Smoked Bluefish Pâté, foodandwine.com

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  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 medium red onion, minced
  • 4 to 6 dashes of hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup minced chives
  • 1/2 pound skinless, boneless smoked bluefish, flaked
  • Toasts or crackers, for serving
  1. In a bowl, blend the cream cheese with the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, parsley, onion, hot sauce and half of the chives. Fold the smoked bluefish into the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining chives on top and serve with toasts.

MAKE AHEAD

The pâté can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Ottolenghi’s Very Full Roasted Vegetable Tart

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1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
about 6 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium eggplant, cut into 2-inch dice
salt and black pepper
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
1 small zucchini, cut into 1-inch dice
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 bay leaves
11 oz pie crust dough
8 thyme sprigs, leaves picked
1/3 cup ricotta
4 1/4 oz feta
7 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 medium eggs
1 cup heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Use a small serrated knife to cut around the stem of the peppers and lift it out along with the seeds. Shake the peppers to remove all the remaining seeds; discard the stems and seeds. Place the two peppers in a small ovenproof dish, drizzle with a little oil and put on the top shelf in the oven.

Mix the eggplant in a bowl with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Spread in a large baking pan and place in the oven on the shelf beneath the peppers.

After 12 minutes add the sweet potato dice to the eggplant pan and stir gently. Return to the oven to roast for another 12 minutes. Then add the zucchini to the pan, stir and roast for a further 10 to 12 minutes. At this point the peppers should be brown and the rest of the vegetables cooked. Remove all from the oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees. Cover the peppers with foil and cool, then peel and tear roughly into strips.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Saute the onions with the bay leaves and some salt for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn brown, soft and sweet. Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaves and set aside.

Lightly grease a 9-inch loose-bottomed tart pan. Roll out the pie crust dough to a circle roughly 1/8 inch thick and large enough to line the pan, plus extra to hang over the rim. Carefully line the pan with the dough, pressing it into the corners and leaving the excess hanging over the top edge. Line the dough with a large sheet of parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the crust for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the paper with the weights, then bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until it turns golden brown. Remove and allow to cool a little.

Scatter the cooked onion over the bottom of the crust and top with the roasted vegetables, arranging them evenly. Scatter half the thyme leaves over. Next, dot the veg with small chunks of both cheeses and then with the tomato halves, cut-side up.

Whisk the eggs and cream in a small bowl with some salt and pepper. Carefully pour this mix into the tart; the top layer of tomatoes and cheese should remain exposed. Scatter the remaining thyme over the top. Place in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the filling sets and turns golden. Remove and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before releasing the tart from the pan and serving. Serves 4-6

pumpkin spice latte from Sarah Carey

  • download1 cup milk
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 whole nutmeg
  • 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup espresso or very strong coffee
  • Whipped cream for serving
  • Cinnamon for garnish
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  1. In a small saucepan, bring the milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to a boil. Turn off heat and cover. Let mixture steep for 30 minutes.

  2. Divide espresso between 4 cups. Strain milk and divide between the 4 cups. Top each with dollop of whipped cream and dusting of cinnamon.

Coconut Cream Pie from Janet Morrissey

download1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Whisk together 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, egg yolk, and flour in medium bowl.
Bring milk and coconut to simmer in medium saucepan over medium heat.
Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture, whisking constantly.
Return to same saucepan; cook until pastry cream thickens and boils, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes.
Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla and coconut extracts.
Transfer pastry cream to medium bowl.
Press plastic wrap directly onto surface to prevent formation of skin.
Chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.

Transfer filling to crust. Cover; chill overnight.

Toast coconut in heavy small skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Cool completely.

Beat cream, sugar, and coconut extract in medium bowl until peaks form. Spread whipped cream all over top of filling. Sprinkle evenly with toasted coconut. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Serve cold.

Best Tomato Soup Ever from Ree Drumond

WU0508H_best-tomato-soup-ever-recipe_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.landscape1 medium white or yellow onion
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
Two 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
One 46-ounce bottle or can tomato juice
3 to 6 tablespoons sugar
1 or 2 tablespoons veggie base
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup sherry, optional
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

To begin, dice the onion. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven. Throw in the onion and cook until translucent.

Now dump in the diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the tomato juice.

Next – and this is important – in order to combat the acidity of the tomatoes add 3 to 6 tablespoons of sugar. Now, you’ll want to start on the low side, then taste and add more as needed. Some tomatoes and juice have more of an acidic bite than others. (For what it’s worth, and I realize it’s not worth much, I use 6 tablespoons of sugar.)

Next, add 1 or 2 tablespoons chicken base to the pot. I added 3, and it wound up being a little too much.

Now you can add lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine, then heat almost to a boil. Then turn off the heat.

Add in the sherry if desired. Stir in the cream. Add the basil and parsley and stir.

Serve the soup warm!

Penne Alla Betsy from Ree Drumond

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1 pound penne pasta
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup white wine, optional
Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
6 leaves fresh basil, cut in chiffonade
Milk, for thinning
Freshly ground black pepper
Crusty French bread, for serving

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente (firm yet tender). Drain and set aside.

Begin by peeling and deveining the shrimp and rinsing them under cold water.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. When the pan is hot, add the shrimp. Stir and cook on both sides until just starting to turn opaque, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate and allow to cool slightly.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the garlic and onion. Stir to combine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.

Pour the wine into the pan if using. Stir and allow it to evaporate, about 45 seconds. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the cream. Mmmm. Stir well to combine; reduce the heat to simmer.

And now for the fun part: remove the tails from the shrimp, chop the shrimp into medium-size pieces and add them to the sauce. Stir gently to combine.

Next, dump in the parsley and basil and stir. Add the cooked, drained pasta. Stir gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, splash in a little milk to get it to the right consistency. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper. Be sure to taste the seasonings at the end, adjusting if necessary.

Serve directly out of the skillet, or pour the contents of the skillet into a pretty serving bowl. Serve with crusty French bread – and more wine.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/penne-alla-betsy-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Cheesy Scalloped Potato Casserole from the food network

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  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion minced
  • 2 gloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons table salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 1/2lbs russet potatoes peeled and sliced into about 1/8″ thick rounds
  • 1 cup veggie broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  1. Preheat oven to 425F
  2. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the foaming subsides.
  3. Add onion and cook while stirring occasionally until lightly browned and soft (about 4 minutes).
  4. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for about another 30 seconds.
  5. Add potatoes, chicken broth, cream, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 10 minutes. discard bay leaves.
  7. Transfer the mixture to an 8″x8″ baking dish and press into an even layer.
  8. Sprinkle the top evenly with cheese.
  9. Bake in oven about 16 minutes until the cream is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown.
  10. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
  11. Enjoy!

 

Mushroom Stuffed Giant Shell Pasta from food52.com

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12 jumbo shell pasta
1 cup cultivated white mushrooms
1 cup chanterelles
1 cup oyster mushrooms
2 onions, separated
2 cloves garlic
A few springs of parsley, as desired
1 chile, seeded
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided, plus more as needed
Juice of 1/2 lemon, divided
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup cream (or a mixture of milk and cream)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more as desired

Cook the pasta according to the package, but reduce the cooking time by 1 minute so that they are al dente. Preheat the oven to 360º F (160º C).

Meanwhile, clean the mushrooms and peel the garlic and onion. Roughly chop the mushrooms and onions. Finely dice the garlic, parsley, and chile.

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 of the onion, and the garlic. Fry for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms, chile, and salt and pepper to taste. Fry for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and add 1/2 of the lemon juice and the parsley. Add more lemon juice if preferred, or discard it (or save the rest for another recipe). Remove the mushroom mixture from the pan and set aside on a plate.

Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the pan and add the other 1/2 of the onion. Fry for 1 minute. Pour in the cream, add salt and pepper to taste, and stir occasionally. Cook for 3 minutes. (If you used milk to dilute the cream, you might want to add a bit of flour or corn starch to make the sauce a bit thicker.)

Meanwhile, fill the al dente shells with the mushroom mix and place in an ovenproof dish. Pour the cream over the shells and sprinkle the Parmesan on top. Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown. Serve with a few sprinkles of chopped parsley.

Serves 2 to 4

Pecan Pie Bars from justataste.com

pecan-pie-bars-recipeFor crust:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

For topping:
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9×13-inch pan with foil, leaving enough for a 2-inch overhang on all sides.

First make the crust by creaming together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add in the flour and salt and mix until crumbly.

Press the crust into the foil-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling by combining the butter, brown sugar, honey and heavy cream in a saucepan and stirring it over medium heat. Simmer the mixture for 1 minute, then stir in the chopped pecans.

Remove the crust from the oven and immediately pour the pecan filling over the hot crust spreading it to cover the entire surface.

Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Remove the pan and allow the bars to fully cool in the pan.

Use the foil overhang to lift out the bars and transfer them to a cutting board. Peel off the foil, slice into bars and serve.

Shiitake Mushroom Tortellini w/ Soy Cream Sauce from thewoksoflife.com

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  • Olive oil
  • 6 oz. fresh shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup minced scallion
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 36-42 square wonton wrappers (1 pack should be enough)
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce

In a skillet over medium high heat, add a few good lugs of olive oil. Add the mushrooms and season with salt. Sauté the mushrooms until tender and caramelized. This could take a while, so don’t rush the process! Once the mushrooms are caramelized, you might have some sticky bits at the bottom of the pan. Deglaze with a bit of water.

Transfer the cooked mushrooms to a mixing bowl and add the scallion, crushed red pepper flake, Parmesan, ricotta cheese, egg, and salt and pepper to taste.

To assemble, use a bit of water to dampen the edges of each wonton wrapper, and add a teaspoon of filling to the middle.

Fold in half diagonally so you get a triangle. Make sure there aren’t any air bubbles in the middle, and that the edges are tightly sealed.

Bring the two farthest corners of the triangle together to make a pseudo “tortellini” shape. Continue assembling until you’ve run out of filling.

Bring a pot of water to a boil for the tortellini. In a skillet over medium heat, add a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Add the panko and stir constantly until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add a couple tablespoons more oil to the skillet and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add the milk and cream, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes and add the soy sauces. Season with pepper.

By now, the water for the ravioli should be boiling. Cook the ravioli in the boiling water for 20 seconds. With a slotted spoon, transfer the ravioli to the sauce and simmer for another 60-90 seconds.

Serve immediately, garnished with your panko pangrittata and more scallions.