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One Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole

One Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole

One Skillet French Onion Tater Tot CasseroleOne Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole

 

2 T. salted butter

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

2-3 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced

1 C. dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc

1 lb. lean ground turkey, chicken, or beef

2 cloves garlic, minced or grated

2 red bell peppers, chopped (or 16 oz. mixed frozen vegetables)

2 T. fresh thyme leaves (or 2 tsp. dried thyme)

2 T. fresh chopped parsley (or 2 tsp. dried parsley)

kosher salt and black pepper

2 T. all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend

1/4 C. low sodium soy sauce

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper using more or less to your taste

1 C. shredded Gruyere cheese

2 lb. frozen tater tots

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

fresh chives, for topping (optional)

 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.In a large oven safe skillet, melt the butter, olive oil, and onions together. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 5 minutes. At this point, you want to slowly add 1/2 C. of the wine, 1/4 C. at a time, until the wine cooks into the onions. Continue to cook another 8-10 minutes until you’ve used the 1/2 C. of wine and the onions are deeply caramelized. Push the onions to the side of the pan and stir in the meat, bell pepper, garlic, thyme, parsley, cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, another 5 minutes until the meat is browned. Stir in the flour and cook another minute. Add the remaining 1/2 C. wine, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 C. of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened 3-5 minutes.Remove from the heat and sprinkle the Gruyere cheese overtop the meat. Arrange the tater tots on top of the cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake 20 minutes, until the tots are golden. Sprinkle the cheddar over the tater tots, return to the oven. Bake another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve topped as desired with fresh thyme and chives. Notes: To Make Vegetarian: Instead of using 1 lb. of meat, use 3 C. of finely chopped mushrooms (can be any variety or a mix of varieties) plus 1 C. of finely chopped cauliflower (or use an additional C. of mushrooms). Sauté the vegetables as directed to do so for the meat. The cooking times should be very similar, if not the same.

One Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

One Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

One Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy ProsciuttoOne Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

 

6 T. salted butter

3-4 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced

1 1/4 C. dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 C. cremini or wild mushrooms, sliced

2 T. fresh thyme leaves

2 T. chopped fresh sage

3 C. low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 lb. short cut pasta

kosher salt and black pepper

3 oz. prosciutto, torn

1/2 C. heavy cream or milk

1 C. shredded gruyere cheese

4 oz. burrata cheese, at room temperature

 

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the prosciutto in a single layer. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the prosciutto is crisp. Meanwhile, melt together the butter and onions in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 10 minutes. At this point, you’ll want to slowly add 3/4 C. of the wine, 1/4 C. at a time, until the wine cooks into the onions. Continue to cook another 10-15 minutes until you’ve used the 3/4 C. of wine and the onions are deeply caramelized. Add the garlic, mushrooms, thyme, and sage. Season with salt and pepper, cook another 3-4 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 C. wine, the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and stir frequently until the pasta is al dente and the broth has been absorbed, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the cream and gruyere cheese. Remove from the heat. Break the burrata over the pasta and gently stir. Top with prosciutto. Eat and enjoy!

French Onion Short Ribs

French Onion Short Ribs

French Onion Short RibsFrench Onion Short Ribs

 

6 T. salted butter

4 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced thinly sliced

1/2 C. dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc

black pepper

2 shallots, sliced

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 T. fresh thyme leaves

2 T. chopped fresh sage

chili flakes

6-8 C. low sodium chicken broth

1/2 C. tamari or soy sauce (low sodium is best)

4 lb. bone-in beef short ribs

2 bay leaves

1 star anise (optional)

2 C. baby carrots

6 slices french bread

2 C. shredded Gruyère cheese

 

In a large Dutch Oven over high heat, melt together the butter and onions. Cook 5 minutes, until softened. Add the wine, season with pepper, and continue cooking another 5-8 minutes, until the wine has evaporated and the onions are lightly golden. Add the shallots, garlic, thyme, sage, and chili flakes. Then transfer everything to the bowl of the crockpot. To the crockpot, add the short ribs. Pour over 6 C. of broth. Add the tamari, bay leaf, and star anise (if using). Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. Add the carrots during the last 1-2 hours of cooking. Remove the bay leaves and star anise. Discard any bones and extra fatty pieces. Lightly shred the meat. Keep on warm. Switch the oven to 425°. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes, until very dry. Switch the oven to broil. Top the toast with cheese, then broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with cheesy toast, black pepper, and fresh thyme. Eat!

Venison French Onion Soup

Venison French Onion Soup

Venison French Onion SoupVenison French Onion Soup

 

2 lb. venison stew meat (1-2 inch chunks)

Beef tallow or oil for cooking

Coarse sea salt and fresh cracked pepper

2½ tsp. fresh thyme leaves, divided

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 T. cognac

7 C. unsalted venison or beef stock, plus more as needed

2 – 2½ lb. yellow onions (about 3 medium), thinly sliced

4 T. butter, plus extra for toast

Sliced sourdough or rustic bread

1½ C. grated Gruyère, Swiss, or provolone cheese

Finely chopped fresh chives for garnish

 

Heat a large Dutch oven or wide pot over high heat. Add enough tallow or oil to lightly coat the bottom and let it melt. Working in batches as needed, add the stew meat and cook, undisturbed for a few minutes, until browned on the bottom. Give the meat a good stir and cook until browned all over. Generously season with salt, pepper, and 2 tsp. of fresh thyme. Add the garlic and cook another few minutes, then carefully pour in the cognac. Allow it to boil for a minute to burn off the alcohol. Pour 6 C. of stock into the pan and stir, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, partially cover, and gently simmer for roughly 4 hours, or until the meat is tender. Caramelize the onions. Meanwhile, heat a separate, very wide skillet over medium-high heat. Drop in the butter, and after it starts foaming, add the onions. Allow them to cook, stirring sparingly, as they begin to soften and release their moisture. Season with salt and ½ tsp. of thyme. Eventually they will start to turn a golden color, and browned bits will build up on the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to a lower setting to avoid burning, stir more frequently, and add a splash of beef stock when it gets dry. Continue this process (stirring, adding a splash of stock when it gets dry) until they become a deep golden brown color and are soft and jammy. This will take about an hour. Deglaze with ½ C. of stock to fully lift the browned bits from the bottom of the pan and dissolve it into the onions. Transfer the mixture into the stew and stir to incorporate. Season to taste. When the stew is very tender and ready to serve, prepare the cheesy toast. Preheat the oven to 425℉. Arrange the bread on a foil-lined sheet pan and swipe a pat of butter across the tops. Toast until lightly crisp, then top generously with cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Cut the toast in half to fit the bowls, if needed. To serve, ladle the stew into bowls and top with the cheesy bread and fresh chives.

Roasted French Onion Tomato Soup

Roasted French Onion Tomato Soup

Roasted French Onion Tomato Soup

 

3½ pounds tomatoes, halved

4 T. olive oil, divided

2 large onion, quartered

1 head garlic, trimmed ½ inch from the top

3 sprigs thyme

1 tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. pepper

½ tsp. smoked paprika

¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

1–1 ½ cups vegetable broth

½ cup basil leaves

½ cup heavy cream

6 slices baguette

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or gruyere

 

Heat oven to 450°F. Add tomatoes—we used Roma and Campari tomatoes, but you can really use anything!—onions, head of garlic, and thyme to a baking dish. Drizzle with 3 T. olive oil and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Roast until tomatoes have softened and are golden brown on top, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove thyme and discard. Squeeze garlic cloves from the bulb into a blender and discard skins. Transfer remaining tomato mixture to the same blender and add in basil. Blitz until smooth, add broth, and blitz again. Add remaining ½ cup broth if the soup’s too thick. Transfer soup to a large pot. Bring soup to a simmer, stir in heavy cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat broiler, place bowls on a baking sheet, and divide soup among bowls. Layer a slice of bread on top of each bowl of soup, evenly sprinkling cheese on top of each. Broil until cheese is bubbly and brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin

 

3 slices diced bacon

1 pound Brussels Sprouts

1 tablespoon melted butter

Salt and coarse ground black pepper

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup freshly grated Swiss or gruyere cheese (I used French Madrigal)

1/2 cup Panko crumbs

2 tablespoons reserved bacon drippings

 

Preheat oven to 425. Cook bacon until crisp. Move to a paper towel lined plate and reserve drippings. Clean sprouts and cut in half. Place in a casserole dish that has been coated with cooking spray. Season sprouts with salt and pepper and toss with melted butter. Roast in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until tender crisp and just starting to brown in spots. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with bacon. Drizzle with heavy cream and return to oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until cream has reduced slightly. Meanwhile combine grated cheese, panko crumbs, and bacon drippings. Sprinkle on top of casserole and place under broiler, watching carefully until crumbs are golden brown. Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Panko Crusted Thin Cut Pork Chops with Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

Panko Crusted Thin Cut Pork Chops with Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

Panko Crusted Thin Cut Pork Chops with Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

 

6 to 8 thin cut pork chops, bone

2 eggs

1/4 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

Coarse ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Herbs de Provence

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 cup Panko crumbs or more if required

Vegetable oil

Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

Beat eggs with buttermilk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Herbs de Province, and mustard until well combined. Place pork chops into a zip bag and pour in the egg wash. Allow to sit in refrigerator for a minimum half hour before continuing. Remove chops from zip bag leaving as much liquid on them as possible. Coat chops on both sides with panko crumbs, patting down so crumbs adhere. Place on a wire rack over a sheet pan and allow to sit for 15 minutes to set coating before continuing. Place enough oil into a heavy skillet to just cover the bottom and heat over medium high until shimmering. Fry pork chops on both sides for 2 minutes a side until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel to drain. Serves 4.

Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

Gratineed Mustard Creamed Onions

 

1 pound frozen pearl onions, defrosted & drained of any liquid

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2 tablespoons flour

1-1/2 cups milk

3 tablespoons cream Sherry

1 tablespoon grainy mustard

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Salt & pepper as required

1/2 cup grated or shaved parmesan cheese

 

Spray a shallow casserole or gratin dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400. In a small pot melt butter and when hot whisk in flour. Cook whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Heat milk in microwave until hot but not boiling. Whisk into flour mixture and cook, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Add pearl onions, sherry, mustards and nutmeg. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper as required. Return mixture to a boil, and then transfer to prepared gratin dish. Top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 for 30 to 40 minutes or until onions are cooked through and top is golden brown and bubbling. Serves 4 to 6.

Baked Stuffed Orange French Toast

Baked Stuffed Orange French Toast

Baked Stuffed Orange French Toast

 

4 tablespoons melted butter

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Grated rind of 1 orange

6 slices Texas Toast or better yet, day old French Bread

5 eggs

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon each, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg

Orange marmalade and/or maple syrup

 

Melt butter and pour into 9 x 13 baking dish. Combine sugar, cinnamon, salt and orange rind. Sprinkle evenly onto bottom of dish. In a large bowl whisk together eggs, orange juice, pumpkin, spices and yogurt. Dip each slice of bread into mixture, being sure to cover both sides and arrange in prepared baking pan. Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread. Refrigerate for minimum 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400. Bake for 20 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. To serve, flip bottom side up onto a warm plate or platter. Serve with marmalade or syrup. Makes 6 servings.

Pumpkin French Toast with Candied Pepitas and Ricotta

Pumpkin French Toast with Candied Pepitas and Ricotta

Pumpkin French Toast with Candied Pepitas and Ricotta

 

3 eggs

1½ C. milk

½ C. pumpkin purée

½ C. plus 2 T. pure maple syrup, divided (plus more for serving)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch kosher salt

4 T. butter, divided

8 thick slices rustic bread

½ C. pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

1 C. warm ricotta cheese

 

Whisk together eggs, milk, pumpkin, ½ C. maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in large bowl or small baking dish until thoroughly combined. Heat 1 T. butter in medium skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Working with 2 pieces of bread at a time, submerge bread into egg mixture and press to thoroughly soak up mixture. (If you want the French toast to have more of a bread pudding texture, soak the bread overnight before cooking.) Transfer soaked pieces to skillet and cook until golden brown on each side, about 2–4 minutes per side. (Let next 2 slices soak while cooking.) Wipe skillet out between batches and continue with remaining butter and bread. Keep French toast warm while preparing pepitas. Heat remaining 2 T. syrup in small skillet over medium heat until bubbling. Add pepitas and cook, stirring constantly, until syrup is thick and sticking to seeds, about 2 minutes. Transfer to plate to cool. Serve French toast topped with a dollop of ricotta, candied pepitas, and drizzle of maple syrup.

Baked French Toast with Streusel Topping

Baked French Toast with Streusel Topping

Baked French Toast with Streusel Topping

 

1 loaf of bread torn into pieces

8 eggs

2 C. milk

½ C. heavy cream

¾ C. sugar

1 T. vanilla extract

½ C. pastry flour

½ C. Maine Grains sifted whole wheat flour

½ C. brown sugar

1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. salt

Maple syrup to serve

 

Butter a large ceramic baking dish with butter. Place torn bread in it. In a large measuring cup, combine eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Pour the mixture over the bread. Cover pans and refrigerate them overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°. Remove pan from the refrigerator and uncover. Combine 4 T. butter, flours, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the streusel topping looks granular. Sprinkle the topping over the bread. Bake until the custard is set and the topping is lightly browned, 30–35 minutes. Serve hot with maple syrup.

French Onion Tart

French Onion Tart

French Onion Tart

 

Pastry

2 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 T. sugar

12 T. cold unsalted butter, diced (1 1/2 sticks)

1/2 C. ice water

 

Onion Topping

1 C. gruyere cheese, shredded (4 oz)

1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme, minced

2 tsp. fresh chives, minced

1 1/4 lb. sweet onions, (about 3 medium onions)

1 T. heavy cream

3 T. unsalted butter, diced

1 tsp. kosher salt

 

Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas. With the motor running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Roll the dough between two sheets of lightly floured wax paper, slightly larger than 10 x 14 inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges. Place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the onions. Sprinkle the rolled pastry with the cheese right to the edges. Sprinkle with thyme and chives. Peel, halve, and very thinly slice the onions into half-moons, keeping the moons intact. Place the onion half-moons on the pastry in diagonal lines, just barely overlapping and brush lightly with cream. Dot with the butter and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 40 mins or until the tart is golden and browned. Cover the edges with foil if the tart is getting too brown during baking. Let cool slightly and cut into squares to serve. Serve warm or at room temperature. Recipe Notes: The dough comes together in minutes in your food processor and can be made well in advance and frozen until you’re ready to use it.

There’s no pre-cooking of the onions on the stove like many onion tarts require. They’re simply sliced thin and arranged over a sprinkling of grated cheese and herbs and baked until golden brown and caramelized. The tart can be sliced into squares, strips, or wedges, but no matter how you slice it (yes I went there), it’s just plain delicious. Tart can be served right out of the oven or at room temperature, which makes it ideal for parties.

 

French Grated Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

French Grated Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

French Grated Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

 

1 pound carrots, peeled

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon

1-1/2 T. vegetable oil

1-1/2 T. extra virgin olive oil

1-2 tsp. honey, to taste

Heaping 1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 T. chopped fresh parsley

2 finely sliced scallions (or 1T. finely chopped shallots)

 

Grate the carrots in a food processor. Set aside. In a salad bowl, combine the dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, vegetable oil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the carrots, fresh parsley and scallions (or shallots) and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Notes: Depending on the sweetness of the carrots, you may want to add more or less honey. Also, if you make this salad ahead of time, be sure to check the seasoning again before serving as the flavors tend to mellow.

French Carrot Salad

French Carrot Salad

French Carrot Salad

 

In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 3 T. fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. light honey, and ½ tsp. ground cumin. Season with salt. Add 1 lb. carrots, grated on the large holes of a box grater or in a food processor, fitted with a grating attachment, and toss to coat, adjusting the dressing to taste. Stir in ½ cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley or cilantro and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours before serving.

Bouillon de poulet avec des quenelles de volailles (Chicken dumpling soup)

Bouillon de poulet avec des quenelles de volailles (Chicken dumpling soup)

Bouillon de poulet avec des quenelles de volailles (Chicken dumpling soup)

 

7 oz raw chicken breast

3 1/2 oz white bread, no crusts

6 1/2 T. half-and-half

1 egg plus 1 egg yolk

1 tsp salt

a pinch of pepper

a pinch of nutmeg

 

61/2 cups chicken stock

2 large carrots, roughly chopped

5 button mushrooms, thinly sliced

salt and pepper (if needed)!

1/2 bunch of parsley, leaves roughly chopped

 

Put the first 7 ingredients for the quenelles into a blender and whizz until you have a smooth paste. Form the paste into 20-25 quenelle shapes by using two tablespoons (for smaller quenelles, use two teaspoons). Put the stock and carrots into a large pot. Bring the stock to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Drop the quenelles into the boiling stock and cook for 5 minutes (3 minutes for the small ones), adding the mushrooms for the last minute. When the quenelles are done, they will rise to the surface. Serve immediately, garnished with some roughly chopped parsley. Depending on the quality of your stock, you may not need to add any salt or pepper. Taste for seasoning before serving.

Confit de Canard

Confit de Canard

Confit de Canard

This recipe is adapted from Cuisine de France by Paul Bocuse (Flammarion, 1992).

 

2 duck legs

1/2 cup coarse sea salt or kosher salt

1 cup (250 g) rendered duck fat, or more

2 cloves garlic, unpeeled

2 branches fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup water

 

The day before you plan to cook the duck, place the legs in a bowl and cover them with the coarse salt. Refrigerate for 24 hours. The next day, thoroughly rinse the salt off the duck under cold running water. Place on a rack to drain and pat dry with paper towels. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or skillet, heat the duck fat, garlic, thyme, bay and water to a high simmer. Place the duck legs in the hot fat, skin side down. Turn down the heat — the fat should remain at a very low simmer throughout the cooking process. Check the duck occasionally to make sure the fat is simmering but not boiling. After an hour, turn the legs over so that they are skin side up, being very careful not to pierce the skin. Allow to cook at a low simmer for one hour more. Turn off the heat and remove the legs to a rack to drain. Strain the fat through a sieve into a bowl. Place the browned bits and garlic that remain in the sieve in a separate small bowl. Discard the thyme and bay leaf. When the duck has cooled, place it in a dish, cover with the strained duck fat and refrigerate. When the fat has cooled sufficiently, use a knife or spatula to spread it over the duck. You may continue with the recipe later in the day or leave the duck in the fridge for a day until ready to complete the cooking process. (If you are preparing your confit well ahead of time, you can preserve it in a large glass jar, sealed with the fat. In this case the fat must entirely cover the duck. It may be preserved in this way for up to 6 months, refrigerated.) About 40 minutes before serving, preheat the oven to gas mark 7 (425 F, 220 C). Allow to preheat for 10 minutes. Remove the duck from its dish or jar, scraping away most of the fat, and place in a baking dish, skin side down. Roast the duck in the hot oven for 15 minutes. Turn the legs over so that they are skin side up. Continue roasting for another 15 minutes, or until the skin is a crispy brown. Serve immediately, accompanied with seasonal vegetables and a hearty red wine. Serves 2. You may use the garlic cloves that you’ve set aside as garnish. The brown bits left over from cooking — known as ‘grattons’ in French — may be spread on toast and served during cocktail hour.

Zucchini and Olive Breakfast Cake, French-Style

Zucchini and Olive Breakfast Cake, French-Style

Zucchini and Olive Breakfast Cake, French-Style

This French-style cake is baked in a loaf pan, using whatever ingredients are on hand.  I love having a basic cake recipe like this because it is simple to make and encourages my creativity in the kitchen with different flavor combinations. Next time, I will bake one with tomato, mozzarella, and basil. (I know these are not French ingredients, but that combination of flavors in a cake sound good to me, just the same.) Since it is French, you know it would contain cheese, and Gruyère and Comté come to mind immediately, of course, as well as parmesan, cheddar, feta, or goat cheese. A cake salé could also contain vegetables, herbs, meats, fruits, or nuts.  Instead of butter, use olive oil, which is healthier and lends a more subtle savory flavor.

This cake is more like a quick bread, or a cross in texture between a muffin and a quiche. It is made much like a muffin, with the dry ingredients mixed together in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another, and the two are combined.  To the American palate, this type of cake is more likely to be eaten for breakfast.  Yes, I, too, enjoyed it with my morning coffee, but I can also imagine this cake cut into small bites and served with an aperitif at my next dinner party.

Makes 9×5 inch 1 loaf

1/3 C. olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan and drizzling

1/2 pound zucchini,

1 tsp. salt

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 3/4 C. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. black pepper

3 large eggs

1/3 C. milk

2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

1/2 C. Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

Kosher salt

 

Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with olive oil. Grate the zucchini on the coarsest side of a box grater. Place the zucchini in a colander in the sink and toss with 1 tsp. of salt. Let drain while preparing the rest of the recipe.  In a large bowl, whisk the minced garlic with the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. In a separate, medium bowl, lightly whisk the eggs, then whisk in the milk and olive oil. Use a rubber spatula to fold the wet ingredients into the dry until barely mixed. Fold in the crumbled goat cheese and the sliced olives. Press firmly on the zucchini in the colander, pressing out as much water as possible. Quickly fold the zucchini into the batter. Spread the batter in the prepared loaf pan, and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle the top with kosher salt. Bake loaf for about 45 minutes, or until golden and a knife inserted in center comes out with a few crumbs attached.  Transfer to a rack to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around edge to release. Turn out loaf onto rack to firm up before slicing, about 30 minutes; using a serrated knife, cut into 3/8-inch slices, then cut into halves or quarters.

 

Fromage Fort

Fromage Fort

Fromage Fort

1 pound cheese, at room temperature (leftover ends, mixed types is fine)

1/4 C. dry white wine

3 T. unsalted butter, softened

2 T. fresh parsley leaves

1 small clove garlic

Remove any rinds from hard cheeses. Grate hard cheeses and cut others into 1/2-inch cubes. Place cheese, wine, butter, herbs, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth, approximately 2 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 1 hour for a firmer consistency. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

French Style Scallops and Mushrooms

French Style Scallops and Mushrooms

French Style Scallops and Mushrooms

4 T. butter

1 T. finely chopped shallots

2 C. thinly sliced mushrooms

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 C. dry white wine

1 pound sea or bay scallops

2 T. flour

1/2 C. milk

1 C. plus 2 T. heavy cream

Pinch cayenne

 

Melt 1 T. of the butter in a saucepan and add the shallots. Cook briefly, stirring, and add the mushrooms. Cook until wilted and add the salt, pepper, and wine. Add the scallops and bring to the boil. Cook until all the scallops are heated through, stirring gently as necessary. Take care not to let the scallops overcook or they will toughen. Using a slotted spoon, remove and set aside the scallops and mushrooms. Reserve the liquid. There should be about 3/4 C. of liquid. Melt 2 T. of butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring rapidly with a wire whisk. When blended add the reserved liquid, stirring until thickened and smooth. Add the milk and 1 C. of the cream. Cook for about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of cayenne. Whip the remaining 2 T. of heavy cream. Fold it into the sauce. Use 6 individual scallop shells or ramekins. Spoon equal portions of the scallops and mushrooms into each shell. Spoon the sauce over the scallop mixture. Preheat the broiler to high. Place the filled shells under the broiler about 6 inches from the source of heat and bake until a nice brown glaze forms on top. As the scallops broil, turn shells occasionally for even browning, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Fougasse (Provençal Bread with Olive and Herbs)

Fougasse (Provençal Bread with Olive and Herbs)

Fougasse (Provençal Bread with Olive and Herbs)

1 tsp. active dry yeast

1 tsp. sugar

4 1⁄2 cups flour

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing loaves

1 tsp. kosher salt

Cornmeal, for dusting

1⁄2 cup minced kalamata olives

1⁄4 cup minced green olives

2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley

2 tbsp. minced fresh thyme

1 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary

Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

 

In a large bowl, stir together yeast, sugar, and 1 1⁄3 cups water heated to 115°; let sit until foamy, 10 minutes. Stir in flour, oil, and salt and mix until a dough forms. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 minutes. Cover with a damp towel; let sit until doubled in size, 1 1⁄2 hours.

Heat oven to 500°. Divide dough into 5 equal pieces. Working with one dough piece at a time, roll into a rough 8″ x 5″ triangle. Transfer rectangle to a cornmeal-dusted, parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut three lengthwise parallel slashes in middle of dough and one small slash below and parallel to middle large slash. Spread slashes apart with your fingers. Cover with a damp towel; let rest until puffed, about 30 minutes. Combine olives and herbs in a bowl. Lightly brush each dough piece with oil; sprinkle with olive mixture and season with salt and pepper. Bake, one at a time, until golden brown, about 15 minutes each.

Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon1 tablespoon good olive oil
8 ounces dry cured center cut applewood smoked bacon, diced
2 1/2 pounds chuck beef cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound carrots, sliced diagonally into 1-inch chunks
2 yellow onions, sliced
2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)
1/2 cup Cognac
1 (750 ml.) bottle good dry red wine such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir
1 can (2 cups) beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pound frozen whole onions
1 pound fresh mushrooms stems discarded, caps thickly sliced
For serving:
Country bread or Sour Dough, toasted or grilled and rubbed with garlic clove
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a large plate. Dry the beef cubes with paper towels and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. In batches in single layers, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove the seared cubes to the plate with the bacon and continue searing until all the beef is browned. Set aside. Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper in the fat in the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac, stand back, and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol. Put the meat and bacon back into the pot with the juices. Add the bottle of wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat. Add the tomato paste and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the oven for about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork. Combine 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. Sauté the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter for 10 minutes until lightly browned and then add to the stew. Bring the stew to a boil on top of the stove, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste. To serve, toast the bread in the toaster or oven. Rub each slice on 1 side with a cut clove of garlic. For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley.

Cinnamon Streusel Baked French Toast Sticks

Cinnamon Streusel Baked French Toast Sticks

For the French Toast Sticks:Cinnamon-Streusel-Baked-French-Toast-Sticks-14
4 slices Texas Toast (or French bread)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Streusel:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Cut bread slices into thirds then set aside. Cut the bread slices into 3 sticks. In a large shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dunk bread sticks into batter, let excess drip off, then place onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes. While the French Toast Sticks are baking, make the cinnamon streusel. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Mix together with your hands or a fork, until you have a crumbly mixture. Remove French Toast Sticks after the 9 minutes. Flip the sticks over and sprinkle the cinnamon streusel over the sticks. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for another 9-10 minutes, or until sticks are golden and streusel is set. Remove from the oven and serve warm, with syrup, if desired.

Croque Monsieur with Greens

Croque Monsieur with Greens

meals 25014 T. softened unsalted butter
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 C half-and-half or whole milk
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp freshly grated or ground nutmeg
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
8 slices sandwich bread
3/4 pound baked ham, thinly sliced
2 C shredded Gruyere cheese
2 T. white wine vinegar
1 tsp apricot jam or orange marmalade
2 T. fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
3 T. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
6 C mixed baby greens, any variety

Heat a heavy nonstick pan or a griddle over medium-low to medium heat. Heat a small sauce pot over medium heat. Add 2 T. of the butter and melt. Whisk the flour into the butter and cook 1 minute, then whisk in the half-and-half. Season with 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, the nutmeg, salt, and pepper and cook 2 minutes to thicken. Remove from the heat. Spread the bread slices with the sauce and make sandwiches, using a couple of folded slices of ham per sandwich. Spread the remaining 2 T. of softened butter lightly across the outside faces of each sandwich. Spread the shredded cheese across a plate and gently press each side of the sandwiches into the cheese, then place on the hot pan or griddle. The cheese will brown and form a crisp coating as the sandwich cooks and heats through. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until evenly golden. In a salad bowl, whisk together the remaining tsp. of mustard, the vinegar, apricot jam, and tarragon. Whisk in the EVOO in a slow stream. Add the greens to the bowl and toss to dress. Season the salad with salt and pepper and serve on large plates with the hot sandwiches alongside.

French Toast Bake

French Toast Bake

ft1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar; stir till mixed. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan; spread around. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast. Spoon remaining egg mixture over bread. Cover & chill in fridge overnight. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes). Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with warm maple syrup.

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

DSCN04611 lb. stale bread, cubed

8 whole large eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 1/2 cups heavy cream

5 1/2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 Tablespoon vanilla

Butter for greasing

 

Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4 Tablespoons cold butter, diced

 

Extra butter and Pure Maple Syrup for topping

 

Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13″ baking dish. Place cubed bread in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Add in the pumpkin puree and whisk until combined. Add in the heavy cream, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and whisk together until incorporated. Pour custard mixture over your bread cubes, tossing gently, and let sit for 3 minutes so the bread can soak up the custard. When time is up, gently toss again and pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and place in your fridge overnight. In the morning, when you are ready to bake, remove the French toast from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while you heat up the oven to 350 degrees. Also, in a small bowl, mix together topping ingredients until the butter is incorporated and the mixture is pea sized. Crumble the topping evenly over the top and bake the French toast in the oven for 55-60 minutes until golden brown and puffy. Let the French toast bake cool slightly, cut large pieces for everyone (trust me here) and place a pat of butter on the top with a heavy drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Darrylann’s Baked French Toast

Darrylann’s Baked French Toast

1 lb. day old French bread, cut in cubes

8 oz. cream cheese, cut in cubes

8 eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup (or fruit syrup)

6 T. melted butter

2 1/2 Cups milk (or buttermilk or cream)

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Layer half the bread, then cream cheese, then remaining bread in 9″ x 13″ greased  baking dish. Combine eggs, syrup, milk & melted butter (must be completely melted or it won’t mix well with cold, raw eggs), cinnamon and nutmeg. Blend well. Pour over bread and cheese layers. Flatten with spatula to moisten bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours.  Bake at 325 uncovered for 35-40 minutes.

Baked Coconut French Toast with Tropical Fruit Compote

Baked Coconut French Toast with Tropical Fruit Compote

french-toast-ck-1120355-lCompote:

1 1/2 C. chopped fresh pineapple

1 C. chopped peeled mango

1 C. chopped peeled papaya

1 C. chopped peeled kiwifruit

3 T. sugar

3 T. fresh lime juice

 

French toast:

16 (1-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette (about 10 oz.)

Cooking spray

1 1/4 C. light coconut milk

1 1/4 C. egg substitute

1/2 C. sugar

1 T. vanilla extract

1/2 C. flaked sweetened coconut

 

To prepare compote, combine first 6 ingredients. Cover and chill for 8 hours or overnight.

To prepare the French toast, arrange bread in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine light coconut milk, egg substitute, 1/2 C. sugar, and 1 T. vanilla, stirring with a whisk, and pour evenly over bread. Turn the bread over to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove bread mixture from refrigerator, and uncover. Turn bread slices over, and sprinkle evenly with flaked coconut. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Bake, uncovered, at 350º for 30 minutes or until coconut is golden. Serve warm with fruit compote.

 

 

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Nutty French Toast

Nutty French Toast

12 slices French bread {about 1-inch thick}

8 eggs

2 C. milk

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 C. butter, softened

1 1/3 C. packed brown sugar

3 T. dark corn syrup

1 C. chopped walnuts

 

Place bread in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, beat eggs, milk, vanilla, & cinnamon; pour over bread. Cover & refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, & syrup till smooth; spread over bread. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake, uncovered, at 350~f. for 1 hour or till golden brown.

 

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Cauliflower Au Gratin

Cauliflower Au Gratin

4 C. Cauliflower Florets

4 tsp. Butter

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

2 T. Flour

2 C. Evaporated Milk

1-2 C. Shredded Sharp Cheddar

2 T. Parsley

Salt and Pepper (cayenne)

 

Cook cauliflower until tender and set aside. In large saucepan sauté garlic in butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually add milk, stirring until sauce boils and thickens. Stir in cheese and parsley. Arrange cauliflower in baking dish. Cover with sauce and remaining cheese. Bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

PCCMarket Coq Au Vin

PCCMarket Coq Au Vin

2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

1/4 C. plus 2 T. olive oil, divided

2 tsp. salt, divided

2 tsp. black pepper, divided

1 medium onion, diced

1 celery rib, diced

3/4 pound white mushrooms, sliced

2 tsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 C. white wine

1/2 C. crushed tomatoes

1 quart chicken stock

1 tsp. arrowroot powder

1 T. cold water

 

Preheat oven to 350º F. Toss chicken thighs in 1/4 C. oil and season with 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Roast in oven for 30 minutes. Drain off excess fat and liquid. Cool. In a large sauté pan, heat 2 T. oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, celery, and mushrooms for 2 minutes, then add the garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Deglaze pan with the wine and let boil. Add tomatoes, remaining salt and pepper, and stock; return to a boil. Mix arrowroot with water to form a slurry. Add to liquid and let thicken. Place chicken in a casserole dish and cover with the sauce. Cover pan and bake in oven for 45 minutes. Serve with rice, noodles or potatoes.

 

 

 

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Croquettes with Serrano Ham and Manchego

Croquettes with Serrano Ham and Manchego

croq2 T. unsalted butter

2 T. olive oil

1/4 C. finely chopped onion

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

7 T. all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping

3/4 C. whole milk

6 T. finely chopped serrano ham

1/3 C. grated plus 1/4 C. Manchego cheese, (about 1 3/4 oz. s)

3 large eggs

1 1/2 C. fresh breadcrumbs

Vegetable oil, for frying

Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish

 

Heat butter and oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until butter has melted. Add onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in milk, and cook, whisking, 3 minutes. Whisk in ham and 1/3 C. cheese. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Spread mixture onto a baking sheet, and let cool completely. Mixture can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days. Whisk together eggs in a shallow dish. Stir together breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 C. cheese in another shallow dish. Scoop T. of cooled mixture, and shape with floured hands into 2-inch ovals. Working with 1 oval at a time, coat in beaten egg, then in breadcrumb mixture. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heat 2 1/2 inches oil in a large, heavy stockpot until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry croquettes, flipping once, until dark golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes total. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. (Adjust heat between batches as needed to keep oil at a steady temperature.) Serve warm, garnished with parsley sprigs.

 

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Delicious French Bistro Vinaigrette

Delicious French Bistro Vinaigrette

vina1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1-2 tablespoons honey (taste and add second tablespoon if needed)
1 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic
3 anchovy filets, chopped
pinch of Kosher salt
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped thyme leaves
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Make the vinaigrette.  Finely chop the garlic together with the chopped anchovies and a pinch of kosher salt, to almost a paste.  Add to jar with a tight lid, along with the rest of the ingredients & shake vigorously.  If you’re using a bowl, add all ingredients to the bowl except the olive oil, and while whisking, slowly drizzle in olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  You can also make the vinaigrette in a food processor, drizzling in the olive oil while the other ingredients chop, but you’ll get a thicker, creamy dressing.  Not a bad thing, your choice. If you have time, let this vinaigrette sit at room temperature for an hour or more to let the flavors meld. Even better, make it the day before. Then put it in the fridge overnight. Take it out and let come to room temperature before serving.

 

Gratin of Scallops & Chives

Gratin of Scallops & Chives

Gratin of Scallops & Chives1oz. Dried porcini mushrooms (you can use fresh if in season!)
1 C. Hot water

1 tsp. Olive oil
1 lg. Garlic clove, minced
1/4 C. Brandy
12 lg. Sea scallops, halved horizontally
3 tsp. Chopped fresh chives

1/4 C. Fresh white breadcrumbs

 

Place porcini in medium bowl. Pour hot water over. Let stand until porcini are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from water; squeeze any liquid back into bowl. Chop porcini. Reserve soaking liquid. Preheat broiler. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; stir 10 seconds. Add porcini and 1/2 cup reserved soaking liquid, leaving any sediment in bottom of bowl. Add brandy; simmer until almost all liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Add scallops and chives; sauté until scallops are almost cooked through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer scallop mixture to 9-inch round gratin dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over. Broil until breadcrumbs are golden, watching closely to avoid burning, about 3 minutes. Serve hot.

 

Orange French Toast

Orange French Toast

1/4 C. Egg substitute

1/4 C. Skim milk

1/4 tsp. Grated orange zest

Vegetable cooking spray

1 tsp. Butter

4 oz. (4 slices) bread

1 tsp. Powdered Sugar

 

1/4 C. Orange juice

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. grated orange zest

1/8 tsp. vanilla

1/2 C. Orange sections

 

In a shallow dish, whisk together egg substitute, skim milk, and grated orange rind. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add butter; place over medium heat until butter melts. Dip bread slices (one at a time) into egg substitute mixture, coating well. Place bread slices in skillet; cook until browned on both sides (about 3 minutes per side). Sprinkle with powdered sugar and orange sauce. In a small saucepan, stir together the orange juice, cornstarch, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute. Stir in orange rind, vanilla, and orange.

 

Coq Au Vin

Coq Au Vin

1/2 C. flour

Salt & black pepper

1/2 tsp. paprika

3 lb. chicken, cut into pieces

1/2 C. butter, divided

2 oz. shallots

6 slices bacon, coarsely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 tsp. dried marjoram

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 T. fresh parsley, finely chopped

1-1/4 C. dry red wine

1-1/2 C. chicken broth

1 onion, cut into 8 pieces

8 oz. button mushrooms

 

Combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in a plastic bag or pie plate, add chicken, and coat well, shaking off excess flour. Reserve the excess flour. Melt 1/4 C. of the butter in an ovenproof skillet over a gentle heat. Add the chicken pieces and fry lightly for 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from skillet. Add shallots, bacon, and garlic. Continue to fry gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shallots have softened. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, until blended. Sprinkle in the herbs and stir in the wine and broth. Bring to a boil. In a separate skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms in 2 T. butter for about 2 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet. Add sautéed onions and mushrooms. Liquid should cover chicken. If not, add broth or wine or water. Cover and simmer on top of stove until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes. Or, bake in a 400-degree oven for 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Arrange the chicken, onions, and mushrooms on a platter. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

 

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French Toast

French Toast

2 eggs

1/2 C. Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 T. All purpose flour

1/8 tsp. Salt
3 tsp. Butter
6 slices thick sliced French bread
1 T. Powdered sugar
On the side: Butter and pancake syrup.

Beat the eggs in a large shallow bowl. Add the milk, flour, and salt to the eggs. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer. Be sure all the flour is well combined. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When the surface is hot, add about 1 tsp butter. Dip the bread one slice at a time into the batter, be sure to coat each side well. Drop the bread into the hot pan, as many as will fit comfortably at one time. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until surface is golden. Cut slices diagonally in two, arrange halves on plate, overlapping. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve butter and syrup on the side.

 

French Toast Sandwiches with Onion, Prosciutto & Cheese

French Toast Sandwiches with Onion, Prosciutto & Cheese

3 lg. Eggs

1 C. Milk

8-10 oz. semi-soft Cheese, cut into 1/8” thick slices (sage, fontina,Port Salut, or Meunster)

4 thin slices Red Onion

4 lg. Slices Prosciutto

8 slices toothsome Bread, cut ¼” thick

4 T. unsalted Butter

 

Beat egg and milk together in a shallow soup plate; set aside. Place 1 slice cheese, 1 slice onion and 1 slice ham on each of four slices bread. Top each with remaining sliced cheese and finally with another slice of bread. Carefully dip each sandwich into egg mixture and soak bread well. Heat 2 T. butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and fry until brown, about five minutes. Carefully turn over and fry the other side, about five minutes more. Keep warm until serving.

 

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Fat Smash Creamless Cauliflower Gratin

Fat Smash Creamless Cauliflower Gratin

1 tsp. EVOO

1/2 Onion, julienned

1 head Cauliflower, sliced into 1/4” thick pieces

1 clove Garlic, minced

1 tsp. White Wine

1 1/2 C. Chicken Stock

1 T. chopped Parsley

2 tsp. chopped Thyme

1 tsp. grated Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper

 

In oven proof sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium low heat. Add onion and cook until soft and caramelized, about four minutes. Add cauliflower and sweat a few minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add wine and cook another minute. Add stock, stir in parsley and thyme. Cover with foil and bake in 400 oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with cheese and broil a few minutes, until browned on top.

Amaretto French Toast

Amaretto French Toast

 

2 eggs

1/2 C. Half & Half

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. Amaretto

3 tsp. butter or margarine

6 slices brioche or egg bread

 

In a shallow dish, whisk together all ingredients except bread. Working two slices at a time, place bread into dish. Let soak for about 1 minute, flip and let other side soak. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tsp. of butter. When melted, retrieve slices from egg mixture and add to skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining slices. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with syrup. Serve with fresh fruit and a glass of orange juice for the perfect Sunday brunch.

Three-Cheese Quiche Bites

Three-Cheese Quiche Bites

40 Ritz or similar snack crackers – finely crushed

4 large eggs

2 C. shredded Mozzarella cheese

3/4 C. milk

1/2 C. chopped roasted red peppers

1/2 C. dijon mustard

1/4 C. shredded Parmesan and Romano cheese blend

1/4 C. chopped parsley

3 T. butter or margarine – melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix the cracker crumbs with the butter or margarine. Lightly coat a 13 by 9 pan with cooking spray. Place crumb mixture in pan and press out to make a crust on the bottom. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes – until golden. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle half (1 C.) of the Mozzarella cheese over the crumb layer. Follow that with a layer of red peppers covered with the remaining (1 C.) Mozzarella cheese. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, mustard and parsley. Pour evenly over the last layer of cheese in the pan. Finally, sprinkle with the Parmesan and Romano cheese blend. Bake (at 350 still) for 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Let stand 10 minutes; cut into squares and serve warm. A perfect use for slightly stake crackers