Apple and Herb Stuffing for All Seasons

Smitten Kitchen

• 6 cups torn chunks French, sourdough or country loaf, torn into bits (I use 2 7-ounce demi-baguettes)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large Spanish or sweet onion, chopped small
• 1 large or 2 small stalks celery, diced small
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt, plus more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large or 2 small firm, tart tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and diced small
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 3 sage leaves, minced
• 1/2 to 1 cup cup turkey, chicken or vegetable stock or broth
• 1 large egg

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Spread bread cubes in single layer on large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until pale golden, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool in pan while you prepare the other ingredients.

Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish (a 9×5-inch loaf, 8- or 9-inch square dish, etc.) with 1 tablespoon butter. Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, thyme, salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper and cook for 2 minutes, until becoming translucent. Add celery and cook for 2 more minutes. Add apple and saute until a bit tender, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Place bread in large mixing bowl. Scrape contents of skillet on top. Whisk egg and 1/2 cup broth or stock together and pour over. Stir in parsley and sage. Spoon into prepared pan. If mixture looks a little dry, pour remaining 1/2 cup broth over it. [This is a good place to pause, if needed. Nothing bad comes of the stuffing absorbing the liquids for longer.] Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until brown on top and no liquid appears if you insert a knife vertically into the center of the stuffing pan and turn it slightly. Serve immediately, or reheat as needed.

Variations:
Apple, Herb and Cornbread Stuffing: You can replace two cups of the bread chunks with chunks of cornbread. This recipe is a good basic one for croutons.

Apple, Herb and Sausage Stuffing: Brown a half-pound of breakfast sausage, cut into 1/2-inch coins, in the pan, before adding the apple. Cook it until it’s just cooked through (it will have lots of time to finish in the oven). Remove it from the pan and add the apples and remaining ingredients as directed above.

Breakfast Stuffing: Bake this stuffing in a buttered loaf pan. Let it cool. Slice it off with a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion (it’s going to break up a bit; it doesn’t matter) and toast each slice until a little brown on the cut sides. Top with a fried egg.

Green Bean Casserole

 

The Pioneer Woman

Servings: 8

•     2 pounds Fresh Green Beans, Ends Cut Off
•     4 slices Bacon, Cut Into 1/4 Inch Pieces
•     3 cloves Garlic, Minced
•     1/2 whole Large Onion, Chopped
•     4 Tablespoons Butter
•     4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour
•     2-1/2 cups Whole Milk
•     1/2 cup Half-and-half
•     1-1/2 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste
•     Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
•     1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
•     1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
•     1 jar (4 Ounce) Sliced Pimentoes, Drained
•     Extra Milk For Thinning If Necessary
•     1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

Prep Time: 20 Minutes / Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Cut green beans in half if you like pieces to be a little smaller.

Blanch the green beans: drop them into lightly salted boiling water and allow green beans to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain beans once they're cool and set aside.

Add bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon for two minutes, then add diced onion and garlic and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bacon is done (but not crisp) and onions are golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk immediately to evenly mix it into the butter. Cook for a minute or two, then pour in milk and half and half. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, while sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne then add the grated cheddar. Stir while cheese melts. Turn off heat.

Add pimentos to pan, then add bacon/onion mixture. Stir to combine. Pour over green beans and stir gently to combine. Pour into a baking dish and top with panko crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and panko crumbs are golden.

 My Notes: This is really good. A step up from the classic version, but not as complicated as Martha Stewart. I used a combo of panko and crushed fried onions. The bacon brings it all together.

MXF

Watermelon Salsa

Trisha Yearwood for Food Network Magazine

Serving: 3 cups

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lime zest (from about 1 lime)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Freshly ground pepper
• 3 cups seeded and finely chopped watermelon
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• Tortilla or pita chips, for serving

Prep Time: 15 min

Stir together the lime zest, lime juice, sugar and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Add the watermelon, cucumber, mango, jalapeno, onion and basil and toss gently. Chill the salsa until ready to serve.

Add the garlic salt just before serving. Serve with chips.

My Notes: I didn't use garlic salt or jalapeno since it was for kiddos. This is really, really tasty. Make sure you use a small dice and scoopable chips. Very fresh. 3 cups is a lot though, so a half recipe might be just fine.

MXF

Pat's Famous Beef and Pork Chili

Down Home with the Neelys

Serves 4 to 6

• 6 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup beer (recommended: Budweiser)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (24-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (24-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• Lime wedges, for garnish
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Shredded Cheddar, for garnish
• Sliced scallions, for garnish

Prep Time: 15 min / Cook Time: 1 hr 45 min

In large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until lightly crisp, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon is browned, add the garlic, onions, bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, chipotle chili powder, oregano, and smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender and seasonings are aromatic.

Add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Once beef is broken up and beginning to brown, add the pork. Break up with wooden spoon like the beef, and brown, until no longer pink, roughly 4 minutes. Stir in the beer and beans. Toss together, then add the crushed and diced tomatoes.

Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary. Transfer the chili to serving bowls and garnish with lime wedges, sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced scallions

My Notes: I didn't add any chili powder, but even so with just the chipotle it was pretty spicy. Good for an adult, but too much for a child. Next time I'd go by tsps. But this was really simple and really tasty. The beer is key!

MXF

Goudarooni

Saveur

SERVES 10–12

DOUGH::

• ½ tbsp. olive oil, plus more for greasing
• ½ tbsp. sugar
• 1 (¼-oz.) packet active dry yeast
• 4 cups "00" flour, preferably Caputo Pizzeria Flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tbsp. kosher salt
• Fine semolina, for dusting

FILLING:

• 1½ lb. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. granulated garlic
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1½ lb. ground beef
• 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• ½ tsp. crushed red chile flakes
• ½ tsp. sugar
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated pecorino romano cheese

Make the dough: Make the dough: Combine oil, sugar, yeast, and 1¼ cups water heated to 115° in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook; let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Mix flour and salt in a bowl. With the motor running, slowly add flour mixture; mix until a smooth dough forms, 8–10 minutes. Transfer dough to a greased baking sheet; cover with plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature until doubled in size, 1–1½ hours.

Make the filling: Place a pizza stone in the oven; heat to 500°. Toss potatoes with ¼ cup oil, ½ tsp. granulated garlic, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet and spread into an even layer; bake until tender, 8–10 minutes. Heat remaining oil in a 10" skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Add beef, remaining garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking up meat, until browned, 8–10 minutes. Add tomato paste, basil, chile flakes, sugar, salt, pepper, and ½ cup water. Cook until sauce is slightly thick, 5–7 minutes; set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into an 18" x 20" rectangle about ⅛" thick. Slide a large semolina-dusted pizza peel under half of rectangle lengthwise. Spread half each of the mozzarella and pecorino over the dough on peel, leaving a 1" border. Lay potato slices over cheeses, overlapping, and spoon meat sauce over the top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Fold other half dough up and over filling; press edges to seal and working from one end to the other, roll and crimp edges. Cut two slits in the top of the calzone and slide onto stone; bake until crust is puffed and charred in spots, 30–35 minutes.

French Bread Pizzas

The Pioneer Woman

Servings: 12 

◾6 whole Deli Rolls Or Crusty Italian Rolls
◾ Jarred Marinara Sauce Or Pizza Sauce
◾ Jarred Or Refrigerated Pesto
◾2 pounds Mozzarella Cheese, Grated
◾ Grated Parmesan Cheese To Taste
◾2 Tablespoons Butter
◾1 whole Onion, Sliced
◾1/2 pound Sausage (regular Breakfast Sausage Or Italian Sausage)
◾ Pepperoni Slices
◾ Canadian Bacon Slices
◾ Pineapple Chunks, Fresh Or Canned
◾ Roma Tomatoes, Sliced
◾ Sliced Black Olives
◾ Optional Ingredients: Goat Cheese, Sliced Bell Peppers, Various Cheeses, Pepperoncinis, Jalapeno
     Slices, Diced Red Onion, Any Other Pizza Topping You'd Like!

Prep Time: 30 Minutes / Cook Time: 12 Minutes

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Slice rolls in half and lay them, cut side up, on a large baking sheet.

Top each half with a generous portion of either marinara or pesto. Next, top with a generous amount of grated mozzarella and Parmesan, if you'd like. Add whatever toppings you'd like on top of the cheese!
Once all assembled, put the pan in the oven on the lowest rack for 8 to 10 minutes. Crank up the heat to 425 and put it on the highest rack until the cheese starts to bubble a bit and turn golden.

Remove and serve immediately! You can cut the pizzas in half right across the middle so there are mini-French Bread Pizzas for everyone.

Watermelon Cucumber Slushie

Thug Kitchen

• 3 pounds of watermelon (seedless is best but some seeds are cool)
• ½ cup skinned, chopped cucumber
• juice from 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• ¾ cup coconut or tap water
• 1 teaspoon agave, maple syrup, or honey (optional)
• vodka (optional)

Cut away the rind and chop up the watermelon flesh into pieces no larger than a quarter. You should get about 4 cups. Don’t stress about some seeds, they will get chopped the fuck up in the blender. Just get rid of any big ones you notice. Freeze the chopped watermelon for at least 4 hours or overnight. The watermelon is going to create the slush factor so you want to make sure that shit really fucking frozen.

When the watermelon chunks are frozen add them along with the cucumber, lime juice, mint leaves, and water to a blender and blend until it is all smooth and icy. If you picked out a shitty watermelon you might need to add a teaspoon of a sweetener to make up for the weak melon. Taste it, you’ll know. Trust.

Had a rough day? Replace up to a ½ cup of the water with vodka and get the fuck over it.

Makes about 2 ½ cups of sweet summer slush, enough for 2 people who need to chill the fuck out. Watermelon chunks will stay good in the freezer for at least a month no problem.

 

Banana Ricotta Toasts with Pecans, Dates and Honey

Martha Stewart Living

• 2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 slice (1/2 inch thick) whole-wheat rustic bread, toasted
• 1/2 small ripe banana, sliced on the bias
• 1 medium pitted date, preferably Medjool, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped toasted pecans
• 1 teaspoon honey, such as acacia
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Spread ricotta on toast. Top with banana, date, and pecans. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and some pepper.

Sundried Tomato Spread

Thug Kitchen

• ¼ cup of sundried tomatoes (don’t buy that shit that comes packed in oil. They are way more expensive. Find the kind that look like dried fruit. They will be near the olives or the canned tomatoes in the grocery store)
• 1 cup warm water
• ¼ cup chopped white or yellow onion
• 1 ½ cups or 1 15 ounce can of cannellini beans (any kind of white bean works, like navy or great northern beans. You just want a creamy kind of bean)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Put the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl and cover them with the warm water for 15 minutes.

While the tomatoes soak, cook the onions in a small pan with a little bit of olive oil until they begin to look brown and smell awesome, like 5-8 minutes. Take the tomatoes out of the water and chop them up into pieces but save the water they were soaking in; no need to waste shit. Chop up the garlic into little pieces. Put the beans, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and 2 tablespoons of the water from the tomatoes in a food processor and chop that shit up real small. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend it all together until it starts to look creamy. Add more of the soaking water if it looks a little dry. It’s cool if there are still some bigger tomato bits hanging around, just call that shit “rustic”. Add more spices if you think it needs it and serve that fucker up.

This will last a week in the fridge if you are good at keeping delicious secrets from your roommates.

MXF

Sausage Gravy and Cheddar Biscuit Pot Pie

Saveur

SERVES 6-8

GRAVY:

• 12 oz. pork breakfast sausage
• ½ cup flour
• 3½ cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp. cayenne
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

BISCUITS:

• 3 cups flour, plus more for cutter
• 3½ tsp. baking powder
• 1½ tsp. kosher salt
• 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and chilled, plus 2 tbsp. melted
• 1½ cups buttermilk
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup finely chopped chives, plus more for garnish
• Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

MAKE THE GRAVY:
Heat a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat; add sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add milk and cream, and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until gravy is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar, cayenne, salt, and pepper; stir until combined and set aside.

MAKE THE BISCUITS:
Heat oven to 425°. Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Add butter, and using your fingers, rub mixture together until pea-size crumbles form. Add buttermilk, cheese, and chives, and stir with a fork until just combined. Transfer to a floured work surface, and gently pat dough into a 6" x 4" rectangle about 1" thick. Dip a 2" round cutter into a bowl of flour, and cut out rounds of dough.  Press scraps together and repeat with remaining dough until you have about 15 rounds. Pour gravy into a 9" x 13" baking dish and place biscuits over the top. Brush biscuits with melted butter and bake until golden, 30-35 minutes. Turn oven to broil, sprinkle biscuits with remaining cheese, and broil until cheese is browned, 2-3 minutes. Garnish with chives and serve with hot sauce, if you like.

Goat Cheese and Strawberry Breakfast Tarts

Saveur

MAKES 6

2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. sugar
16 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
3 oz. goat cheese, softened
⅓ cup strawberry jam
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups confectioners' sugar
¼ cup finely chopped strawberries

Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor. Add butter and continue to pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. With the motor running, add 6 tbsp. cold water and process until dough comes together, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Divide dough in half and form into disks; wrap disks separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Heat oven to 425°. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 disk of dough into a 9" square. Cut into six 3" x 4½" rectangles; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread each rectangle with about 1 tbsp. goat cheese and top with 1 tbsp. jam, leaving a ½" border; set aside. Repeat rolling and cutting with remaining disk of dough and lightly prick dough with a fork. Brush edges of dough around cheese and jam with beaten egg and top with pricked dough rectangles. Using the tines of a fork, press edges to seal. Bake until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer tarts to a baking sheet with a wire rack; let cool completely.

Whisk confectioners' sugar, strawberries and 2 tbsp. water until smooth. Drizzle over tops of pop tarts and let sit until glaze is completely set.

Banoffee Pie

Saveur

SERVES 8

PIE CRUST:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 1 10-oz. package of digestive biscuits, such as McVities brand

FILLING:

• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• ½ cup (4 oz) packed dark brown sugar
• 1 14-oz. can condensed milk, such as Carnation brand
• 4 bananas
• 1 pint heavy cream
• Grated chocolate

Make the crumb crust: Crush the digestive biscuits in a food processor until you get a fine crumb texture. Transfer to a bowl and stir in melted butter. Press into a 9"-diameter tart base with a removable bottom. Press the mixture up the sides of the tart form with the back of a spoon. Chill the crust in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Make the toffee: Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and melt over low heat. Add the condensed milk and bring the mixture to a boil for a few minutes, stirring continuously. The toffee should darken slightly. Pour the filling into the crust. Cool and chill again for at least one hour until the caramel is firm.

To serve, remove the tart from the pan and carefully transfer to a serving plate. Slice the bananas and place them in a single layer on top of the caramel. Whip the cream and spoon it over the toffee and bananas, sealing the filling in. Sprinkle the top of the pie with grated chocolate.

Peanut Sesame Noodles

Smitten Kitchen

Servings: Makes 6 side-dish or 4 vegetarian main-course servings.

PEANUT DRESSING:

• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1 medium garlic clove, chopped
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Asian toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes or a splash of the hot sauce or chili paste of your choice

NOODLES:

• 3/4 lb dried soba nooodles (dried linguine fini or spaghetti will work in a pinch)
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips
• Half a seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup firm or extra-firm tofu, cubed
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

Puree dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth, about 2 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Add miso paste if you have any!

Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender. Drain in a colander, then rinse well under cold water.

Add pasta, scallions, bell peppers, cucumber and tofu to dressing, tossing to combine. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately.

MXF

Orange Syrup Cake with Candied Oranges

Makes one 10-inch cake, 10 to 12 servings

David Lebowitz / Adapted from Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi

ORANGE CAKE:

•     4 oranges (or tangerines), organic or unsprayed, zested
•     1 lemon, zested
•     1 1/2 cups (300 g) sugar
•     14 tablespoons (7 ounces, 200 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
•     3 cup (240 g) sliced almonds
•     3/4 cup (110 g) flour
•     4 large eggs, at room temperature
•     pinch of salt

SYRUP:

• 3/4 cup (180 ml) orange and lemon juice (squeeze the juice from the zested citrus)
• 6 tablespoons (75 g) sugar

CANDIED ORANGES:

• 1 orange, organic or unsprayed
• 2/3 cup (130 g) sugar
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) water

I like to grind citrus zest in the food processor with the sugar for cake recipes that call for zest since the sugar absorbs a good deal of the aromatic citrus oils from the zest. Be sure to use fruit that hasn’t been sprayed. If you don’t have a food processor, simply chop (or grate) the zest finely and add it to the butter and sugar.

In place of the sliced almonds (I used blanched, but if you choose to use unblanched, the cake will be darker and denser), the authors recommend that you use 10 ounces (280 g) ground almonds, which is often sold as almond meal or almond flour.

To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350º F (180ºC.) Butter a 9- to 10-inch (25 cm) springform pan and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.

Grind the citrus zest in a food processor with the 1 1/2 cups of sugar until it’s finely ground. (No need to clean the bowl afterward as you’ll use it in step #4.)

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or by hand, beat the butter with the zest-infused sugar until well-combined.

Grind the almonds, flour, and salt in the food processor until the almonds are completely pulverized.

Add half of the almond mixture to the butter, then add the eggs one by one, stopping the machine a few times (if using a stand mixer) to scrape the sides down. Then add the remaining almond mixture, stirring just until incorporated.

Scrape the batter into the pan. Level the top of the batter, and bake the cake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out relatively clean, but a little moist. (The original recipe said to bake the cake for 50-60 minutes, so it may take longer than it took me.)

While the cake is baking, make the syrup by heating the 3/4 cup citrus juice and 6 tablespoons of sugar in a nonreactive saucepan until boiling and the sugar is dissolved, then set aside. When the cake comes out of the oven, brush the syrup liberally over the hot cake. Let cool completely in the pan.

To candy the oranges, cut the orange into 1/4-inch slices. Put the slices in a nonreactive saucepan, and add enough water to cover them well, and bring to a simmer. Blanche the slices for ten minutes, then drain well.

Put the oranges back in the saucepan and add the 2/3 cup sugar and 2/3 cup water and cook the oranges at a simmer for about ten minutes, or until they are tender and translucent.

Serving: Serve slices of the cake with your favorite ice cream, if you wish, and a slice of candied orange along with some of their syrup.

Mulled White Wine

Martha Stewart Living, January 2012

Serves 6

• 1 orange
• 5 whole cloves
• 3 whole star anise pods
• 1 piece (1 inch) peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 bottle (750 mL) medium-bodied white wine

Prep Time: 10 minutes / Total Time: 45 minutes
This warming drink has the flavorful depth of the classic red version but is lighter in body. Choose a white that's not too acidic, such as a Viognier or an oaked Chardonnay (wines that are more astringent can develop a harsh edge when heated).
Peel orange in strips using a vegetable peeler, being careful not to remove any pith (the white part). Push cloves into peel.

Combine clove-studded orange peel, the star anise, ginger, water, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and add wine. Let stand for 20 minutes to mull.

Just before serving, gently reheat mulled wine over medium heat until just beginning to simmer. Serve warm.

Cook's Note: Mulled wine can be refrigerated overnight. (Strain at the end of step 2 to prevent the aromatics from overpowering the wine.) Reheat before serving.

Baked Shells and Broccoli with Ham and Cheesy-Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

 

 

Martha Stewart Living, February 2012

Serves 6 adults or 8 children

• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small head cauliflower, cored and chopped (3 cups)
• 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 4 medium shallots, roughly chopped
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups skim milk
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 6 ounces pecorino cheese, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 pound medium multigrain pasta shells
• 1/4 pound sliced smoked ham, chopped
• 1 medium bunch broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets (5 cups)
• 1/2 cup toasted whole-wheat panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), for serving (optional)

 Prep Time: 15 minutes / Total Time: 55 minutes

 

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well.

 

Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer all to a blender, and puree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, about 2 minutes.

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain well; return to pot. Add ham, broccoli, and cauliflower sauce; toss to combine. Transfer to a ovenproof 3 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining pecorino, and bake until bubbling in center, about 30 minutes. Heat broiler, and broil until golden brown on top, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Divide among dishes, top with breadcrumbs, and serve immediately.

 

My Notes: One complained that the broccoli was undercooked, so it might make sense to parboil first.

Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with Salted Caramel

Martha Stewart Living, February 2012

Makes 54  

• 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Table salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 12 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
• 44 small soft caramel candies (12 ounces), such as Kraft
• 6 tablespoons heavy cream
• Large, flaky sea salt, such as Maldon

Prep Time: 1 hour / Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour and 1/2 teaspoon table salt, and beat to combine. Press dough together in plastic wrap, then roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. Dip each ball in beaten egg, and roll in coconut. Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, and press an indentation into each with your thumb. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove sheets from oven, and re-press indentations. Bake cookies until golden, 9 to 10 minutes more. Let cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

 

Place caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, 4 to 6 minutes. Spoon into indentations in cookies, and sprinkle with sea salt. Rewarm caramel if it hardens before all cookies are filled.

Cook's Note: Store in airtight containers for up to 2 days.

  

Cocktail Meatballs

Martha Stewart Living, March 2012

Makes about 48 / Serves 8

• 2 slices white or other soft bread, torn into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 pound ground beef chuck
• 1 pound ground pork
• 6 thin slices pancetta (2 1/2 ounces), finely diced
• 1/2 small onion, minced (1/3 cup)
• 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon mild smoked paprika (also called pimenton)
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying

Prep Time: 1 hour / Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
To give them a light crust, which makes them easier to pick up, meatballs can be rolled in a breadcrumb-and-flour mixture before frying.
Soften bread thoroughly in milk in a large bowl. Add beef, pork, pancetta, and onion; mix with your hands. Mix in egg yolks, 2 teaspoons salt, some pepper, the paprika, and thyme.

Form into 1- to 1 1/4-inch balls. Chill in a single layer 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly coat a large skillet with oil, and fry meatballs in a single layer (do not crowd) over medium-high heat until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Repeat with remaining meatballs.
Transfer to a baking pan, and bake until cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes.

Roasted Buffalo Shrimp

Martha Stewart Living, March 2012

Makes about 40 / Serves 8

• Finely grated zest of 2 lemons (2 tablespoons), plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon celery seeds
• 2 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• Coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup pale-green celery leaves, finely chopped

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Total Time: 15 minutes

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place 2 rimmed baking sheets in oven to heat. Stir together lemon zest, garlic, celery seeds, paprika, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, the honey, and oil in a large bowl. Add shrimp, and toss to coat well.

Place shrimp in a single layer on hot pans. Roast, without flipping, until browned on bottoms and opaque throughout, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the dip: Stir together lemon juice, sour cream, celery leaves, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve with cooked shrimp.

Blueberry Dutch Pancakes

Martha Stewart Living

Makes 4 individual pancakes or 1 large one

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup blueberries, plus more for topping
• Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

To make four individual pancakes, you will need four little cast-iron skillets, 6 1/4 inches to 6 1/2 inches in diameter. You can use one 12-inch cast-iron skillet instead; it will take about 20 minutes to bake.

Prep Time: 8 minutes / Total Time: About 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend together eggs, milk, flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a blender.

Heat four 6 1/4- to 6 1/2-inch cast-iron skillets over high heat. Divide butter among them, and melt. Divide batter among them, then scatter with berries. Bake until puffed and cooked through and tops are set, 15 to 18 minutes. Top with berries, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately.

Pork and Cabbage Dumplings

Martha Stewart Living, June 2012

 

Makes 80

• 7 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more if needed
• 6 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage (about 1/2 head)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons fine sea salt, divided
• 2 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives (about 1 bunch)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 4 scallions), plus more for garnish
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic (about 6 cloves)
• 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 80 dumpling wrappers
• 2 large egg whites

Prep Time 45 minutes / Total Time 1 hour

 

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large saute pan or wok over high heat. Saute cabbage, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and transfer to a large bowl. Heat another tablespoon vegetable oil, and saute onion, stirring occasionally, until just softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, add to bowl with cabbage, and let cool 5 minutes. Process in a food processor until just coarsely chopped, and return to bowl.

Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in pan over medium heat, and saute chives until just tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to chopped cabbage mixture, and let cool. Stir in scallions, garlic, pork, sesame seeds, sesame oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Stir together soy sauce, vinegar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl; set dipping sauce aside.
Working with 1 wrapper at a time, moisten edge with egg whites, then place 2 teaspoons filling in center. Fold in half to form a half-moon, press edge to seal tightly, and place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
Wipe out pan. Working in batches and wiping out pan between each, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until shimmering, and sear dumplings until browned, about 1 minute per side. (If preparing in advance, stop here and steam before serving.) Add 1/4 cup water, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Steam dumplings 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter, and loosely tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with rest of dumplings. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve dumplings with dipping sauce.

My Notes: These were delicious! Time-consuming to make, but simple enough. I cooked the chives and garlic before mincing everything, including the scallions. I seasoned with soy sacue and sesame oil at every stage.

MXF

Israeli Couscous Salad with Smoked Paprika

Giada de Laurentiis

6 servings 

   

DRESSING

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

COUSCOUS

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ⅓ cups (8 ounces) Israeli couscous, sometimes called pearl couscous
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• 12 ounces grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or baby heirloom tomatoes of assorted colors, halved
• 4 ounces (about 1 cup) feta, coarsely crumbled or chopped into ½-inch pieces
• 1 cup jarred red bell peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ⅓ cup slivered almonds, toasted
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• ¼ tsp Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Whisk the oil, vinegar, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Cook the couscous, stirring frequently, until golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add 2 cups water and the salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the couscous is just tender and the liquid is absorbed, 9 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Mix together the spinach, tomatoes, cheese, peppers, parsley, almonds and mint in a large bowl. Add the couscous and the dressing. Toss until all the ingredients are coated. Transfer to a large serving bowl and serve.

My Notes: Wow, this was so good! Instead of jarred peppers, I used gardeniere. I also used less oil--1/4 cup.

MXF

Smile's Granola

Grub Street

• 6 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups raw almonds, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups raw pecans, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Plain Greek yogurt or milk, for serving
• Chopped dried dates, for topping
• Chopped dried figs, for topping
• Fresh berries, for topping

This granola is one of our most popular dishes at the Smile. The trick is to cook it at a low temperature and stir the mixture often so that the oats get evenly crisp and golden. I serve it over Greek yogurt with chopped dried figs and dates, for a hint of North African flavor.

Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, oil, maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, and salt and mix well.

Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets in as even a layer as possible.

Bake for 30 minutes, then stir very well. Continue to bake, stirring every 30 minutes, until golden brown and slightly crisp, about 2 hours total.

Let cool completely; the oats should feel completely dry and crisp. Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

Serve over Greek yogurt or with milk. Top with dates, figs, and fresh berries. Makes about 10 cups.

.

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

Pioneer Woman

Serves 12

• 12 whole Dinner Rolls Or Small Sandwich Buns (I Used Whole Wheat)
• 1 pound Thinly Shaved Roast Beef Or Ham (or Both!)
• 1 pound Cheese (Provolone, Swiss, Mozzarella, Even Cheez Whiz!)
• ¼ cups Mayonnaise
• 3 Tablespoons Grated Onion (or 1 Tbsp Dried Onion Flakes))
• 1 Tablespoon Poppy Seeds
• 1 Tablespoon Spicy Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Horseradish Mayo Or Straight Prepared Horseradish
• Dash Of Worcestershire
• Optional Dressing Ingredients: Sriracha, Hot Sauce, Dried Onion Flakes Instead Of Fresh, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Etc.)

Prep Time 20 Minutes / Cook Time 20 Minutes 

Slice rolls in half. Mix together mayo, grated onion, poppy seeds, spicy mustard, horseradish, and Worcestershire. Taste it and adjust ingredients however you wish.

To assemble, spread dressing on top and bottom buns. Lay on roast beef or ham, then one or two slices of cheese (I cut them to fit the small buns.) If you’re using Cheez Whiz, spread a layer on the top bun.

Wrap each sandwich in a foil square, and either keep in the fridge or bake right away. To bake the sandwiches, put them on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. The buns should be slightly crusty and the cheese should be melted.

Homemade Ginger Liqueur

One Kitchen Kinfe

• 2 ounces ginger root, peeled and cut into thin slices (this was about 2 knobs of ginger for me)
• 1 vanilla bean, sliced in half lengthwise
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cu white sugar
• 1.5 cu water
• 1.5 cu brandy (don’t buy anything too fancy or expensive for this – I got a perfectly serviceable 750 ml bottle for $12)

1. Make a simple syrup with the ginger and vanilla: place the sliced ginger, vanilla bean, sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the ginger softens. Remove from the heat and let cool. Do not strain.

2. In the meantime, pour the brandy into a glass container. Add the orange zest and, when cool, the syrup (with the ginger and vanilla bean still included). Close the glass jar or bottle, shake, and let sit for a day while the flavors meld.

3. Remove the vanilla bean, close the container again, shake and let sit for another day.

4. The next day, strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a glass container for storage. Almost there! Now just let it rest for one more day to let the flavors mellow out. The next day, make the The Perfect Storm.

Fromage Fort

Smitten Kitchen

As I mention above, there are no rules as to how you put this together. Maybe you want more wine, or less. Maybe you want a heavy hand with salt and pepper, or you want the natural flavors of the cheese to shine through. If you’re using a lot of hard cheeses, a pat or two of butter will help smooth things out. Personally, I go easy on the garlic (one tiny clove) because it really blooms as the cheese sits, and I don’t want it to take over, but maybe you would like that. The only thing I think it important to keep in mind is that even a small amount of blue cheese tends to dominate. I used 25% of the weight in blue, and the result was essentially a blue cheese spread. Fortunately, we love them. But if that’s not your thing, limit it to just a small spoonful or a few crumbles.

If you’re curious, my formula this time was one part each of blue, brie, goat cheese and gruyere, a handful of chives and a full cup of wine.

• 1 pound mix leftover cheese, harder cheeses grated, softer ones cut into chunks
• A couple pats of butter, if using mostly firm cheese varieties
• 1 small clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
• 1/2 to 1 cup leftover white wine
• 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, rosemary or chives
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Blend cheese, butter (if using) and garlic in food processer until combined. Drizzle in wine with the motor running until you get your desired consistency — some like it completely smooth, others prefer chunks. Add herbs, pulsing the machine until just combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Fromage fort can be used right away, or kept in the fridge until needed. In the fridge, it will thicken and age a little; the flavors will mingle and deepen.