Overnight Waffles

Posted on by
  • 1/2 cup warm water (100º-110ºF)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 stick unsalted butter (melted)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • pure maple syrup (warmed for serving)
  • In a large bowl, add the water and the packet of yeast and whisk to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. If it doesn’t become foamy, start over.
  • In another large bowl, add the milk, butter, sugar, flour and salt and whisk to combine. Add the milk mixture to the yeast mixture and whisk to combine. Whisk in the flour until there are no visible lumps. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit out overnight.
  • The next morning, preheat a waffle iron and grease with oil or cooking spray. Whisk the eggs, baking soda, and ham into the batter, scoop a 1/2 cup portion onto the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 3-5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve with the warm maple syrup.
  • Tip: Freeze the waffles and place the frozen waffles in the toaster until crisped and warmed through for a quick breakfast.

 

Cheesy Potato Breakfast Bake

Posted on by
  • 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

Posted on by
  • 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

Posted on by

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/

Posted on by
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

Posted on by

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.

10-minute tomato egg drop noodle soup from thewoksoflife.com/

Posted on by

  • 1 serving of the noodle of your choice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 scallion, chopped (white and green portions separated)
  • 2-3 small tomatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces ( or 12oz can of tomatoes cut up)
  • 2 ½ cups vegetable, or mushroom stock
  • 1-1.5  teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp. sambal obleek

Boil a pot of water to cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large soup bowl. Toss with a few drops of oil to keep the noodles from sticking to each other.

At the same time , heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in wok or pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and the scallion whites, and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the tomatoes and stir-fry for a couple minutes, until the oil starts to turn red and the tomatoes soften.

Add the stock, soy sauce, white pepper, sesame oil, sambal oblek and salt to taste. Cover and simmer for 3 minutes, still using medium heat. Now is a good time to beat the egg in a small bowl and have it ready.

Uncover the wok/pot, turn up the heat slightly, and slowly stir in the beaten egg. Turn off the heat and pour the soup onto the cooked noodles. Top with the chopped scallion greens (you can also add chopped cilantro if you want). Serve. Easy, right?!

 

Hot Cocoa Mix, Alton Brown

Posted on by
  1. 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  2. 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
  3. 2 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  4. 1 teaspoon fine-grain salt
  5. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  6. 1 pinch (or more to taste) ground cayenne pepper*, optional
  7. Hot milk or water to serve
  1. Combine the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, milk powder, salt, cornstarch and cayenne in a large airtight container. Secure the lid and shake vigorously to combine, and remember to shake prior to every extraction.
  2. To serve: Place 2 tablespoons of the mix in a mug and add about 2 fluid ounces hot water or milk. Stir to combine. Fill the mug with more hot water or milk and enjoy.
Notes
  1. * The Aztecs always added chiles to their chocolate. Even a pinch ups the flavor ante quite a bit, and as called for here certainly won’t be sensed as “heat.”
  2. No matter — this is fast, easy and will keep for a year if kept in an airtight container in a cool place.

 

Roasted Pear and Cranberry Brussels Sprouts

Posted on by
  • 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 1 pear, cored and cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 2 lemon wedges
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

In a large bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts, pears, and onion and toss to coat with the olive oil. Season with a few pinches each of salt and pepper.

Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake until the Brussels sprouts are golden brown and have started to crisp and the pears have caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.

Squeeze  the lemon wedges over the pan and drizzle with the honey. Toss in the dried cranberries, mix everything well, and taste, adding another squeeze of lemon or more salt and pepper if desired. I promise this dish will not disappoint.

Almond Joy Magic Cookie Bars from www.eatcakefordinner.net/

Posted on by

Cookie Crust:
1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. chocolate graham cracker crumbs (not quite 9 full-sheet crackers)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Layers:
3/4 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 3/4 c. shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 c. sliced almonds
about 12 oz. sweetened condensed milk (not quite one can)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal and spray with cooking spray; set aside.  For the Crust: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar, using a hand mixer, until smooth and creamy.  Add the vanilla and egg and mix until combined.  Add the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt and mix until fully combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Press graham cracker dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.  Bake for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with the mini chocolate chips (reserving a small amount), coconut and sliced almonds.  Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top and sprinkle with reserved mini chocolate chips.  Remember the pan is hot and return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until set (I baked mine for about 26 minutes).  Loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil halfway through baking time to prevent the coconut and almonds from browning and rotate the pan in the oven.

Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and then stick in the refrigerator to cool all the way through (the bottom of the pan will be cold).   Cut into 9-12 squares.  DO NOT cut the bars while they are still warm or the gooey filling will run all over the place.

Jenn’s Notes: I cut mine into 9 bars, but since they are pretty rich, I think 12 bars would be perfect.