, cooled
1 3/4 c buttermilk

Whisk dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, salt, soda, sugar) together in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the egg yolks and butter together; add buttermilk. In a third bowl (chilled, if you think of it in time) beat egg whites with a pinch of cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry mixture and stir well. Carefully fold in egg whites.

Cook as directed by your waffle iron manufacturer.

barley and corn salad

2006-06-27T11:58:00.000-04:00

2/3 c pearl barley
8-12 oz green beans -- trimmed
8-12 oz smallish asparagus
1 c fresh corn kernels, barely cooked
4 oz baby arugula, washed and dried
1/2 c extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c white wine vinegar
3 T minced shallots
2 T minced fresh thyme (do not substitute dried)
2 t dijon mustard
3 1/2 oz soft fresh goat cheese -- crumbled

Cook barley in medium saucepan of boiling lightly salted water until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain; cool. Transfer to large bowl.

Cook beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Transfer beans to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well. Repeat with asparagus. Pat vegetables dry with paper towels. Cut beans and asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Transfer to bowl with barley. Mix in corn kernels. If necessary, coarsely chop the arugula; add to bowl with barley mixture.

Whisk olive oil, vinegar, shallots, thyme and Dijon mustard in small bowl to blend. Pour enough dressing over barley mixture to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with goat cheese.

You can make this the day before, which will only help the flavors meld. The arugula will wilt somewhat, but it's still good.

AB's crab fritters

2006-06-26T19:02:00.000-04:00

1 c lump crab meat (may be called jumbo, imperial, or colassal)
1 c regular crab meat (may be called regular, special, or backfin)
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 t fresh pepper
juice of half a lemon
1 1/2 c panko

2-3 qt canola oil

heat your oil in a heavy pot over medium high heat until it reaches 375 degrees. meanwhile, combine the other ingredients in a bowl. put the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. scoop with a 1 oz (no. 24) ice cream scoop and roll in the breadcrumbs until covered. fry, a few at a time, 5-7 minutes in the 375 degree oil.

AB cheese soup

2006-06-11T22:18:00.000-04:00

32 oz chicken broth

2 T butter

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

3 T all-purpose flour

bay leaf

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 c cream

10 oz fontina cheese, shredded

1 T marsala wine

1 T Worcestershire sauce

a few dashes hot sauce to taste

white pepper to taste

Heat up 32 oz chicken broth in an electric kettle or a saucepan.

Melt butter in a heavy soup pot; add onions, carrots, and celery, along with a generous pinch of salt. Stir for 5-10 minutes until veggies are soft. Use a sifter to add all purpose flour evenly on top of vegetables; stir in, cook until flour disappears. Add broth slowly, stirring constantly. Add a bay leaf and minced garlic.

Cover, lower heat to simmer, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf, and add cream. Mix with an immersion blender to make everything nice and creamy.

Add shredded cheese, a handful at a time, stirring each handful in completely before adding more. Finish with marsala wine, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and white pepper.

Serve immediately. Use a double-boiler to reheat any leftovers.

dips to try

2006-05-22T21:03:00.000-04:00

california dip

1 1/2 c sour cream
3/4 c mayo
2 T olive oil
1 1/2 c diced onion
kosher salt
1/4 t white pepper
1/4 t garlic powder

cook onions in olive oil with about 1/2 t salt over medium low heat for about 20 minutes, until onions are a rich brown color. transfer to bowl, making sure you get all the oil. add 1/2 t more salt, white pepper, and garlic powder. combine well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

chicken liver mousse

defrost frozen chicken livers in milk in the fridge overnight. in large saucepan, over medium heat, melt 2 T unsalted butter. add 2 c coarsely chopped onions, 1 coarsely chopped granny smith apple, 1 t fresh chopped thyme, and a heavy pinch of kosher salt. cover and cook until soft and golden brown. add a pound of chicken livers, cleaned and drained. stir the livers into the heat gently, and cook for about three minutes. when livers are done, the outside will look sandy gray, and the insides will still be pink. add a quarter cup of brandy, and simmer for another minute. let cool for five minutes.

transfer to a food processor and puree into a smooth paste. in a chilled bowl, whip a cup of heavy cream to soft peaks. fold half the cream carefully into the liver mixture until it is smooth and mostly combined. add the rest of the cream and fold until completely combined. serve immediately or cover and chill for up to two days.

Andalusian Beef Stew (Estofado de Buey a la Andaluza)

2006-05-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

I'm on a bit of an Iberian kick lately, which is both good (it's tasty and mostly good for you) and not helpful (most of my recipes are for dishes more suited for colder weather). This stew was excellent last Friday night when it was rainy and damp.

We had it with homemade herb bread, recipe to follow, and a Spanish red (duh). It makes quite a bit; I'll have lunch for a few days.

