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Category: Starches

Full Moon’s Macaroni and Cheese

Full Moon’s Macaroni and Cheese

full-moons-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-photo-420-FF1003RESTA056 slices French baguette

1 stick unsalted butter

5 1/2 C. milk

1/2 C. flour

2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cayenne

4 1/2 C. grated sharp Cheddar cheese (18 oz.)

2 C. grated Gruyere (8 oz.)

1 1/4 C. grated Pecorino Romano (5 oz.)

1 lb. elbow or shell pasta

 

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3 1/2-quart casserole dish. Make bread crumbs from the baguette in a food processor or blender. Mix the crumbs with 2 T. of melted butter and set aside. Warm the milk over medium heat. In a separate pan, melt the remaining butter until bubbly. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Then, still whisking, add the warm milk a bit at a time. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Remove it from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne, and cheeses. Set aside. Cook the pasta until slightly underdone, then rinse it under cold water. Combine it with the cheese sauce and pour it into the buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle with the buttered bread crumbs and bake for about 30 minutes, until the mixture bubbles and the crumbs are brown. Let the dish set for 5 minutes before serving.

 

Sun-Dried Tomato, Parmesan & Basil Whirls

Sun-Dried Tomato, Parmesan & Basil Whirls

d4da81aaff809455596b9fdfeb89c5721 packet puff pastry, 500g, all butter

2-3 cups of grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained from olive oil and chopped

Fresh basil leaves, torn up

Chili flakes to taste

1 egg, beaten, for glazing

 

Roll out the pastry quite thinly into a large rectangle. Spread the chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the pastry, leaving a little gap at the edges. Then scatter the Parmesan over, followed by the fresh basil leaves and the chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper if wanted. Brush one of the long ends with a little beaten egg, and (from the opposite side) roll the pastry up like a long sausage, and place on a baking tray. Put it in the fridge for about half an hour – it makes it easier to cut. You can cut it in half if it’s too long to fit on the tray. Brush the roll with beaten egg and with a sharp knife, cut it into slices that are no more than 1cm wide. Put them on baking trays, spaced apart and brush the pastry with a little more beaten egg. Bake in a hot oven, about 200ºC for 20 minutes or so, until they are beginning to brown and the pastry is cooked. Serve hot or cold.

 

Cheddar Corn Bread

Cheddar Corn Bread

1/2 C. yellow cornmeal

1/2 C. all-purpose flour 1 T. sugar

1/2 tsp. Salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

2 T. unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 C. well-shaken buttermilk

1 large egg

2 ounces grated Cheddar (about 1/2 C.)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Into a large bowl sift together cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Put butter in a well seasoned 8-inch cast iron skillet or a 1-quart baking dish and heat in middle of oven until melted. Swirl skillet or baking dish to coat bottom and sides with butter and pour excess into another large bowl. Whisk buttermilk and egg into bowl with butter. Stir buttermilk mixture and Cheddar into cornmeal mixture until just combined. Pour batter into hot skillet or baking dish and bake 20 minutes, or until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool corn bread in skillet or baking dish on a rack 10 minutes. Corn bread may be made 1 day ahead and cooled to room temperature before being chilled, wrapped in foil. Cut corn bread into 8 wedges. Reheat corn bread, covered with a paper towel to retain moisture, in a microwave oven 30 seconds on high.

 

Apple Cheddar Bread

Apple Cheddar Bread

apple-cheddar-bread2

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. kosher salt

8 T. butter, room temperature

¼ cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature & fork beaten

2 cups apples (any favorite), unpeeled & finely shredded

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

2-3 T. minced sage, to taste

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9” loaf pan with cooking spray. (Insert parchment paper overlapping over the long sides if you’d like.) In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs until combined. By hand, mix in the flour mixture. Fold in the apples, cheese and sage. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake until risen and a wooden skewer comes out of the center clean, about 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature before slicing

Melt in Your Mouth Oven Roasted Potatoes

Melt in Your Mouth Oven Roasted Potatoes

potato

1 T. olive oil

1/2 lb. hickory smoked, thick sliced bacon

3 1/2 lb. Yukon Gold Potatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated

Coarse salt

Fresh ground pepper

Fresh parsley

 

Scrub potatoes and place in a large pot. Fill pot with water until potatoes are covered by 2-3 inches of water. Bring water to a boil and cook for 12-15 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. My potatoes were fairly large, so this took close to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, partially freeze bacon for easier cutting. (Ten minutes in the freezer works well.) Slice bacon strips in half, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces. I like to cut my bacon prior to cooking. It’s easier to work with in the skillet and easy to drain with slotted spoon. Cook bacon in a skillet until golden, but still flexible. You don’t want it crunchy. Remove cooked bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve the bacon drippings. Check potatoes and if fork tender, drain and allow to cool. If making this recipe again, I would peel the potatoes before I boiled them or try leaving the skins on all-together. Yukon Golds have a relatively thin skin, so I think this would have added a nice look and texture to the potatoes. While potatoes are cooling, preheat the oven to 425° and mince the garlic and parsley. Also, grate the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Next, prepare the baking sheet by brushing 1 tablespoon of olive oil and half the bacon drippings on the bottom of the pan. I used a fairly large cookie sheet for this and it worked well. Once the potatoes are cool, peel and cut in half, or quarter if potatoes are large. Place cut side down on prepared pan and sprinkle with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper. Place in 425° oven for 35-40 minutes. Rotate potatoes halfway through the baking time to ensure an even color. I did not do this and some of mine were more golden than others. Reduce temperature to 375°, turn potatoes over and sprinkle with the bacon, garlic, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Add more salt and pepper if desired. Return to oven for an additional 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are evenly browned and cheese is melted. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Makes 4-6 servings, depending on serving size. Serve immediately!

Caramelized Onion, Rosemary and Fresh Tomato Bread

Caramelized Onion, Rosemary and Fresh Tomato Bread

tomatobread3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped onions

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 package active yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

3 cups bread flour

1 tablespoon salt

Flour, for dusting

4 medium tomatoes, rinsed, cored and ends removed

Crushed red pepper

Olive oil, for brushing

2 ounces Fontina Cheese, grated

2 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

 

In a sauté pan, over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until caramelized, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic. Continue to sauté for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and cool. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, 2 tablespoons of the oil, warm water, rosemary, and caramelized onions. Whisk until the yeast dissolves. Set aside and let rest for 10 minutes. Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until all is incorporated and the dough has come together. Flour a smooth surface and knead the dough several times. Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Add the dough, turn once and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft free area and let rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Divide the dough in half, working with one half of the dough at a time, divide the dough into 6 pieces. Form each piece into round balls. Roll each ball into 4-inch rounds. Place the rounds on parchment lined baking sheets. Lay 4 slices of the tomatoes over each round of dough. Season with salt and crushed red pepper. Lightly brush the tops of each round of dough with olive oil. Allow the rounds to rest for 20 minutes. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Repeat the above process with the remaining dough. Remove the pans from the oven and sprinkle each round with both of the cheeses. Place back in the oven and bake until the cheese melts. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Cajun Hot Tomato Bread

Cajun Hot Tomato Bread

1 C. Bloody Mary mix

1 C. water

1 package active dry yeast

1/3 C. honey

1/4 C. vegetable oil

1/4 C. chopped green onion tops

1/4 C. chopped parsley

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 tsp. salt

5 1/2 C. flour

 

In small saucepan, combine Bloody Mary mix and water. Cook over low heat to 105-115[F. Pour into large warm mixing bowl and add yeast; stir until dissolved. Add honey, oil, onion tops, parsley, garlic and salt; mix well. Add 1 C. flour and stir until smooth. Stir in more flour until a firm dough is formed. Knead on a lightly floured board about 5 minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a large greased bowl; turn to grease all sides. Cover bowl and set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch dough down and divide into 2 equal parts. Shape each piece into a loaf and place in a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until doubled in size. Bake 400[F about 30 minutes or until loaves have a hollow sound when tapped and crust is brown. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

Beer Bread

Beer Bread

beer-bread_63053 cup flour, sifted (you must SIFT!)
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1⁄4 cup sugar
12 oz can beer
1⁄2 cup butter, melted (1/4 cup will do just fine)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix dry ingredients and beer. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
Pour melted butter over mixture. Bake 1 hour, remove from pan and cool for at least 15 minutes. NOTES: This recipe makes a very hearty bread with a crunchy, buttery crust. If you prefer a softer crust (like a traditional bread) mix the butter into the batter instead of pouring it over the top.

Perfect Technique Baked Oven Fries

Perfect Technique Baked Oven Fries

3 russet 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

fries

 

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.

Bacon and Egg Fried Rice

Bacon and Egg Fried Rice

befr3 C. cooked rice

5 slices bacons – chopped into small pieces

3 large eggs

3 green onions – chopped into 1/4 inch pieces

3 T. soy sauce

3 T. vegetable oil or canola oil or peanut oil

Dash pepper

Salt to taste

 

In large skillet fry pieces of bacon until crisp, drain, set aside. Set bacon on a plate and clean the skillet for reuse. Beat eggs in C. and scramble in a little oil in the skillet. Set scrambled eggs on a plate and clean the skillet for reuse. Heat remaining oil in pan and add cooked rice. Toss rice to coat and add some soy sauce. Add eggs, bacon pieces and pepper. Add salt if desired – but remember… the soy sauce is really salty already. Stir and continue to cook for a couple minutes. Add onions at the end so they don’t overcook.

 

 

Yield:

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Savory Italian Palmiers

Savory Italian Palmiers

1 Sheet Frozen Puff Pastry
9 Thin Slices Prosciutto, Salami, pastrami and/or capacola
2 cups Shredded Provolone
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 T. Dried Basil
2 T. Dried Oregano
1 tsp. Crushed Dried Red Pepper Flakes, or to taste
½ tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Black Pepper, or to taste
1 cup Finely Chopped Black (preferably Kalamata) Olives
1 Egg, beaten
½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Thaw pastry on counter for 15 minutes, then unfold and layer meat and cheese on top, making sure to cover pastry completely. Sprinkle garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and olives over the top evenly. Roll up two opposite sides of pastry until they meet in the middle. Cut into 1/8-inch slices and place on baking sheet, leaving space between them. Brush tops with beaten egg; sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 6 minutes or until golden and puffy. Remove from baking sheet immediately and cool slightly on wire rack.

Mac and Cheese Bombs

Mac and Cheese Bombs

2 cups cooked and prepared macaroni and cheese

1 pound of cooked bacon

1/2 cup flour

1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

4 ounces evenly-cubed Velveeta cheese

Oil for frying

 macbombs

Gather all of your ingredients. In a food processor (or by hand), crumble the bacon into a bread crumb consistency. In a medium bowl, combine the prepared macaroni and cheese, flour and crumbled bacon until blended. Then, add the Panko to a shallow bowl and set aside. Take approximately 1 tablespoon of the mac and cheese mixture, roll into a ball and add 1 Velveeta cube to the center. Make sure it’s sealed up tightly and coat it in the Panko. Place them into the freezer while the oil heats up to 350-360 degrees F. Fry the mac and cheese bombs one at a time until golden on all sides. Take them out of the deep fryer, and let them cool enough to eat. Serve them on a platter while still hot and melty.

