Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 large Tart-sweet red apple, such as a gala or Braeburn. cored, cut into 1/8" dice.
3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled, to yield about 3/4 cup
3/4 cup (2 large) ribs celery, finely chopped
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher Salt
5 Belgium endives, leaves separated; smaller leaves saved for another use
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsley chopped

• preparation

In a medium bowl, combine the apple, blue cheese, celery, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine. Season to taste with salt.
To assemble, mound a small spoonful of the apple mixture onto the core end of each endive leaf. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.

• preparation

In a medium bowl, combine the apple, blue cheese, celery, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine. Season to taste with salt.
To assemble, mound a small spoonful of the apple mixture onto the core end of each endive leaf. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.

Serves: 6

The shrimps tails hanging out of the crispy wonton wrappers make perfect hand hold which make them great finger food at parties!

• Ingredients

Oil for deep-frying
12 large shrimp, peeled with tails left on, deveined
1/4 cup Thai chili-garlic sauce
12 egg roll wrappers, cut in half into 2 triangles
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup pineapple, cut into a small dice
1/2 red pepper, cut into a small dice
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
2 green onions, washed, ends removed, chopped

• preparation

Pour the oil 2 inches deep in a large pot. Heat it to 350 degrees.

Make four slits width-wise across each shrimp belly to keep the
shrimp from curling as they cook. Place the shrimp in a bowl and toss
them with the chili-garlic sauce.
Shake any excess marinade off of the shrimp, wrap them in the egg roll wrappers leaving the tails out and seal the wrapper and seal the wrapper with a mixture of the water and the cornstarch. Set aside.

In a small skillet, combine the pineapple, red pepper, cilantro,
olive oil, lime juice and green onions. Warm over low heat.
Fry the shrimp in small batches in oil over medium-high heat until golden brown, crispy and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes and set aside on paper towels to drain.
Serve with the relish.

• preparation

Pour the oil 2 inches deep in a large pot. Heat it to 350 degrees.

Make four slits width-wise across each shrimp belly to keep the
shrimp from curling as they cook. Place the shrimp in a bowl and toss
them with the chili-garlic sauce.
Shake any excess marinade off of the shrimp, wrap them in the egg roll wrappers leaving the tails out and seal the wrapper and seal the wrapper with a mixture of the water and the cornstarch. Set aside.

In a small skillet, combine the pineapple, red pepper, cilantro,
olive oil, lime juice and green onions. Warm over low heat.
Fry the shrimp in small batches in oil over medium-high heat until golden brown, crispy and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes and set aside on paper towels to drain.
Serve with the relish.

Serves: 6

This is not guacamole, but a deliciously creamy combination of avocado and mint. Tortilla chips provide crunch with the dip, but chunky vegetables such as sweet pepper wedges or short fat celery sticks are also nice for scooping it up. Consider doubling this recipe if it is the only nibble served long before dinner or serve it at a drinks party.

• Ingredients

1/3 to 1/2 cup (75 to 125 mL) reduced-fat sour cream
2 tsp (10 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh mint
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
Dashes of hot sauce to taste
2 large ripe avocados
1 bag (230 to 300 g) tortilla chips or Pringles chips

• preparation

1. In a medium bowl, stir 1/3 cup (75 mL) sour cream with juice, garlic, mint, salt and hot sauce. (If making ahead, this mixture can be covered and refrigerated for up to a day.)

2. Cut avocados in 2; remove stones. Using a knife without a sharp point, score flesh into ¼-inch (5-mm) dice right down to leathery skin. Scoop flesh out into sour cream mixture. Mix, breaking up avocado dice as little as possible. Add more sour cream, tablespoonful by tablespoonful, as needed to achieve a thick yet creamy consistency.

3. This keeps well for up to half a day if plastic wrap is pressed directly onto dip surface and refrigerated. Pile mixture into a serving dish; garnish with sprigs of mint. Serve with tortilla chips.

• preparation

1. In a medium bowl, stir 1/3 cup (75 mL) sour cream with juice, garlic, mint, salt and hot sauce. (If making ahead, this mixture can be covered and refrigerated for up to a day.)

2. Cut avocados in 2; remove stones. Using a knife without a sharp point, score flesh into ¼-inch (5-mm) dice right down to leathery skin. Scoop flesh out into sour cream mixture. Mix, breaking up avocado dice as little as possible. Add more sour cream, tablespoonful by tablespoonful, as needed to achieve a thick yet creamy consistency.

3. This keeps well for up to half a day if plastic wrap is pressed directly onto dip surface and refrigerated. Pile mixture into a serving dish; garnish with sprigs of mint. Serve with tortilla chips.

Serves: 4

Will keep covered in the fridge for several days.

• Ingredients

1 medium eggplant*
Sea salt
Olive oil (for roasting)
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 large clove garlic (grated or finely minced)
2 Tbsp tahini
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, parsley or basil (optional // chopped)

• preparation

Preheat oven to high broil and position a rack at the top of the oven.
Slice your eggplant into 1/4 inch rounds and sprinkle with sea salt and place in a colander in the sink to drain any excess liquid. After 10 minutes, rinse slightly and then pat dry between two towels.
Arrange on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 5-10 minutes, turning once or twice, until the eggplant is softened and golden brown.

Remove from pan, stack and wrap the rounds in foil to lock in moisture – wait 5 minutes.
Peel away most of the skin of the eggplant and add flesh to a food processor. It should be soft and tender and the skin should come off easy.

Add lemon juice, garlic, tahini, a pinch of salt and mix until creamy. Add herbs last and pulse to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve with pita and/or pita chips or veggies.

• preparation

Preheat oven to high broil and position a rack at the top of the oven.
Slice your eggplant into 1/4 inch rounds and sprinkle with sea salt and place in a colander in the sink to drain any excess liquid. After 10 minutes, rinse slightly and then pat dry between two towels.
Arrange on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 5-10 minutes, turning once or twice, until the eggplant is softened and golden brown.

Remove from pan, stack and wrap the rounds in foil to lock in moisture – wait 5 minutes.
Peel away most of the skin of the eggplant and add flesh to a food processor. It should be soft and tender and the skin should come off easy.

Add lemon juice, garlic, tahini, a pinch of salt and mix until creamy. Add herbs last and pulse to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve with pita and/or pita chips or veggies.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

FOR SHRIMP:

1 lb. medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. sriracha
1 tbsp lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

2 c. panko bread crumbs
2 large eggs
1 c. all-purpose flour
Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish

FOR BANG BANG SAUCE:

4 tbsp. mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
4 tbsp. sweet chili sauce
2 tbsp. sriracha
Juice of 2 limes
2 tsp. honey
Kosher salt
oil for frying

• preparation

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the shrimp, garlic powder, sriracha, lemon juice, Kosher salt and Freshly ground black pepper.
2.
In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs.
Put flour in a third bowl. Using tongs, dip shrimp first in flour, then egg, then panko, and transfer to a tray.
Continue until all shrimp are coated.
3.
Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350F. Fry shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes until golden.
• MAKE BANG BANG SAUCE

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and honey and season with salt.

Serve the Bang Bang Sauce with shrimp and garnish with cilantro before serving.

• preparation

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the shrimp, garlic powder, sriracha, lemon juice, Kosher salt and Freshly ground black pepper.
2.
In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs.
Put flour in a third bowl. Using tongs, dip shrimp first in flour, then egg, then panko, and transfer to a tray.
Continue until all shrimp are coated.
3.
Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350F. Fry shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes until golden.
• MAKE BANG BANG SAUCE

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and honey and season with salt.

Serve the Bang Bang Sauce with shrimp and garnish with cilantro before serving.

Serves: 6

The use of store bought canned chickpeas speeds up the process with good results.
Hummus Recipe Variations• Spice it. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and/or coriander adds an extra layer of flavor.• Roasted red peppers. Blend in 1 roasted red pepper and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.• Mix in pesto. Add spoonfuls of pesto, to taste, to make an extra-lemony dip.• Green. Blend in 1/2 cup fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil, or 1 cup cooked spinach.

• Ingredients

1 1/4 cups dried chickpea
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup tahini (light roast)
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, crushed
6 tablespoons ice cold water or thick yogurt
Salt
Good quality olive oil, to serve (optional)

• preparation

The night before, put the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with cold water at least twice their volume. Leave to soak overnight or up to 2 days
The next day, drain the chickpeas. Place a medium saucepan over high heat and add the drained chickpeas and baking soda. Cook for about three minutes, stirring constantly. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cook, skimming off any foam and any skins that float to the surface. The chickpeas will need to cook for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the type and freshness, sometimes even longer. Once done, they should be very tender, breaking up easily when pressed between your thumb and finger, almost but not quite mushy.
Drain the chickpeas. You should have roughly 3 2/3 cups now. Place the chickpeas in a food processor and process until you get a stiff paste. Then, with the machine sill running, add the tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to taste.
Finally, slowly drizzle in the ice water and allow it to mix for about five minutes, until you get a very smooth and creamy paste.


Transfer the hummus to a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. If not using straightaway, refrigerate until needed. Make sure to take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.
This hummus will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

• preparation

The night before, put the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with cold water at least twice their volume. Leave to soak overnight or up to 2 days
The next day, drain the chickpeas. Place a medium saucepan over high heat and add the drained chickpeas and baking soda. Cook for about three minutes, stirring constantly. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cook, skimming off any foam and any skins that float to the surface. The chickpeas will need to cook for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the type and freshness, sometimes even longer. Once done, they should be very tender, breaking up easily when pressed between your thumb and finger, almost but not quite mushy.
Drain the chickpeas. You should have roughly 3 2/3 cups now. Place the chickpeas in a food processor and process until you get a stiff paste. Then, with the machine sill running, add the tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to taste.
Finally, slowly drizzle in the ice water and allow it to mix for about five minutes, until you get a very smooth and creamy paste.


Transfer the hummus to a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. If not using straightaway, refrigerate until needed. Make sure to take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.
This hummus will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Serves: 16

• Ingredients

36 wonton skins
2/3 cup thick and chunky salsa
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1-15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1-15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup sour cream

• preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Gently fit 1 wonton skin into each of 36 small muffin cups, 1 3/4-inch by 1-inch, pressing against bottom and side.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.
Mix remaining ingredients except sour cream.
Just before serving, spoon bean mixture into wonton cups.
Top each with 1/2 teaspoon sour cream.

• preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Gently fit 1 wonton skin into each of 36 small muffin cups, 1 3/4-inch by 1-inch, pressing against bottom and side.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.
Mix remaining ingredients except sour cream.
Just before serving, spoon bean mixture into wonton cups.
Top each with 1/2 teaspoon sour cream.

Serves: 14

Blinis are small light pancakes and can be prepared days ahead, and frozen. They are served as appetizers or hors d'oeuvre and topped with smoked salmon, salmon rillettes, salmon mousse, salmon tartar, salmon pâté. See each recipe for more details.

• Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup milk, warmed
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup buckwheat flour
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

• preparation

Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Place the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the milk and yeast mixture, the egg yolks and salt. Mix well together. Cover the bowl and leave to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume.
Stir in the remaining milk. Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff. Fold in the batter mixture.
Heat a large non stick frying pan over medium heat. Using a teaspoon, spoon enough batter in pan to form small 2-inch round pancakes. Brown on one side, and turn once to cook the other side.
Transfer to a tray. Cover with foil.

• preparation

Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Place the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the milk and yeast mixture, the egg yolks and salt. Mix well together. Cover the bowl and leave to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume.
Stir in the remaining milk. Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff. Fold in the batter mixture.
Heat a large non stick frying pan over medium heat. Using a teaspoon, spoon enough batter in pan to form small 2-inch round pancakes. Brown on one side, and turn once to cook the other side.
Transfer to a tray. Cover with foil.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 puff pastry sheet, store-bought
1 egg, whisked
A handful of finely chopped parsley
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
A heaping tablespoon crème fraiche or sour cream, or cream cheese
A dozen artichoke hearts, jarred ones
1 to 2 tablespoons capers
1 Serrano pepper, thinly sliced
Lemon zest
Basil or cilantro
Salt and pepper
Shaved Parmesan

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven at 400°F or 205°C.
2. Roll the pastry sheet to 0.5 cm or 1/4 inches. Trim the pastry into a 12 x 9 inch rectangle (or 30 x 23 cm). Sketch a border around the pastry using your knife. You can layer the excess dough over the borders and create a rim for the dough.
3. Brush the edges of the pastry with egg. Combine the mozzarella, ricotta, parsley, crème fraiche, remaining egg (from brushing the pastry), salt and pepper in a bowl.
4. Spread the cheese filling all over the pastry. Arrange the artichoke hearts, Serrano peppers, and capers on top, and bake for 25-30 minutes. You can broil the tart for 2 mins at the end.
5. Finish off the tart with shaved Parmesan, cilantro, and lemon zest on top.

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven at 400°F or 205°C.
2. Roll the pastry sheet to 0.5 cm or 1/4 inches. Trim the pastry into a 12 x 9 inch rectangle (or 30 x 23 cm). Sketch a border around the pastry using your knife. You can layer the excess dough over the borders and create a rim for the dough.
3. Brush the edges of the pastry with egg. Combine the mozzarella, ricotta, parsley, crème fraiche, remaining egg (from brushing the pastry), salt and pepper in a bowl.
4. Spread the cheese filling all over the pastry. Arrange the artichoke hearts, Serrano peppers, and capers on top, and bake for 25-30 minutes. You can broil the tart for 2 mins at the end.
5. Finish off the tart with shaved Parmesan, cilantro, and lemon zest on top.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon Aromat seasoning
1 cup flour

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Process cheese with the flour. Add butter and spices and process until dough forms a ball. Scrape the side of bowl, and process for a few more seconds to blend.
Roll the dough into 2-inch thick cylinder. Wrap in wax paper. Chill. Slice into 1/4 -inch slices. Place on sheet pan lined with wax paper.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until wafers are crisp. Cool on rack.

Note: I also roll cylinder in ground almond.

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Process cheese with the flour. Add butter and spices and process until dough forms a ball. Scrape the side of bowl, and process for a few more seconds to blend.
Roll the dough into 2-inch thick cylinder. Wrap in wax paper. Chill. Slice into 1/4 -inch slices. Place on sheet pan lined with wax paper.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until wafers are crisp. Cool on rack.

Note: I also roll cylinder in ground almond.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and pepper
1/3 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup shredded coconut
oil for frying
Sweet Chili Sauce (See recipe)

• preparation

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, dredge them in flour, dip them in egg and coat them with a mixture of the breadcrumbs and shredded coconut.
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, before setting aside on paper towels to drain.

• preparation

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, dredge them in flour, dip them in egg and coat them with a mixture of the breadcrumbs and shredded coconut.
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, before setting aside on paper towels to drain.

Serves: 8

Coconut shrimp is a standard appetizer at pubs but not everyone likes
seafood or can afford shrimp. Tofu’s firm texture is perfect for
the crispy, nutty coating, and it’s even better dunked into our spicy
three-ingredient plum sauce. It’s
easy, affordable and vegetarian!

• Ingredients

1 pkg (350 g) extra-firm tofu, drained
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch
1 tsp (5 mL) water
1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened
medium-shred coconut, or more as needed
Canola oil for frying
Salt to taste
1 tsp (5 mL) water until smooth.
Place coconut in a separate shallow bowl.

1/2 cup (125 mL) plum sauce
1 tsp (5 mL) sriracha sauce
1 tsp (5 mL) mayonnaise

• preparation

1. Cut tofu lengthwise into four even slabs. Cut each slab in half lengthwise and again crosswise.
You will have 16 tofu fingers.Place on a baking sheet linedwith a clean kitchen towel or
paper towel. Drain for 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
2. In a small shallow baking dish, use a fork to stir together
egg, flour, cornstarch and 1 tsp (5 mL) water until smooth.
Place coconut in a separate shallow bowl.

3. Working two at a time, gently coat tofu with egg mixture, letexcess drip off and gently dredge
in coconut. Place on baking sheet.
4. In a large frying pan or skillet, add enough oil to come up sides by 1/2 inch (1 cm). Place over medium heat. Working in two batches, carefully place tofu fingers in hot oil. Cook until golden brown, about 30 seconds per side. (Coconut burns easily,
so watch carefully.) Transfer to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Season with salt.


5. Whisk together plum sauce, sriracha and mayo in a small bowl and serve with tofu fingers.

• preparation

1. Cut tofu lengthwise into four even slabs. Cut each slab in half lengthwise and again crosswise.
You will have 16 tofu fingers.Place on a baking sheet linedwith a clean kitchen towel or
paper towel. Drain for 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
2. In a small shallow baking dish, use a fork to stir together
egg, flour, cornstarch and 1 tsp (5 mL) water until smooth.
Place coconut in a separate shallow bowl.

3. Working two at a time, gently coat tofu with egg mixture, letexcess drip off and gently dredge
in coconut. Place on baking sheet.
4. In a large frying pan or skillet, add enough oil to come up sides by 1/2 inch (1 cm). Place over medium heat. Working in two batches, carefully place tofu fingers in hot oil. Cook until golden brown, about 30 seconds per side. (Coconut burns easily,
so watch carefully.) Transfer to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Season with salt.


5. Whisk together plum sauce, sriracha and mayo in a small bowl and serve with tofu fingers.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

2 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 cup chopped drained oil packed sun dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup oil reserved
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 large eggs

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Butter two 9 1/2-inch diameter deep dish pie dishes. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, sage, pepper, salt, baking powder and baking soda in large bowl and whisk to blend.
Combine buttermilk, sun dried tomatoes, reserved oil, butter, eggs and whisk to blend. Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients.
Divide corn bread batter between prepared dishes. Bake corn breads until tops begin to brown and tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly.
Cut corn breads into wedges; serve warm.
Note: Corn breads can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cool completely.
Cover with aluminum foil. Reheat covered in 350 degree oven about 10 minutes.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Butter two 9 1/2-inch diameter deep dish pie dishes. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, sage, pepper, salt, baking powder and baking soda in large bowl and whisk to blend.
Combine buttermilk, sun dried tomatoes, reserved oil, butter, eggs and whisk to blend. Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients.
Divide corn bread batter between prepared dishes. Bake corn breads until tops begin to brown and tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly.
Cut corn breads into wedges; serve warm.
Note: Corn breads can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cool completely.
Cover with aluminum foil. Reheat covered in 350 degree oven about 10 minutes.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 head kale, washed and thoroughly dried
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt, for sprinkling

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Lay on a baking sheet.
Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 30 minutes.
Toss with the olive oil and salt.
Serve as finger food.

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Lay on a baking sheet.
Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 30 minutes.
Toss with the olive oil and salt.
Serve as finger food.

Serves: 4

kataifi is a Middle Eastern pastry that resembles shredded phyllo.
In this recipe, it adds a crisp touch to the salmon nuggets. You may also use shrimp instead of salmon.

• Ingredients

1/4 pound kataifi dough, snipped into 4-inch lengths
1/3 cup basil leaves, finely shredded
1/3 cup chives, cut in 1-inch lengths
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
All-purpose flour, for dredging
16 small bite-size cubes of salmon
Freshly ground pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
Dipping sauce

• preparation

In a large, shallow dish, separate the kataifi dough into individual threads using your fingers. Add the basil and chives and toss to distribute throughout the pastry.
In a shallow bowl, beat the egg with the water. Spread the flour in another shallow bowl. Season the salmon cubes with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the flour and shake off the excess, then dip them in the beaten egg and roll in the kataifi; press to help it adhere.
Set a rack over a baking sheet. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°. Fry 4 or 5 salmon pieces at a time until the kataifi is golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes minutes. Drain the salmon nuggets on the rack. Season with salt. Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.

• preparation

In a large, shallow dish, separate the kataifi dough into individual threads using your fingers. Add the basil and chives and toss to distribute throughout the pastry.
In a shallow bowl, beat the egg with the water. Spread the flour in another shallow bowl. Season the salmon cubes with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the flour and shake off the excess, then dip them in the beaten egg and roll in the kataifi; press to help it adhere.
Set a rack over a baking sheet. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°. Fry 4 or 5 salmon pieces at a time until the kataifi is golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes minutes. Drain the salmon nuggets on the rack. Season with salt. Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

GUACAMOLE:

2 ripe avocados
juice of one lemon
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 tomato, seeded and diced
salt to taste
hot pepper sauce to taste

Peel avocados, cut in halves, remove stones, and mash the avocados.
Add remaining ingredients, and mix.

BLUE CHEESE DIP:

1/2 pint sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup blue cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Serve chilled.

SALSA:

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large clove garlic, peeled and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 large tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
juice of one lemon or lime
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro or parsley for garnish.

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.

• preparation

GUACAMOLE:

Peel avocados, cut in halves, remove stones, and mash the avocados.
Add remaining ingredients, and mix.

BLUE CHEESE DIP:

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Serve chilled.

SALSA:

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.

• preparation

GUACAMOLE:

Peel avocados, cut in halves, remove stones, and mash the avocados.
Add remaining ingredients, and mix.

BLUE CHEESE DIP:

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Serve chilled.

SALSA:

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.

Serves: 10

This fresh green, creamy dip, excerpted from the cookbook The Food You Crave , has all the classic hummus flavors of garlic, cumin, and lemon. with a big citrus punch. Its smooth texture make it the perfect companion to the bold spicy shards of pita.

Hummus can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Ingredients

2 cups frozen shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions
1 cup silken tofu, drained
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
Pinch of white pepper, plus more to taste
1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin, plus more for garnish
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
See Recipe for Spiced pita chips

• preparation

Set 1 tablespoon of the edamame aside for a garnish.
Place the rest, along with the tofu, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, oil and lemon juice, in a food processor and process until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if desired.

Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved edamame and a sprinkle of cumin. Serve with the spiced pita chips
.

• preparation

Set 1 tablespoon of the edamame aside for a garnish.
Place the rest, along with the tofu, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, oil and lemon juice, in a food processor and process until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if desired.

Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved edamame and a sprinkle of cumin. Serve with the spiced pita chips
.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 medium eggplants
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 medium sliced onion
5 medium garlic cloves, sliced
1 teaspoon olive oil
to taste salt and pepper
Tabasco jalapeño
Aromat seasoning
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 envelop unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water

tomato coulis or roasted red pepper coulis .

• preparation

Peel eggplants. Cut into halves lengthwise. Slice across and sprinkle with lemon juice.
In a microwavable dish, combine eggplants, onion, garlic and olive oil.
Microwave on high for 6 to 8 min. or until eggplants are tender. Season with salt and pepper, Tabasco jalapeño and Aromat seasoning. Mix in the basil.
Dissolve gelatin in water. Let set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and stir into the warm eggplant mixture.
Spoon mixture in small ramekin dishes or molds. Refrigerate until set.
Unmold on cold plate. Serve with cold tomato coulis or red red pepper coulis

• preparation

Peel eggplants. Cut into halves lengthwise. Slice across and sprinkle with lemon juice.
In a microwavable dish, combine eggplants, onion, garlic and olive oil.
Microwave on high for 6 to 8 min. or until eggplants are tender. Season with salt and pepper, Tabasco jalapeño and Aromat seasoning. Mix in the basil.
Dissolve gelatin in water. Let set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and stir into the warm eggplant mixture.
Spoon mixture in small ramekin dishes or molds. Refrigerate until set.
Unmold on cold plate. Serve with cold tomato coulis or red red pepper coulis

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 large eggplant
1 cup walnut pieces
2 teaspoons fresh gingerroot, peeled, grated, and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
salt and hot pepper sauce to taste

• preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Pierce the eggplant with a fork in several places and bake until very soft, about 45 minutes.
While the eggplant is baking, grind the walnuts in a food processor until very fine, and set aside.
Remove the eggplant from oven, slash to let steam escape, drain off any liquid, and scrape the pulp into a food processor with the gingerroot, garlic, and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add the ground walnuts and allspice, and process until smooth.
Season to taste with the salt, and hot pepper sauce. Spoon into a small loaf dish and chill several hours or until firm.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Pierce the eggplant with a fork in several places and bake until very soft, about 45 minutes.
While the eggplant is baking, grind the walnuts in a food processor until very fine, and set aside.
Remove the eggplant from oven, slash to let steam escape, drain off any liquid, and scrape the pulp into a food processor with the gingerroot, garlic, and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add the ground walnuts and allspice, and process until smooth.
Season to taste with the salt, and hot pepper sauce. Spoon into a small loaf dish and chill several hours or until firm.

Serves: 1

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) dry gin or vodka
2 tablespoons fresh Ruby Red grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) Campari
4 to 6 tablespoons (2 to 3 ounces) chilled dry sparkling rosé or Prosecco
Splash of club soda (optional)
Rosemary or thyme
sprig
Thin Ruby Red grapefruit slice

• preparation

Fill a large wine glass halfway with ice. Add gin or vodka, grapefruit juice, and Campari. Top with sparkling wine and, if desired, club soda, and stir gently. Add rosemary or thyme to cocktail with grapefruit slice.

• preparation

Fill a large wine glass halfway with ice. Add gin or vodka, grapefruit juice, and Campari. Top with sparkling wine and, if desired, club soda, and stir gently. Add rosemary or thyme to cocktail with grapefruit slice.

This coarse textured salsa is more of a relish or Pico de Gallo. The ingredients can be finely diced or use a medium for chunky salsa. Serve with traditional tortilla chips or use as a side dish with grilled meat, squash cakes (see Summer Squash) or anywhere you want a bright, tart, savory accompaniment.

• Ingredients

2 large ripe, red slicing tomatoes, cored and chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
1 green onion, top included, chopped
1 to 3 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, minced
Juice of lime
1/2 teaspoon salt

• preparation

Using a serrated knife, chop tomatoes. If using plum tomatoes, add 2 tablespoons water. In a medium bowl, toss together the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro.
Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and sprinkle on the salt. Allow to rest 30 minutes before serving to allow salt to draw juice from the tomatoes. Stir again just before serving.

• preparation

Using a serrated knife, chop tomatoes. If using plum tomatoes, add 2 tablespoons water. In a medium bowl, toss together the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro.
Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and sprinkle on the salt. Allow to rest 30 minutes before serving to allow salt to draw juice from the tomatoes. Stir again just before serving.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 cups shucked oysters
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon chopped chives
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
6 lemon wedges

• preparation

Pat the oysters dry. Beat the eggs and milk. Combine the bread crumbs, tarragon, chives and parsley. Dip the oysters in the beaten egg mixture.
Coat with bread crumbs and deep fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Drain and serve hot with lemon wedges.

• preparation

Pat the oysters dry. Beat the eggs and milk. Combine the bread crumbs, tarragon, chives and parsley. Dip the oysters in the beaten egg mixture.
Coat with bread crumbs and deep fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Drain and serve hot with lemon wedges.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

FILLING
1/3 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into pea-size pieces (4-1/2 ounces total)
1/4 pound ground pork, fattier kind preferred, coarsely chopped to loosen
1 scallion (white and green parts), finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pinch of black or white pepper

48 small square wonton skins
Canola or peanut oil, for deep-frying
Sweet and Sour Sauce

• preparation

1. To make the filling, combine the shrimp, pork, scallion, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl and use chopsticks or a fork to mix well. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes before using, or refrigerate for up to a day in advance. You should have about 1 cup.
2. Before assembling the wontons, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust with cornstarch. Fill each wonton skin with about 1 teaspoon of the filling, creating triangles or nurse's caps (see below). As you work, put the finished wontons on the prepared baking sheet. When all are made, loosely cover with a kitchen towel to prevent drying. The wontons also can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for several hours; let them sit at room temperature to remove the chill before frying.
3. Put a wire rack on a baking sheet and place next to the stove. Pour oil to a depth of 1-1/2 inches into a wok, deep skillet, or 5-quart Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat to about 325°F on a deep-fry thermometer.
4. Working in batches of 4 to 6, slide the wontons into the hot oil and fry for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown. Use a skimmer to transfer to the rack to drain.
5. Arrange the wontons on a platter and serve hot as finger food along with Sweet and Sour Sauce for dipping.

To shape triangles: 1) Fill the skin and wet the edges with a chopstick. 2) Fold the skin into a triangle an press firmly with your fingers to seal.

To shape nurse's caps: 1) Bring the lower edge of the filled skin up to meet the upper edge, forming a rectangle. 2) Bring together the two corners of the folded edge, overlapping slightly, and press to seal.

• preparation

1. To make the filling, combine the shrimp, pork, scallion, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl and use chopsticks or a fork to mix well. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes before using, or refrigerate for up to a day in advance. You should have about 1 cup.
2. Before assembling the wontons, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust with cornstarch. Fill each wonton skin with about 1 teaspoon of the filling, creating triangles or nurse's caps (see below). As you work, put the finished wontons on the prepared baking sheet. When all are made, loosely cover with a kitchen towel to prevent drying. The wontons also can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for several hours; let them sit at room temperature to remove the chill before frying.
3. Put a wire rack on a baking sheet and place next to the stove. Pour oil to a depth of 1-1/2 inches into a wok, deep skillet, or 5-quart Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat to about 325°F on a deep-fry thermometer.
4. Working in batches of 4 to 6, slide the wontons into the hot oil and fry for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown. Use a skimmer to transfer to the rack to drain.
5. Arrange the wontons on a platter and serve hot as finger food along with Sweet and Sour Sauce for dipping.

To shape triangles: 1) Fill the skin and wet the edges with a chopstick. 2) Fold the skin into a triangle an press firmly with your fingers to seal.

To shape nurse's caps: 1) Bring the lower edge of the filled skin up to meet the upper edge, forming a rectangle. 2) Bring together the two corners of the folded edge, overlapping slightly, and press to seal.

Serves: 6

These simple, colorful little cheese toasts can be served as an appetizer or alongside a green salad.

• Ingredients

5 ounces goat cheese
1 teaspoon cream
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
12 long slices of baguette, cut diagonally about 1/4 inch thick
3 to 4 sun-dried tomatoes
freshly ground black pepper

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese and cream together.
Mix in half of the herbs and set it aside. Brush one side of the bread slices with olive oil, and toast them in the oven or under the broiler so that both sides are lightly colored.
Remove them from the oven and spread the cheese over the oiled sides. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, and slice into narrow strips.
Lay the strips of tomato in a crisscross or diagonal pattern over the top and return the bread to the oven.
Bake until the cheese is warm and soft, about 3 minutes. Garnish with the remaining herbs and a grinding of black pepper over the top.

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese and cream together.
Mix in half of the herbs and set it aside. Brush one side of the bread slices with olive oil, and toast them in the oven or under the broiler so that both sides are lightly colored.
Remove them from the oven and spread the cheese over the oiled sides. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, and slice into narrow strips.
Lay the strips of tomato in a crisscross or diagonal pattern over the top and return the bread to the oven.
Bake until the cheese is warm and soft, about 3 minutes. Garnish with the remaining herbs and a grinding of black pepper over the top.

Serves: 12

Cured fish is impressive, and it’s surprisingly little work to do yourself.
Use wild Pacific salmon if at all possible (King and sockeye—which is in general leaner and much redder—are best), even if you have to buy it frozen. Gravlax keeps for a week after curing; and, though you can successfully freeze gravlax for a few weeks.

• Ingredients

One 3- to 4-pound cleaned salmon without the head, skin on
1 cup salt
2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup spirits, like brandy, gin, aquavit, or lemon vodka
2 good-size bunches fresh dill, roughly chopped, stems and all
Lemon wedges for serving

• preparation

1. Fillet the salmon or have the fish-monger do it; the fish need not be scaled. Lay both halves, skin side down, on a plate.

2. Toss together the salt, brown sugar, and pepper and rub this mixture all over the salmon (the skin too); splash on the spirits. Put most of the dill on the flesh side of one of the fillets, sandwich them together, tail to tail, and rub any remaining salt-sugar mixture on the outside; cover with any remaining dill, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Cover the sandwich with another plate and top with something that weighs a couple of pounds—some unopened cans, for example. Refrigerate.

3. Open the package every 12 to 24 hours and baste, inside and out, with the accumulated juices. When the flesh is opaque, on the second or third day (you will see it changing when you baste it), slice thinly as you would smoked salmon—on the bias and without the skin—and serve with rye bread or pumpernickel, and lemon wedges.

• preparation

1. Fillet the salmon or have the fish-monger do it; the fish need not be scaled. Lay both halves, skin side down, on a plate.

2. Toss together the salt, brown sugar, and pepper and rub this mixture all over the salmon (the skin too); splash on the spirits. Put most of the dill on the flesh side of one of the fillets, sandwich them together, tail to tail, and rub any remaining salt-sugar mixture on the outside; cover with any remaining dill, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Cover the sandwich with another plate and top with something that weighs a couple of pounds—some unopened cans, for example. Refrigerate.

3. Open the package every 12 to 24 hours and baste, inside and out, with the accumulated juices. When the flesh is opaque, on the second or third day (you will see it changing when you baste it), slice thinly as you would smoked salmon—on the bias and without the skin—and serve with rye bread or pumpernickel, and lemon wedges.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 bunch washed watercress
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
3 eggs, separated
6 ounces softened cream cheese
2 tomatoes
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan 8-inch by 12-inch with parchment paper.
Brush with butter. Remove stems from watercress. Chop and combine with parsley, Parmesan cheese, and egg yolks.
Whisk the whites, and fold in herb mixture. Spread over entire surface of pan, and bake 10-12 minutes. Cool.
Peel off the lining paper. Transfer to a sheet of transparent paper. Peel, seed, and chop tomatoes.
Add to cream cheese. Season. Dissolve gelatin in water. Melt and combine with cream cheese mixture.
Spread over surface of roulade. Roll up like a jelly roll. Chill. Unwrap, and slice into 20 rolls.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan 8-inch by 12-inch with parchment paper.
Brush with butter. Remove stems from watercress. Chop and combine with parsley, Parmesan cheese, and egg yolks.
Whisk the whites, and fold in herb mixture. Spread over entire surface of pan, and bake 10-12 minutes. Cool.
Peel off the lining paper. Transfer to a sheet of transparent paper. Peel, seed, and chop tomatoes.
Add to cream cheese. Season. Dissolve gelatin in water. Melt and combine with cream cheese mixture.
Spread over surface of roulade. Roll up like a jelly roll. Chill. Unwrap, and slice into 20 rolls.

Serves: 6

Panisses are chickpea fritters made from garbanzo flour. A similar recipe, the polenta fries, are made of cornmeal.(see the recipe: polenta fries)
The fried Panisses have a delicate, crispy exterior and a soft and creamy interior.

• Ingredients

270 g (2 ¼ cups) chickpea flour
1 liter (4 cups)vegetable or chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
oil, for frying
Salt and pepper
Fleur de sel (optional)
FOR THE PESTO DIP:
50 g pine nuts
½ a clove of garlic
50 g Parmesan cheese
1 bunch of fresh basil
extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

• preparation

Oil a 33 x 23-cm (13 x 9-inch) rectangular pan and line with parchment paper, letting it hang over the sides.
In a bowl, combine the chickpea flour with half the broth (500 mL / 2 cups) using a whisk.
In a saucepan, bring the remaining broth (2 cups / 500 mL) and garlic to a boil. Drizzle in the chickpea paste, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes while stirring. Spread over the prepared pan in a thin even layer. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm to touch.
On a work surface, gently unmold the dough. Cut into 48 sticks, or into 4 strips crosswise and 12 lengthwise.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 cm (½ inch) of oil until the temperature reaches 165 ° C (325 ° F). Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
Fry about a quarter of the sticks at a time, about 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, turning halfway through cooking. Drain on absorbent paper. Continue with the rest of the sticks.
Eat as an aperitif with a little fleur de sel, to taste.
PESTO DIP:
For the dip, toast the pine nuts in a dry pan, then tip into a food processor. Crush in the garlic and grate in the Parmesan, measure in 60ml of extra virgin olive oil, then add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until combined but still coarse. Season to taste, and scrape into a serving bowl.

• preparation

Oil a 33 x 23-cm (13 x 9-inch) rectangular pan and line with parchment paper, letting it hang over the sides.
In a bowl, combine the chickpea flour with half the broth (500 mL / 2 cups) using a whisk.
In a saucepan, bring the remaining broth (2 cups / 500 mL) and garlic to a boil. Drizzle in the chickpea paste, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes while stirring. Spread over the prepared pan in a thin even layer. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm to touch.
On a work surface, gently unmold the dough. Cut into 48 sticks, or into 4 strips crosswise and 12 lengthwise.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 cm (½ inch) of oil until the temperature reaches 165 ° C (325 ° F). Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
Fry about a quarter of the sticks at a time, about 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, turning halfway through cooking. Drain on absorbent paper. Continue with the rest of the sticks.
Eat as an aperitif with a little fleur de sel, to taste.
PESTO DIP:
For the dip, toast the pine nuts in a dry pan, then tip into a food processor. Crush in the garlic and grate in the Parmesan, measure in 60ml of extra virgin olive oil, then add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until combined but still coarse. Season to taste, and scrape into a serving bowl.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• preparation

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for 1 minute. With the mixer on low speed, add the Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper and combine. With the mixer still on low, add the flour and combine until the mixture is in large crumbles, about 1 minute. If the dough is too dry, add 1 teaspoon water.

Dump the dough onto a floured board, press it into a ball, and roll into a 9-inch log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to 4 days.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the log into 3/8-inch-thick rounds with a small, sharp knife and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 22 minutes, until very lightly browned. Rotate the pan once during baking. Cool and serve at room temperature.

• preparation

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for 1 minute. With the mixer on low speed, add the Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper and combine. With the mixer still on low, add the flour and combine until the mixture is in large crumbles, about 1 minute. If the dough is too dry, add 1 teaspoon water.

Dump the dough onto a floured board, press it into a ball, and roll into a 9-inch log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to 4 days.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the log into 3/8-inch-thick rounds with a small, sharp knife and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 22 minutes, until very lightly browned. Rotate the pan once during baking. Cool and serve at room temperature.

Serves: 7

• Ingredients

4 cups water
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
1 1/3 cups yellow cornmeal
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/4 pound)

• preparation

Butter a 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish. In a large heavy saucepan bring water to a boil and add salt. Add sage and 1/3 cup cornmeal., a little at a time, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and add remaining cup cornmeal in a slow stream, stirring constantly. Cook mixture over low heat, whisking, 1 minute and remove pan from heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup Parmesan and stir polenta until butter is incorporated.
Working quickly, spread polenta evenly in prepared dish and chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Polenta may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil. In a small saucepan melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Invert polenta onto a work surface.
Halve polenta lengthwise and cut each half crosswise into 14 sticks. Arrange sticks on prepared baking sheet and brush with melted butter.
Broil sticks about 4 inches from heat until golden, about 4 to 6 minutes.
Turn sticks over and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Broil sticks until cheese is golden, about 2 to 3 minutes more.

• preparation

Butter a 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish. In a large heavy saucepan bring water to a boil and add salt. Add sage and 1/3 cup cornmeal., a little at a time, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and add remaining cup cornmeal in a slow stream, stirring constantly. Cook mixture over low heat, whisking, 1 minute and remove pan from heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup Parmesan and stir polenta until butter is incorporated.
Working quickly, spread polenta evenly in prepared dish and chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Polenta may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil. In a small saucepan melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Invert polenta onto a work surface.
Halve polenta lengthwise and cut each half crosswise into 14 sticks. Arrange sticks on prepared baking sheet and brush with melted butter.
Broil sticks about 4 inches from heat until golden, about 4 to 6 minutes.
Turn sticks over and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Broil sticks until cheese is golden, about 2 to 3 minutes more.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 pound parsnips
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon each ground cumin and coriander
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1/4 teaspoon curry paste
1 small green onion, minced

• preparation

Peel parsnips; cut into 2- x 1/2-inch (5 x 1cm) sticks.
In bowl, toss together parsnips, oil, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Bake on greased baking sheet in 425° F (220°C) oven, turning occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes or until browned and tender.
In small bowl, stir together yogurt, curry paste and green onion. Serve sauce with parsnip fries.

• preparation

Peel parsnips; cut into 2- x 1/2-inch (5 x 1cm) sticks.
In bowl, toss together parsnips, oil, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Bake on greased baking sheet in 425° F (220°C) oven, turning occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes or until browned and tender.
In small bowl, stir together yogurt, curry paste and green onion. Serve sauce with parsnip fries.

Serves: 4

polenta or cornmeal
They're used interchangeably. Yet polenta is a dish, and cornmeal is an ingredient — often the main ingredient in that dish. Hailing from northern Italy, polenta was originally a meal of any grain, coarsely ground and slow-cooked in liquid until softened.

• Ingredients

1 cup quick-cook polenta (190g)
3 ⅓ cups chicken or vegetable stock (800ml)
4 tbsp butter (60g)
½ cup freshly grated parmesan (30g)
2 sprigs fresh rosemary finely chopped
2 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
Pinch of pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

• preparation

Add the stock to a medium sized pot and bring to a boil.
Once boiling turn the heat down to a simmer and slowly add the polenta whilst stirring until all the polenta is fully incorporated.
Next, add the butter, parmesan, herbs and salt and stir until the butter has melted and the polenta has thickened slightly (2-3 minutes).
Pour the cooked polenta into a lined baking dish (10x8 inch) and spread it out evenly. Let the polenta cool completely then chill in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for 1-2 hours or overnight.
Pre-heat the oven to 430F/220C.
Once chilled and completely set, remove the polenta from the tray and cut into fries.
Place the fries on a baking tray and brush with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve as a side or appetizer.

• preparation

Add the stock to a medium sized pot and bring to a boil.
Once boiling turn the heat down to a simmer and slowly add the polenta whilst stirring until all the polenta is fully incorporated.
Next, add the butter, parmesan, herbs and salt and stir until the butter has melted and the polenta has thickened slightly (2-3 minutes).
Pour the cooked polenta into a lined baking dish (10x8 inch) and spread it out evenly. Let the polenta cool completely then chill in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for 1-2 hours or overnight.
Pre-heat the oven to 430F/220C.
Once chilled and completely set, remove the polenta from the tray and cut into fries.
Place the fries on a baking tray and brush with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve as a side or appetizer.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

6 small carrots about 5-inch long
6 baby corn on the cob, (available in cans)
6 green asparagus, trimmed, about 5-inch long
1 beaten egg
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
4 tbsp. chopped cornflakes
2 tbsp. tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Peel the carrots. Blanch for 5 minutes and drain. Plant a bamboo spike at the base of each carrot, asparagus, and corn on the cob.
Roll carrots, asparagus and corn in flour. Dip them in the beaten eggs. Finally, roll the corn in the chopped cornflakes, then the carrots and asparagus in the breadcrumbs.
Place the vegetables on a baking sheet lined with lightly oiled baking paper. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake 20 to 30 mins. Sprinkle the carrots and asparagus with the parmesan then place everything on a serving platter before serving.

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Peel the carrots. Blanch for 5 minutes and drain. Plant a bamboo spike at the base of each carrot, asparagus, and corn on the cob.
Roll carrots, asparagus and corn in flour. Dip them in the beaten eggs. Finally, roll the corn in the chopped cornflakes, then the carrots and asparagus in the breadcrumbs.
Place the vegetables on a baking sheet lined with lightly oiled baking paper. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake 20 to 30 mins. Sprinkle the carrots and asparagus with the parmesan then place everything on a serving platter before serving.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

8 ounces smoked salmon
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup aspic jelly *
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream

• preparation

Remove bones and skin from the smoked salmon. Cut in pieces and mix in a food processor. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the mayonnaise.
Run the mixture through a food mill. Mix in the cold liquid aspic jelly, lemon juice, wine and pepper.
Whip the cream until firm. Fold in the salmon mixture. Spoon the mousse into decorative molds.
Refrigerate until mousse is well set and firm. Unmold on serving dish or plate and surround with lettuce leaves.

* If aspic jelly is not available, substitute with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and use as directed for aspic jelly.

• preparation

Remove bones and skin from the smoked salmon. Cut in pieces and mix in a food processor. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the mayonnaise.
Run the mixture through a food mill. Mix in the cold liquid aspic jelly, lemon juice, wine and pepper.
Whip the cream until firm. Fold in the salmon mixture. Spoon the mousse into decorative molds.
Refrigerate until mousse is well set and firm. Unmold on serving dish or plate and surround with lettuce leaves.

* If aspic jelly is not available, substitute with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and use as directed for aspic jelly.

Serves: 6

The lox or Nova salmon is wrapped around a savory cream cheese mixture and served as appetizer on slices of cucumber. Can be prepared 24 hours before serving.

• Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1 tablespoon dill, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
8 ounces lox or Nova salmon, sliced
1 hothouse cucumber

• preparation

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, lemon rind, lemon juice, capers, dill, mustard, and pepper until smooth. On a large sheet of wax paper, spread out the slices of salmon to form a rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the surface of the salmon.
Roll up the salmon tightly from one end, jelly roll style. Enclose in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Wash cucumber, dry and slice across into 1/4-inch slices.
Just before serving, slice the smoked salmon roll into -inch slices. Top each cucumber slice with a slice of salmon roll. Serve at once.

PRESENTATION
Serve this hors d'oeuvre on a tray. Arrange the cucumber and salmon rolls on the tray into two circles. Garnish center of tray with parsley or dill sprigs.

• preparation

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, lemon rind, lemon juice, capers, dill, mustard, and pepper until smooth. On a large sheet of wax paper, spread out the slices of salmon to form a rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the surface of the salmon.
Roll up the salmon tightly from one end, jelly roll style. Enclose in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Wash cucumber, dry and slice across into 1/4-inch slices.
Just before serving, slice the smoked salmon roll into -inch slices. Top each cucumber slice with a slice of salmon roll. Serve at once.

PRESENTATION
Serve this hors d'oeuvre on a tray. Arrange the cucumber and salmon rolls on the tray into two circles. Garnish center of tray with parsley or dill sprigs.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter, melted
4 tablespoons dill, chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
4 eggs yolks
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
4 ounces smoked salmon, sliced

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking pan, 8-inch by 12 inch with parchment paper. Brush with butter.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine dill, parsley, parmesan cheese, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Whisk egg whites with the cream of tartar until medium stiff. Fold into the herb mixture.
Spread evenly over the surface of pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and turn the pan over a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Peel away the paper lining. allow to cool.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, capers, salt, pepper, and seasoned salt. Spread over the surface of the baked roulade. Arrange the slices of smoked salmon over the cream cheese mixture.
Roll up tightly from one end, jelly roll style.
Enclose in the wax paper or parchment paper and refrigerate for 2 hours or more.
PRESENTATION
Unwrap the salmon roulade, and slice into 1/4 inch circles. Arrange on a serving tray, and serve cold.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking pan, 8-inch by 12 inch with parchment paper. Brush with butter.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine dill, parsley, parmesan cheese, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Whisk egg whites with the cream of tartar until medium stiff. Fold into the herb mixture.
Spread evenly over the surface of pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and turn the pan over a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Peel away the paper lining. allow to cool.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, capers, salt, pepper, and seasoned salt. Spread over the surface of the baked roulade. Arrange the slices of smoked salmon over the cream cheese mixture.
Roll up tightly from one end, jelly roll style.
Enclose in the wax paper or parchment paper and refrigerate for 2 hours or more.
PRESENTATION
Unwrap the salmon roulade, and slice into 1/4 inch circles. Arrange on a serving tray, and serve cold.

Serves: 4

This appetizer roll can be frozen. When assembled, it can be refrigerated for hours before serving.

• Ingredients

8 ounces smoked salmon, thinly sliced
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon tiny capers, drained
1 hot house cucumber
dill sprigs

• preparation

Arrange the smoked salmon slices on a sheet of film wrap in a 12 by 8 inch rectangle.
Mix the cream cheese with the chopped dill; spread over the surface of the smoked salmon.
Sprinkle capers over the cream cheese. Roll up the smoked salmon jelly roll style to form a cylinder. Enclose in the film wrap. Refrigerate for several hour, until the cylinder is firm. Wash the cucumber. Slice across in quarter inch slices.
Thaw salmon roll if frozen. Slice thinly, and arrange on cucumber slices. Garnish with dill sprigs.
PRESENTATION
Arrange the hors d'oeuvres on a tray. Garnish center of tray with a small bunch of fresh dill.

• preparation

Arrange the smoked salmon slices on a sheet of film wrap in a 12 by 8 inch rectangle.
Mix the cream cheese with the chopped dill; spread over the surface of the smoked salmon.
Sprinkle capers over the cream cheese. Roll up the smoked salmon jelly roll style to form a cylinder. Enclose in the film wrap. Refrigerate for several hour, until the cylinder is firm. Wash the cucumber. Slice across in quarter inch slices.
Thaw salmon roll if frozen. Slice thinly, and arrange on cucumber slices. Garnish with dill sprigs.
PRESENTATION
Arrange the hors d'oeuvres on a tray. Garnish center of tray with a small bunch of fresh dill.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 cup smoked salmon, chopped
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning

• preparation

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Serve with crackers or bread as an appetizer.

• preparation

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Serve with crackers or bread as an appetizer.

Serves: 6

The smoked salmon is wrapped around cucumber sticks and served as hors d'oeuvre with a tart sherry vinegar dip, and can be assembled 2 hours before serving.

• Ingredients

for the sherry vinegar dip:
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and diced
3 scallions, white part only, thinly sliced across
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
to taste salt and ground black pepper

for the smoked salmon sticks:
1/2 hothouse cucumber
1/4 pound smoked salmon, sliced thin

• preparation

Prepare the sherry vinegar dip:
Mix the sun-dried tomatoes, scallions, dill, heavy cream, coriander, sherry vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready for use. Wash cucumber under cold water. Cut across into 4 equal pieces. Split each piece into 6 to 8 sticks.
Cut the smoked salmon into strips, 1 inch wide and about 2 inches long. Wrap a strip of smoked salmon around the bottom of each cucumber stick and refrigerate.
PRESENTATION
Serve this hors d'oeuvre on a tray. Pour the dip in a small serving bowl and place in the center of the tray. Arrange the cucumber slices sticks on one side of the tray, and the toast fingers on the other side. Dip the cucumber-salmon sticks in the dip and enjoy with the toast.

• preparation

Prepare the sherry vinegar dip:
Mix the sun-dried tomatoes, scallions, dill, heavy cream, coriander, sherry vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready for use. Wash cucumber under cold water. Cut across into 4 equal pieces. Split each piece into 6 to 8 sticks.
Cut the smoked salmon into strips, 1 inch wide and about 2 inches long. Wrap a strip of smoked salmon around the bottom of each cucumber stick and refrigerate.
PRESENTATION
Serve this hors d'oeuvre on a tray. Pour the dip in a small serving bowl and place in the center of the tray. Arrange the cucumber slices sticks on one side of the tray, and the toast fingers on the other side. Dip the cucumber-salmon sticks in the dip and enjoy with the toast.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 pints large mussels
3 shallots
2 cloves of garlic
1 bunch parsley
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Parsley for garnish

• preparation

Sort, scrape, wash the mussels, discarding any that do not close.
Steam them in a cup of water, in a large kettle. Drain mussels. Remove the empty half shell from each mussel, and discard, leaving the mussel attached to other half shell.
Peel and finely chop shallots and garlic. Chop the parsley.
Cut the butter into small pieces, and mix well with breadcrumbs, shallot, garlic, parsley and pepper.
Fill each mussel with the stuffing.
Arrange in a baking dish, and broil until brown. Garnish with parsley and serve at once.

• preparation

Sort, scrape, wash the mussels, discarding any that do not close.
Steam them in a cup of water, in a large kettle. Drain mussels. Remove the empty half shell from each mussel, and discard, leaving the mussel attached to other half shell.
Peel and finely chop shallots and garlic. Chop the parsley.
Cut the butter into small pieces, and mix well with breadcrumbs, shallot, garlic, parsley and pepper.
Fill each mussel with the stuffing.
Arrange in a baking dish, and broil until brown. Garnish with parsley and serve at once.

Serves: 6

A recipe inspired by Just One Cookbook.com

Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette) 玉子焼き (卵焼き or 玉子焼き) is a Japanese rolled omelette, and it is commonly served as part of Japanese style breakfast or put in a bento (Japanese lunch box) as a side dishes.


What you may not know is that when dashi is added to the egg mixture, the dish is actually called Dashimaki Tamago. (出し巻き卵). Dashi is the Japanese stock made of kombu (edible kelp) and Katsuobushi (smoked bonito flakes), maki in Japanese means to roll, and tamago means eggs.

• Ingredients

3 large eggs
2 Tbsp. cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
1½ sheet nori (optional)
1" (2.5 cm) green part of daikon radish (it's sweeter than white part)
Soy sauce
Seasonings
3 Tbsp. dashi (Use Kombu Dashi for vegetarian)
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. mirin
2 pinches of salt

• preparation

Using a Round Frying Pan
Heat the pan over medium heat, dip a folded paper towel in oil and apply to the pan.
Put a little bit of egg mixture to see if the pan is hot. When you hear the sizzling sound, pour a thin layer of egg mixture in the pan,
tilting to cover the bottom of the pan.

Poke the air bubbles to release the air. After the bottom of the egg has set but still soft on top,
start rolling into a log shape from one side to the other. Here I put half sheet of nori and then rolled (optional).

Move the rolled omelette to the side where you started to roll, and apply oil to the pan with a paper towel, even under the omelette. Pour the egg mixture to cover the bottom of the pan again. Make sure to lift the omelette to spread the mixture underneath.

When the new layer of egg has set and still soft on top, start rolling from one side to the other. This is optional but I put another layer of nori sheet before rolling.

Move the rolled omelette to the side where you started to roll, and apply oil to the pan with a paper towel, even under the omelette. Then pour the egg mixture to cover the bottom of the pan again. Make sure to lift the omelette to spread the mixture underneath.

When the new layer of egg has set and still soft on top, start rolling from one side to the other. I put another sheet of nori here before rolling. Continue until all the egg mixture is finished.

Remove from the pan and place the omelette on the bamboo mat and wrap it up. Shape the egg when it is still hot. Let it stand for 5 minutes.

To serve
Slice the omelette into ½" (1 cm) pieces.

Peel and grate daikon. Gently squeeze water out. Serve Tamagoyaki with grated daikon and pour soy sauce over daikon.

• preparation

Using a Round Frying Pan
Heat the pan over medium heat, dip a folded paper towel in oil and apply to the pan.
Put a little bit of egg mixture to see if the pan is hot. When you hear the sizzling sound, pour a thin layer of egg mixture in the pan,
tilting to cover the bottom of the pan.

Poke the air bubbles to release the air. After the bottom of the egg has set but still soft on top,
start rolling into a log shape from one side to the other. Here I put half sheet of nori and then rolled (optional).

Move the rolled omelette to the side where you started to roll, and apply oil to the pan with a paper towel, even under the omelette. Pour the egg mixture to cover the bottom of the pan again. Make sure to lift the omelette to spread the mixture underneath.

When the new layer of egg has set and still soft on top, start rolling from one side to the other. This is optional but I put another layer of nori sheet before rolling.

Move the rolled omelette to the side where you started to roll, and apply oil to the pan with a paper towel, even under the omelette. Then pour the egg mixture to cover the bottom of the pan again. Make sure to lift the omelette to spread the mixture underneath.

When the new layer of egg has set and still soft on top, start rolling from one side to the other. I put another sheet of nori here before rolling. Continue until all the egg mixture is finished.

Remove from the pan and place the omelette on the bamboo mat and wrap it up. Shape the egg when it is still hot. Let it stand for 5 minutes.

To serve
Slice the omelette into ½" (1 cm) pieces.

Peel and grate daikon. Gently squeeze water out. Serve Tamagoyaki with grated daikon and pour soy sauce over daikon.

Serves: 4

Tomato Water tastes like concentrated summer garden in a sip.
So, what is Tomato Water is the flavorful, fragrant liquid that releases from ripe tomatoes when they're cut. So, the stuff that ends up all over your cutting board when you're slicing tomatoes. Which is such a waste really, because it has SO much flavor.
Use it to make cocktails, flavorful sparkling water, dressings, pasta and more.

• Ingredients

4 large fresh tomatoes or 5-7 medium

1 teaspoon sea salt

• preparation

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl, and line the strainer with cheesecloth.
Add the tomato water ingredients to a blender or food processor, and pulse until pulpy or finely chopped. (You may need to cut the tomatoes or in large chunks to get it next to the blade. If you do, make sure to pour any extra juice in with them!)
Pour the mixture into the prepared strainer, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to a day.
Tip: for clear tomato water, don’t press or stir the pulp.
Keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

A favorite application for Tomato Water is, by far, the Farmers Market cocktail. It's like a wine-based Bloody Mary, and it might be my favorite libation ever.
Mix 5 ounces California Pinot Noir,Gamay, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise
with 3 ounces tomato water. Add
Dash of sea salt, and Ice. Garnish with: tomato + basil + fresh mozzarella on toothpick
*make a “Spicy Farmers Market” by adding 3 slices of fresh jalapeno or serrano pepper.




how to make tomato water and wine bloody mary

A favorite application for Tomato Water is, by far, the Farmers Market cocktail. It's like a wine-based Bloody Mary, and it might be my favorite libation ever.


You can double this recipe if you have a bowl + strainer big enough. You can add fresh herbs or peppers or even an onion. It's your tomato goodness, after all. Once you try it, I'm pretty sure you'll be making it again.

You can also use the water to make a more traditional Bloody Mary with vodka, use it in vinaigrette + salad dressing for knockout flavor, or use it in place of vegetable stock.
You can make Tomato Sorbet. You can even drink it by itself, which is what I often do. Sometimes with a little ice and a squeeze of lemon or a splash of club soda. Sometimes straight - no chaser.

You can double this recipe if you have a bowl + strainer big enough. You can add fresh herbs or peppers or even an onion. It's your tomato goodness, after all. Once you try it, I'm pretty sure you'll be making it again.


NOTES
Use the remaining solids for pasta, salsa, soups or smoothies.
Store refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Recipe can be doubled.

• preparation

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl, and line the strainer with cheesecloth.
Add the tomato water ingredients to a blender or food processor, and pulse until pulpy or finely chopped. (You may need to cut the tomatoes or in large chunks to get it next to the blade. If you do, make sure to pour any extra juice in with them!)
Pour the mixture into the prepared strainer, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to a day.
Tip: for clear tomato water, don’t press or stir the pulp.
Keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

A favorite application for Tomato Water is, by far, the Farmers Market cocktail. It's like a wine-based Bloody Mary, and it might be my favorite libation ever.
Mix 5 ounces California Pinot Noir,Gamay, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise
with 3 ounces tomato water. Add
Dash of sea salt, and Ice. Garnish with: tomato + basil + fresh mozzarella on toothpick
*make a “Spicy Farmers Market” by adding 3 slices of fresh jalapeno or serrano pepper.




how to make tomato water and wine bloody mary

A favorite application for Tomato Water is, by far, the Farmers Market cocktail. It's like a wine-based Bloody Mary, and it might be my favorite libation ever.


You can double this recipe if you have a bowl + strainer big enough. You can add fresh herbs or peppers or even an onion. It's your tomato goodness, after all. Once you try it, I'm pretty sure you'll be making it again.

You can also use the water to make a more traditional Bloody Mary with vodka, use it in vinaigrette + salad dressing for knockout flavor, or use it in place of vegetable stock.
You can make Tomato Sorbet. You can even drink it by itself, which is what I often do. Sometimes with a little ice and a squeeze of lemon or a splash of club soda. Sometimes straight - no chaser.

You can double this recipe if you have a bowl + strainer big enough. You can add fresh herbs or peppers or even an onion. It's your tomato goodness, after all. Once you try it, I'm pretty sure you'll be making it again.


NOTES
Use the remaining solids for pasta, salsa, soups or smoothies.
Store refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Recipe can be doubled.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

2 1/2 cups boiling water
2 cups dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup dried morel mushrooms
2 cups fresh shiitake mushrooms, chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
5 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups bulgur, (coarse)
1 cup packed fresh flat leafed parsley, chopped

• preparation

In a bowl, pour boiling water over mushrooms, and soak 30 minutes or more. In a 4-quart saucepan, sauté onion in butter over moderate heat, stirring until softened.
Add broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in bulgur and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Remove porcini and morel mushrooms from water, squeezing out excess liquid, and reserve soaking liquid. Rinse mushrooms to remove any grit and coarsely chop.

Strain reserved liquid through a fine sieve or cheese cloth. In a large bowl toss together bulgur mixture, mushrooms (porcini, morels, shiitake), 1/2 cup strained soaking liquid, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Cool completely.

• preparation

In a bowl, pour boiling water over mushrooms, and soak 30 minutes or more. In a 4-quart saucepan, sauté onion in butter over moderate heat, stirring until softened.
Add broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in bulgur and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Remove porcini and morel mushrooms from water, squeezing out excess liquid, and reserve soaking liquid. Rinse mushrooms to remove any grit and coarsely chop.

Strain reserved liquid through a fine sieve or cheese cloth. In a large bowl toss together bulgur mixture, mushrooms (porcini, morels, shiitake), 1/2 cup strained soaking liquid, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Cool completely.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

10 cups 1/4-inch dice seven-grain bread, about 1 pound
2 large onions
1 stick butter
1 pound canned whole chestnuts
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup dried currants
1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large shallow baking pan toast bread until just dry.
Peel and slice onions. In a large heavy skillet cook onions in butter over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Rinse canned chestnuts. Chop parsley.
In a large bowl, toss together bread, onions, chestnuts, currants, broth, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste and cool completely.
Stuffing may be made a day ahead and chilled, covered.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large shallow baking pan toast bread until just dry.
Peel and slice onions. In a large heavy skillet cook onions in butter over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Rinse canned chestnuts. Chop parsley.
In a large bowl, toss together bread, onions, chestnuts, currants, broth, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste and cool completely.
Stuffing may be made a day ahead and chilled, covered.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

12 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 onions (2 pounds), peeled and diced
16 celery stalks, diced
10 fresh sage leaves , chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried sage
6 cups chicken stock , or canned chicken broth
2 loaves stale white bread (about 36 slices), crust on, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
3 cups coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (about 2 bunches)
2 cups pecans , toasted and chopped (optional)
2 cups dried cherries (optional) .

• preparation

Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onions and celery, and cook over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add sage, stir to combine, and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock, and stir well. Cook for about 5 minutes, until liquid has reduced by half.
Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add all remaining ingredients, including the remaining stock; mix to combine

• preparation

Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onions and celery, and cook over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add sage, stir to combine, and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock, and stir well. Cook for about 5 minutes, until liquid has reduced by half.
Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add all remaining ingredients, including the remaining stock; mix to combine

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

1 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped, cooked poultry giblets*
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or ground sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups dry bread cubes
4 cups dry corn bread cubes
1 to 1-1/3 cups chicken broth or water

• preparation

In a frying pan cook celery and onion in butter until tender; remove from heat. Stir in giblets, poultry seasoning or sage, pepper and salt.

In a large mixing bowl place dry bread and corn bread cubes; add the onion mixture. Drizzle with enough broth or water to moisten, tossing lightly to mix.
Transfer to a 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake in a 325 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until heated through.
Or, use to stuff a 10- to 12-pound turkey; see directions for Classic Roast Turkey.)

*Note: To cook giblets: Rinse giblets and neck. Refrigerate liver until needed. In a medium saucepan place the remaining giblets and neck. Add enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add liver and simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until tender. Remove giblets and finely chop. Discard neck. Strain broth. Chill giblets and broth until needed.

• preparation

In a frying pan cook celery and onion in butter until tender; remove from heat. Stir in giblets, poultry seasoning or sage, pepper and salt.

In a large mixing bowl place dry bread and corn bread cubes; add the onion mixture. Drizzle with enough broth or water to moisten, tossing lightly to mix.
Transfer to a 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake in a 325 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until heated through.
Or, use to stuff a 10- to 12-pound turkey; see directions for Classic Roast Turkey.)

*Note: To cook giblets: Rinse giblets and neck. Refrigerate liver until needed. In a medium saucepan place the remaining giblets and neck. Add enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add liver and simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until tender. Remove giblets and finely chop. Discard neck. Strain broth. Chill giblets and broth until needed.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

10 cups diced country style bread
11/2 pounds fennel bulbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup drained oil-packed dried tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch dice
3 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees.
Toast bread cubes on a baking pan until just dry. Trim fennel bulbs, discarding stalks.
Dice stalks into 1/4-inch dice. In a large skillet, melt butter; cook fennel over moderate heat for about 15 minutes. Simmer tomatoes in chicken broth for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss together all the ingredients. Cool. May be made a day ahead.

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees.
Toast bread cubes on a baking pan until just dry. Trim fennel bulbs, discarding stalks.
Dice stalks into 1/4-inch dice. In a large skillet, melt butter; cook fennel over moderate heat for about 15 minutes. Simmer tomatoes in chicken broth for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss together all the ingredients. Cool. May be made a day ahead.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

6 cups (1-inch) cubes crusty country-style bread (1 lb)
3 cups mashed potatoes
3 medium onions, chopped
3 celery ribs, thinly sliced crosswise
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 oz unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup water

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Toast bread in a large rimmed baking sheet until dry, 15 to 20 minutes.
Peel and cook potatoes. Drain and mash. Set aside.
Cook onions, celery, and herbs in butter in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until celery is softened, about 10 minutes. Stir together bread, mashed potatoes, vegetables, broth, water, and salt and pepper to taste, then cool completely.
Stuffing can be made a day ahead and kept covered and chilled.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Toast bread in a large rimmed baking sheet until dry, 15 to 20 minutes.
Peel and cook potatoes. Drain and mash. Set aside.
Cook onions, celery, and herbs in butter in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until celery is softened, about 10 minutes. Stir together bread, mashed potatoes, vegetables, broth, water, and salt and pepper to taste, then cool completely.
Stuffing can be made a day ahead and kept covered and chilled.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium celery ribs with leaves, chopped
2 medium red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. crushed hot red pepper
12 ounces day-old, crusty Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 7 cups)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)
8 tbsp unsalted butter(1 stick), melted
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups Homemade Turkey Stock or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth, or as needed

• preparation

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it loses its pink color, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the basil, oregano, salt, and crushed red pepper. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add the bread and cheese and mix well. Stir in the butter, wine, and enough of the stock to moisten the dressing, about 1 cup. Use to stuff the turkey, or place in a buttered baking dish, drizzle with an additional ½ cup stock, cover, and bake as a side dish.

• preparation

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it loses its pink color, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the basil, oregano, salt, and crushed red pepper. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add the bread and cheese and mix well. Stir in the butter, wine, and enough of the stock to moisten the dressing, about 1 cup. Use to stuff the turkey, or place in a buttered baking dish, drizzle with an additional ½ cup stock, cover, and bake as a side dish.

Serves: 15

can be prepared up to 2 days ahead

• Ingredients

For sausage stuffing:
1 1/2 pounds ground pork
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

For stuffing:
2 pounds rye bread slices, crusts removed
1 pound bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
4 ounces unsalted butter
3 medium crisp apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 pound Savoy cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
6 cups chicken stock or turkey stock
salt and ground black pepper to taste

• preparation

Sage sausages:
In a bowl, combine the stuffing ingredients. Shape sausages into 8 patties. Cook in a frying pan over medium heat until fully cooked, turning once. Cool patties and break into 1/2-inch pieces.
Stuffing:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut bread into 1-inch dices. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp. In a large cast-iron pan, fry the bacon until crisp, stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate. Save 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Melt butter in the cast-iron pan together with the reserved bacon fat. Add apples and cabbage. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl, then stir in the sausage, bacon, sage and thyme. Add the bread and toss well. Gradually stir in the chicken or turkey stock. Season stuffing with salt and pepper. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Reserve 5 cups of the stuffing for the turkey, and transfer the rest to the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Uncover and bake for 15 minutes longer, or until the top is crisp and golden.

• preparation

Sage sausages:
In a bowl, combine the stuffing ingredients. Shape sausages into 8 patties. Cook in a frying pan over medium heat until fully cooked, turning once. Cool patties and break into 1/2-inch pieces.
Stuffing:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut bread into 1-inch dices. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp. In a large cast-iron pan, fry the bacon until crisp, stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate. Save 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Melt butter in the cast-iron pan together with the reserved bacon fat. Add apples and cabbage. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl, then stir in the sausage, bacon, sage and thyme. Add the bread and toss well. Gradually stir in the chicken or turkey stock. Season stuffing with salt and pepper. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Reserve 5 cups of the stuffing for the turkey, and transfer the rest to the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Uncover and bake for 15 minutes longer, or until the top is crisp and golden.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

6 cups country style white bread, cubed and toasted
1 pound bulk pork sausage
4 oz butter
2 chopped onions
4 ribs of chopped celery
2 1/2 tablespoons of crumbled sage leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons crumbled thyme leaves
1 cup dried cherries (purchase them dried)
1 cup toasted and chopped walnuts
1 cup of chicken stock (canned)
salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

Toast the 6 cups of bread cubes for 10 - 15 minutes in a 325 degree oven until golden. Transfer toasted cubes into a large bowl.
In a skillet, sauté the sausage, until brown. Drain grease and transfer it the bread bowl. In the same skillet, add butter, sauté all of the vegetables for 10 minutes, until soft. Remove vegetables and place in bowl.
In the same bowl, combine the sausage, vegetables, cherries breadcrumbs and the rest of the ingredients except for the chicken stock.
Mix the ingredients until well combined. Add just enough chicken stock to moisten the bread mixture.

Stuff turkey loosely with stuffing just before roasting or bake into a large, shallow stoneware-baking dish.

• preparation

Toast the 6 cups of bread cubes for 10 - 15 minutes in a 325 degree oven until golden. Transfer toasted cubes into a large bowl.
In a skillet, sauté the sausage, until brown. Drain grease and transfer it the bread bowl. In the same skillet, add butter, sauté all of the vegetables for 10 minutes, until soft. Remove vegetables and place in bowl.
In the same bowl, combine the sausage, vegetables, cherries breadcrumbs and the rest of the ingredients except for the chicken stock.
Mix the ingredients until well combined. Add just enough chicken stock to moisten the bread mixture.

Stuff turkey loosely with stuffing just before roasting or bake into a large, shallow stoneware-baking dish.

Serves: 15

Can be made a day ahead and chilled. Bring stuffing to room temperature before proceeding.

• Ingredients

10 cups loaf corn bread
2 cups pecans
1 pound leeks, white and pale green parts
3 celery ribs
3/4 stick unsalted butter
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
2 cups fresh cranberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup flat parsley leaves
2 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Cut corn bread into cubes. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Dry for 15 minutes in oven.
Toast pecans for 10 to 12 minutes. In a bowl, combine corn bread and pecans. Cut leeks lengthwise. Slice crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Wash and drain. Chop celery.
In a 12-inch skillet, melt butter and add leeks and celery. Cook until tender. Remove sausages form casings and break into small pieces. Add to leek mixture, and cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until sausage is cooked through. In a medium saucepan, cook cranberries and sugar for about 5 minutes. Chop parsley.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cool stuffing.

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Cut corn bread into cubes. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Dry for 15 minutes in oven.
Toast pecans for 10 to 12 minutes. In a bowl, combine corn bread and pecans. Cut leeks lengthwise. Slice crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Wash and drain. Chop celery.
In a 12-inch skillet, melt butter and add leeks and celery. Cook until tender. Remove sausages form casings and break into small pieces. Add to leek mixture, and cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until sausage is cooked through. In a medium saucepan, cook cranberries and sugar for about 5 minutes. Chop parsley.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cool stuffing.

Serves: 10

Wild rice is the seed of an aquatic grass. Although much of it is now cultivated and harvested by machine, it can still be found wild along the shorelines of lakes and rivers in the American Midwest, particularly in Minnesota. There, Native Americans working from canoes still gather the rice by hand. Jumbo-grade grains are the longest and most desirable for this dressing. The rice is done when it is cooked until the ends of the grains have split with a cooking time ranging from 40 to 50 minutes

• Ingredients

3 cups water
3/4 cup jumbo-grade wild rice, rinsed
3 teaspoons salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
2 cups finely chopped fennel bulb
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 pound sliced whole wheat bread, 2 to 3 days old, toasted and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 jar (15 oz.) steamed chestnuts
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups turkey stock
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

• preparation

In a heavy pot, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the wild rice and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cover partially, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain the rice and let cool. Preheat an oven to 325°F. Generously butter a large, shallow baking dish.
In a large fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, chopped fennel, poultry seasoning, thyme and fennel seeds. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the bread, chestnuts, the onion mixture and the wild rice. In another bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Whisk the stock into the eggs, then stir the egg mixture into the bowl with the bread mixture. Stir in the parsley, the remaining 2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Spoon the dressing into the prepared baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake until the dressing is lightly browned on top, 20 to 30 minutes more.

Note: This dish can also be packed loosely in the body of the turkey and served as a stuffing. Tying the legs together will help hold the stuffing in the body cavity. For turkeys weighing 16 lb. or less, add 30 minutes to the total roasting time.
For turkeys weighing more than 16 lb., add 1 hour to the total roasting time.

• preparation

In a heavy pot, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the wild rice and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cover partially, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain the rice and let cool. Preheat an oven to 325°F. Generously butter a large, shallow baking dish.
In a large fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, chopped fennel, poultry seasoning, thyme and fennel seeds. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the bread, chestnuts, the onion mixture and the wild rice. In another bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Whisk the stock into the eggs, then stir the egg mixture into the bowl with the bread mixture. Stir in the parsley, the remaining 2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Spoon the dressing into the prepared baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake until the dressing is lightly browned on top, 20 to 30 minutes more.

Note: This dish can also be packed loosely in the body of the turkey and served as a stuffing. Tying the legs together will help hold the stuffing in the body cavity. For turkeys weighing 16 lb. or less, add 30 minutes to the total roasting time.
For turkeys weighing more than 16 lb., add 1 hour to the total roasting time.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 pounds potatoes
3 ounces butter, soft
3 egg yolks
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

For breading:
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoonsoil
1/2 cup flour
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 cup sliced almonds
oil for frying

• preparation

Peel and cut potatoes into large cubes. Place in a large saucepan, boil in salted boiling water until tender. Drain well, and put through a ricer.
In a large saucepan, combine potatoes with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well over medium heat until mixture thickens.
Spread mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold.
Shape duchess potato into small logs, (1 inch round by 3 inches long).
Dip in beaten egg mixed with oil. Coat in flour, and roll in breadcrumbs and sliced almonds combined. Deep Fry at 350 degrees until golden brown

• preparation

Peel and cut potatoes into large cubes. Place in a large saucepan, boil in salted boiling water until tender. Drain well, and put through a ricer.
In a large saucepan, combine potatoes with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well over medium heat until mixture thickens.
Spread mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold.
Shape duchess potato into small logs, (1 inch round by 3 inches long).
Dip in beaten egg mixed with oil. Coat in flour, and roll in breadcrumbs and sliced almonds combined. Deep Fry at 350 degrees until golden brown

Serves: 6

After combining the slaw with the dressing, be sure to let it stand for 15 minutes to slightly wilt the brussels sprouts.

• Ingredients

1/2 cup pecan halves
1 1/2 tsp. plus 1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt, plus more, to taste
1 tsp. sugar
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and fibrous stems removed
1 small head radicchio, quartered and cored
2 Tbs. cider vinegar
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs. whole-grain mustard
2 Tbs. maple syrup
1/4 cup olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• preparation

Preheat an oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, combine the pecans, the 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, the 1/4 tsp. salt, the sugar and cayenne and stir to coat evenly. Transfer to a baking sheet and toast in the oven until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.

Bring large pot of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt. Add brussels sprouts. Cook until crisp-tender about 5 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water.
Using a food processor fitted with 1/8- to 1/4-inch slicing disk, slice brussels sprouts and radicchio. Transfer to a large bowl and stir to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard and maple syrup. Slowly whisk in the 1/4 cup olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.

Add half of the dressing to the brussels sprout-radicchio mixture and toss well to combine, adding more dressing as needed. Let stand for 15 minutes to slightly wilt the brussels sprouts. Top with the pecans and serve immediately.

• preparation

Preheat an oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, combine the pecans, the 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, the 1/4 tsp. salt, the sugar and cayenne and stir to coat evenly. Transfer to a baking sheet and toast in the oven until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.

Bring large pot of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt. Add brussels sprouts. Cook until crisp-tender about 5 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water.
Using a food processor fitted with 1/8- to 1/4-inch slicing disk, slice brussels sprouts and radicchio. Transfer to a large bowl and stir to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard and maple syrup. Slowly whisk in the 1/4 cup olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.

Add half of the dressing to the brussels sprout-radicchio mixture and toss well to combine, adding more dressing as needed. Let stand for 15 minutes to slightly wilt the brussels sprouts. Top with the pecans and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream, light cream or milk
4 ounces unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• preparation

Peel the potatoes and cut into uniform 1/2-inch pieces. Place into a 4-quart saucepan and cover with cold water by at least 1-inch.
Cover, set over high heat and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove the lid, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the potatoes can easily be crushed with a pair of tongs,
approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander.

Put the cream, butter, salt and pepper into the now empty 4-quart saucepan and place back over
the heat until the butter has melted.
Remove from the heat and set a food mill fitted with the smallest die, on top of the pot.
Add 1 cup of potatoes at a time to the mill. Once all of the potatoes have passed through the mill, stir to combine.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve immediately.

• preparation

Peel the potatoes and cut into uniform 1/2-inch pieces. Place into a 4-quart saucepan and cover with cold water by at least 1-inch.
Cover, set over high heat and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove the lid, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the potatoes can easily be crushed with a pair of tongs,
approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander.

Put the cream, butter, salt and pepper into the now empty 4-quart saucepan and place back over
the heat until the butter has melted.
Remove from the heat and set a food mill fitted with the smallest die, on top of the pot.
Add 1 cup of potatoes at a time to the mill. Once all of the potatoes have passed through the mill, stir to combine.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

FOR THE TOPPING:
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray

FOR BEANS AND SAUCE:
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

A head of cauliflower can be transformed into a super satisfying vegetarian dinner. This is a festive and fun recipe. It looks so dramatic on the table.
If you have no desire making the black garlic, you can buy it online. Black garlic

• Ingredients

1 - 2-pound head cauliflower with leaves
1 gallon water
3 tablespoons salt, divided
1 tablespoon of cumin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Red chili zhug yogurt
Black garlic paste
Hazelnut dukah
Mint salsa verde

• preparation

Trim stem of cauliflower by removing the leaves, so it will sit level on a rimmed baking sheet. Bring 2 gallons water to a boil in a large stockpot over high. Stir in 2 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon of cumin until dissolved.
Add cauliflower to water; place a heatproof ceramic plate on top of cauliflower to keep it submerged. Boil until tender and a fork inserted in cauliflower meets no resistance, 12 to 13 minutes. Using a spider strainer, gently lift cauliflower from water, and let drain in spider, allowing water to drip back into pot. Place cauliflower, stem side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand until cauliflower has cooled slightly and is dry to the touch, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Preheat oven to 500°F with oven rack in center of oven.
Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil over cauliflower to apply a thin, even layer. Sprinkle remaining teaspoon of salt over cauliflower. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and carefully brush with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Cover with Red chili zhug yogurt,
Black garlic paste,
Hazelnut dukah and
Mint salsa verde. Decorate with a few mint leaves and serve immediately.

• preparation

Trim stem of cauliflower by removing the leaves, so it will sit level on a rimmed baking sheet. Bring 2 gallons water to a boil in a large stockpot over high. Stir in 2 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon of cumin until dissolved.
Add cauliflower to water; place a heatproof ceramic plate on top of cauliflower to keep it submerged. Boil until tender and a fork inserted in cauliflower meets no resistance, 12 to 13 minutes. Using a spider strainer, gently lift cauliflower from water, and let drain in spider, allowing water to drip back into pot. Place cauliflower, stem side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand until cauliflower has cooled slightly and is dry to the touch, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Preheat oven to 500°F with oven rack in center of oven.
Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil over cauliflower to apply a thin, even layer. Sprinkle remaining teaspoon of salt over cauliflower. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and carefully brush with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Cover with Red chili zhug yogurt,
Black garlic paste,
Hazelnut dukah and
Mint salsa verde. Decorate with a few mint leaves and serve immediately.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

4 pounds baking potatoes
4 ounces butter
To taste salt and pepper

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and dry potatoes. Pierce skin before baking. Bake potatoes for about one hour, or until the inside of potatoes is cooked.
Cut potatoes lengthwise, Remove pulp and reserve in a mixing bowl. Break the pulp with a fork; season with salt and pepper, and mix in 4 ounces butter.
Lightly oil 2 small potato Anna molds or 8 4-inch round by 2-inch molds. Divide the potato mixture between molds to form two potato cakes.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Unmold on platter. Serve hot.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and dry potatoes. Pierce skin before baking. Bake potatoes for about one hour, or until the inside of potatoes is cooked.
Cut potatoes lengthwise, Remove pulp and reserve in a mixing bowl. Break the pulp with a fork; season with salt and pepper, and mix in 4 ounces butter.
Lightly oil 2 small potato Anna molds or 8 4-inch round by 2-inch molds. Divide the potato mixture between molds to form two potato cakes.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Unmold on platter. Serve hot.

Serves: 4

The potatoes are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The key is to have them at just the right size, coated with just enough oil, and roasted in a hot oven.

• Ingredients

1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound small potatoes, about the size of golf balls
1 1/2 tablespoon hot pepper oil (you can substitute plain oil-if so, use hot paprika instead of regular and/or add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to seasoning mix)
Olive oil cooking spray

.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 500°F.
Combine paprika, turmeric, cumin, and salt in a small dish. Set aside. Cut the potatoes in half and put in a mixing bowl. Add oil and toss well to coat.
Add seasonings and toss again. Spray a shallow roasting pan or cooking sheet with olive oil cooking spray. Spread out potatoes evenly on the pan and put in the oven.
Cook 15 to 18 minutes or until easily pierced with a paring knife. Shake once or twice during cooking to cook evenly

• preparation

Preheat oven to 500°F.
Combine paprika, turmeric, cumin, and salt in a small dish. Set aside. Cut the potatoes in half and put in a mixing bowl. Add oil and toss well to coat.
Add seasonings and toss again. Spray a shallow roasting pan or cooking sheet with olive oil cooking spray. Spread out potatoes evenly on the pan and put in the oven.
Cook 15 to 18 minutes or until easily pierced with a paring knife. Shake once or twice during cooking to cook evenly

Serves: 6

Make-ahead: the gnocchi can be boiled up to 4 hours ahead, and kept at room temperature.

• Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, red skin variety
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted, plus up to 1/2 cup for kneading
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350F/175C. Poke a few holes in each sweet potato to let steam escape, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake them until they're tender, about 45 minutes.
2. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and pass them through a ricer, or a food mill with a fine grate.
3. Place the puree in a large bowl and add the flour, 2 tablespoons of the sage, the salt and pepper, nutmeg and the cheese. Mix gently until just combined.
4. Flour a work surface and scoop the dough out onto it. Dust the top and sides of the dough lightly with flour, and perhaps rub some flour between your hands so that they don't stick to the dough.
5. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece under your palms so that it forms a long rope. [The original recipe says that the ropes should be about 1 inch wide and 20 inches long, but your mileage might vary.] Go ahead and sprinkle the dough with a bit of extra flour if it's sticking. Cut the rope into 1-inch segments, and roll each segment over the tines of a fork to form the characteristic indentations. (Use a gnocchi board if you're lucky enough to have one.) Collect the formed gnocchi on a baking sheet.
6. When you've finished forming the gnocchi, bring a large pot of water to boiling and salt it generously. Drop several gnocchi into the boiling water (you'll need to work in batches so that you don't crowd the pot). Cook them for about 10 seconds after they rise to the surface. This could be only a couple of minutes, or up to five minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked gnocchi to a clean baking sheet, and cool completely.
7. Place a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Melt the butter and cook it, swirling occasionally, until the milk solids have turned a lovely chestnut color and smell nutty, about 5 minutes. If you plan to add fried sage leaves as a garnish, go ahead and fry them.
8. Once the butter has browned, add the remaining chopped sage and turn off the heat. The mixture will bubble up, so don't be alarmed.
9. Add the gnocchi to the sage butter, place over medium-high heat, and cook until the gnocchi are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. You might have to do this in batches, in which case it's useful to have the oven preheated to 300F/150C so that your earlier batches don't get cold. Divide the gnocchi and sauce among bowls, garnish with sage leaves (if desired), and serve.

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350F/175C. Poke a few holes in each sweet potato to let steam escape, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake them until they're tender, about 45 minutes.
2. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and pass them through a ricer, or a food mill with a fine grate.
3. Place the puree in a large bowl and add the flour, 2 tablespoons of the sage, the salt and pepper, nutmeg and the cheese. Mix gently until just combined.
4. Flour a work surface and scoop the dough out onto it. Dust the top and sides of the dough lightly with flour, and perhaps rub some flour between your hands so that they don't stick to the dough.
5. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece under your palms so that it forms a long rope. [The original recipe says that the ropes should be about 1 inch wide and 20 inches long, but your mileage might vary.] Go ahead and sprinkle the dough with a bit of extra flour if it's sticking. Cut the rope into 1-inch segments, and roll each segment over the tines of a fork to form the characteristic indentations. (Use a gnocchi board if you're lucky enough to have one.) Collect the formed gnocchi on a baking sheet.
6. When you've finished forming the gnocchi, bring a large pot of water to boiling and salt it generously. Drop several gnocchi into the boiling water (you'll need to work in batches so that you don't crowd the pot). Cook them for about 10 seconds after they rise to the surface. This could be only a couple of minutes, or up to five minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked gnocchi to a clean baking sheet, and cool completely.
7. Place a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Melt the butter and cook it, swirling occasionally, until the milk solids have turned a lovely chestnut color and smell nutty, about 5 minutes. If you plan to add fried sage leaves as a garnish, go ahead and fry them.
8. Once the butter has browned, add the remaining chopped sage and turn off the heat. The mixture will bubble up, so don't be alarmed.
9. Add the gnocchi to the sage butter, place over medium-high heat, and cook until the gnocchi are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. You might have to do this in batches, in which case it's useful to have the oven preheated to 300F/150C so that your earlier batches don't get cold. Divide the gnocchi and sauce among bowls, garnish with sage leaves (if desired), and serve.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Topping:
1 1/4 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sliced almonds
4 pounds tart apples, peeled, quartered, cored and sliced
3 cups cranberries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon flour
vanilla ice cream

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Butter a 13-by-9-by-2 inch baking dish or a 3-quart baking dish, 2-inch deep. In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cardamon, and salt.
Add butter and mix all ingredients until crumbly. Mix in the almonds. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries and granulated sugar. Mix in 1 tablespoon flour and remaining cinnamon and cardamon. Mix well. Transfer to the prepared dish.
Spread the oat mixture evenly over fruit. Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 50 minutes.
Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Butter a 13-by-9-by-2 inch baking dish or a 3-quart baking dish, 2-inch deep. In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cardamon, and salt.
Add butter and mix all ingredients until crumbly. Mix in the almonds. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries and granulated sugar. Mix in 1 tablespoon flour and remaining cinnamon and cardamon. Mix well. Transfer to the prepared dish.
Spread the oat mixture evenly over fruit. Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 50 minutes.
Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

One recipe Quick and easy pie crust
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound blueberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup sugar
garnish with whipped cream

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, cornstarch and sugar.
Cook over low heat until thick and bubbly. Spread over pie crust. Chill. Decorate top with whipped cream.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, cornstarch and sugar.
Cook over low heat until thick and bubbly. Spread over pie crust. Chill. Decorate top with whipped cream.

Serves: 12

At Seattle's High 5 Pie, owner Dani Cone makes these adorable, portable pies (she calls them "flipsides")

• Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
4 sticks unsalted butter (1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch dice and chilled
3/4 cup ice water

FILLING AND TOPPING
1 1/2 cups pecans (6 ounces)
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Salt
1 cup corn syrup
5 large eggs, 1 egg beaten
1/4 cup turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

• preparation

In a large (preferably 12-cup) food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Add the butter and pulse in 1-second bursts until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle the ice water over the dough and pulse in 1-second bursts until it just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and pat into 2 disks. Wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

On a floured work surface, roll out 1 disk of the dough to a 16-inch square, a scant 1/4 inch thick. Using a small pot lid or plate (5 1/2 to 6 inches) as a template, cut out as many dough rounds as possible. Repeat with the second disk of dough. Reroll the scraps, chilling if necessary, for a total of 12 dough rounds. Transfer the pastry rounds to parchment paper–lined baking sheets and refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop the nuts.
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the sugar with 1/2 cup of water. Cook over moderate heat, swirling the pan gently once the caramel begins to form, until the caramel is medium-amber, about 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, cream, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Transfer 1 cup of the caramel to a large bowl and let cool slightly. (Save any remaining caramel for later use.) Whisk the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and the corn syrup into the caramel in the bowl. Whisk in the 4 unbeaten eggs until smooth. Add the pecans and a generous pinch of salt.
Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Pour the pecan filling into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until set. Let cool slightly, then scrape the pecan filling into a bowl and gently stir to recombine.
Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Working with one baking sheet at a time, brush the pastry surfaces lightly with some of the beaten egg. Scoop a scant 1/4 cup of the pecan filling onto each round and fold the pastry over to make a turnover. Press the edges to seal and crimp with the tines of a floured fork. Refrigerate the hand pies while you prepare the rest.
Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the top of each pie. Bake the pies in the middle and lower thirds of the oven for 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown; shift the pans halfway through baking. Let the pies cool on the baking sheets before serving.
MAKE AHEAD
The pies can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Rewarm before serving.

• preparation

In a large (preferably 12-cup) food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Add the butter and pulse in 1-second bursts until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle the ice water over the dough and pulse in 1-second bursts until it just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and pat into 2 disks. Wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

On a floured work surface, roll out 1 disk of the dough to a 16-inch square, a scant 1/4 inch thick. Using a small pot lid or plate (5 1/2 to 6 inches) as a template, cut out as many dough rounds as possible. Repeat with the second disk of dough. Reroll the scraps, chilling if necessary, for a total of 12 dough rounds. Transfer the pastry rounds to parchment paper–lined baking sheets and refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop the nuts.
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the sugar with 1/2 cup of water. Cook over moderate heat, swirling the pan gently once the caramel begins to form, until the caramel is medium-amber, about 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, cream, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Transfer 1 cup of the caramel to a large bowl and let cool slightly. (Save any remaining caramel for later use.) Whisk the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and the corn syrup into the caramel in the bowl. Whisk in the 4 unbeaten eggs until smooth. Add the pecans and a generous pinch of salt.
Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Pour the pecan filling into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until set. Let cool slightly, then scrape the pecan filling into a bowl and gently stir to recombine.
Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Working with one baking sheet at a time, brush the pastry surfaces lightly with some of the beaten egg. Scoop a scant 1/4 cup of the pecan filling onto each round and fold the pastry over to make a turnover. Press the edges to seal and crimp with the tines of a floured fork. Refrigerate the hand pies while you prepare the rest.
Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the top of each pie. Bake the pies in the middle and lower thirds of the oven for 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown; shift the pans halfway through baking. Let the pies cool on the baking sheets before serving.
MAKE AHEAD
The pies can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Rewarm before serving.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 9-inch pie crust, unbaked

3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons sweet butter
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup Bourbon
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate
1 cup whole pecans

• preparation

Preheat oven tot 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, vanilla and bourbon until well combined. Strain.
Grate the chocolate into bits. Sprinkle over the bottom of unbaked pie crust. Cover with the pecans.
Pour mixture into pie shell.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool for an hour before serving.

• preparation

Preheat oven tot 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, vanilla and bourbon until well combined. Strain.
Grate the chocolate into bits. Sprinkle over the bottom of unbaked pie crust. Cover with the pecans.
Pour mixture into pie shell.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool for an hour before serving.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

9 sheets phyllo
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup sugar

Filling:
3 cups cranberries
4 pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon grated orange rind

For garnish:
mint leaves, phyllo flowers and frosted cranberries

• preparation

Filling:
Set aside 1/4 cup of the cranberries for garnish. Combine cranberries, pears, raisins, sugar and orange juice. Bring to boil; cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pears are almost tender and cranberries pop.
Combine cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water; stir into fruit mixture. Cook for about 1 minute. or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in orange rind. Let cool.
Arrange 1 sheet phyllo on work surface. Brush lightly with butter. Place in lightly butter 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom, letting excess hang over edge. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Brush second sheet with butter, place on first, rotating a quarter turn. Sprinkle with another 2 teaspoons sugar. Layer with 2 more sheets, brushing each sheet with butter, sprinkling with sugar and rotating so not aligned with layers below.
Spread filling over phyllo crust. Fold pastry edges over top. Layer remaining phyllo on top, rotating, buttering and sprinkling with sugar. Gently fold top pastry under bottom. Using knife, cut vents in top of pastry. (Tart can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated covered for up to 4 hours).
Bake in 400 degree oven 30-35 minutes until pastry is crisp and golden. Remove from oven; let stand for 10 minutes in pan on rack. Remove from pan; slide onto serving platter. Garnish: top with phyllo flowers. Scatter frosted cranberries on top and around side. Top with orange rind, and mint. Serve warm.
For garnish: Phyllo flowers: Arrange 2 stacks of phyllo pastry on work surface. cut out six 4-inch circles; wet center of 1 circle with water; top with second circle. Pinch centers together to make flower shapes. Spray with non-stick cooking spray; place in small muffin cups. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Repeat with remaining circles. Bake in 400 degree oven until golden.
Frosted Cranberries: In bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white until frothy. Pour 1/4 cup sugar in shallow bowl. Dip reserved cranberries, a few at a time, in egg white; remove with slotted spoon. Roll in sugar until coated. Place on paper towel; let dry at room temperature for 1 hour.

• preparation

Filling:
Set aside 1/4 cup of the cranberries for garnish. Combine cranberries, pears, raisins, sugar and orange juice. Bring to boil; cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pears are almost tender and cranberries pop.
Combine cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water; stir into fruit mixture. Cook for about 1 minute. or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in orange rind. Let cool.
Arrange 1 sheet phyllo on work surface. Brush lightly with butter. Place in lightly butter 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom, letting excess hang over edge. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Brush second sheet with butter, place on first, rotating a quarter turn. Sprinkle with another 2 teaspoons sugar. Layer with 2 more sheets, brushing each sheet with butter, sprinkling with sugar and rotating so not aligned with layers below.
Spread filling over phyllo crust. Fold pastry edges over top. Layer remaining phyllo on top, rotating, buttering and sprinkling with sugar. Gently fold top pastry under bottom. Using knife, cut vents in top of pastry. (Tart can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated covered for up to 4 hours).
Bake in 400 degree oven 30-35 minutes until pastry is crisp and golden. Remove from oven; let stand for 10 minutes in pan on rack. Remove from pan; slide onto serving platter. Garnish: top with phyllo flowers. Scatter frosted cranberries on top and around side. Top with orange rind, and mint. Serve warm.
For garnish: Phyllo flowers: Arrange 2 stacks of phyllo pastry on work surface. cut out six 4-inch circles; wet center of 1 circle with water; top with second circle. Pinch centers together to make flower shapes. Spray with non-stick cooking spray; place in small muffin cups. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Repeat with remaining circles. Bake in 400 degree oven until golden.
Frosted Cranberries: In bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white until frothy. Pour 1/4 cup sugar in shallow bowl. Dip reserved cranberries, a few at a time, in egg white; remove with slotted spoon. Roll in sugar until coated. Place on paper towel; let dry at room temperature for 1 hour.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

For crust:
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces cold butter
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 tablespoons ice cold water

For filling:
3 large eggs
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
2 ounces melted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts

• preparation

Preheat oven at 425 degrees.
Make shell:
In a mixing bowl, blend together the flour, sugar, and salt, add cut up butter, and mix to form a coarse meal. Add egg yolk and water, and mix to form the dough into a ball. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Roll dough out thinly to fit into a 10-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom.
Line the shell with foil, fill bottom of shell with rice or dry beans. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and rice. Cool.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, syrup, butter, salt, and vanilla.
Stir in the cranberries and walnuts. Pour mixture in shell, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes to form a golden crust on top.
Cool tart, remove rim of the pan, and slide tart onto a serving platter.

• preparation

Preheat oven at 425 degrees.
Make shell:
In a mixing bowl, blend together the flour, sugar, and salt, add cut up butter, and mix to form a coarse meal. Add egg yolk and water, and mix to form the dough into a ball. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Roll dough out thinly to fit into a 10-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom.
Line the shell with foil, fill bottom of shell with rice or dry beans. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and rice. Cool.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, syrup, butter, salt, and vanilla.
Stir in the cranberries and walnuts. Pour mixture in shell, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes to form a golden crust on top.
Cool tart, remove rim of the pan, and slide tart onto a serving platter.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1/4 cup cold shortening, cubed
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vinegar

Filling:
1 14 ounce can pumpkin purée
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 eggs
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

• preparation

Crust:
Combine flour, rind and salt; using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In measuring cup, whisk egg yolk with vinegar; pour in enough ice water to make 1/3 cup. Drizzle egg mixture over flour mixture; toss with fork until dough starts to hold together, adding a little more ice water if necessary.
Form into ball; press into disc. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8 inch thickness. Place in 9 inch pie plate, draping loosely . Without stretching, fit into plate. Trim edges to leave 1 inch overhang. Fold edge under and flute. Prick shell all over and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Gather pastry scraps together and roll out. Using small pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, cut out 11 shapes. Transfer to baking sheet; bake in bottom third of oven for about 12 minutes or until golden. Transfer to rack, let cool. Line pastry shell with foil; fill evenly with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in bottom third of oven for 15 minutes; remove weights and foil. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes longer or until pastry just starts to turn golden. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
In food processor, purée pumpkin, sugar, cheese, cream, eggs, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Pour into pie shell; bake in bottom third of oven for 1 hour or until set in center.
Let cool on rack.
Topping:
Pipe cream into 8 rosettes around edge; top each with pastry pumpkin cookies.

• preparation

Crust:
Combine flour, rind and salt; using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In measuring cup, whisk egg yolk with vinegar; pour in enough ice water to make 1/3 cup. Drizzle egg mixture over flour mixture; toss with fork until dough starts to hold together, adding a little more ice water if necessary.
Form into ball; press into disc. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8 inch thickness. Place in 9 inch pie plate, draping loosely . Without stretching, fit into plate. Trim edges to leave 1 inch overhang. Fold edge under and flute. Prick shell all over and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Gather pastry scraps together and roll out. Using small pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, cut out 11 shapes. Transfer to baking sheet; bake in bottom third of oven for about 12 minutes or until golden. Transfer to rack, let cool. Line pastry shell with foil; fill evenly with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in bottom third of oven for 15 minutes; remove weights and foil. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes longer or until pastry just starts to turn golden. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
In food processor, purée pumpkin, sugar, cheese, cream, eggs, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Pour into pie shell; bake in bottom third of oven for 1 hour or until set in center.
Let cool on rack.
Topping:
Pipe cream into 8 rosettes around edge; top each with pastry pumpkin cookies.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
2/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
confectioners' sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch round cake pan with removable sides.
In bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add molasses, egg, until well blended. In a small bowl, combine flour, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and ground clove. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Spread batter in pan.
Drop spoonfuls of cranberry sauce on batter. Bake cake 40 to 45 minutes or until center of cake is firm. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Remove from pan. Sift confectioners' sugar around edge of cake.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch round cake pan with removable sides.
In bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add molasses, egg, until well blended. In a small bowl, combine flour, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and ground clove. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Spread batter in pan.
Drop spoonfuls of cranberry sauce on batter. Bake cake 40 to 45 minutes or until center of cake is firm. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Remove from pan. Sift confectioners' sugar around edge of cake.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
6 ounces lemon juice
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
16 ounces angel food cake
1 cup heavy cream

• preparation

Dissolve gelatin in lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Combine egg yolks, half of the sugar and gelatin mixture in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir to thicken. Set aside to cool. Beat egg whites to form soft peaks. Add remaining sugar and continue to beat until peaks are stiff and glossy. Fold lemon mixture into egg whites. Whip the cream until medium stiff. Fold gently into lemon mixture. Cut angel food cake into 1" pieces and fold into lemon dessert. Spoon into serving dish and chill to set.

• preparation

Dissolve gelatin in lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Combine egg yolks, half of the sugar and gelatin mixture in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir to thicken. Set aside to cool. Beat egg whites to form soft peaks. Add remaining sugar and continue to beat until peaks are stiff and glossy. Fold lemon mixture into egg whites. Whip the cream until medium stiff. Fold gently into lemon mixture. Cut angel food cake into 1" pieces and fold into lemon dessert. Spoon into serving dish and chill to set.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

crust:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter
5 tablespoons sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon chopped lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Filling:
5 eggs
1 egg yolk
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon chopped lime peel

Sauce:
2 1/2 pints baskets raspberries
1 tablespoon sugar

• preparation

Crust:
Combine crust ingredients in a food processor. Process until it forms in a ball. Refrigerate and roll to 12-inch round to fit in a 10-inch tart with removable bottom.
Line crust with foil or parchment paper. Fill with dry beans or pie weights. Bake until crust is set. About 15 minutes. Remove beans and foil. Continue baking until crust is golden. Transfer to a rack and cool.
Filling:
Whisk eggs, yolk and sugar together in medium bowl. Gradually mix in cream, lemon and lime juices and chopped peels. Pour filling into crust. Bake until filling is set, about 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature on rack.
Sauce:
Puree raspberries with sugar in blender. Strain. Dust tart with powdered sugar. Garnish with berries and serve with sauce.

• preparation

Crust:
Combine crust ingredients in a food processor. Process until it forms in a ball. Refrigerate and roll to 12-inch round to fit in a 10-inch tart with removable bottom.
Line crust with foil or parchment paper. Fill with dry beans or pie weights. Bake until crust is set. About 15 minutes. Remove beans and foil. Continue baking until crust is golden. Transfer to a rack and cool.
Filling:
Whisk eggs, yolk and sugar together in medium bowl. Gradually mix in cream, lemon and lime juices and chopped peels. Pour filling into crust. Bake until filling is set, about 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature on rack.
Sauce:
Puree raspberries with sugar in blender. Strain. Dust tart with powdered sugar. Garnish with berries and serve with sauce.

Serves: 8

This Maple Almond Roll is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert.

• Ingredients

For the Almond Pastry Cream
1/2 Granulated Sugar
4 tsp. Cornstarch
1/4 tsp. Salt
2 C. Half-and-half
4 Large egg yolks, lightly beaten and discard the egg whites
1/2 tsp. Almond extract

For the Maple Cake
1/2 cup all-purpose f
lour
1 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Ground ginger
3/4 tsp. Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Ground cloves
1/3 C. Maple syrup
4 Large eggs, at room temperature and separated
1/2 C. Granulated sugar

For the Maple Glaze
1 C. Powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. Maple syrup
1-2 tsp. Milk
Sliced almonds, optional

• preparation

Make the pastry cream:
In a medium sauce pan combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
Gradually stir in the half-and-half and cook over medium heat until the mixture has come to a light boil and thickened.
Cook the cream for 1 more minute.
Now stir half of the cream into the beaten egg yolks.
Add the cream and egg yolk mixture back into the medium sauce pan.
Bring the cream back to a light boil, reduce the heat to low and cook the cream for 2 more minutes.
After the 2 minutes are up remove the pan from the heat, stir in the almond extract and strain the pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer into a small mixing bowl.
Place the small mixing bowl into a ice water bath and let the pastry cream cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Directly cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic is touching the top of the cream to stop a film forming on top of the pastry cream, you do not want a film.
Chill the pastry cream in the refrigerator until it is cold.
Make the cake:
Preheat your oven to 375°F, 350°F if using a convection oven.
Line a 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, grease the parchment paper.
In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, salt and cloves.
With your stand mixer, with the wire whisk attachment, in your small bowl beat the egg yolks on high speed until they are light yellow and thickened, about 5 minutes.
Add in the maple syrup and whip until just combined.
Now take the small bowl off of your mixer, clean the wire whisk attachment and connect your large bowl to your mixer.
Add the egg whites to the large bowl and whip them on medium speed until soft peak form.
Gradually add in the sugar and whip the egg whites until they are stiff.
Now take the large bowl off of the stand mixer and with a large spatula fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Make sure to fold and not stir the egg whites, you do not want to take the air out of the egg whites, stirring will deflate the egg whites and make the cake turn out flat.
After the egg yolks are folded in sprinkle the flour mixture over the egg whites and fold them in one tablespoon at a time until you have all of the flour added in and the mixture is just combined.
Spread the cake batter into your lined jelly roll pan and bake the cake for 12-15 minutes until it springs back when touched.
While the cake is baking take a large, lint free, kitchen towel and cover it with powdered sugar.
When the cake is done immediately invert it into the prepared kitchen towel and peel the parchment paper off.
Now while the cake is hot roll the cake into a spiral in the kitchen towel, make sure to roll with the short side in, and let it cool until it is at room temperature.
Once the cake and the pastry cream are cooled unroll the cake and spread the pastry cream on the inside of the cake roll. Be sure to keep the cream 1 inch from the edges of the cake.
Re-roll the cake, place it on your serving dish and trim off the end edges.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl add the powdered sugar, maple syrup and enough milk to bring the glaze to drizzle consistency and mix until well combined.
Drizzle the glaze over the cake roll and decorate with almond slices.
The cake will keep for 2-4 days covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

• preparation

Make the pastry cream:
In a medium sauce pan combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
Gradually stir in the half-and-half and cook over medium heat until the mixture has come to a light boil and thickened.
Cook the cream for 1 more minute.
Now stir half of the cream into the beaten egg yolks.
Add the cream and egg yolk mixture back into the medium sauce pan.
Bring the cream back to a light boil, reduce the heat to low and cook the cream for 2 more minutes.
After the 2 minutes are up remove the pan from the heat, stir in the almond extract and strain the pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer into a small mixing bowl.
Place the small mixing bowl into a ice water bath and let the pastry cream cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Directly cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic is touching the top of the cream to stop a film forming on top of the pastry cream, you do not want a film.
Chill the pastry cream in the refrigerator until it is cold.
Make the cake:
Preheat your oven to 375°F, 350°F if using a convection oven.
Line a 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, grease the parchment paper.
In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, salt and cloves.
With your stand mixer, with the wire whisk attachment, in your small bowl beat the egg yolks on high speed until they are light yellow and thickened, about 5 minutes.
Add in the maple syrup and whip until just combined.
Now take the small bowl off of your mixer, clean the wire whisk attachment and connect your large bowl to your mixer.
Add the egg whites to the large bowl and whip them on medium speed until soft peak form.
Gradually add in the sugar and whip the egg whites until they are stiff.
Now take the large bowl off of the stand mixer and with a large spatula fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Make sure to fold and not stir the egg whites, you do not want to take the air out of the egg whites, stirring will deflate the egg whites and make the cake turn out flat.
After the egg yolks are folded in sprinkle the flour mixture over the egg whites and fold them in one tablespoon at a time until you have all of the flour added in and the mixture is just combined.
Spread the cake batter into your lined jelly roll pan and bake the cake for 12-15 minutes until it springs back when touched.
While the cake is baking take a large, lint free, kitchen towel and cover it with powdered sugar.
When the cake is done immediately invert it into the prepared kitchen towel and peel the parchment paper off.
Now while the cake is hot roll the cake into a spiral in the kitchen towel, make sure to roll with the short side in, and let it cool until it is at room temperature.
Once the cake and the pastry cream are cooled unroll the cake and spread the pastry cream on the inside of the cake roll. Be sure to keep the cream 1 inch from the edges of the cake.
Re-roll the cake, place it on your serving dish and trim off the end edges.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl add the powdered sugar, maple syrup and enough milk to bring the glaze to drizzle consistency and mix until well combined.
Drizzle the glaze over the cake roll and decorate with almond slices.
The cake will keep for 2-4 days covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Serves: 8

You can make crumb crust with gingersnaps instead of graham crackers.
Cheesecake keeps, covered and chilled 3 to 4 days.

• Ingredients

Crumb-crust recipe:
1 1/2 cups (5 oz) finely ground graham crackers or cookies such as chocolate or vanilla wafers or gingersnaps
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 made with finely ground gingersnaps
3 (8-ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 large egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
15-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin

• preparation

For Crumb crust recipe:
Stir together crust ingredients and press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of a buttered 9-inch (24-centimeter) springform pan. Fill right away or chill up to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and flour with an electric mixer until smooth and add whole eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla, beating on low speed until each ingredient is incorporated and scraping down bowl between additions. Transfer 2 1/2 cups filling to another bowl and beat yolks, spices, and pumpkin into remaining filling until smooth.
Put springform pan with crust in a shallow baking pan. Pour half of pumpkin filling into crust, then half of plain. Repeat procedure with remaining fillings (springform pan will be completely full), drizzling the plain so that some of pumpkin filling is still visible. Gently swirl a small spoon once through batters in a figure-eight pattern without touching crust. Bake in baking pan (to catch drips) in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until puffed. Reduce temperature to 200°F and bake 30 minutes (do not open oven). Dome a piece of lightly oiled foil over cake and continue baking until mostly firm (center will still be slightly wobbly when pan is gently shaken), about 1 hour more.
Run a knife around top edge of cake to loosen and cool completely in springform pan on a rack. Chill, loosely covered, at least 6 hours. Remove side of pan and transfer cake to a plate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

• preparation

For Crumb crust recipe:
Stir together crust ingredients and press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of a buttered 9-inch (24-centimeter) springform pan. Fill right away or chill up to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and flour with an electric mixer until smooth and add whole eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla, beating on low speed until each ingredient is incorporated and scraping down bowl between additions. Transfer 2 1/2 cups filling to another bowl and beat yolks, spices, and pumpkin into remaining filling until smooth.
Put springform pan with crust in a shallow baking pan. Pour half of pumpkin filling into crust, then half of plain. Repeat procedure with remaining fillings (springform pan will be completely full), drizzling the plain so that some of pumpkin filling is still visible. Gently swirl a small spoon once through batters in a figure-eight pattern without touching crust. Bake in baking pan (to catch drips) in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until puffed. Reduce temperature to 200°F and bake 30 minutes (do not open oven). Dome a piece of lightly oiled foil over cake and continue baking until mostly firm (center will still be slightly wobbly when pan is gently shaken), about 1 hour more.
Run a knife around top edge of cake to loosen and cool completely in springform pan on a rack. Chill, loosely covered, at least 6 hours. Remove side of pan and transfer cake to a plate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Serves: 16

For 1 10-inch cake.

This recipe for New York-style cheesecake, adapted from "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook," makes a smooth and creamy dessert that everyone will love.

• Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
One 9-ounce package chocolate wafer cookies, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
2 ¼ cups sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
3 pounds (six 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
5 large eggs
4 blood oranges
2 tablespoons orange liqueur

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) in a double layer of foil. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place crushed wafer cookies and 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl; stir until well combined. Pour melted butter over cookie mixture and mix until evenly moistened. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until crust is set, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 2 1/4 cups sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar mixture to cream cheese; mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined; do not overmix.

Pour cream cheese filling into prepared pan. Set pan inside a large, shallow roasting pan. Carefully ladle boiling water into roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake 45 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue baking until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn off oven; leave cake in oven with door slightly ajar, 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Before unmolding, run a knife around the edge of the cake.

Slice the top and bottom of 1 orange with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel and white pith. Trim off any remaining pith. Holding the orange over a bowl, cut along both sides of each segment, staying close to the membrane, to release. Repeat with remaining oranges. Pour in liqueur and toss to combine. Serve over cheesecake.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) in a double layer of foil. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place crushed wafer cookies and 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl; stir until well combined. Pour melted butter over cookie mixture and mix until evenly moistened. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until crust is set, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 2 1/4 cups sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar mixture to cream cheese; mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined; do not overmix.

Pour cream cheese filling into prepared pan. Set pan inside a large, shallow roasting pan. Carefully ladle boiling water into roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake 45 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue baking until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn off oven; leave cake in oven with door slightly ajar, 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Before unmolding, run a knife around the edge of the cake.

Slice the top and bottom of 1 orange with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel and white pith. Trim off any remaining pith. Holding the orange over a bowl, cut along both sides of each segment, staying close to the membrane, to release. Repeat with remaining oranges. Pour in liqueur and toss to combine. Serve over cheesecake.

Serves: 10

This homey cake is great as a casual dessert, coffee cake or after-school treat.
Source : Canadian Living Magazine

• Ingredients

2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
2-1/2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cardamom or cinnamon
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
3 eggs
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, melted
1/4 cup (60 mL) pear nectar

Pear Filling:
3 ripe pears, (about 1-1/4 lb/625 g)
1 tbsp (15 mL) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) all-purpose flour

Walnut Streusel:
1/2 cup (125 mL) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
1 Pinch salt
1/4 cup (60 mL) butter, cubed
1/2 cup (125 mL) coarsely chopped walnuts

• preparation

Walnut Streusel: In bowl, stir together flour, sugar and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Set aside.

In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cardamom and salt.
In large bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar until pale; beat in butter. Stir in flour mixture alternately with pear nectar, making 2 additions of flour mixture and 1 of pear nectar. Set aside.

Pear Filling: Peel, halve and core pears; thinly slice crosswise. In bowl, toss together pears, sugar and flour. Set aside.

Scrape half of the batter into parchment paper–lined 9-inch (2.5 L) square metal pan. Arrange pears over top. Dollop remaining batter over pears; spread evenly. Sprinkle with streusel.
Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven until golden and cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, 1 hour. Let cool on rack.

• preparation

Walnut Streusel: In bowl, stir together flour, sugar and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Set aside.

In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cardamom and salt.
In large bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar until pale; beat in butter. Stir in flour mixture alternately with pear nectar, making 2 additions of flour mixture and 1 of pear nectar. Set aside.

Pear Filling: Peel, halve and core pears; thinly slice crosswise. In bowl, toss together pears, sugar and flour. Set aside.

Scrape half of the batter into parchment paper–lined 9-inch (2.5 L) square metal pan. Arrange pears over top. Dollop remaining batter over pears; spread evenly. Sprinkle with streusel.
Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven until golden and cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, 1 hour. Let cool on rack.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

For the pastry:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup shortening
2 to 3 tablespoons ice water, or as needed

For the filling:
2 (13.5 oz.) pumpkin pie mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup heavy cream
whipped cream for serving

• preparation

To make the pastry,
in the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and granulated sugar and pulse once to mix. Add the butter and shortening and process in short pulses to form pea-size crumbs, 20 to 25 seconds. While pulsing, gradually add the water to form large, moist crumbs, 10 seconds more. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, with lightly floured hands, shape the dough into a 5-inch disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, fit the dough into the dish and trim the edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fold under the excess dough and, using your thumb, decoratively flute the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Using a fork, poke holes in the dough and bake until the pastry is golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
To make the filling, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin mix, eggs, brown sugar, chopped pecans and cream until smooth.
Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake until the filling is set, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
Serve slices with whipped cream.

• preparation

To make the pastry,
in the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and granulated sugar and pulse once to mix. Add the butter and shortening and process in short pulses to form pea-size crumbs, 20 to 25 seconds. While pulsing, gradually add the water to form large, moist crumbs, 10 seconds more. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, with lightly floured hands, shape the dough into a 5-inch disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, fit the dough into the dish and trim the edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fold under the excess dough and, using your thumb, decoratively flute the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Using a fork, poke holes in the dough and bake until the pastry is golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
To make the filling, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin mix, eggs, brown sugar, chopped pecans and cream until smooth.
Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake until the filling is set, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
Serve slices with whipped cream.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Crust:
3/4 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup pecans, ground
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Filling:
3 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups pumpkin, canned
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon bourbon
Garnish:
Whipped cream pecan halves

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Crust:
Combine the crust ingredients. Press firmly onto greased 9 inch spring form pan. Chill.
Filling:
Beat cream cheese with sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at the time.
Stir in pumpkin, spices, milk, cornstarch, and bourbon until thoroughly combined. Pour into pan.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until center of cake is just set. Remove cake from oven and run a knife around sides of pan. Chill.
Garnish cake with whipped cream and whole pecans.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Crust:
Combine the crust ingredients. Press firmly onto greased 9 inch spring form pan. Chill.
Filling:
Beat cream cheese with sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at the time.
Stir in pumpkin, spices, milk, cornstarch, and bourbon until thoroughly combined. Pour into pan.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until center of cake is just set. Remove cake from oven and run a knife around sides of pan. Chill.
Garnish cake with whipped cream and whole pecans.

Serves: 16

The chocolate Mousse Cake is a stunning 4-layer dessert

• Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:
• 2 oz soft butter
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) brown sugar
• 1 egg at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) buttermilk at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (2.66 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (1 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
For the Pumpkin Cinnamon Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz cinnamon chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Pumpkin Butterscotch Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz butterscotch chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided use
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
For the Salted Caramel Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz salted caramel chips or white chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided use
• 1/3 cup thick salted caramel sauce
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache on Top:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate finely chopped
To Decorate:
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon
• Candy of your choosing

• preparation

To Make the Chocolate Cake:
1. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment, and spray it with non stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Add the butter and both sugars to the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat them together on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, and beat well until they’re fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low, add a quarter of the sifted flour mixture. Add a third of the buttermilk to the mixing bowl. When that’s incorporated, continue to add the dry and wet ingredients in an alternating pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.
4. Finish mixing the cake by hand. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Bake the cake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cake completely before using.
To Make the Mousse Layers:
1. Prepare your pan. You need a 9-inch pan with sides at least 3 inches tall, and the ability to remove the bottom. Either a cake pan with a removable bottom or a springform pan will work. Line the inner wall with a 4-inch high acetate cake collar or a strip of aluminum foil or waxed paper. Make sure the acetate or waxed paper is long enough so that it overlaps itself, and if you are using foil/waxed paper, make sure you cut the strip tall enough to extend at least an inch over the pan’s sides, since the cake is about 4 inches tall.
2. Place a cake cardboard in the bottom of the pan, then carefully place the baked cake on top of the cardboard. This is optional, but it makes it easy to transfer the cake cleanly and neatly to your serving plate.
3. Prepare the cinnamon mousse layer: combine the cinnamon chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour it into a large bowl, and let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
4. While you wait for the cinnamon mixture to cool, prepare the gelatin. Whisk together the gelatin and the cold water in a small bowl, and set it aside to let the gelatin absorb the water. When the cinnamon is at room temperature, microwave the bowl of gelatin for 15 seconds, until it is melted. Whisk the melted gelatin and cinnamon mixture together, and whisk in the ground cinnamon.
5. Whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream to firm peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the cinnamon, and once it’s incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Scrape the mousse on top of the cake, and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for 25 minutes, until the mousse has started to set and is firm enough that a second layer can be added.
6. For the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, combine the butterscotch chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the cinnamon layer, by melting and cooling the butterscotch mixture, whisking in the melted gelatin, and folding in whipped cream. When the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse is ready, pour it over the cinnamon mousse layer. Spread it into an even layer, and refrigerate again.
7. Finally, prepare the salted caramel layer. Combine the salted caramel chips (or white chocolate chips), 1/2 cup heavy cream, salted caramel, salt, and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the previous two layers. Pour it over the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, and refrigerate to set the mousse layers for at least 30 minutes.
8. Make a quick chocolate ganache by putting the chopped chocolate in a small bowl and heating the cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and whisk gently until the chocolate melts and you have a smooth, shiny mixture. If it is very hot, let it cool slightly so it’s still warm and spreadable, but not so hot that it will melt the mousse. Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, and use a spatula to nudge it right to the edge and spread it in an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight, so that the mousse layers can be very firm when slicing.
9. To finish the cake, push the bottom out from the pan, or unhinge the sides, and unwrap the acetate strip. Transfer the cake to your serving platter. Pipe rosettes of whipped cream around the edges, and sprinkle the cream with a bit of cinnamon. Top the rosettes with chocolate candies or chocolate curls, or leave them plain.
10. For the cleanest slices, cut the cake when it is well chilled. Use a large sharp knife, and wash it frequently between cuts. For the best taste and texture, allow the cake slices to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

• preparation

To Make the Chocolate Cake:
1. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment, and spray it with non stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Add the butter and both sugars to the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat them together on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, and beat well until they’re fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low, add a quarter of the sifted flour mixture. Add a third of the buttermilk to the mixing bowl. When that’s incorporated, continue to add the dry and wet ingredients in an alternating pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.
4. Finish mixing the cake by hand. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Bake the cake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cake completely before using.
To Make the Mousse Layers:
1. Prepare your pan. You need a 9-inch pan with sides at least 3 inches tall, and the ability to remove the bottom. Either a cake pan with a removable bottom or a springform pan will work. Line the inner wall with a 4-inch high acetate cake collar or a strip of aluminum foil or waxed paper. Make sure the acetate or waxed paper is long enough so that it overlaps itself, and if you are using foil/waxed paper, make sure you cut the strip tall enough to extend at least an inch over the pan’s sides, since the cake is about 4 inches tall.
2. Place a cake cardboard in the bottom of the pan, then carefully place the baked cake on top of the cardboard. This is optional, but it makes it easy to transfer the cake cleanly and neatly to your serving plate.
3. Prepare the cinnamon mousse layer: combine the cinnamon chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour it into a large bowl, and let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
4. While you wait for the cinnamon mixture to cool, prepare the gelatin. Whisk together the gelatin and the cold water in a small bowl, and set it aside to let the gelatin absorb the water. When the cinnamon is at room temperature, microwave the bowl of gelatin for 15 seconds, until it is melted. Whisk the melted gelatin and cinnamon mixture together, and whisk in the ground cinnamon.
5. Whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream to firm peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the cinnamon, and once it’s incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Scrape the mousse on top of the cake, and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for 25 minutes, until the mousse has started to set and is firm enough that a second layer can be added.
6. For the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, combine the butterscotch chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the cinnamon layer, by melting and cooling the butterscotch mixture, whisking in the melted gelatin, and folding in whipped cream. When the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse is ready, pour it over the cinnamon mousse layer. Spread it into an even layer, and refrigerate again.
7. Finally, prepare the salted caramel layer. Combine the salted caramel chips (or white chocolate chips), 1/2 cup heavy cream, salted caramel, salt, and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the previous two layers. Pour it over the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, and refrigerate to set the mousse layers for at least 30 minutes.
8. Make a quick chocolate ganache by putting the chopped chocolate in a small bowl and heating the cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and whisk gently until the chocolate melts and you have a smooth, shiny mixture. If it is very hot, let it cool slightly so it’s still warm and spreadable, but not so hot that it will melt the mousse. Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, and use a spatula to nudge it right to the edge and spread it in an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight, so that the mousse layers can be very firm when slicing.
9. To finish the cake, push the bottom out from the pan, or unhinge the sides, and unwrap the acetate strip. Transfer the cake to your serving platter. Pipe rosettes of whipped cream around the edges, and sprinkle the cream with a bit of cinnamon. Top the rosettes with chocolate candies or chocolate curls, or leave them plain.
10. For the cleanest slices, cut the cake when it is well chilled. Use a large sharp knife, and wash it frequently between cuts. For the best taste and texture, allow the cake slices to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 recipe never fail pie crust
Filling:
2 eggs, lightly beaten
16 ounces solid pack pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

• preparation

Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin. Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine filling ingredients in order given; pour into pie crust.
Bake in preheated for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 40-50 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool; garnish, if desired with whipped topping.

• preparation

Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin. Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine filling ingredients in order given; pour into pie crust.
Bake in preheated for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 40-50 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool; garnish, if desired with whipped topping.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Serves 8 to 10

1 recipe never fail pie crust

FILLING: 1 3/4 cups canned solid pumpkin
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 large eggs
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Topping:
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
4 large egg whites

• preparation

Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch shallow pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin.
Freeze any leftover dough for future use. Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Line pie shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell for 25 minutes. Remove weight or rice and foil, and bake shell until just pale golden. Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
Filling:
In a bowl, Whisk together all ingredients, and pour into pie shell. Bake pie for 1 hour, or until center is almost firm. Cool on rack and refrigerate.
Topping:
Whip the cream with 2 tablespoons. sugar until it holds stiff peaks. In a bowl, whisk sour cream.
In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water to soften for 1 minute. Heat to dissolve. Stir into sour cream. Gradually fold whipped cream into sour cream mixture. Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Fold meringue into cream.
Mount topping on chilled pie into a smooth dome.
Make 8 even-spaced indented ridges with a church key can opener. Chill. Dust with cinnamon.
Insert cinnamon stick in center for stem.

• preparation

Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch shallow pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin.
Freeze any leftover dough for future use. Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Line pie shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell for 25 minutes. Remove weight or rice and foil, and bake shell until just pale golden. Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
Filling:
In a bowl, Whisk together all ingredients, and pour into pie shell. Bake pie for 1 hour, or until center is almost firm. Cool on rack and refrigerate.
Topping:
Whip the cream with 2 tablespoons. sugar until it holds stiff peaks. In a bowl, whisk sour cream.
In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water to soften for 1 minute. Heat to dissolve. Stir into sour cream. Gradually fold whipped cream into sour cream mixture. Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Fold meringue into cream.
Mount topping on chilled pie into a smooth dome.
Make 8 even-spaced indented ridges with a church key can opener. Chill. Dust with cinnamon.
Insert cinnamon stick in center for stem.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed
2 red organic apples (like red delicious, Rome)
Juice of half lemon
1 tablespoon of flour, to sprinkle the counter
3 tablespoons of apricot preserve
cinnamon
powder sugar for decorating

• preparation

1. Thaw the puff pastry.

2. Prepare a bowl with some water and the lemon juice. Cut the apples in half, remove the core and cut the apples in paper thin slices, leaving the peel so it will give the red color to your roses. place the sliced apples in the bowl with lemon and water.

3. Microwave the apples in the bowl, for about 3 minutes just to soften them. Or you can also simmer the apple slices in the water in a small pan.

4. Unwrap the puff pastry over a clean and lightly floured counter. Using a rolling pin stretch the dough a little, trying to keep it in a rectangular shape. Cut the dough in 6 strips. These are about 2 in x 9 in (5 cm x 22 cm).

5. In a bowl, place three tablespoons of apricot preserve with two tablespoons of water. Microwave for about one minute, so that the preserve will be easier to spread. Spread the preserve on the dough.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Drain the apples.

7. Place the apples on the edge of dough, with the unpeeled edges extending over the dough Sprinkle with cinnamon.

8. Fold up the bottom part of the dough.

9. Carefully roll, seal the edge, and place in a greased muffin cup.

10. Do the same for all 6 roses. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 40-45 minutes, until fully cooked.
NOTE: make sure the pastry is fully cooked on the inside before removing the roses from the oven! If after 30 minutes the apples on top look fully cooked, move the pan to a lower rack in the oven, and wait for 10-15 more minutes to avoid undercooking the puff pastry.

Sprinkle with powder sugar and enjoy!

• preparation

1. Thaw the puff pastry.

2. Prepare a bowl with some water and the lemon juice. Cut the apples in half, remove the core and cut the apples in paper thin slices, leaving the peel so it will give the red color to your roses. place the sliced apples in the bowl with lemon and water.

3. Microwave the apples in the bowl, for about 3 minutes just to soften them. Or you can also simmer the apple slices in the water in a small pan.

4. Unwrap the puff pastry over a clean and lightly floured counter. Using a rolling pin stretch the dough a little, trying to keep it in a rectangular shape. Cut the dough in 6 strips. These are about 2 in x 9 in (5 cm x 22 cm).

5. In a bowl, place three tablespoons of apricot preserve with two tablespoons of water. Microwave for about one minute, so that the preserve will be easier to spread. Spread the preserve on the dough.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Drain the apples.

7. Place the apples on the edge of dough, with the unpeeled edges extending over the dough Sprinkle with cinnamon.

8. Fold up the bottom part of the dough.

9. Carefully roll, seal the edge, and place in a greased muffin cup.

10. Do the same for all 6 roses. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 40-45 minutes, until fully cooked.
NOTE: make sure the pastry is fully cooked on the inside before removing the roses from the oven! If after 30 minutes the apples on top look fully cooked, move the pan to a lower rack in the oven, and wait for 10-15 more minutes to avoid undercooking the puff pastry.

Sprinkle with powder sugar and enjoy!

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 pie crust
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup oat bran
1 cup pecans, chopped, (or pecan meal)
1 cup pecan halves

• preparation

Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin. Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, mix the eggs with sugar and corn syrup. Stir in butter, oat bran and chopped pecan.
Pour prepared mixture in pie shell. Neatly arrange pecan halves on top of pie. Bake for 15 minutes.
Cover pie with foil to avoid browning pecans and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes.

• preparation

Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin. Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, mix the eggs with sugar and corn syrup. Stir in butter, oat bran and chopped pecan.
Pour prepared mixture in pie shell. Neatly arrange pecan halves on top of pie. Bake for 15 minutes.
Cover pie with foil to avoid browning pecans and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes.