• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine the blueberries, apples, sugar,
cornstarch and lemon juice.
Spoon in an oven proof casserole dish.
Topping:
Combine the dough and crumble by hand over fruit.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown
and apples are tender.
Serve warm with cream or ice cream.

• preparation

Prepare batter
Put flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center.
In a small bowl, stir the yeast in the lukewarm milk and sugar.
Allow to dissolve.
Add yeast mixture, salt and melted butter to the well and gradually whisk in
flour until smooth.
Whisk in beer.
Cover with a plastic wrap and let the batter rise in a warm,
draft-free place for 30 minutes.
Reserve the egg whites that will be beaten and added to the batter
just before frying.

Prepare the syrup:
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over low heat,
stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil 1 to 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
Add the Calvados or apple brandy and the lemon juice; set aside.
Peel, core, and slice the apples into rounds 1/4 inch thick.
Put the apple slices into a shallow dish.
Pour the syrup over and let macerate, turning occasionally, for 30 minutes.
Remove the apple slices from the syrup.
Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Reserve syrup.

Apricot sauce:
Melt apricot jam in a medium saucepan, and stir in half of the reserved syrup.
Refrigerate remaining for other use. Heat to melt. Strain.
Cover and keep warm. Heat the oil to 350 degrees in a deep-fat fryer.
When the fritter batter has risen, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Fold egg whites into the batter.
Dip an apple slice into the batter and then slide it into the oil.
Repeat with 2 more.
Fry until golden brown, turning with a wooden spoon so that they color evenly.
Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in oven while frying remaining fritters.
To serve, arrange the fritters on a platter and sift with confectioner’s sugar
over them just before serving.
Serve the apricot sauce in a sauce boat on the side.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, mix butter, half of the lemon juice, chopped chives, mustard, lemon peel, salt and pepper until well blended.
Line a baking sheet with foil. Rub one tablespoon of mustard-chive butter over foil. Place fillets skin side down on foil and spoon about one teaspoon of lemon juice on each fillet. Season with salt and pepper.
Top each fillet with one tablespoon of mustard-chive butter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

PRESENTATION

Using a slotted spatula, place the fish fillets in the center of warm plates. Spoon the chive-butter sauce over. Serve hot.

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. The whole salmon with the head and tail should be fresh or completely thawed, cleaned, scaled, and washed under cold water. Season the cavity of the fish with salt and pepper. Use the largest baking sheet that will fit in the oven. Line the baking sheet with heavy foil. Place the salmon on the baking pan in the 'swimming position'. Curve the tail of the fish for a more dramatic effect. Wrap the tail and the head of the salmon in buttered sheets of foil. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Pour the lemon juice, white wine, and water in the pan. Brush the surface of the salmon with melted butter.
Measure the salmon across at its thickest part.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes per inch thickness. Baste the fish occasionally. Make sure that the pan juices do not dry out. Add more water if necessary. When the salmon is done, remove from the oven, cover with foil, and keep in a warm place. A few minutes before serving, remove the foil around the head and tail of the salmon. Peel away skin on both sides of the fish. If the fish was lying flat on the tray, it would be difficult to remove the skin off the bottom fillet. Scrape away the dark fatty layer adhering to the flesh. To transfer the whole salmon on a serving tray or platter, use four wide spatulas. One person slides two spatulas under the head and below, another slides the other two spatulas under the tail end and higher.
Synchronize the transfer of the whole salmon onto a serving tray or platter. Cover the fish with foil. Pour the pan juices in a small, heavy saucepan. Reduce the juices to one half cup. Pour and strain over the salmon. Garnish the platter with lemon baskets and parsley. Serve with hollandaise, parsleyed potatoes, and spinach, or green beans.

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. The whole salmon with the head and tail should be fresh or completely thawed, cleaned, scaled, and washed under cold water. Season the cavity of the fish with salt and pepper. Use the largest baking sheet that will fit in the oven. Line the baking sheet with heavy foil. Place the salmon on the baking pan in the "swimming position". Curve the tail of the fish for a more dramatic effect. Wrap the tail and the head of the salmon in buttered sheets of foil. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Pour the lemon juice, white wine, and water in the pan. Brush the surface of the salmon with melted butter.
Measure the salmon across at its thickest part. Bake 12 minutes per inch thickness. Baste the fish occasionally. When the salmon in done, transfer to a large serving platter. Remove skin from both sides. Cover with foil, and keep in a warm place. Strain the cooking liquid and reduce to two cups. Combine the butter and flour to form a smooth paste called beurre manié. Whip the mixture into the boiling stock to make a creamy sauce. Season to taste. Pour any juice from the platter in the sauce. Reduce the sauce to a medium-thick consistency. Pour a small amount over salmon. Saute the cleaned mushroom caps in butter and lemon juice.

PRESENTATION
Starting at tail end, use a fish knife and fork to cut the top fillet into serving size portions. Slide knife between the fillet and bone to lift the portions. Arrange each portion in the center of warm plates. To serve the second fillet, lift off tail and pull backbone away from flesh, removing the head all in one piece.The fillet is now boneless and easy to serve. Free skin from portions before serving. Spoon the sauce over salmon. Top with a mushroom cap. Serve with small parsleyed potatoes, and vegetables.

• 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

Preheat oven to 275 degrees; set a rack on a baking sheet and place in oven. Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturers instructions.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl whisk together buttermilk, butter, and eggs. Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture and stir just until batter is combined; fold blueberries into batter.
Lightly coat waffle iron with cooking spray. Pour 1 cup batter (this may vary depending on size of waffle iron) in the center of iron, spreading evenly with a spatula. Close iron; cook until waffles are golden brown and crisp, 7 to 8 minutes.
Remove from iron and transfer to rack in oven; repeat with remaining batter. Serve with blueberries, creme fraiche, and a sprinkle of confectioners' sugar.

• preparation

Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add milk, shortening and eggs. Mix lightly and stir in blueberries.
Spoon batter onto lightly greased hot griddle. Cook on both sides, turning once.

• preparation

Combine first 3 ingredients in processor; add 3 tablespoons sugar and process until blended.
Add butter and cream cheese and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolks; process just until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into rectangle. Wrap in plastic; chill 30 minutes.
Butter 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish.
Combine peaches, blueberries, raspberies, tapioca and sugar in large bowl; toss to coat. Let stand 45 minutes, tossing occasionally.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Transfer fruit to prepared dish. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 14 by 10-inch rectangle.
Using cookie cutters, cut out a few decorative shapes in dough. Transfer dough rectangle to top of fruit and sides of dish.
Arrange cutouts around edge of cobbler.
Place on baking sheet. Bake until crust is golden , fruit is tender and juices are bubbling and thick, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the sugar, flour and lemon juice in a mixing bowl.
Blend in the fruit. Spoon in an oven proof casserole dish.
Mix the topping ingredients by hand in a mixing bowl.
Sprinkle over fruit.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown.
Serve warm with cream or ice cream.

• preparation

Directions for Double Crust Pie Dough:
Combine the flour, sugar and salt. Cut butter into small pieces (you can pull the butter from the fridge 30 minutes before adding) and add to the flour, mixing it in until the dough is a rough, crumbly texture.
Whisk the egg, water and vinegar or lemon juice and add it all at once, mixing until dough comes together. Shape dough into 2 logs or discs, wrap them in plastic and chill for at least one hour before rolling.
The pie dough can be frozen for up to 6 months and thawed in the refrigerator.

For the filling, bring the blueberries, apple, sugar, citrus juice, zest and cinnamon up to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, cooking until the blueberries are soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Whisk the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water and add this to the blueberry filling, stirring and returning to a simmer until the filling has thickened and is glossy. Set aside to cool to room temperature. If making ahead, store the filling chilled, but bring it up to room temperature before baking into a pie.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Pull out the dough from the fridge 15-30 minutes before rolling. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the first disk of dough into a circle just less than ¼-inch thick. Dust a 9-inch pie plate with flour and line the plate with the pastry, leaving the edges untrimmed. Spoon the blueberry filling into the crust.

Roll out the second disk of pastry slightly thinner than the bottom crust, about 1/8 - inch, but into more of a square shape. Use a knife or pastry wheel to cut long strips about ½ -inch wide (you should have between 12 and 18 strips). Lay half of the strips over the blueberry pie filling, leaving a ½ -inch between them. Gently lift alternating strip of pastry, folding them halfway back. Place a new strip of pastry perpendicular against where the strips are folded back, then fold those very pieces over the newly laid strip. Now lift the opposite alternating strips and fold them back as far as they can go (to the edge of that newly laid strip) and place a second perpendicular strip beside it. Repeat this technique moving toward one side of the pie shell, and then repeat towards the other side, until the top has a complete lattice top. Trim away the excess pastry and pinch the edges to create a fluted design. Brush the lattice top with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake the pie for 10 minutes at 400 F, then reduce the oven temperature to 375 F and cook for about another 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Cool the pie to room temperature and then chill until ready to serve.

• 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 mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut paper patterns for the gingerbread house:

Two rectangles 3 by 5 inches, to make the front and back of the house. Two rectangles, 3 by 5 1/2 inches for the roof. Two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom. Four smaller rectangles, 1 1/2 by 1 inch for the roof and sides of the entryway. And one piece 2 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 2 1/2 inches from the bottom for the front of the entryway.

Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm.

Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet.

Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened.

Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing. Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry (it only takes a few minutes).

Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roof line of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house.
Continue decorating the house, glueing on gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired.

Royal Icing:
1 pound (3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon almond extract, vanilla or lemon juice
Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric hand mixer, until the icing is smooth and thin enough to be pressed through a pastry bag with a writing tip. Add more lemon juice, if necessary.

• 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

FOR THE CAKE:
Making sure there is a rack in the middle of the oven.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F, then butter and flour a 10" (12-cup) Bundt pan.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together TWICE.
In a large bowl and with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter until light & fluffy.
Gradually beat in 1 3/4 cups of sugar, about 3 tablespoons at a time, and continue beating until light & fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture alternately with the milk, in batches, beginning & ending with the flour.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of the zest & both extracts.
Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula, and bake for 1 1/2 hours or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

FOR THE HOT SYRUP TOPPING:
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest & lemon juice to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
Turn cake out onto the rack and brush the hot syrup over the hot cake.
Let brushed cake cool to room temperature, then cut into wedges

• preparation

Beat eggs and sugar until light and creamy.
Stir in the remaining ingredients until smooth. Cook on an electric pizzelli machine to form wafers.
Serve them cut in wedges, or while wafer is hot, shape into a cup over a glass or similar container. Store in an airtight container.
Spoon fruit, ice cream or chocolate mousse into cup.

• preparation

Preheat the broiler. Lightly brush bread with butter. Broil on both sides for about 2 minutes. Set aside.
To prepare the salmon burger mixture:
Cube the boneless and skinless salmon. Chop finely on a cutting board. In a large bowl, combine the salmon with the red and green peppers, green onion, tabasco, salt and pepper to taste. Beat the egg white with a wire whisk until soft peaks form. Fold into the salmon mixture.
Divide into 4 equal portions, shape into patties 3/4-inch thick and 4 inches in diameter.
Refrigerate the patties on a tray until ready to use.
When chilled they hold together better.
Preheat a large nonstick skillet on the stove over medium heat until hot.
Brush the salmon burgers with canola oil on both sides, and carefully place in the skillet. Cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and continue cooking the burgers until they are browned and just cooked through.
PRESENTATION
Arrange each salmon burger on a bun. Top with a slice of tomato, one heaping tablespoon of tartar sauce, 1/4 cup mixed green salad and finish with another piece of bread.

• preparation

Make the hollandaise.
To assemble the eggs benedict, place the sliced smoked salmon on each English muffin. Top with poached egg, drizzling the tops with hollandaise sauce. Serve immediately.

The controversy surrounding the "Perfect Poached Egg" is endless. The "add vinegar to water", "add salt to water" or " putting the raw egg in a sieve to strain the liquid part" before poaching are methods that do not compare to the "always perfect poached eggs" when using this egg poacher.

Egg poacher

• preparation

Heat skillet with a teaspoon vegetable oil. Cook green onion for a minute or so, until aroma is released.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs by hand with dill and green onion for about a minute.
Pour one half of the mixture into a buttered hot skillet and cook over medium heat, lifting edges with spatula several times to allow uncooked egg to run to bottom of skillet.
When bottom of omelet is firm, turn gently with spatula. Crumble 2 oz of smoked salmon on cooked eggs, and top with 1 oz strips of cream cheese.
Fold the other half-circle over the top of the half with the ingredients, cover skillet with lid, and cook for a minute or two over low heat. Serve with buttered toast or toasted bagels.
Make the second omelet.

• 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

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

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

Mix confectioners' sugar, butter or margarine, egg, vanilla and almond extract.
Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Roll into big ball and wrap in plastic wrap and let chill for at least 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Divide dough into halves.
Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut desired shapes with 2 to 2 1/2 inch cookie cutters.
Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake until edges are a light brown, 6 - 8 minutes.

• preparation

In a large bowl, blend together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.

In a small saucepan over moderate heat, warm the corn syrup or molasses and orange zest. Add the butter and sugar and continue warming, stirring occasionally, until melted. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Add the egg and whisk to combine. Pour over the flour mixture and stir to combine. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in a double layer of plastic wrap, and chill overnight.

Arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with nonstick baking mats, such as Silpats, or parchment paper.

Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out a portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes, such as circles, stars, hearts, bells, gingerbread men, and Christmas trees. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with the pearl sugar. Bake, switching the cookies between the upper and lower racks and rotating the baking sheets about halfway through baking, until the edges are just beginning to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Watch the cookies carefully to make sure they don't get too brown.

Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to let cool completely. Continue rolling and cutting out the rest of the cookie dough and baking the cookies on cooled baking sheets