Olive Bread (Eliopsomo)

Olive Bread (Eliopsomo)

olive-bread2 tsp. active dry yeast
pinch of sugar
5 1/2 oz. warm water
3 cups bread flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. Olive oil, plus extra for brushing
1/2 cup drained pitted Kalamata olives, halved
1 tsp. dried oregano
small spring of dried oregano for the top

Scatter the yeast into a large bowl. Add the sugar and 5 1/2 oz warm water and leave to activate and bubble for about 10 minutes. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil and mix first with a wooden spoon, then your hands to get a soft dough. Knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and spongy. Wipe out the bowl with a paper towel and put the dough in. Make a cross on the dough by pressing with the edge of your hand (to bless the dough). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and then a dish cloth and put in a warm spot for a couple of hours to rise. Pat the olives dry. Put them in a bowl with the oregano and toss well. When the dough has risen and is double in size, knead it again, this time working in the olives and oregano until they are evenly distributed. You might need to use a little extra flour, as the olives will add some oil to the dough. Shape into an oval loaf, making sure a few olives are showing on the outside. Put on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the bread with oil and if you have the sprig of oregano, press this onto the top. Cover with a dish cloth and leave in a warm spot for about 1 hour to rise again. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400 F. Bake the bread for 30 minutes, until it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Black Bean Quinoa Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

Black Bean Quinoa Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

bbsalad1 C. quinoa, rinsed

1 tsp. whole cumin

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 to 2 C. cherry tomatoes, halved

2 shallots, thinly sliced

2 T. olive oil

1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. salt plus more to taste

Cilantro, chopped (optional for mixing into salad)

Cilantro springs for garnish

 

Cook quinoa in a pot or rice cooker with enough water to cover by 1 centimeter.  In a dry pan, toast cumin seeds until fragrant, about 30 seconds. In a large bowl bowl, toss together cherry tomatoes, shallots (crumple them with your hands), olive oil, cayenne, black pepper, and toasted cumin, optional chopped cilantro, and 1 tsp. salt. When quinoa is done, allow it to cool slightly, then add to the bowl. Mix everything well, and add more salt if needed. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and serve.

 

 

Yield:

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Garlic-Cheese Twists

Garlic-Cheese Twists

3532a73ac3c6f2a1feac89b3bda718ff3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, divided use
2 ½ tsp. active dry yeast
1 T. granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 ¼ cups warm water (110F)
1 T. canola oil
1 cup freshly shredded Tillamook Cheddar Cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
Olive oil for brushing

Butter (or spray) a baking sheet; set aside. Combine half of the flour with yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl; add warm water (110F) and oil; beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and as much of the remaining flour as needed to make a stiff dough. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead 4 or 5 times or until smooth and elastic. Divide dough into fourths; shape each portion into a ball then divide each ball into 10 portions. Shape each portion into a 6-inch stick. Brush 1 stick with water and twist it with another stick, pressing at the top and the bottom. Arrange the twists on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining sticks. Place twists 2-inches apart on baking sheet. Brush the twists with olive oil and sprinkle cheese on top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 50 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Garlicky Roasted New Potatoes with Balsamic Vinegar

Garlicky Roasted New Potatoes with Balsamic Vinegar

potatoes1/2 C. extra virgin Olive Oil

4 cloves Garlic, crushed

3 3″ sprigs fresh Rosemary

9 medium red skinned New Potatoes (2 1/2 lb.), cut into 1″ chunks

1 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Pepper

2 T. Balsamic Vinegar

In a small saucepan over low heat, cook the oil and garlic until the garlic begins to color.  Do not brown the garlic.  Remove from heat and add the rosemary.  Cover and let steep 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Strain the oil into a roasting pan large enough to hold the potatoes in one layer.  Add the potatoes, salt and pepper and toss well to coat the potatoes completely.  Bake in the top one-third of the oven, scraping up and turning the potatoes occasionally with a metal spatula, until the potatoes  are crispy and tender, approximately 50 minutes.  Sprinkle with the vinegar and toss; bake 5 minutes longer.  Serve immediately.

 

Yield:

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Spanakorizo (Spinach Rice)

Spanakorizo (Spinach Rice)

spinachsrice2 1/4 pounds of spinach, rinsed and drained
4 Tablespoons olive oil
3.5 ounces green onions with some green, chopped
3 Tablespoons chopped dill
1 cup medium-grain rice
salt
juice of 1 small lemon
freshly ground black pepper
1 T. chopped mint

Coarsely chop the spinach leaves. Heat the olive oil in a very large pot and saute the onions until pale gold and softened. Add the dill and saute for 30 seconds or so, then stir in the rice. Now add the spinach. You might feel that it won’t all fit in the pot, but fit in as much as you can. Add 2 cups of hot water and press down and turn the spinach until it begins to wilt and it’s all in. Add a good amount of salt, turn the spinach over with a wooden spoon and put the lid on. Bring to a boil then turn through again. Lower the heat and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes. If there is still water in the bottom of the pot toward the end of this time, take the lid off and turn up the heat to let it evaporate. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle in the lemon juice and add a few grinds of pepper. Turn through gently and taste for salt. Add the mint. Cover with a clean dish cloth, put the lid back on and leave for 10 minutes to steam. Serve hot or even at room temperature.