Adapted from My Kitchen in Spain, by Janet Mendel

2-3 pounds stewing beef, cut into 1" cubes
1 onion, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
2 T olive oil
1 c water
2 t better-than-bouillon concentrate (or substitute beef broth for the water + concentrate)
1/2 c dry sherry or vermouth
2 large bay leaves
a pinch of cloves
1/4 t cinnamon
a generous pinch of saffron threads, crushed
2 t salt
1 whole head garlic, roasted and peeled
2 carrots, sliced
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced

In a stew pot, combine the beef, onion, tomato, oil, sherry/vermouth, water, bouillon. Bring to a boil and add the bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, saffron, and salt. Add roasted garlic. Cover and simmer very slowly until the meat is almost tender, about 1 hour.

Add the sliced carrots and the potatoes. Cover and simmer for another 30 minutes, adding more water if necessary, until the meat and potatoes are very tender. Note: my liquid did not quite cover all the solid ingredients and it worked out fine. Add salt and white pepper to taste before you're done simmering.

Remove the bay leaves. The liquid will not thicken, so serve in soup bowls.

veal paprika

2006-04-12T08:25:00.000-04:00

makes around three servings

1 lb boneless veal, trimmed of as much fat as possible and cut in 1" cubes
1 1/2 cups beef broth
flour
salt
pepper
paprika
white pepper
olive oil
3-4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
1 onion, sliced into strips or rings
2 cloves garlic
8 oz mushrooms, cut into thick slices

Mix salt and pepper with flour and lightly dredge the veal cubes in it. Meanwhile, heat a large deep saute pan over medium high heat, and add bacon. When pan is ready, the veal cubes, making sure to brown them on all sides as quickly as possible. If bacon does not give off enough fat, use a little olive oil to prevent burning or sticking. Add the onion and garlic; cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften.

Turn heat to low, add broth, about a quarter of a teaspoon of white pepper, and around a tablespoon of paprika, stir well. Cover and cook until veal is tender, at least twenty minutes, probably closer to forty, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it cooks because of the flour on the veal, but if you want it thicker, cook it uncovered for a bit, stirring frequently. Add the mushrooms around five minutes before it's finished. Some people like sour cream mixed in right before serving, but it's very good without that too. Serve over egg noodles.

everyday bread pudding

2006-04-08T21:51:00.000-04:00

This is based on the low-fat bread pudding recipe in my new edition of the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. It's good made with a dense Italian or French style bread--the Cuban bread we get around here is perfect. If your bread isn't stale, you can dry the cubes out in a warm oven for 10-15 minutes.

6 beaten eggs
3 c milk
1/2 c sugar
2 T vanilla
2-3 t finely grated orange peel
1/2 t ground cardamom
1/2 t ground cinnamon
6-8 c dry bread cubes (around 3/4" square)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, orange peel, cardamom, and cinnamon. Put bread cubes in an ungreased baking dish. Pour egg mixture over bread mixture. You want the liquid mixture to come at least halfway up the bread but not to cover the top of the cubes. If you need to mix a little more liquid, use 2 eggs to a cup of milk, adding flavoring at your discretion.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool slightly. If desired, serve warm with Whiskey Sauce or whipped cream or both (this will alter the low-fat attribute somewhat).

If you want, you can put a streusel-style topping on it before cooking: combine 1/3 c all-purpose flour, 1/3 c packed brown sugar, and 3 T softened butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; sprinkle over pudding before baking.

gingered sugar cookies

2006-04-08T21:19:00.000-04:00

For once, I didn't change this recipe at all (except to add a little more ginger). According to the folks at Cooks Illustrated, from whence it came, it's best to use flour with a protein of around 10.5 percent (Pillsbury or Gold Medal) rather than something (like King Arthur at 11.7 percent). The higher protein will result in drier, cakier cookies.

Makes 2 dozen cookies

1/2 c sugar, for rolling dough
1 t grated fresh ginger (I use this stuff and press the liquid out in paper towels)
2 c unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t table salt
16 T (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still firm (60 to 65 degrees F)
1 c granulated sugar
1 T light brown sugar
1 large egg
2-4 T minced crystallized ginger
1 1/2 t vanilla extract

In food processor or spice grinder, process 1/2 c sugar and fresh ginger until just combined; set aside for rolling.

Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions; heat oven to 375 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl; set aside.

With mixer, beat butter, 1 c sugar, and brown sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg, crystallized ginger, and vanilla; beat at medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.

Place ginger sugar for rolling in shallow bowl. Fill medium bowl with cold tap water. Dip hands in water and shake off the excess (this prevents dough from sticking to your hands and ensure that sugar sticks to dough). Roll heaping tablespoon dough into 1 1/2" ball between moistened palms; roll ball in ginger sugar, then place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, moistening hands frequently and spacing balls about 2" apart. Butter the bottom of a flat-bottomed drinking glass; dip bottom of glass in remaining ginger sugar and flatten dough balls with bottom of glass until dough is 1/2-3/4" thick.

Bake until cookies are golden brown around edges and just set and very lightly colored in center, 15 to 18 minutes, reversing position of cookie sheets from front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking time. Cool cookies on baking sheet about 3 minutes; using wide metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack and cool to room temperature.