- Trim any discolored ends from chard stems, then cut stems on an angle into pieces about 3 inches long.
- If some stems are very thick, you may wish to cut them lengthwise so all pieces are approximately the same thickness.
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt and chard stems and boil about 6 minutes.
- Let chard drain well.
- Spray a non-stick baking dish with olive oil.
- Place chard in the pan and mist lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with cheese. (If doubling the recipe, make two layers, misting each layer with oil and sprinkling with cheese.)
- Bake about 20 minutes, or until chard is softened and cheese is slightly browned on the edges.
- Season with fresh ground black pepper if desired and serve hot.
Monday, December 20, 2021
Roasted chard stems - Untested
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Styrian Pumpkin Soup - Testing
- Heat a dry pan on the stove and toast 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds. Set aside to cool.
- Scoop out the seeds and innards and cut the cleaned pumpkin into cubes. If using a soft-skinned, edible peeling-ed squash it's not really necessary to peel it.
- Lightly sautée the onion and the garlic in the butter until golden.
- Add the pumpkin cubes, sautée for another minute or so then add the broth.
- Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and perhaps some ginger and let it gently simmer over medium heat until the pumpkin is tender.
- Once the ingredients are thoroughly cooked, purée the soup.
- If the soup is too thick after the purée add 1/4 cup of broth at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds to serve.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Yogurt - Untested
- Heat milk to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C). This is important for creating a thick, nicely textured yogurt.
- Cool milk back down to lukewarm (about 110 degrees F, 43 degrees C), then add 1/2 cup of the warm milk into the yogurt. (Ensuring the milk is cooled down will prevent you from killing the live cultures in the yogurt.) Whisk the yogurt and milk together, then add the rest of the milk and mix well.
- Place your mixture somewhere warm and let sit for 4 to 8 hours, or until yogurt is thick and tangy. My favorite method for making yogurt is to wrap the jar in a warm, moist towel, then setting it in the oven with the oven light on. The light will provide enough heat to ferment the yogurt!
- After sitting in a warm environment for a few hours, your yogurt is ready to eat! If you want to turn this plain yogurt into Greek yogurt, we’ll take it one step further and strain it.
- Set a mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth (or strong paper towels) over a large bowl. Pour in yogurt and place in the fridge. Check every few hours until yogurt reaches your desired thickness.
- The liquid that is drained out of the yogurt is whey! This is a great protein and works well in smoothies and soups.
- Transfer your freshly made Greek yogurt to an airtight container when it has reached your desired thickness level.
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Chickpea and Bean Dahl - PUBLISHED
- Ideally, soak the split peas for at least an hour before boiling them.
- If using dry beans, cook in a pot separate from the peas.
- In a medium saucepan, bring plenty of water to a boil. Add the split peas and a generous pinch of salt and boil about 50 minutes.
- When the peas are well cooked and just starting to break down, drain well and set aside with the other cooked beans.
- Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the oil.
- Add the ginger, garlic, jalapeño, cumin and cayenne and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 6 minutes.
- Add the tomato and tomato paste and cook until the tomato is slightly broken down, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cream, butter and water and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the cooked yellow split peas, chickpeas and beans and season with salt.
- Simmer, covered, over low heat until thickened, about 15 minutes. Cook longer if it seems too liquid or if the peas have not broken down into a sauce.
Friday, December 10, 2021
Parsnip Carrot Roasted Curried Veg - Test 1
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Toss the carrots and parsnips with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a wide cookies sheet.
- Roast for 45 minutes, stirring a few times, until tender and lightly caramelized in spots. Remove from the oven.
- In a wide bowl whisk the vinegar and curry powder and toss with the roasted vegetables and optional currants and parsley. Adjust the seasoning. Serve warm.
Chard Saag - Testing
- Heat the oil in a sauté pan and lightly brown the cubes on all sides. This will take some time. Set aside.
- In the remaining oil cook the onion until soft. Meanwhile, combine the dry spices in a small bowl. Add to the onions.
- When the onions start to turn golden, add the garlic and ginger and cook for one more minute.
- Add the chard one handful at a time, only adding another handful with the preceding one has cooked down and made more room in the pan. Cook until the leaves have softened.
- OPTIONAL - coarsely blend the cooked leaves before serving. Serve with a little extra ghee or butter.
- Add the optional paneer and heat through in the sauce.
