PUTTANESCA SALSA – a quick recipe

Posted on September 9, 2014 by admin

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  Take the classic ingredient for Puttanesca sauce.  Deconstruct the recipe. Now it becomes  an extraordinary salsa perfect for everything from grilled sausages and fish  to grilled bread. Using this basic recipe you can joyful indulge in your own favorite … Continue reading →

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ZEN AND THE ART OF PISTOU

Posted on September 4, 2014 by admin

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She rose early. Waited for the sun to dry the dew on the emerald basil leaves. Then before its rays could steal their fragrance she filled the basket. The heavy perfume of basil filled her kitchen. Mozetich’s music – Postcards … Continue reading →

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HOT-SMOKED SALMON PATE

Posted on September 1, 2014 by admin

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There’s something magical about a working river.  It’s the romance of watching towering ocean going ships heading to exotic destinations.  The pure delight of the skill of a tug boat captain shepherding enormous log rafts down the river.  The small … Continue reading →

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GREEN BEANS WITH BASIL … Haricots Verts au Basilic

Posted on August 9, 2014 by admin

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    To quote a favorite cookbook author, Patricia Wells,  “Young, tender green beans and basil are a Provençal marriage made in heaven.” The pungent, glorious basil combines beautifully with the sweetness of fresh, tender green beans.  When you have … Continue reading →

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HOW TO MAKE SUPER QUICK, SUPER EASY PICKLED RED ONIONS

Posted on July 20, 2014 by admin

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How can anything that looks this good, tastes so delicious, be so easy to create.      It took me just ten minutes and a few ingredients to make these pickled red onions that last for several weeks in your refrigerator. Pickled … Continue reading →

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HEAVENLY LEMON CLOUD TART

Posted on June 18, 2014 by admin

 

IMG_1201 The lemon filling in heavenly LEMON CLOUD TART naturally separates into two distinct layer when baked – a fluffy top layer lightened by the whipped cream, and a bottom layer of creamy lemon curd. Use my  Blue Ribbon pastry recipe  or your favorite pastry recipe, a store-bought shell  or a graham cracker-crumb base.  Just be sure your your shell will handle the volume of the filling.  If you do have any filling left over pour it into an oven proof custard cup and bake it along with your pie.

LEMON CLOUD TART
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: pie
Cuisine: baking
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The lemon filling separates into two distinct layers when baked - a fluffy top layer lightened by the whipped cream and a bottom layer of creamy lemon curd.
Ingredients
  • One single generous pie crust either purchased or your favorite recipe. fitted into a 9'inch tart pan and chilled.
  • ½ cup (4.2 fluid oz.) heavy whipping cream
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (7 oz.) sugar
  • Fresh lemon zest from one large lemon (divided in half)
  • ½ cup (from 4.5 fluid oz.) lemon juice from 4 to 5 lemons
  • Topping
  • l cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon icing sugar
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract:
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and set the rack in the lowest position.
  2. Place the chilled crust on a baking sheet, line the crust with lightly oiled or sprayed parchment, and fill with weights.
  3. Partially blind bake the crust until it is a matte, pale golden colour, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment.
  4. While the crust is partially baking, in a chilled medium bowl, whip the cream using a whisk until soft peaks form
  5. In a separate medium bowl, combine the eggs and sugar and whisk until thick and smooth. Add half of the lemon zest and the lemon juice and stir to combine.
  6. In three batches, GENTLY fold the whipped cream into the egg mixture. It will be rather lumpy looking.
  7. Pour the filling into the warm crust. Bake until the edges of the filling slightly puff up and the center is just slightly wobbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
  8. Remove the tart from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Refrigerate the tart for 2 hours, or until firm enough to slice.
  9. When read to serve top with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with remaining lemon zest.
  10. To make your whipped cream topping chill your bowl and whip. Whip cream until soft peaks form, then add vanilla and icing sugar.
  11. Whip util stiff peaks form.
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RETRO GARLIC BREAD

Posted on May 22, 2014 by admin

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Garlic bread  is so retro, so seventies, so easy to make,  that we forget why everyone enjoys it.  Home-made garlic bread is the first thing everyone reaches for at the table.    Five ingredients, three steps, that’s all you need to bake up an unforgettable loaf that puts grocery-store versions to shame.

EASY GARLIC BREAD
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: side dish
Cuisine: retro cuisine
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An unforgettable loaf that puts groacery=store versions to shame.
Ingredients
  • 1 loaf soft Italian or French style bread (about 12 ounces) unsliced
  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 2 fat cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 400 F. Slice the loaf into 1-inch-slices without cutting all the way through the bread.
  2. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the garlic and cook stirring often until fragrant, about one or two minutes. Let cool slightly.
  4. Add the parsley and ½ tsp salt.
  5. Brush the butter mixture between the slices and wrap the loaf in foil
  6. Bake until warmed through, ten to fifteen minutes.
  7. Oven the foil and bake until lightly toasted on top, five to seven minutes more.
  8. Serve warm
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DOUBLE GLAZED LEMON LOAF deleted recipe

Posted on May 12, 2014 by admin

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My dear friends.  For some reason this recipe has developed major glitches.  The good husband made it twice (and he is a brilliant baker) with disastrous results.  The cake   didn’t seem to assimilate the oil properly.  As well the centre … Continue reading →

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WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A LEMON … MAKE PRESERVED LEMONS!

Posted on May 10, 2014 by admin

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In 1988 Paula Wolfert’s cookbook,  WORLD OF FOODS,  introduced me to PRESERVED LEMONS.    The dishes in this book share common elements:  deep, earthy flavours;  richness without heaviness; and “big” flavour.  Paula Wolfert is probably America’s most outstanding food writer.    This … Continue reading →

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WALNUT CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD

Posted on May 8, 2014 by admin

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This oh so scrumptious bread  is a dynamite  combination of flavours.  The roasted walnuts are rich and crunchy, and the tart cranberries and orange zest create an explosion for your taste buds.   The recipe makes two loaves – one to enjoy fresh out of the oven the other to tuck in your freezer or share with a friend

WALNUT CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD
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: quick bread
Cuisine: baking
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A delicious quick bread with a combination of tart cranberries, orange zest with crunchy walnuts
Ingredients
  • 3½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp. salt
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 2¼ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cups vegetable or canola oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1¼ cups buttermilk
  • zest and juice from one large orange
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1¾ cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. and lightly grease and flour two 9 by 5-inch loaf pans.
  2. Into a large bowl add the flour, salt and baking soda and whisk to combine.
  3. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment beat the sugar and oil until thoroughly combined; the mixture will look sandy.
  4. Whisk the eggs.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add eggs to the sugar mixture and mix well.
  6. Whisk together the buttermilk, orange zest and juice and vanilla.
  7. Add one-third of the dry ingredients and incorporate on low speed, then increase the speed to medium and mix for one minute.
  8. Add half the buttermilk mixture and mix briefly just to incorporate.
  9. Add half of the remaining dry ingredient, and incorporate before increasing the speed to medium for one minute.
  10. Repeat with remaining buttermilk mixture and the remaining dry ingredients.
  11. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.
  12. Fold the cranberries and walnuts into the batter with a spatula. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
  13. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  14. Bake the loaves for 60 to 75 minutes rotating the pans half way through the baking. (omit rotating pans if using convection bake)
  15. The loaves will be golden brown with cracked tops, and a skewer inserted in the center should come out clean and dry.
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CHEF NOTES;  You might be tempted to skip roasting your walnuts  but please don’t.  A light toasting brings out the best in most nuts, highlighting their naturally rich, sweet flavours.  To toast shelled nuts spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking pan and bake in a 350F oven until the nuts are lightly fragrant and just hot to the touch.  Depending on the nut, this will take from 7 to 10 minutes.  Watch them closely, as they can go from just right to burned in a matter of seconds. Chop your nuts coarsely after baking.

 

 

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Posted in Breakfast and Brunch, Christmas Food Ideas, Desserts, Desserts and sweets | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment