Hand Pie / Pasty Pastry Dough

 Taken from Little House Big Alaska

Prep Time: 10 MIN / Cook Time: 40 MIN / ADD'L TIME: 1 HR / TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 50 MIN

Makes 10

• 750 grams OR 6 cups of Bread Flour with 1 Tablespoon taken out 
• 2 tsp salt
• 235 grams OR 1 cup + 1/2 Tablespoon cold butter
• 245 ml cold water
• 2 egg yolks, not used together
• 5-7 cups filling, see notes

1. put the flour and salt in a mixing bowl
   
   
2. cut the cold butter into tiny pieces and work it into the flour, when it resembles crumbs it's ready for the water--see notes for food processor instructions
   
   
3. mix the water and one egg yolk together
   
   
4. pour into the flour and mix until it comes together
   
   
5. turn it out on a clean counter and knead lightly until it comes together into a dough
   
   
6. wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes
   
   
7. when you're ready to bake preheat the oven to 445˚
   
   
8. line two baking sheets with parchment
   
   
9. weigh the dough if you have a scale and divide into 10 equal pieces of dough
   
   
10. roll each piece of dough into a 7-8 inch circle
    
    
11. add a heaping half cup of filling
    
    
12. lay the circle over on itself
    
    
13. press together
    
    
14. starting at one end press your thumb down on the seam while pulling it out with the other hand into a little point and then fold it over
    
    
15. repeat all the way around the seam making crimps as you go
    
    
16. crimping may feel awkward but once you get it it's fairly easy
    
    
17. place five pastes on each prepare sheet
    
    
18. make an egg wash with the remaining egg yolk and mix it with a Tablespoon of water
    
    
19. brush each pasty with an egg wash
    
    
20. bake for 20 minutes at 445˚ then reduce the heat to 345˚ and bake for another 15-20 minutes until crispy and browned underneath
    
    
21. cool a bit before eating
    
    
    

My Notes: This was so simple to put together and very sturdy. The recipe makes 10 which is a lot...I halved it and made five. They are quite large though...rolled out to 8-in circles. I would say 7 inches or even 6 would be more the size I'd want. Instead of 1/2 cup of filling you'd probably use 1/3 cup instead.

Ligurian Focaccia

•  

Taken from Salt Fat Acid Heat

For the dough:

• 2½ cups (600 grams) lukewarm water
• ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2½ teaspoons (15 grams) honey
• 5 1/3 cups (800 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons (18 grams) Diamond Crystal Kosher salt or 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
• ¼ cup (50 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pan and finishing
• Flaky salt for finishing

For the brine:

• 1½ teaspoons (5 grams) Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
• ⅓ cup (80 grams) lukewarm water

In a medium bowl, stir together water, yeast, and honey to dissolve. In a very large bowl, whisk flour and salt together to combine and then add yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir with a rubber spatula  until just incorporated, then scrape the sides of the bowl clean and cover with plastic wrap. Leave out at room temperature to ferment for 12 to 14 hours until at least doubled in volume.

Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons oil evenly onto a 18-by-13 inch (46-by-33 cm) rimmed baking sheet. When dough is ready, use a spatula or your hand to release it from the sides of the bowl and fold it onto itself gently, then pour out onto pan. Pour an additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil over dough and gently spread across. Gently stretch the dough to the edge of the sheet by placing your hands underneath and pulling outward.  The dough will shrink a bit, so repeat stretching once or twice over the course of 30 minutes to ensure dough remains stretched.

Dimple the dough by pressing the pads of your first three fingers in at an angle.  Make the brine by stirring together salt and water until salt is dissolved. Pour the brine over the dough to fill dimples.  Proof focaccia for 45 minutes until the dough is light and bubbly.

Thirty minutes into this final proof, adjust rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F (235°C). If you have a baking stone, place it on rack.  Otherwise, invert another sturdy baking sheet and place on rack. Allow to preheat with the oven until very hot, before proceeding with baking.

Sprinkle focaccia with flaky salt. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes directly on top of stone or inverted pan until bottom crust is crisp and golden brown when checked with a metal spatula.  To finish browning top crust, place focaccia on upper rack and bake for 5 to 7 minutes more.

Remove from oven and brush or douse with 2 to 3 tablespoons oil over the whole surface (don’t worry if the olive pools in pockets, it will absorb as it sits). Let cool for 5 minutes, then release focaccia from pan with metal spatula and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Serve warm or at room temperature.  

To store, wrap in parchment and then keep in an airtight bag or container to preserve texture. Gently toast or reheat any leftover focaccia before serving. Alternatively, wrap tightly to freeze, then defrost and reheat before serving.

MXF

My Notes: This was good! The brine gives it an overall saltiness that is enjoyable. Nice crust, nice chew. I tried it as a sandwich, but honestly I think it's best just on its own. My own photo.

