I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Remember that old rhyme? Even if you don't, chances are you love ice cream. It seems most of us do.
When I was a kid in New York (state, not city) and Connecticut, my sister, brother, and I were all excited whenever my dad would bring out the ice cream maker. While the big ice cream-making day was the 4th of July, Dad would make sure to make ice cream throughout the summer. Of course, he also included us kids, as the old fashioned hand cranked (non-electric) ice cream makers required having someone hand crank the thing for maybe half-an-hour. The rule was that if we wanted homemade ice cream, each one of us had to put in a few minutes (at least) at cranking the darn thing. But it was well worth it! (Here's a good article on using a hand crank ice cream maker.)
Of course, these days, you can buy either electric or non-electric (hand crank) ice cream makers. (The one I use looks similar to this one, though I'm not advocating buying it at any one particular store.)
Good Housekeeping has an article giving its best ice cream makers. Some of them look pretty fancy, but a simple one works well, in my estimation. The Spruce Eats also has their list of best ice cream makers for 2018. Check it out.
Okay, enough already. Here are six yummy ice cream recipes to get you started, including Dark Chocolate-Caramel Sorbet and Strawberry Sorbet. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12
2 cups 2% low-fat milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.
Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.
Enjoy!
DARK CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL SORBET
This comes from the July/August 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, pagae 51, and begins, "The caramelized sugar syrup that is the base for this decadent chocolate sorbet adds to its depth and richness. There are very few ingredients for the recipe, so the quality of the chocolate and cocoa really count." Makes 1 quart.
To view this online, click here.
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
7 oz. dark chocolate, finely chopped
Place sugar in large saucepan, and heat over medium-low heat. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until sugar has melted and caramelized to rich amber color, stirring occasionally.
Stir in lemon juice (mixture will boil violently for several minutes). Slowly add 2 1/2 cups boiling water, and stir until hardened caramel is dissolved. Stir in cocoa powder and salt, and bring mixture to just under a simmer. Remove from heat, and stir in chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then blend smooth with immersion blender. Transfer to covered container, and refrigerate overnight.
Pour sorbet base into ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 247; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 48 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 156 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 43 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
CREAMY NO CHURN RASPBERRY CRUMBLE ICE CREAM
This comes from the wonderful people at Feedfeed, and begins, “Sunshine in Vancouver got me like... let’s make homemade ice cream!!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Crisp
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp butter, cold
No Churn Ice Cream
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Raspberry Jam, about 2/3 cup
Directions
For the Brown Sugar Crisp: Preheat oven to 350˚F degrees and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add cold butter and work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pasty cutter until the butter is incorporated and you are left with a crumbly mixture. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and and allow to cool completely. Set aside until ready to use assemble ice cream.
For the No Churn Ice Cream: In a small bowl, whisk together condensed milk, vanilla and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment on high until smooth and creamy and there are no lumps. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the whipping cream in a steady stream. Once all the cream in incorporated, turn the mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form; about 3-4 minutes.
Add half of the whipped cream cheese mixture to the condensed milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add the condensed milk mixture to your bowl of whipped cream and use a spatula to fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk until smooth and no streaks of whipped cream remain.
Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9 or 10 inch cake pan (alternatively you could use a loaf pan). Set the pan and the remaining ice cream mixture in your freezer for 15 minutes to set slightly. Once set remove and begin assembling your ice cream.
Dollop about 1/3 of a cup of your raspberry jam over the ice cream in the pan. Use a spoon to spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 of your crumble mixture. Dollop the rest of your ice cream mixture on top and use a spoon to smooth. Dollop the remaining jam across the top of the ice cream and use a knife or the back of your spoon to create the pretty swirls. Sprinkle with remaining crisp mixture.
Cover with plastic wrap and set in the freezer for 5-6 hours before serving.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
ONE-INGREDIENT BANANA ICE CREAM
This comes from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This outrageously easy ‘ice cream’ is just the sort of dessert to please everyone at the table – the vegans, the lactose-intolerant, the paleo enthusiasts, the picky children. Just toss four frozen bananas into a blender and give it a good whirl. If you like soft-serve consistency, eat it right away (and adding a few tablespoons of milk to the blender wouldn't hurt, but it's not necessary). For more traditional scoops, freeze it in an airtight container, and dole out as you would the Ben & Jerry's. Consider adding a spoonful of peanut butter, Nutella or honey; a handful of chocolate chips or almonds; or a 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger, cardamom or cinnamon.”
Yield: Four servings; Time: 6 hours 10 minutes.
This
was featured in “Food; Uncle Food” and can be viewed online here.
Check out Melissa Clark’s guide, “How to Make Ice Cream”. Very informative, very yummy…After looking through this, I wanted to spend the next weekend making batch after batch of ice cream.
Ingredients
4 ripe bananas
Preparation
Peel the bananas, cut them in 2- to 3-inch chunks and place them in a freezer bag in the freezer for at least 6 hours. Remove and blend in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately, or freeze in an airtight container for at least 2 hours. Scoop and serve.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
Showing posts with label Raspberry-Lime Granita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raspberry-Lime Granita. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Classic Lasagna and Lemon Meringue Tart. Enjoy!
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
FANCY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”
Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
2 large eggs, scrambled
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 cup dry white wine
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.
LEMON MERINGUE TART
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “The celebrated pastry chef Dolester Miles learned to bake in a small town called Bessemer, outside Birmingham, Ala. She took the tastes of Southern desserts passed down from her mother and her aunt, and elevated them with fine-dining technique she has picked up in her more than 30 years at the Birmingham restaurants Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café. This lemon meringue tart, reminiscent of a Southern icebox cake but with a French feel, is a perfect example. She stirs in white chocolate to give the curd a luscious mouth feel, and finishes it with a drift of soft Swiss meringue toasted with a blowtorch. A few seconds under the broiler will work, too. She cautions cooks never to take their eyes off the tart during that final step. ‘It’ll get away from you fast,’ she said.”
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing.
This was featured in “An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tart:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cubed
2 egg yolks
For the Filling and Meringue:
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Zest from 2 lemons
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into large pieces
4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
Preparation
In the bowl of a food processor, place flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt, and quickly pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs, then add egg yolks and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then transfer it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, then trim it by rolling your rolling pin over the top of the tart pan edge. Pierce crust all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, place tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Remove tart from baking sheet and let pan cool slightly on a rack.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Separate the eggs, saving 3 of the whites to use in the meringue. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup/101 grams sugar, the lemon zest and juice and the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until quite warm. Stir in butter and continue to cook, whisking to prevent burning, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate until it melts into the mixture.
Pour lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl and use a spatula to press until just the solids remain. Discard the solids. Spoon mixture into the prepared tart shell and chill for 4 hours.
Make the meringue: Set up a double boiler and bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine the 3 egg whites with 3/4 cup/151 grams sugar in the top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
Pour the meringue mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes then increase speed to high and whip for about 4 to 6 minutes more or until the mixture is stiff. Spoon meringue over tart and spread with an offset spatula.
Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue lightly, holding the torch about 2 inches away from the tart. Alternatively, place tart under a preheated broiler with the oven rack placed 8 inches from the heat source. Broil 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully so the meringue turns golden brown and does not burn. Remove tart ring and serve immediately.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “It's all about the layering when you make lasagna and is so easy when you start with a sauce already made and delicious.”
Serves: 12 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 cups ricotta cheese
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups)
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (45 ounces) Prego® Three Cheese Italian Sauce
12 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained
Directions
Stir the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and eggs in a medium bowl and set it aside.
In a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the beef until it's well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the sauce in the saucepan.
Spoon 1 cup meat mixture in each of two 2-quart shallow baking dishes. Top each with 2 lasagna noodles and about 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining 2 lasagna noodles, remaining meat mixture and the Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or it's until hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Tip: To freeze, prepare lasagna but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze. Bake frozen lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 1 hour 15 minutes or until hot. Or, refrigerate 24 hours to thaw. Bake thawed lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 50 minutes or until hot. Let stand for 10 minutes.
EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy to make with cheddar cheese and eggs along with milk and butter. There's no separate sauce to make for this version, making cleanup much easier than other versions made with a stovetop cheese sauce. Eggs and milk are whisked together and then combined with the cooked macaroni, butter, and shredded cheese. The eggs give the mixture a soft and creamy texture. Feel free to use a gluten-free macaroni in the recipe.
“It's a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Add crumbled bacon, diced cooked sausage, or diced ham, or change the cheese. Add some Velveeta to the cheddar cheese or use some Monterey Jack cheese. Pepper jack cheese can add some pleasant heat to the casserole And a buttery bread crumb topping makes for a nice crunchy finish.
“This easy macaroni and cheese bake takes about 30 minutes to bake, and it serves 4 to 6 people.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked; about 8 ounces)
4 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
salt to taste (kosher)
black pepper (to taste)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Optional: paprika, for the top
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan or 2-quart casserole.
Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk. Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Spoon the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole or baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Sprinkle with paprika, if using.
Bake the macaroni and cheese (uncovered) for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.
Tips and Variations
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Bacon – Crumble 4 to 6 strips of cooked bacon and add to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Ham – Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese With Chile Peppers – Add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers or add 1 small can of mild chopped green chile peppers.
Breadcrumb Topping – For a crunchy, browned topping, toss 1 cup of finely shredded fresh breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and then bake as directed. Buttered panko crumbs may be used for a crispier topping.
SLOPPY JOES
This is from Andrea Strong in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Some foods are memory triggers, meals that send you back to long-forgotten moments in your life. The sloppy Joe sandwich is one such time machine.
“This version is an adaptation of one developed by Chris Gesualdi, the chef at TriBakery in Manhattan. It's a tribute to the one his mother, Rose, used to make for him as a child, and it is perfect: a sweet and spicy hill of thick sautéed ground beef spilling out of a toasted homemade kaiser roll. He tops his with melted cheddar, and that can't be a bad thing. All in all, it is a terrific antidote to adulthood.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “An Ode to Sloppy Joe, a Delicious Mess”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup tomato paste
2 3/4 cups tomato puree
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon pureed canned chipotle in adobo
1 bay leaf
12 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns
12 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil, and saute onions until translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic, and saute for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, and saute until well browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add tomato paste, tomato puree, chili powder, Tabasco, chipotle and bay leaf. Stir until blended. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to spread on a sandwich, about 45 minutes.
To serve, heat a broiler. Slice the rolls open and place them under the broiler until lightly toasted, turning as necessary. Ladle about 1/2 cup onto the bottom of each roll, and top with cheddar cheese to taste. Return bottom halves to the broiler until cheese just melts. Top with the remaining halves, and serve immediately.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
FANCY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”
Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
2 large eggs, scrambled
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 cup dry white wine
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.
LEMON MERINGUE TART
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “The celebrated pastry chef Dolester Miles learned to bake in a small town called Bessemer, outside Birmingham, Ala. She took the tastes of Southern desserts passed down from her mother and her aunt, and elevated them with fine-dining technique she has picked up in her more than 30 years at the Birmingham restaurants Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café. This lemon meringue tart, reminiscent of a Southern icebox cake but with a French feel, is a perfect example. She stirs in white chocolate to give the curd a luscious mouth feel, and finishes it with a drift of soft Swiss meringue toasted with a blowtorch. A few seconds under the broiler will work, too. She cautions cooks never to take their eyes off the tart during that final step. ‘It’ll get away from you fast,’ she said.”
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing.
This was featured in “An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tart:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cubed
2 egg yolks
For the Filling and Meringue:
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Zest from 2 lemons
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into large pieces
4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
Preparation
In the bowl of a food processor, place flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt, and quickly pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs, then add egg yolks and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then transfer it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, then trim it by rolling your rolling pin over the top of the tart pan edge. Pierce crust all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, place tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Remove tart from baking sheet and let pan cool slightly on a rack.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Separate the eggs, saving 3 of the whites to use in the meringue. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup/101 grams sugar, the lemon zest and juice and the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until quite warm. Stir in butter and continue to cook, whisking to prevent burning, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate until it melts into the mixture.
Pour lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl and use a spatula to press until just the solids remain. Discard the solids. Spoon mixture into the prepared tart shell and chill for 4 hours.
Make the meringue: Set up a double boiler and bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine the 3 egg whites with 3/4 cup/151 grams sugar in the top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
Pour the meringue mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes then increase speed to high and whip for about 4 to 6 minutes more or until the mixture is stiff. Spoon meringue over tart and spread with an offset spatula.
Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue lightly, holding the torch about 2 inches away from the tart. Alternatively, place tart under a preheated broiler with the oven rack placed 8 inches from the heat source. Broil 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully so the meringue turns golden brown and does not burn. Remove tart ring and serve immediately.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “It's all about the layering when you make lasagna and is so easy when you start with a sauce already made and delicious.”
Serves: 12 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 cups ricotta cheese
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups)
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (45 ounces) Prego® Three Cheese Italian Sauce
12 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained
Directions
Stir the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and eggs in a medium bowl and set it aside.
In a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the beef until it's well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the sauce in the saucepan.
Spoon 1 cup meat mixture in each of two 2-quart shallow baking dishes. Top each with 2 lasagna noodles and about 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining 2 lasagna noodles, remaining meat mixture and the Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or it's until hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Tip: To freeze, prepare lasagna but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze. Bake frozen lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 1 hour 15 minutes or until hot. Or, refrigerate 24 hours to thaw. Bake thawed lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 50 minutes or until hot. Let stand for 10 minutes.
EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy to make with cheddar cheese and eggs along with milk and butter. There's no separate sauce to make for this version, making cleanup much easier than other versions made with a stovetop cheese sauce. Eggs and milk are whisked together and then combined with the cooked macaroni, butter, and shredded cheese. The eggs give the mixture a soft and creamy texture. Feel free to use a gluten-free macaroni in the recipe.
“It's a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Add crumbled bacon, diced cooked sausage, or diced ham, or change the cheese. Add some Velveeta to the cheddar cheese or use some Monterey Jack cheese. Pepper jack cheese can add some pleasant heat to the casserole And a buttery bread crumb topping makes for a nice crunchy finish.
“This easy macaroni and cheese bake takes about 30 minutes to bake, and it serves 4 to 6 people.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked; about 8 ounces)
4 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
salt to taste (kosher)
black pepper (to taste)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Optional: paprika, for the top
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan or 2-quart casserole.
Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk. Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Spoon the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole or baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Sprinkle with paprika, if using.
Bake the macaroni and cheese (uncovered) for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.
Tips and Variations
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Bacon – Crumble 4 to 6 strips of cooked bacon and add to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Ham – Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese With Chile Peppers – Add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers or add 1 small can of mild chopped green chile peppers.
Breadcrumb Topping – For a crunchy, browned topping, toss 1 cup of finely shredded fresh breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and then bake as directed. Buttered panko crumbs may be used for a crispier topping.
SLOPPY JOES
This is from Andrea Strong in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Some foods are memory triggers, meals that send you back to long-forgotten moments in your life. The sloppy Joe sandwich is one such time machine.
“This version is an adaptation of one developed by Chris Gesualdi, the chef at TriBakery in Manhattan. It's a tribute to the one his mother, Rose, used to make for him as a child, and it is perfect: a sweet and spicy hill of thick sautéed ground beef spilling out of a toasted homemade kaiser roll. He tops his with melted cheddar, and that can't be a bad thing. All in all, it is a terrific antidote to adulthood.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “An Ode to Sloppy Joe, a Delicious Mess”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup tomato paste
2 3/4 cups tomato puree
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon pureed canned chipotle in adobo
1 bay leaf
12 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns
12 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil, and saute onions until translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic, and saute for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, and saute until well browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add tomato paste, tomato puree, chili powder, Tabasco, chipotle and bay leaf. Stir until blended. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to spread on a sandwich, about 45 minutes.
To serve, heat a broiler. Slice the rolls open and place them under the broiler until lightly toasted, turning as necessary. Ladle about 1/2 cup onto the bottom of each roll, and top with cheddar cheese to taste. Return bottom halves to the broiler until cheese just melts. Top with the remaining halves, and serve immediately.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Desserts!
I want something snacky!
Who hasn't said that once in a while? Here are six desserts (snacky stuff) to help you get through that snack attack, including No-Bake Chocolate Mousse Bars and No Churn Ice Cream. Enjoy!
GRILLED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES
This comes from Delish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 pineapple slices
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Dulce de leche, for drizzling
2 tbsp. sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Directions
Heat grill to high. Grill pineapple until charred, 1 minute per side.
Top each pineapple slice with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with dulce de leche or caramel. Top with shredded coconut and serve immediately.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
LEMON MERINGUE TART
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “The celebrated pastry chef Dolester Miles learned to bake in a small town called Bessemer, outside Birmingham, Ala. She took the tastes of Southern desserts passed down from her mother and her aunt, and elevated them with fine-dining technique she has picked up in her more than 30 years at the Birmingham restaurants Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café. This lemon meringue tart, reminiscent of a Southern icebox cake but with a French feel, is a perfect example. She stirs in white chocolate to give the curd a luscious mouth feel, and finishes it with a drift of soft Swiss meringue toasted with a blowtorch. A few seconds under the broiler will work, too. She cautions cooks never to take their eyes off the tart during that final step. ‘It’ll get away from you fast,’ she said.”
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing.
This was featured in “An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tart:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cubed
2 egg yolks
For the Filling and Meringue:
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Zest from 2 lemons
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into large pieces
4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
Preparation
In the bowl of a food processor, place flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt, and quickly pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs, then add egg yolks and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then transfer it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, then trim it by rolling your rolling pin over the top of the tart pan edge. Pierce crust all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, place tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Remove tart from baking sheet and let pan cool slightly on a rack.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Separate the eggs, saving 3 of the whites to use in the meringue. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup/101 grams sugar, the lemon zest and juice and the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until quite warm. Stir in butter and continue to cook, whisking to prevent burning, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate until it melts into the mixture.
Pour lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl and use a spatula to press until just the solids remain. Discard the solids. Spoon mixture into the prepared tart shell and chill for 4 hours.
Make the meringue: Set up a double boiler and bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine the 3 egg whites with 3/4 cup/151 grams sugar in the top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
Pour the meringue mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes then increase speed to high and whip for about 4 to 6 minutes more or until the mixture is stiff. Spoon meringue over tart and spread with an offset spatula.
Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue lightly, holding the torch about 2 inches away from the tart. Alternatively, place tart under a preheated broiler with the oven rack placed 8 inches from the heat source. Broil 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully so the meringue turns golden brown and does not burn. Remove tart ring and serve immediately.
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BARS
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Ethereal and ready to melt in your mouth, chocolate mousse bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use a chocolate you would be perfectly happy to snack out of hand. The instant espresso powder is optional but adds depth to this simple dessert. To cut beautiful, neat slices, use a long sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean before each cut.”
Yield: 24 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus chilling
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
18 whole graham crackers (about 9 1/2 ounces)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Filling:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 cups cold heavy cream, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Preparation
Make the crust: Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a food processor, or in a resealable plastic bag, crush the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs (but stop before you have dust). You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Tip the crumbs into the prepared pan and press them down into an even layer on the bottom. Transfer to the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Make the filling: Set the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream, espresso powder and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream until you have stiff peaks. Add the chocolate mixture and gently fold to combine. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust, and spread it out into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, cut the two edges without parchment free with a sharp knife then use the parchment overhang to transfer the bar to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC ICE CREAM
This comes from Audra (otherwise known as The Baker Chick). I absolutely love her site; it’s one of the ones that I go back to time and again. If you haven’t signed up for her emails, I highly recommend doing so. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Yield: about 1 quart
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the strawberries:
3 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
2-1/2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
For the custard base:
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1-3/4 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup milk (any fat content besides skim will be fine, but I used whole.)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon vodka (optional but recommended)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the strawberries and 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until berries are cooked and soft, about 5 minutes, stir in 2 teaspoons of balsamic and pureé with an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Set aside.
In a larger saucepan combine the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, heavy cream, milk and salt. Cook on low heat, stirring with a whisk constantly until it starts to thicken.
Continue to stir with a spoon until the custard coats the back and a line remains when you run your finger down the spoon.
Stir in the strawberry pureé and the remaining 2 teaspoons of balsamic and the vodka if using. (It helps keep the ice cream from getting too frozen.)
Cool thoroughly (ideally overnight.)
Churn according to your ice cream maker's instructions and enjoy right away (soft serve consistency,) or freeze for a few hours to firm it up.
Notes: Recipe adapted from the cookbook: Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones.
NO CHURN ICE CREAM
This comes from GE Appliances’ email list. It begins, “No one will believe that this ultra-creamy ice cream is so easy to make. No fancy ice cream machine required.”
12 servings (6 cups total)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch fine sea salt
2 cups heavy cream, chilled
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt until thoroughly combined; set aside.
In a large metal bowl, whip the cream with a hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold about 1 cup of the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture with a rubber spatula until combined, then fold the lightened mixture into the whipped cream until well blended.
Pour into a chilled 9-by-5-by-3-inch metal loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid and scoopable, about 3-4 hours.
Chef’s Notes:
For best results, chill both the metal bowl and loaf pan before starting this recipe.
Try adding in additional ingredients after the ice cream has set for a few hours. Crushed up chocolate sandwich cookies, toasted nuts or chopped up candy bars are all great additions. Stir them in and place the ice cream back in the freezer until firm.
Who hasn't said that once in a while? Here are six desserts (snacky stuff) to help you get through that snack attack, including No-Bake Chocolate Mousse Bars and No Churn Ice Cream. Enjoy!
GRILLED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES
This comes from Delish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 pineapple slices
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Dulce de leche, for drizzling
2 tbsp. sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Directions
Heat grill to high. Grill pineapple until charred, 1 minute per side.
Top each pineapple slice with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with dulce de leche or caramel. Top with shredded coconut and serve immediately.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
LEMON MERINGUE TART
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “The celebrated pastry chef Dolester Miles learned to bake in a small town called Bessemer, outside Birmingham, Ala. She took the tastes of Southern desserts passed down from her mother and her aunt, and elevated them with fine-dining technique she has picked up in her more than 30 years at the Birmingham restaurants Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café. This lemon meringue tart, reminiscent of a Southern icebox cake but with a French feel, is a perfect example. She stirs in white chocolate to give the curd a luscious mouth feel, and finishes it with a drift of soft Swiss meringue toasted with a blowtorch. A few seconds under the broiler will work, too. She cautions cooks never to take their eyes off the tart during that final step. ‘It’ll get away from you fast,’ she said.”
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing.
This was featured in “An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tart:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cubed
2 egg yolks
For the Filling and Meringue:
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Zest from 2 lemons
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into large pieces
4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
Preparation
In the bowl of a food processor, place flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt, and quickly pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs, then add egg yolks and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then transfer it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, then trim it by rolling your rolling pin over the top of the tart pan edge. Pierce crust all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, place tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Remove tart from baking sheet and let pan cool slightly on a rack.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Separate the eggs, saving 3 of the whites to use in the meringue. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup/101 grams sugar, the lemon zest and juice and the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until quite warm. Stir in butter and continue to cook, whisking to prevent burning, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate until it melts into the mixture.
Pour lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl and use a spatula to press until just the solids remain. Discard the solids. Spoon mixture into the prepared tart shell and chill for 4 hours.
Make the meringue: Set up a double boiler and bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine the 3 egg whites with 3/4 cup/151 grams sugar in the top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
Pour the meringue mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes then increase speed to high and whip for about 4 to 6 minutes more or until the mixture is stiff. Spoon meringue over tart and spread with an offset spatula.
Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue lightly, holding the torch about 2 inches away from the tart. Alternatively, place tart under a preheated broiler with the oven rack placed 8 inches from the heat source. Broil 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully so the meringue turns golden brown and does not burn. Remove tart ring and serve immediately.
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BARS
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Ethereal and ready to melt in your mouth, chocolate mousse bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use a chocolate you would be perfectly happy to snack out of hand. The instant espresso powder is optional but adds depth to this simple dessert. To cut beautiful, neat slices, use a long sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean before each cut.”
Yield: 24 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus chilling
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
18 whole graham crackers (about 9 1/2 ounces)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Filling:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 cups cold heavy cream, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Preparation
Make the crust: Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a food processor, or in a resealable plastic bag, crush the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs (but stop before you have dust). You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Tip the crumbs into the prepared pan and press them down into an even layer on the bottom. Transfer to the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Make the filling: Set the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream, espresso powder and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream until you have stiff peaks. Add the chocolate mixture and gently fold to combine. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust, and spread it out into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, cut the two edges without parchment free with a sharp knife then use the parchment overhang to transfer the bar to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC ICE CREAM
This comes from Audra (otherwise known as The Baker Chick). I absolutely love her site; it’s one of the ones that I go back to time and again. If you haven’t signed up for her emails, I highly recommend doing so. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Yield: about 1 quart
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the strawberries:
3 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
2-1/2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
For the custard base:
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1-3/4 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup milk (any fat content besides skim will be fine, but I used whole.)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon vodka (optional but recommended)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the strawberries and 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until berries are cooked and soft, about 5 minutes, stir in 2 teaspoons of balsamic and pureé with an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Set aside.
In a larger saucepan combine the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, heavy cream, milk and salt. Cook on low heat, stirring with a whisk constantly until it starts to thicken.
Continue to stir with a spoon until the custard coats the back and a line remains when you run your finger down the spoon.
Stir in the strawberry pureé and the remaining 2 teaspoons of balsamic and the vodka if using. (It helps keep the ice cream from getting too frozen.)
Cool thoroughly (ideally overnight.)
Churn according to your ice cream maker's instructions and enjoy right away (soft serve consistency,) or freeze for a few hours to firm it up.
Notes: Recipe adapted from the cookbook: Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones.
NO CHURN ICE CREAM
This comes from GE Appliances’ email list. It begins, “No one will believe that this ultra-creamy ice cream is so easy to make. No fancy ice cream machine required.”
12 servings (6 cups total)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch fine sea salt
2 cups heavy cream, chilled
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt until thoroughly combined; set aside.
In a large metal bowl, whip the cream with a hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold about 1 cup of the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture with a rubber spatula until combined, then fold the lightened mixture into the whipped cream until well blended.
Pour into a chilled 9-by-5-by-3-inch metal loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid and scoopable, about 3-4 hours.
Chef’s Notes:
For best results, chill both the metal bowl and loaf pan before starting this recipe.
Try adding in additional ingredients after the ice cream has set for a few hours. Crushed up chocolate sandwich cookies, toasted nuts or chopped up candy bars are all great additions. Stir them in and place the ice cream back in the freezer until firm.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Double-Post Thursday
Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Campbell's® Southern-Style Barbecued Chicken and Grilled Pineapple Sundaes. Enjoy!
BUFFALO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This tasty recipe is from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “Rotisserie chicken is the time-saving secret to this mash-up of two crowd-pleasing foods. Stuff corn tortillas with a cheesy buffalo filling and bake until melted for an easy weeknight meal or game day snack that's ready in a half hour.”
Total Time: 30 minutes; Active Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups shredded Cheddar
1 cup hot sauce, plus more for serving, such as Frank's
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
16 corn tortillas
2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons blue cheese dressing
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Mix the chicken, cream cheese, 1 cup of the Cheddar, 1/3 cup of the hot sauce, white parts of the scallions and cumin in a large bowl until well combined. Stir together the butter, remaining 2/3 cup hot sauce and 3 tablespoons water in a medium bowl.
Microwave the tortillas in batches until warm, softened and foldable, about 30 seconds. Keep warm between damp paper towels.
Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla and roll up. Place them side by side, seam-side down, in the prepared pan. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar and the blue cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 15 to 17 minutes.
Drizzle the blue cheese dressing over the enchiladas and sprinkle with the scallion greens. Serve with more hot sauce.
CANDIED GINGER PUMPKIN PIE
This was posted on the Vegetarian Times site on November 4, 2007, and begins, “The secret ingredient in this lightly spiced pie is sweetened condensed milk, which gives the filling a silky-smooth texture.”
Makes 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 15-oz. can unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 14-oz. can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
4 large eggs
1 9-inch graham cracker piecrust
1/4 cup chopped candied ginger
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together pumpkin purée and sweetened condensed milk in large bowl. Whisk in eggs and pinch of salt. Pour filling into graham cracker crust and bake 30 minutes.
Sprinkle chopped ginger on top and bake 25 to 30 minutes more, or until knife inserted in side of filling (not center), comes out clean. Cool, and refrigerate 3 hours, or overnight.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 266; Carbohydrate Content: 47 g; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 2 g; Protein Content: 8 g; Saturated Fat Content: 2 g; Sodium Content: 141 mg; Sugar Content: 37 g
CAMPBELL’S® SOUTHERN-STYLE BARBECUED CHICKEN
This comes from Family Time, and begins, “Chicken on the grill is basted with a honey-and-mustard kissed tomato sauce.”
Serves: 8; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (26 oz.) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. onion powder
8 bone-in chicken breast halves (about 4 lbs.) skin removed
Directions
Stir the soup, honey, mustard and onion powder in a 1-quart saucepan.
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the chicken for 20 minutes, turning the chicken over once during grilling. Brush the chicken with the soup mixture and grill for 15 minutes or until cooked through, turning and brushing often with the soup mixture.
Heat the remaining soup mixture to a boil and serve with the chicken.
Recipe Tips
Serving Suggestion: Serve with grilled corn-on-the-cob and a green salad with tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. For dessert serve watermelon slices. This recipe can be halved to make 4 servings. Use a 10 3/4-ounce can Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup, and reduce the other ingredients by half.
GRILLED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES
This comes from Delish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 pineapple slices
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Dulce de leche, for drizzling
2 tbsp. sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Directions
Heat grill to high. Grill pineapple until charred, 1 minute per side.
Top each pineapple slice with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with dulce de leche or caramel. Top with shredded coconut and serve immediately.
ADAM RICHMAN'S SPAGHETTI PIE
This is from The TODAY Show, and begins, “Adam Richman shares a fun way to serve up spaghetti: Just turn it into pie!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked, 1/2 cup cooking water reserved
1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
1 pound ground turkey or sirloin beef
1 cup tomato paste, divided
3 large eggs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet, sauté the onions until soft. Add ground turkey or beef, and 3/4 cup of the tomato paste.
Add half the reserved pasta water and stir well. Season with salt, to taste. Consistency should be like a thick Bolognese sauce. Add more cooking water as needed.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, eggs, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of the tomato paste.
Grease a 9 or 10-inch pie pan with olive oil. Spread half the meat mixture over the bottom of the pan. Add the spaghetti mixture and press it down to level it. Top with the remaining meat mixture, then scatter the remaining mozzarella on top.
Bake the pie in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit about 10 minutes. Use a sharp knife or pizza slicer to cut into wedges like a pie. Serve with a green salad.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
BUFFALO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This tasty recipe is from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “Rotisserie chicken is the time-saving secret to this mash-up of two crowd-pleasing foods. Stuff corn tortillas with a cheesy buffalo filling and bake until melted for an easy weeknight meal or game day snack that's ready in a half hour.”
Total Time: 30 minutes; Active Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups shredded Cheddar
1 cup hot sauce, plus more for serving, such as Frank's
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
16 corn tortillas
2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons blue cheese dressing
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Mix the chicken, cream cheese, 1 cup of the Cheddar, 1/3 cup of the hot sauce, white parts of the scallions and cumin in a large bowl until well combined. Stir together the butter, remaining 2/3 cup hot sauce and 3 tablespoons water in a medium bowl.
Microwave the tortillas in batches until warm, softened and foldable, about 30 seconds. Keep warm between damp paper towels.
Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla and roll up. Place them side by side, seam-side down, in the prepared pan. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar and the blue cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 15 to 17 minutes.
Drizzle the blue cheese dressing over the enchiladas and sprinkle with the scallion greens. Serve with more hot sauce.
CANDIED GINGER PUMPKIN PIE
This was posted on the Vegetarian Times site on November 4, 2007, and begins, “The secret ingredient in this lightly spiced pie is sweetened condensed milk, which gives the filling a silky-smooth texture.”
Makes 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 15-oz. can unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 14-oz. can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
4 large eggs
1 9-inch graham cracker piecrust
1/4 cup chopped candied ginger
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together pumpkin purée and sweetened condensed milk in large bowl. Whisk in eggs and pinch of salt. Pour filling into graham cracker crust and bake 30 minutes.
Sprinkle chopped ginger on top and bake 25 to 30 minutes more, or until knife inserted in side of filling (not center), comes out clean. Cool, and refrigerate 3 hours, or overnight.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 266; Carbohydrate Content: 47 g; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 2 g; Protein Content: 8 g; Saturated Fat Content: 2 g; Sodium Content: 141 mg; Sugar Content: 37 g
CAMPBELL’S® SOUTHERN-STYLE BARBECUED CHICKEN
This comes from Family Time, and begins, “Chicken on the grill is basted with a honey-and-mustard kissed tomato sauce.”
Serves: 8; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (26 oz.) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. onion powder
8 bone-in chicken breast halves (about 4 lbs.) skin removed
Directions
Stir the soup, honey, mustard and onion powder in a 1-quart saucepan.
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the chicken for 20 minutes, turning the chicken over once during grilling. Brush the chicken with the soup mixture and grill for 15 minutes or until cooked through, turning and brushing often with the soup mixture.
Heat the remaining soup mixture to a boil and serve with the chicken.
Recipe Tips
Serving Suggestion: Serve with grilled corn-on-the-cob and a green salad with tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. For dessert serve watermelon slices. This recipe can be halved to make 4 servings. Use a 10 3/4-ounce can Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup, and reduce the other ingredients by half.
GRILLED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES
This comes from Delish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 pineapple slices
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Dulce de leche, for drizzling
2 tbsp. sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Directions
Heat grill to high. Grill pineapple until charred, 1 minute per side.
Top each pineapple slice with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with dulce de leche or caramel. Top with shredded coconut and serve immediately.
ADAM RICHMAN'S SPAGHETTI PIE
This is from The TODAY Show, and begins, “Adam Richman shares a fun way to serve up spaghetti: Just turn it into pie!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked, 1/2 cup cooking water reserved
1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
1 pound ground turkey or sirloin beef
1 cup tomato paste, divided
3 large eggs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet, sauté the onions until soft. Add ground turkey or beef, and 3/4 cup of the tomato paste.
Add half the reserved pasta water and stir well. Season with salt, to taste. Consistency should be like a thick Bolognese sauce. Add more cooking water as needed.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, eggs, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of the tomato paste.
Grease a 9 or 10-inch pie pan with olive oil. Spread half the meat mixture over the bottom of the pan. Add the spaghetti mixture and press it down to level it. Top with the remaining meat mixture, then scatter the remaining mozzarella on top.
Bake the pie in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit about 10 minutes. Use a sharp knife or pizza slicer to cut into wedges like a pie. Serve with a green salad.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Turkey Burgers and No-Bake Chocolate Mousse Bars. Enjoy!
CORNY GREEN ENCHILADAS
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 4; Preparation time: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
12 corn tortillas
1 can of fiesta corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 can of green enchilada sauce
2 cups of vegan cheese
2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
This is a layered casserole. You can vary the layers to your liking.
Mix the spices with your enchilada sauce and stir until well incorporated. Taste the enchilada sauce to see if it needs salt. Normally the canned sauce is seasoned very well.
Using a casserole dish, layer the ingredients, starting with 1/4 of sauce on the bottom. Layer sauce, tortillas (torn or whole), corn, beans and vegan cheese. Continue layering and end with a layer of tortillas and then sauce.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of vegan cheese over the top and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until it starts to bubble. Remove the foil the last 5-10 minutes to let the vegan cheese brown.
Serve with a salad, salsa and smoothie! Good eats!
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BARS
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Ethereal and ready to melt in your mouth, chocolate mousse bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use a chocolate you would be perfectly happy to snack out of hand. The instant espresso powder is optional but adds depth to this simple dessert. To cut beautiful, neat slices, use a long sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean before each cut.”
Yield: 24 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus chilling
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
18 whole graham crackers (about 9 1/2 ounces)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Filling:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 cups cold heavy cream, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Preparation
Make the crust: Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a food processor, or in a resealable plastic bag, crush the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs (but stop before you have dust). You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Tip the crumbs into the prepared pan and press them down into an even layer on the bottom. Transfer to the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Make the filling: Set the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream, espresso powder and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream until you have stiff peaks. Add the chocolate mixture and gently fold to combine. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust, and spread it out into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, cut the two edges without parchment free with a sharp knife then use the parchment overhang to transfer the bar to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
TURKEY BURGERS
This is from Bobby Flay, host of The Food Network show Grill It! with Bobby Flay. The recipe begins, “‘I always like to offer a turkey burger at my outdoor barbecue for friends who no longer eat red meat,’ says Bobby. ‘Luckily poultry is a perfect canvas for many big flavors, and this combination of tart goat cheese, sweet Meyer lemon-honey and peppery arugula makes for one outstanding burger.’”
Total:24 hr 30 minPrep: 20 min Inactive: 24 hr Cook: 10 min Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/turkey-burgers-recipe-1920942.
Ingredients
Meyer Lemon-Honey Mustard:
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 heaping tablespoon clover honey
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh Meyer lemon juice, from Meyer lemons, if possible
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds 90-percent lean, freshly ground turkey (not all white meat), chilled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices goat cheese, sliced 1/2-inch thick
4 sesame seed hamburger buns, split and lightly grilled
Watercress, for serving
Directions
For the Meyer lemon-honey mustard: Whisk together in a small bowl the mustard, honey, orange juice, lemon zest, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
For the burgers: Preheat the grill to high. Form the meat into four 6-ounce burgers. If you are not going to cook right away, keep the burgers cold in the refrigerator. Sprinkle the burgers on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. During the last minutes of cooking, add 2 slices of cheese to each burger, cover the grill and let the cheese soften slightly, about 1 minute. Put the burgers on the buns, drizzle with some of the Meyer lemon-honey mustard and top with a few sprigs of watercress. Serve with extra mustard on the side.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This comes from Rachael Ray, star of The Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.
Total: 30 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken breast, available in the packaged meats case
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 (14-oz) can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn kernels
Salt
8 (8 inch) spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack
2 scallions, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.
LEMONY ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “These meaty out-of-the-ordinary roasted wings are infused with lots of lemon, garlic and rosemary, then roasted on a bed of fingerling potatoes. Use a large roasting pan that's at least 3 inches deep, or a big earthenware gratin dish, or a couple of Pyrex lasagna pans side by side. The lemony chicken and potatoes are delicious hot and crisp, but just as good at cool room temperature.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 1 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “Lemony Chicken Wings, Soaring Above the Rest”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 pounds very small potatoes, such as fingerlings, whole, or use medium-size yellow-fleshed potatoes, cut in halves or wedges)
3 pounds chicken wings, preferably drumettes
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 small lemons, cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moon slices
6 large rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped
8 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 cup chopped green garlic shoots
1 cup dry white or rosé wine
Pinch of dried oregano (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse potatoes with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Spread chicken wings out on a baking sheet or cutting board in a single layer. Season both sides of wings generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes as desired.
Transfer seasoned wings to a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon slices, rosemary and garlic and toss well with (plastic-gloved) hands so everything is evenly coated.
Place potatoes on the bottom of a roasting pan. Arrange seasoned wings over potatoes in a single layer. Add wine and cover pan tightly with foil.
Bake, covered, for about 45 minutes, until potatoes are done. Remove foil and return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more, until wings are nicely browned. Using tongs, turn wings over and bake for another 20 minutes to brown the wings’ other side. Sprinkle with dried oregano, and serve hot or at room temperature.
CORNY GREEN ENCHILADAS
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 4; Preparation time: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
12 corn tortillas
1 can of fiesta corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 can of green enchilada sauce
2 cups of vegan cheese
2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
This is a layered casserole. You can vary the layers to your liking.
Mix the spices with your enchilada sauce and stir until well incorporated. Taste the enchilada sauce to see if it needs salt. Normally the canned sauce is seasoned very well.
Using a casserole dish, layer the ingredients, starting with 1/4 of sauce on the bottom. Layer sauce, tortillas (torn or whole), corn, beans and vegan cheese. Continue layering and end with a layer of tortillas and then sauce.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of vegan cheese over the top and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until it starts to bubble. Remove the foil the last 5-10 minutes to let the vegan cheese brown.
Serve with a salad, salsa and smoothie! Good eats!
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BARS
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Ethereal and ready to melt in your mouth, chocolate mousse bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use a chocolate you would be perfectly happy to snack out of hand. The instant espresso powder is optional but adds depth to this simple dessert. To cut beautiful, neat slices, use a long sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean before each cut.”
Yield: 24 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus chilling
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
18 whole graham crackers (about 9 1/2 ounces)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Filling:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 cups cold heavy cream, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Preparation
Make the crust: Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a food processor, or in a resealable plastic bag, crush the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs (but stop before you have dust). You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Tip the crumbs into the prepared pan and press them down into an even layer on the bottom. Transfer to the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Make the filling: Set the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream, espresso powder and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream until you have stiff peaks. Add the chocolate mixture and gently fold to combine. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust, and spread it out into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, cut the two edges without parchment free with a sharp knife then use the parchment overhang to transfer the bar to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
TURKEY BURGERS
This is from Bobby Flay, host of The Food Network show Grill It! with Bobby Flay. The recipe begins, “‘I always like to offer a turkey burger at my outdoor barbecue for friends who no longer eat red meat,’ says Bobby. ‘Luckily poultry is a perfect canvas for many big flavors, and this combination of tart goat cheese, sweet Meyer lemon-honey and peppery arugula makes for one outstanding burger.’”
Total:24 hr 30 minPrep: 20 min Inactive: 24 hr Cook: 10 min Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/turkey-burgers-recipe-1920942.
Ingredients
Meyer Lemon-Honey Mustard:
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 heaping tablespoon clover honey
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh Meyer lemon juice, from Meyer lemons, if possible
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds 90-percent lean, freshly ground turkey (not all white meat), chilled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices goat cheese, sliced 1/2-inch thick
4 sesame seed hamburger buns, split and lightly grilled
Watercress, for serving
Directions
For the Meyer lemon-honey mustard: Whisk together in a small bowl the mustard, honey, orange juice, lemon zest, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
For the burgers: Preheat the grill to high. Form the meat into four 6-ounce burgers. If you are not going to cook right away, keep the burgers cold in the refrigerator. Sprinkle the burgers on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. During the last minutes of cooking, add 2 slices of cheese to each burger, cover the grill and let the cheese soften slightly, about 1 minute. Put the burgers on the buns, drizzle with some of the Meyer lemon-honey mustard and top with a few sprigs of watercress. Serve with extra mustard on the side.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This comes from Rachael Ray, star of The Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.
Total: 30 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken breast, available in the packaged meats case
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 (14-oz) can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn kernels
Salt
8 (8 inch) spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack
2 scallions, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.
LEMONY ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “These meaty out-of-the-ordinary roasted wings are infused with lots of lemon, garlic and rosemary, then roasted on a bed of fingerling potatoes. Use a large roasting pan that's at least 3 inches deep, or a big earthenware gratin dish, or a couple of Pyrex lasagna pans side by side. The lemony chicken and potatoes are delicious hot and crisp, but just as good at cool room temperature.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 1 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “Lemony Chicken Wings, Soaring Above the Rest”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 pounds very small potatoes, such as fingerlings, whole, or use medium-size yellow-fleshed potatoes, cut in halves or wedges)
3 pounds chicken wings, preferably drumettes
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 small lemons, cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moon slices
6 large rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped
8 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 cup chopped green garlic shoots
1 cup dry white or rosé wine
Pinch of dried oregano (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse potatoes with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Spread chicken wings out on a baking sheet or cutting board in a single layer. Season both sides of wings generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes as desired.
Transfer seasoned wings to a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon slices, rosemary and garlic and toss well with (plastic-gloved) hands so everything is evenly coated.
Place potatoes on the bottom of a roasting pan. Arrange seasoned wings over potatoes in a single layer. Add wine and cover pan tightly with foil.
Bake, covered, for about 45 minutes, until potatoes are done. Remove foil and return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more, until wings are nicely browned. Using tongs, turn wings over and bake for another 20 minutes to brown the wings’ other side. Sprinkle with dried oregano, and serve hot or at room temperature.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Ice Cream!
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Remember that old rhyme? Even if you don't, chances are you love ice cream. It seems most of us do.
When I was a kid in New York (state, not city) and Connecticut, my sister, brother, and I were all excited whenever my dad would bring out the ice cream maker. While the big ice cream-making day was the 4th of July, Dad would make sure to make ice cream throughout the summer. Of course, he also included us kids, as the old fashioned hand cranked (non-electric) ice cream makers required having someone hand crank the thing for maybe half-an-hour. The rule was that if we wanted homemade ice cream, each one of us had to put in a few minutes (at least) at cranking the darn thing. But it was well worth it! (Here's a good article on using a hand crank ice cream maker.)
Of course, these days, you can buy either electric or non-electric (hand crank) ice cream makers. (The one I use looks similar to this one, though I'm not advocating buying it at any one particular store.)
Good Housekeeping has an article giving its best ice cream makers. Some of them look pretty fancy, but a simple one works well, in my estimation. The Spruce Eats also has their list of best ice cream makers for 2018. Check it out.
Okay, enough already. Here are six yummy ice cream recipes to get you started, including Dark Chocolate-Caramel Sorbet and Strawberry Sorbet. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12
2 cups 2% low-fat milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.
Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.
Enjoy!
DARK CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL SORBET
This comes from the July/August 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, pagae 51, and begins, "The caramelized sugar syrup that is the base for this decadent chocolate sorbet adds to its depth and richness. There are very few ingredients for the recipe, so the quality of the chocolate and cocoa really count." Makes 1 quart.
To view this online, click here.
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
7 oz. dark chocolate, finely chopped
Place sugar in large saucepan, and heat over medium-low heat. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until sugar has melted and caramelized to rich amber color, stirring occasionally.
Stir in lemon juice (mixture will boil violently for several minutes). Slowly add 2 1/2 cups boiling water, and stir until hardened caramel is dissolved. Stir in cocoa powder and salt, and bring mixture to just under a simmer. Remove from heat, and stir in chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then blend smooth with immersion blender. Transfer to covered container, and refrigerate overnight.
Pour sorbet base into ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 247; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 48 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 156 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 43 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
CREAMY NO CHURN RASPBERRY CRUMBLE ICE CREAM
This comes from the wonderful people at Feedfeed, and begins, “Sunshine in Vancouver got me like... let’s make homemade ice cream!!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Crisp
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp butter, cold
No Churn Ice Cream
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Raspberry Jam, about 2/3 cup
Directions
For the Brown Sugar Crisp: Preheat oven to 350˚F degrees and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add cold butter and work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pasty cutter until the butter is incorporated and you are left with a crumbly mixture. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and and allow to cool completely. Set aside until ready to use assemble ice cream.
For the No Churn Ice Cream: In a small bowl, whisk together condensed milk, vanilla and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment on high until smooth and creamy and there are no lumps. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the whipping cream in a steady stream. Once all the cream in incorporated, turn the mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form; about 3-4 minutes.
Add half of the whipped cream cheese mixture to the condensed milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add the condensed milk mixture to your bowl of whipped cream and use a spatula to fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk until smooth and no streaks of whipped cream remain.
Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9 or 10 inch cake pan (alternatively you could use a loaf pan). Set the pan and the remaining ice cream mixture in your freezer for 15 minutes to set slightly. Once set remove and begin assembling your ice cream.
Dollop about 1/3 of a cup of your raspberry jam over the ice cream in the pan. Use a spoon to spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 of your crumble mixture. Dollop the rest of your ice cream mixture on top and use a spoon to smooth. Dollop the remaining jam across the top of the ice cream and use a knife or the back of your spoon to create the pretty swirls. Sprinkle with remaining crisp mixture.
Cover with plastic wrap and set in the freezer for 5-6 hours before serving.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
ONE-INGREDIENT BANANA ICE CREAM
This comes from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This outrageously easy ‘ice cream’ is just the sort of dessert to please everyone at the table – the vegans, the lactose-intolerant, the paleo enthusiasts, the picky children. Just toss four frozen bananas into a blender and give it a good whirl. If you like soft-serve consistency, eat it right away (and adding a few tablespoons of milk to the blender wouldn't hurt, but it's not necessary). For more traditional scoops, freeze it in an airtight container, and dole out as you would the Ben & Jerry's. Consider adding a spoonful of peanut butter, Nutella or honey; a handful of chocolate chips or almonds; or a 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger, cardamom or cinnamon.”
Yield: Four servings; Time: 6 hours 10 minutes.
This was featured in “Food; Uncle Food” and can be viewed online here.
Check out Melissa Clark’s guide, “How to Make Ice Cream”. Very informative, very yummy…After looking through this, I wanted to spend the next weekend making batch after batch of ice cream.
Ingredients
4 ripe bananas
Preparation
Peel the bananas, cut them in 2- to 3-inch chunks and place them in a freezer bag in the freezer for at least 6 hours. Remove and blend in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately, or freeze in an airtight container for at least 2 hours. Scoop and serve.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
Remember that old rhyme? Even if you don't, chances are you love ice cream. It seems most of us do.
When I was a kid in New York (state, not city) and Connecticut, my sister, brother, and I were all excited whenever my dad would bring out the ice cream maker. While the big ice cream-making day was the 4th of July, Dad would make sure to make ice cream throughout the summer. Of course, he also included us kids, as the old fashioned hand cranked (non-electric) ice cream makers required having someone hand crank the thing for maybe half-an-hour. The rule was that if we wanted homemade ice cream, each one of us had to put in a few minutes (at least) at cranking the darn thing. But it was well worth it! (Here's a good article on using a hand crank ice cream maker.)
Of course, these days, you can buy either electric or non-electric (hand crank) ice cream makers. (The one I use looks similar to this one, though I'm not advocating buying it at any one particular store.)
Good Housekeeping has an article giving its best ice cream makers. Some of them look pretty fancy, but a simple one works well, in my estimation. The Spruce Eats also has their list of best ice cream makers for 2018. Check it out.
Okay, enough already. Here are six yummy ice cream recipes to get you started, including Dark Chocolate-Caramel Sorbet and Strawberry Sorbet. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12
2 cups 2% low-fat milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.
Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.
Enjoy!
DARK CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL SORBET
This comes from the July/August 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, pagae 51, and begins, "The caramelized sugar syrup that is the base for this decadent chocolate sorbet adds to its depth and richness. There are very few ingredients for the recipe, so the quality of the chocolate and cocoa really count." Makes 1 quart.
To view this online, click here.
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
7 oz. dark chocolate, finely chopped
Place sugar in large saucepan, and heat over medium-low heat. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until sugar has melted and caramelized to rich amber color, stirring occasionally.
Stir in lemon juice (mixture will boil violently for several minutes). Slowly add 2 1/2 cups boiling water, and stir until hardened caramel is dissolved. Stir in cocoa powder and salt, and bring mixture to just under a simmer. Remove from heat, and stir in chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then blend smooth with immersion blender. Transfer to covered container, and refrigerate overnight.
Pour sorbet base into ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 247; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 48 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 156 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 43 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
CREAMY NO CHURN RASPBERRY CRUMBLE ICE CREAM
This comes from the wonderful people at Feedfeed, and begins, “Sunshine in Vancouver got me like... let’s make homemade ice cream!!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Crisp
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp butter, cold
No Churn Ice Cream
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Raspberry Jam, about 2/3 cup
Directions
For the Brown Sugar Crisp: Preheat oven to 350˚F degrees and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add cold butter and work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pasty cutter until the butter is incorporated and you are left with a crumbly mixture. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and and allow to cool completely. Set aside until ready to use assemble ice cream.
For the No Churn Ice Cream: In a small bowl, whisk together condensed milk, vanilla and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment on high until smooth and creamy and there are no lumps. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the whipping cream in a steady stream. Once all the cream in incorporated, turn the mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form; about 3-4 minutes.
Add half of the whipped cream cheese mixture to the condensed milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add the condensed milk mixture to your bowl of whipped cream and use a spatula to fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk until smooth and no streaks of whipped cream remain.
Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9 or 10 inch cake pan (alternatively you could use a loaf pan). Set the pan and the remaining ice cream mixture in your freezer for 15 minutes to set slightly. Once set remove and begin assembling your ice cream.
Dollop about 1/3 of a cup of your raspberry jam over the ice cream in the pan. Use a spoon to spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 of your crumble mixture. Dollop the rest of your ice cream mixture on top and use a spoon to smooth. Dollop the remaining jam across the top of the ice cream and use a knife or the back of your spoon to create the pretty swirls. Sprinkle with remaining crisp mixture.
Cover with plastic wrap and set in the freezer for 5-6 hours before serving.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
ONE-INGREDIENT BANANA ICE CREAM
This comes from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This outrageously easy ‘ice cream’ is just the sort of dessert to please everyone at the table – the vegans, the lactose-intolerant, the paleo enthusiasts, the picky children. Just toss four frozen bananas into a blender and give it a good whirl. If you like soft-serve consistency, eat it right away (and adding a few tablespoons of milk to the blender wouldn't hurt, but it's not necessary). For more traditional scoops, freeze it in an airtight container, and dole out as you would the Ben & Jerry's. Consider adding a spoonful of peanut butter, Nutella or honey; a handful of chocolate chips or almonds; or a 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger, cardamom or cinnamon.”
Yield: Four servings; Time: 6 hours 10 minutes.
This was featured in “Food; Uncle Food” and can be viewed online here.
Check out Melissa Clark’s guide, “How to Make Ice Cream”. Very informative, very yummy…After looking through this, I wanted to spend the next weekend making batch after batch of ice cream.
Ingredients
4 ripe bananas
Preparation
Peel the bananas, cut them in 2- to 3-inch chunks and place them in a freezer bag in the freezer for at least 6 hours. Remove and blend in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately, or freeze in an airtight container for at least 2 hours. Scoop and serve.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Mississippi Roast and Ambrosia Salad. Enjoy!
CAULIFLOWER CORNBREAD MUFFINS
This recipe, from the Food Network Kitchen, begins, “Whipped egg whites make this gluten-free cornbread rise just like the real deal, and the consistency is right on, thanks to cauliflower rice. We spiced it up further with Cheddar and jalapenos.”
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Active Time: 40 minutes; Yiel: 12 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray, for the muffin tin
4 cups riced cauliflower (about 1 pound)
1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 large eggs, yolks and whites separated
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar (about 3 1/2 ounces)
2 jalapenos, 1 finely diced and 1 thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
Place the cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave until warm and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze tightly to release as much moisture as possible.
Wipe the bowl clean and add back the cauliflower. Add the cornmeal, butter, sugar, baking powder, egg yolks, 1 cup of the Cheddar, the diced jalapeno, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and stir until well combined.
Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Fold half of the whites into the cauliflower mixture until combined. Repeat with the remaining egg whites.
Pour a scant 1/2 cup batter into each muffin cup and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Place a few jalapeno slices on top of the batter in each cup. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean and the tops are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the muffins to a rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
FANCY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”
Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
2 large eggs, scrambled
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 cup dry white wine
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.
AMBROSIA SALAD
This comes from Delish, and begins, “There's a reason it's a classic.”
To view this online, click here.
Yields: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.
Ingredients
1 1/2 c. Cool Whip
1/2 c. sour cream
3 c. mini marshmallows
1 (15-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 c. chopped fresh pineapple
1 c. shredded coconut
3/4 c. halved maraschino cherries (stems removed), drained
3/4 c. toasted pecans
Directions
In a large bowl, fold together Cool Whip and sour cream. Add oranges, pineapple, cherries, coconut, pecans, and marshmallows and stir gently.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
MISSISSIPPI ROAST
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 to 12 pepperoncini
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Preparation
Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.
As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.
EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy to make with cheddar cheese and eggs along with milk and butter. There's no separate sauce to make for this version, making cleanup much easier than other versions made with a stovetop cheese sauce. Eggs and milk are whisked together and then combined with the cooked macaroni, butter, and shredded cheese. The eggs give the mixture a soft and creamy texture. Feel free to use a gluten-free macaroni in the recipe.
“It's a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Add crumbled bacon, diced cooked sausage, or diced ham, or change the cheese. Add some Velveeta to the cheddar cheese or use some Monterey Jack cheese. Pepper jack cheese can add some pleasant heat to the casserole And a buttery bread crumb topping makes for a nice crunchy finish.
“This easy macaroni and cheese bake takes about 30 minutes to bake, and it serves 4 to 6 people.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked; about 8 ounces)
4 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
salt to taste (kosher)
black pepper (to taste)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Optional: paprika, for the top
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan or 2-quart casserole.
Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk. Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Spoon the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole or baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Sprinkle with paprika, if using.
Bake the macaroni and cheese (uncovered) for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.
Tips and Variations
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Bacon – Crumble 4 to 6 strips of cooked bacon and add to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Ham – Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese With Chile Peppers – Add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers or add 1 small can of mild chopped green chile peppers.
Breadcrumb Topping – For a crunchy, browned topping, toss 1 cup of finely shredded fresh breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and then bake as directed. Buttered panko crumbs may be used for a crispier topping.
CAULIFLOWER CORNBREAD MUFFINS
This recipe, from the Food Network Kitchen, begins, “Whipped egg whites make this gluten-free cornbread rise just like the real deal, and the consistency is right on, thanks to cauliflower rice. We spiced it up further with Cheddar and jalapenos.”
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Active Time: 40 minutes; Yiel: 12 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray, for the muffin tin
4 cups riced cauliflower (about 1 pound)
1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 large eggs, yolks and whites separated
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar (about 3 1/2 ounces)
2 jalapenos, 1 finely diced and 1 thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
Place the cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave until warm and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze tightly to release as much moisture as possible.
Wipe the bowl clean and add back the cauliflower. Add the cornmeal, butter, sugar, baking powder, egg yolks, 1 cup of the Cheddar, the diced jalapeno, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and stir until well combined.
Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Fold half of the whites into the cauliflower mixture until combined. Repeat with the remaining egg whites.
Pour a scant 1/2 cup batter into each muffin cup and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Place a few jalapeno slices on top of the batter in each cup. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean and the tops are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the muffins to a rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature.
RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA
This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.
The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”
POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.
Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.
Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.
Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.
FANCY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”
Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
2 large eggs, scrambled
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 cup dry white wine
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.
AMBROSIA SALAD
This comes from Delish, and begins, “There's a reason it's a classic.”
To view this online, click here.
Yields: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.
Ingredients
1 1/2 c. Cool Whip
1/2 c. sour cream
3 c. mini marshmallows
1 (15-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 c. chopped fresh pineapple
1 c. shredded coconut
3/4 c. halved maraschino cherries (stems removed), drained
3/4 c. toasted pecans
Directions
In a large bowl, fold together Cool Whip and sour cream. Add oranges, pineapple, cherries, coconut, pecans, and marshmallows and stir gently.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
MISSISSIPPI ROAST
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 to 12 pepperoncini
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Preparation
Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.
As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.
EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy to make with cheddar cheese and eggs along with milk and butter. There's no separate sauce to make for this version, making cleanup much easier than other versions made with a stovetop cheese sauce. Eggs and milk are whisked together and then combined with the cooked macaroni, butter, and shredded cheese. The eggs give the mixture a soft and creamy texture. Feel free to use a gluten-free macaroni in the recipe.
“It's a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Add crumbled bacon, diced cooked sausage, or diced ham, or change the cheese. Add some Velveeta to the cheddar cheese or use some Monterey Jack cheese. Pepper jack cheese can add some pleasant heat to the casserole And a buttery bread crumb topping makes for a nice crunchy finish.
“This easy macaroni and cheese bake takes about 30 minutes to bake, and it serves 4 to 6 people.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked; about 8 ounces)
4 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
salt to taste (kosher)
black pepper (to taste)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Optional: paprika, for the top
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan or 2-quart casserole.
Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk. Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Spoon the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole or baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Sprinkle with paprika, if using.
Bake the macaroni and cheese (uncovered) for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.
Tips and Variations
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Bacon – Crumble 4 to 6 strips of cooked bacon and add to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Ham – Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and proceed with the recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese With Chile Peppers – Add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers or add 1 small can of mild chopped green chile peppers.
Breadcrumb Topping – For a crunchy, browned topping, toss 1 cup of finely shredded fresh breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and then bake as directed. Buttered panko crumbs may be used for a crispier topping.
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