Fava Bean Puree

Adapted from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters,  this beautiful green gem can be added to practically any plate/dish.

(I halved this recipe as I was only cooking for myself...the original is below)

Ingredients

4 pounds fava beans (in their pods)
1/3-1/2 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 branch fresh rosemary, or 1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper to taste


Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to boil as you shell the beans from their pods.

Blanch the beans quickly in the boiling water, then remove within 10 seconds and put into a bowl of ice water.  Drain the beans and pop them out of their white-ish skins.

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, and add the fava beans, garlic, rosemary, and water.  Add salt and pepper.  Stirring occasionally, (making sure the garlic/beans don't stick to the bottom of the pot), cook the beans until tender and can be squished underneath a fork or back of a spoon, about 10-15 minutes.

Remove the beans and place into a bowl where you can mash them all with a spoon, potato-masher, or run through a food mill (if you have one).  Test for salt/pepper.  Enjoy!!

Honey Ricotta Turnovers

Adapted from Yummly, originally from the one and only Martha Stewart.

Add in some of your favorite fruit...this could be incredible with softened figs or berries.  I opted for a handful of mushed-up blackberries and am more than thankful I did.

Ingredients

3/4 c. ricotta
3 tblsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. orange or lemon zest
Handful of berries (optional)
1 large egg
pinch of salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter
2 tblsp. honey, plus more for serving
6 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, sugar, vanilla, zest, fruit (if using), egg, and pinch of salt. Mix well to combine. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter and honey on high until butter melts, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir well to combine. 

Lay 1 sheet phyllo on a work surface (cover other sheets with a lightly damp towel). Using a pastry brush, gently brush with honey mixture. Lay 2 more sheets phyllo on top, brushing each with honey mixture. Cut crosswise into 4 rectangles. Place spoonful of ricotta mixture at one end of each rectangle; gently fold phyllo around ricotta at a diagonal, and continue to fold it, maintaining its triangular shape, until you get to the end (similar to folding a flag). 

Transfer to a greased or lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 3 sheets phyllo. Bake until golden brown and shiny, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm, drizzled with more honey.

Enjoy!

Strawberry Coffee Cake

I got this via Joy the Baker who received the recipe from a good ol' southern cookbook, Panache at Rose Hill.  Either way, it's now in my hands.  Thank you, Universe!

The original recipe called for only one cup of strawberries.  I scoffed at that and made it two cups, with an extra tablespoon of butter in the crumble topping.  The adjusted version is below.

Ingredients

2 heaping cups sliced strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons water

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
a few drops of almond extract (optional)

Topping:
4 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar, water and cornstarch in a small saucepan.  Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened and strawberries are soft and a little broken down.  Set aside to cool.

Grease and flour a 10×10-inch or 11x9 (what have you) baking dish, knocking out excess flour, and set aside.

To make the coffee cake:

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it.

Sift dry ingredients together.  Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter in 3 parts alternating with the sour cream in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.  Beat just until combined.

To make the streusel topping:

Combine all the topping ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingertips until crumbly.  Set aside.

Spoon 2/3 of the batter into the prepared pan.  Spread the cooled strawberry mixture over the batter. Spoon the remaining batter onto the strawberries and spread evenly.  Top with streusel topping and bake in the upper third of the oven.  Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Garden Pesto

Ok guys.  This is one of those recipes where you're going to have to trust your own taste.  Make it to your own liking, and the more leafy greens you can find and throw in, the better!

It's best if you can find a variety of greens:  kale, chard, parsley, basil, chives, garlic scapes, broccoli leaves, almost anything will work.  Just don't throw in lettuce because that would be boring and soggy.  If you do use kale or chard, strip the leaves from the tougher stems, and toss the stems (or compost, as I'm now learning!)

Ingredients

Handfuls of your favorite greens, which can include any of the above-mentioned greens
Couple cloves of garlic
Parmesan or Romano, grated
Walnuts
Olive oil
Salt


Directions

Toast the walnuts lightly in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Keep an eye on the walnuts and move them around the pan regularly to barely-toast them, and remove from heat when done.  Set aside.

