Spiced Glazed Nut and Pretzel Mix

 

Adapted from David Lebovitz

Ingredients

• 2 cups (200g) mixed raw nuts, (untoasted); any combination of cashews, whole almonds, pecan halves, and hazelnuts
• 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons (45g) dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt
• 2 cups (100g) small pretzel twists (the ones from Trader Joe's are so good)

• Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and roast in a 350ºF (180ºC) oven for 10 minutes, stirring once for even toasting.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, and maple syrup.
• Add the warm nuts, stirring until coated. Then mix in the salt and pretzels, and stir until the nuts and pretzels are completely coated.
• Spread the mixture back on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 12-18 minutes, stirring twice during cooking. Remove from oven and cool completely, separating the nuts and pretzels as they cool.
• Once cool, this mixture can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

My Notes: So simple and addictive. I only used pecan halves and that was perfect. MXF

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Adapted from A Pinch of Yum

Ingredients

For the potatoes

• 24 ounces baby yukon gold potatoes
• 1 tablespoon salt
• avocado oil spray
• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning

For the salad

• 2 hearts of romaine, finely chopped
• 1 cup dill pickles, chopped
• a quarter of a red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)

For the dressing

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon pickle juice
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried dill (or 1/4 cup fresh, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Potatoes: Bring a pot of water to boil. Add salt and potatoes; cook until the potatoes are fork-tender (15-25 minutes, depending on size).

Veggies: While potatoes are cooking, chop all your salad ingredients.

Dressing: While potatoes are cooking, whisk all your dressing ingredients.

Smash: When potatoes are done and cool enough to handle, use the back of a flat drinking glass to smash each potato (1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness). Gently slide it off the potato in a flat motion to prevent sticking.

Roast: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer; spray well with avocado oil, coat with the seasoning, and spray again with oil. Air fry at 375 for 15 minutes, or until golden, craggly, and crispy.

Serve! Toss the romaine, pickles, and onions in the dressing. Toss half of the crispy potatoes in the salad (they may break into smaller chunks as you toss it), and reserve the other half to scatter across the top. Crunchy, fresh, creamy, so so yum.

My Notes: The salad itself was decent, but I LOVED the dressing. It is so tasty and easy to make. I used the leftovers as sandwich spread. I made it again and added the chopped pickles into the dressing. Also, if crisping the potatoes in the oven, I'd set it to 425. MXF

BULGUR-TOMATO SALAD WITH HERBS AND POMEGRANATE MOLASSES (EETCH)

 

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
• 6 scallions (4 finely chopped, 2 thinly sliced, reserved separately)
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup coarse bulgur
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses, plus more if needed
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh mint or flat-leaf parsley

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, whisk together 1⅓ cups water and the tomato paste. Set aside. In a 10-inch skillet over medium, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the bell pepper, chopped scallions and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pepper is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin and Aleppo pepper, then cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Stir in the bulgur, the tomato paste mixture and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Cover, reduce to low and simmer until the bulgur has absorbed the liquid, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Transfer the bulgur to a wide, shallow bowl and let cool until warm, about 5 minutes. Drizzle the pomegranate molasses over the bulgur, then fold until combined. Fold in the tomatoes, mint and the sliced scallions. Taste and season with salt, pepper and additional molasses.

MXF

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

 

From New York Times

YIELD 6 to 8 servings / TIME 1 hour 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

•  2 tablespoons unsalted butter
•  1 cup cottage cheese (not low-fat)
•  2 cups milk (not skim)
•  1 teaspoon dry mustard
•  Pinch of ground cayenne
•  Pinch of ground nutmeg
•  1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
•  1 pound sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
•  1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked

Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan.

In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup grated Cheddar for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated Cheddar, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.

Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

My Note: This was easy as I recall and worked well for the mac n cheese bar we had. Make sure all dairy is full fat and to buy a block of cheese, not pre-shredded. MXF

Charred Eggplant and Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

 From Smitten Kitchen

Servings: 3 to 4 as a light meal; double it for a party 
Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

• Salt
• 1/2 pound pasta (I used Setaro’s organietti, but other radiatore shapes are great here)
Additional olive oil
• 1 medium eggplant (1 pound)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Additional sherry or red wine vinegar
• 2 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley or basil

Dressing

• 3/4 cup (2 3/4 ounces) walnuts, toasted and cooled first for best flavor
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small garlic clove, peeled
• 2 sprigs of thyme, cleaned
• Salt
• 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, plus more at end
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more at end
• 2 tablespoons (about 3) minced sun-dried tomatoes (oil or dry-packed will both work)
• Freshly ground black pepper and/or red pepper flakes

Cook pasta: In very well salted water until 1 to 2 minutes before doneness and drain.

Prepare eggplant: Trim eggplant and slice into 1/2-inch coins. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat grill to medium-high. Arrange eggplant in one layer and cook until charred underneath, about 8 minutes. (If it’s sticking to the grill, it wants to cook longer.) Flip pieces over and cook until charred on second side, about 5 to 8 minutes more. Set aside to cool slightly then chop into chunks.

No grill? Heat oven to 425. Trim eggplant and slice into 1/2-inch coins. Coat a baking sheet generously with olive oil, arrange eggplant on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast, without disturbing, for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully flip each piece: the undersides should be blistery, dark and a bit puffy and should release easily; if they don’t want to, cook them a few minutes longer. Flip each piece, sprinkle again with salt and pepper, and roast on the second side for 10 to 12 minutes, or until charred underneath again.

Make dressing: In food processor, coarsely grind walnuts, cheese, garlic, thyme, salt and freshly ground black pepper and/or red pepper flakes. Stir in oil and tomatoes, then whisk in vinegar to taste.
Assemble salad: Toss cooked pasta with walnut dressing and additional vinegar and oil to loosen (I used about 1 tablespoon extra oil and 2 tablespoons extra vinegar in total). Chop eggplant into chunks, add to bowl and toss again. Adjust seasonings to taste, then stir in cheese and herbs.

My Notes: I really like this and I like the flexibility of this. Ricotta or mozzarella or a harder cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes or roasted red peppers. Maybe an anchovy? Maybe some salami? MXF

Corn and Black Bean Weeknight Nachos

From Smitten Kitchen

Servings: 4 but I won't tell anyone if 3 of you polish it off
Time: 45 minutes

•     2 ears corn, husked
•     1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
•     1 large poblano
•     Nonstick spray or 2 teaspoons oil
•     2 generous cups (about 8 ounces) coarsely grated monterey jack cheese
•     2 generous cups (about 8 ounces) coarsely grated cheddar cheese
•     1 12-ounce bag tortilla chips, the thicker the better
•     Toppings
•     Thinly sliced jalapeno (1 used 1/2 a big one)
•     Thinly sliced radishes (I used 2 medium)
•     1/2 a white onion, minced (you can toss it with a little lime juice and salt to lightly pickle it, if desired)
•     Handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
•     Diced tomatoes
•     Shredded lettuce
•     Sliced avocado
•     Lime wedges
•     Hot sauce

Over a gas flame or on a grill over high heat, char corn all over until at least half the kernels are blistered, and poblano until skin is blackened. Let both cool slightly then cut the corn kernels from the cob. Remove the skin and seeds from the poblano and cut it into very thin ribbons. (For a large one, you might only use half.)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Coat your largest baking sheet with foil (which I did not, and wish I had) and lightly coat it with oil. Arrange 1/3 of chips on tray and sprinkle 1/3 of corn, black beans, poblano strips and cheese over it. Repeat twice. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and blistered all over. Use this time to prep your toppings.

When nachos are cooked, you can sprinkle a few toppings over (I used the jalapeños, radishes, tomatoes, onion, cilantro and avocado) or just bring everything to the table and let everyone fix their own.

My Notes: I didn't follow this exactly because...it's nachos. But I used it as a guide. Everyone loved them. Easy to make and a really fun dinner for all. MXF

Pizza Beans

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen
 
Servings: 8
Time: 45 minutes Source: Smitten Kitchen

•     3 sausages, casings removed
•     2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
•     1 large onion, chopped
•     2 celery stalks, diced
•     1 large or 2 regular carrots, diced
•     Salt and freshly ground black pepper or red pepper flakes
•     2 large garlic cloves, minced
•     1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white or red wine (optional)
•     4 ounces (115 grams) curly kale leaves, chopped or torn
•     2 1/4 cups (550 grams) crushed tomatoes or favorite jarred sauce
•     1 pound (455 grams) cooked firm-tender giant white beans
•     Up to 3/4 cup (175 ml) vegetable broth
•     1/2 pound (225 grams) mozzarella, coarsely grated
•     1/3 cup (35 grams) grated Parmesan

Prepare the beans and vegetables: Heat the oven to 475 degrees. In a 2 1/2-to-3-quart (ideally oven-safe) deep sauté pan, braiser, or shallow Dutch oven, heat the olive oil on medium-high. Add the onion, celery, and carrots.

Season well with salt and black or red pepper. Cook, sautéing, until the vegetables brown lightly, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute more. Add the wine, if using, to scrape up any stuck bits, then simmer until it disappears, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the kale, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until collapsed, then add the tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the beans, and, if the mixture looks too dry or thick (canned tomatoes range quite a bit in juiciness), add up to 3/4 cup broth, 1/4 cup at a time. Simmer the mixture together over medium for about 10 minutes, adjusting the seasonings as needed.

If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer the mixture to a 3-quart baking dish. If it is, well, carry on.

Bake: Sprinkle the beans first with the mozzarella, then the Parmesan, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned on top. If you’re impatient and want a deeper color, you can run it under the broiler.

My Notes: I can't believe how good these were. I added Johnsonville brats--cooked them first and then cooked the veg in the sausage fat. I also used jarred tomato sauce instead of canned tomatoes (RAO's Homemade). Also I couldn't find gigante beans at the store so I just used great northerns. This was seriously tasty and relatively healthy. Lots of fiber and veg. Leftovers were just as good. MXF

Root Vegetable Gratin

•     Olive oil
•     1 large onion, sliced (1 1/2 cups)
•     2 cups (1/4-inch-sliced) fennel, top and core, if thick, removed
•     3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
•     1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
•     1 pound celery root, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
•     1 pound yukon gold, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
•     1 cup heavy cream (see Note up top)
•     2 cups chicken or vegetable stock or brother
•     2 cups grated gruyere cheese (6 ounces with rind)
•     2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
•     Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
•     2 1/2 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs or panko (what I used)
•     2 to 3 tablespoons melted butter

Heat your oven to 350°F. Butter a 13×9-inch deep baking dish.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep (ideally 12-inch) saute pan over medium heat and add the onions and fennel. Cooking, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more.

Meanwhile, in the largest bowl you own, combine the onion mixture with remaining vegetables, cream, stock, cheese, thyme, 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper. Pour mixture into prepared dish and spread until even. Mix breadcrumbs and butter until evenly coated and distribute evenly over top of dish.

Bake 1 1/2 hours uncovered, or until vegetables are very tender when tested with a small knife and the top is browned and bubbly. Allow to set for 15 minutes at room temperature and serve hot.

Notes: To make this ahead of time, you have many options but since a dish like this doesn't need to be baked a la minute to taste good, I’d go ahead and assemble and bake it as soon as you can. If just 1 to 3 days out, keep it in the fridge. 3 or more, freeze it. Make sure it spends a day in the fridge defrosting and then an hour on the counter shaking off its final chill before going in the oven (the last part mostly about protecting your stoneware, should it not be a friend to big temperature changes).

My Notes: This was really simple and totally tasty. I did a blend of gruyere and edam so it wasn't quite as "stinky" which I think made it more palatable. To reheat I put it in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. MXF

Asparagus with Bacon and Hard Boiled Eggs

Adapted from Bon Appetit

Servings: 8

•     4 oz. bacon (about 4 slices)
•     2 bunches green and/or white asparagus (about 2 lb.), trimmed, ends peeled if thick
•     Kosher salt
•     ½ small shallot, finely chopped
•     3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
•     1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
•     1 teaspoon whole grain mustard or Dijon
•     2 tablespoons olive oil
•     Freshly ground black pepper
•     4 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped
•     2 tablespoons chopped fresh tender herbs (such as chives and/or tarragon)

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning once, until browned and crisp, 5–8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; let cool, then crumble.

Meanwhile, cook asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 3–5 minutes, depending on thickness. (If using both green and white asparagus, cook white asparagus first to keep them from turning green.) Drain and transfer to a large bowl of ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry.

Whisk shallot, vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified, then whisk in vegetable oil; season with salt and pepper.

Serve asparagus drizzled with vinaigrette and topped with eggs, herbs, and bacon.

Make Ahead: Vinaigrette can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill. Asparagus can be cooked 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

My Notes: Super simple and really tasty. I skipped the shallot because I didn't have it and used Dijon instead of whole-grain mustard for the same reason. Also used red wine vinegar instead of sherry.

 MXF

Roasted Carrots with Vinaigrette

The Pioneer Woman

Serves 10

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
• 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme, Leaves Removed And Minced
• 1 sprig Fresh Rosemary, Leaves Removed And Minced
• 5 pounds Carrots, Trimmed And Peeled
• Salt And Pepper, to taste

Prep time: 15 min / Cook time: 15 min

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.

Cut the carrots in quarters lengthwise, then into 2 to 3-inch pieces. Spread them out onto two sheet pans. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, tossing them once or twice, until the carrots are tender and brown along the edges. (You may roast them at 450 if you'd like a little room to work with.)

To a jar add 1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, herbs, and salt and pepper. Shake to emulsify.
Place the carrots into a dish or platter. Pour over the vinaigrette and serve.

Will keep for two days in the refrigerator. Serve at room temperature or reheat.

My Notes: These are amazingly good. Best carrots ever.

MXF

Nancy's Chopped Salad

Smitten Kitchen

Makes 6 meal-sized salad or 12 side portions

OREGANO DRESSING:

•  4 cloves garlic
•  1 to 2 tablespoons dried oregano (Nancy recommends 2; I got nervous and used 1, but might not have minded more)
•  2 teaspoons kosher salt
•  Freshly ground black pepper
•  2 tablespoons lemon juice, or juice of 1 lemon
•  1/4 cup red wine vinegar
•  1/4 cup olive oil, ideally extra-virgin

SALAD AND ASSEMBLY:

•  1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 3/4 cups cooked chickpeas, drained
•  1 small red onion, peeled and sliced into paper-thin rings
•  1/2 pound provolone (see Note about varieties), sliced 1/8-inch thick then cut into 1/4-inch ribbons
•  1/2 pound salami, peeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick then cut into 1/4-inch ribbons
•  4 medium or 8 small pickled pepperoncini, sliced into rings
•  3/4 pound cherry tomatoes
•  Sea salt
•  1 head iceberg lettuce (see Note about size), halved, cored, and cut in 1/2-inch ribbons
•  1 head radicchio, halved, cored and cut in 1/4-inch ribbons
•  2 tablespoons dried oregano for garnish (optional)

Make dressing:

Roughly chop the garlic and then add the oregano, salt and up to 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper. Chop the mixture together and use the side of a knife or a mortar and pestle to make a grainy herb paste. Transfer the paste to a large salad bowl, and add the lemon juice and vinegar. Mix with a fork allowing the salt to dissolve, then add the oil and whisk with a fork until well combined. The dressing should be thick with garlic and oregano. If you’re using a small head of iceberg, transfer 1/3 the dressing into a small bowl to be used only if needed. For a larger head of iceberg, you’ll want it all.

Assemble salad:
Gently fold the chickpeas, red onion, provolone, salami, pepperoncini (including seeds and juice) into the dressing, one at a time. Halve the tomatoes lengthwise and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt. Set aside until ready to serve.

To serve:
When ready to serve, gently add the tomatoes, lettuce and radicchio to the salad bowl, along with a couple of generous pinches of oregano, and toss to combine with the dressing. Adjust seasonings to taste, adding any reserved dressing if needed. Serve immediately.

Jude's Perfect Potato Salad

Saveur

SERVES 8

• 2 lb. russet potatoes
• 1 tbsp. celery seeds
• 5 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and roughly chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard

Boil potatoes in a 4-qt. saucepan of salted water; drain and chill. Peel and roughly chop potatoes; place in a large bowl. Add celery seeds, eggs, celery, onion, salt, and pepper. Using a potato masher, gently mash potatoes. Stir in mayonnaise and mustard.

Potato Salad

Saveur

SERVES 4–6

• 2 lb. small Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 ribs celery, minced
• ½ medium red onion, minced
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. dill pickle relish
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp. yellow mustard
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Put potatoes in a 6-qt. pot and cover with salted water by 1″. Bring to a boil over high heat; cook until just tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl along with celery and onions. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, relish, parsley, mustard, salt, and pepper; add to potatoes along with eggs and toss. Chill.

Lexington-style Red Slaw

Saveur

SERVES 6

• ⅔ cup ketchup
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tsp. mild hot sauce
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 medium head cabbage, cored and finely chopped

n a large bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, salt, and pepper; add cabbage and toss to combine. Let sit, tossing occasionally, for 20 minutes. Chill.

My Notes: Most reviewers liked it, but said there was too much ketchup and sugar, so be judicious.

Lighter Three-cheese Mac

Everyday Food
 
Servings: 6

•     Salt and pepper
•     1/2 pound short tubular pasta, such as cavatappi
•     2 cups broccoli, cut into florets, stalks peeled and thinly sliced
•     1 tablespoon olive oil
•     1 small yellow onion, minced
•     1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
•     5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•     5 ounces Neufchatel cheese
•     3 cups 1% milk
•     1 1/4 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (5 ounces)
•     1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
•     1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, toasted

Prep: 20 mins / total time: 45 mins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 3 minutes less than package instructions. Add broccoli and cook 3 minutes more. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan over medium-high. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and ground mustard. Saute until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add Neufchatel, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until incorporated. Gradually whisk in milk, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan, then add pasta and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer to an 8-inch square baking dish and bake until bubbling in center, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with panko, and serve.

Potato Pizza

Martha Stewart Living

Yield: makes 2

•     8 ounces fingerling potatoes (8 to 12)
•     2 lemons, juiced
•     Coarse salt
•     1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
•     1 pound cipollini onions, halved and sliced lengthwise (about 4 cups)
•     1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
•     1 pound store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen, or your favorite homemade dough
•     All-purpose flour, for rolling
•     Coarse yellow cornmeal, for pizza peel
•     4 ounces soft plain goat cheese, divided
•     Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon

Prep: 1 hour 10 mins / total time: 2 hours 35 mins

Slice potatoes very thin with a mandoline, and place in a bowl. Pour lemon juice over potatoes, and add a pinch of coarse salt. Let sit at least 1 hour 30 minutes.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add 1 tablespoon oil. Add onions, and stir to coat. Reduce heat to low, and cook 10 minutes. Season onions with coarse salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until rich brown in color, 45 minutes to 1 hour (add a little water to skillet if onions begin to stick). Remove from heat, and let cool.

Heat remaining oil and the rosemary in a small saucepan over low heat 15 minutes (do not let boil). Let cool, then pour through a fine sieve into a bowl.

Meanwhile, place a pizza stone on middle rack of oven, and preheat oven to 500 degrees, at least 30 minutes. Divide dough into 2 pieces, and form each into a ball. Loosely cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let stand 15 minutes. Roll each ball of dough into a 12-inch round or an oval about 1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured work surface with a lightly floured rolling pin (or stretch it with your hands). Lightly dust a wooden pizza peel with cornmeal, and place 1 round of dough on peel. Generously brush dough with rosemary oil. Place half the onions on dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Drain potatoes, discarding lemon juice, and cover onions with half the potatoes. Crumble half the goat cheese over potatoes.

Slide pizza from peel to pizza stone, and bake until crust is golden brown and potatoes are cooked, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pizza to a cutting board, and sprinkle with sea salt. Repeat with second pizza.

Tube-shaped Pasta with Wild Mushrooms

From Saveur

SERVES 6

• 8 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
•  2 medium cloves garlic, crushed, peeled, and finely minced
•  ½ medium vidalia or other sweet onion, peeled and finely chopped
•  Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
•  2 lbs. assorted fresh wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles and porcini, washed, trimmed, and cut into large pieces
•  ¼ cup fino sherry
•  Leaves of 6 sprigs parsley, coarsely chopped
•  1 lb. quality tube-shaped pasta, such as Rustichella d'Abruzzo rigatoncini
•  3 oz. freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat until warm. Add 2 tbsp. of the oil, then add garlic and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, transfer to a medium bowl, and set aside.

Return skillet to high heat. Add 2 tbsp. of the oil, then add half the mushrooms, and cook until moisture evaporates and mushrooms are lightly browned, 10–12 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to bowl with onions. Repeat process with 2 more tbsp. oil and remaining mushrooms. Return mushroom–onion mixture to skillet and stir well. Add sherry, scrape any browned bits stuck to bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon, and cook for 2 minutes. Add some water to skillet, if necessary, to make pan juices a little saucier. Add parsley, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for a few minutes. Adjust seasonings and keep warm over lowest heat.

Add a generous pinch of salt to pot of boiling water. Add pasta and cook, stirring often, until just cooked through, 12–13 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and return pasta to pot. Add mushroom–onion mixture, three-quarters of the cheese, and remaining oil to pasta and toss well , moistening pasta with some of the reserved pasta water, if you like. Transfer pasta to a warm serving platter and sprinkle with remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano.

My Notes: Reviewer suggested adding a bit of cream.

Roma Eggs

Saveur

SERVES 4–6

• 1 loaf ciabatta or foccacia (about 15 oz.), split lengthwise and cut into quarters
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1 cup homemade or store-bought pesto
• 8 slices prosciutto
• 2 Roma tomatoes, cored and cut into ¼"-thick slices
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
• 4 eggs
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat oven to 300°. Place bread cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet; brush with ¼ cup olive oil. Bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and spread cut sides with pesto.

Heat remaining oil in a 10" skillet over medium-high heat. Add prosciutto and fry, turning once, until crisp, about 2 minutes. Place prosciutto on bottom halves of bread. In same pan, add tomato slices and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes. Place tomatoes on top of prosciutto.

Bring a 10" skillet of salted water to a simmer over medium heat; add vinegar. Crack eggs individually into 4 small dishes. Slip eggs into simmering water; turn off heat, cover, and cook until whites are just firm, 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove eggs from water, and place on top of tomatoes and prosciutto; top with parmesan and pepper. Serve with bread tops on the side.

My Notes: Delicious and simple. They need a little sharpness though--either arugula, lemon zest, or balsamic would work well.

MXF 

Candied Pineapple and Cashew-Lime Pound Cake

Tasting Table

Yield: One 5-by-9-inch pound cake 

• 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
• ½ cup water
• 1½ cups finely chopped fresh pineapple (about ½ medium pineapple)
• 4-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled (use the edge of a teaspoon to scrape off the skin) and finely chopped
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tablespoon at room temperature
• 1¼ cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• Zest and juice of 3 medium limes
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (plus cooling) 

 

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat, add 1 cup of sugar and the water and bring to a simmer. Add the chopped pineapple and cook until the pineapple is translucent around the edges, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the pineapple pieces to a medium bowl. Add the chopped ginger to the hot syrup, return to a simmer, cook for 2 minutes, turn off the heat and set aside.

Add the cashews to a rimmed baking sheet and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a large plate to cool.

Grease a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan with the 1 tablespoon of room-temperature butter. Add 1 tablespoon of flour and tap the pan to evenly coat the bottom and sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1¼ cups flour, the baking powder and salt.

To the bowl of a food processor, add the remaining 1 cup sugar and the cooled cashews and process until the mixture is very fine, about 15 seconds. Add the lime zest and pulse the mixture until it is fragrant, about ten 1-second pulses. Add the lime juice, eggs and vanilla and process to combine. With the food processor running, add the melted butter, processing until incorporated. Add the candied pineapple and pulse 4 times to incorporate. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and add the dry ingredients, using a whisk to gently stir the batter together. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake the cake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°. Continue to bake until the center of the cake resists light pressure and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes more. Remove the cake from the oven. Return the ginger syrup to a bare simmer over medium heat, then strain the syrup into a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl. Discard the ginger (or save and eat like candy).

Run a paring knife around the edges of the pan to release the pound cake. Turn the cake out onto a wire rack. Use a pastry brush to coat the top of the cake with the ginger syrup. Cool completely before slicing and serving.

My Notes: I used store-bought candied pineapple (leftover candied pineapple was the impetus for trying the recipe). This turned out beautifully. Full of flavor, moist and such a lovely perfect color.

 

MXF

Green Salad with Grilled Corn, Cheese, Basil and Grilled Tomato Vinaigrette

Martha Stewart

Tomatoes grilled to the point of collapse are the key to this savory, chunky dressing.

Servings: 6

• 2 ears corn, husked
• 1 large tomato (3/4 pound)
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Coarse salt
• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (from 1 small garlic clove)
• 2 heads Boston lettuce, trimmed, leaves separated
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 4 ounces caciocavallo or Parmesan cheese, shaved

Prep time: 45 mins / Total time: 45 mins
Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill corn, turning, until charred on all sides, about 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, cut kernels from ears.

Cut tomato in half. Toss with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt. Grill tomato, turning, until charred and softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. When cool enough to handle, remove skin and core; smash flesh with fingers. Whisk in vinegar, garlic, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Combine corn, lettuce, basil, and cheese. Toss with dressing, and season with salt if necessary. Serve immediately.