Spinach and Lemon Orzo Pilaf

Spinach and Lemon Orzo Pilaf

m890006_spinach_and_lemon_orzo_pila1/2 large yellow onion, minced
4 scallions, minced
1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 1 clove
2 cups dry orzo pasta
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth
Juice and zest of one lemon
1 6-ounce bag fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill weed
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the onions, scallions and garlic. Add orzo and sauté, for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice, bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, until pasta is almost done. Stir in spinach, a little at a time, adding more as the spinach wilts. Simmer for 5 minutes, until orzo is done. Stir in the dill and mint and sprinkle with the feta before serving.

Creamy Mushroom and Garlic Pasta

Creamy Mushroom and Garlic Pasta

mushroom1 lb. pasta (I used spaghetti), although you could also use the sauce on top of four chicken breasts
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
12 ounces mushrooms (about 18 white button or baby Portobello mushrooms), sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 large green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. flour
1 and ½ cups milk (I used skim)
â…” Cup parmesan cheese, shredded, plus extra for garnish
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish

Cook pasta in very salty water according to recipe or package directions. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, garlic, green onions, salt and pepper to oil and saute until mushrooms have reduced in size, about 4 minutes. If the mushrooms soak up all the olive oil, add another tablespoon. Add flour to saucepan and stir to incorporate all ingredients. Cook for one minute. Add ½ cup of the milk and stir to break up any lumps of the mushroom and flour mixture. The milk will thicken fairly quickly; that’s okay. Add the remainder of the milk and stir to incorporate all ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook until milk has thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and stir in parmesan cheese. If you can, shred your own cheese – pre-shredded cheese has additives in it that make it more difficult for the cheese to melt smoothly. Stir in the chopped parsley. Garnish with extra parsley and shredded parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Chickpea Fries with Romanesco Sauce

Chickpea Fries with Romanesco Sauce

chickpeafry1 cup chickpea flour, sifted

1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for finishing

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1/8 tsp. cayenne

2 T. olive oil plus more for frying

Line an 8X8 square pan with parchment paper, set aside. Have all of your ingredients measured out and ready. Once you add the chickpea flour to the boiling water you won’t want to take the time to measure anything out because this comes together very fast. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Gradually add the chickpea flour, whisking constantly to avoid lumps (if you sifted the flour this will help eliminate lumps as well). Turn the heat down to low and whisk in a teaspoon of kosher salt along with the pepper, paprika, cayenne and olive oil. Cook for one more minute, stirring constantly.  Spread the chickpea mixture into an even layer in the pan. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then cover loosely and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to a day.  Heat 1/8 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In the meantime, lift the chickpea mixture out of the pan by the edges of the parchment. Cut the chickpea mixture into 16 fries (about 4″ long by 1/2″ wide). Place batches of the fries into the hot oil, turning when browned. I fried mine for about 4 minutes one each side. You don’t want them to brown too fast or they will not cook in the center. After all sides are browned, removed the fries from the oil with a spider or slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle the warm fries with salt. Repeat with the remaining fries. Serve with Romanesco sauce.

 

Romanesco Sauce

1 large tomato, cored

1 dried ancho chile

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 T. walnuts

2 T. raw almonds

1 (1/2 inch thick) slice firm bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes (I used a gluten free vegan artisan bread)

2 large garlic cloves, sliced

1 cup canned artichoke hearts in water, drained and quartered

1/8 tsp. dried hot red pepper flakes

2 T. water

1 T. red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp. salt to taste

 

Put oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 400F. Line a small baking pan with foil. Roast the tomato in the pan until tender and skin peels off easily, about 30 minutes. While tomato is roasting, slit the chile open lengthwise and discard stem and seeds. Tear the chile into small pieces. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then add the chile and cook, stirring until fragrant and the chile turns a brighter red, 30-60 seconds. Transfer the chile with a slotted spoon to a heatproof bowl. Add the walnuts, almonds, bread, garlic, artichoke and red pepper flakes to the hot pan and cook, stirring until the bread and garlic are golden, about 2-3 minutes. Add the mixture (including the oil) to the chile and cool slightly.  When the tomato is cool enough to handle, peel the tomato, discarding the peel. Coarsely chop the tomato and transfer (with juices) to a food processor. Add the bread and chile mixture, water, vinegar and salt to the food processor and puree until smooth. Thin with water if desired. Season with salt to taste.

Baked Gnocchi with Sage and Cheese Sauce

Baked Gnocchi with Sage and Cheese Sauce

gnocchi

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into large pieces

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

–

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups chicken stock (recipe) or vegetable stock (recipe), warmed

1 cup Fontina cheese, grated

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

6 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped

Small pinch fresh nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a large saucepan with water. Add the potatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Boil the potatoes until they are very soft. Drain and set run through a food mill, or ricer for nice smooth potato. Put the potatoes in the fridge until they are cool, this will help keep them fluffy. Prepare 2 sheet pans by dusting them with flour, set aside. On a clean work surface mix together the potato and the flour and knead for about 4-5 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. Only add enough flour so the dough comes together and is not tacky. Cut the dough into 4 equal parts. Roll one 1 quarter of the dough into a 3/4 inch log. Cut the log into 3/4 inch pieces. Roll the pieces over a gnocchi board or the back of a fork to create ridges onto the floured sheet pan in a single layer. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Let the rolled gnocchi dry out for about 1 hour before cooking. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat to a gently boil, so you don’t break up the gnocchi. Add the gnocchi and boil for about 3 minutes, or until they rise to the top.

For the cheese sauce (while the gnocchi is cooking)

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in the flour and whisk until flour turns golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add the warm stock and continue to whisk until it thickens, about 3 minutes. Add the fontina and parmesan cheese and stir with a spoon until melted. Stir in the chopped sage. Stir in the cooked gnocchi and transfer to a casserole or baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

 

Savory Roasted Butternut Squash

Savory Roasted Butternut Squash

pic4rlOc21 1/2 pounds peeled, seeded, and cubed butternut squash (many grocery stores have 12-ounce packages of fresh, ready-to-cook butternut squash in the produce aisles)
1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2 pinches cayenne pepper (more if you’d like it spicier)
1/4 tsp. dried parsley

Preheat oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and the spices. Place the squash on the prepared baking sheet and then drizzle with the olive oil mixture. Use your hands to toss to combine. Spread the squash evenly on the baking sheet and bake until desired doneness is reached–if you like it tender and squash-y, 25-30 minutes should do it. If you prefer a deeper flavor and a some pieces with crispier, edges, bake for 35-40 minutes, tossing with a spatula about halfway through. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 65
Fat: 2.4g
Fiber: 3.3g

Pretzel Breadsticks

Pretzel Breadsticks

IMG_60371 1/2 cups warm water
2 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
3-5 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Mix together warm water, yeast and tablespoon of sugar in bowl and let sit for about 10 minutes or until it blooms. Combine 3 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt and melted butter together with the yeast mixture in a stand mixer with a dough hook. Mix for about 5 minutes or until the dough comes together and pulls off the hook, adding more flour if necessary. Place dough in a large lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. When dough is ready, boil 4 cups of water with 1/2 cup baking soda. Break dough into 1- 1 1/2 oz portions and roll into small breadsticks. Dip each breadstick in the boiling water using a slotted spoon or spatula for no more than 30 seconds. Place drained breadstick on sheet pans lined with parchment paper or silicone liners. .Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden. Brush with melted butter as they come out of the oven. .Try one while they’re still warm because that’s how they’re best!

Notes: These are very easily adapted to make rolls or buns. We’ve made smaller rolls, like slider buns, using the same amount of dough and rolling them into balls and dipping and baking in the same manner.

Rosemary Hazelnut Cheese Shortbread Crackers

Rosemary Hazelnut Cheese Shortbread Crackers

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

8 ounces grated cheese (I used a mix of sharp cheddar, aged gouda, and a wee bit of Romano)

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

1 teaspoon coarse salt (or less, if your cheese is particularly salty)

1 cup all-purpose flour

scant 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

 cracker pile

In a large bowl or a stand mixer, beat together the butter, cheese and rosemary until well combined (using a paddle attachment or a wooden spoon). Add the salt and flour, mix well, then add the nuts. Mix until it comes together into a smooth dough (you can sprinkle in a bit of water if needed — mine didn’t).  Roll the dough into two logs (of the diameter you favor for crackers — I went with ~ 1 1/2-inch), and wrap in parchment or plastic. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, at least one hour (and overnight is fine too, if it works better).  When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment, or grease them well. With a sharp knife, slice into thin rounds (~1/4-inch), and place on the cookie sheet with a bit of space between (they shouldn’t spread that much). Bake until lightly golden on the edges, ~15-20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool fully, then store in an airtight container until party time.

Linguine with Butter, Pecorino, Arugula, and Black Pepper

Linguine with Butter, Pecorino, Arugula, and Black Pepper

1 lb. linguine
1/4 C. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 C. finely grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
1 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 C. coarsely chopped arugula
Salt, to taste

Linguine-with-Arugula-1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the linguine and cook until it is al dente, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water.   Immediately toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with the butter to coat. While tossing the linguine, gradually sprinkle the cheese, pepper, and enough of the reserved pasta water evenly over the linguine to moisten. Add the arugula and toss to combine. Season the pasta with salt. Divide the pasta among 6 plates and serve.

Crispy Potato Roast

Crispy Potato Roast

crispy potato roast3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 – 12 russet potatoes, peeled
Kosher salt
1 small onion or 4 shallots, peeled and sliced very thin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
4 – 6 fresh thyme sprigs
About 3 ounces pancetta, cubed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine the oil and melted butter in a small dish. Set aside. Brush a round baking dish (around 9 – 10 inches) with a little of the butter and oil mixture. Slice the potatoes as thin as possible crosswise. Arrange potatoes vertically in the baking dish. Wedge onion or shallot slices throughout potato slices – in about 3 or 4 sections of each potato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes (use some black pepper if not using red pepper flakes). Brush with the remaining butter and oil mixture. Bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes uncovered. If you find at any time throughout baking that the potatoes are too dry, a little of the olive oil/butter from the bottom of the baking dish can be brushed on the slices. Also, a butter knife can be used to separate some of the slices if there are some sticking together too much. While potatoes are baking, brown the pancetta in a small pan. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Set aside. Remove potatoes from oven. Add pancetta by scattering around throughout the potatoes. Lay the thyme sprigs on top of potatoes. Bake for an additional 35 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle on a little more kosher salt. Serve immediately. Sour cream is a great accompaniment to the potatoes.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 187
Fat: 14.4g
Fiber: 1g

Note – the nutritional information provided doesn’t seem right to me.  2 potatoes, 1 T. fat, 1/2 oz. pancetta per person seems like it should add up to more than 187.  Even if they were tiny potatoes?

Couscous Risotto with Butternut Squash and Preserved Lemon

Couscous Risotto with Butternut Squash and Preserved Lemon

israeli-couscous-with-butternut-squash-and-preserved-lemon1 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice

4 T. melted, unsalted butter

1 1/2 C. white onion, finely diced

2 T. garlic, finely chopped

2 tsp. whole cumin seed

2 C. Israeli couscous

1/2 C. dry white wine

4 C. rich vegetable or chicken stock, heated to simmering

1/2 C. golden raisins

1/2 C. toasted pine nuts

1/2 C. parsley, chopped

2 T. fresh mint, chopped

1 C. Pecorino cheese, freshly grated

1/3 C. preserved lemons, rinsed, diced and preserved, pulp discarded

Freshly grated nutmeg

Salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Deep-fried sweet potato, thinly sliced (optional)

Mint sprigs

 

Toss the squash in a large shallow roasting pan with 2 T. of the butter and season lightly with salt, pepper and a grating or two of nutmeg. Spread in one layer and roast in a preheated 475°F oven for 18-20 minutes or until squash is just tender and lightly browned. Set aside.  In a large deep saucepan sauté the onions, garlic and cumin over moderate heat in the remaining butter until softened but not brown. Add the couscous and sauté for a minute or two more to lightly toast. Add the wine, cinnamon stick and a C. or so of the broth and stir occasionally until most of the liquid is absorbed. Add another C. or so of stock and stir until liquid is again absorbed. Continue adding broth in this manner until couscous is just tender but still al dente. Stir in the raisins, pine nuts, parsley, mint, cheese and preserved lemon. Serve immediately garnished with fried sweet potato and mint.

 

Red Pepper Sauce

 

1 1/4 C. fresh red bell pepper juice (3­4 large red bell peppers)

3-4 T. softened, unsweetened butter

Cayenne pepper, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

 

Warm the juice in a small saucepan and season to taste with the cayenne, salt and pepper. With a hand held blender process the butter into the juice until its fully incorporated and foamy. Place the Couscous above in the center of warm shallow bowls and ring with the sauce. Serve immediately.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Roasted-Parsnip Bread Pudding

Roasted-Parsnip Bread Pudding

parsnipstuffing1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, plus 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons), melted, plus more for dish

2 large leeks, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced, and rinsed well (about 3 cups)

1/3 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

2 cups heavy cream

5 large eggs

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1 loaf (12 ounces) brioche, crust removed and bread cut into 1-inch cubes

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle parsnips with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, shaking occasionally, until caramelized and tender, 23 to 25 minutes. Let cool. Reduce heat to 375. Heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a medium sauté pan until melted. Add leeks, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add wine, and return to heat. Let simmer until reduced, 1 minute. Add thyme, and remove from heat. Stir in roasted parsnips. Whisk together melted butter, heavy cream, eggs, and 3/4 cup Parmesan in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add leek-parsnip mixture, then fold in bread. (Mixture can be refrigerated overnight.) Butter a shallow 2-quart baking dish, and pour parsnip mixture into dish. Cover loosely with parchment, then foil, and bake until golden brown and puffed, 50 minutes. Remove parchment and foil. Sprinkle with remaining cup Parmesan, and return to oven. Bake for 10 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.  To make this savory pudding ahead of time, assemble and refrigerate it for up to one day. Let stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, and bake as instructed.

 

 

Cheese, Olive and Buttermilk Herb Bread

Cheese, Olive and Buttermilk Herb Bread

buttermilkbread52 1/4 cups plain flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard powder
60g freshly grated parmesan
60g grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup green olives, sliced
8 pieces sundried tomatoes, sliced thinly
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup mixture of spring onion and Italian parsley
2 tsp. thyme leaves or 1 tsp. dried thyme
2 eggs
2 1/2 T. olive oil
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
Egg wash (optional) made from 1 egg yolk beaten with 2 tsp. water
Extra thyme springs and sea salt, for topping

Preheat oven to 180C or 350F. Generously butter a large loaf tin (23 x 13 x 6cm) and either line it with butter parchment paper or dust with flour. Set tin aside. Sift flour, baking powder, soda, salt, pepper and mustard powder into a large bowl. Whisk with a whisk to incorporate the dry ingredients. Add both cheeses, olives, sundried tomatoes, spring onion, parsley and thyme and stir them thoroughly together. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, then whisk in the oil and buttermilk until they are well combined. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir together to form a thick, sticky batter. Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and spread it out evenly. Brush the top of the batter with the egg wash and then sprinkle some thyme leaves and sea salt onto the loaf. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes or until a fine skewer inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. If the top starts to burn, place a piece of foil to cover the top of the loaf and continue baking. Leave in tin for 5 minutes before turning it onto a wire rack. This loaf is best served on the same day. Wrap left overs tightly and store in fridge. Gently reheat in oven if serving left overs.

Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

polenta4 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups coarse or medium cornmeal

3 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon dried sage

7 tablespoons grated Parmesan

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 pounds mushrooms, sliced thin

1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

6 ounces fontina, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)

 

Heat the oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and 1 teaspoon of the salt to a boil. Add the cornmeal in a slow stream, whisking. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1/4 teaspoon of the sage. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until very thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan.    Meanwhile, butter an 8-by-12-inch baking dish. In a large frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter with 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add half the mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and sage, and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are golden, about 5 minutes. Remove. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms, 1 tablespoon each butter and oil, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and sage, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.    Pour half the polenta into the baking dish and spread in an even layer. Top with half the mushrooms, followed by half of the fontina and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining polenta, mushrooms, fontina, and Parmesan. Bake until the cheese is bubbling, about 15 minutes.

Mushroom & Black-Bean Pinwheels

Mushroom & Black-Bean Pinwheels

1/2 package puff pastry

1 tsp. olive oil

10 mushrooms

1/2 can black beans

1/4 C. grated parmesan

1 tsp. cumin

 

As per the pastry instructions, defrost and roll out the puff pastry. Saut̩ the mushrooms in oil, and as they are finished, sprinkle in the cumin. Drain and rinse the black beans, and smush them with your hands as you add them in. Mix everything together, and spread evenly over the surface of the pastry. Sprinkle the parmesan over evenly as well. Gently roll the pastry into a tube shape. Try not to lose the filling. Cut it into even sections about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Spray a backing sheet with cooking spray (to avoid pastry sticking), and place each roll with a flat side on the sheet. If you have some extra parmesan, you may want to sprinkle a bit on top. Back at 375 F for about 20 Р30 minutes (until golden brown) and then serve.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Cheese-Grits Chiles Rellenos with Roasted Tomato Gravy

Cheese-Grits Chiles Rellenos with Roasted Tomato Gravy

poblano_21 large tomato or 4 plum tomatoes (about 3/4 pound)

6 medium fresh poblano peppers

1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered

2 large cloves garlic, unpeeled

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste

3 C. cooked cheddar cheese grits

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 C. coarsely grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese

 

Core the tomato with a sharp paring knife. Arrange the tomato, pepper, onion, and garlic in a 9-x-13-inch roasting pan, with the peppers gathered at one end. Brush all the vegetables with the olive oil and sprinkle them with salt. Slide the pan under the broiler about 3 inches from the flame or heating element, with the peppers nearest you; you’ll be turning them frequently as they roast. Turn the peppers every 3 minutes until their skins are blistered and blackened all over, about 9 minutes total. The onion, garlic, and tomato will be nicely charred as well. Transfer the peppers to a large bowl, transfer the tomato, onion, and garlic to a medium bowl, and let them cool. Set aside the roasting pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. When the peppers are cool enough to handle, gently massage their skins to remove them and discard. Cut a 3-inch slit down the side of each pepper and gently spoon out the seeds and any whitish, fibrous veins. Fill each pepper with 1/2 C. cheese grits and place in the roasting pan. When the tomato, onion, and garlic have cooled, remove the skins from the tomato and garlic, and discard. Process the tomato, onion, and garlic to a chunky puree in a blender or food processor, about 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the peppers. Bake the peppers on the middle rack until the tomato sauce bubbles gently, about 15 minutes. Scatter the cheese on top and place the pan under the broiler about 2 inches from the flame or heating element until the cheese has browned. Serve immediately.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Southern Style Macaroni & Cheese

Southern Style Macaroni & Cheese

129-elbow-room_southern-style-mac-and-cheese4001 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
8 oz. hollow pasta, preferably elbow macaroni
Butter, for greasing
7 oz. extra-sharp cheddar, cut into 1⁄2″ cubes (about 1 1⁄2 cups), plus 6 oz. grated (about 2 cups)
2 T. plus 1 tsp. flour
1 1⁄2 tsp. dry mustard
1⁄4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1⁄4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1⁄8 tsp. cayenne pepper
2⁄3 cup sour cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1⁄2 cups half-and-half
1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
1⁄3 cup grated onion
1 tsp. Worcestershire

Heat oven to 350°. Bring a 4-qt. saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until cooked halfway through, about 3 minutes. Drain pasta and transfer to a greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Stir in the cubed cheddar cheese and set aside. Combine 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt, flour, mustard, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl. Add the sour cream and the eggs and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, heavy cream, onions, and Worcestershire. Pour egg mixture over the reserved pasta mixture and stir to combine. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the surface. Bake until the pasta mixture is set around the edges but still a bit loose in the center, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving

Ecuadorian Cheesy Potato Patties

Ecuadorian Cheesy Potato Patties

potato1 lb. potatoes, peeled, quartered

½ tsp. salt

¼ cup oil, divided

2 tsp. paprika or annatto seasoning, divided

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Peanut Sauce (below)

 

BRING 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Add potatoes and salt. Cook 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain. Place in large bowl; mash until smooth. HEAT 2 Tbsp. of the oil in medium skillet on medium heat. Add onions and 1 tsp. of the paprika; cook and stir until onions are tender. Stir into the mashed potatoes; cool. Stir in cheese. Shape evenly into 6 (1-inch-thick) patties. MIX remaining 2 Tbsp. oil and 1 tsp. paprika until well blended. Heat large nonstick skillet, griddle or cast iron skillet on medium heat. Brush a little of the oil mixture onto bottom of pan. Add patties; cook 3 minutes or until bottom is crisp and golden brown. Brush tops of patties with remaining oil mixture; turn over. Cook an additional 3 minutes or until crisp and golden brown on both sides. Serve each patty topped with 2 Tbsp. of the Peanut Sauce.

 

Peanut Sauce

 

1 cup PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts

1-1/4 cups milk

1 green or red finger pepper, seeded, deveined (optional)

¼ cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

½ tsp. paprika

½ tsp. ground cumin

 

ADD peanuts, milk and pepper to blender container; cover. Blend on medium speed until smooth. Pour mixture through strainer.   COMBINE dressing, paprika and cumin in medium saucepan; cook on medium-high heat 1 min. Stir in peanut puree. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in additional milk if the sauce is too thick.  SERVE hot.

Golden Raisin Bread

Golden Raisin Bread

1 package yeast

2 C. bread flour

1 C. whole wheat flour

1/4 C. wheat germ

1/4 C. brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 T. butter, soft

3/4 C. golden raisins

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 C. warm water

Put all the ingredients in the pan in the order recommended by manufacturer, select white bread and push start.

 

Mini Garlic Monkey Breads

Mini Garlic Monkey Breads

garlicmonkey2 (7.5 oz) cans buttermilk biscuits

6 T. butter, melted

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T. dried parsley flakes

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese plus 2 T. to sprinkle on top

 

Cut biscuits into 4 pieces and place in a bowl.  Combine remaining ingredients and pour over biscuit pieces.  Gently toss to evenly coat.  Use a greased 12-cup muffin tin and place 6-7 pieces in each cup.  Sprinkle remaining 2 Tablespoons of cheese over the top.  Bake at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes.  Serve warm.  Makes 12.

Easy Garlic Puff Pastry Knots

Easy Garlic Puff Pastry Knots

puffpastryknotAll-purpose flour, for dusting

1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed

6 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

 

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter. Sprinkle a work surface lightly with flour and gently unfold the pastry. Roll the pastry sheet out into a 10-inch square.  Combine the butter with the garlic and parsley. Generously brush the lower half of the pastry sheet with about 1/2 of the butter mixture then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Fold the top half of the pastry down over the garlic mixture and lightly press the edges together then roll over it lightly with the rolling pin.  Cut the pastry into 20 1/2-inch wide strips. Tie each strip into a “knot”. Place the pastries onto 2 baking sheets about an inch or two apart.  Bake 20 – 22 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Remove from oven and brush them with the remaining butter. Best served warm.

 

 

 

Warm Bean Salad with Fresh Herbs and Olives

Warm Bean Salad with Fresh Herbs and Olives

3 C. drained cooked white beans, such as cannelloni, navy, baby white limas, or flageolets; (reserve about 1/3 C. of the cooking liquid) or canned beans, drained and rinsed well

1 tsp. plus 1 tsp. fruity extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme

Scant 1/3 C. bean cooking liquid, unsalted homemade or canned low-sodium chicken broth, or water

1/2 C. black olives, such as Kalamata or Gaeta, pitted and chopped

3 tsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

4 large fresh basil leaves, torn into 1/2- to 1/4-inch pieces

2 to 3 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. kosher salt, or to taste

Freshly ground black pepper

 warmbean

Place the beans in a medium nonstick skillet and set aside. To make the dressing, in a small skillet, combine the olive oil and garlic over low heat, cover and cook until the garlic is soft, about 3 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to moderate, and add the rosemary and thyme. Cook until the herbs begin to sizzle and little bubbles dance around them; do not let the garlic brown. Add the bean cooking liquid and olives, increase the heat to high, and boil for 30 seconds. Scatter the parsley and basil over the beans and pour over the dressing, tossing to coat. Place the beans over high heat and toss frequently until they are hot and have absorbed most of the dressing. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

 

Peeta’s Stuffed Cheese Buns

Peeta’s Stuffed Cheese Buns

peeta1 cup warm water

2 tablespoons yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup olive oil

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

At least 8 oz. of cheese, the more the merrier

Parmesan cheese

A few tablespoons of melted butter mixed with a sprinkle of garlic powder and some fresh herbs if you want.

Mix together the yeast and water and let it sit for a couple minutes. Add the sugar, garlic powder, melted butter, and oil. Add the flour a little and a time, mixing in your stand mixer with a dough hook. Add the salt. Knead for 10 minutes, in the stand mixer or by hand. Let the dough rise in a greased bowl (I used the same bowl) covered with a wet cloth for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375º. Divide the dough into about 20 pieces or so (you can make them as big or small as you want). Put about a 3/4 inch chunk of cheese in each one and make sure you pinch all the edges back up tightly. Put the pinched side down on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle the buns with more shredded cheese and some parmesan cheese. Bake at 375ºF for about 11-15 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Brush with the melted butter and serve warm.

Garlic-y Mashed Potato Cakes with Raspberry Ginger Mustard Chutney

Garlic-y Mashed Potato Cakes with Raspberry Ginger Mustard Chutney

potatocakes1 C. leftover mashed potatoes

1 tsp. butter

1-2 large cloves garlic, minced

4 oz Neufchatel cheese, room temperature

1 large egg white

2 T. minced fresh parsley

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

6 T. all-purpose flour

Oil, for shallow frying (I used an equal mixture of butter and canola oil)

Raspberry Ginger Mustard Chutney (recipe below)

Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat; add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes, until garlic is fragrant; cool.  In a medium bowl, mix together cooked garlic, cheese, egg white, parsley, salt, and pepper; use a wooden spoon to stir in potatoes, then flour, being careful not to over-mix (the dough will be very sticky).  Let this mixture rest a few minutes. Coat the bottom of a large (preferably non-stick) skillet with canola oil (I like to also add butter for flavor, but this is optional); heat over medium heat.  Once the oil is hot, scoop out the dough into the oil (this is easiest to do with an ice cream scoop; my scoop holds 1 1/2 TB, and I got 16 cakes out of this recipe).  (You may need to cook the cakes in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan.)  Once the dough is scooped into the oil, use an oiled metal spatula to gently flatten the balls slightly.  Cook until golden brown on both sides, flipping once (the easiest way to flip them is using 2 oiled metal spatulas – one to flip and one to guide the cakes).  Once cooked, transfer the cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature with Raspberry Ginger Mustard Chutney.

 

Raspberry Ginger Mustard Chutney

(Yield:  about 1/2 c)

2 tsp. olive oil

1 small onion, diced

1 bay leaf

1 C. frozen raspberries

1 date, pitted and minced

1 T. rice vinegar

1 T. honey (more or less to taste)

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. tamari sauce (or soy sauce)

1/2 tsp. Chinese five spice powder

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Generous pinch each salt and pepper

 

Heat oil in a small saucepan over low heat; add onion and bay leaf and sauté until onion is softened (about 5 minutes), stirring occasionally.  Add all remaining ingredients and cook until thickened (about 7 minutes), stirring frequently.  Taste and add more salt, pepper, and honey as desired.  Remove bay leaf before serving.

 

Serve with Garlic-y Mashed Potato Cakes…or spread on fresh bread topped with cheese (Cheddar or Brie would be great!) and melted under the broiler.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber: