2 C. cornmeal
½ C. berries
3/4 C. water
1/4 C. oil for frying
5 tsp. oil
Blend cornmeal water and 5 tsp. oil. Add the berries. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Drop the batter by small spoonfuls into oil. Fry until golden brown and then turn, about 5 minutes per side. Drain.
Cheddar Chive Rice
1 c. uncooked rice
2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese 2% milk cheese works great
3 green onions sliced thin
Add rice, chicken broth, garlic powder, and a few grinds of black pepper to a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Stir, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook rice 20 minutes (adjust cooking time according to package directions if using brown rice or quinoa). When done stir in cheese and green onions before serving.
Porcini Yorkshire Pudding
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup (250 mL) milk
4 eggs
1 cup (250 mL) duck fat (or bacon fat or grapeseed oil)
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, porcini powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Make a well in the centre and add the milk and eggs. Whisk gently until a smooth batter is formed. Set aside to rest while preparing the baking tins. In a muffin tin, add about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of duck fat to each compartment. Place on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Heat for 10 minutes; the fat should be quite hot and almost smoking. Pour the batter into the hot fat, filling each tin about three-quarters full. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes with the door closed. Do not open the door until the puddings have risen and are firm.
6 to 8 slices thick bacon, preferably center-cut
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup packed packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
l/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
l/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups)
3 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat a 9- or 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the fat in the skillet, and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Set the pan aside. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Beat the eggs in a small bowl, then whisk in the milk and cream. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry. Fold in the cheddar cheese, poblano chiles, and corn. Crumble the bacon and fold it in. Pour in most of the bacon fat from the cast-iron pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. and combine well. Reheat the skillet and the remaining bacon drippings over medium heat, and when the pan is hot, pour in the batter, scraping in every last bit with a rubber spatula. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the corn bread is golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cut into wedges and serve hot or warm.
2 C. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 T. butter or margarine
Scant 1/3 C. SPAM, cut into 1/8†deice
About 2/3 C. Milk, plus extra for glazing
Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with baking parchment. Sift together the flour and baking powder and salt in a bowl (I added cayenne pepper here as well). Rub in the butter or margarine, and add the SPAM (I also added grated cheese here too). Add enough milk to make a soft rolling consistency. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured board to 1.5 cm thick. Cut it into small rounds and brush the tops with the milk. Sprinkle some grated cheese on top. Place the rounds on the baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven, 425 degrees F, for 12 – 15 minutes until the scones feel firm when pressed at the sides. Serve the scones hot with butter. Alternatively, leave them to cool, then split and spread with a little butter, slices of SPAM, and tomato and cucumber.
1 lb. spaghetti
1½ C. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
¾ C. fresh lemon juice
2/3Â C. extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp. Sea salt
½ tsp. Freshly ground pepper
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 C. slivered firmly packed basil leaves
In a large pot, cook spaghetti in salted, boiling water until al dente. Place a colander over a large serving bowl, then drain spaghetti into it (hot water will warm bowl). Pour water from bowl, wipe bowl dry, then empty spaghetti into it. Meanwhile, combine cheese and lemon juice in a small mixing bowl. Gradually beat in olive oil until mixture becomes thick and creamy and cheese “melts” into oil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in lemon zest. Pour sauce over cooked spaghetti in serving bowl; toss thoroughly. Add basil, toss again, and serve.
Processing: Pressure Canner 65mins (pints), 75mins (quarts)
Yield: 36 C.
Baked beans are one of the most popular pressure canned food you can make easily at home – and cheap to can in bulk, too! Only use small amounts? Can in half-pint jars. Sunday breakfasts or for atop potatoes, or as a snack with some toast? Pressure can in pints. You can also pressure can in quarts for a family meal ready to heat and eat in minutes. Baked beans are easy, cheap, delicious AND versatile – make your own flavor using different beans and spices!
4 lb. dried haricot beans – or other dried bean (or a mix)
water
16 C. tomato juice
4 C. finely diced onion
6 T. kosher salt (or pickling/canning salt)
2/3 C. raw sugar
dried spices/garlic (optional)
Boil beans 2mins, soak for 1 hour. Weigh dried beans amongst two large pots. Cover with water by 2 inches (5cm). Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Then turn the heat off, cover and leave for 1 hour. Then drain well. FACT: draining the water several times during cooking helps to remove the complex sugars from the beans, which create gas in your intestine. Boil beans 5mins, soak 15mins. Return soaked beans to pots, cover with fresh water by 2 inches (5cm). Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Then turn the heat off, cover pots and leave for 15 minutes. Then drain well.
Prepare jars. Prepare jars by covering in water and boiling for 10 minutes.
Make tomato sauce. Combine the tomato juice, onion, salt and sugar in a pan. Bring to a boil.
Prepare lids. While you are making the sauce, place the lids into a bowl of boiled water. Do not simmer or boil, just let the lids heat through for 5 minutes while you fill the jars, removing the lids from the water when you are ready to place them onto the jars so they stay hot.
Ladle hot beans into hot jars. Spoon the hot soaked beans (no water) into your hot jars: fill jars 2/3 full with the beans. Ladle the hot tomato sauce over the beans, filling to 1 inch headspace (the headspace is the distance from the jar rim to the sauce level). Remove bubbles using a non-metal utensil (ie chopsticks) and top up with extra sauce to the 1 inch headspace if required. Wipe rims clean with paper towel and add warmed lids and screw on bands to fingertip tight.
Pressure canner processing. Your pressure canner needs 2 inches (5cm) of pre-boiled water in the bottom (and a jar rack inside the base) before adding the hot jars. Once you have one layer of jars in the canner, add a second jar rack and add the second layer of jars onto the second rack. Put the lid onto the canner and turn onto high heat. Once the white steam is present (constant stream), vent for 10 minutes before adding the weight and bring up to pressure (10lbs weighted, 11lbs dial gauge). Adjust pressure level according to your altitude if required. Once pressure is reached, start your timer for 65mins (pints) or 75mins (quarts). Once the time is up, turn the heat off and allow pressure to return to zero. Then remove the weight and wait another 5 minutes before removing the lid and cooling jars overnight on a towel-covered bench.
Next day check for seals. Check jars have sealed before labelling and storing in a cool, dry and dark place for up to 12 months.
1 lb dried pinto beans, rinsed
1 white onion, quartered
4 garlic cloves
6 slices bacon, uncooked
½ small white onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 serrano chile peppers, diced
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 tsp salt
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
Place the beans in a large stockpot or clay olla and cover with plenty of water; soak for 6 hours or overnight. Drain and discard the soaking liquid. Return the soaked beans to the stockpot along with the quartered onion and whole garlic cloves. Add enough water to the pot to rise approximately 2 inches above the beans. Place the pot over medium-low heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender. Check and stir the beans every 15-20 minutes to ensure that they are covered in water and not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add more water to the pan if necessary to ensure that all of the beans are always covered with water. Once the beans are fully cooked, remove from the heat and discard the onion and garlic. Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in the bacon and cook until it is crispy and golden brown. Stir in the diced onion, minced garlic and serrano peppers and cook for 3 min. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 min, or until they have softened. Add the cooked beans and their cooking liquid to the pan and stir to thoroughly combine. Season with salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes longer until the flavors have blended and most of the liquid has evaporated. Taste and season with additional salt if desired. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro levees.
1 can (15 oz) BUSH’S® Black Beans, drain and reserve juices
1 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic salt
3 T. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
2 cup cooked rice
Lime wedges (optional)
In large skillet, heat olive oil; cook onion and green pepper until crisp tender. Stir in tomatoes, beans, thyme and garlic salt; cook 3 minutes. Add vinegar, pepper sauce, and reserved juices continue to cook 5 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with lime wedge (optional).
3 T. vegetable oil, divided
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
2 poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken broth, plus more if needed
1 cup long grain rice
Heat 2 T. oil in a medium, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the poblano chiles and saute, about 8 minutes. Mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with the salt and pepper. Add 1 cup broth and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let cool. Transfer the mixture to a blender and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Measure the liquid yield from the blender, adding more chicken broth if necessary to yield 2 total cups of poblano liquid. Adjust seasoning to taste. Meanwhile, clean the skillet, place over medium heat and add the remaining 1 T. oil. Fry the rice until slightly golden. Pour the poblano puree into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Turn down the heat to medium-low and cover tightly. Cook for 30 minutes, turn off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
3 T. Canola Oil
½ C. thinly sliced White Onion
4 cloves Garlic, chopped
2 C. cooked Black Beans
Salt
Queso Fresco
Heat 2 T. oil in large sauté pan or dutch oven over medium low heat, until oil is hot and begins to shimmer. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring often, until onions have softened and begin to turn a light golden color. Stir in garlic and cook 3-4 minutes, until garlic is starting to get soft but not brown. Stir beans into pan and heat a minute. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Using an immersion blender, blend until relatively smooth. Leave a few bean chunks so it doesn’t resemble baby food. Heat remaining 1 T. oil in large sauté pan over medium low heat until oil is hot. Pour pureed bean mixture into pan and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes, until reduced and thickened. Season with salt and serve sprinkled with queso fresco.
2 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed
3 T. salt, divided
3 slices bacon, chopped
2 large flat cactus leaves (nopales)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 slices onion
Place the pinto beans into a slow cooker, and fill to the top with hot water. Add the bacon, 2 T. of salt, jalapeno and onion. Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, adding water as needed, until beans are tender. Remove any thorns from the cactus leaves, and slice into small pieces. Place in a saucepan with 1 T. of salt, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water for 1 minute. Add to the beans when they are soft, and cook for 15 more minutes on High.
2 C. Masa Harina
½ tsp. Salt
1 ½ C. Warm Water
In a large mixing bowl, combine masa harina and salt. Slowly pour in warm water and mix with your hands until incorporated. Knead mixture until you have one large ball of dough. Pull a small bit of the dough off and roll into a ball to test the consistency. Squash the ball gently between the palms of your hands until about a quarter inch thick. The dough should squish easily in your hands without being too sticky and form a flat disc with rounded edges. If the disc has rough edges, it is too dry, and you need to add more water. If the dough sticks easily to your hands, it is too wet and you need more masa. Pull and equal size portion of dough from the larger piece and roll into a ball just larger than a golf ball. Place on sheet tray lined with parchment paper and repeat for all the dough. Keep the dough ball covered with a damp towel as you work to keep the dough from drying out. Heat comal over medium high heat. Put 2 6†round pieces of plastic (such as from a plastic shopping bag) and place one on the bottom of a tortilla press. Place a masa ball on the plastic and cover with the second plastic disc. Close cover and apply enough pressure to flatten the dough into a 5†tortilla. Lift lid of press, gently peel away the top layer of plastic, flip in your hand and peel away the other piece of plastic. Place tortilla on heated pan and cook 30 seconds, until bottom starts to brown and bubble. Turn tortilla over and cook 30 more seconds. Remove and set aside. Cover with a clean towel to keep warm. Repeat with remaining dough, stacking the tortillas on top of each other after cooking.
6 earns corn, husked
8 T. Butter, room temperature
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
3 T. chopped Basil
¼ tsp. Salt
1-2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
Preheat grill to medium high heat. Rub each ear of corn with a tsp. or so of the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap each in a small sheet of aluminum foil (2 layers of foil is all you want). Place directly on grill and cook for 20-25 minutes, rotating every 5 minutes. In small bowl, stir together remaining butter, basil and salt. Spread butter on hot corn and sprinkle with smoked paprika.
2 C. Flour
3 T. Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Baking Powder
¼ tsp. Baking Soda
1 ½ C. Heavy Cream
Butter, for Serving
Preheat oven to 400 with rack in center position. Line sheet pan with parchment paper. Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and soda in bowl to remove any lumps. Pour in the cream and stir with rubber spatula until a sticky, shaggy dough comes together. Use large spoon or 2 inch ice cream scoop to drop the dough onto the prepared sheet pan in 12 even lumps, about 2 T. per scoop. Bake, rotating halfway through cooking, until biscuits are nicely golden brown, 18-20 minutes.
Olive oil cooking spray
1 tube precooked polenta, cut into 16 slices
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground cracked black pepper
1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 mixed fresh thyme and chives (or herbs of choice!)
Preheat oven to 400. Spray a sheet with the olive oil spray. Space out the polenta rounds evenly on the pan. With a brush, brush each slice with olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping the polenta about halfway through. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese and herbs. Return to oven for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
6 slices of bacon
1 T. brown sugar
coarse ground black pepper
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. granulated sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 large egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spread bacon across baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with brown sugar and black pepper. Bake until crisp and cooked through, about 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully use tongs to place the hot bacon on a cutting board. Don’t put the bacon on paper towels or they might stick. Ick! Allow to cool until you’re able to handle the slices and chop into medium chunks. Set aside. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and set aside. In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and black pepper. Add cold butter and use your hands to quickly break the butter into the flour until mixture resembles coarse meal. In another bowl, combine egg and buttermilk and beat lightly with a fork. Add to flour mixture all at once, stirring to incorporate. Once batter is nearly incorporated, add bacon and mix in. You may want to dump the shaggy biscuit mixture onto a lightly floured board to knead together a few times. Don’t overwork the dough and melt the butter, Just make sure it comes together. Roll or pat dough into a 1-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds using a biscuit cutter or cut into 2×2-inch squares. Reshape and roll dough to create more biscuits with excess scraps. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Serve biscuits warm with jam or a fried egg. I love these biscuits the day they are made. They can be kept in the fridge and will last for two days. The shaped, uncooked biscuit can also be frozen. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake up in the morning.
4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
2 T. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 3/4 tsp. fine salt
6 oz. sharp cheddar or Gruyere, grated (1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 T. chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 cups cold buttermilk
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a food processor , pulse flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Add cheese, butter, and chives; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining. Add buttermilk and pulse until combined (do not overmix). Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until it just comes together. With a floured rolling pin, roll out dough 3/4 inch thick. With a floured 2 3/4-inch biscuit cutter, cut out 16 rounds (reroll and cut scraps). Place biscuits, 1 1/2 inches apart, on a baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
4 cups milk
1 tsp. salt 
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and finely crumbled bacon (about 8 slices)
2 green onions, minced
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
3 cups Japanese breadcrumbs (panko)
Vegetable oil
Prepare grits according to package directions, using 4 cups milk and 1 tsp. salt. Remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and next 3 ingredients, stirring until cheese is melted. Spoon mixture into a lightly-greased 8-inch square baking dish or pan, and chill 4 to 24 hours. Roll grits into 1 1/2-inch balls. Whisk together eggs and 1/4 cup water. Dip balls in egg wash, and roll in breadcrumbs. Pour oil to depth of 3 inches in a large, heavy skillet; heat over medium-high heat to 350°. Fry fritters, in batches, 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Keep fritters warm on a wire rack in a pan in a 225° oven up to 30 minutes. Serve warm.
2
T. olive oil
2 medium onions, sliced
2 red apples (such as Braeburn or Gala), cut into small pieces
kosher salt and black pepper
2 sheets frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce package), thawed
1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
Heat oven to 400º F. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the apples, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper and cook until just tender, 2 minutes. Place each sheet of pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Spread with the crème fraîche, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with the onion mixture and bake until the pastry is crisp and browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into pieces before serving.
8 slices Bacon, 
Diced
3 cups All-purpose Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
¼ cups Butter, Melted
1 cup Milk
4 whole Eggs
3 cups Fresh/Frozen Corn
2-½ cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Divided Use
Preheat the oven to 350 F and then start by frying up the bacon bits until crispy. Once they are crispy, remove from the pan and set aside on a sheet of paper towel to drain. In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt) together. Whisk the melted butter, milk and eggs together in another bowl. Add the mixture into the dry ingredients and blend well. Add the corn kernels, 2 cups cheese and bacon bits to the mixture and blend well (mixture will be thick). Pour the mixture into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan and top with half a cup of grated cheese. Bake the bread for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Then remove it from the oven and allow the bread to cool before slicing. Top with butter and enjoy as a side or for breakfast.
4 large (1 pound or more) heirloom tomatoes in an assortment of colors
1 pound Brie, rind removed, torn into irregular piece
1 cup cleaned fresh basil leaves cut into strips (use both red and green if you have them)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds pasta in your favorite shape to hold the juices of the sauce
Combine tomatoes, brie, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large serving bowl. Prepare at least 2 hours before serving and set aside, covered, at room temperature. Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 tsp. salt. Add the pasta and boil until tender but al dente. Drain pasta and immediately toss with the sauce. The hot pasta will melt the brie and bring out the aromas and flavors of the tomatoes and garlic. Serve and pass the pepper mill.
½ lb. ripe Brie
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup fresh basil, julienned
1- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tomatoes, seeded and cubed
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
½ lb. pasta (fettucine, linguine, or capellini all work well)
½ cup peas
Parmesan
Remove rind from Brie and cut into irregular pieces. Combine with next 6 ingredients and let stand 2 hours at room temperature. Cook pasta al dente, drain, and add raw peas (frozen are acceptable, but of course must be thawed first). Toss hot pasta with Brie sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve at once.
This savory garlic bread is made with thawed frozen white bread dough. If you prefer, you can make it in two 9 X 6 inch loaf pans rather than the Bundt pan.
2 loaves frozen white bread dough, thawed
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm
1/4 T. basil, chopped
2 T. parsley, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
5 fresh garlic cloves, minced
Cut or snip off pieces of dough about the size of an English walnut. Place into a greased 10″ Bundt pan. Combine the melted butter, basil, chopped parsley, onions and minced garlic and pour over dough. Cover and let rise until double in size (about 1 1/2 hours). Bake in 375 degree oven until golden brown approximately 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove from pan and serve.
These biscuits are more like flaky, tender crackers. They’re thin and buttery, sharp with cheese and spicy from a generous helping of Tabasco. They go particularly well with carrot potato or Moroccan-spiced tomato soup. Nana’s original recipe calls for two pounds of butter, twelve cups of cheese, 10 teaspoons of Tabasco and six cups of flour — she was always ready to feed multiple armies, it seems. I’ve quartered her original recipe to make everything slightly more manageable, but feel free to follow her lead and double or quadruple the amounts. If you’re, like, really hungry for cheese biscuits.
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 cups shredded sharp cheese (I used half sharp cheddar and half Parmesan)
2 1/2 teaspoons Tabasco
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, blitz the butter and the cheese together, until well mixed and creamy. Add Tabasco and pulse to combine. Add the flour and pulse until well blended. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and, with floured hands, divide it into logs, roughly 1 inch in diameter and 1 to 1 1/2 feet long (you should get 2-4 logs of dough). Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator, about 1 hour (or in the freezer for 30 mins). (Note: unbaked dough logs can be stored, tightly wrapped, in the freezer for up to 3 months before slicing and baking.) Once the dough has firmed, Slice the logs in 1/2-inch increments with a sharp knife, to make 1/2-inch thick rounds of dough. Place the biscuits on prepared baking sheets, and bake for 30-45 minutes, until lightly browned and bubbling at the edges. Cool biscuits on baking sheets, then store in tightly sealed containers. Baked biscuits freeze well – thaw uncovered at room temperature. Makes roughly 60 cheese biscuits.
1 cup Warm Water
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast (2¼ Teaspoons) (minus ½ tsp for high altitude)
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Bread Flour
Olive Oil, For Greasing Surfaces
â…“ pounds Sharp White Cheddar, or whatever cheese you prefer
1 cup diced mild green chiles
½ cup melted butter
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
¼ tsp ground cumin
In a large bowl, stir water, honey and yeast together. Let yeast proof 5 minutes. Once you know yeast is active, stir in salt and the flour ¼ cup at a time. If using a stand mixer, use a maximum speed of 2 or ‘stir’. When the dough starts pulling away from the sides and the bowl seems to be fairly clean, set a timer for 5 minutes and walk away. Let the machine knead the dough. After 5 minutes, dough should be smooth and tacky but when touched shouldn’t leave any dough on your fingers. Grease the bowl and the dough. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size. If at high altitude, it should take about a half hour to double. Punch down dough and cut in half. Form into two long baguettes the length of the cookie sheet. Twist or braid the dough if you wish. Cover with plastic wrap and rise 30 minutes. Start to preheat oven to 400 degrees F and place dough close to the oven where it’s nice and warm. Once oven is preheated, remove plastic wrap, from the dough reduce oven to 350F, put the bread into the oven and bake 20 minutes. In the meantime, slice the cheese into thin slices and melt the butter. Stir the pressed garlic and cumin into the butter. Pull loaves of bread out of the oven after 20 minutes and brush with the melted garlic butter. Bake another 5-7 minutes or until bread begins to turn a golden brown. Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes. Cut 1-inch slices ¾′s of the the way through the loaves. Brush garlic butter in between each slice and fill with a slice of cheese and about a tablespoon of chiles. I like to take 2 thin slices of cheese, sandwich green chiles between them, and then insert the cheese between two bread slices. Bake another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is completely melted. Serve immediately.
2 leeks, minced
4-6 shallots, minced
8 tsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. yellow cornmeal (fine or medium granulation)
2 C. cold water
2 C. milk
1/2 C. + 1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 lb. total wild mushrooms (a variety — pleurottes, shiitakes, portobellos, cepes, chanterelles)
1/2-1 tsp. minced garlic (to taste)
1/4 C. Madeira wine
1 C. chicken stock
1/4 tsp. chopped fresh thyme, or a pinch of dried thyme
1/4 tsp. chopped fresh sage, or a pinch of dried sage
To make the polenta: In a large sauce pan or stock pot, sauté the leeks and shallots slowly in 2 tsp. butter (reserve the other 2 tsp. butter). When the leeks are soft and translucent, add the milk, 1 C. water, and 1/2 tsp. salt, and bring to a boil; while the milk is heating, combine in a bowl the remaining water and the cornmeal to make a very loose paste. When the milk boils, whisk in the cornmeal paste. Bring back to the boil, stirring rapidly to avoid lumps. Turn heat to low, and allow the polenta to simmer. Stir occasionally. After approximately 10 minutes, start to test the polenta by spooning a small amount onto a counter or plate. When cool, the polenta should be firm and set. Finish by stirring in 2 tsp. butter and 1/2 C. cheese. Pour into a lightly buttered mold or cake pan and allow to set. While the polenta is cooling, preheat the oven to 450°F. To make the braised mushrooms: Clean and slice the mushrooms. In a sauté pan over medium heat, sauté garlic in 2 tsp. butter. Add mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms have become soft. Add Madeira and chicken stock, and cook until reduced to a light syrup; then add thyme and sage and finish with the remaining 2 tsp. butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. To serve, cut polenta into 8 equal pieces, place on a buttered baking dish and top with the remaining 1/4 C. cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F. Serve polenta on warm plates, topped with the wild mushrooms. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig.
1 package frozen puff pastry,
1 egg, beaten
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded (or a mix of your favorite cheeses)
26-30 pieces thin cut bacon (or 18 pieces of thin cut bacon sliced in half lengthwise)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced (may sub sage or thyme)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick spray. Open one sheet of puff pastry on a cutting board. Brush the surface lightly with some of the beaten egg. Sprinkle with your desired amount of cayenne pepper (I did 1 teaspoon per sheet of puff pastry). Sprinkle surface with 1/2 cup of cheese to evenly cover entire surface. Dust a rolling pin lightly with flour and then roll the rolling pin over the cheese to gently press the cheese into the puff pastry. Cut the puff pastry into long 1/2-inch-wide strips and then take each strip, fold in half and pinch the ends together. Now gently twist each strip several times. Take a piece of bacon and wrap it around the twisted pastry and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and bacon until everything has been used. Add the brown sugar, rosemary, salt and pepper to a shallow bowl or pie plate and toss well. Now carefully take each bacon wrapped pastry one at a time and dip it through the brown sugar mixture, using your hands to coat all over the twist. Place each twist back on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining twists. Bake the twist for 30 to 50 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. My bacon took 50 minutes to cook, but it was on the thicker side. I would start checking them at around 30 minutes and then every 5 to 10 minutes after that to make sure they are not burning. Once the bacon is cooked remove from the oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Then use a spatula to carefully lift the twists off the baking sheet. Serve!
8 cups potatoes, hot, mashed or riced
4 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 scant teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup shredded sharp or mild Cheddar cheese
4 green onions, thinly sliced
Mash hot mashed potatoes with butter, milk, eggs, salt, pepper, cheese, and onions. Beat until well blended. Pile into a buttered 2 to 2 1/2-quart baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes, or until puffed and nicely browned.
2 cups bread flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable shortening or lard
3/4 cup hot (115-130 degrees) water- I just let the tap get as hot as it can.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl or the bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer. Mix by hand or on low speed until the dough comes together. Knead by hand or with the dough hook on low to medium speed until smooth, 4-6 minutes.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll them into balls. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
Roll out each ball of dough into a 6-8 inch round about 1/8 inch thick. If the dough is resistant, move to the next piece and return later to finish rolling. Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Slide the tortillas into the skillet one by one, cooking until brown spots appear, about 30 seconds on the first side, 15 seconds once flipped. Cover the cooked tortillas to keep warm while you cook the rest. Serve warm.
1 1/2 lb. Waxy potatoes, peeled, boiled and rinsed
1 small fennel bulb, very thinly sliced, the green chopped, for the topping
1 1/2 tablespoons fennel seeds
olive oil
sea salt
black peppercorns, crushed in a mortar
Let the potatoes cool and dry on a wire rack for at least 1 hour or a day and cut them into thick slices. In a large heavy pan, heat a generous splash of olive oil and fry the potatoes on medium-high for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Cook them in batches and turn them one by one with a fork to keep their shape. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a splash of olive oil in another pan and cook the fennel seeds on medium heat for 1 minute (they shouldn’t get dark). Pull the pan off the heat, take just the seeds out with a tablespoon and set them aside. Put the pan back on and add the fennel slices, sauté them on medium for about 1 minute on each side without getting dark, they should be al dente. Gently mix the roasted potatoes, fennel seeds and slices in the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste, serve immediately.
For the dressing:
1 preserved lemon
7 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (freshly ground if possible)
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
For the asparagus and bulgur:
1 pound asparagus, cut into 2-inch lengths
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 cup bulgur
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts (I toasted mine for 10 minutes in a 350-degree oven, but listen to your nose; when they smell fragrant, they’re done)
To make the dressing, cut the preserved lemon in half. Chop one half and place all of it in a blender. Use a spoon to remove the pulp from the remaining half and add only the pulp to the blender. Save the rind for another use. Add the remaining dressing ingredients to the blender and process until smooth. Set aside. To make the asparagus and bulgur, bring a large pot 2/3 full of salted water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook just until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge the asparagus into cold water. If not shocking asparagus, cook just 3 minutes, since they will continue to cook off the heat. Cool, drain, and set aside. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 1 minute. Add the bulgur and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of water and the salt and bring to a boil. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the water has evaporated and the bulgur is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and bring to room temperature. Place the cooled bulgur in a large serving bowl. Toss with asparagus and walnuts, and drizzle dressing overtop. Fold to coat salad with dressing. Serve at room temperature. Salad will keep in the refrigerator for several days.
Mămăligă (pronounced mer mer li ger) is a polenta that many call the national dish of Romania. While once thought to be peasant food, it has slowly made its way to homes and the tables of upscale restaurants around the world. Romanian’s combine cornmeal with butter and cheese to produce a unique polenta that is wonderful with eggs, cheese, mushrooms or the soured cream they call smântană
1 cup + 2 tablespoons coarse ground cornmeal
4 cups water
1/4 cup butter
1-1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup kashkaval or provolone, grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Garnish:
Bacon and scallions, sliced lengthwise
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. Place cornmeal in a large, heavy skillet and dry-fry over medium heat until it changes color, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Slowly add water, stirring constantly to combine. Add a pinch of salt. Return to heat. Continue to stir until cornmeal begins to thicken. Cover, reduce heat and cook for 25 minutes, stirring often. When a spoon leaves a trail in the mixture it is done. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and feta cheese. Season well with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Bake until firm, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. Let sit for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight. Sprinkle with provolone, bacon and scallions. Serve with a mushroom ragu, sour cream or a chunky tomato sauce. Yield: 6 servings.
Collection of French Bread Spreads
Cheese & Olive French Bread Spread
8 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 (3 1/2 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) French bread, sliced in 1 inch slices
Combine butter and mayonnaise and stir until well combined; stir in the grated cheeses, chives, black olives, garlic salt and pepper. Spread one side of each slice of bread thickly with butter mixture; lay the slices spread side up on a cookie sheet and slide under the broiler until the edges are brown, watching carefully to as not to burn the bread. Serve warm.
Italian Bread Spread
½ cup softened butter
1 teaspoon Italian dressing
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Hot Pepper Spread
½ cup softened butter
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
dash pepper
dash salt
Sun-Dried Tomato Spread
Ingredients
1/2 cup softened Butter
2 Tbsp. finely chopped, drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
1 shallot or small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
½ C. Parmesan + 1 clove Pressed Garlic + 3 T. EVOO
1 T. thinly sliced Garlic + ½ C. chopped Tomato + 2 T. EVOO + salt
¼ C. chopped Tarragon, Rosemary, Chives or Parsley + ¼ C. Parmesan + 3 T. EVOO
½ C. shredded Sharp Cheddar + 4.5oz. diced Green Chiles
Diced Plum Tomatoes + Mozzarella Cheese + Oregano + Basil + EVOO
3 cups stone ground whole wheat bread flour (you can use all-purpose but it won’t be clean)
1/4 cup gluten flour (available at the bulk store) (this is optional but your bread will not rise as well without it)
1 3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups water (tap cold, not ice cold)
10 cloves roasted garlic, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups grated aged cheddar cheese
Using a large bowl, add flours, salt and yeast and stir with a whisk until well combined. If adding flavors, add them now to the dry ingredients and mix well, making sure the garlic pieces are broken up and spread throughout the flour. Add water, and using a spoonula or wooden spoon, mix well so that the flour is wet. It will look like a wet lump. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap and a tea towel, stick in the back corner of the counter and leave it alone for 12-18 hours. In the morning, the dough should have doubled in size. Heavily flour your countertop and pour the dough out. Shape it into a rough ball (you will need to flour your hands as well). Lay the plastic wrap over the dough ball and let rest. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Once it gets to temperature, put a large (6 quart) dutch oven (enamelled cast iron pot), either round or oval, with a lid, into the oven and heat it for 30 minutes. Take the pot out (remember it is HOT!), spray with a little olive oil spray and drop dough into the pot. Put the pot back into the oven and cook, covered for 30 minutes. Take off the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from pot and cool on a rack.
2 ( 10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained
10 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
3 cups commercial herb stuffing mix
6 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup Parmesan Romano cheese mixture
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. Tabasco
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
Combine all ingredients except soup. Shape into small balls, Place on a large ungreased baking pan. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove to serving dish. Heat soup to boiling and pour over treats. Serve hot.
1 loaf day-old rustic Italian bread (about 1 pound), trimmed of crust and cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
1 pound fresh chestnuts
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup homeade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
1 T. chopped fresh thyme
2 T. chopped fresh sage
2 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp. coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Unsalted butter, for baking dish
Let bread cubes stand on a baking sheet at room temperature 3 hours to dry. Lay each chestnut flat on a work surface, and cut an X in the pointed tip of shell with a paring or chestnut knife. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Boil chestnuts 2 minutes; remove pot from heat. Remove chestnuts with a slotted spoon; peel away shells. Quarter nutmeat; transfer to a large bowl. Add bread. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Split sausages; scrape meat into a large saute pan set over medium heat; crumble with a fork. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 7 minutes. Add oil; swirl pan. Add onions, celery, and garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, 15 to 17 minutes. Add to bread mixture. Add wine to pan. Scraping up any brown bits from bottom with a wooden spoon, cook over medium heat until wine is reduced by half. Add to bread mixture. Add stock to bread mixture; toss. Add thyme, sage, and parsley. Add the salt, and season with pepper. Stir in eggs. To bake stuffing: Place stuffing in a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish; cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; remove foil. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. To cook in turkey: Stuff as directed. Place remaining 5 cups stuffing in a buttered 8-inch square baking dish; bake as directed above.
3 cups (450g) self-raising (self-rising) flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1½ cups (180g) grated cheddar
150g ham, chopped
â…” cup (150g) chopped pineapple, drained
â…” cup (160ml) vegetable oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 eggs
1 cup (250ml) milk
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the flour, baking powder, 1 cup (120g) cheese, ham and pineapple in a bowl and mix to combine. Place the oil, tomato paste, egg and milk in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Spoon into 12 x ½ cup-capacity (125ml) muffin tins and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Makes 12.
3/4 cup, plus 1 T. unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. instant yeast
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 C. room temperature or warm water
4 tsp. olive oil
1 scant T. fresh rosemary needles
1 large garlic clove, coarsely chopped
flaky sea salt
black pepper
Mix the dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and sugar. Then whisk in the salt (this keeps the yeast from coming into direct contact with the salt, which would kill it). Make a well in the center and pour in the water. Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, gradually stir the flour into the water until all the flour is moistened and a dough just begins to form, about 20 seconds. It should come away from the bowl but still stick to it a little, and be a little rough looking, not silky smooth. Do not overmix, as this will cause the dough to become stickier. Let the dough rise: Pour the oil into a small bowl or 2-C. measuring cup. With oiled fingers or an oiled spatula, place the dough in the bowl or C. and turn it over to coat on all sides with the oil. Cover it tightly and allow it to sit at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F 30 minutes before baking: Have an oven shelf at the lowest level and place baking stone or heavy baking sheet on it before preheating. Shape the focaccia and let it rise: With oiled fingers, lift the dough out of the bowl or cup. Holding the dough in one hand, pour a little of the oil left in the bowl or C. onto a baking sheet and spread it all over the sheet with your fingers. Set the dough on top and press it down with your fingers to deflate it gently. Shape it into a smooth round by tucking under the edges. If there are any holes, knead very lightly until smooth. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes, covered, to relax it. Using your fingertips, press the dough from the center to the outer edge to stretch it into a rectangle about 9 inches by 6 inches and 1/4 inch high. If the dough resists, cover it with plastic wrap and continue pressing on it with your fingers. Brush the top of the dough with any oil remaining in the bowl or measuring C. and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 20-30 minutes more, or until light and spongy looking. Bake the focaccia: Using your fingertips, press deep dimples at 1-inch intervals all over the dough. Sprinkle it with the rosemary, salt, and pepper. Place baking sheet with the focaccia on the preheated hot stone or hot baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, slide a pancake turner underneath the dough to loosen it, and slip it directly onto the stone or heavy baking sheet (this means you will be removing the oiled baking sheet upon which the focaccia spent the first 5 minutes baking). Continue baking for another 5 minutes or until the top begins to brown around the edges.
1 pound dried small white beans.
1 bay leaf
1 15 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
1 large yellow onion, chopped small
1 green bell pepper, chopped small
1 large stalk of celery, chopped small
4-6 large cloves of garlic, well chopped
2-3 T. olive oil
About 1/2 C. ketchup
About 1/2 C. good barbecue sauce
2 heaping T. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 squirt of sriracha, to your taste
Sort through the dried beans and discard bad ones or any dirt. Rinse well and cover with cold water. Let sit over-night. When ready to cook, add the bay leaf and make sure the beans are covered with enough water. Bring the beans to a boil and then lower the heat and cook, slightly covered, on top of the stove until tender, but not mushy. Add more water if necessary as they cook. While beans are cooking, sauté the onions, bell pepper, garlic, and celery until soft, then set aside. When the beans are done, drain off the liquid and retain it. Add the onion mixture, the crushed tomatoes, and the rest of the ingredients. Stir the beans and taste them to see if you need more ketchup, mustard and so forth (I always do). Add bean broth, if necessary, to have the liquid just cover the beans. Cover the pot with a well fitting lid, and bake for about 1 hour at 350 degrees.