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Category: Starches

Bacon-Grits Fritters

Bacon-Grits Fritters

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
4 cups milk
1 tsp. salt bacon-grits-fritters-sl-1000
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.

Caramelized Onion Tart with Apples

Caramelized Onion Tart with Apples

2caralemlized onion tart with applesT. 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.

Bacon & Mielie (corn) Bread

Bacon & Mielie (corn) Bread

8 slices Bacon, Bacon and Meilie BreadDiced
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.

Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil and Brie

Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil and Brie

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.

Hot Brie Pasta

Hot Brie Pasta

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.

Garlic Clove Bread

Garlic Clove Bread

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.

garlic clove monkey bread

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.

Nana’s Spicy Cheese “Biscuits”

Nana’s Spicy Cheese “Biscuits”

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.

nana

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.

Hasselback Chile Garlic Cheese Bread

Hasselback Chile Garlic Cheese Bread

hasselbackgarlicbread-560wm1 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.

Baked Polenta with Braised Wild Mushrooms

Baked Polenta with Braised Wild Mushrooms

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.

Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Straws

Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Straws

Sweet-and-Savory-Cheesy-Bacon-Wrapped-Puff-Pastry-Twist-911 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!

Cheddar Potato Puff

Cheddar Potato Puff

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.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

Homemade Flour Tortillas

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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.

Crispy Pan-Roasted Fennel Potatoes

Crispy Pan-Roasted Fennel Potatoes

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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.

Bulgur with Asparagus and Preserved Lemon Dressing

Bulgur with Asparagus and Preserved Lemon Dressing

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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.

Mamaliga Baked with Cheese

Mamaliga Baked with Cheese

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 cornmealmamaliga10-1
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

Collection of French Bread Spreads

Collection of French Bread Spreads

pickToBUn

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

Clean No-Knead Roasted Garlic and Aged Cheddar Crusty Bread

Clean No-Knead Roasted Garlic and Aged Cheddar Crusty Bread

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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.

Big Daddy’s Big on Flavor Spinach Treats

Big Daddy’s Big on Flavor Spinach Treats

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.

Sausage & Chestnut Stuffing

Sausage & Chestnut Stuffing

ei1b06_turkey_sausage1 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.

Pizza Muffins

Pizza Muffins

Pizza_muffins3 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.

Rosemary Focaccia

Rosemary Focaccia

3/4 cup, plus 1 T. unbleached all-purpose flourfocacciafinal
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.

Southern Baked Beans

Southern Baked Beans

Southern Baked Beans; Paula Deen1 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.

Herb & Spice Crisps

Herb & Spice Crisps

spicecrispsPhyllo Dough, thawed, kept moist under damp towel
Butter, Melted
White Wine
Salt
Various fresh herbs
Spices

Mix liquid butter and white wine at a ratio of 1:1. Cut the dough sheets in squares of approx. 23 cm by 17 cm. Put some of the butter-and-wine-mixture on one half of the sheet. Place small leaves of herbs at the edge of the sheet and salt the coated side. Put the dry half of the dough sheet on the coated half and press both together. Coat one third of the sheet again with the butter mixture and fold it. Now again coat the half of the sheet with the mixture and fold for the last time. Press the sheet layers together and coat the herbal outside of the bar with butter.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C with circulating air and bake the bars for approx. 3 to 4 min. on each side. Start with the butter-coated, herb side facing down. When the bars turn golden, remove them from the oven and carefully wipe remaining oil with a kitchen paper from the bar’s surface. If you want the bars to be extremely thin, cut the sheets only half as wide as specified above and omit the first folding step.

KFC Buttermilk Biscuits

KFC Buttermilk Biscuits

1/2 cup butterKFC-buttermilk-biscuit-recipe
1/4 cup club soda
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup butter milk
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups Bisquick Biscuit Mix

Preheat the oven to 450F. Combine all of the ingredients. Knead the dough by hand until smooth. Flour your hands Pat the dough flat to 3/4−inch thickness on waxed paper and punch out biscuits with a biscuit cutter. Bake on a greased baking sheet for 12 minutes, or until golden brown, brush with melted butter when they come out of the oven. Makes 18 Biscuits.

KFC BBQ Baked Beans

KFC BBQ Baked Beans

2 15−ounce cans small white beans (with liquid)4a15b160400c7d4448131a0ed8183df3
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
4 teaspoons minced fresh onion
2 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
dash garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour entire contents of two 15−ounce cans of beans into a covered casserole dish. Combine the water with the cornstarch in a small bowl until cornstarch dissolves. Stir mixture into the beans. Stir the remaining ingredients into the beans and cover the dish. Bake for 90 minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir every 30 minutes. Let beans sit for
5 to 10 minutes after removing them from the oven before serving.

Rotini with Prosciutto and Sugar Snap Peas

Rotini with Prosciutto and Sugar Snap Peas

Salt
8oz rotini
1 T. olive oil
4oz prosciutto, diced
1/2 C chopped red onion
1 C heavy cream
1 8oz pkg (1 C.) fresh sugar snap peas
Grated Parmesan cheese
Black pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt, if using, and stir in the rotini. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook the rotini, uncovered, until al dente, 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto and onion, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft, 3 minutes. Pour in the cream, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, stirring often, until it has reduced slightly, 2-3 minutes.
After the rotini has cooked for 5 minutes, add the sugar snap peas to the pot and cook them until they turn bright green and are crisp tender. Drain the rotini and sugar snaps well in a colander, shaking it a few times to remove any water that might still cling to the pasta. Return the rotini and sugar snaps to the pot. Spoon the sauce over them and stir to coat the pasta well. Serve at once with Parmesan cheese and pepper on the side.

Garlic & Herb Popovers

Garlic & Herb Popovers

3 DSCN2336-300x225T. unsalted butter, melted and divided
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup water
2 large eggs
3/4 cup plus 2 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. roasted garlic
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375Ëš. Divide 2 T. melted butter evenly among the wells of a 6-cup popover pan, brushing each to coat. Place popover pan in oven to preheat. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, water, and eggs. Gradually whisk in remaining 1 T. butter. Add the flour, salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme, and whisk until batter is well combined (batter will be slightly lumpy). Carefully remove hot popover pan from oven, and ladle the batter evenly among popover cups; sprinkle each evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Do not open the oven during baking time. Remove popovers from pan. Using a small, sharp knife, make a small slit in the side of each popover to release steam. Serve immediately.

Butternut Squash Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts

bnq1 head of cauliflower
2 pints of brussels sprouts
4 T. balsamic vinegar
1 T. olive oil
salt and pepper

4 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 medium butternut squash, chopped into cubes
2 T. olive oil
3 T. butter (cut in two pieces)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
Salt and pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower into bite sized florets and cut trimmed brussels sprouts in half. In a mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower and brussels sprouts with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast on a foil-lined sheet pan for 20 minutes, stir the mixture, and then roast for another 10 minutes. While vegetables are roasting, bring 2 cups of broth to a boil in a large sauce pan. When boiling, put a steamer basket in the bottom and layer in the butternut squash cubes, cover and steam until fork tender, about five minutes. Mash or puree the butternut squash (I mashed this time and left some bite sized pieces but decided I prefer the smoother texture when I pureed the squash in the past). To the saucepan with the steaming liquid, add the remaining 2 1/2 cups of broth and squash. Simmer to warm on low heat. Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven or pot, heat olive oil and melt in half of the butter. When butter is melted, sauté chopped onion and garlic, until the onions are translucent. Add the rice and stir until rice is translucent. Add the white wine and stir until evaporated. One cup at a time, add warm stock to rice pot. Deep stir until most recent cup of stock is absorbed, follow up with another ladleful until the rice is tender. Stir in remaining butter and half of the parmesan cheese before enjoying.

Baked Oven Fries

Baked Oven Fries

3 r2a6cb18786958142a7bbea9b8f79e5a4usset potatoes (about 24 oz. total), peeled and cut lengthwise into even sized wedges
5 T. vegetable, canola or peanut oil, divided
¾ tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Preheat the oven to 475Ëš F. Place the potato wedges in a large mixing bowl. Cover with hot water; soak for 10-30 minutes. Put 4 tablespoons of the oil onto a heavy, rimmed baking sheet. Tilt the sheet side to side to evenly coat the pan with oil (a pastry brush can also help with this). Sprinkle the pan evenly with the salt and pepper. Set aside. Drain the potatoes. Spread the wedges out on layers of paper towels or on clean kitchen towels. Pat dry with additional towels. Wipe out the now empty bowl so it is dry. Return the potatoes to the bowl and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Arrange the potato wedges on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the bottoms of the potatoes are spotty golden brown, 15-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet after 10 minutes. Using a metal spatula and tongs, flip each potato wedge keeping them in a single layer. Continue baking until the fries are golden and crisp, 5 -15 minutes. Rotate the pan as needed to ensure even browning. When the fries are finished baking, transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain some of the grease. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Onion Pull Apart Rolls

Onion Pull Apart Rolls

2bf99d5da9bac485c4532236c918a518e Tablespoons water
1/2 cup dehydrated onion or dried minced onion
3 cups bread flour
2 1/3 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons instant yeast
1 cup whole milk plus 1 to 2 Tablespoons if needed
3/4 cup softened butter, divided