Place the peeled garlic cloves in the food processor, add in the toasted walnuts, and pulse to chop.  If they're getting stuck, drizzle in a little olive oil to loosen.  Add in the greens, a handful at a time.  Drizzle in the olive oil, and add a little salt until the greens, walnuts, and garlic are full blended together, and the sauce is loose enough to spoon over veggies, pasta, or some grilled chicken.  Use your own judgement here, and add just enough oil and salt till you're satisfied and proud to show off your awesome alternative-pesto making skills to friends and family!

When using the pesto for pasta, keep a cup of pasta water around, and after the pasta drains, place the pasta in a bowl and loosen the noodles a bit with the pasta water, then toss with the pesto and shave some fresh Romano or Parmesan on top.  The pasta water is key here to help spread the pesto-loving to all noodles.  

Roasted Salsa

Inspired by the blog Homesick Texan, which I originally found via Cup of Jo. 

Try and find those legit tortilla chips at your local grocery.  You might even want to give the chips a squeeze of lime and warm them up a bit.  Ohhhhh buddy.

Ingredients

6-7 Roma tomatoes, quartered
4-5 Green onions or 1/2 regular onion, quartered
3-4 cloves garlic (leave the peels on)
1-2 Jalapenos or Serrano chiles
Handful of green pepitas
Smoked paprika, chipotle, or smoked sea salt (optional)

Small handful of cilantro (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Turn the oven on to broil.  (Alternatively you can slow-roast everything at 400 degrees F if you have an extra hour to spare. Both options work).  Line a baking dish with foil.  Place in the baking dish the quartered tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, the chilies, and the onions.  Sprinkle a little with salt.  If broiling, place the pan under the broiler and keep an eye on it...should usually take between 10-15 minutes.  After the first five minutes, check to see if the chiles have some blistered spots on them...if they do, remove them and the garlic(now peel the garlic) and place in a blender.  If not, give them a few minutes. 

Let the tomatoes broil five-ten minutes longer, and keep in mind that it's ok if the tomatoes turn a little black in parts... that adds to the smokiness of the salsa.  While the veggies are baking, throw the pepitas into a saute pan and turn the heat onto medium, giving the pan a good shake every now and then to evenly toast the seeds.  They'll start to pop around a bit (don't be scared! It's kind of fun.)  once they start to reach a golden  brown color, remove from heat. 

Once the tomatoes are done roasting, add into the blender with the chilies and garlic, along with the onions. Give the blender a whirl under under the 'chop' option if you have it, then add in the pepitas.  Add some salt and pepper, and blend until smooth.  Add in a little bit of smoked paprika, chipotle, or smoked sea salt if you have it, to your taste.  If it's too thick, add just a little bit of water to loosen the tomato mixture.  Now is the time to add in some cleaned cilantro if you wish.  Continue to blend and add spices as they suit your taste, and serve warm with chips.

Congrats!  You've just made the best salsa ever.  I knew you could do it.   

Lemon Gingersnap Icebox Pie

Adapted from Gourmet in 2003 via Epicurious  I actually substituted some all-natural lemonade into this and cut the sugar as I was plum out of real lemon juice, but I'd stick to the original.  There's so much goodness here, folks. (And it makes an awesome self-made birthday dessert!)

Ingredients

For crust:

1 1/2 cups finely crushed gingersnap cookies (6 ounces)

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Handful of almond slices

For ice cream: 

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

4 teaspoons finely grated fresh lemon zest

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 large egg yolks

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

For the crust, whir up the gingersnaps and almonds into a food processor, then toss together with butter, using a fork until crumbs are moistened. Press evenly onto bottom and up the sides of a 10-inch glass or ceramic pie plate. Bake crust in middle of oven 7-10 minutes, then cool on a rack. The crust will harden as it cools.

For the custard ice cream, bring cream, milk, sugar, zest, and salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved (make sure to use a bigger pot than you think you might need...milk likes to overflow when boiling). Whisk yolks in a bowl until blended, then add hot cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking, to prevent cooking the eggs. Transfer custard back to saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 175 to 180°F on thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes (do not let boil).

Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve into cleaned bowl, then stir in lemon juice. Cool custard to room temperature, stirring occasionally, then chill at least three hours or overnight in the fridge, covered. 