Dahl Makhani - Test 2
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the oil until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeño, and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Stir in the garam masala, cumin, coriander and salt. Season generously with black pepper. Cook, while stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for 1 more minute, while stirring. Add the lentils, kidney beans, water and bay leaf. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, uncovered. Reduce the heat to a slow simmer and cook until the lentils are nice and tender, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Either mash roughly with a potato masher or ricer, just enough to thicken the broth OR; transfer 2 cups of the mixture to a blender and process until smooth, being careful to avoid the hot steam escaping from the blender lid. Transfer the blended mixture back to the pot and stir to combine.
- Add the lime juice and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve in bowls.
- Pass around the yogurt, chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Lentils and Lima Bean Dahl - Untested
- Heat a saucepan over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Remove cumin seeds from pan and set aside. Add oil to pan and then mustard seeds. Cook, stirring, until seeds begin to pop. Add ground coriander, turmeric and chilli flakes, and cook, stirring for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Stir in 80ml (1/3 cup) of the water with the cumin seeds, onion, garlic and ginger. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes or until the onion softens.
- Stir in remaining water and lentils. Bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in butter beans and pumpkin, and cook, almost covered, for 20 minutes or until lentils and pumpkin are tender and mixture is thick.
- Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper. Stir in coriander.
Braised Kohlrabi with Tarragon - Untested
- Trim and peel kohlrabi.
- Cut kohlrabi either into 1/4 inch disks or strips.
- Melt butter in a skillet; adjust temperature throughout so butter does not brown.
- Toss the kohlrabi in the skillet to coat with butter.
- Sprinkle in tarragon and add the stock.
- Cover and continue to cook approximately 10-15 minutes, until slightly tender.
- Uncover and turn the heat up a bit.
- Cook until the kohlrabi is slightly colored.
- Add freshly ground pepper and salt.
- Remove to serving dish.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley to taste.
Monday, December 6, 2021
Cold Coffee Brownies - Untested
- Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 325 degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. (This helps when removing the baked brownies from the pan, once cooled).
- Add enough water to a medium saucepan so that it is 1 to 2 inches deep. Heat water until barely simmering.
- Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder, cocoa paste and salt in a medium heat-safe bowl. Rest the bowl over simmering water (if the bottom of the bowl touches the water, remove a little water). Stir the mixture occasionally until the butter has melted and the mixture is quite warm. Don’t worry if it looks gritty; it will become smooth once you add the eggs and flour.
- Remove the bowl from heat and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes until it is only warm, not hot. Stir in the vanilla with a spoon, then the cold coffee. Then add the eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one.
- When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until fully incorporated, then beat with the wooden spoon or spatula for 40 to 50 strokes. (The batter will be thick). Beat vigorously here. You want to see the brownie batter pulling away from the sides of the bowl (if you do not have the strength to do this by hand, use a hand mixer). Stir in nuts, if using. Spread evenly in lined pan.
- BAKE BROWNIES
- Bake the brownies for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center and come out with a few moist crumbs. As a visual test, brownies are done when the edges will look dry and the middle still looks slightly underbaked.
- Some readers have found they need to bake an extra 5 to 10 minutes. Brownies are easy to overbake so keep an eye on the doneness of the brownies and use the visual and toothpick test as your guide.
- Cool completely then remove from pan. For the cleanest lines when cutting, place into the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes to firm up. Cut into 16 squares.
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Eye of Round Pot Roast - Testing
2 Tbsps of bacon fat (or beef drippings if you're so lucky)
Cut in matchsticks all of the following or whatever you have on hand, enough for a 2" layer on the bottom and to fill the empty spaces around the roast, sides and top :
- Carrots
- Turnips
- Parsnips
- Onions
- Rutabaga
- Fresh beans
- Peas
Salt and pepper
2-3 sprigs thyme
1 Tbsp brandy
Scant 1/4 cup water
- With about a Tbsp fat, sear all the sides of the beef until brown.
- Liberally coat the inside of crockpot with more bacon fat.
- Layer the 2" of veg at the bottom.
- Set the seared beef in the middle of the pot, seasoning liberally with salt and pepper.
- Tuck in the vegetables around the side, along with the thyme sprigs, and cover the beef with the remainder of the veg, until the pot is nicely filled but the lid still fits.
- Pour in the 1/4 cup of water.
- Add 1 Tbsp brandy over all.
- Do not open the pot while it's cooking.
- Cook on HIGH for 6 hours.
- NOTE: the veg will come out as mush, so best to plan on a different side and reserve these veg to make Leftover Roast Vegetable Soup.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Pork Liver Pâté - Untested
milk
4 Tbsps butter
2 onions (340gr), thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup port or brandy
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp black pepper
- Remove any connective tissue, the white portions. All that should remain is the richly colored organ tissue. Cut the liver into 1 inch cubes. Place it in a bowl, cover with milk and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Meanwhile start to caramelize the onions. This might take more than an hour anyway. Add the butter, onions and pinch of salt to a large pan. Take heed of the word “caramelize”, not saute. Cook them on a low heat, slowly. This truly transforms the onions and draws out the natural sugars. Stir them every so often so they brown, but don’t burn.
