I got this from Bon Appetit via Epicurious...named for the ladies of the night from back in the mother land, Italia, it's become a hearty pasta dish for us busy folk that need a flavorful, interesting, and quickly-thrown together meal in the night time. And I'm thankful to them for it.
Ingredients
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 28.2-ounce can peeled tomatoes in puree with basil
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, halved, pitted
3 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons drained capers
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
3/4 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Directions
Heat oil in large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute. Add tomatoes with puree, olives, anchovies, capers, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Simmer sauce over medium-low heat until thickened, breaking up tomatoes with spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
While the sauce is simmering away, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta; return to same pot. Add sauce and parsley to the hot pasta. Toss until sauce coats pasta, about 3 minutes. Serve with grated cheese.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Coconut Banana Bread
I got this recipe (and idea for sprinkling the thick, natural Demerara sugar along the top) from Orangette. Molly, of course, got it from HomeBaking: The Artful Mix of Flour and Tradition around the World, by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid.
Ingredients
3 large, overripe bananas
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/8 tsp distilled white vinegar
2 Tbsp. dark rum
½ cup dried shredded unsweetened coconut
Demerara sugar (to your sprinkled liking)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a standard loaf pan.
If using frozen bananas, make sure they are completely thawed (at least 4 hours out of the freezer...alternatively put them in the fridge the day before or overnight).
In a blender or food processor, purée the bananas. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of purée to 1 3/4 and set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vinegar and rum, and beat to mix well. Add the banana purée and the flour mixture alternately, about 1 cup at a time, beginning with the banana and beating to just incorporate. Use a spatula to fold in any flour that has not been absorbed, and stir in the coconut. Be careful to not overmix.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle evenly with the demerara sugar. Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack or cutting board and try not to dig in while the loaf is still steaming. If you must though, I understand completely. When storing the loaf, keep in an airtight container...you don't want it to dry out.
Makes 1 loaf.
Ingredients
3 large, overripe bananas
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/8 tsp distilled white vinegar
2 Tbsp. dark rum
½ cup dried shredded unsweetened coconut
Demerara sugar (to your sprinkled liking)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a standard loaf pan.
If using frozen bananas, make sure they are completely thawed (at least 4 hours out of the freezer...alternatively put them in the fridge the day before or overnight).
In a blender or food processor, purée the bananas. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of purée to 1 3/4 and set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vinegar and rum, and beat to mix well. Add the banana purée and the flour mixture alternately, about 1 cup at a time, beginning with the banana and beating to just incorporate. Use a spatula to fold in any flour that has not been absorbed, and stir in the coconut. Be careful to not overmix.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle evenly with the demerara sugar. Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack or cutting board and try not to dig in while the loaf is still steaming. If you must though, I understand completely. When storing the loaf, keep in an airtight container...you don't want it to dry out.
Makes 1 loaf.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
I had a friend crash at my place and no slumber party is complete without Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, wine, and a plate of warm cookies. Weird? I think not. In flipping through my trusty Gourmet Cookbook, I found this prize-winner of a recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup chunky or smooth peanut butter (I used JIF Natural Creamy)
1 cup sugar (I recommend 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
Optional: Handful of chopped walnuts or chocolate bits if you like
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with butter and set aside. With a mixer, combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes or so. Add the egg and baking soda and mix for another 2 minutes. Fold in the walnut pieces or chocolate bits if you wish at this point, then roll mixture into a ball, about 1-1 1/2" wide, and repeat for the rest of the dough. Bake for 10-13 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
These cookies are best served warm, and be careful: they are pretty delicate and would only keep for another day or so in an air-tight container.
Ingredients
1 cup chunky or smooth peanut butter (I used JIF Natural Creamy)
1 cup sugar (I recommend 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
Optional: Handful of chopped walnuts or chocolate bits if you like
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with butter and set aside. With a mixer, combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes or so. Add the egg and baking soda and mix for another 2 minutes. Fold in the walnut pieces or chocolate bits if you wish at this point, then roll mixture into a ball, about 1-1 1/2" wide, and repeat for the rest of the dough. Bake for 10-13 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
These cookies are best served warm, and be careful: they are pretty delicate and would only keep for another day or so in an air-tight container.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Grilled Cheese with Pear and Brie
Grilled cheeses are like pajamas. Mix and match all your favorite things, you're bound to find something that just works for you. This worked for me last week, and I'm sure I'll return to it again.
Ingredients
2 slices- bread of choice (I used Pepperidge Farm Dark German Wheat)
Your favorite chutney (cranberry would be good. I used My Naani's Apple Chutney)
4 slices of brie
1/2 red pear, thinly sliced
a small handful of spinach or arugula leaves
butter, as needed
Directions
Instead of buttering the bread before grilling, I decided to go crazy up in my kitchen and melt the butter a bit in the skillet itself, just till it started to brown. Meanwhile, I slathered some chutney on each slice of bread, dashed a bit of cayenne pepper for added kick, then layered the brie, then pear. I correctly figured each side would get melty enough as-is, and so I put each half-sandwich side on the melted butter (over medium-high heat) on my stove, so they would simultaneously get melty (I didn't want the spinach to wilt, you see.) After about 2 minutes and the sandwiches were toasting (not burning!) and the brie was just starting to melt, I added the spinach to one half-sandwich, flipped the other half on top of it, and finished grilling my sammie to perfection. I rather liked my "melted butter" version than the traditional version.
Ingredients
2 slices- bread of choice (I used Pepperidge Farm Dark German Wheat)
Your favorite chutney (cranberry would be good. I used My Naani's Apple Chutney)
4 slices of brie
1/2 red pear, thinly sliced
a small handful of spinach or arugula leaves
butter, as needed
Directions
Instead of buttering the bread before grilling, I decided to go crazy up in my kitchen and melt the butter a bit in the skillet itself, just till it started to brown. Meanwhile, I slathered some chutney on each slice of bread, dashed a bit of cayenne pepper for added kick, then layered the brie, then pear. I correctly figured each side would get melty enough as-is, and so I put each half-sandwich side on the melted butter (over medium-high heat) on my stove, so they would simultaneously get melty (I didn't want the spinach to wilt, you see.) After about 2 minutes and the sandwiches were toasting (not burning!) and the brie was just starting to melt, I added the spinach to one half-sandwich, flipped the other half on top of it, and finished grilling my sammie to perfection. I rather liked my "melted butter" version than the traditional version.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Limoncello Mint Sorbet
Originally from Cooking Light, this lovely little dish comes my way via the blog The Craving Chronicles. My adapted version (less sugar) is below, but follow the original if you want full-sugar.
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients
2 cups water
3/4 cups sugar (add more if you feel it's not sweet enough. Original recipe called for 1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup limoncello
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh mint
lemon slices, zest strips, or extra mint leaves for garnish if you like
Directions
Combine the water, sugar, and limoncello, and heat in a saucepan over medium to high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar as you bring the mixture to a boil. As it comes to a boil, remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and whole mint leaves.
Cover and chill for at least four hours in the fridge.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl. Discard the mint leaves. Pour the mixture into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer instructions (approximately half an hour or so).
Transfer the frozen mixture into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for at least an hour. When ready to serve, add garnish if desired. Or...just grab a bunch of spoons and dig in.
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients
2 cups water
3/4 cups sugar (add more if you feel it's not sweet enough. Original recipe called for 1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup limoncello
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh mint
lemon slices, zest strips, or extra mint leaves for garnish if you like
Directions
Combine the water, sugar, and limoncello, and heat in a saucepan over medium to high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar as you bring the mixture to a boil. As it comes to a boil, remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and whole mint leaves.
Cover and chill for at least four hours in the fridge.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl. Discard the mint leaves. Pour the mixture into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer instructions (approximately half an hour or so).
Transfer the frozen mixture into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for at least an hour. When ready to serve, add garnish if desired. Or...just grab a bunch of spoons and dig in.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Cochinita Pibil
There are about a million recipes for Cochinita online. I chose to go with a fellow Phoenician's recipe (albeit a genius Mexican chef fellow Phoenician), Alex Padilla, Executive Chef at Taberna Mexicana. I've adapted this recipe from the Phoenix New Times. Serves 4. (I doubled the recipe and omitted things like pineapple juice, habanero peppers but the original is below minus the banana leaf wrapping).
Ingredients
3.5-4lb. Pork shoulder
1 Grapefruit, juiced
2 Oranges, juiced
2 Limes, juiced
2 Lemons, juiced
1 c. Pineapple juice (I omitted this and used an extra grapefruit instead)
4-6 garlic cloves, toasted slightly
1 can diced or whole tomatoes (or fire roasted for spice)
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/8 c. kosher salt
1/4 c. black pepper ground
1/4 c. dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 1/3 tsp. cumin
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1/3 lb. achiote paste
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Remove skin and extra fat from the pork shoulder. When clean, cut the pork into one to one-half pound pieces. Then season with salt, pepper, and oregano. On the grill (in my case, a skillet), brown the meat on all sides for about ten minutes total. You might have to do this in a few batches if using a skillet. Place browned meat on the bottom of an oven-proof dish like a dutch-oven.
Blend all of the juices together. Next, blend the achiote paste with the vinegar, black pepper, jalapenos, and garlic. Mix with the juices, then pour on top of the meat. Sprinkle rest of salt, oregano, bay leaf, sliced onion, and the tomatoes on top. Cover the dish and place in the oven for 3-4 hours. Resist all urges to peek, even if your house is filled with heavenly aromas. Serve with fresh corn tortillas, and cabbage, lime wedges, freshly chopped onions and cilantro...you name it!
Ingredients
3.5-4lb. Pork shoulder
1 Grapefruit, juiced
2 Oranges, juiced
2 Limes, juiced
2 Lemons, juiced
1 c. Pineapple juice (I omitted this and used an extra grapefruit instead)
4-6 garlic cloves, toasted slightly
1 can diced or whole tomatoes (or fire roasted for spice)
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/8 c. kosher salt
1/4 c. black pepper ground
1/4 c. dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 1/3 tsp. cumin
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1/3 lb. achiote paste
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Remove skin and extra fat from the pork shoulder. When clean, cut the pork into one to one-half pound pieces. Then season with salt, pepper, and oregano. On the grill (in my case, a skillet), brown the meat on all sides for about ten minutes total. You might have to do this in a few batches if using a skillet. Place browned meat on the bottom of an oven-proof dish like a dutch-oven.
Blend all of the juices together. Next, blend the achiote paste with the vinegar, black pepper, jalapenos, and garlic. Mix with the juices, then pour on top of the meat. Sprinkle rest of salt, oregano, bay leaf, sliced onion, and the tomatoes on top. Cover the dish and place in the oven for 3-4 hours. Resist all urges to peek, even if your house is filled with heavenly aromas. Serve with fresh corn tortillas, and cabbage, lime wedges, freshly chopped onions and cilantro...you name it!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Buttermilk Oatmeal Bread
Found this lovely gem from Antonia James via Food52. Hey-o! Great cooks contribute to a great site. Check it out, lovelies.
Makes one loaf
Ingredients
1 tsp. sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, or 1 ½ teaspoons of “rapid-rise” or instant yeast
7/8 cup buttermilk (lowfat is fine)
½ cup rolled oats (old fashioned or quick)
2 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons honey
1 ½ teaspoon salt
3 – 3 ¼ cup bread flour (You may need just a bit more for kneading.)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Olive oil for brushing the dough before baking
Directions
Proof the yeast by putting it in a small measuring cup with 3 tablespoons of water that is warm (no hotter than 115 degrees Fahrenheit), with a pinch of sugar. Set it aside for at least ten minutes.
Mix together the buttermilk, oats, melted butter, salt, honey, 1 cup of flour and the baking soda. Beat well until combined. (If you have a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment).
Beat in another half cup of flour, then add the yeast and water mixture along with another half cup of flour, and beat some more, until combined. The dough should start to feel a bit stretchy.
Stir in another half cup of flour as best you can and then dump the contents of the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface.
Set the remaining ¾ cup of flour close to your work area. Knead, adding flour a bit at a time as necessary, using a bench scraper to lift from your work surface any dough that is sticking.
Knead for about ten or twelve minutes, adding only as much flour as you need to keep the dough from sticking hard to your hands. You don’t need to add the entire amount stated in the ingredients list. Remember, this dough has oatmeal in it, which will continue to soak up the liquids in the bread during the rise.
Let the dough rest for a few minutes while you prepare the bowl and your rising area, if necessary.
Wash in hot water the same bowl that you used for mixing the dough. Dry it and drizzle in the bottom a teaspoon or two of good, fruity olive oil. You can also use butter to coat the bowl, if you prefer.
Gently form the dough into a ball, put into the bowl topside down, and then flip it over to coat with the oil.
Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel. Allow to rise until doubled, for about an hour to an hour and a half. Carefully remove from bowl, then roll loosely like a log. Pinch the seams together. and place in a greased bread pan or oven-proof pot. Cover the pan/pot with the damp cloth.
Allow to rise a second time about 45 minutes or until nearly doubled in size.
Brush with olive oil, slice the dough a few times with a sharp knife, and bake at 350 Fahrenheit (for regular ovens) for about 55 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when the bottom is gently tapped.
Allow to cool on a rack or cutting board for about an hour before slicing.
Makes one loaf
Ingredients
1 tsp. sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, or 1 ½ teaspoons of “rapid-rise” or instant yeast
7/8 cup buttermilk (lowfat is fine)
½ cup rolled oats (old fashioned or quick)
2 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons honey
1 ½ teaspoon salt
3 – 3 ¼ cup bread flour (You may need just a bit more for kneading.)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Olive oil for brushing the dough before baking
Directions
Proof the yeast by putting it in a small measuring cup with 3 tablespoons of water that is warm (no hotter than 115 degrees Fahrenheit), with a pinch of sugar. Set it aside for at least ten minutes.
Mix together the buttermilk, oats, melted butter, salt, honey, 1 cup of flour and the baking soda. Beat well until combined. (If you have a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment).
Beat in another half cup of flour, then add the yeast and water mixture along with another half cup of flour, and beat some more, until combined. The dough should start to feel a bit stretchy.
Stir in another half cup of flour as best you can and then dump the contents of the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface.
Set the remaining ¾ cup of flour close to your work area. Knead, adding flour a bit at a time as necessary, using a bench scraper to lift from your work surface any dough that is sticking.
Knead for about ten or twelve minutes, adding only as much flour as you need to keep the dough from sticking hard to your hands. You don’t need to add the entire amount stated in the ingredients list. Remember, this dough has oatmeal in it, which will continue to soak up the liquids in the bread during the rise.
Let the dough rest for a few minutes while you prepare the bowl and your rising area, if necessary.
Wash in hot water the same bowl that you used for mixing the dough. Dry it and drizzle in the bottom a teaspoon or two of good, fruity olive oil. You can also use butter to coat the bowl, if you prefer.
Gently form the dough into a ball, put into the bowl topside down, and then flip it over to coat with the oil.
Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel. Allow to rise until doubled, for about an hour to an hour and a half. Carefully remove from bowl, then roll loosely like a log. Pinch the seams together. and place in a greased bread pan or oven-proof pot. Cover the pan/pot with the damp cloth.
Allow to rise a second time about 45 minutes or until nearly doubled in size.
Brush with olive oil, slice the dough a few times with a sharp knife, and bake at 350 Fahrenheit (for regular ovens) for about 55 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when the bottom is gently tapped.
Allow to cool on a rack or cutting board for about an hour before slicing.
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