Thursday, January 27, 2011

Blue Corn Muffins

Ingredients for blue corn muffins:
2 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 T onion, finely diced
1 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
1 jalapeno peppers, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
1 T finely chopped cilantro leaves
3/4 cup blue cornmeal (yellow cornmeal can be substituted)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 T granulated sugar

Preparing the muffins:
Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Grease a 6 slot muffin pan with non-stick vegetable spray.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeno, corn and cilantro. Whisk in the butter mixture.

In a separate bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, soda, salt and sugar. Mix into the liquid mixture.

Divide the batter evenly among the muffins slots and bake for 16 minutes or until set, turning the pan once for even baking.

Makes 6 muffins

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Lamb and Black Bean Chili

Ingredients for lamb and black bean chili:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 1/2 pounds lamb from shoulder, boned and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 large Spanish onions, finely diced
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and pureed
1 T chipotle puree
3 T ancho chili powder
1 T pasilla chili powder
1 T ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 T dried Mexican oregano
5 cups chicken stock
1 (12-ounce) bottle dark beer
dash ground cinnamon
1 to 2 T honey
2 cups cooked or canned black beans

chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish

cumin crema
avocado relish
red onion relish

fry Bread

* * * * * * *


Ingredients for cumin crema:
1 pint creme fraiche, Mexican crema or sour cream
1 T ground cumin
1 T fresh lime juice
salt and freshly ground pepper

* * * * * * *

Ingredients for avocado relish:
4 Haas avocados, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup red onion, minced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
2 serrano chiles, minced with seeds
2 limes, juiced
salt and pepper

* * * * * * * *


Ingredients for red onion relish:
2 T canola oil
2 red onions, finely diced
1 T minced garlic
1 serrano chile, finely diced with seeds
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
salt and pepper
3 T finely chopped cilantro leaves

* * * * * * * * *

Ingredients for fry bread:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 T baking powder
2 T dry milk powder
2 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning after frying
5 T cold vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups canola oil, for frying

Preparing the lamb and black bean chili:
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the lamb, in batches, season with salt and pepper, and cook until seared and browned on all sides. Remove the lamb to a plate with a slotted spoon.

Add the onion to the pan and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, chipotle, and spices. Return the lamb to the pan, add the stock and beer; cover and cook at a simmer for over medium heat, about 1 hour, or until the lamb is tender and the mixture has thickened. After 30 minutes, check seasoning and add honey. During the last 15 minutes, add the cinnamon and cooked beans. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Ladle into bowls and top with a large dollop of cumin crema, avocado relish, and red onion relish. Serve with fry bread on the side.

* * * * * * * * * *

Preparing the cumin crema:
Whisk together ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

* * * * * * * *

Preparing the red onion relish:
Heat oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the onions, garlic, and chile to the pan and cook until soft. Add the lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.

* * * * * * * *

Preparing the avocado relish:
In a large bowl, combine avocado, red onion, cilantro, chiles, lime juice, and salt and pepper. Fold until incorporated.

* * * * * * * *

Preparing the fry bread:
Combine flour, baking powder, milk powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut the shortening in until the mixture is crumbly. Add the water and mix until the dough comes together. Place on a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth. Cover with a dishcloth and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.

Heat the oil in a large high-sided saute pan until it reaches 350 degrees F.

Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece out into a 4-inch circle. Fry the bread in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Remove to a sheet pan lined with paper towels and season with salt.

Serves 6 to 8

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Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Ingredients for pie:
3 T butter, melted
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 T all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
3 T bourbon
1 1/2 cups toasted pecan halves
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell

whipped cream

* * * * * * *

Ingredients for whipped cream:
1 cup heavy cream
4 T confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparing the whipped cream:
Pour heavy cream into a bowl and whip with an electric mixer for a few minutes, until it becomes thick. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold in vanilla extract.

* * * * * * * *

Preparing the pie:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt butter in a small saucepan. While butter is melting, add beaten eggs to a medium sized bowl. Stir in brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, corn syrup and bourbon until combined. Add butter when just melted.