Combine water and dehydrated onion; allow onions to soak for 20 minutes or until moistened. Combine bread flour, salt, granulated sugar, and the instant yeast in an electric mixer with dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Add milk, and 1/4 cup of butter. Mix on low speed for 2 minutes until all ingredients are moistened. Add half of the onions and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk if needed. Increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough forms. Cover bowl with a dry towel dusted with flour and allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12 by 9 inch rectangle, and spread the softened butter over one half of the dough. Fold dough in half and gently roll the dough back to a 12 by 9 inch rectangle, being careful not to squish the butter out. Fold the dough in thirds toward the center and roll the dough back to a 12 by 9 inch rectangle. Place dough on a paper-lined plastic tray and refrigerate for 90 minutes. Place dough back on floured surface and fold in half in the opposite direction as before. Roll back into a 12 by 9 inch rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds toward the center and roll back into a 12 by 9 inch rectangle. Place dough back on paper-lined tray, cover, and return to the refrigerator for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 F; grease a metal 12-muffin pan. Remove dough from refrigerator and cut into thirds lengthwise. Cut each strip into fourths. Curl each piece of dough into a circle and place in greased pan so that the layered edges are facing up. Sprinkle the remaining onion over the rolls. Place the pans in a warm moist area for 20 to 30 minutes; dough will rise slightly. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until goldenbrown. Serve warm with butter.

Bread Dipping Spices

Bread Dipping Spices

Bread Dipping Sauce1 T. chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
1 T. minced garlic
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 T. fresh Basil
1/8 tsp. dried rosemary (or 1/2 tsp. fresh)
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper (or 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes)
1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Place all ingredients except olive oil & lemon in a blender or food processor and chop until all ingredients are similar in size. Stir in the olive oil & lemon juice. In a small dish, place 1 1/2 tsp. spice mixture. Pour 3-4 T. extra virgin olive oil over top of the spice mixture. Serve with French bread for dipping.

15 Ways to Doctor a Deli Potato Salad

15 Ways to Doctor a Deli Potato Salad

1. Add pitted kalamata olives that have been cut in half and 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano.
2. Fold in chopped cucumber and plenty of chopped fresh dill.
3. Stir in several slices of smoked salmon that have been cut into slivers.
4. Sprinkle crumbled cooked bacon on top of the salad.
5. Fold in more finely chopped celery for extra crunch.
6. Add a teaspoon of curry powder and some chopped scallions and shredded carrots. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Taco Potato Salad
Taco Potato Salad

7. Stir in diced pimiento peppers and a handful of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.
8. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese and cracked black pepper on top.
9. Top each serving with a dollop of caviar and a dusting of minced chives.
10. Season the salad with a teaspoon of ground cumin and add a tablespoon of canned or fresh chopped chile.
11. Fold a tablespoon of prepared horse-radish into a pound of potato salad. Surround the salad with peppery watercress.
12. Add ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley and a tablespoon of chopped tarragon.
13. Make an American-style salade nicoise by serving steamed green beans, chunks of tuna, and black olives alongside the potato salad.
14. Create a Greek-influenced salad by placing the potato salad in the bottom of a salad bowl and covering it with shredded iceberg lettuce, cucumber slices, bell pepper rings, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
15. Squeeze the juice of a lemon over the potato salad, the sprinkle with black pepper.

16. Fold in sliced black olives, diced scallions, and season with chile powder.

German Soft Pretzel Sticks

German Soft Pretzel Sticks

43daf9d93c99322275584dc2afd50bb1½ cup light brown sugar
2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees)
5½ teaspoons active dry yeast
¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
5¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
¾ cup baking soda
1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
1 Tablespoon of butter (for buttering parchment)

In a large bowl of stand mixer, combine the brown sugar and 2 cups of warm water until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable oil and 3 cups of the flour. Knead in the remaining 2¾ cups of flour; the dough will be slightly sticky. Knead until smooth and silky, about 3 minutes. If the dough is very sticky, knead in up to ¼ cup more flour. Transfer the dough to a large, greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450°. Line 3 large cookie sheets with parchment paper and butter the paper. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough lightly, flatten it out and cut it into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 7-8 inch stick about ½ inch thick. Transfer the sticks to the prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between them. Let stand uncovered until puffed, about 25 minutes. Heat up 1 cup of hot water on burner. Keep hot until needed. (Or heat in microwave.) In a large, deep skillet, stir the baking soda into 2 quarts of water and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium. Using 2 slotted spoons, carefully transfer 6 pretzel sticks at a time to the simmering water for a total of 30 seconds. Turning once after 15 seconds. Add about 1 cup of hot water before cooking the second batch of pretzels. Transfer the pretzel sticks to paper towels to drain, then return them to the cookie sheets, spacing them evenly. Add another cup of hot water before second batch. Brush the pretzel sticks with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt. Bake until deeply browned, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Puffy Cheese Twists

Puffy Cheese Twists

Slice thawed puff pastry into 1/3” strips. Holding strip at each end, working quickly, dredge it in a shallow dish of grated parmesan cheese. Turn one end clockwise to twist the strip into a gentle corkscrew. Sprinkle with cayenne or paprika. Bake at 400 until golden brown and aromatic, about 15 minutes. Serve alongside a soup and salad, or try it as a dipper for your favorite dip as a change.

Buckaroo Beans

Buckaroo Beans

2 c. (1 lb.) dry pinto beansHearty_Baked_Beans
6 c. water
1 tsp. salt
2 lb. uncooked ham, cut into cubes
1 large onion, sliced thick
1 tsp. dry minced garlic or 2 large cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 small bay leaf
2 c. (16-oz. can) tomatoes
2 c. chopped green pepper
1 tsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. dry mustard
¼ tsp. oregano or cumin

Soak beans using preferred method. Combine soaked, drained beans, 6 c. water, salt, ham, onion, garlic and bay leaf in a large kettle. Cover and simmer until beans are tender (one hour). Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer to 165 F, about two hours. Enough liquid should be left on beans to resemble a medium-thick gravy.

Potatoes in Garlicky Chard Broth

Potatoes in Garlicky Chard Broth

ab91d9426e3e969a52dd24ad55fd1aa11 pound small potatoes of your choice, scrubbed
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bunch chard, stems removed
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, add cold water to cover by an inch and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 10-12 minutes depending on their size. Drain and halve the potatoes if large and set aside while you prepare the broth. Add the finely chopped garlic along with the tablespoon of olive oil over low heat to a large skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until the garlic starts to sizzle and becomes fragrant. Roughly chop the chard and add to the pan along with ½ cup of the stock. Cook for 2-3 minutes or just until the chard starts to wilt. Add the chard to the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until the chard is finely chopped. Add the potatoes and chard mixture back to the skillet along with the remaining ½ cup of stock and the lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the potatoes are heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Italian Deli Crazy Bread

Italian Deli Crazy Bread

9325cdd059a16cd8cbfb2e3020f1a8871 loaf Italian bread

1 C. mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried parsley

4-5 basil leaves, chopped

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon thyme

1 T. pepperoncini brine from the jar

1/4 C. red onion, sliced

1/4 C. pepperoncini pepper slices

Assorted salamis

Sliced provolone

Sliced mozzarella

Sliced Muenster cheese

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the bread at 1-inch intervals, but don’t slice all the way through the bottom. Mix the mayo, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and the pepperoncini brine together. Spread this mixture down in between the sliced parts of the bread. Alternating the cheese varieties, shove a slice of cheese into each cut. Then alternating the salami varieties, shove about five slices into every other cut. Shove the pepperoncini slices and red onion slices into the remaining cuts, meaning the cuts with no salami in it. Wrap the whole thing tightly with foil and bake about 25-30 minutes or until the outsides are a little crispy and the cheese is all melted.

Couscous Salad with Feta, Tomato and Olives

Couscous Salad with Feta, Tomato and Olives

book2pic2 T. EVOO
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 C. water
1 tsp. EVOO
1 C. uncooked couscous
1 C. cherry tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
5 T. sliced pitted kalamata olives
5 T. chopped fresh parsley
4oz feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)

For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and the 1 tsp. oil to a boil. Stir in the couscous; remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 3 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Pour dressing over the warm couscous and toss to combine. Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve hot or at room temperature

Cinnamon Bread

Cinnamon Bread

IMG_50571 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda

2/3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs. Add milk, flour, and baking soda. Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan). Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan. Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping. Swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick tester come clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

Koulouri (Sesame Bread Rings)

Koulouri (Sesame Bread Rings)

069a8216f75f1af16b94dcb4e972b0f71 ounce fresh yeast or 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
Pinch of sugar
6 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
¼ Cup olive oil

Flour paste

3 teaspoons bread flour
3 tablespoons water
1 cup sesame seeds

Crumble the fresh yeast or sprinkle the dried into a bowl. Add the sugar, 10½ ounces lukewarm water and a handful of flour. Whisk to smooth any lumps. Leave until it starts to activate and bubble, about 10 minutes. Add the rest of the flour, the salt and oil and mix with a wooden spoon until a loose dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 7 to 8 minutes or until the dough is smooth and spongy. Wipe out the bowl with an oiled paper towel and put the dough in. Cover with plastic wrap, then a dish cloth, and leave in a warm spot for about 2 hours, until puffed and doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 400° and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. For the flour paste, mix the flour and water in a bowl until smooth. Knead the dough briefly, then divide it into equal parts. Roll, stretch and coax each piece into a thin rope about 16 inches long (Make the first 6 and while baking, prepare the next batch). Brush each rope lightly with the paste, and sprinkle sesame seeds all over, then roll through the seeds that have dropped on your work surface so that they’re covered all over. Turn each rope on itself, forming a ring, pressing the ends together to seal. Place on the baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Sesame seeds that have fallen onto the trays can be used elsewhere.