- When the onions are a rich caramel color and have almost disintegrated, add the minced garlic. Let the garlic soften a bit.
- Pull out the liver, drain the cubes from the milk and add to the onions.
- Cook the liver until the cubes are firm to the touch and the juices runs clear. Deglaze the pan with a slosh of port or brandy. Transfer the contents of the pan to a food processor (you might have to do this in batches).
- Add the port or brandy, my grandmother always preferred port, and the cream. Whip everything to a super fine mousse.
- For a fabulously creamy and smooth pâté, you’ll need to do one final and seemingly superfluous step. Scoop out the blended mousse into a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl. Using a flexible spatula, push the mousse through the sieve. At first it seems like nothing is happening, but then you notice a strange play-dough like phenomenon happening under the sieve. Eventually you’ll push through all the pâté and have separated any larger bits.
- Use a butter knife to scrape off the pâté into your jars. I used five 4 oz mason jars.
- Serve the pâté chilled and spread on crackers. Thinly sliced shallots are a tasty topping.
Friday, November 26, 2021
Spicy Sausage and Kale Pasta for 4 - Testing
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan; squeeze sausage out of casings and crumble into the pan, cooking until the sausage is nicely browned. Turn the heat down.
- Meanwhile, wash and massage the kale and cut into thin slices.
- Add the garlic and hot pepper flakes and cook for about a minute, then add the kale. Cook until the kale is all wilted, stirring constantly to prevent garlic from browning. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer, leaving the pan uncovered. This will increase the flavour by concentrating the liquid and further contributing to browning.
- Now, start the water for the pasta and bring to a boil. The kale needs lots of time to soften while cooking. NOTE: Save 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sausage/kale mixture, adding as much pasta cooking water as you think you need for it to be moist enough. Add the Parmesan cheese and serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Sweet Braised Rutabaga - Test 3
Friday, November 19, 2021
Caramel Walnut Tart - Test 1
- Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the flour in a food processor with the butter and sugar, and mix until it forms fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and 1-2 tbsp cold water, and pulse to make a firm dough.
- Have ready a 24cm tart tin. Briefly knead the pastry on a lightly floured surface, then roll out to a round about 5cm larger than your tin. Lift onto the tin with the help of your rolling pin, then press into the corners using your finger. Do not trim the pastry. Fill the pastry case with a round of baking parchment and baking beans. Chill for 10 mins. Blindbake for 10 mins, remove the paper and beans, then bake for 5 mins more.
- To make the filling, put the sugar in a large pan with 3 tbsp cold water. Heat gently, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar is completely dissolved, increase heat and bubble until the syrup has turned a rich caramel colour. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until it has dissolved, then stir in the cream. Return to the heat and boil hard, stirring until the sauce is thick enough to leave a gap on the base of the pan when you draw your spoon across it. Stir in the walnuts.
- Fill the pastry case with the nut mixture, levelling it with a fork. Return to the oven for 8-10 mins until the filling is bubbling. Cool for 10 mins before removing carefully from the tin. Serve warm or cold. I prefer it served the next day.
Broccoli, Walnut Pasta - Testing
- Cook penne; 4 mins before the end of cooking, throw in broccoli florets.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil, add a handful chopped walnuts and fry gently for 1 min.
- Drain the pasta, adding 4 Tbsps cooking water to the walnuts.
- Return the pasta to the pan, add the walnuts and creamy blue cheese. Gently stir on the heat, just to melt the cheese.
- Squeeze over lemon juice to serve.
Apple Walnut Bake - Testing
- Place apples in a greased
13x9-in.gratin baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon. - In a bowl, cream butter and remaining brown sugar. Beat in eggs.
- Stir in flour and 1/2 cup walnuts. Spread over apples. Sprinkle with remaining walnuts.
- Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until the apples are tender. Serve warm, with ice cream if desired.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Monday, November 15, 2021
Angel Food Cupcakes - Untested
https://bakingmischief.com/small-batch-angel-food-cupcakes/
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line cupcake pan with 6 liners.
- Into a medium bowl, sift together 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the flour, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining 3 tablespoons of the sugar, egg whites, water, vanilla, and cream of tartar and whisk until foamy. With a handheld electric mixer, beat on high until medium peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes--eggs should be white and glossy, and when the beaters are lifted straight up, peaks should stand on their own and curl over at the tip.
- Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture over the top of the egg whites and use a silicone spatula to fold flour into the egg mixture until just incorporated. Repeat twice more, being careful not to overmix and deflate the eggs.
- Fill your prepared cupcake cups about 80% of the way full and smooth tops (discard any extra). Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until cupcakes have pulled away from the edges of the cupcake pan, are very lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Cupcakes can cool in the pan. If desired, once cooled, pipe a circle of whipped cream around the top of the cooled cupcake and fill with chopped fruit. Enjoy!
- Notes
- Approximate nutritional information is for cupcakes only. Does not include whipped cream or fruit. The cupcakes in the photos used about 2/3 cup whipped cream total and come in at just under 90 calories a piece.Preheat your oven to 350°F and line cupcake pan with 6 liners.
- Into a medium bowl, sift together 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the flour, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining 3 tablespoons of the sugar, egg whites, water, vanilla, and cream of tartar and whisk until foamy. With a handheld electric mixer, beat on high until medium peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes--eggs should be white and glossy, and when the beaters are lifted straight up, peaks should stand on their own and curl over at the tip.
- Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture over the top of the egg whites and use a silicone spatula to fold flour into the egg mixture until just incorporated. Repeat twice more, being careful not to overmix and deflate the eggs.
- Fill your prepared cupcake cups about 80% of the way full and smooth tops (discard any extra). Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until cupcakes have pulled away from the edges of the cupcake pan, are very lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Cupcakes can cool in the pan. If desired, once cooled, pipe a circle of whipped cream around the top of the cooled cupcake and fill with chopped fruit. Enjoy!
- Notes
- Approximate nutritional information is for cupcakes only. Does not include whipped cream or fruit. The cupcakes in the photos used about 2/3 cup whipped cream total and come in at just under 90 calories a piece.
Thursday, October 28, 2021
La courge au gratin - Testing
- In slightly salted water boil the pumpkin. Press the flesh through a sieve to remove the skin and make smooth. Drain off any excess liquid (maybe even squeeze some out?)
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Melt the butter in a pan. Add the pumpkin flesh and mix together.
- Beat in the milk the first egg, the extra egg yolk and season with the salt, pepper and nutmeg. (The last time I made this it was really quite liquid. The egg whites incorporated well when I folded them in, regardless).
- In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, and gently fold into the pumpkin concoction.
- Pour into a gratin dish, dot the surface with butter, and pop in the oven until the top starts to brown, about 20 minutes.
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Pork Pot Roast with Apples and Rutabaga - Testing
- Preheat oven to 375 F
- Sprinkle rutabaga and apples with lemon juice to prevent oxidization.
- In an oven safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter.
- Meanwhile season the pork chops with the salt and pepper.
- Set the popcorn kernel in the oil; when it pops, remove it and sear the pork chops.
- Sear the chops for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to the pan dump the cubed rutabaga on top. Season again with salt and pepper.
- Top with apples and the rosemary.
- Cook, covered for, 30 mins. Remove cover and cook for an additional 15 mins.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
SUBSTITUTIONS
BUTTERMILK
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/buttermilk-substitutes#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
To make 1 cup of buttermilk substitute, add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar to a liquid measuring cup. Then add milk to the 1-cup line (237 ml) and stir.
LEMON JUICE
- Apple cider vinegar : In baking, half the amount of lemon juice topped with water. Ex: 2 Tbsp lemon juice = 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar + 1 Tbsp water.
VEAL
https://myconsciouseating.com/veal-substitute/
https://missvickie.com/veal-substitute/
https://richardpantry.com/veal-substitute/
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Fresh tomato sauce on Pasta - Testing
https://cookieandkate.com/spaghetti-with-fresh-tomato-sauce/
1 - I have made this twice now, and have discovered that fresh basil is a must. It is very simple, very light, and very much full of flavor. Of course, as with all things, the quality of the ingredients makes a big difference, so use tomatoes from the garden ripened to their peak.
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp sugar, optional
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 very small garlic clove (or ½ medium clove), pressed or minced
8oz spaghetti or angel-hair pasta or rotini/fusilli or penne
Optional but recommended: ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Core and coarsely chop two-thirds of the tomatoes. Halve the remaining tomatoes down the middle and discard the tough top part where the tomatoes met the stem, if it exists. Rub the cut sides of the tomatoes against the large holes of a box grater set in a large bowl. Leave the tomato pulp in the bowl and discard the skin.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, sugar, several twists of freshly ground black pepper and the pressed garlic to the bowl. Mix well. Let the mixture marinate while you cook the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and then cook the pasta just until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Drain the pasta, then immediately return it to the pot. Pour in all of the tomato sauce and a small splash (about ¼ cup) of the pasta cooking water. Cook over medium-low heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, tossing often (gentle now!), just long enough for the tomatoes to soften a bit and for the starchy tomato water to coat the pasta.
