Cranberry Sauce

This is a tart rendition of a classic cranberry sauce. Some recipes indicate using a minimum of 6 tablespoons of sugar per 4 cups of cranberries, others indicate as much as a cup of sugar. Sweeten as desired to accomidate invididual tastes. Just remember: you can always add sugar, but you can’t take it out. Ingredients 4 cups whole cranberries 1 cups water 4 tablespoons sugar Pinch of salt ¼ cup orange juice or Grand Marnier (optional) Preparation In a medium saucepan, combine: cranberries water sugar salt Let the sauce boil until it thickens; the water will evaporate and the pectin in the cranberries will be activated as it cooks. Let it boil for at least 10 minutes, and up to 25 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in juice or liqueur, if using. Serve or then cover sauce and chill.

November 28, 2019

Banana Pudding

Source https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015130-banana-pudding Equipment Stand Mixer 13x9" baking dish Preheat Oven Preheat oven to 350°F Ingredients 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, divided: ¾ cup + ½ cup ⅓ cup cornstarch 4 cups whole milk 4 large eggs, separated and divided 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar 1 11-ounce box nilla wafers 3 to 4 bananas, depending on size Preparation Custard Whisk together in a pot set over medium heat: ¾ cup of sugar Cornstarch Milk Egg yolks Cook, stirring constantly, until it just begins to bubble, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn heat down slightly, and allow the mixture to simmer, still stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove the mixture from heat. Whisk in vanilla, salt, and butter. Meringue Into a heatproof stand mixer bowl, whisk together: Egg whites Cream of tartar ½ cup of sugar Set bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot to touch, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the stand mixer fitted with a whisk, and beat until stiff, about 5 to 7 minutes. Bake Line a 13-by-9-inch oven-safe casserole pan with one layer of Nilla wafers and one layer of banana slices. Pour the custard over the bananas and cookies. Use a spatula to spread the meringue over the custard. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the peaks are the color of a toasted marshmallow. Allow to rest until ready to serve.

June 6, 2019

Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crisped Onions

Source Milk Street, May 2019 Special Equipment Large dutch oven 12" skillet A paper-towel-lined plate Kitchen towel Ingredients 5 cups water 4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled 4 bay leaves 2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin ½ teaspoons ground allspice 1 tablespoon salt ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black Pepper 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and drained 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced Preparation Water and Spices In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, combine: 5 cups water garlic bay leaves cumin allspice salt pepper Add Lentils Bring to a boil, then add lentils. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat to maintain a simmer until lentils are softened but still quite firm at the center- about 10 minutes. Add Rice Stir in rice, return to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the lentils and rice are tender- about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, cook onions In a 12" skillet, heat oil until shimmering. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally at first and then more frequently once browning begins, until the onions are deeply caramelized and crisped- about 10 to 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the onions to a paper-towel-lined plate, spread thin and evenly. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and set aside. Finish Once the lentils and rice are tender, remove from heat, uncover, lay a kitchen towel over the pot, and place the cover over the towel for 10 minutes. Remove cover and towel, fluff with a fork. Discard bay leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in half the scallions. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with the onions and remaining scallions. Serve.

March 3, 2019

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Source https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017760-vegan-mushroom-make-ahead-gravy Change Log Added prochini mushrooms. Ingredientes ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ½ small onion, finely chopped (½ cup) 113 grams (4 ounces) baby portobello mushrooms, finely chopped (1 cup) 28 grams (1 ounce) dried porchini mushrooms, hydrated and finely chopped 64 grams (½ cup) all-purpose flour 4 to 5 cups vegetable stock 1 teaspoon soy sauce, more to taste ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper Preparation In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms; cook, stirring, until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle in flour and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in vegetable stock, a little at a time, until a smooth sauce forms. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper. Serve as is, or pass it through a fine mesh strainer.

November 30, 2018

Maple-Rosemary Skillet

Notes Parsnips wider than 1 inch may have tough, fibrous cores that are best trimmed and discarded. Using warm water helps the sugar to dissolve more readily. Any combination of carrots and parsnips with a combined weight of 3 pounds can be used in this recipe. Ingredients 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 ½ pounds carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick pieces 1 ½ pounds parsnips, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces ¾ cup apple cider 1 tablespoons maple syrup Salt and pepper ½ teaspoon minced fresh rosemary Preparation Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook carrots and parsnips, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Whisk apple cider, maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon salt in small bowl. Add water mixture to skillet and cook covered, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat until vegetables are tender and liquid has evaporated, 12 to 14 minutes. Stir in rosemary and season with salt and pepper. Serve.

November 30, 2018

Potato Dumplings

Ingredients 2 cups grated boiled potatoes 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ cup semolina ½ teaspoon salt 1 egg Preparation Boil Potatoes Boil 6 large potatoes in a pot of water until tender. Peel and grate to make 2 cups. Prepare Dough While preparing dough, boil another pot of salted water in which to cook the dumplings. With your hands, in a large bowl, mix together: Potatoes Flour Semolina Salt Make a well in the center and add an egg. Mix the egg with the potato mixture to form a dough. Cut the dough into four sections. Roll the dough into four logs. Drop into a pot of boiling water. Cook Boil for 15 or 20 minutes. Remove from water and cool. When cool slice into sections ½ inch thick. ...

July 14, 2018

Special Chicken

This is a recipe that I made up. Equipment 14-inch cast-iron skillet Ingredients Olive oil, as needed 16 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and quartered 2 medium onions 2 shallots ¼ cup capers, rinsed 2 red bell peppers Juice of one lemon 3 chicken breasts; sliced into cutlets 16 ounces fresh spinach leaves; washed 1 ¼ cups chicken broth 3/4 cup white wine All-purpose flour (to dredge chicken) Preparation Prep Chicken Working with 1 breast at a time, starting on thick side, cut breasts in half horizontally. Pat cutlets dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour. Set aside. Cook Vegetables Heat olive oil in 14-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add mushrooms- cook until soft. Add onions and shallots- cook until soft. Add bell pepper ¼ teaspoon salt and cook until liquid has evaporated and vegetables begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add capers and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth and wine and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Cook until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Set aside. Cook Chicken Heat 2 tablespoons oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add 3 cutlets and cook until golden and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Repeat with remaining 3 cutlets and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Finish Discard any oil remaining in skillet. De-glaze skillet with additional wine and/or broth. Add spinach; cook until wilted. Lay chicken atop spinach. Pour vegetables over chicken. Simmer until ready to serve. Serve.

January 31, 2018

Rice Pudding

Source http://allrecipes.com/recipe/24059/creamy-rice-pudding/ Change Log Added lavender Dropped butter In place of vanilla, use vanilla infused bourbon Increased vanilla Added cardamon pods Added cinnamon sticks Added preference for short-grain rice Ingredients 1 ½ cups water ¾ cup uncooked short-grain white rice ¼ teaspoon dried lavender (optional) 3 cinnamon sticks 2 cups oat milk, divided (preferably whole) 1/3 cup white sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten 2/3 cup golden raisins 4 cardamon pods; seeds ground 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (and/or bourbon) Preparation Cook Rice Bring 1 ½ cups water to a boil in a saucepan Stir rice into boiling water Add lavender Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes Add Milk Add to rice: ...

March 13, 2017

Morrocan Chicken Stew with Cous-Cous

This recipe is perfect for a cold winter night. The warm spices of south France and Spain combine to flavor this slow cooking dish. If you don’t have any spices from a Provençal market, my Moroccan Seasoning recipe is a very solid stand-in. This recipe contains no definite quantities; use it as a basic map and improvise (as I did) to create your own version of this delicious dish. Special Equipment Large, heavy bottom stew pot Ingredients Chicken thighs; bone in, skin removed Dried apricots White mushrooms Onion Peppers Potatoes Moroccan Seasoning Salt to taste Chicken (or other) stock Cous-Cous Brown sugar Preparation Chop vegetables, add to pot. Add chicken thighs. Add apricots. Fill with enough stock and/or water to cover. Add Moroccan Seasoning. Simmer for two or so hours, till chicken is cooked and vegetables are soft. Taste Additions of salt, seasoning, and sugar should be done in moderation and slowly. Add, stir, taste, let simmer, taste again… add more of whatever as needed. Repeat. ...

September 28, 2015

Ethiopian Style Chickpea Stew

Source http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/ethiopian-style-chickpea-stew Preheat Oven Preheat oven to 450°F Ingredients 1 teaspoon sweet paprika 1 teaspoon fine sea salt ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground cardamom ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon ground coriander ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon ground fenugreek (optional) ½ teaspoon ground ginger 2 cans no-salt-added chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) , rinsed and drained 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil , divided 2 cloves garlic , finely chopped 1 medium red onion , chopped 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger , peeled and finely chopped 1 can no-salt-added tomato sauce 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 pound red potatoes , cut into 1-inch chunks 4 carrots , cut into 1-inch chunks Preparation Spices Stir together in a small bowl; set spice mixture aside: Paprika Salt Allspice Black pepper Cardamom Cloves Coriander Cayenne Fenugreek Ginger Roast Chickpeas Toss chickpeas with a tablespoon of the oil on a large rimmed baking sheet and spread out in a single layer. Roast chickpeas, stirring occasionally, until somewhat dried out and just golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes; set aside. Cook Base Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add to the pot: Garlic Onion Chopped ginger Cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in reserved spice mixture and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until spices are toasted and very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and cook 2 minutes more. Add Roasted Chickpeas Stir in and bring to a boil: Broth Potatoes Carrots Reserved chickpeas Finish Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until potatoes and carrots are just tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover pot and simmer until stew is thickened and potatoes and carrots are very tender, about 25 minutes more. Ladle stew into bowls.

September 26, 2015