Baked Creamed Spinach

Baked Creamed Spinach

2 lb. of fresh spinach, or canned
1 1/2 C. of hot milk (fresh, canned or evaporated)
1 C. of cheddar cheese, grated
2 T. of butter
2 T. of flour
1 tsp. of salt
Pinch of pepper
Pinch of nutmeg

Trim and wash 2 lb of fresh spinach. Place in a suitably-sized pot with water still on the leaves. Cover; then cook only until wilted. Allow to cool, then squeeze out the excess water. If using canned spinach you can start here by putting the spinach in pot and heat. In a saucepan, melt the butter; then add the flour. Whisk and gently cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the milk; then bring to a boil. Add the salt and a pinch of pepper and nutmeg. Cook for about 5-6 minutes. Combine the sauce with the spinach and Vi C. of grated cheese. Spoon into a baking dish, then top with the other 1/2 C. of grated cheddar. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

French Toast

French Toast

3 Eggs (3 tsp. egg powder plus 1/3 C. water)
2 T. sugar
1 C. milk (3 tsp. milk powder plus 1 C. water)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
8 slices bread

In a bowl, mix the eggs and add all other ingredients except bread. Once mixed, let the bread slices soak in the mixture for 30 seconds. Then place slices on a heated, greased skillet or griddle and cook until golden brown. Serve with favorite jam or syrup.

Carrots & Fennel in Agrodolce

Carrots & Fennel in Agrodolce

Italians are fond of preserving vegetables—and fruit—in a sweet-and-sour brine known as agrodolce. Sweet peppers are a classic example, but I like this somewhat more unusual combination of crunchy carrots and sliced fennel bulb. Use a mix of colored carrots—gold, orange and red—if you can find them. The darker ones turn the brine a pretty shade of sunset pink.

2 C. (437 g) water
Juice of 2 lemons
2 pounds (907 g) fennel bulbs, plus 4 small fronds
2 pounds (907 g) carrots, peeled
2 C. (437 g) white wine vinegar
2 C. (437 g) apple cider vinegar
2 C. (400 g) sugar or vanilla sugar
2 T. fine sea salt
1 tsp. whole black peppercorns
1 tsp. whole fennel seeds

Combine the water and lemon juice in a bowl. Cut the tops off the fennel bulbs. Cut each bulb into quarters and each quarter into thin wedges. Drop each wedge in the lemon water as you go to keep it from browning. Cut the carrots into 2-inch sticks, and cut any large pieces in half or into quarters lengthwise to yield bite-size pieces. Add the carrots to the lemon water. Combine the vinegars, sugar, salt, peppercorns and fennel seeds in a large, deep saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the brine to a boil, stirring occasionally to make sure the sugar dissolves. Drain the fennel and carrots and add them to the boiling water. Cover the pot, turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Place a fennel frond in the bottom of each jar. Pack the vegetables into the jars, taking care to get a mix of vegetables and some spices in each one. Pour the hot brine over the vegetables, leaving ½ inch headspace. Use a bubble remover or a clean chopstick to get rid of any bubbles. Screw the lids on tightly, and process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath. Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place and let the vegetables cure for at least 1 week before serving. They will keep for up to 1 year, though they may eventually lose their crisp texture. Refrigerate any jars that fail to seal properly and enjoy those first.

Fresh Strawberries with Lemon Cream

Fresh Strawberries with Lemon Cream

2 C. plain, vanilla or key lime low-fat yogurt
3 T. honey
¾ tsp. lemon zest, grated
1 T. plus 1 tsp. lemon juice
4 C. strawberries, hulled and halved

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Serve strawberries in individual serving bowls topped with lemon cream.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 166
Fat: 2.3g
Fiber: 3.9g

Lavender Custard (Crème Anglaise á la Lavande)

Lavender Custard (Crème Anglaise á la Lavande)

pear in puff pastry on a pool of Lavender Custard

2 cups milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1 T. pesticide-free fresh or dried lavender flowers, without stems

Pour the milk into a saucepan, place over medium heat and heat until small bubbles appear along the edges of the pan. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until creamy. Pour about 1/2 cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the egg-milk mixture into the saucepan, place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and lightly coats the back of the spoon, about 1 minute. Do not allow it to boil. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the custard should register 180°F. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the lavender flowers. Pour the custard into a pitcher, cover with plastic placed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve. Return the custard to the pitcher, cover with clean plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.

Pasilla Chile Chocolate Cake (Pastel de Chocolate y Chile Pasilla)

Pasilla Chile Chocolate Cake (Pastel de Chocolate y Chile Pasilla)

2 1/2 oz. dried pasilla chiles (also called chile negro) or 2 1/2 oz. dried ancho chiles plus 1/4 tsp. cayenne (see notes)
1 lb. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 C. (6 oz.) butter, at room temperature, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
5 large eggs, separated
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 C. firmly packed dark brown sugar or finely crushed piloncillo sugar (see notes)
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
Powdered sugar
1 C. whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla or 1 T. coffee-flavored liqueur such as Kahlúa

Lay chiles in a single layer on a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. Bake in a 400° oven just until pliable, about 2 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves, break off stems, shake out seeds, and break chiles into small pieces, dropping into a small bowl; discard stems and seeds. Cover chiles with warm water and let soak until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain chiles and put in a blender with 1/3 C. water; whirl until smooth, adding 1 more T. water as needed to make a thick paste. Push purée through a fine strainer; discard residue. You need 1/3 C. chile purée. If using ancho chiles, stir cayenne into the chile purée. Line bottom of a 9-inch cake pan (sides at least 1 1/2 in. tall) with baking parchment. In a large bowl nested over a pan of simmering water (water shouldn’t touch bottom of bowl), combine chocolate and butter. Stir occasionally just until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 8 minutes. Remove from over water and whisk in 1/3 C. chile purée, the egg yolks, vanilla, and flour until mixture is blended. Pour brown sugar into a small bowl and stir or whisk to break up lumps and loosen. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until very frothy and foamy. Gradually add brown sugar to whites, beating until stiff, moist peaks form. With a whisk, fold a third of the beaten whites into the chocolate mixture until well incorporated. Then fold in remaining whites just until blended. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake cake in a 425° regular or 400° convection oven until it appears set and center barely jiggles when pan is gently shaken, about 15 minutes. Let cool in pan on a rack for about 15 minutes. Run a knife between cake and pan rim, then invert onto a serving platter. Lift off pan and peel off parchment. Let cake cool about 30 minutes, then chill until firm and cold, at least 4 hours; cover cake once completely chilled. For best texture, let cake come to room temperature before serving, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Sift powdered sugar lightly over cake (for a pattern, lay a stencil on cake before sifting the sugar, then carefully lift it off). In a bowl, beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Stir in vanilla. Cut cake into wedges and serve each with a dollop of whipped cream.

Lemon Barbeque Sauce

Lemon Barbeque Sauce

1/2 C. minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. salad oil
2 T. butter or margarine
1 T. celery salt
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/3 C. fresh lemon juice
2 T. cider vinegar
1 T. horseradish
1 C. water

In saucepan, cook onion and garlic in oil and butter until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes.

Pasta Vivante

Pasta Vivante

1 oz. dried porcini mushrooms
1 C. water
2 T. olive oil
1/2 C. pancetta or prosciutto
3 garlic cloves
2 T. butter
3 tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 C. chopped basil
Cracked black pepper, crushed red pepper and salt to taste
8 oz. penne pasta, cooked as directed
Grated Romano cheese

Soak mushrooms in water. In skillet with olive oil, sauté pancetta until golden; remove ham. Sauté garlic cloves until golden; remove. Drain mushrooms reserving 2 T. liquid. Add butter to skillet. Sauté mushrooms. Add reserved mushroom liquid, pancetta, tomatoes, basil, and seasonings. Simmer 20 minutes. Serve over penne. Top with cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Red Clover Tea

Red Clover Tea

1 C. dried blossoms
Dried mint
Honey

Place the blossoms and mint into a bag or into a tea leaf strainer. Lower into a pot of boiling water. For each person drinking the tea, there should be 1 C. dried blossoms to 4 C. water. When the leaves have been in the hot water for 10 minutes, strain, and then add the honey to the tea. It is also possible to make clover tea just using fresh-picked blossoms, although you will need to use 2 C. flowers for every 4 C. water if they are fresh. It may also be more difficult to remove stalks and other tough fibers if the blossoms are not dried. Making a long-term clover tea is also very simple: place the dried blossoms and a few clover leaves at the bottom of a glass jar. Fill with boiling water, and then close the lid tightly, allowing the herb to remain in the water overnight. The next day, strain out any clover material, and then drink as often as required. New batches can be made regularly.

Making Use of Greens – Garden, Forage or Bartered

Making Use of Greens – Garden, Forage or Bartered

If using foraged greens – please be sure you are CERTAIN of what you are harvesting. Some of these plants have look alikes that are most definitely NOT safe to eat.

2 large bunches Greens. So many options — Swiss Chard, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Turnip Greens, Dandelion Leaves, Purslane, Lamb’s Quarters, Milk Thistle Leaves (Just handle carefully, use scissors to snip off the edges), Plantain (the wild plant, not the banana like food), Collards, Chickweed, Garlic Mustard, Field Mustard, Wintercress, Burdock, Broadleaf Dock, Curly Dock

2 T. cooking fat (I like olive oil, but coconut oil, leftover bacon grease, whatever you have)
1 (15-oz.) can butter beans or white kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or soak overnight and boil until ready to use from dried)
2 T. tabasco brand Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce
1 tsp. salt

If dealing with a green that has a thick stem that extends into the leave, remove this first, then coarsely chop. Heat oil in 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot. Add greens and cook until wilted, but still bright green, stirring frequently. Stir in beans, tabasco Green Sauce and salt. Cook over medium heat until mixture is heated through.

Crispy Potato Tots

Crispy Potato Tots

If any large pieces of potato remain after processing, chop them coarsely by hand. To make handling the uncooked tots easier, use a wet knife blade and wet hands. Once the tots are added to the hot oil, they may stick together; resist the temptation to stir and break them apart until after they have browned and set. You will need at least a 6-quart dutch oven for this recipe.

2 1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 quart peanut or vegetable oil
Whisk 1 C. water and salt together in bowl until salt dissolves. Pulse potatoes and salt water in food processor until coarsely ground, 10 to 12 pulses, stirring occasionally. Drain mixture in fine-mesh strainer, pressing potatoes with rubber spatula until dry (liquid should measure about 1 1/2 C.); discard liquid. Transfer potatoes to bowl and microwave, uncovered, until dry and sticky, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. Stir flour and pepper into potatoes. Spread potato mixture into thin layer over large sheet of aluminum foil and let cool for 10 minutes. Push potatoes to center of foil and place foil and potatoes in 8-inch square baking pan. Push foil into corners and up sides of pan, smoothing it flush to pan. Press potato mixture tightly and evenly into pan. Freeze, uncovered, until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Add oil to large Dutch oven until it measures about 3/4 inch deep and heat over high heat until 375 degrees. Using foil overhang, lift potatoes from pan and cut into 48 pieces (5 cuts in 1 direction and 7 in other). Fry half of potato tots until golden brown and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring only after they are browned and set. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and place in oven. Return oil to 375 degrees and repeat with remaining potato tots. Serve.

Blushing Lemonade

Blushing Lemonade

2 C. fresh strawberries
1 can (12 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate
4 C. cold water
Sugar (optional)

In blender, combine strawberries and lemonade concentrate. Puree until smooth. Stir in water. Sweeten with sugar if desired.

Uses for Lemons and Limes

Uses for Lemons and Limes

To freshen up mayonnaise, stir 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil into each 1/4 C. mayonnaise.

For fluffier rice, add fresh lemon juice while the rice is cooking.

To make better roasted chicken, take a tip from the popular Italian cooking teacher Marcella Hazan, who made this technique famous. First, rinse a 3- to 4-pound chicken inside and out. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Roll 2 small lemons on a hard surface, pressing firmly to soften them. Using a paring knife, prick each lemon about 15 times to pierce all over. Place one lemon and 1 large fresh tarragon or rosemary sprig (or 1 tsp. dried tarragon or rosemary) in the chicken body cavity. Push in the second lemon and secure the opening with toothpicks. Rub 1 tsp. olive oil all over the bird and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper. If you like, tie together the drumsticks with string so that the chicken will hold its shape. Place the chicken, breast side up, in a shallow roasting pan and roast at 450°F for about 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and roast until the breast meat registers 180°F on a meat thermometer and the juices run clear, 40 to 60 minutes longer. Remove from the oven, turn the chicken breast side down, and let rest in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes before carving. After carving, open the chicken cavity and pour the juices all over the chicken meat.

