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Romazava

Coconut milk chicken

The range of dishes eaten in Madagascar in the 21st century offers insight into the island's unique history and the diversity of the peoples who inhabit it today. The complexity of Malagasy meals can range from the simple, traditional preparations introduced by the earliest settlers, to the refined festival dishes prepared for the island's 19th-century monarchs.
Although the classic Malagasy meal of rice and its accompaniment remains predominant, over the past 100 years other food types and combinations have been popularized by French colonists and immigrants from China and India. Consequently, Malagasy cuisine is traditional while also assimilating newly emergent cultural influences.
Throughout almost the entire island, the contemporary cuisine of Madagascar typically consists of a base of rice served with an accompaniment.
The many varieties may be vegetarian or include animal proteins, and typically feature a sauce flavored with such ingredients as ginger, onion, garlic, tomato, vanilla, salt, curry powder, or, less commonly, other spices or herbs.
A wide variety of sweet and savory fritters as well as other street foods are available across the island, as are diverse tropical and temperate-climate fruits.

Appetizer
Basic aioli-garlic sauce  Print Recipe

[ay-OH-lee, i-OH-lee] A light mayonnaise style sauce with fresh garlic. Used atop vegetables or fish. A wonderful accompaniment to simple crudités. The keys to success with aioli is to work very slowly and have all the ingredients at room temperature. The traditional tool used to make aioli is a large mortar and pestle. We recommend a pottery or granite mortar and pestle for this task.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
4 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped fine
2 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon cold water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Add the garlic and salt to the mortar bowl and grind slowly with the pestle, moving in one direction only. You can do this first step in a food processor if you'd like, then transfer the mixture back to a medium sized bowl.
Whisk in the mustard first, then the egg yolks. At this point you can transfer the mixture back into the mortar or use the whisk in the bowl.
Add in half of the oil very slowly or the oil will not emulsify and the sauce will not thicken. Add the oil in a slow, fine stream while either whisking with a wire whisk.
Once the first half of the oil is incorporated, then add the water and the lemon juice, and mustard, whisking constantly. Then slowly add the rest of the oil. The mixture will thicken as you continue to blend it.
The mixture should be slightly thinner than commercial mayonnaise. If it becomes too thick you can add a bit more warm water, one teaspoon at a time.

Sauce Variations
Rosemary - Add two teaspoons of minced fresh rosemary
Chipotle - Add one tablespoon of minced canned chipotles in adobo sauce.
Saffron - Add a large pinch of Saffron threads and a tablespoon of honey.

Appetizer
Smoked salmon mousse   Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
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
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.

Appetizer
Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar  Print Recipe

From Le Cabro d'Or, Les Baux-de-Provence, France
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
3 ounces Parmesan cheese
2 lemons, halved
8 artichokes (about 9 to 12 ounces each)
24 baby carrots, greens trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 ounces button mushrooms, halved
1 10-ounce package frozen baby peas, thawed
1 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Using a vegetable peeler or a medium knife, cut Parmesan into thin shavings. Set aside.
Squeeze juice from lemons into large pot; add lemons.
Fill pot with water. Cut stem and top 1/3 from 1 artichoke. Starting at base, bend leaves back and snap off where they break naturally; continue until all tough outer leaves have been removed. Using small sharp knife, trim outside of base until smooth and no dark green areas remain.
Cut artichoke lengthwise into quarters. Cut out choke from quarters. Cut each quarter in half, making 1/2-inch wedges. Place artichoke pieces in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Cover pot and bring to boil. Boil artichokes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; set aside. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook 24 baby carrots in large pot of boiling water 5 minutes. Drain carrots well. (Carrots can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Sauté until tomatoes and mushrooms release juices, about 8 minutes. Add artichokes, carrots, baby peas and lima beans.
Cook until lima beans and peas are tender and juices thicken slightly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup butter and stir until melted. Season vegetables to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer ragout to large bowl. Toss with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with Parmesan shavings.

Appetizer
Ham aspic with egg salad and avocado  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
12 slices thin ham
1 1/2 cups egg salad
1 cup aspic jelly
avocado slices
egg slices
Make ham rolls stuffing the egg salad in each slice. Pour liquid aspic in an 8 by 8-inch dish.
Let set until firm. Arrange stuffed ham on a platter. Decorate with avocado and egg slices.
Decorate platter with chopped aspic jelly. Refrigerate before serving.

Appetizer
Crispy salmon nuggets in kataifi crust  Print Recipe

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.
Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
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
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.

Appetizer
Mussel and scallop soup   Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 pounds mussels
2 cups white wine
1 teaspoon shallots, chopped
1 teaspoon saffron
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons flour
1 cup cream
salt and white pepper to taste

8 ounces scallops
1 ounce butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Scrub mussels under cold running water. Heat wine in a large pot. Add mussels. Cover pot and steam for about 5 minutes, or until mussels are opened.
Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Save. Remove mussels from shells. Reserve for garnish.
In a medium saucepan, add mussel broth, shallots, onion, saffron, parsley and chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes. Combine butter and flour to a paste.
Whip in the cooking liquid to thicken. Add cream and seasoning. Add mussels.
Saute scallops in butter and lemon juice until transparent. Dice the scallops and cooking liquid to soup together with mussels.
Heat soup and serve hot.

Appetizer
Potato pancakes with smoked salmon and creme fraiche  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 lbs peeled and cubed potatoes
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup wheat flour or cornstarch
2 eggs, lightly beaten
5 oz (150 g) smoked salmon slices
2 tbsp creme fraiche or light sour cream
garnish chives and lemon wedges
Cook potatoes in salted water for 10-15 minutes until tender. Drain well and mash with 1 tablespoon cream.
Transfer potato to a large bowl. Whisk in flour, eggs and remaining cream. Season to taste.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan on medium spray with oil.
Add batter to the pan in 1/4 - cup measures. Cook pancakes, in batches, for 3-4 minutes, then flip over and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Transfer cooked pancakes to a baking tray and keep warm in the oven. Top pancakes with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and snipped chives. Serve with lemon wedges.

Appetizer
Steamed mussels in white wine   Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
5 pounds fresh mussels
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 1/2 cups white wine
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon flour
1/4 teaspoon saffron
2 egg yolks
Scrub and debeard mussels. In a large kettle, combine parsley, white wine, and shallots, and bring to a boil. Steam the mussels in the boiling liquid until opened. Drain and save the cooking stock. Remove only top shells of mussels and discard.
Arrange mussels in ovenproof serving casserole. Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Pour in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
In a small saucepan, melt butter, and add flour to make roux. Stir roux in stock and whisk to thicken. Add the saffron. Pour a little sauce into egg yolks. Mix well and stir into remaining sauce.
Heat sauce but do not boil. Season to taste with salt, pepper.
Do not add salt since the mussel stock is salty. Pour sauce over the hot mussels. Serve immediately.

Main
Coconut milk chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (1-inch to 1-1/2 inch thick)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups seeded and diced tomatoes, (or use 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, well drained)
1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened, lite coconut milk
chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels and set aside.
In a small mixing bowl combine cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper; stir until thoroughly incorporated.
Rub seasoning mixture all over chicken breasts.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken breasts to the heated oil and cook for 6 to 7 minutes on each side, or until browned and almost cooked through. Cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts.
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate; keep covered.
Add remaining olive oil to the skillet; add onions to the heated oil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender and translucent.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add tomatoes and continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft.
Stir in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer; let simmer for 5 minutes, or until sauce thickens.
Return chicken breasts to the skillet; reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Chicken is done when internal temperature registers at 165˚F.
Taste sauce for salt and pepper; adjust accordingly.
Garnish with cilantro or parsley, and serve.

Main
Romazava  Print Recipe

Romazava is Madagascar’s national dish.
Serves: 6
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 lb.beef chuck cut into bite size pieces
1 pork loin chop cut into bite size pieces
one skinless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
2 cups chicken or beef stock
1/2 large yellow onion diced
5 cloves garlic peeled and minced
2 1/2 ” of ginger peeled and minced
3 serrano chilies minced
A bunch mustard greens chopped
1 combination bag or baby spinach and arugula or a bunch or each
salt and pepper to taste.
In a large dutch oven heat the oil and brown the beef on all sides.
Add the tomatoes, stock, onion, chilies, garlic and ginger and bring to a simmer.
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low and let stew for about 30 minutes
Add in the pork and the chicken pieces and bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and cover for another 10-15 minutes.
Add in the greens, it will seem like too much greens but they wilt down quickly.
cover and stew for another 10 minutes
Add salt and pepper to taste
Serve over steamed white rice and be sure to have some sakay on hand as that is what makes the dish delicious!

Main
Rack of lamb with mushroom crust  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
2 ounces dried black trumpet or other dried mushrooms
1 egg
salt and black pepper to taste
flour for dredging
2 racks of lamb, boned and trimmed
4 medium leeks, trimmed of hard green parts, split in half, well washed and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces fresh shiitake, trimmed and cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic, lightly smashed
2 sprigs thyme
In a coffee grinder or spice grinder, grind dried mushrooms to the consistency of coffee. Set aside.
Beat egg in a bowl, with salt and pepper. Dip lamb in flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into egg, and then into mushrooms.
Pat mushrooms to adhere; coat lamb heavily. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
Cook leeks in salted boiling water. Drain, and puree with butter. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve. In a medium skillet, heat half of the oil. Saute mushrooms, garlic and thyme until mushrooms are tender.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place remaining oil in an oven-proof skillet. Heat to medium-high. Add lamb.
Cook for 2 minutes on one side. Turn and place skillet in the oven for 5 to 6 minutes for rare, medium-rare, (125 degrees) or longer for medium. Let lamb rest for 5 minutes then cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
Place a dollop of leek purée on each plate; top with portions of mushrooms. Place lamb on top.

Main
Mushroom bourguignon with polenta  Print Recipe

Meaty mushrooms simmered with wine and carrots make for a rich Bourguignon-style stew. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish or beef broth. You may also serve the Mushroom Bourguignon with noodles or mashed potatoes
Serves: 4
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
4 tablespoons butter or extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as portobello, shiitake or oyster, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups peeled pearl onions
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion peeled and diced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup dry red wine (Pinot noir, or Beaujolais)
1 ½ cups beef, mushroom or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1 bay leaf
Polenta for serving
Chopped parsley, for serving
Heat 2 tablespoons butter or oil to a large Dutch oven or pot. Cook the mushrooms until they are brown. You might have to do this in batches. Use a slotted spoon to transfer mushrooms to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add another 2 tablespoons butter and brown the onions, seasoning them as you go. Transfer to bowl with mushrooms.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add another tablespoon butter or oil to pan. Add sliced carrots and minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste and flour and then add wine, broth, soy sauce, thyme and bay leaf, scraping up the brown bits at bottom of pot.
Add reserved cooked mushrooms and pearl onions back to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer on low heat until carrots and onions are tender and sauce is thick, 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and add season if needed. Discard the bay leaf.
Serve mushroom Bourguignon over polenta, topped with parsley.

Main
Braised onions  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes
2 pounds onions, thickly sliced
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon liquid honey
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste
In a saucepan of salted boiling water, cook onions for 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to 6-cup casserole.
Mix together ketchup, water, honey, butter, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over onions.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until onions are tender and glazed

Main
Turkey croquettes  Print Recipe


Serves: 12
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
2 cups bread crumbs
1 large egg
2 tablespoons water
2 cups mashed potatoes
2 cups stuffing
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
To serve:
Cranberry sauce
Warm turkey gravy
In a small sauté pan over moderate heat, toast the bread crumbs until golden and crunchy, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water.

In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into 2-inch-long, oblong-shaped croquettes (you should have about 24 croquettes) and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet.

Working with 1 croquette at a time, dredge them in the egg-water mixture, letting the excess drip off, then dredge them in the bread crumbs, and return them to the rimmed baking sheet.

In a large skillet, over moderately high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the oil. Working in batches, pan-fry the croquettes, turning them occasionally, until crispy on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes total. Repeat with the remaining croquettes, wiping the pan clean and adding 2 tablespoons of the oil to the pan between batches. DO AHEAD: The croquettes can be prepared ahead and frozen, well wrapped in foil, for up to 3 months. To reheat: Bake the frozen croquettes on a large baking sheet in a 475°F oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove the croquettes from the oven for about 5 minutes to let the interiors thaw, then return them to the oven to finish baking for another 2 minutes.

Serve hot with cranberry sauce and/or warm gravy.

Main
Salmon with lentils  Print Recipe

30-40 minutes
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
1/2 pound French green lentils such as du Puy
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for salmon
2 cups chopped yellow onions
2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts only
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 1/2 cups chopped celery (4 stalks)
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots (3 carrots)
1 1/2 cups Homemade Chicken Stock or good canned broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar
4 (8-ounce) center-cut salmon fillets, skin removed
Place the lentils in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 15 minutes, then drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a sauté pan, add the onions, leeks, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the celery, carrots, chicken stock, tomato paste and lentils. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Add the vinegar and season to ¬taste.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

For the salmon, heat a dry oven-proof sauté pan over high heat for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, rub both sides of the salmon fillets with olive oil and season the tops with salt and pepper. When the pan is very hot, place the salmon fillets seasoning-sides down in the pan and cook over medium heat without moving them for 2 minutes, until very browned. Turn the fillets and place the pan in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the salmon is cooked rare. Spoon a mound of lentils on each plate and place a salmon fillet on top. Serve hot.

Main
Duck breasts with cherry-port sauce  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
1-1/2 cups fruity red wine, Shiraz, or Merlot
1 cup ruby port
One 1-1/4 -inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
1 Tbs. granulated sugar
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 cups fresh sweet or sour cherries, pitted and halved (about 11 oz.)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. coarsely cracked black peppercorns
6 small or 3 large skin-on duck breasts (about 3 lb. total)
Garnish:
green peas
small oven brown potatoes
Put the wine, port, ginger, and sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat as needed, and simmer until reduced by half, 8 to 12 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the balsamic vinegar and cornstarch. Whisking constantly, add the cornstarch mixture to the wine mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute more. Discard the ginger. Reduce the heat to low, add the cherries, and simmer slowly until the cherries are warm, 1 to 2 additional minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Put the duck breasts on a work surface skin side up. Using a sharp knife, score the skin in a grid pattern, cutting just halfway through the thickness of the skin. Season the duck generously with salt. Scatter the cracked pepper on a small baking sheet and press the duck into the pepper, coating both sides evenly.

Heat a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the duck skin side down and cook until the skin is deep golden-brown and the fat from the skin has rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully spoon off and discard all but about 1 Tbs. of the fat. Turn the duck and continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a breast reads 135°F for medium rare, 4 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm the sauce over very low heat. Cut each duck breast on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve with the sauce.

Main
Smoked salmon napoleons  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
for the sauce:
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 cup clam juice or fish stock
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

for the napoleons:
6 phyllo pastry sheets
6 tablespoons melted butter
8 ounces smoked salmon, thinly sliced
4 teaspoons minced onion
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
8 cups sliced yellow endives
for the sauce:
In a heavy medium saucepan, boil the vinegar and shallots until almost no liquid remains. Add the clam juice, or fish stock, and the oil. Simmer to reduce to 1 cup.
Whisk the egg yolks. Gradually whisk in the simmering sauce. Return sauce to pan; stir over low heat to thicken. Do not allow the sauce to boil. Strain into bowl. Mix in the dill.
Set aside in a warm area.
for the napoleons:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Unroll the phyllo dough. Place one sheet on work surface. Brush with butter. Top with second sheet. Brush with butter. Continue the same procedure with the remaining four sheets.
Cut phyllo into twelve 4 1/2 by 2-inch rectangles. Place on a baking sheet, and bake for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer plyllo sheets to a rack lined with wax paper; cool.
Place four phyllo sheets on work surface.
Cover each with slices of smoked salmon. Sprinkle with pepper. Sprinkle each with 1/4 teaspoon onion.
Spoon 1 teaspoon of the warm sauce cover. Top each with another phyllo rectangle, then salmon, pepper, and onion. Spoon 1 teaspoon over. Top with remaining phyllo rectangles.
Make a dressing by whisking the oil and vinegar.
Season with salt and pepper. Add the endive, and toss.

PRESENTATION
Divide the salad among 4 plates.
Top each with one napoleon. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

Main
Sautéed beef médaillons with artichokes and tomatoes  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
3 large artichoke bottoms, cooked
6 medium tomatoes, peeled and seeded
12 médaillons of beef tenderloin, 2 1/2 ounces each
to taste salt and ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
3 ounces scallions, cut diagonally into 1 1/2-inch length
3 cloves minced garlic
18 ripe olives, pitted
3 hot red chili peppers, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons brown gravy
1/4 cup shredded basil
1/4 cup shredded mint leaves
Cut the precooked artichokes into halves, then into small wedges.
Cut tomatoes into small wedges. Season the beef médaillons with salt and pepper.
Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over high heat in a skillet, and sauté the beef to the desired degree of doneness.
Remove from pan and keep warm.
Heat the remaining olive oil in the same skillet and briskly sauté the scallions, garlic, artichokes, and tomatoes for 3 to 4 minutes. Add olives, chili peppers, and meat gravy.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Arrange 2 sautéed médaillons on each heated serving plate.
Arrange the vegetables around the meat, and sprinkle the vegetables with the shredded basil and shredded mint leaves.

Main
Celery chestnut and apple soup  Print Recipe

From Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud Cookbook, Daniel Boulud and Dorie Greenspan, Scribner 1999.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 medium leek, white part only, trimmed, thinly sliced, washed and dried
2 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch cubes
10 ounces celery root, peeled and cut into cubes
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Pinch of celery salt
3/4 pound peeled fresh chestnuts from 1 ¼ pounds chestnuts in shells, or 3/4 pound dry-packed bottled or vacuum-sealed peeled fresh chestnuts
2 quarts homemade unsalted chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1) Heat the oil in a stockpot or large casserole over medium heat. Add the onion, leek, apples, celery root, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions and leeks are soft but not colored. Add the chestnuts and chicken stock and bring to the boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook, skimming the surface regularly, 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chestnuts can be mashed easily with a fork. Add the heavy cream and simmer 5 to 10 minutes more, then discard the bay leaf and thyme.

2) Purée the soup until smooth using a blender, food processor or hand-held immersion blender, then pass it through a fine-mesh strainer. At this point, you should have about 2 quarts of soup. If you have more, or if you think the soup is too thin – the soup should have the consistency of a velouté or light cream soup – simmer it over medium heat until thickened. Taste and, if necessary, adjust the seasoning. (The soup can be cooled completely and stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to a month. Bring the soup back to a boil before serving.)

3) Place a few chestnuts in a pan and let cook on a medium heat. Add some soup (about 2 tablespoons) and let the mixture cook with the chestnuts (about 5 minutes). Top the soup with the chestnuts and serve hot

Main
Endives meuniere  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
8 Belgian endives
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
Rinse and dry the endives, and remove any leaves that have darkened. Trim the ends slightly and using a small knife.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and the endives, and cook until soft, about 30 minutes.
Drain thoroughly and place in a single layer on a platter. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, and pepper, and set aside until cool enough to handle. (The recipe may be prepared to this point several hours in advance. Cover until needed.)
With your hands, gently but firmly squeeze each endive to extract the liquid.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over moderately high heat. Add the endives in a single later and brown evenly on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and drain well.
Transfer the endives to a warmed serving bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Side Dish
Gratin dauphinois  Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:45 minutes
1 tablespoon butter
2 pounds potatoes
4 cloves minced garlic
3/4 cup milk
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups grated Swiss cheese (Gruyere or Emmenthal)
to taste salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Butter a baking dish about 6 by 10 inches. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch slices.
Blanch potatoes in salted boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain well.
In a large mixing bowl, combine potatoes, garlic, milk, cream and half of the grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon into prepared dish. It should be no more than 3/4 full. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and gratin is golden brown.

Side Dish
Green herb sauce for dipping asparagus  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1/2 bunch Italian parsley, cleaned and dried
1/2 bunch fresh dill, cleaned and dried
1/2 bunch fresh watercress, cleaned and dried
1/2 cup drained cooked fresh spinach, all liquid squeezed out
2 scallions (green onions) tender greens included, sliced thin
2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
to taste salt and ground black pepper
In the bowl of a food processor, fitted with a steel blade, chop finely parsley, dill and watercress. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Process spinach in the same way and add to herb mixture. Add scallions, mayonnaise and sour cream. Season to taste with salt and ground black pepper.
Refrigerate until ready to use

Side Dish
Potatoes dauphine  Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 pound potatoes, peeled and washed
salt to taste
choux pastry, recipe below
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
oil for frying

CHOUX PASTRY:
1 cup water
1/2 cup salted butter
1 cup flour
4 large eggs
Cut potatoes into large cubes. Boil in salted boiling water until tender. Drain and put through a ricer.
Combine potatoes and choux pastry (See recipe below). Mix well. Season to taste with salt and nutmeg.
Preheat deep fryer to 350 degrees. Spoon the potato mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain 1-inch tip. While pressing the mixture out, cut into round balls with a small knife and carefully drop into the hot oil. Continue dropping balls into oil. Do not overload fryer.
After a few minutes, the potatoes will puff and float, and turn golden brown. Transfer to a tray lined with paper towels to absorb oil. Keep warm. Continue with potato mixture.

CHOUX PASTRY:
Heat water and butter in a saucepan, until butter melts and water comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and add flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon over low heat until mixture no longer sticks to pan and forms into a ball. Remove from heat.
Beat eggs in thoroughly, one by one. Beat mixture until smooth.

Side Dish
Tomatoes provencale  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
4 tomatoes
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
2 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
to taste salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Wash tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise, discarding the cores.
Put them in a buttered baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and oil, blending well to form a crumbly mixture.
Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the tomatoes. Bake at 350 degrees until the tomatoes are tender.

Side Dish
Savoyarde potatoes  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:45 minutes
2 pounds peeled baking potatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 cup light cream
To taste salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
Slice potatoes very thin. Wash under cold running water. Place in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander. Add potatoes to a mixing bowl. Mix in the garlic, 1 cup Swiss cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Spoon in an oven proof baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until top is brown and potatoes are fully cooked.

Side Dish
Potatoes fondantes  Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
5 pounds potatoes
4 ounces butter
1 quart chicken broth
salt to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel and wash potatoes. Shape into the size of whole walnuts. Wash and put in a roasting pan in one layer.
Cover the potatoes half way with the broth. Bring to a boil on top of the stove. Add 2 ounces butter.
Place in the oven. Cook until potatoes are tender. Brush occasionally some melted butter over potatoes. Season with salt.

Side Dish
Leeks au gratin  Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:45 minutes
16 small leeks, white and light green parts only washed well
1 teaspoon salt
ground pepper to taste
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 cup heavy cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the leeks and blanch until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
Place leeks in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and dot with butter.
Pour the cream over top. Bake for 25 minutes (can be made ahead up to this point and reheated.) Just before serving, preheat broiler and brown the leeks under the broiler. Serve.

Side Dish
Allumette potatoes  Print Recipe

Matchstick potatoes
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 pounds baking potatoes
Oil for frying
Salt to taste
Peel and wash potatoes. Slice into 1/4-inch thick slices, then into 1/4-inch sticks. Wash thoroughly in cold water. Drain well.
Deep fry in batches at 350 degrees until potatoes are cooked, but not brown.
At serving time, increase oil temperature to 375 degrees. Fry potatoes in batches, until golden brown.Sprinkle with salt. Serve hot.

Dessert
Raspberry soufflé with sauce sabayon  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
1 tablespoon soft butter
1 tablespoon superfine sugar

For the soufflé mix:
1 cup raspberry preserves or jam
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
5 egg whites (reserve yolks for sauce sabayon)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 1/2 cups sabayon sauce (recipe below)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter six 6-ounce individual soufflé molds. Sprinkle the bottom and sides of molds with superfine sugar and rotate the dish so that the sugar evenly coats the surface; shake out excess. Place dishes on a baking sheet.
Heat the raspberry purée in a saucepan. In a small mixing bowl, dissolve the cornstarch and cold water in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the bubbly raspberry tothicken. Strain into a mixing bowl.
In an electric mixing bowl, combine egg whites with the cream of tartar. Beat at high speed until thick and firm. With a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the cooled raspberry mixture.
Spoon the soufflé mixture into the prepared molds. Fill up to the rim, and level the mixture with a small spoon or spatula.
Bake for 12 to 16 minutes Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with sabayon sauce.

SABAYON SAUCE
makes 2 cups
5 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup Chablis (dry white wine)

Add the egg yolks to the top of a double boiler and beat with a whisk while gradually adding the sugar. Beat until blended. Gradually beat in the wine. Place in a double-boiler over boiling water and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mixture begins to thicken, then whisk until frothy and reaches the consistency of a light custard . Remove from the heat.
Ideally, this sauce is served immediately with the soufllé but, if necesary, it may be left sitting, covered, for about one hour. Serve warm or at room temperature.
This sauce is also very good over fresh raspberries or strawberries.

Dessert
Choux pastry swans  Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
4 large eggs

FOR THE FILLING:
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon instant vanilla pudding
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat water and butter to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Stir in flour all at once.
Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture no longer sticks to pan and forms into a ball. Remove from heat.
Beat eggs in thoroughly, one by one. Beat mixture until smooth.

SHAPING THE SWANS:
Bodies:
Spoon cream puff mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain 1/2-inch tip. Pipe 8 mounds of dough, the equivalent of a tablespoon onto ungreased baking leaving 3 inches apart.
Flatten each mound slightly with a fork dipped in water. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven to 350 degrees and continue baking until the choux puffs are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Cool on rack.

Heads and Necks:
Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.
Fit a pastry bag with a small plain tip, pipe S-shaped figure shapes, each about 2 inches long on a baking sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes longer. Cool on rack.
FILLING:
In an electric mixer, whip the cream with sugar and instant vanilla pudding until stiff.

TO ASSEMBLE SWANS:
To make wings, slice the top off each body with a serrated knife. Cut each top in half, lengthwise; set aside.
Pipe the filling into the cavity of each choux puff, finishing about 2 inches above the top of pastry.
Insert two wings, rounded edges down, into the center of each cream filling, so that they form a V-shape. Insert the S-shaped neck into the cream.

Dessert
Orange cake 1   Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
6 ounces butter
6 ounces sugar
3 eggs
6 ounces all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 ounces concentrated orange juice
3 ounces water

ICING:

6 ounces icing sugar
3 ounces concentrated orange juice
3 ounces water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter and flour a 9-inch mold. Cream butter and sugar.
Whisk in the eggs one by one. While beating the cake batter, gradually add the flour mixed with the baking powder, alternating with the orange juice and water.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Unmold on platter.

ICING:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan.
Boil, and pour over hot cake.

Dessert
Apple pie cragwood  Print Recipe


Serves: 10
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
1 9-inch pie crust and more for lattice top
4 cups cooking apples, peeled and sliced
2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
4 ounces Calvados or Brandy

for custard:
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 ounces melted apricot
1 beaten egg
Preheat oven at 400 degrees.
Line pie crust in a 9 inch pie plate. Peel, core, and cut apples into wedges.
Melt butter in a saute pan. Add apples. Cook for 2 minutes. Mix in the cinnamon, sugar, and Calvados and cook apples until tender. Transfer to a large bowl to cool.
To prepare the custard:
combine the sugar, flour, lemon zest, cream, eggs, and vanilla.
Pour over apples and blend well. Pour mixture in pie crust.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Top with the melted apricot jam.
Decorate top of pie with strips of remaining dough into a lattice work.
Brush with a beaten egg. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes, until pie is golden brown.
Allow pie to cool, then serve at room temperature.

Dessert
Chocolate cake nancy  Print Recipe


Serves: 10
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
8 ounces (2 sticks) sweet butter
12 ounce dark semi sweet chocolate
10 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
10 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Put chocolate and butter in a saucepan. Melt over low heat.
Beat egg yolks and sugar in an electric mixer until mixture is light and lemon colored. Add vanilla, and continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the chocolate-butter mixture and blend well.
Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff and fold in the chocolate mixture.
Line the bottom of two 9 inch cake pans with a sheet of parchment paper.
Butter and flour the bottom and sides of pan.
Pour the mixture in the pan.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until center is firm.
Let the cake stand on a rack for 10 minutes. Unmold on a rack.

Dessert
Apricot sorbet   Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 1 hour
8 apricots, pitted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
mint sprigs as garnish
In medium saucepan, combine apricots, sugar, water, orange and lemon juice over high heat. Bring to boil.
Reduce heat to medium; simmer, covered, 15 minutes or until apricots are very soft. Let cool slightly, then spoon into food processor; process until smooth. Cool in a mixing bowl. Freeze in an ice cream maker until firm enough to scoop. Spoon into serving bowl; garnish with mint.

Dessert
Poached peaches with a strawberry and sparkling clairette sauce  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
6 ripe peaches
6 cups water
400 g (14 oz) sugar
½ vanilla pod, cut open
3 tbsp whipped cream
500 g (1 lb) strawberries (wild strawberries are excellent)
½ cup sparkling Clairette wine or Proseco
3 tbsp finely cut shelled pistachio nuts
Gently drop the peaches into a pan of boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Drain the peaches and peel them carefully.

Bring the 6 cups water with 350 g (12 oz) of the sugar and the vanilla pod to the boil in a medium saucepan. Add the peeled peaches and simmer for about 10 minutes. Allow the peaches to cool in the syrup.

Beat the remaining sugar and the whipped cream.

Blend the strawberries into a coarse purée. Fold the strawberries and the sparkling wine into the cream and refrigerate until needed.

Place the drained peaches in a serving bowl. Spoon the strawberry sauce over the fruit or to the side, sprinkle with pistachio nuts and serve.

Dessert
Pears vigneronne  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
6 ripe pears
2 cups dry white wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup apricot jam
Peel and core the pears.
Cut them into quarters. Place the pears in a saucepan and add the wine and sugar.
Peel the lemon and cut the peel into very fine julienne strips. Reserve the lemon for another use. Add the peel to the saucepan.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until pears are tender.
Transfer the pears and the lemon peel to a serving dish. Bring the liquid in the saucepan to the boil and add the remaining ingredients.
Bring to the boil and cook for about 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to half.
Pour the sauce over the pears. Let cool and chill.
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Measures of non liquid ingredients



Non-liquid ingredients in volume converted
into weight using the table below.
For products not included, use a metric scale
Weight of specific 'ingredients in grams

Ingredient

1 cup

3/4 cup

2/3 cup

1/2 cup

1/3 cup

1/4 cup

2 tablespoons

All-purpose wheat flour 120 g 90 g 80 g 60 g 40 g 30 g 15 g
All-purpose sifted wheat flour 110 g 80 g 70 g 55 g 35 g 27 g 13 g
White sugar 200 g 150 g 130 g 100 g 65 g 50 g 25 g
Powdered sugar/Icing sugar 100 g 75 g 70 g 50 g 35 g 25 g 13 g
Brown sugar normally packed 180 g 135 g 120 g 90 g 60 g 45 g 23 g
Corn flour 160 g 120 g 100 g 80 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
Cornstarch 120 g 90 g 80 g 60 g 40 g 30 g 15 g
Rice (not-cooked) 190 g 140 g 125 g 95 g 65 g 48 g 24 g
Macaroni (uncooked) 140 g 100 g 90 g 70 g 45 g 35 g 17 g
Couscous (uncooked) 180 g 135 g 120 g 90 g 60 g 45 g 22 g
Quick oatmeal (uncooked) 90 g 65 g 60 g 45 g 30 g 22 g 11 g
Table salt 300 g 230 g 200 g 150 g 100 g 75 g 40 g
Butter / Margarine 240 g 180 g 160 g 120 g 80 g 60 g 30 g
Shortening 190 g 140 g 125 g 95 g 65 g 48 g 24 g
Fruits and légumes chopped 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
chopped walnuts 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
Nuts /ground almonds 120 g 90 g 80 g 60 g 40 g 30 g 15 g
Fresh bread crumbs (not packed) 60 g 45 g 40 g 30 g 20 g 15 g 8 g
Dry bread crumbs 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
Parmesan grated 90 g 65 g 60 g 45 g 30 g 22 g 11 g
Chocolate chips 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 38 g  19 g
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As the sun rises or sets in Madagascar

"May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace."

The {Page Turner} E-Cookbooks Library on a world cooking journey
36 Recipes

8 Appetizers

12 Main dishes

8 Side dishes

8 Desserts