When cool, freeze the custard according to your ice cream maker's manufacturing instructions.  When the consistency looks like a soft frozen yogurt, scoop the ice cream directly into the gingersnap crust in the pie plate, and freeze completely (at least two hours).  

When ready to give it a try, remove the frozen pie at least 20 minutes prior to serving. This will soften it up enough to cut into slices.  Sprinkle with any leftover gingersnap crumbs, lemon slices, or, do like I do and just dig in!

Peach Bourbon Ice Cream

Adapted from The Perfect Scoop by the one and only David Lebovitz.

My only changes are to add one more peach to make it extra peachy, and a splash of bourbon and use brown sugar (and a bit less of it).   Enjoy the summer, kids!

Ingredients

1-1/3 lbs (about 4-5 large peaches) fresh peaches
3/4 cup sugar (or brown sugar)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tblsp. bourbon (optional)
a few drops freshly squeezed lemon juice


Directions

Peel and slice the peaches, remove the pits, and cut into large chunks.  Cook the peaches for 10 minutes in 1/2 cup of water to soften them, stirring often.  Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, and allow to cool to room temperature. 

Blend the peaches and liquid with the sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, bourbon, and the lemon juice, (but try to leave some peach chunks!)

Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Freeze for several hours or overnight until desired level of firmness is achieved.  Serve alone, with pie, with pecans, with berries...or alone.  And savor this summer.

Classic Tart Cherry Pie

From Epicurious and Bon Appetit (2008).  Yum.


Ingredients

Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour (you can replace 1/2 cup with rye, like I did)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 5 tablespoons (or more) ice water

Filling:

• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups whole pitted sour cherries or dark sweet cherries (about 2 pounds whole unpitted cherries)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (if using sour cherries) or 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (if using dark sweet cherries)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon (about) milk
• 1tsp. bourbon (optional)

Directions

For crust:
Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in large bowl to blend. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until small pea-size clumps form. Add 5 tablespoons ice water; mix lightly with fork until dough holds together when small pieces are pressed between fingertips, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough together; divide into 2 pieces. Form each piece into ball, then flatten into disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (or overnight, but let the dough come back to room temperature before rolling out).

For filling:
Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Whisk 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Stir in cherries, lemon juice, bourbon (if using) and vanilla; set aside while you roll out the dough. If the filling is too liquid-y, strain slightly to avoid soggy-pie syndrome later on.

Roll out 1 dough disk on floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch glass pie dish. Trim dough overhang to 1/2 inch. Roll out second dough disk on floured surface to 12-inch round. Using large knife or pastry wheel with fluted edge, cut ten 3/4-inch-wide strips from dough round. Transfer filling to dough-lined dish, mounding slightly in center. Dot with butter. Arrange dough strips atop filling, forming lattice; trim dough strip overhang to 1/2 inch. Fold bottom crust up over ends of strips and crimp edges to seal. Brush lattice crust (not edges) with milk. Sprinkle lattice with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

Place pie on rimmed baking sheet and bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Bake pie until filling is bubbling and crust is golden brown, covering edges with foil collar if browning too quickly, about 1 hour longer. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely.  Enjoy!

Poptarts with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

I got the pastry recipe from Smitten Kitchen, who in turn tweaked it from King Arthur Flour. 

The jam I improvised using ideas from Bon Appetit for a roasted rhubarb and strawberry dessert.


Ingredients

For the pastry

2 cups all-purpose flour (or you can do 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat and 1/2 cup rye, like I did which was fabulous).
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pats
1 large egg
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) milk
1 additional large egg (to brush on pastry)


For the Strawberry Rhubarb jam

2-2 1/2 cups hulled strawberries, chopped
4-5 stalks rhubarb trimmed and sliced thinly
1/4 cup bourbon
1/2 cup sugar (I used half white, half brown sugar), or less if you prefer
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of cayenne pepper (optional)


Directions

Start with the jam (since it needs time to cool).  Throw all of the ingredients into a saucepan, and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer, stirring regularly as the fruits start to bubble and the sugar dissolves (to avoid burning the sugar at the bottom of the pan).  Scrape any scum off the top, and make sure to test the jam after about 15 minutes to make sure you're ok with the level of spices and flavor mixtures.  Continue to let the jam bubble away, and pull off the stove once the jam sticks to the spoon and isn't too runny.  Allow to cool to room temperature, or put the whole pot into the fridge to cool and thicken, stirring regularly so a film doesn't form across the top of the jam.

For the pastry dough, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Work in the butter with your fingers, pastry blender or food processor until pea-sized lumps of butter are still visible, and the mixture holds together when you squeeze it. If you’ve used a food processor, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Whisk the first egg and milk together and stir them into the dough, mixing just until everything is cohesive, kneading briefly on a well-floured counter to distribute the butter.

Divide the dough in half , and shape each half into a smooth rectangle, about 3×5 inches. You can roll this out immediately or wrap each half in plastic and refrigerate up to two days (but when it's time to roll it out, make sure it's at room temperature).

To assemble the pop tarts:  Place one piece on a lightly floured work surface, and roll it into a rectangle about 1/8″ thick, large enough that you can trim it to an even 9″ x 12″. [You can use a 9" x 13" pan, laid on top, as guidance.] Repeat with the second piece of dough. Set trimmings aside. Cut each piece of dough into thirds – you’ll form nine 3″ x 4″ rectangles.

Beat the additional egg and brush it over the entire surface of the first dough. This will be the “inside” of the tart; the egg is to help glue the lid on. Place a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each rectangle, keeping a bare 1/2-inch perimeter around it. Place a second rectangle of dough atop the first, using your fingertips to press firmly around the pocket of filling, sealing the dough well on all sides. Press the tines of a fork all around the edge of the rectangle. Repeat with remaining tarts.

Gently place the tarts on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick the top of each tart multiple times with a fork; you want to make sure steam can escape, or the tarts will get too puffed up. Refrigerate the tarts (they don’t need to be covered) for 30 minutes, while you preheat your oven to 350°F.

Remove tarts from the fridge and bake for 25 minutes, until golden and brown.  Allow to cool in pan, then remove and enjoy!

P.S. The leftover jam is bomb.  We munched on it with brie wedges at work and it would be lovely also on pancakes, toast, or poundcake.

Strawberry Lemon Champagne Sorbet

Got this from Eat. Drink. Love., adapted slightly for moi.

Ingredients

2-2.5 cups uber-ripe strawberries (hulled), preferrably from a farmers market
2 lemons worth of zest and juice
1/3 cup filtered water
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup champagne
Handful of mint leaves


Directions


Smash the strawberries up, along with lemon zest in a blender.  Now, you can either (later) steep the mixture with the mint leaves then strain them (and the seeds) out, or you can zazz them up along with the strawberries and lemon zest here. Up to you!

Meanwhile, bring the sugar and water to a boil, then remove from heat. Make sure to stir so the sugar doesn't burn.  This will thicken slightly and be your simple sugar syrup.  Allow to cool slightly.

Combine the strawberry mixture with the lemon juice, champagne, and simple sugar syrup. Make sure to taste the awesomeness here...do you want it more sweet? More sour?  Play with the flavors to your own palate here.

Place in a bowl and refrigerate for several hours before using your ice cream maker and following your manufacturer's instructions.

French Lemon Yogurt Cake

For Maurice Sendak.  Adapted from Bon Appetit, shared by Andrew Knowlton.  This is a quick cake, like a banana bread or zucchini bread but with lemon and yogurt!  Lovely to meet you, perfect cake.  Lovely indeed.

Ingredients

1c all purpose flour

1/2c rye flour (alternatively you can use 1.5c all-purpose flour total)

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4c sugar

1 heaping tbsp. lemon zest (finely grated)

3/4 c. Greek yogurt

1/2c vegetable oil 

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Coat a standard loaf pan with vegetable oil spray or butter and dust with flour; tap out excess.  

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate bowl, rub the sugar together with the lemon zest with your fingers until the sugar is moist.  Add yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract and whisk to blend.  Fold in dry ingredients just to blend.  Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth the top.  Bake until the top of the cake is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50-55 minutes.  Let cake cool in pan for about 15 minutes, then remove to cool completely.  

Spicy Crunchy Chickpeas

Adapted from "Eat, Taste, Heal" and it's a fascinating book.  For example, I found out that my dosha is Kapha.  What's that you say?  You have no idea what that means?  Well I barely do, but you can learn more here if you're the curious type.

