Blueberry Lemon Biscotti

 

Blueberry Lemon Biscotti

The beauty of biscotti? They keep for weeks and weeks!

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 large lemon
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon anise seed
1 cup frozen wild blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar together until thick and lemon colored, about 3 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice and zest.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and anise seed. Add frozen blueberries and toss to coat. 

Fold dry ingredients into the egg and sugar mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. The dough will be stiff and slightly sticky.
Transfer dough to the parchment paper-lined baking tray. 

With wet hands, shape dough into a log about 12 inches long and 3½ inches wide. Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is beginning to brown and is firm to the touch. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes.

Line a second baking tray with parchment paper. Transfer loaf to a cutting board. With a bread knife, slice loaf into ½-inch slices. Arrange slices on the tray, cut side down. 

Bake for 8 minutes, turn slices over, and bake for a further 8 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool on a rack. When biscotti are thoroughly cool, transfer to a tin, cover and store in a cool, dark cupboard. They will keep for several weeks.

Serve biscotti on their own with coffee or tea, dip them into a cranberry bourbon toddy, or spoon bites of gelato or ice cream on top and crunch.   Makes about 24

Recipe featured in the story, Running on Empty, in the Fall 2024 issue of Edible Alaska.

Note:  A frozen blueberry will hold its shape when mixed in the dough. It will not break and color the dough.

Cassadetti

CassadettiGolden, crisp, and filled with creamy ricotta sweetness, these traditional fried Cassadetti pastries are a Sicilian-inspired delight. Made with tender pastry dough, lightly sweetened ricotta, and a touch of vanilla, they’re folded into half-moon shapes and fried to perfection before being dusted with icing sugar. Perfect for festive occasions or an indulgent treat, these pastries are deliciously simple yet irresistibly elegant.Ingredients:

For the Pastry

4 cups cake and pastry flour
¼ cup + 2 Tbsp vegetable shortening (or lard)
½ cup sugar
pinch of salt
1 cup cold water (approximate)
all-purpose flour (for rolling)
For the Filling

1 lb ricotta cheese
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Also Needed vegetable oil, for frying
icing sugar, for garnish
Directions:

In a large bowl, use your fingers to rub the shortening into the flour until the mixture is evenly blended. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, salt, and cold water. Make sure the sugar is dissolved before mixing with the flour. Make a well in the flour and pour in the water/sugar mix. Pull the flour into the water mixture until you can form a ball. Knead lightly until smooth, then cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.
To make the filling, simply blend the sugar and vanilla into the ricotta cheese. The consistency should be smooth, not chunky.
Divide the pastry into walnut-sized balls. Using all-purpose flour to prevent sticking, roll each ball into a thin circle. Wet the rim of one edge of the pastry with a little water. Place a spoonful of filling onto the pastry and fold it over to create a half-moon shape. Pinch the seam together in a fluted shape to seal.
Heat ¼-inch of vegetable oil in a frypan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry the cassadetti in batches until golden brown on each side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with sugar while hot.




In a large bowl, use your fingers to rub the shortening into the flour until the mixture is evenly blended. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, salt, and cold water. Make sure the sugar is dissolved before mixing with the flour.

Make a well in the flour and pour in the water/sugar mix. Pull the flour into the water mixture until you can form a ball. Knead lightly until smooth, then cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.
To make the filling, simply blend the sugar and vanilla into the ricotta cheese. The consistency should be smooth, not chunky.
Divide the pastry into walnut-sized balls. Using all-purpose flour to prevent sticking, roll each ball into a thin circle. Wet the rim of one edge of the pastry with a little water. Place a spoonful of filling onto the pastry and fold it over to create a half-moon shape. Pinch the seam together in a fluted shape to seal.
Heat ¼-inch of vegetable oil in a frypan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry the cassadetti in batches until golden brown on each side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with sugar while hot.

Sweet Corn Polenta With Sour Cream And Crushed Strawberries

This is not a traditional polenta recipe. In fact, it’s not polenta at all. You may now be wondering why I called this recipe Sweet Corn Polenta. Well, that’s because the starches in the corn act as a thickening agent, and cooking it results in a pudding that looks like polenta, but tasteslike the sweetest, butteriest, freshest summer corn you’ve ever had. The trick is a box grater. That’s right, you’re gonna grate the corn like it’s a block of cheese, all the way down to a nub. Be sure to extract as much corn milk as possible - that’s the good stuff (and the thickener).

This process does get a little messy. I have found that grating over a large rimmed baking sheet is the best answer to that. You can serve this dish hot, at room temperature, or even chilled. And if you need to feed more people, simply add an ear of corn per person and increase the butter a tad. Now, go forth and prepare to launch a new summer love affair - this time, corn is your muse.
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
6 ears fresh corn, shucked
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt
Crushed strawberries, for serving (recipe above)
Sour cream, for serving
Directions:
Grate each ear of corn on the large side of a box grater. Be sure to grate all the way down to the cob and extract as much of the corn milk as possible. Once finished, you should have about 3 cups of grated corn.  A suggestion: freezing the cob of corn before grating.

Add the grated corn to a pot, along with the butter, and season with salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium high heat (the butter will melt as it heats), stirring often. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to medium low, and continue to simmer for another 2 - 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency.

Season with more salt, to taste. To serve, spread the polenta in a shallow bowl, then top it with generous dollops of sour cream and ladle the strawberries on top (recipe below)
Crushed Strawberries  makes about 2 cups

If you happen to have leftovers, the strawberries can be spooned over yogurt, mixed into pancake batter, drizzled over ice cream, or used for any type of strawberry snacking your heart desires.
Ingredients:
1 pound strawberries, husked

⅓ cup sugar
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon sherry vinegar
Directions:
Combine the strawberries, sugar, salt and vinegar in a large bowl. Cover and macerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight, then mash with a potato masher.

Moroccan Sesame Cookies

Ghoriba Dial Janjlane 

(Moroccan Sesame Cookies)

Golden, nutty and irresistibly crumbly, ghoriba dial janjlane are Moroccan sesame cookies that are humble yet celebratory. Toasted sesame seeds give them a deep, earthy flavor, while their rustic texture makes them the perfect companion to a cup of mint tea.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups (310 mL) sesame seeds
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp (15 mL) orange blossom water

Finely grated zest of 1 medium-size lemon

Directions:
Arrange rack in middle of oven. Preheat to 350°F (177°C). Line two
baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a dry pan over medium heat, lightly toast sesame seeds, stirring
often, until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a
small, rimmed baking sheet. Stir occasionally, until completely
cooled.

Return pan to medium heat and add flour. Cook, stirring constantly
until lightly golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to another small,
rimmed baking sheet. Stir occasionally, until completely cooled.

When seeds are cooled, place 1 cup (250 mL) sesame seeds in a
food processor. Process until finely ground. Transfer to a mixing
bowl along with cooled flour. Add baking powder and salt. Stir until
combined.

In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar
on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce
speed to medium. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each
addition. Stop and scrape down bowl. Add orange blossom water and
lemon zest. Mix until combined. With motor running on low speed,
gradually add dry ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms—it
should be soft but not sticky.

Place remaining 1/4 cup (60 mL) sesame seeds on a small plate.

Roll 1-tbsp (15-mL) portions of dough into balls. Roll balls in
sesame seeds to coat evenly. Place on lined baking sheet and gently
press to flatten slightly. Repeat with remaining dough, leaving at
least 1/2 inch (1 cm) between cookies.

Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, on middle rack until edges are
lightly golden, 13 to 15 minutes. They will still be soft in centres,
but will firm up as they cool. Remove from oven and cool
for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for up
to 5 days. Makes 30 cookies

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie

This classic key lime pie recipe follows the traditional technique of not baking the filling. The acidity in the lime juice cooks the eggs as the fillings chill. Pasteurized egg yolks are best for this recipe, but if fresh eggs are used bake the pie at 325ºF (160ºC) for 30 minutes to set the eggs.

Ingredients:

Crust

3 cups (750 mL) chocolate cookie crumbs 

1 cup (250 mL) sweetened coconut 

½ tsp (2 mL) fine salt 

¾ cup (175 mL) unsalted butter

Filling

Two 300 mL tins condensed milk 

12 pasteurized egg yolks 

1½ cups (375 mL) fresh lime juice 

4½ tsp (22 mL) lime zest

Candied Lime Slices

2 limes 

1 cup (250 mL) sugar 

1 cup (250 mL) water 

Sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

Crust, preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

Combine chocolate cookie crumbs, coconut and salt. Stir in melted butter and blend to an even, crumbly texture. Press crust into an ungreased 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until coconut browns. Allow to cool.

Filling, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and pour into baked pie shell. Chill for at least 4 hours before slicing.

Candied Lime Slices; slice limes into thin rounds Blanch first in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water, bring up to a simmer and add lime slices. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until white pith of limes looks translucent. Drain and spread out on a cooling rack over a baking tray to dry for about an hour. Coat limes with sugar and store in an airtight container, layered between parchment or plastic until ready to use.

Top cake with candied lime slices and serve.  Serves 10 to 12

Coconut Cream Cake

 

Coconut Cream Cake

This is a recipe I have been waiting to create.   Easter will be a perfect occasion. 
Ingredients
Filling
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon table salt
4 large egg yolks
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
Cake Layers
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Shortening (for greasing pans)
1 cup heavy cream
Fluffy Coconut Frosting
Garnish 
Toasted coconut shavings

Directions:
Prepare Filling: Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Whisk egg yolks and next 2 ingredients in a glass bowl. Gradually whisk egg mixture into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 6 to 7 minutes or until mixture just starts to bubble. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 more minute; remove from heat.

Whisk flaked coconut and next 3 ingredients into sugar-egg mixture; transfer to a medium bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on warm filling to prevent film from forming. Let stand 30 minutes; chill 4 to 24 hours.

Meanwhile, prepare Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°. Beat 1 cup butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add 2 cups sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir together cake flour and next 2 ingredients in a bowl. Stir together milk and 1/2 cup coconut milk in a measuring cup. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 tsp. coconut extract. Spoon 

batter into 2 greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch cake pans.

Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).

Beat 1 cup heavy cream at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into chilled Filling.

Assemble cake: Split each layer in half horizontally with a serrated knife to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on a serving platter; spread with 1 1/3 cups Filling. Repeat with remaining Cake Layers  and Filling, ending with a Cake Layer, cut side down. Spread top and sides of cake with Fluffy Coconut Frosting.

Hot Cross-Buns Tangzhong

Hot Cross Buns

Classic hot cross buns—soft, lightly spiced, and studded with rum-soaked raisins for extra flavor.

Ingredients

For the Buns

4½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off, plus more as needed
1 cup warm water, divided
1 cup raisins
3 tablespoons rum (or water)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant or rapid-rise yeast (this is more than one packet)
1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
3 large eggs, divided (1 for brushing the buns)
1 large egg yolk

For the Icing

1 cup (4 oz) confectioners' sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons milk
Pinch salt

Directions:

Make the Tangzhong:  Take 3 tablespoons of measured flour out of the mixing bowl and combine it in a small saucepan with 1/2 cup of the warm water (from the 1 cup): whisk until smooth.  Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a smooth paste resembling pudding or thin mashed potatoes, about 2 minutes.  Scrape into a medium bowl and let cool until just warm.

Plump the raisins and rum in a small bowl.  Cover and microwave until steaming about 1 minute.  Let set until softened, about 15 minutes.  Drain the raisins and discard the liquid, and blot dry with a paper towel.

Mix the dry ingredients:  In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the sugar, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice,  and salt to the flour in the mixing bowl.  Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds to combine.

 To the bowl with the tangzhong paste, add remaining 1/2 cup warm water and melted butter and whisk to combine.  Add 2 of the eggs and the egg yolk and whisk until smooth.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and knead on medium-low speed until you have a soft elastic dough that clings to the bottom of the bowl, 8 or 9 minutes.  The dough will be sticky, which is normal--this is what gives the buns their light, tender texture.  Reduce the speed to low,  add the raisins, and mix until incorporated, about 2 minutes.  If the raisins and fully incorporated, finish mixing the dough by hand to distribute them evenly.  

At this point, the dough will still be quite sticky, but you should be able to handle it and shape into a ball.  If needed sprinkle in additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing briefly just until incorporated, (you may need up to 1/4 cup more flour, add only as much as needed to make the dough easy to handle.  Lightly flour your hands and gather the dough into a smooth ball.  Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft free spot until noticeably puffy and lighter in texture (it may not be double in bulk 2 to 3 hours.)

Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with non stick spray.  Turn the dough out onto a floured counter and divide into 12 equal pieces, (about 100gm each.  To shape, pull the edges of each piece into the center to form a little pouch to seal.  Flip seam-side down, then gently roll to create a smooth ball.  Tuck any exposed raisins underneath as best you can: if some peak through, that's perfectly fine.  Arrange the balls in the prepared pan, smooth side up, in 3 rows of 4.  Cover loosely and let rise until puffy and pressing against one another.  1 1/2 hours.

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350*F.

In a small bowl, beat the remaing egg and brush the buns with it,  Bake until golden brown and the centers register 190*F with an instant read thermometer, 24 to 26 minutes.

Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool until just warm, about 1 hour.Run a thin knife around the edges to loosen.  You can either lift the buns out of the pan and separate them, or leave them in the pan for a more rustic presentation.

For the Icing:  

Combine the confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and salt in a small bowl and whisk until smooth, adding more milk as needed.  The icing should be very thick, like a soft paste.

Transfer the icing to a zipper-lock sandwich bag and snip the corner, about 1/8 inch opening in one of the bottom corners and pipe lines across the buns to form crosses.  If the buns are still in the pan, pipe directly over the top; if removed, pipe over the individual buns.  Serve.

Gigelhupf or Gugelhupf Cake

 

                                  Gugelhupf  or Kugelhopf Cake                                                                                                                           Combining the delicious flavors of lemon, rum, raisins, almonds and butter in a wonderfully fragrant yeasted cake, look no further for a thoroughly traditional Gugelhupf recipe! Also known as Kugelhopf, this special cake has been known and loved for literally centuries throughout Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland.

Ingredients:

12 whole blanched almonds 

   (to blanch/remove the skins, place the almonds in boiling water, let

    sit for one minute, drain, and squeeze the almonds between your  

    fingers to slip the skins off)

1 cup heavy cream

2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup unsalted butter

1/3 cup lard or butter

5 large egg yolks

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

zest one lemon

3/4 cup raisins 

1 tablespoon rum

1/3 cup slivered almonds

12 whole almonds

Directions:
Butter a 8.5 inch Kugelhopf pan or a bundt pan  (8 to 9 cup capacity).
Place the raisins and rum in a small bowl, stir to combine, and let the raisins soak for at least an hour or overnight.
Place the lukewarm cream in a bowl or cup and stir in the yeast along with one tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until nice and frothy.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter, lard (if using) and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add lemon zest and vanilla and beat until combined. Add egg yolks and beat until combined.
Add half of the flour and yeast mixture and mix until combined. Add the remaining half of the flour and yeast mixture and the salt and mix until combined. Once the mixture comes together continue to knead with the paddle attachment for 10 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture is too dry, add some additional egg yolk. If it's too wet, add some additional flour. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and put in a warm place (like a warm oven) to rise for up to two hours or until doubled in size.

Roll out onto clean non-stick work surface. Press or roll out to for a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. 

Sprinkle evenly with the raisins and almonds. Roll it up from the widest side. Bring the ends together to form a circle, pressing the ends together, and place it into the Kugelhopf mold. Press gently down to ensure the dough is evenly spread in the pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and put in a warm place (like a warm oven) to rise for about another hour or until the dough has risen just barely above the mold. 

In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 F.

Bake the Gugelhupf until it is nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 30-40 minutes. Let the cake sit in the pan for 10 minutes and then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.

Serve immediately. Best eaten the same day.
To store leftovers, wrap well in plastic wrap (will keep up to 3 days) or freeze. (See blog post for ideas on how to use leftover Kugelhopf.)

Crisp Honey Toast With Whipped Cream & Rhubarb Compote

              Crisp Honey Toast With Whipped

               Cream & Rhubarb Compote

Inspired by Arôme Bakery in London, this version of crispy honey toast is the ultimate ending to a glorious brunch. Slices of brioche are coated in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and honey, then baked until they develop a yin-yang of crispy crust and pillowy centre. Vanilla whipped cream adds another dreamy texture, while rhubarb compote brings a tart counterpoint.

Ingredients:
Rhubarb Compote
2 cups (500 mL) chopped rhubarb
1/4 cup (60 mL) sugar
2 tbsp (30 mL) water
2 tsp (10 mL) lemon juice
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cardamom
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

Crispy Honey Toast
1/2 cup (125 mL) softened butter
1/4 cup (60 mL) brown sugar
3 tbsp (45 mL) honey
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
10-inch (25-cm) loaf brioche (or challah), unsliced

Vanilla Whipped Cream
3/4 cup (175 mL) whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Directions
For the rhubarb compote, place rhubarb, sugar, water, lemon juice and cardamom in a medium-size saucepan. Heat on medium and cook until rhubarb is softened, about 10 minutes. Add salt and set aside.

For the honey toast, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium-size bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, honey and salt with a spoon until creamed and smooth.

Cut brioche into six thick slices, each about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) thick. Trim and discard crusts.  Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Spread butter mixture evenly over both sides of bread, fully covering sides and edges too.

Bake until caramelized and light brown, 18 to 20 minutes, flipping at halfway point. Remove from oven and transfer toast to a cooling rack. Let cool to harden sugar, about 10 minutes.

For the whipped cream, combine whipping cream and vanilla bean paste in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk. Beat on medium-high until cream holds stiff peaks, about 3 minutes.

To serve, place toasts on plates and dollop generously with
whipped cream and compote. Serve immediately. Serves 6

Best Cornbread

 

Best Cornbread

Ingredients
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons honey
¾ cup milk (preferably whole but low-fat works too)
1¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
¾ cup yellow cornmeal
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8-inch (20-cm) square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, break up the eggs with a whisk. Whisk in the honey, and then the milk. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk mixture and the melted butter to the dry ingredients. Whisk until just blended. Do not overmix; it's okay if there are a few lumps. 

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is set and golden. Cool the cornbread for 10 to 15 minutes in the pan, then cut into squares and serve warm.

Freezer-Friendly Instructions:
Cornbread tastes best when served fresh out of the oven, but it can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for 3 to 4 hours on the countertop before serving. To reheat, wrap cornbread in aluminum foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot. Alternatively, heat squares in the microwave at 50 percent power for 30 to 45 seconds, or until just hot; do not overheat or they will get tough.

You can easily switch up this basic cornbread recipe with add-ins to match any meal. For a savory kick, stir in diced jalapeños, shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, or a handful of chopped fresh herbs like chives or thyme. If you want extra texture and sweetness, mix in fresh, cooked, or frozen corn kernels—no need to thaw if using frozen. For a smoky twist, try adding crisped oven-cooked bacon bits or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

Dandelion Greens Salad

Dandelion Greens Salad

Dandelion Greens are a Spring Tonic and March 19 is the day I traditionally dig up the greens.  Highly rated for containing iron as well as other nutrients, they do make a tasty dish.  Dandelions are best chosen in tall grass or deep leaves prior to developing buds.  Once the greens develop buds they are bitter.  If the area was spayed with herbicide, do not use the dandelions.  My recipe is identical to Rachael Burkholder's owner of the Amish Fabric Shop, Country Fabrics.  I add boiled potatoes to my dish. 

Ingredients:
4 cups dandelion greens, cleaned and picked over
2 hard boiled eggs
3 slices bacon, chopped and fried crisp
Dressing:
Remove bacon from the drippings to make dressing. Use the bacon grease.
Stir until we blended. 1 egg, 4 teaspoons vinegar, 1 cup water or milk. Add: 1 1/2 teaspoons flour, 1 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons sugar

Stir until well blended, cook until thickened. Cool slightly and pour over greens, egg and bacon and toss. It is delicious!

This is a recipe I learned early in my marriage in the 1960's. My version added boiled cubed potatoes.

Banana Biscoff Pudding

Banana Biscoff Pudding

Popularized by New York City’s Magnolia Bakery, banana pudding traditionally encompasses layers of vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, whipped cream and vanilla wafers. In our decadent spin, we’ve made a banana pudding enriched with brown butter, swapped out wafers for Biscoff cookies and subbed in sour cream for whipped cream. If you prepare the pudding element in advance, the rest comes together in a snap.  Serves 6 

Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas, divided
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted butter
2 cups (500 mL) whole milk
3 egg yolks
1 egg
1/4 cup (60 mL) cornstarch
1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
3/4 cup (175 mL) heavy cream
1/4 cup (60 mL) full-fat sour cream
3 tbsp (45 mL) icing sugar
18 Biscoff cookies

Directions:
Peel and slice 1 banana into 1/2-inch- (1-cm-) thick coins. Heat
butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. When melted,
add sliced banana. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon to
ensure nothing sticks, until caramelized and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Add milk and stir until hot—do not let boil. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk yolks, egg, cornstarch,
sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth. Slowly stream 1/2 cup (125 mL) hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while vigorously whisking. Repeat with another 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk mixture, then whisk egg mixture into pot with remaining milk mixture.

Return pot to medium heat. Whisk gently but constantly until
mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, 5 to 6 minutes. Pass
through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding any solids.

Place a piece of plastic wrap against surface of pudding. Cool 30
minutes then refrigerate until completely cool—about 3 hours, or up
to 3 days in advance.

When ready to serve, peel and slice remaining 2 bananas into 1/2-inch- (1-cm-) thick coins.

Place heavy cream, sour cream and icing sugar in bowl of a stand
mixer with whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high until stiff peaks
form, about 3 minutes.

Break cookies into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces, reserving any crumbs.

Place 2 tbsp (30 mL) pudding into six 8-oz parfait glasses, or other
glass of choice. Layer bananas, cookie pieces and cream mixture on
top, so you have two layers of each and saving six slices of banana to
garnish top along with cookie crumbs. Serve immediately or
refrigerate up to 1 hour in advance.    Serves 6

Chili-Cheese "Jacket"

  Chilli-Cheese "Jackett"

The combo of chipotle paste, black garlic, tomato purée and jalapeño brine gives this chilli delicious depth – it tastes like it’s been slow cooked for hours, even though it’s ready before the spuds are done.

Ingredients:

4 baking potatoes
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 pounds ground beef  (12% fat)
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 tbsp chipotle paste
2 tbsp Black Garlic Paste
3 tbsp tomato purée
1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped, 2 tbsp brine, plus extra jalapeños to serve
1 pinch/es sugar
15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
15 ounce can chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup vintage Cheddar, grated
4 tbsp sour cream
½ pack coriander, leaves picked

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425*F.  Wash the potatoes, dry well, then prick all over with a fork. Brush with 1 tbsp oil, place on a baking sheet, then sprinkle liberally with salt. Bake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes-1 hour 30 minutes, until crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.

Meanwhile (or about 35 minutes before the potatoes are ready), heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and fry over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Add the cumin seeds, stir well, then add the ground beef and salt. Turn the heat up to medium-high and cook, stirring to break up the mince as you go, for 6-7 minutes until the meat is starting to brown.

Add the chipotle and black garlic pastes, tomato purée, jalapeño brine and sugar, stirring well to coat. Add the black beans and chopped jalapeños, stirring well again, then add the chopped tomatoes and 200ml water. Cover and cook over a medium heat for 8 minutes. Finally, remove the lid and cook for 5-7 minutes uncovered, stirring well, until the sauce has thickened. Season if needed.

When the potatoes are ready, cut a cross in the middle, open carefully, then sprinkle liberally with grated cheese. Return to the oven for 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve topped with the hot chilli, a dollop of soured cream, a scattering of coriander leaves, more chopped jalapeños and some cracked black pepper.

Cook’s tip:  Make this veggie by replacing the beef mince with soya mince or a pouch of ready-cooked lentil

5out of 5 sta

Clementine Crumpet Baba ~. Vegetarian

                                             

Clementine Crumpet Baba

Ingredients:

4 easy peel clementines

300 grams demerara sugar (1 1/4 cup)

300ml water

1 tablespoon dark rum 

4 crumpets

200ml double cream. (7/8 cup)

Directions:

Scrub 1 clementine, then use a Y peeler to get strips for zest.  Juice 3 or 4 to get 100ml juice (3/8 cup  + 1 tablespoon.)  Set aside.

Tip the 300g sugar in a pan with 300ml water (1 1/4 cup) the pared zest and a pinch of salt.  Set o0ver medium heat and cook stirring often for about 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.  Bring to a simmer then remove from heat.  Set aside to cool,, then stir in the rum and clementine juice.  

Toast the crumpets and arrange in a high side dish.  Pour over the cooled syrup to cover, then set aside for 2 hours to soak, turning the crumpets over occasionally.

When ready to serve,, peel 2 clementines.  Using a serrated knife, slice  into thin slices.  

In a large bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks.  Divide the crumpets between 4 plates then top each with a spoonful of whipped cream and a few of the clementine slices.  .  Pour over a little of the sugar syrup.  

Any sugar syrup leftover in the dish is delicious in cocktails or as a cordial. 

Winter Vanilla & Sage Paloma

Winter Vanilla & Sage Paloma Mocktail

A refreshing grapefruit Paloma with a wintery twist! Elevate your mocktail game with a simple homemade syrup infused with sage and vanilla bean.  Very welcoming if you did a "Dry January".
Ingredients
Vanilla And Sage Simple Syrup
1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) water
4 sage leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 vanilla bean, split
Mocktail
2 oz grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 oz vanilla & sage simple syrup
1 pinch salt
2 oz grapefruit sparkling water
Sliced grapefruit to garnish
Sage sprig to garnish
Directions:
For the simple syrup, in a saucepan over medium heat stir together sugar, water, sage and vanilla bean. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before straining. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 week.

In a cocktail glass filled with ice add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and salt. Stir to combine. Finish with grapefruit soda. Garnish with sliced grapefruit and sage sprig.
Syrup makes 1 drink; 1/2 cup (125 mL) simple

Hot Fudge Rye Pudding.Cake

                               Hot Fudge Rye Pudding Cake                                                                                        For this magical cake, the sauce is poured over the batter before baking. In the oven, they switch places, creating moist chocolate cake floating in rich chocolate sauce. The maltiness of rye flour works well with chocolate, while the whisky brings its caramel sweetness.  Serves 8 to 10.

Ingredients:

Sauce
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) fine sea salt
1 cup (250 mL) water
1/2 cup (125 mL) heavy cream
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted butter, diced
1/3 cup (80 mL) rye whisky

Cake
1 1/4 cups (310 mL) medium rye flour (see TIP) 
1/2 cup (125 mL) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
1 tsp (5 mL) fine sea salt
1 cup (250 mL) 2% milk
1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 mL) rye whisky
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing pan
3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature                                         1 teaspoon (5ml) fine sea salt                                                         1 cup (250 mL) 2% milk                                                     1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract                                                   1/4 cup (60 mL) rye whisky                                                     1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing pan                                                                           3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar                                                         2 large eggs, at room temperature

Ice cream of choice to serve

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Butter a metal 8-inch (20-cm) square baking dish.

For the sauce, combine sugar, cocoa and salt together in a medium-size pot. Whisk in water then heavy cream until smooth. Add butter and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and whisk in whisky. Set aside.

For the cake, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium-size bowl until combined. Set aside. In another bowl, mix milk, vanilla and whisky. Set aside.

 In a stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes; stop and scrape down sides of bowl at least once. Reduce speed to low and add eggs one at a time. Gradually add half the flour mixture then slowly add half the milk mixture until just combined. Stop and scrape down bowl. Repeat with remaining flour and milk mixtures.

Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Place baking dish on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Carefully pour sauce over a large spoon over cake batter to help distribute it evenly.

Bake on middle rack until cake looks dry on top and bounces back to touch with sauce bubbling around edges, 35 to 40 minutes. Carefully remove from oven.

Cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Plate cake slice first then spoon sauce generously overtop. Serve with ice cream or Whisky Whipped Cream (recipe follows).  Serves 8 to 10