Epimeles

the Pence family cookbook

Recipes in Category “Main Course”

Curried Squash Galette

Main Course Pie Squash Untested

Ingredients

For dough:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, frozen
  • Ice water

For filling:

  • 1 pound butternut squash—peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • 1 pound kabocha squash—peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • 1 red onion, cut through the core into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded Manchego, plus more for serving

Preparation

In a large bowl, whisk the flour with 3/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Working over the bowl, grate the frozen butter on the large holes of a box grater. Gently toss the grated butter in the flour. Stir in 1/3 cup of ice water until the dough is evenly moistened. Scrape out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and knead gently just until the dough comes together. Pat into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the butternut and kabocha squash and the onion with the olive oil and curry powder. Season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the squash is tender but not falling apart. Let cool.

Increase the oven temperature to 450°. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a 14-inch round. Carefully transfer to a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Spread the sour cream over the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese on top. Arrange the squash and onion over the sour cream and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top. Fold the pastry edge up and over the vegetables to create a 1 1/2-inch border.

Bake the squash galette for 30 to 35 minutes, until the crust is browned; let cool slightly. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, cut into wedges and serve warm.

Food & Wine


Layered Eggplant, Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

Main Course Side Dish Casserole Eggplant Tomato Untested Zucchini

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing and brushing
  • 3 medium zucchini (1 1/2 pounds), sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 long, narrow eggplants (1 1/2 pounds), peeled and sliced lengthwise 1/3 inch thick
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 1 pound plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (3/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup chopped basil
  • 1/3 cup panko or coarse dry bread crumbs

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 425°. Oil 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Put the zucchini slices on one sheet and the eggplant on the other. Brush the slices all over with oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the slices on each sheet in a slightly overlapping layer. Bake for 15 minutes, until tender.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened, 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook over high heat until slightly softened and bubbling, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

Oil a large, shallow baking dish (about 10 by 15 inches). Lay half of the eggplant in the dish and spread one-fourth of the tomatoes on top. Scatter with half of the feta and basil. Layer half of the zucchini on top, followed by another one-fourth of the tomato and the remaining basil, eggplant and zucchini. Top with the remaining tomato and feta. Mix the panko with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and sprinkle over the casserole. Bake in the upper third of the oven for 20 minutes, until bubbling and crisp. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve hot or warm.

Food & Wine


Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Homemade Harissa

Main Course Chile French Lamb Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 ounces ancho chiles (about 4) stemmed and seeded
  • 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 large garlic cloves, 1 clove mashed to a paste
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • One 3-pound lamb shoulder roast on the bone
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Lettuce leaves and warm naan, for serving

Preparation

In a spice grinder, finely grind the caraway, coriander and cumin seeds. In a microwave-safe bowl, cover the ancho chiles with water and microwave at high power for 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer the softened chiles and 2 tablespoons of the soaking liquid to a blender. Add the ground spices, paprika, lemon juice, the 2 whole garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of salt. Puree the harissa until smooth.

Set the lamb in a medium roasting pan and rub 1/2 cup of the harissa all over the meat; let stand at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 325°. Add 1/2 cup of water to the roasting pan and cover the pan loosely with foil. Roast the lamb for 2 1/2 hours, adding water to the pan a few times to prevent scorching. Remove the foil and roast for about 2 1/2 hours longer, until the lamb is very brown and tender; occasionally spoon the pan juices on top. Let stand for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the yogurt with the cilantro, mashed garlic clove and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Using forks or tongs, pull the lamb off the bone in large chunks. Using your fingers, pull the meat into smaller shreds and serve with the yogurt sauce, lettuce leaves, naan and the remaining harissa.