Ingredients
1 can chick peas (or fresh if you want to be authentic about it, but that's a different recipe)
Vegetable or sunflower oil

Spice Mixture (I make this in a large quantity, keep in a jar, then sprinkle it at will).
2 tablespoons coriander
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon ginger
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon clove
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon (or more, if you'd like) chili powder or cayenne


Directions


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Open can of chickpeas, rinse, and drain, leaving them in the colander.

Mix the spices separately in a small bowl or jar, and mix (or shake in jar) well till fully incorporated.

Scoop one tablespoon of spice mixture out of bowl/jar and sprinkle the garbanzo beans. Toss to coat.  If you think you need a bit more spice, throw it on!  I also sprinkled some salt and pepper, but not too much.

Lightly oil a baking sheet, and toss the chickpeas onto the sheet, shaking the sheet to make sure the beans are distributed evenly.

Bake the garbanzo beans for about 30-40 minutes, and test for crunchy-ness.  You might want to shake the pan a few times during the baking process so they don't burn and cook evenly.  Remove the sheet when there's a uniform crunch to your snack.

Let cool and crunch away.

As a side note, the spice mixture keeps well and is great sprinkled on lentils, rice, even popcorn, and veggies.

Jamie Oliver's Meat(fish)balls

The only small change I had was to use Mahi Mahi instead of swordfish or tuna, and also added in a can of canned tuna which, I promise, did not ruin this recipe in the slightest.  This recipe is slightly adapted from Jamie Oliver's "Best Tuna Meatballs."

Ingredients

For the tomato sauce

olive oil

1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 x 400g tins of good-quality plum tomatoes
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
red wine vinegar
a small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and roughly chopped

For the meat(fish)balls

1 lb. of sustainably sourced tuna, swordfish, or mahi mahi
olive oil
2 oz of rough-chopped pinenuts
1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano (start with this, add more to sauce if you want later)
a handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
3-4 ozstale breadcrumbs
2 ozfreshly grated Parmesan
2 eggs
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 can of tuna (optional if you have less fresh fish on hand and have to mix together)

Directions

Make the tomato sauce first.  Place a large pan on medium heat, add a good amount of olive oil, onion and garlic and fry slowly for 10 or so minutes until soft. Add oregano, tomatoes, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes or so, then liquidize until smooth (with either an immersion blender or...I used a potato masher. Don't judge).  Make sure to taste it – it might need a tiny splash of red wine vinegar or some extra seasoning.


While the tomatoes are simmering, chop the fish into 1 inch dice. Pour a good couple of tablespoons of olive oil into a large frying pan and place on medium-high heat. Add the fish to the pan with the pinenuts and cinnamon. Season lightly with salt and pepper and fry for a minute or so to cook the fish on all sides and toast the pinenuts. Remove from the heat and put the mixture into a bowl. Allow to cool down for 5 minutes, then add the oregano, parsley, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, lemon zest and juice to the bowl (and a can of fish if you choose to use it here). Using your hands, really scrunch and mix the flavors into the tuna, then divide the mixture and squeeze it into meatballs slightly smaller than a golf ball. If you dip one of your hands in water while shaping you’ll get a nice smooth surface on the meatball. If the mixture’s very sticky, add a few more breadcrumbs. Keep the meatballs around the same size and place them on an oiled tray, then put them in the fridge for an hour to let them rest.

Put the pan you fried the fish in back on the heat with a little olive oil. Add meatballs to the pan and jiggle them about until they’re golden brown all over. You might want to do them in batches – when they’re done, add them to the tomato sauce and cook on low for about five to ten minutes, just to warm everything up together (be careful not to burn!) then divide between your plates, sprinkle with chopped parsley and drizzle with good olive oil. Great served with spaghetti or linguine, or crusty rolls of bread to make meatball sandwiches.

Soba Noodles with Eggplant and Mango

This is from Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi.  Get yourself a copy, stat.