- Remove from heat and toss with (optional) Parmesan and (mandatory) basil. Serve immediately.
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Spice Pairings
There tend to be cultural norms in terms of herb and spice pairings for foods. I've started the following list of potential substitutes to play with.
APPLES
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Soul Cakes - Untested
100gr sugar (or less!)
210gr unsalted butter
2+ Tbsp sherry or brandy
1/3 tsp Mace
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp (or less) Cloves
About 5gr fresh or "ready" yeast (ale yeast or ale barm if you have is even better!)
Good handful of dried chopped fruits (raisins here, but use prunes as a cheaper alternative)
- Mix flour, sugar, yeast and spices together.
- Rub in the butter first, then the lard.
- Add the brandy and mix it all til you reach a dry / shortbread dough consistency that comes together. If too dry and crumbly, add lard, butter... or brandy! Too soft, add flour.
- Form biscuits about 5mm-1cm // 1/4", trace a cross on them like a hot cross bun (apparently traditional but not mentioned in the original recipe) and bake them in the oven at 180c (fan) for about 20-30mins or until golden.
P.S: warm soul cakes dipped in hot milk or tea-like beverage is DECADENT. Try it!
Friday, October 15, 2021
Seed Cake - Testing
- Preheat your oven to 350°F with the grill in the middle of the oven.
- Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment (or prepare some greased muffin tins for individual servings).
- Stir together flour, caraway seeds, salt, and mace. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, rosewater, and sugar, either by hand or with a mixer.
- Stir in the whole egg and sherry, then add the flour and spice mixture. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, whisk the egg whites until you get to the stiff peaks stage.
- Very gently fold the whites into the cake batter - it's ok if the batter looks clumpy.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and put the pan on a baking sheet to go in the oven. Bake for 40 minutes until golden and set in the middle (25-30 minutes if baking in muffin tins). A cake tester will come out clean when it is completely cooked.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the springform pan.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Pico de Gallo salsa - Test 1
2 to 3 medium fresh tomatoes (1 to 1 1/2 pounds), stems removed
1/2 medium onion
2 serrano or 1 jalapeño pepper, stems, ribs, and seeds removed (less or more to taste) (can substitute with 1/4 tsp chipotle pepper powder)
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch dried oregano (crumble in your fingers before adding), or more to taste
1 pinch ground cumin, or more to taste
- Roughly chop the tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions. Be careful while handling the chili peppers. Use a plastic baggie or disposable gloves to handle them, or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling and avoid touching your eyes for several hours.
- Set aside some of the seeds from the peppers. If the salsa isn't hot enough, you can add a few for more heat.
Monday, October 11, 2021
Duck confit - Untested
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/confit_de_canard_aux_68185
https://www.marieclaire.fr/cuisine/magrets-confits,24126,1192214.asp
https://www.cuisineactuelle.fr/recettes/magret-de-canard-confit-193746
https://www.magret-canard.com/magret-confit
https://www.toques2cuisine.com/2013/11/magrets-de-canard-confits.html
https://www.ricardocuisine.com/recettes/6785-cuisses-de-canard-confites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-QDklgQ0I
Flour Tortillas - PUBLISHED
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
⅓ cup neutral vegetable oil or lard
Up to 1 cup warm water
- Combine the dry ingredients, then make a well in the center and add the oil and up to ¾ of the water. Stir well until all dry ingredients are incorporated and the dough begins to come together to form a shaggy ball. Add some more water if it seems like it isn't sticking together.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 1 to 2 minutes or until the dough is nice and smooth.
- Divide into 16 equal portions (about 50gr) and form each piece into a ball. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for at least 15 minutes (or as much as 2 hours).
- When ready to cook the dough, heat a large pan over medium heat.
- On a floured surface roll each dough piece into a rough circle, about 7 to 8" inches in diameter (don’t stack uncooked tortillas on top of each other or they will stick together).
- When the pan is hot, place one dough circle into the pan and allow to cook 45 seconds to 1 minute or until the bottom surface has a few pale brown spots and the uncooked surface is bubbly. If browning too fast, reduce the heat a bit. If it’s taking longer than a minute to see a few pale golden brown spots on the underside of tortillas, increase the heat a bit. Flip to other side and cook for 15-20 seconds. The tortillas should be nice and soft but have a few small brown spots on the surface.
- Remove from pan with tongs and stack in a covered container or zippered bag to keep the tortillas soft.
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Skirlie - PUBLISHED
https://hamlynsoats.co.uk/recipes/skirlie/
https://www.food.com/recipe/skirlie-scottish-oatmeal-and-onions-17654
- Melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the onion until lightly browned.
- Add the oatmeal and stir slowly until all the fat is absorbed; the onion should become dark and just crispy, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Monday, October 4, 2021
Tarte mousseline aux mûres - Untested
- Préchauffez le four th.7 (210°C).
- Mettez les mûres dans une jatte, arrosez-les de jus de citron et d’une cuillère à soupe rase de sucre. Mélangez et laissez au frais.
- Etalez la pâte sur un plan de travail fariné. Garnissez-en un moule à tarte beurré et piquez la pâte avec une fourchette. Enfournez et faites cuire le fond de tarte 15 min.
- Portez le lait à ébullition.
- Pendant ce temps, fouettez l’oeuf et les jaunes avec le sucre jusqu’à obtention d’un mélange mousseux. Ajoutez la farine puis une louche de lait bouillant, en fouettant toujours.
- Reversez le tout dans la casserole de lait et faites cuire à feu doux 5 min en maintenant un léger bouillonnement et en mélangeant. Retirez du feu, versez la crème dans une jatte et ajoutez le beurre en parcelles et le kirsch. Mélangez bien et laissez refroidir.
- Versez la crème refroidie dans le fond de tarte, disposez les mûres en les enfonçant légèrement et saupoudrez de sucre glace.
- Servez aussitôt.
Tarte aux mûres sauvages - Untested
- Étaler la pâte sur le moule et piquer le fond pour éviter les "cloques".
- Mélanger les deux œufs avec la crème, le sachet de sucre vanillé et les 3 cuillères de sucre.
- Mettre les mures sur la pâte à tarte puis verser le mélange œufs-crème-sucre par dessus les mûres.
- Cuire 20 minutes à 220°C (therm.7-8) dans un four préalablement préchauffé.
Blackberry bundt - Testing
- Move oven rack to the center position and preheat oven to 350°F. Grease your bundt pan and set aside.
- Set aside 1/4 cup (35g) flour.
- In a large bowl whisk together remaining flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, scrape down the sides and beat again.
- Add the vanilla, lemon juice, and zest, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the flour mixture.
- Fold in the blackberries and transfer the batter to the bundt pan.
- Bake for 105 minutes (will take much longer with frozen fruit) or until the cake is golden brown, springy to the touch, and a skewer (to poke in deep) comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Warm apple buttermilk custard pie - Untested
- Preheat oven to 325º.
- To prepare crust, roll dough into a 14-inch circle; fit into a 9-inch deepdish pie plate. Fold edges under; flute. Place pie plate in refrigerator until ready to use.
- To prepare streusel, lightly spoon 1/3 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 1/3 cup flour, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Place streusel in refrigerator.
- To prepare the filling, heat a large nonstrick skillet coated with cookig spray over medium heat. Add sliced apple, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; cook 10 minutes or until the apple is tender, sitrring mixture occasionally. Spoon the apple mixture into prepared crust.
- Combine remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, salt, and eggs, stirring with a whisk. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla. Pour over apple mixture. Bake at 325º for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300º (do not remove pie from oven); sprinkle streusel over pie. Bake at 300º for 40 minutes or until set. Let stand 1 hour before serving.
Sunday, October 3, 2021
St. Hildegard’s von Bingen's Cookies of Joy - Untested
- Melt the butter, then add it to a medium bowl with the sugar, honey, and egg yolks. Beat gently, then fold in the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate the dough for an hour.
- Flour a surface and then roll out the cookie dough until about a 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into small circles using a cookie cutter or an upturned glass.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, or until a golden-brown. Let cool, then enjoy.
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Radicchio recipes to check out
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/rainbow-chard-and-radicchio-saute-362533
Kohlrabi Linguini - Test 1
- Remove the kohlrabi leaves and set aside. Peel the bulb using a knife or vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer skin and chop into a 1/4" cubes.
- For the leaves, remove the tough stems and slice the leaves thin like fettucine noodles.
- Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium low heat. At this temperature, slowly cook the onions, garlic and most of the thyme (leaving a few sprigs for garnish) until perfectly soft. Keep the temperature low and stir frequently to avoid browning - this will take a while.
- Meanwhile fill the pot you'll use to cook the pasta with salted water and bring to the boil.
- Add the diced kohlrabi to the boiling water and blanche for 3 minutes. Save the water to cook the pasta, and remove the kohlrabi using a slotted spoon.
- Once the onions have softened nicely, add the blanched kohlrabi to the sauté pan.
- Add the white wine, bring to a simmer and cook until it achieves a syrupy consistency. Remove the pan for the heat, wait one minute then add the crème fraiche. Season with salt and cracked black pepper.
- Cook the pasta and the kohlrabi leaves for about 9 minutes. Once cooked, drain and add the pasta to the sauce and toss together well to coat the noodles.
- Serve the pasta in a bowl, topped with the kohlrabi leaves, a few sprigs of fresh thyme and some parmesan shavings. Drizzle with olive oil.
Penne with Radicchio, Spinach, and Bacon - Testing
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut off top 1/2 inch of garlic head, exposing cloves. Place garlic head, cut side up, on sheet of foil and drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Wrap garlic in foil. Roast until garlic is soft, about 40 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Squeeze garlic into small bowl.
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook bacon strips and chopped onion in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Add chicken broth, remaining 5 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, and roasted garlic. Bring mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally. Add radicchio, spinach, and basil and stir to combine. Simmer just until radicchio and spinach wilt, about 1 minute.
- Drain pasta and return to same pot. Add radicchio-spinach mixture to pasta. Add 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper; toss to coat. Season pasta to taste with salt and pepper and serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese alongside.
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Ensalada de col (Mexican spiced coleslaw) - PUBLISHED
- Put everything except for the cabbage in a mason jar and shake like a cocktail. The succussion will emulsify the ingredients very quickly. Allow the dressing to sit while prepping the rest of the salad so that the flavors can combine.
- Combine dressing with the cabbage and serve. You can also do this the day before and allow for the cabbage to wilt a little in the dressing.
Apple Cinnamon Bread - PUBLISHED
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp cloves
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
- Sieve any extra moisture from the apple sauce before measuring the 1½ cup.
- Melt the butter and whisk into the apple sauce
- Add the sugars and then whisk in the eggs.
- Without stirring, add the flour, cinnamon. salt, baking soda and cloves.
- With a wooden spoon mix the batter just until combined.
- Grease a bread pan with butter and pour in the batter.
- In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar and and cinnamon until evenly combined. Rub in the butter.
- Sprinkle the streusel on top of the batter.
- Bake for 1 hour or until a knife comes out clean.
Friday, September 17, 2021
Fatsup with Kohlrabi - Test 1
https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/polish-kohlrabi-soup-zupa-z-kalarepy/#recipe
- Soak the shiitake mushrooms in 500mL of boiling water for 20-30 minutes. Reserve the liquid! When easy to handle, cube the mushroom caps finely.
- In a soup pot, over medium-low heat render the lardons until browned and crisped.
- Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add the rest of the vegetables along with the parsley and cook for a few minutes stirring often, until they just start to soften.
- Top up the shiitake liquor with water to get 500mL. Add another 500mL of vegetable stock, pepper to taste, stir, cover and bring to the boil then lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the chopped dill and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat, adjust the seasoning if needed, stir in a tablespoon of butter in each bowl and serve (either as it is or with a dollop of yogurt/sour cream).
Hungarian Kohlrabi Soup - Untested
https://www.chocolatemoosey.com/2011/01/09/hungarian-kohlrabi-soup-kalarabeleves/
- Saute the onion in large skillet with 1 Tbsp butter for 1 minute. Add garlic and carrots. Cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup chicken broth and continue to cook covered for 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a big saucepan.
- Meanwhile, boil a small pan of water. Trim, peel, and dice the kohlrabi. Peel and dice the sweet potato. Wash the kohlrabi leaves then boil for 1 minute. Drain, cool, and chop. Set aside.
- Once the broth is pureed, add the remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, water, kohlrabi, and sweet potato. Cook until veggies are tender, about 15 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp butter. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in some hot soup. Whisk mixture together then pour back into the rest of the soup. Cook until slightly thickened, 10 minutes. Add kohlrabi leaves. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
German Kohlrabi Soup with Potatoes - Test 1
1 - Makes a delicious soup with gentle flavours. The red chilli flakes do little more than make the soupl look nice, so next time I'm going to try applying cayenne or paprika to see.
500 g/ 1.1 lbs potatoes (floury or all-purpose potatoes)
1 medium onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
750 ml/ 25.3 fl.oz/ 3 ¼ cups vegetable or chicken stock
3 heaped Tbsps Crème fraîche
Juice from 1 lemon (2 Tbsps or to taste)
1 tsp sugar (?)
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Salt and Black pepper, to taste
Small bunch of parsley
Optional: Pinch of cayenne/paprika/smoked paprika
- Remove the stems and the leaves of the kohlrabi. Keep the leaves separated as they will be only added to the soup towards the end of the cooking process.
- Place the kohlrabi bulb on a cutting board and slice off the top and bottom, removing the small woody part at the bottom of the kohlrabi bulb as well. Peel the skin with a knife or vegetable peeler the way you would peel an apple. Discard the skin. Cut the kohlrabi bulb and the stems into cubes.
- Peel and cube the potatoes as well. Finely chop the onion.
- Heat the oil in a soup pan and cook the onion for about 2-3 minutes or until translucent. Add the cubed vegetables and cook for about another 4 minutes, stirring a few times in between.
- Add the vegetable or chicken stock, bring to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer the kohlrabi soup for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the chopped kohlrabi leaves during the last 5 minutes of the cooking time.
- Add the cream cheese to the soup and blend the soup with an immersion blender. Reheat the soup gently without bringing it to a boil again.
- Add salt, pepper, sugar, nutmeg, and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste again and adjust the taste with more lemon juice and more spices.
- Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and maybe some red chili flakes and nigella seeds.
Sicilian Kohlrabi Pasta - Untested
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Fresh cherry tomato pasta - Test 3
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain and set aside until the sauce is ready.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a 12" skillet or wide heavy saucepan over medium-high. Add garlic, allow to just start to soften, then add the tomatoes, pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes burst and release their juices to form a sauce, 6–8 minutes.
- Place the pasta on a large serving plate and pour the sauce on top to serve, with Parmesan in a bowl to sprinkle on top.
Monday, September 6, 2021
English Pickled Beets - Untested
As many red beets as you need, of similar size, left whole
1⁄2 tsp pickling salt
Into the bottom of each pint jar place 1⁄2 tsp pickling salt. Pack the beets into the jars. Fill the jars with hot malt vinegar to within 1/2 to 3/4 inch from jar top. Wipe rims of jars and seal with lids.
Friday, September 3, 2021
Morning Pak Choy Eggs - Test 1
- Wash the bok choy well, and slice into 1/2" strips, including stems.
- Beat the eggs, add a small amount of salt, pour into a frying pan with heated oil, and stir. Remove from the pan while they are still halfway cooked.
- Add a little bit more oil into the same pan to fry the ginger. When fragrant, add the bok choy, and stir-fry over medium heat.
- When the boy choy is coated with the oil, add the chicken stock, cover with a lid, and steam-fry for about 1 minute.
- Remove the lid. Return the eggs to the pan and mix quickly. Taste it and adjust the flavour with salt and pepper. Plate over rice and drizzle with the sesame oil if you like.
Pac Choy and Potato Hash - Testing
- Cook until onions just start to soften then add potatoes. Cook until brown on the bottom (about 6 minutes), then break up to brown evenly, stirring (about 15 minutes more).
- Add garlic and bok choy. Continue to cook, tossing and stirring occasionally, until vegetables are all well browned and charred in spots, about 4 minutes longer. Add sliced chili and hot sauce. Cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer hash to a warm serving platter and keep warm
- Wipe out skillet and add remaining teaspoon oil. Heat over medium heat until shimmering. Add eggs and cook until desired level of doneness is reached. Season with salt and pepper. Place eggs on top of has and serve immediately with hot sauce, Sambal Oelek, or hot pepper relish.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Another Chocolate Chip Cookie
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.
- Combine sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg whites; beat 1 minute. Add flour mixture and chips; beat until blended.
- Drop dough by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
Blackberry Jam - Testing
- Run the blackberries through a food mill to remove the seeds, continuing until you have 1 cup of puree. Reserve the blackberry puree and discard the seeds (I give them to our chickens).
- Put the blackberry puree, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan. Be sure there are several inches of headspace to allow for foaming.
- When it starts to boil, clip on a candy thermometer, reduce it to a rapid simmer and continue to cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the thermometer reads 220F/105C. This can take upwards of 30 minutes, less if you add more sugar, longer if you have less sugar.
- You can also do the plate test.
- Ladle the jam into sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace and wipe the rims clean before sealing.
- If you're not sealing the jars the jam will keep in the fridge for several months.
- If you're using the water bath canning method process the jars for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the jars, let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours, then store in a dark cool place. Jam will keep for up to a year.