Food & Wine


Sweet Potato Stir Fry

Main Course Side Dish Chinese Pork Sweetpotato Untested

Ingredients

  • 2 or 3 large cloves garlic
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger root
  • 3 scallions
  • 1 pound sweet potato
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 6 ounces ground pork
  • 1 tablespoon canola or grapeseed oil
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Preparation

Mince enough of the garlic to yield 1 tablespoon. Peel and mince the ginger to yield 1 tablespoon. Separate the scallion whites and greens; chop each. Peel the sweet potato, and either grate it in a food processor (cut into chunks first), cut it into matchsticks or use a spiralizer.

Whisk together the wine or dry sherry, the soy sauce or tamari, the Worcestershire sauce and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the pork and stir with a fork to incorporate.

Heat a wok or large, well­-seasoned cast-iron skillet over high heat. Drizzle in the oil so that it coats the sides of the wok. Working quickly, add the garlic, ginger and scallion whites; stir-fry for 5 seconds, then add the pork mixture and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, until the pork is cooked through.

Add the sweet potato; stir-fry for about 6 minutes and try to create some crisped edges on it, if possible. Some of the sweet potato pieces will still be somewhat firm. Remove from the heat.

Divide among individual bowls. Garnish each portion with the scallion greens. Serve hot.

Washington Post


Wild Mushroom Goulash

Main Course Hungarian Stew Vegan Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 pound Hungarian wax peppers or Italian frying peppers—cored, seeded and chopped
  • 1 1/2 pounds wild mushrooms, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 pounds cremini or white button mushrooms, quartered
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1/4 cup sweet Hungarian paprika
  • 1 tablespoon hot Hungarian paprika
  • One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs
  • Sour cream and chopped parsley, for serving

Preparation

In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil. Add the onions and peppers and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add all of the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 10 minutes.

Using the side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic to a paste with the caraway seeds and a generous pinch of salt; scrape into the casserole. Stir in both paprikas, the tomatoes, potatoes and zucchini. Add the broth and bay leaves, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat, until the stew is richly flavored, about 1 hour.

Stir the bread crumbs into the stew and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes; serve with sour cream and parsley.

Food & Wine


Spicy Supercrunchy Fried Chicken

Main Course Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken, cut into serving pieces (or 8-10 drumstick and thigh parts), trimmed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp. curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 habanero pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced, optional
  • 1 egg
  • 1 c. flour lard and butter combined, or vegetable oil
  • lemon or lime wedges for garnish

Preparation

In a bowl, toss chicken with salt, pepper, curry, allspice, garlic, chili, egg, and 2 tbsp. water. When combined, blend in flour with your hands. Keep mixing until most of the flour is blended with other ingredients and chicken is coated (add more water or flour if mixture is too thin or too dry; it should be dry but not powdery). Let sit while you heat fat; at this point chicken can marinate, refrigerated, for up to a day.

Choose a skillet or casserole at least 12" in diameter that can be covered. Add 1/2" of fat and turn heat to medium-high. If using butter, skim foam as it rises. When oil is hot, raise heat to high. Slowly add chicken to skillet. Cover, reduce to medium-high, and cook for 7 minutes.

Uncover, turn chicken, and cook uncovered for another 7 minutes. Turn again and cook for about 5 minutes more, turning as needed to make both sides golden brown.

Remove chicken from skillet and drain on paper towels. Serve chicken at any temperature, with lemon or lime wedges.

New York Times, 2003


Gravlax

Main Course Salmon

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. white peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp. caraway seeds
  • 2⁄3 cup kosher salt
  • 1⁄3 cup sugar
  • 2 lb. center-cut, skin-on salmon filet
  • 1 cup dill sprigs, plus 1⁄3 cup chopped dill
  • 1⁄4 cup aquavit (optional)

Preparation

In a small food processor, pulse peppercorns, fennel seeds, and caraway seeds until coarsely ground; combine with salt and sugar. Stretch plastic wrap over a plate; sprinkle with half the salt mixture. Place salmon filet on top, flesh side up. Cover with remaining salt mixture, dill sprigs, and aquavit.

Fold plastic wrap ends around salmon; wrap tightly with more plastic wrap. Refrigerate the fish on the plate for 48-72 hours, turning the package every 12 hours and using your fingers to redistribute the herb-and-spice-infused brine that accumulates as the salt pulls moisture from the salmon. The gravlax should be firm to the touch at the thickest part when fully cured.

Unwrap salmon, discarding the spices, dill, and brine. Rinse the filet under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Cover a large plate with the chopped dill. Firmly press the flesh side of the gravlax into the dill to coat it evenly.

Place gravlax skin side down on a board. With a long, narrow-bladed knife (use a granton slicer if you have one; the divots along the blade make for smoother, more uniform slices), slice gravlax against grain, on the diagonal, into thin pieces. Serve with mustard-dill sauce or on knackebrod with minced onion. Refrigerate any remaining gravlax, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks.

Saveur


Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings

Main Course Chicken Untested

Ingredients

  • 4 lb. chicken wings
  • 2 tbsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. salt

Preparation

Before you begin, uncover the chicken wings and leave them in the fridge for a few hours to dry out.

Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Preheat oven to 250F. Line a baking tray with foil, then place a rack on the foil. Coat the rack with oil.

Place wings in a large bowl or in a ziplock bag. Add the baking powder and salt, then toss to coat evenly. Place the wings on the baking tray in a single layer with the skin side up. They should just fit snugly. Place wings on the lower middle oven rack and bake for 30 minutes.

Move wings up to the upper middle rack and increase the oven temperature to 425F/220C. Bake for 40 - 50 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. Remove baking tray from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes. Toss wings in sauce of choice or serve it on the side to dip / drizzle on the wings, then serve.

RecpieTin Eats/CI


Shepherd’s Pie

Main Course Beef Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 2 tbsp. plus 2 teaspoons water
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 1/2 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1" chunks
  • 4 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 8 scallions, green parts only, sliced thin
  • 2 tsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 oz. white mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp. Madeira or ruby port
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 c. beef broth
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch

Preparation

Toss beef with 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and baking soda in bowl until thoroughly combined. Set aside for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, place potatoes in medium saucepan; add water to just cover and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until potatoes are soft and tip of paring knife inserted into potato meets no resistance, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to saucepan. Return saucepan to low heat and cook, shaking pot occasionally, until any surface moisture on potatoes has evaporated, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and mash potatoes well. Stir in melted butter. Whisk together milk and egg yolk in small bowl, then stir into potatoes. Stir in scallion greens and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside.

Heat oil in broiler-safe 10-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just starting to soften and dark bits form on bottom of skillet, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic; cook until bottom of skillet is dark brown, about 2 minutes. Add Madeira and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add broth, Worcestershire, thyme, bay leaf, and carrots; bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low, add beef in 2-inch chunks to broth, and bring to gentle simmer. Cover and cook until beef is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring and breaking up meat chunks with 2 forks halfway through. Stir cornstarch and remaining 2 teaspoons water together in bowl. Stir cornstarch mixture into filling and continue to simmer for 30 seconds. Remove thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Adjust oven rack 5 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Place mashed potatoes in large zipper-lock bag and snip off 1 corner to create 1-inch opening. Pipe potatoes in even layer over filling, making sure to cover entire surface. Smooth potatoes with back of spoon, then use tines of fork to make ridges over surface. Place skillet on rimmed baking sheet and broil until potatoes are golden brown and crusty and filling is bubbly, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

CI


Simple Lemony Linguine

Main Course Side Dish Italian Lemon Pasta Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 500 g dried linguine
  • 3 lemons (zest and juice)
  • 6 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 100 g. parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Cook the linguine according to the instructions on the packet - in a generous amount of boiling, salted water. Drain and return to the saucepan. Mix the lemon juice and zest with the olive oil, then stir in the parmesan so that it becomes creamy. Season and add more lemon to taste. Add the lemon pasta sauce to the linguine shaking the pan to coat each strand. Garnish with some herbs to suit yourself.

Nudo