Serves 6 (Or a handful of hungry ladies)

Ingredients

1/2 cup rice vinegar
3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 fresh red chile, (or red pepper flakes or jalapeno if you can't find it)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
grated zest and juice of one lime
1 cup sunflower oil
2 eggplants, cut into 3/4 inch dice, or into 1/4 inch thick strips
2 cups basil leaves, chopped or julienned (or Thai basil, but less of it)
2 1/2 cups cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
Handful of cashews, or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) lightly toasted in a pan on the stove

Directions

In a small saucepan gently warm the vinegar, sugar, and salt for up to a minute, just until the sugar dissolves.  Remove from the heat and add the garlic, chile, and sesame oil.  Allow to cool, then add the lime zest and juice.

Heat up the sunflower oil in a large pan and shallow-fry the eggplant in three or four batches.  Once golden brown, remove to a colander, sprinkle liberally with salt, and leave there to drain.

Cook the noodles in plenty of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally.  They should take 5 to 8 minutes to become tender (but still al dente).  Drain and rinse well under running cold water.  shake off as much excess water as possible, then leave to dry on a dish towel (or another colander).

In a mixing bowl, toss the noodles with the dressing (that was put aside in the first step), mango, eggplant, half of the herbs and the onion.  You can now leave this aside for an hour or two (or eat immediately if you're starving).  When ready to serve, add the rest of the herbs and mix well, then pile on a plate or in a bowl.  If you using the toasted cashews or pepitas, sprinkle on top, then serve.

Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower)

This recipe, adapted from Gourmet via Epicurious, is a slightly easier version of Aloo Gobi.  Thank you, Interwebs, for giving me recipes from the Motherland! 

Ingredients

1 (1 3/4-lb) head cauliflower, cut into 3/4-inch-wide florets

1 1/4 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

5 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 teaspoons minced fresh jalapeño, including seeds

2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon cayenne/chili powder

1/2 cup water

1/2 bag frozen peas (optional, but I think it only benefits this dish)

Flatbread of your choice, gently warmed in the oven, to scoop up the delicious with. 

Directions

Preheat oven to 475°F.

Toss cauliflower and potatoes together in a bowl with 3 tablespoons oil, cumin seeds, and1/4 teaspoon salt. Spread in hot baking pan and roast, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and browned in spots and potatoes are just tender, about 25-30 minutes. Make sure to toss half-way through so both sides get nice and caramelized.

While vegetables are roasting, cook onion, garlic, jalapeño, and ginger in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until very soft and beginning to turn golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne/chili powder, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Stir in water, scraping up any brown bits from bottom of skillet, then stir in roasted vegetables fresh from the oven.  Toss in the half-bag of frozen peas if you like, then cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. 

Serve immediately with warmed flatbread. 

Apple Cider Doughnuts

I got this from the New York Times, who got it ever-so-kindly from Todd Gray of Equinox restaurant fame, right here in Washington, DC.  I love how these doughnuts had to go to NYC to come right back home to me.

Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients

1 cup apple cider

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, more for rolling dough

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk*

1 medium Honeycrisp apple or other tart cooking apple, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice

Vegetable oil, for frying

1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup

*If you don't have buttermilk on hand but have regular milk and either white vinegar or lemon juice, you can make your own in a pinch! Just take a cup of milk, one tablespoon of the vinegar or lemon juice, mix together and let it sit for 10 minutes until it curdles.  In this recipe, only use 1/2 cup and reserve the rest for...maybe  biscuits?

Directions

Place apple cider in a small saucepan over high heat and reduce to 1/2 cup; remove from heat and reserve. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, mix together the butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and the brown sugar, until creamy. Mix in eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla, buttermilk and reserved cider.

Scrape down bowl and add sifted flour mixture. Mix just until blended. Remove bowl from mixer, add apple, and mix well by hand. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to a rough disk about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. Cut dough using a 2 1/2-inch doughnut cutter (or, if you're like me, use a glass that fits the size doughnut you want).  Then, in each circle, cut out the doughnut holes with something the size of a small shot glass. Reserve the “holes.”

Fill a wok, a thick-walled deep pot, or deep fryer with oil and heat to 300 degrees. Putting three or four doughnuts in at a time, fry until deep golden brown on each side, about 5 minutes total. Drain on a platter lined with paper towels. Fry “holes” separately, and dry as well on a separate plate lined with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar with remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dust doughnuts with cinnamon sugar and serve warm, and as many doughnut holes that you want.  For the rest of the doughnut holes, place them in a bowl of 100% pure maple syrup.  Serve doughnuts and doughnut holes nice and warm, preferably with some piping hot coffee and cream.

Balthazar's Cream of Mushroom Soup

Based on my grocery store offerings, this is a slightly bastardized version of the original Balthazar Mushroom Soup.  Don't hate, because this is nothing if not a legitimate recipe.

Ingredients


1 package dried shiitake mushrooms
1 package baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 package oyster mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 sprig rosemary (finely chopped)
5 sprigs sage (finely chopped)
1 yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
4 cups chicken stock (one box good quality chicken stock)
splash of half and half or heavy cream
2 tbsp. butter
1.5 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper


Directions

our one cup of warm water over the dried mushrooms to let soak for 20-30 minutes, until soft and plump.  Strain the soaking liquid and mushrooms through a sieve and coffee filter to catch any dirt/grit.  Slick, then reserve the mushrooms and cooking liquid for later.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a big soup pot over medium-high heat.  Add the herbs in to infuse the oil for a few minutes, then add the onio, garlic, salt, and pepper and stir until soft.  Turn the heat to high and add the baby bella nd oyster mushrooms.  Stir occasionally as the mushrooms release any liquid and start to soften.  Add the chicken stock and then the shiitake mushrooms and the liquid they had originally soaked in.  Lower heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the 2 tbsp of butter, and stir to melt and incorporate.  Working in batches (or with an immersion blender) blend the soup until smooth and velvety.  Return to the pot, and add a splash of the half-and-half or heavy cream (but not too much). Keep on a low simmer until ready to serve.

Carrot Ginger Soup

I got this from a book that we've had for years now, "The Complete Book of 400 Soups."  And make no mistake, that is no typo.  Four Hundred.  Guess who's making more soups for you this winter?

Ingredients

2 tbsp. butter
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 medium potato, peeled and chopped
1.5 lb. carrots, chopped
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh root ginger
5 cups chicken stock
7 tbsp. heavy whipping cream or greek yogurt (optional)
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, if on hand. (If not, ground will do)
1 tsp. cumin
Salt, Pepper to taste
Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)


Directions


Melt the butter, add the onion and celery, and cook for five minutes over medium-high heat, and sprinkle some salt on as well.  Then stir in the potato, carrots, ginger, and stock, and a dash of red pepper flakes if you wish to add some kick.  Bring to a boil.  Next, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Pour the soup into the food processor (you may have to do this in batches if you have a small food processor, like mine), and blend until smooth.  Return the completely blended soup to the pan, and stir in nutmeg, cumin, salt, and pepper to your liking.  Add the cream if you wish, however, I added a dollop of Greek yogurt to the soup in my bowl, with a spattering of sliced almonds toasted with cumin on top, and it was out of this world. Healthier than cream, too.  Serve hot and enjoy!

Soft Rye Pretzels

Via Good to the Grain by Kim Boyce.

Ingredients


2 Tbsp. butter, melted, for the bowl and baking sheets

Dough:
1 package active dry yeast
1 tbsp. honey
1 cup rye flour
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. kosher salt

Bath:
1/2 cup baking soda

Finish:
Coarse sea salt


Directions


Measure the yeast into a large bowl.  Heat 1.5 cups of water in a saucepan till warm to the touch, about 100 degrees F, and pour over yeast.  Add the honey and stir to combine.  (Make sure the yeast starts to expand and bubble to make sure it's active).  Add the flours and salt, and stir again.

Dump the sticky dough onto a floured surface and knead.  Add up to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour as needed until the dough is tacky but not sticky.  Knead for about 12 minutes, until the dough is soft and supple.

Lightly brush a large bowl with the melted butter.  Move the dough into the owl, and cover with a warm wet towel (so dough doesn't dry out) and let rise about 1.5 hours until doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, make sure your oven is turned on to 450 degrees F, and that the two racks are at the top and bottom thirds of the oven.  Brush two baking sheets generously with butter.

Once the dough is doubled, gently pour it from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface.  Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces.  One at a time (leave the remaining pieces covered by the wet towel meanwhile), roll out each piece of dough into the shape of a long snake, about 15-17 inches long.  Don't flour the surface as your roll; the slight stickiness lets you roll the dough evenly and quickly.

To make the pretzel shape:  take both ends of the snake-shape (leaving the center on the counter) and meet in the middle, and switch places in the hands (so the left side is now in right hand, and right side now in left hand).  Bring the ends back down and make sure it has the curves of a normal pretzel shape, and gently press back down onto the sides of the center of the snake-shaped roll.  Place pretzel on one of the baking sheets.  Continue until you are finished with all the dough and pretzels, and let rise additional 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, for the bath, fill a large pot with ten cups of water, and bring to a boil.  Once the pretzels have risen for the 20 minutes and the water is boiling, add the baking soda to the water.  Place 2-3 pretzels into the pot, (depending on size of pot, you don't want the pretzels to touch), and boil each side of the pretzel for 30 seconds, then use a straining spoon to lift the pretzels out and back onto the baking sheets, (tapping gently with a towel or against pot to remove excess water).   Repeat for all pretzels, and sprinkle liberally with salt while still moist.

Place the baking sheets with pretzels in the oven and bake 15-18 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.  The pretzels should be a dark mahogany color.  Transfer to a rack to cool, and are best eaten warm, ideally within the hour and with mustard.

Stone Fruit Lattice Pie and Pie Crust Recipe

Got this from the new Bon Appetit mag, but added some rosemary from my friend's garden.  Zing! I loved it.   Awesome pie crust recipe directly below.  Pie recipe below that.

Master Pie Crust

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" cubes
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp. sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Directions
Process flour, butter, vegetable shortening, sugar, and salt in a food processor until butter resembles tiny pebbles, about 25 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl. Gradually add 3/4 cup ice water, using a fork to stir until dough is a mixture of clumpy wet pieces and sandier pieces, adding more water by tablespoonfuls if dry. Wrap in plastic wrap and allow to chill for at least an hour, or overnight.
For a single- or double-crust unbaked pie crust:

Divide dough in half. Flatten each half into a disk. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 disk into a 13"-14" round. Roll over rolling pin and transfer to the pie dish. Pick up the edges and allow dough to slump inside the dish. Trim, leaving about 1" overhang. (For single-crust pie, fold overhang under and crimp edges.) Chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

For a blind-baked pie crust:

•Preaheat oven to 375°. Prick chilled crust in pie dish (see instructions, above) alll over with a fork. Line crust with foil or parchment paper. Fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven; lift out foil and weights. Reduce temperature to 350°. Return to oven and bake, using fork to prick any bubbles that have formed and pressing down on them with back of fork, until crust is light golden brown, 20-25 minutes longer. Let crust cool completely.

For instructions on how to lattice the heck outta your crust, check this nifty "how to" from Bon Appetit.

Stone Fruit Lattice Pie
(I only used peaches and plums, and added a pinch of rosemary. yum!)

Ingredients

Filling

2 pounds nectarines
1 pound peaches, peeled
1 pound plums
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp. finely chopped rosemary (optional)
1/2 teaspoon orange-flower water (optional)
1 large egg, beaten to blend

Directions
Crust

Divide dough in half. Roll out one half according to Unbaked Pie Crust recipe. Roll out second dough disk on a lightly floured sruface to a 14" round. Transfer round to a baking sheet. Cover and chill both crusts for 1 hour. DO AHEAD option: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

Filling

Preheat oven to 400°. Halve, pit, and cut fruit into 1/2" thick slices. Place all fruit in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup sugar and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour, tossing occasionally. Strain fruit, reserving 1/4 cup of liquid; return fruit to same bowl. Whisk cornstarch and reserved fruit liquied in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture, nutmeg, rosemary, and orange-flower water, if using, to fruit; toss gently.

Pour fruit mixture into unbaked pie crust in dish. Using a pizza wheel or a sharp knife, cut 14" dough round into 3/4"-wide strips. Weave strips over filling, forming a lattice. Trim strips 1/2" shorter than dough overhang. Fold overhang over strips and cripm edges decoratively.

Brush beaten egg over crust edges and lattice. Sprink 1 Tbsp. sugar over. Set pie on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake pie for 40 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°. Bake until crust is golden brown and juices bubble, about 40 minutes longer. Let cool on a wire rack.