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Peach Cobbler

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  • 8 fresh peaches (peeled, pitted, and sliced into chunks)
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Bake the cobbler for about 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden.
  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Peel the peaches with a knife or peeler, or drop the peaches one-by-one in boiling water for about a minute. Then, take each one out and put it into a bowl of ice water for about a minute. The skins should slide off pretty easily if the peaches are ripe.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the first list of ingredients (peaches, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, cornstarch). Toss everything together so the peaches are coated evenly, then put the mixture into a greased two-quart (8×8) baking dish and bake in the oven for ten minutes.
  4. In another large bowl, combine some of the ingredients from the second list– flour, white sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use your fingertips to blend the butter into the mixture, or use a pastry blender ñ until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Then, stir in the water until just combined.
  5. Take the peaches out of the oven and drop spoonfuls of the topping over them. Sprinkle the entire cobbler with the sugar and cinnamon.
  6. Bake the cobbler for about 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden. Enjoy!

 

Lentil Salad with Arugula and Grapes

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Lentil Salad with Arugula and Grapes
  • 1 cup French lentils (washed, picked through)
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
VinaigretteI:
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 scallions (thinly sliced on bias)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
to assemble
  • 1 container baby arugula (5-ounce box)
  • 2 cups red grapes (halved)
  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • In a medium saucepan add the lentils and stock, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Par-boil the lentils and simmer about 15-20 minutes. Remove lentils from the saucepan and spread them onto a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, and bake in the oven for another 10 minutes until crispy but tender.
  • Remove to a bowl and allow to cool until slightly warmer than room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. In a small bowl add the red wine vinegar and olive oil and whisk to combine. Add scallions, season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Drizzle over the lentils and toss to combine.
  • Add the arugula and grapes and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
  • Tip: Par-boiling is the perfect way to prep lentils a day in advance. When ready to serve, crisp the lentils in the oven and serve.

Lightened-Up Eggplant Parmesan

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POMODORO SAUCE:
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 small onion (peeled, finely diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (peeled, minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 bunch fresh oregano (tied with kitchen twine)
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes (crushed with your hands, 28 ounces)
  • 1 bunch basil (torn, to garnish)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Eggplants:
  • 2 medium eggplants (sliced 1/4-inch thick, peeled)
  • olive oil (spray)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
CASHEW PARMESAN:
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons parsley leaves (roughly chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • For the Pomodoro Sauce: Preheat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the onions and garlic. Season with salt. Cook until translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes, tomatoes, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove oregano and discard. Using an immersion blender, puree on low to preserve the red color. Add basil and stir to combine. Set aside.
  • For the Eggplant: Preheat oven to 400ºF. Place two racks inside of two baking sheets.
  • On the racks, place the eggplant rounds and lightly spray both sides with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and roast until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • For the Cashew Parmesan: In the bowl of a food processor, add the cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder, and pulse to combine until it becomes a fine meal.
  • Heat a nonstick saute pan over medium-low heat and add the bread crumbs. Allow to toast until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the basil, parsley, and oregano and toss to combine. Pour the panko bread crumbs into a large bowl, add the cashew mixture and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  • To Assemble: Decrease the oven temperature to 325ºF.
  • Spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with olive oil, place one eggplant round and top with one heaping tablespoon of the sauce, followed by a heaping tablespoon of the cashew parmesan. Top with another eggplant round and repeat the process 2 more times, finishing with a fourth eggplant round with sauce.
  • Assemble the remaining eggplant parmesan stacks in the baking dish with the rest of the eggplant rounds. Place in the oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the cashew parmesan over each eggplant stack.
  • Tip: The cashew parmesan will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator or freezer stored in an airtight container. Use to garnish pastas, soups and salads just like you would Parmesan cheese!

Beef and beer pie

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1/4 c olive oil
2 lb trimmed beef, cut into 1cm cubes
1/4 cup plain flour
2 large  brown onions, chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 cup beer
2 cups stock

  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1egg yolk, beaten lightly
  • 2 tsp milk

 

Shortcrust pastry

  • 3 cups plain flour
  • 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 1 c butter, chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbsp chilled water, approximately
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Meanwhile, toss the beef in flour until evenly coated. Cook beef, in batches, until browned, using another 1 tablespoon oil as needed. Transfer beef to a medium bowl.
  2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same pan; cook onion, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic, thyme, paste and sauce; cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Stir in beer; bring to the boil. Boil, uncovered, until reduced by half.
  3. Return beef to the pan. Gradually stir in the stock and peppers; stir until the mixture boils and thickens slightly. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour 30 minutes.
  4. Uncover; simmer for about 30 minutes or until beef is tender and the sauce is thickened. Season to taste with sea salt. Cool slightly, then refrigerate for several hours until cold.
  5. Meanwhile, make pastry: Process the flour, cheese, pepper, salt and butter until crumbly. Add the eggs and water; process until the ingredients just come together. Kneed the pastry on a floured surface until smooth. Divide the pastry in half; shape each piece into a flat round. Enclose the rounds in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced).
  7. Roll one pastry round between sheets of baking paper until large enough to line a deep 24cm pie dish or removable base flan tin. Lift the pastry into dish; ease into the base and side; trim edge. Place the dish on an oven tray.
  8. Spoon the cold beef mixture into the pastry case. Roll the remaining pastry round between sheets of baking paper until large enough to cover the pie dish. Place the pastry over the filling; trim off excess pastry with a knife. Cut six 3cm heart shapes from the pastry trimmings to decorate the top of the pie
  9. Brush the top with a little of the combined egg yolk and milk. Press the edges to seal. Brush the hearts lightly with egg mixture. Bake the pie on lowest shelf for about 1 hour or until the pastry is browned.
  10. Stand pie for 30 minutes before cutting.

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Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad from Ina

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2 pounds carrots, preferably with leafy tops
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
3 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane
6 ounces baby arugula
6 ounces goat cheese, such as Montrachet, medium-diced
2/3 cup roasted, salted Marcona almonds

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Trim and scrub the carrots. If the carrots are more than 1 inch in diameter, cut them in half lengthwise. Cut the carrots in large diagonal slices 1 inch wide 2 inches long (they will shrink when they roast) and place in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well and transfer to two sheet pans. (If you use just one, they’ll steam instead of roasting.) Roast for 20 minutes, tossing once, until the carrots are tender. Transfer all the carrots to one of the sheet pans, add the maple syrup, toss, and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are caramelized. Watch them carefully! Toss with a metal spatula and set aside for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the cranberries and orange juice in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, then set aside for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the arugula in a large bowl and add the carrots, cranberries (with their liquid), goat cheese, almonds, and the vinaigrette. Toss with large spoons, sprinkle with salt, and serve at room temperature.

Cheesy Potato Breakfast Bake

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  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
  • 3 cloves garlic (peeled, thinly sliced)
  • 5 sprigs thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 9 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups Gruyere (grated)
  • 6 cups shredded frozen potatoes (thawed)
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
  • Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, garlic, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until tomatoes slightly charred. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • Reduce the heat in oven to 350ºF.
  • Butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish. In a large bowl, add the eggs, milk and mustard. Whisk until blended. Fold in the gruyere, shredded potatoes, and oven roasted tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into the buttered casserole dish.
  • Place in oven for 35-40 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Tip: This casserole can be assembled and refrigerated 24 hours in advance.

Tofu Bánh Mì

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  • 14 ounces extra-firm or firm tofu, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slabs
  • Salt
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 2 carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1/2 cucumber, optional (see notes), peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced thin
  • Zest of 1 lime plus 1 tablespoon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
  • 3 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • 48-inch baguettes or sub rolls, split lengthwise
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  1. Spread tofu over paper towel-lined baking sheet, let drain for 20 minutes, then gently press dry with paper towels and season with salt. Spread cornstarch in shallow dish. Dredge tofu in cornstarch and transfer to plate.
  2. Meanwhile, zest the lime into a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise and Sriracha and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, combine carrots, cucumber (if using), lime juice, and fish sauce and let sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick (or not) skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add tofu and cook until both sides are crisp and browned, adjusting heat as necessary (I turn it down to medium), about 4 minutes a side. Transfer to paper towel-lined (or not) plate.
  4. Spread mayonnaise mixture evenly over cut sides of each roll. Assemble 4 sandwiches by layering ingredients as follows between prepared rolls: tofu, pickled vegetables (leaving liquid in bowl), and cilantro. Press gently on sandwiches to set. Serve.

 

Real Caramel Sauce

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Makes 3 to 4 cups

  • 1 cup golden syrup or light corn syrup
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Equipment:
  • Candy thermometer
  • A long-handled silicone spatula or wooden spoon
  1. Combine the syrup, sugar, and salt in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, until the mixture simmers around the edges.
  2. Wash the sugar and syrup from the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. (Meanwhile, rinse the spatula or spoon for use again later.) Uncover the pan and wash down the sides once more.
  3. Attach the candy thermometer to the saucepan, without letting it touch the bottom of the pan, and cook, uncovered, without stirring until the mixture reaches 305° F. Meanwhile, heat the cream in a small saucepan until tiny bubbles form around the edges of the pan. Remove the pan from the heat and cover it to keep the cream hot. When the sugar mixture is at 305° F, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter chunks.
  4. Gradually stir in the hot cream; it will bubble up and steam dramatically. Put the pan back on the burner and adjust the heat so that the mixture boils energetically but not violently. Stir until smooth. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, to about 225° F (or 228° F for a sauce that thickens like fudge when poured over ice cream). Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
  5. Serve the sauce warm or hot. Store in the refrigerator (it keeps for ages) and reheat it gently in the microwave or a saucepan just until hot and flowing. You can stir in rum or brandy to taste. If the sauce (after reheating) becomes too thick or stiff to serve over ice cream, it can always be thinned with a little water or cream.

 

Shrimp and grits from www.saveur.com/

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1 cup white or yellow stone-ground grits
3⁄4 cup grated cheddar
1⁄4 cup parmesan
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
Kosher salt
2 tbsp. canola oil
1 lb. medium shrimp (about 30), peeled
Freshly ground black pepper
6 button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1⁄2 cup broth
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, plus 4 lemon wedges
1⁄2 tsp. hot sauce, preferably Tabasco
4 scallions, thinly sliced
In a 2-qt. saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and whisk in grits. Cook, whisking frequently, until grits are tender and creamy, 30–40 minutes. (Whisk in more water for thinner grits.) Whisk in cheddar, parmesan, and 1 tbsp. butter and season with salt; cover and set aside.
Heat oil in a 12″ skillet over medium heat.
Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Over medium-high heat, add shrimp to skillet and cook, turning once, until bright pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a plate with a slotted spoon. Lower heat to medium; add mushrooms to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until golden, 1 minute. Raise heat to high, add chicken broth, and scrape bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon. Cook until broth reduces by half, 3 minutes. Return shrimp to skillet along with the lemon juice, remaining butter, and hot sauce and cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Divide grits between 4 bowls; top each with shrimp and its sauce. Garnish each bowl with bacon, scallions, and lemon wedges.

The Ultimate fruit cake

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3⁄4 cup dark rum
2⁄3 cup dried cherries
1 1⁄4 cups whole walnuts
1⁄3 cup finely chopped candied orange peel
1⁄4 cup finely chopped candied ginger
1 cup plus 1 1⁄2 Tbsp. sugar
10 1⁄2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing
1⁄4 cup unsulphured molasses (not “blackstrap”)
1 large egg
1⁄3 cup plus 1 1⁄2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3⁄4 tsp. kosher salt
1⁄4 tsp. baking soda
1⁄4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1⁄4 tsp. ground allspice

Four hours before you plan to bake the fruit cake, combine the rum and cherries in a small bowl and let stand for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you prefer. Drain the cherries, reserving the rum and transfer to a bowl along with the walnuts, candied orange, and candied ginger.

Heat the oven to 325°. Grease a 3 1⁄2-by-7-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, cream 1⁄2 cup plus 1 1⁄2 tablespoons of the sugar with the butter and molasses on medium speed until lightened in color and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and continue mixing until combined, about 30 seconds. Turn the mixer off, scrape the paddle and bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then mix for 15 seconds until smooth.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the pepper, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and allspice. Using a large rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until almost combined. Add the walnuts and dried fruit and until completely incorporated. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes.
While the cake is baking, combine 1⁄2 cup of the reserved rum with the remaining 1⁄2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a small saucepan and heat over low, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the cake is done, transfer the pan to a rack and brush with all of the rum syrup. Let the cake cool completely, then remove from the pan and serve, or wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.