Irish Buttermilk Brown Bread

 

PREP: 10 mins

BAKE: 35 to 45 mins

TOTAL: 45 mins

YIELD: one loaf

• 4 cups (454g) King Arthur Irish-Style Wholemeal Flour or King Arthur Premium 100% Whole Wheat Flour
• 3 tablespoons (35g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (67g) buttermilk powder*
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups (340g) water*
• 1 large egg
• 4 tablespoons (57g) melted butter or 1/4 cup (50g) vegetable oil
• *Or substitute 1 1/2 cups buttermilk in place of the water and buttermilk powder.
• Topping: 1 tablespoon (14g) melted butter

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 1 1/2 to 2-quart baking dish, or an 8" or 9" cast-iron skillet or cake pan that's at least 1 1/2" deep.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, buttermilk powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

In a smaller bowl, whisk together the water (or buttermilk), egg, and melted butter or oil.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the liquids. Stir together until blended and no dry spots remain; the dough will be soft and sticky. In fact, it's probably more of a stiff batter than a soft dough.

Scoop the dough into the prepared pan, mounding it in the center. Brush the top with the melted butter. Wait 5 minutes for liquid to be absorbed by the flour before baking.

Bake the bread for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it tests done (a cake tester inserted into the center will come out clean.) Remove it from the oven, and serve warm.

MXF

My Notes: I haven't done this with wholemeal yet, but like a mix of 1/2 whole wheat, 1/4 all purpose, 1/4 rye flour. It's very hearty, easy to make and a good breakfast with butter and jam. I also sprinkle course salt on top before baking.

Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

 From King Arthur Baking

PREP: 20 mins

BAKE: 45 to 50 mins

TOTAL: 5 hrs

YIELD: 1 loaf

• 3 cups (361g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or bread flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast or active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt or sea salt
• 1/3 cup (67g) olive oil
• 3/4 cup (170g) water + more as needed
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, to taste

Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor. Turn on the machine and add the olive oil through the feed tube, followed by 3/4 cup water. Process for about 30 seconds, adding more water 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture forms a ball and is slightly sticky to the touch.

Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead in the rosemary by hand until the dough feels smooth. Place in a bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 2 hours.

When the dough has risen, deflate it and shape it into a round ball (boule). Flour a brotform or line a bowl with a well-floured kitchen towel and place the loaf into it, seam side up. Cover and let rise for 1 to 2 hours, until puffy.

When the dough is almost fully risen, preheat the oven to 425°F. Place a cast-iron skillet on the floor of the oven (or on the lowest rack). Place a baking stone on a rack above the skillet.

When you're ready to bake, turn the dough out onto a peel or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dust the top with flour and slash the top.

Slide the loaf onto the baking stone. Carefully pour 1 cup (227g) hot water into the skillet to create steam and immediately close the oven door.

Bake the bread for 45 to 50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. The internal temperature should read 200°F when measured with a digital thermometer. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.

Remove the bread from the oven and cool it on a rack.

Store the bread, well wrapped, on the counter for up to three days. Slice and freeze for longer storage.

MXF

My Notes: I love this bread except that it is too crumbly. I assume I'm not kneading it long enough even though the dough is smooth. Still working on it! I use A LOT of rosemary too. I made this with 1/4 wheat flour and the rest bread flour. Best texture so far--not crumbly at all.

Peach Buckle

From Martha Bakes

Ingredients 

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 3 medium ripe peaches, halved, pitted and sliced 1/4-inch-thick
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch fine sea salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons fine sanding sugar
• Whipped cream, creme fraiche, or ice cream, for serving (optional)

Directions

                       

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

                        

Melt butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, preferably enameled, over medium heat.

                        

Meanwhile, place peaches in a large bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.

                        

In another large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla; whisk until well combined. Whisk in melted butter. Pour mixture into skillet and top with peaches. Sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Bake until top is golden brown and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream, creme fraiche, or ice cream, if desired.

Mediterranean Turkey Burger

From The Modern Proper

 

Serves 6

Ingredients

Patties

2 lbs ground turkey 2 tsp oregano 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, grated ¼ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp pepper 2 tsp salt 2 tbsp olive oil
Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup Greek yogurt ½ English cucumber, grated 1 tbsp dried dill or 2 tbsp fresh dill 2 tsp za’atar, optional 1-2 garlic cloves, minced ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper
The Rest
6 romaine lettuce leaves 2 tomatoes, sliced 4 oz feta, crumbled 6 hamburger buns, toasted 1 cup tzatziki sauce In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the tzatziki sauce. Cover and place in the fridge for a 1 hour to allow flavors to meld (optional). To make the burger patties, mix the ground turkey, oregano, garlic, onion, parsley, cumin, pepper and salt in a bowl with your hands until fully combined. Divide the mixture into 6 evenly sized burger patties, slightly larger than the hamburger buns. Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet set over medium heat. Season the outside of the patties with a little sprinkle of salt. Cook the patty for 4 minutes on each side. Use a food thermometer to be sure they have reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. To assemble the burgers, layer them with tzatziki sauce, the patty, tomato, lettuce more tzatziki sauce and feta. Enjoy. 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