Mix in the pecans and chocolate chips. Mix all together. Pour mixture into pie shell.

Place on a sheet tray and bake for 50 to 60 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

Serves 8

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BF's Grilled Figs With Mascarpone and Pistachio Nuts

Ingredients:
4 T buckwheat honey, divided
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
12 fresh figs, halved
12-inch wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
1 pint mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup chopped pistachios

Preparing the figs and mascarpone:
Heat grill to medium. Whisk together 3 tablespoons honey and the orange juice in a small bowl. Brush the honey-orange mixture generously over the figs and then skewer figs. Grill, cut side down, until just starting to caramelize, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle remaining tablespoon honey over top. Dollop with mascarpone and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

Serves 6

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Carrot Cake

Ingredients for the carrot cake:
butter, for pans
2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, optional

* * * * * * *

Ingredients for the frosting:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick salted butter, room temperature
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 9-inch round baking pans; Line bottom of the pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add eggs and vegetable oil. Using a hand mixer, blend until combined. Add carrots and pecans, if using.

Pour into pans. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans, place on waxed paper and allow to cool completely before frosting.

* * * * * * * *

Preparing the frosting:
Add all ingredients, except nuts, into a medium bowl and beat until fluffy using a hand mixer. Stir in the nuts. Spread frosting on top of each cake layer. Stack the cakes on a serving plate and serve

Serves 8

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Abby's Fish and Chips

Serve red cabbage cole slaw on the side.

Ingredients for fish and chips:
3 quarts peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch wide sticks
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
1 teaspoon baking soda
kosher salt
1 bottle cold beer

* * * * * * * *

Ingredients for tartar sauce:
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup malt vinegar
1 1/2 cups peanut or vegetable oil
2 shallots, finely diced
3/4 cup finely chopped cornichons
1/2 cup whole grain mustard
1 teaspoon celery salt
pinch cayenne pepper
kosher salt

Preparing the tartar sauce:
In a food processor combine the egg yolks and malt vinegar. With the machine running, add the oil, drop by drop, until the mixture starts to look homogeneous and thick and silky. When the mixture looks like it has come together and is starting to thicken, the oil can be added a little bit faster until all the oil is added. Add the remaining ingredients and taste for seasoning. Season with salt, if needed. Transfer to a container with a lid and refrigerate until ready to use.

* * * * * * *

Preparing the fish and chips:
2 pounds haddock fillets, skinned and cut diagonally into 1 1/2-inch wide strips, 5 to 6 inches long

Heat the oil in a large deep, pot over medium heat. Bring the oil to 325 degrees F. Regulate the temperature with a candy thermometer. Keep the potato sticks in a bowl of water to prevent browning before frying. Remove to paper towels and dry well before placing in oil. Working in batches, fry the potatoes until they are cooked through and tender but have no color, about 4 to 5 minutes. Be sure the fries have plenty of room and gently move them around as they are cooking. Remove them from the oil and put them immediately on a paper towel lined baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and raise the temperature of the cooking oil to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, seafood seasoning, baking soda and pinch of salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and gently stir in the cold beer. Mix until just combined. When the oil is preheated to the correct temperature, dip the fish fillets in the batter mixture. Coat the fish generously. When adding the fish to the oil, dip about 1/3 to 1/2 of the fillet into the oil and allow the batter to start puffing and then gently slide it into the oil. Fry the fish until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes turning the fish over during the cooking time. When the fish are done, remove from the oil and put immediately on paper towels to blot the excess oil. Arrange the fish on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack. Hold the fish in the preheated oven until serving. Work in batches and be sure not to crowd the oil.

Again, working in batches, fry the fries a second time at 375 degrees F, until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil, immediately put them on paper towels and toss with kosher salt. Transfer the fish to a serving platter and serve with the fries.