To give any quickbread a refreshing aroma, add 1 tsp. grated lemon zest.

Try it in pancakes, waffles, muffins, and coffee cakes, especially if the quick-bread includes fruit such as blueberries.

To make aromatic olive oil, heat 1/2 C. olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add 1/4 C. grated lemon or lime zest. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate the flavored oil in a sealed container for up to 1 week. If the oil solidifies, let it come to room temperature and become liquid again. Use the citrus-flavored oil on chicken and fish and in salads.

To give poached white fish fillets an especially bright white color, add a tsp. fresh lemon juice to the poaching liquid. You get a nice flavor bonus, too!

For an island-style marinade for roast pork, mix together:

Juice and zest of 1 lime
1/2 C. pineapple juice
1/4 C. cream of coconut or coconut milk
1 tsp. chopped fresh ginger
1 tsp. chopped garlic 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dark rum

Marinate a 2-pound pork roast in the mixture in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. Roast the pork until cooked through, then boil the marinade for 5 minutes. Dissolve 1 tsp. cornstarch in 1/4 C. cold chicken broth and stir into the marinade to thicken it. Serve with the pork.

To add a sweet citrus aroma to Brussels sprouts without discoloring the vegetable, toss the sprouts with grated lemon zest after cooking. The acidity of lemon juice can discolor green vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and broccoli, but the zest contains only the flavorful lemon oil and none of the acid that can cause discoloration.

To rescue cake frosting that has become granular from sugar, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and mix until smooth.

For a lively pan sauce for sautéed chicken breasts, veal scalloppine, or fish fillets, remove the chicken, veal, or fish from the pan then add 3 tsp. unsalted butter, 1 tsp. finely chopped onion or shallot, and 1 minced garlic clove. Sauté for 1 minute, then stir in the juice of 1 lemon and 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley. Heat until the mixture simmers. Serve over the chicken, veal, or fish.

To add zip to spaghetti, boil the pasta without salt and instead squeeze the juice from 1/2 lemon into the water.
For incredible homemade caramel corn, mix together 1/2 C. firmly packed brown sugar, 1/4 C. corn syrup, 1/4 C. unsalted butter, and 1 1/2 tsp. molasses in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp. baking soda, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour over 6 C. unsalted purchased or homemade popcorn, stirring constantly to evenly coat the popcorn. Spread onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 250°F for about an hour, stirring often. Remove from the oven and break up any clumps of popcorn. Cool completely before serving.

Tomato Florentine Soup

Tomato Florentine Soup

1/3 C. diced onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T. olive oil
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
1 C. chicken broth
1 C. baby spinach, snipped

In saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients. Heat thoroughly and until spinach is wilted. 2-3 servings.

Strawberry Lavender Jam II

Strawberry Lavender Jam II

3 pounds strawberries (about 9 C.), rinsed and hulled
1½ C. sugar
3 tsp. fresh lemon juice, strained
1½ tsp. dried lavender (or 1 tsp. fresh lavender)

Begin by preparing the jars. Put four, half-pint jars in a stockpot or other large pot and cover with water. Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring to a boil. Put the jar lids in a separate bowl and set them aside; also, place a small plate in the freezer. While the jars process, begin preparing the jam. Place the strawberries and the sugar in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Allow to simmer for five minutes. Now pour the mixture into a colander set over a large bowl. Gently stir the berries in the colander to strain off most of the juice. Set the colander and berries aside, preferably over another bowl or plate to catch juice drips, and return the juice to the saucepan. Bring the juice to a boil, stirring occasionally. Allow the juice to boil until reduced to a syrup measuring 1½ C., about 20 minutes. Return the strawberries and any juice that has drained from them while sitting to the saucepan with the reduced syrup. Stir in the lemon juice and the lavender and return the mixture to a simmer. Continue to simmer until a small dab of jam spooned onto the plate in the freezer becomes somewhat firm (it will not gel), about 15 minutes. Spoon off any accumulated foam from the saucepan and stir gently. At this point, ladle boiling water from the pot with the jars into the bowl with the lids until the lids are covered. Place a folded kitchen towel in the designated work area. Use a jar lifter to remove the sterilized jars from the canning pot, being careful to pour the water in each back into the pot, and place upright on the kitchen towel. Note, the jars should have boiled at least 10 minutes in order to ensure they are sterilized. Ladle the hot jam into the hot jars, leaving ¼-1/2 inch of head space. Once the jars are filled, use a damp cloth to wipe the rims of the jars. Drain the water off the jar lids and place the lids (flat lid and ring) on top, securing until finger tight. Return the filled and sealed jars to the pot of water. Make sure the water is at least one inch above the tops of the jars. Return to a boil and allow to boil for five minutes to process. Remove the jars from the water and again place on a folded towel. After one hour, check the seals on the jars by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid is easy to press down and then pops back up (just like an open jar of pickles), the lid has not sealed properly and the jar should be refrigerated. Allow the sealed jars to cool for 12 hours before storing in cool dark place. Once open, refrigerate any unused contents.

Pear Cranberry Jam

Pear Cranberry Jam

1 lb. fresh cranberries
1 lb. pears, quartered and cored (no need to peel)
1/2 – 3/4 C. sugar (or to taste)
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Spices, as desired (see above)

Prepare water bath canner by filling to 3/4 full of cool water and adding jars. Bring to boil and turn down to keep at simmer. Combine pears and cranberries in a sturdy non-reactive stockpot or deep skillet. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently to prevent burning and to keep mixture evenly cooking. After 5-10 minutes, the cranberries will begin to pop. Add the sugar and lemon juice. Continue cooking until most of the cranberries have popped and juices have been released from the pears. Cook until mixture reaches the desired thickness – about 20 minutes. You can test this by dropping a tsp. the mixture onto a saucer. Let cool for about a minute. Then pick up the saucer and tilt sideways. If the jam appears to keep it’s shape, it’s done. If it separates or runs down the saucer, cook a bit longer and test again. At this point, you may puree the mixture with an immersion blender or by spooning batches into a food processor or mixer. Or if you like the texture as is, you are ready to fill jars. Spoon into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch headroom. Wipe rims, lid and place in canner. Bring water in canner back to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Remove to protected countertop. After 1 hour, test lids and place any unsealed jars in refrigerator. Let remainder cool for 12 hours. Label and date.

Lemon Basil Pasta and Shrimp

Lemon Basil Pasta and Shrimp

½ lb. linguine or other pasta
¾ lb. cooked shrimp, thawed and drained
2 T. unsalted butter, melted
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1½ tsp. basil leaves
¾ tsp. garlic salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ C. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water 10 minutes, or until al dente. Add shrimp and drain immediately. Return pasta mixture to pan. Combine next 5 ingredients in a bowl. Toss with cooked pasta and shrimp. Sprinkle cheese over pasta and serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 376
Fat: 9.5g
Fiber: 2.5g

Goat Cheese and Pear Crostini

Goat Cheese and Pear Crostini

1 long baguette, sliced ⅓ to ½-inch thick (about 30 slices)
6 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼ C. honey
½ tsp. coarse salt
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried
2 just ripe pears, quartered cored, and thinly sliced lengthwise
½ C. crumbled goat cheese
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Blend the butter, honey, salt, and thyme together in a small bowl. Lightly spread each of the baguette slices with the honey-butter mixture and place them side by side on the baking sheet (they can be touching, but not overlapping – you may need two baking sheets, or do this in two batches). Bake for 4 to 6 minutes until the edges are lightly brown. Remember that they will harden as they cool, so take them out before they get too crisp. Place one or two slices of pear on each piece of crostini, top with a bit of goat cheese, then a sprinkle of crumbled bacon.

Uses for Gelatin

Uses for Gelatin

To enhance soups and stews with a silkier texture, stir in 1 envelope (1/4 oz.) unflavored gelatin per 4 quarts of soup or stew. This is the secret to the silky ups of many professional chefs and crafty home cooks. This technique also makes store-bought broth taste richer. Here’s how it works: When you simmer animal bones to make traditional stock, the bones release gelatin and collagen, which gives the stock a velvety texture. Packaged gelatin produces the same mouthfeel in soups and stocks without the bones. Of course, if you combine stock made from bones with additional gelatin, the texture will be even richer.

For ultra-velvety chicken soup, remove the meat from half a roasted chicken. Remove and discard the skin, then cut the meat into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.

In a large pot, boil the chicken bones in 1 C. white wine for 3 minutes, then add:

2 quarts chicken broth 2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. finely chopped lemon zest
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. red-pepper flakes

Soften 1 envelope (1/4 oz.) unflavored gelatin in 2 tsp. water and add to the pot. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, then add 1/3 C. uncooked rice and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bones, then stir in the juice of 1 1/2 lemons, 1/3 C. chopped fresh cilantro, and the reserved chicken meat. Simmer for 2 minutes more to heat through.

Uses for Chili Powder

Uses for Chili Powder

For livelier string beans, melt 2 tsp. unsalted butter and mix in 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. chili powder, and 1/8 tsp. garlic powder. Steam a pound of string beans, drain, and then toss with the butter mixture.

To make brownies from hell, add 1/2 tsp. pure chile powder (such as ancho or chipotle chile powder) to a 9 x 11-inch pan of chocolate brownies. A few pinches of cinnamon add to the flavor, too. If you like the combination of spicy and sweet, you’ll die for these brownies!

For kicked up corn-on-the-cob, shuck fresh sweet corn and then wrap each ear with 1 or 2 strips of bacon. Place each ear on a piece of heavy-duty foil and sprinkle lightly with chili powder. Wrap securely, twisting the ends of the foil to make handles for turning. Grill over medium-high heat until the corn is tender and the bacon is cooked, turning once, about 20 minutes.

To mix up a spicy butter for cooked fish fillets, chicken, or potatoes, combine 1/2 C. (1 stick) softened butter, 1 tsp. chipotle chile powder, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Wrap in plastic and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

To perk up plain old burgers, add 2 tsp. chili powder per pound of ground meat.

If you like your cornbread hot and spicy, add chipotle chile powder to the batter.

For hot chocolate with a kick, add ground ancho chile powder, ground cinnamon, and almond extract to the mix.

When you don’t want to settle for plain old popcorn again, make it spicy with some ground red pepper. First cook popping corn in a heavy pot in hot oil. When it’s popped, toss the popcorn with a little curry powder, ground red pepper, sugar, and salt.

Quick Pickled Fennel with Orange

Quick Pickled Fennel with Orange

3 small fennel bulbs
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 small orange, sliced
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 C. apple cider vinegar

Wash fennel bulbs and remove stems. Slice in half and cut out the hard core. Slice paper-thin on a mandoline. Sprinkle kosher salt over shaved fennel and toss to combine. Let fennel sit for at least an hour. When time is up, pour fennel into a colander and squeeze to remove the liquid that was produced while it sat with the salt. Return fennel to the bowl and toss with orange slices and black pepper. ack fennel and orange into a quart jar and top with the apple cider vinegar. Use a chopstick or the end of a wooden spoon to work the vinegar down into the fennel. Stash jar in the fridge and let sit for at least 24 hours before eating. This quick pickle will keep at least 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Sour Cherry Spoon Fruit

Sour Cherry Spoon Fruit

These sticky, sweet-tart preserves are delicious spooned on Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream. But my favorite way to enjoy them is this: Toast a slice or two of good Italian bread. Spread fresh ricotta on top and then spoon the fruit on top of that. Heaven.

1 1/2 pounds (680 g) fresh sour cherries (about 4 C.), pitted with pits reserved
1 C. (140 g) dried sour cherries
2 C. (400 g) vanilla sugar (see page 57)
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 vanilla bean

3 sterilized 1/2-pint jars and their lids
Tight-weave cheesecloth
Kitchen twine
Basic water-bath canning equipment

Combine the fresh and dried cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a nonreactive heavy-bottomed saucepan or preserving pot. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the pan, along with the pod. Let the cherries macerate for about 1 hour. Tie the reserved pits in a piece of cheesecloth with the twine and add the bundle to the pot. Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring often, until the mixture has darkened and begun to thicken, 20 to 30 minutes. Continue to boil until the mixture reaches 220°F and you can drag a path along the bottom of the pot with a silicone spatula. Remove and discard the cheesecloth bundle. Ladle the hot fruit into the jars, leaving V4 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean if necessary7 with a clean, damp cloth, and screw the lids on the jars. Process the jars in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes. Remove the jars and set them upright on a clean kitchen towel. Let the jars cool to room temperature before storing in a cool, dark place for up to l year. Refrigerate after opening. Store any jars that fail to seal properly in the refrigerator and use those first. Cook’s Note To remove the pits from sour cherries, unbend a clean paper clip into a long “S”-shaped wire with two curved
ends. Gently push the smaller curved end into the cherry7 through the stem end and scoop out the pit.

Chickpea Pancakes with Spicy Vegetables

Chickpea Pancakes with Spicy Vegetables

1 C. chickpea flour
3/4 C. cold water
2 T. olive oil
1 egg
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 small onion
1 zucchini
2 large cauliflower florets
1 tsp. fresh ginger
.12 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 T. tomato sauce
1 scallion

Generously coat an 8″ nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Place the flour in a bowl and gradually whisk in 3/4 C. cold water to make a smooth batter the consistency of thin cream (add more water if needed). Whisk in 2 T. of the oil, the egg, 1/8 tsp. of the salt, and 1/8 tsp. of the pepper. Pour 3 T. batter into the skillet and quickly tilt the skillet to coat the bottom with a thin layer of batter. Cook the first side until nicely browned, about 1 minute. Turn the pancake with a spatula and cook the second side for 30 to 45 seconds (it will look spotty). Slide the pancake onto a plate and cook the rest in the same fashion. Cover with foil to keep warm. Heat the remaining 1 T. oil in another skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, zucchini, cauliflower, ginger, cumin, and pepper flakes. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, cover, and cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the scallion, the remaining 1/8 tsp. salt, and the remaining 1/8 tsp. pepper. Arrange a pancake, attractive side down, on a plate, and spoon the vegetables in a line one-third of the way from one edge and roll up. Assemble the remaining pancakes in the same manner.

Calories: 214
Fat: 13g
Fiber: 3g

Leek and Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

Leek and Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

1/2 lb. sliced bacon
3 medium leeks, about 2 lb, trimmed of all but 1 inch of greens,
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 T. unsalted butter,
8 ¼-inch-thick slices seven-grain bread
1 C. grated cheddar cheese

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and pour off all but 1 T. fat from the skillet. Thinly slice each half leek crosswise. Transfer to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring often, until the leeks are softened but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spread butter over one side of each slice of bread. Place the bread, buttered side down, on a work surface covered with waxed paper. Sprinkle cheese over 4 slices and top with equal amounts of cooked leeks. Arrange strips of bacon on top of the leeks; cover with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up, and press down gently to compress. Toast in a toaster oven or under the broiler, watching carefully to avoid burning, until the bread is browned and the cheese is almost melted. Transfer to a cutting board and cut in half. Serve hot.

Cream of Garlic Soup

Cream of Garlic Soup

1/4 C. (1/8 lb.) butter
1 C. minced white onion
1 C. diced (about 1/4 in.) celery
1 head garlic, cloves separated, peeled, and minced
1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 red thin-skinned potato (about 8 oz.), peeled and diced
3 C. fat-skinned chicken broth
1 pint half-and-half
1/8 tsp. white pepper
Salt
Bacon, Croutons or Parmesan Cheese, for garnish

In a 4- to 6-quart pan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onion, celery, and garlic and stir frequently until vegetables are very soft but not brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add diced potato and chicken broth and stir over medium-high heat until boiling; reduce heat and simmer until potato pieces are very tender when pierced, about 20 minutes. Add the half-and-half and stir until hot. Add white pepper and salt to taste.

Old-Fashioned Creamy Lemon Pudding

Old-Fashioned Creamy Lemon Pudding

2 large eggs
1 C. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
2 T. all-purpose flour
2 C. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/3 C. lemon juice
1/4 C. (1/8 lb.) butter
Lightly sweetened whipped cream (optional)

In a bowl, whisk eggs to blend. In a 2- to 3-quart pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, and flour. Stir in the buttermilk, then set the mixture over medium heat and stir often until simmering, 10 to 12 minutes. Continue simmering, stirring often, 2 minutes longer. Whisk half the buttermilk mixture into the eggs, then return both to pan, along with lemon peel, lemon juice, and butter. Whisk over medium-low heat until pudding reaches 160° on an instant-read thermometer and very thickly coats a spoon, 4 to 6 minutes; do not boil. Spoon pudding into bowls or heatproof glasses. Serve warm or cool, with whipped cream if desired.

Thyme-Roasted Duck Breast with Orange-Wine Sauce

Thyme-Roasted Duck Breast with Orange-Wine Sauce

2 T. olive oil
1 C. chopped carrots
1 C. chopped celery
1/2 C. chopped shallots
1/4 C. chopped garlic
1 bottle (750 ml.) dry red wine
1 C. orange juice
5 sprigs fresh thyme, rinsed, plus 3 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
2 dried bay leaves
3 duck breast halves (about 10 oz. each; see notes)
Salt and pepper
1/2 C. heavy whipping cream
6 C. baby arugula leaves (5 oz.), rinsed and crisped

Pour olive oil into a 12-inch ovenproof nonstick frying pan (with at least 2-in.-tall sides) over medium heat. When hot, add carrots, celery, shallots, and garlic; stir often until vegetables are slightly limp and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add wine, orange juice, 5 sprigs thyme, and bay leaves; increase heat to high and boil, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by about half and is slightly syrupy, about 15 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer into a glass measure; you should have about 1 C.. Discard vegetables. Wipe pan dry. Rinse duck breasts and pat dry. Score the skin of each in a crosshatch pattern, making cuts about an inch apart, through the skin into the layer of fat. Sprinkle lightly all over with salt and pepper. Set same frying pan over medium-high heat; when hot, lay duck breasts, skin side down, in pan. Cook until beginning to brown on the bottom, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Spoon out and discard any fat in pan. Turn breasts over and sprinkle evenly with thyme leaves. Transfer pan with duck to a 425° oven. Roast until well browned on the surface but still slightly pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer duck to a rimmed cutting board and let rest in a warm place for 5 minutes. Skim off and discard fat from pan juices. Set pan over medium-high heat and add orange-wine reduction and cream. Stir often, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan, until sauce is boiling and coats the back of a spoon in a thin layer, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide arugula among six plates. Slice duck breasts across the grain and fan equally over arugula. Drizzle a little warm orange-wine sauce over duck and greens. Pour remaining into a small pitcher and pass, for guests to add to taste.

Oven-Baked Salmon with Picholine Olive Sauce

Oven-Baked Salmon with Picholine Olive Sauce

2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 shallot (2 oz.), peeled and chopped (1/3 C.)
1 C. dry vermouth
1/2 C. fat-skimmed chicken broth or fish stock
1 C. whipping cream
1/3 C. chopped pitted picholine olives (or other mild green olives; see notes)
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
Salt and fresh-ground pepper
1 boned salmon fillet (3 lb.), skinned
1 T. butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 C. dry white wine
1 T. chopped fresh tarragon
Fresh thyme sprigs, rinsed

In a 6- to 8-inch frying pan over high heat, boil garlic and shallot in vermouth until mixture is reduced by about half, 5 to 8 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil again. Add cream, olives, and chopped thyme. Boil, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and is reduced to about 1 1/4 C., about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside. Rinse salmon fillet and pat dry. With tweezers, pull out pin bones. Lay fillet in a buttered 12- by 17-inch baking pan. Dot the fillet with butter, drizzle with wine, and sprinkle with tarragon. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake in a 400° oven until salmon is barely opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), 13 to 18 minutes. Slide salmon onto a platter. If sauce is cool, stir over medium-high heat until hot. Drizzle fish with some of the sauce; serve remaining to add to taste. Garnish fish with thyme sprigs.

The Queen of Tarts

The Queen of Tarts

About 1 C. all-purpose flour
1/4 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C. (1/4 lb.) butter or margarine
2/3 C. (6 oz.) mascarpone or Neufchâtel (light cream) cheese
1/2 C. yogurt cheese or sour cream
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh mint leaves
1/4 C. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. mixed berries such as marionberries, blueberries, raspberries, and boysenberries, rinsed and drained
1/4 C. seedless blackberry, huckleberry, or salal jam

In a bowl, mix 1 C. flour and the brown sugar. With a pastry blender or fingers, cut or rub in butter to make fine crumbs. Add 1 T. water and stir with a fork until evenly moistened. Gather dough into a ball. On a lightly floured board, roll dough into an 11-inch round. Ease dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable rim; if dough tears, overlap edges slightly and press to seal. Gently press dough against bottom and side of pan. Fold excess dough down and flush with pan rim; press against pan side. Bake crust in a 325° oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool on a rack. In a bowl with a mixer, beat mascarpone, yogurt cheese, lemon peel, mint, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread evenly in crust. Arrange berries in a single layer over filling. In a 1- to 1 1/2-quart pan over medium heat, stir jam until melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle over berries. Remove pan rim and cut tart into wedges.

Italian Tossed Salad

Italian Tossed Salad

2 quarts (about 1/2 lb.) torn bite-size pieces escarole leaves
1 quart (about 1/4 lb.) dandelion leaves, tough stems removed
1 red onion (about 6 oz.), thinly sliced
1/2 C. canned lupini beans or garbanzos, drained
1/2 C. thinly sliced prepared peeled roasted red peppers
1/2 C. canned pepperoncini chilies, stemmed, seeded, and sliced
1/2 C. canned red cherry peppers, stemmed, seeded, and sliced (keep small ones whole)
1/3 C. minced fresh basil leaves
1/3 C. minced parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
About 1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
About 1 T. balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper
1/2 C. large ripe green olives, drained
1/4 C. salt-cured black olives

In a large shallow salad bowl, combine escarole, dandelion leaves, onion, lupini beans, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini chilies, red cherry peppers, basil, parsley, and garlic. Mix gently with just enough oil to coat greens; add vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with green and black olives.

Pinot-Braised Duck with Spicy Greens

Pinot-Braised Duck with Spicy Greens

4 duck legs (about 8 oz. each)
Salt and fresh-ground pepper
1 tsp. herbes de Provence
About 1 bottle (750 ml.) Pinot Noir
2 T. olive oil
1/4 C. minced shallots
4 C. low-sodium chicken broth
1 sprig fresh thyme, rinsed
1 dried bay leaf
1 T. butter
1 onion (about 8 oz.), peeled and chopped
1 lb. broccoli rabe (also called rapini), rinsed, ends trimmed, and cut into about 1-inch pieces, or 1 1/2 lb. mustard greens, rinsed, trimmed, and sliced crosswise
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 flat anchovy (optional), minced
About 1/4 tsp. cayenne
About 1 T. lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375°. Rinse duck legs and pat dry. Lay legs skin side up in a roasting pan that just holds them comfortably. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the herbes de Provence. Roast duck in preheated oven for 1 hour. Spoon fat from pan and save for other uses or discard. Pour wine over duck; it should be deep enough so meat is immersed but skin is exposed. Continue roasting until skin is golden red, about 30 minutes longer (20 minutes if using convection heat). Meanwhile, pour 1 T. olive oil into a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan over medium-high heat; add shallots and stir often until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf; boil, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1 1/2 C., about 45 minutes. When duck is done, add 1 C. braising liquid to broth mixture and boil, stirring often, until mixture is reduced by about one-fourth, about 15 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer into a small pitcher or bowl. While broth reduces, prepare greens: In a 12- to 14-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, melt butter with remaining 1 T. olive oil. Add onion and stir often until beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add greens (if using mustard greens, add half, stir until wilted, then add remaining) and cook, stirring often, until tender to bite, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and the anchovy, if using, and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt, pepper, cayenne, and lemon juice. Mound greens on plates and set duck legs on top. Serve pan juices alongside.

Meyer Lemon Marmalade II

Meyer Lemon Marmalade II

3 pounds Meyer Lemons (or any lemons)
4 1/2 C. Sugar (I use organic raw sugar)
2 oz. prepared pureed Ginger or 4 tsp. finely chopped fresh Ginger
7 C. water

Prepare water-bath canner with jars by bringing cool jars and cool water to a boil in canner. Turn heat down and let simmer until ready to use the jars.

Scrub lemons thoroughly. If they are not organic, scald with hot water to remove any wax and debris. Prepare lemon peel by cutting the peels from the lemons with a sharp knife or using a vegetable peeler. Avoid cutting into the pith (the white part). You should end up with long swirls of peel. Cut across the swirl into very small slivers. Place the peels into saucepan with 1 C. the water, add saucepan lid, and simmer long enough for the peels to soften – about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Meanwhile, chop the remainder of each lemon into small 1/4 inch pieces, retaining all the pith, fruit and seeds, and juice. Place these pieces into a cheesecloth and tie tightly. Place in non-reactive saucepan and cover with the water. Boil 1 hour. Remove the cheesecloth bag from the liquid and cool. The easiest way to do this is to place in a sieve over a bowl. When cool enough to handle, press as much of the liquid from the bag as possible. It will be milky and sticky – this is the good pectin that will aid in setting the marmalade. Discard the cheesecloth bag.

Now combine the softened peels, the liquid remaining in the saucepan, the additional captured liquid from the bag, ginger and sugar. Bring back to a boil, then lower heat to medium, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking uncovered until the liquid reaches 220 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat.

Immediately spoon into jars and process for 10 minutes after water returns to a boil in a boiling-water bath. Remove jars from canner and cool on heat-proof surface. Check lids after 1 hour, refrigerate any unsealed jars. Let the remainder of the jars cool overnight. Label and date and store in cool, dry place.

Cook’s Illustrated Fool Proof Vinaigrette

Cook’s Illustrated Fool Proof Vinaigrette

After making and testing hundreds of vinaigrettes both straight and on salads, we’ve arrived at a few conclusions. To start, ratios: For most green salads, a ratio of 4 parts oil to 1 part vinegar works best. We might alter this ratio when the vinegar is unusually mild (like rice wine vinegar), when citrus juices are used, or when the dressing is heavily flavored by another ingredient that needs a good kick (such as tomatoes). And salads like Chef’s Salad benefit from an acidic dressing that cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese. Second, extra-virgin olive oil is our top choice for most vinaigrettes, except those that have strong Asian flavors. Third, we’ve found that simply shaking all the vinaigrette ingredients together in a jar with a sealed lid in the easiest method of making the dressing; there is no extra bowl or whisk to wash and you can store what is left over in the same jar. Most vinaigrettes last about a week in the refrigerator. Just bring the dressing to room temperature and shake vigorously to recombine before serving.

1 tsp. Wine Vinegar
1 ½ tsp. minced Shallot
½ tsp. Mayo
½ tsp. Dijon
1/8 tsp. Salt
Pepper
3 tsp. EVOO

Combine Vinegar, Shallot, Mayo, Mustard, Salt and Pepper to taste in small bowl. Whisk until milky in appearance and no lumps remain. Place oil in small measuring C. so it is easy to pour. Whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle oil into vinegar. If pools of oil gather on the surface as you whisk, stop adding oil and whisk until combined, then resume whisking oil in a slow stream. Vinaigrette should be glossy and lightly thickened, with no pools of oil on the surface. (Or use the jar shaking method) Store refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Lemon Vinaigrette (For mild greens): substitute fresh lemon juice for vinegar, omit shallot and add ¼ tsp. finely grated lemon zest and a pinch of sugar with salt and pepper.

Balsamic-Mustard Vinaigrette (For assertive greens): substitute balsamic vinegar for wine vinegar, increase mustard to 2 tsp. and add ½ tsp. fresh chopped thyme along with salt and pepper.

Nuttier Vinaigrette: Replace half the EVOO with walnut oil

Herb Vinaigrette: Add 1 tsp. minced parsley or chives and ½ tsp. minced fresh thyme, tarragon, marjoram, or oregano just before using.

Cook’s Illustrated Scallion Pancakes

Cook’s Illustrated Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancakes should boast multiple paper-thin layers laced with scallions and just a hint of sesame flavor. The exterior should be brown and crisp while the interior retains a soft chew. We found 2 tsp. scallions per pancake was just right for bold allium flavor. Cilantro lent a great herbal flavor. Brushing a thin layer of sesame oil onto the pancakes before sprinkling on the scallions and cilantro added the right sesame flavor. As for forming the pancakes, we got the best results from rolling the dough into a pancake, sprinkling the flavorings over, rolling it into a log, then coiling it around itself like a snake and rolling it out into a pancake again. This was easier to do than expected and the result was a pancake with tender layers and evenly incorporated scallions.

We like these pancakes with the dipping sauce, but if preferred, you can omit the sauce and simply sprinkle with salt to taste before serving.

1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C. warm water, plus extra if needed
1/4 C. vegetable oil, plus extra for brushing
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
6 scallions, minced (1/2 C.)
2 tsp. minced fresh cilantro
1 recipe Scallion Dipping Sauce

Whisk flour and salt together in medium bowl. Add water and mix with dinner fork until combined. (If there are any floury bits left in bottom of bowl, add additional water, 1 tsp. at a time, until dough comes together.) Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter and knead until smooth and satiny, about 5 minutes, adding extra flour to counter or your hands as needed to prevent sticking. Transfer dough to clean bowl, brush with thin layer of vegetable oil, and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces and cover to keep dough from drying out. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, roll into 7-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured counter. Brush dough round lightly with sesame oil, then sprinkle with 2 tsp. scallions and 11 1/2 tsp. cilantro. Following illustrations, roll dough into cylinder, then coil cylinder into round, tucking tail end underneath.

Roll into 5-inch pancake about 1/4 inch thick. Cut a small (1/2 inch) slit in the center of each pancake to allow for the release of steam that would otherwise cause the pancake to puff up. Set aside and cover while repeating with remaining dough pieces. Heat 1 tsp. vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Swirl oil to coat skillet, then add 1 dough round, cover and cook 1 ½ to 2 minute. Remove lid, brush top with oil, flip and cook another 1 ½- 2 minutes, covered. Remove lid and cook 40 seconds or so per side to get crisp. Transfer pancake to cutting board, tent with aluminum foil, and repeat 3 more times with remaining 3 tsp. oil and remaining 3 dough rounds. Slice cooked pancakes into wedges and serve with Scallion Dipping Sauce.
Scallion Dipping Sauce

¼ C. Soy Sauce
2 tsp. Rice Vinegar
2 tsp. Mirin
1 tsp. Water
1 tsp. Chili Oil
½ tsp. Toasted Sesame Oil
1 Scallion, minced

Combine all ingredients and serve.

Vaca Frita (Keto)

Vaca Frita (Keto)

Vaca Frita (Keto)

2 – 2 ½ lb. Boneless Chuck Roast

1 ½ tsp. fine Himalayan Sea Salt

2 Bay Leaves

1 T. White Vinegar

3 T. Coconut or Avocado Oil

1 large Onion, cut into ¼ inch slices

½ cup minced cilantro (1/2 bunch or so), divided

 

Rub the roast with 2 teaspoons of the salt. Place in a slow cooker and add the bay leaves and vinegar. Add water until the beef is just submerged. Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove the meat from the slow cooker and discard the liquid. Place the beef in a storage container, cover, and set in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make and serve this dish. (Cook in a pressure cooker on high for 50 minutes instead of in the slow cooker.) If you’re making it right away, set the beef under a fan to cool before shredding. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When it’s hot, place the oil in the skillet and add the onion slices. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions will become tender, translucent, and sweet. While the onions cook, shred the meat by hand, removing any unsightly chunks of fat Make sure to shred it into fine threads. The thinner the pieces are, the more they will crisp up! Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside. Don’t clean the pan. Add half of the shredded beef to the skillet over medium heat. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through. After 8 minutes, there should be some pieces of meat stuck to the bottom of the pan; add the juice of 1 lemon and use a spatula to scrape them up. Mix in half of the cilantro and half of the cooked onions. Stir to combine and immediately remove from the skillet Repeat with the remaining shredded beef, lemon juice, cilantro, and onions. Place both batches of vaca frita in a serving bowl and toss with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a skillet over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until crispy again.

Cook’s Illustrated Caramelized Onions

Cook’s Illustrated Caramelized Onions

If the onions are sizzling or scorching in step 2, reduce the heat. If the onions are not browning after 15 to 20 minutes, raise the heat.

1 tsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. light brown sugar
½ tsp. salt
2 pounds onions, halved and sliced pole to pole into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
1 tsp. water
Pepper

Heat butter and oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat and stir in sugar and salt. Add onions and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to soften and release some moisture, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are deeply browned and slightly sticky, about 40 minutes longer. Off heat, stir in water. Season with pepper to taste. (Onions can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.)

Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Green Beans, Olives and Lemon

Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Green Beans, Olives and Lemon

Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Green Beans, Olives and Lemon

 

2 large lemons

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

4 cloves garlic, minced

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

salt and black pepper

2 bone-in chicken breasts with the skin

2 large Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered

1/2 pound green beans (ends trimmed)

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. With a zester or fine grater, remove approximately 1 teaspoon zest from one of the lemons.  Transfer to a small bowl.  Slice one of the lemons and remove the seeds; set aside.  Juice the other lemon; set aside. To the bowl with the zest, add the parsley, oregano, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper.  Stir to form a paste.  Keeping the skin intact, carefully spread equal amounts of the herb paste underneath.  Place chicken on a non-stick baking sheet. Toss the potato wedges with 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt and black pepper to taste.  Place them around the chicken.  Scatter lemon slices around the baking sheet.  Drizzle lemon juice over the chicken and potatoes and drizzle chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil (or 1 tablespoon each). Bake for 35 minutes.  Flip the potatoes.  Toss the green beans with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt and black pepper to taste.  Scatter the green beans around the chicken and potatoes.  Bake an additional 25 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees in the center. Scatter the black olives over the chicken, potatoes and green beans.  Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Latin A.M. Chocolate

Latin A.M. Chocolate

1-1/2 C. soy or rice milk (plain, vanilla, or chocolate are all fine)
1/8 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 T. dry sweetener
1/4 tsp. ground Mexican cinnamon
1/8 C. boiling water
1/8 tsp. almond extract

In a small saucepan, heat milk for 3 minutes over medium heat. In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder, dry sweetener, and cinnamon. Add hot water to cocoa and mix thoroughly until there are no lumps. Stir in almond extract. Whisk cocoa mixture into hot milk, pour into a mug and drink hot.

Lilac Scones with Rhubarb Curd

Lilac Scones with Rhubarb Curd

LILAC SCONES

3 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling (or use turbinado, on top)
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
12 Tbs. salted butter, well chilled
1 cup full-fat buttermilk, well shaken
1 cup of lilac blossoms

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Over bowl, cut butter into small bits, dropping them into the flour mixture as you go. Work butter and flour together with fingers, until butter is about pea-sized at its largest. Add your lilac blossoms, removed from the stems (no green part). Give buttermilk a good shake, then pour into the flour-butter mixture, and fold together until you can pull the dough into a rough ball (mix as little as possible). Dust surface with clean flour and roll out to a half inch of thickness. Cut into triangles and place on greased baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with coarse sugar (turbinado is best) and a few more blossoms if you wish, and bake until golden at the edges, around 12-16 minutes. Eat when warm out of the oven.
RHUBARB CURD

3 cups chopped rhubarb
A handful of strawberries for colour and flavour (otherwise, the curd can be quite yellow from the yolks – I also used a few drops of beet juice to add rosiness)
Juice from one small lemon (around 2 tbsp)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water

7 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
Pinch of sea salt

Put the rhubarb, juice of half a lemon, sugar and water in a small pot and simmer gently until rhubarb is soft. Blend into a smooth puree.

Whisk egg yolks, remaining sugar, and salt in a double boiler until warm. Gradually add the rhubarb puree, stirring vigorously between each addition. Do not allow the mixture to boil or the eggs will curdle (yuck! rhubarb omelette!)

Once the consistency is rich and thick, remove from heat and gradually add butter, stirring until melted. Cool the curd and bottle up in jars. Refrigerate.

Melon and Goat Cheese Salad with Agrodolce Dressing

Melon and Goat Cheese Salad with Agrodolce Dressing

3/4 C. walnut halves
1 ripe cantaloupe (about 3 lb.)
6 C. tender watercress sprigs (about 6 oz.) or bite-size pieces frisée, rinsed and crisped
2 C. huckleberries or blueberries, rinsed
Agrodolce dressing
8 to 10 oz. fresh chèvre (goat cheese)
Fresh-ground pepper

Place walnuts in a 9-inch square or round pan and bake in a 350° regular or convection oven, shaking pan once, until golden brown under skins, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut peel off melon; scoop out and discard seeds. Cut melon into 1/2-inch-thick crescents. On a large platter or on dinner or salad plates, arrange watercress, melon slices, and berries. Shortly before serving, drizzle about half the agrodolce dressing over fruit on platter or 1 to 2 T. over each serving. Cut chèvre into slices or break into chunks and distribute over salad. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts and pepper to taste. Offer remaining dressing to add to taste.