Serves 2 to 4

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Tartar Sauce

Ingredients:
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup malt vinegar
1 1/2 cups peanut or vegetable oil
2 shallots, finely diced
3/4 cup finely chopped cornichons
1/2 cup whole grain mustard
1 teaspoon celery salt
pinch cayenne pepper
kosher salt

Preparing the tartar sauce:
In a food processor combine the egg yolks and malt vinegar. With the machine running, add the oil, drop by drop, until the mixture starts to look homogeneous and thick and silky. When the mixture looks like it has come together and is starting to thicken, the oil can be added a little bit faster until all the oil is added. Add the remaining ingredients and taste for seasoning. Season with salt, if needed. Transfer to a container with a lid and refrigerate until ready to use.

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Iggy's Szechuan Noodles With Chicken And Broccoli

Ingredients:
3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets and stems discarded
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup tahini (sesame paste)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup good soy sauce
1/4 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon Asian hot chili oil
2 T dark toasted sesame oil
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 pound spaghetti
4 scallions, sliced diagonally (white and green parts)
1 yellow bell pepper, julienned
1 red bell pepper, julienned

Preparing the Szechuan noodles:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan, skin side up. Rub the tops with olive oil and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 minutes, until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin and bones. Shred the chicken in large bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for 2 minutes. Drain and immediately immerse in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and set the color. Drain and set aside.

Place the garlic, ginger, vegetable oil, tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, sherry, sherry vinegar, honey, chili oil, sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and the cayenne pepper in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and puree until smooth. Set aside.

Add a splash of olive oil to a large pot of boiling salted water and cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta in a colander, place it in a large bowl, and while still warm, toss with the sauce. Add the scallions, peppers, chicken and broccoli and toss well. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 8 to 10

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Shiu Mai [Shrimp Dumplings]

Ingredients for the dumplings:
1 egg white
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon arrowroot
1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup frozen petite peas, thawed
1/4 cup chopped chives
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
4 egg roll wrappers
vegetable oil cooking spray

* * * * * * *

Ingredients for the dipping sauce:
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 T honey
3/4 teaspoon hot sauce (Sriracha brand)
1 garlic clove, minced

Preparing the dumplings:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg white, sesame oil and arrowroot until frothy. Stir in the bell pepper, carrot, peas, chives, ginger, salt, and shrimp. Put 1/2 of the mixture in a food processor. Blend until the mixture forms a chunky paste. Return the paste to the bowl and combine it with the remaining vegetable mixture. Cut each egg roll wrapper into 4 equal-sized squares. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the center of each piece of dough. Gather the sides of the egg roll wrapper around the filling leaving the top of the filling uncovered. If necessary, use a little water to help secure the wrapper in place. Spray the bottom of a bamboo or stainless steel steamer with vegetable oil cooking spray. Working in batches, stand the dumplings, uncovered filling side up, in the steamer and cover. Steam until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.

* * * * * * *

Preparing the dipping sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, hot sauce and garlic.

Makes about 16 dumplings

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Iggy's Conchiglie al Forno with Mushrooms and Radicchio

Ingredients:
6 ounces shiitake mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
8 T (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups (2 medium heads) finely shredded radicchio
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano (1 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup coarsely shredded fontina (1 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola (3 ounces)
2 teaspoons ricotta
6 leaves fresh sage, chopped
1 pound imported conchiglie rigate (pasta shells)

Preparing the pasta:
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

Bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil in a stockpot.

Remove the stems from the mushrooms and reserve for another use. Slice the mushroom caps about 1/4-inch thick. Heat 6 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet; add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Saute over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mushrooms, radicchio, cream, cheeses, sage, and remaining salt.

Parboil the pasta shells for 4 minutes; drain and add to the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Toss to combine.

Divide the pasta mixture among 6 to 8 individual, shallow, ceramic gratin dishes (1 1/2 to 2 cup capacity). Dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, about 7 to 10 minutes.

Note: If fresh sage isn't available, do not substitute dried. Instead, choose one of the following: 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh tarragon OR 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves OR 8 leaves fresh rosemary OR 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed

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