Ingredients

• 1 c. self-rising flour
• 1 c. fine yellow cornmeal
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 2/3 c. buttermilk
• 1/3 c. water
• scant 1/4 c. bacon fat
• 1/3 c. creme fraiche or sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 c. scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 c. crisp bacon, finely chopped
• Canola oil, combined with some bacon fat if desired

Preparation

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

In another small bowl, combine buttermilk, water, bacon fat, and creme fraiche or sour cream. Blend well. Add eggs and mix until just combined.

Pour liquid into dry ingredients, and mix just until a thick batter has formed. Stir in scallions and bacon. To keep the hoecakes tender, avoid overmixing.

Heat oil and bacon fat in a cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Use about an eighth of a cup of batter for smaller cakes, or a quarter cup for larger ones. Cook them as you would pancakes, allowing them to fry on one side for about three minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Flip and cook for another couple of minutes. Replenish oil as needed, to maintain a generous film in the pan.

Batter will keep for a couple of days tightly covered in the refrigerator. If it seems too thick after storing, stir in a bit more buttermilk or water.

Garden & Gun, April/May 2013

Ingredients

• 2 oz Cathead pecan vodka
• 1/2 oz. cold strong coffee
• 9 drops Bittermens Xocolatl mole bitters
• 3 oz. tonic water

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a Collins glass. Stir, add ice.

Garden & Gun, June/July 2014

Ingredients for Pork

• 12 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 c. white vinegar
• 1/4 c. water
• 1/4 c. vegetable oil
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 lbs. pork tenderloin, cut into medium dice
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flake

Preparation

In a blender, combine garlic, paprika, sugar, salt, tomato paste, vinegar, and water, and blend to a smooth paste. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, and stir until light golden. Add meat and paste, stir well to coat and reduce heat to medium. Stir in red pepper flakes. Cover and cook for about 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and check consistency of sauce. If it seems thin, cook over high heat for three to five minutes to thicken.

Ingredients for Green Bean and Thyme Verakka

• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 lb. green beans, sliced into 1/4" thick coins
• 10 sprigs of thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp. salt

Preparation

Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add cumin seeds. Stir in beans, thyme, and salt. Stir-fry for about four minutes.

Ingredients for Cardamom Cornbread

• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, plus more for pan preparation
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 c. cornmeal
• 1 tsp. crushed cardamom seeds
• 1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9" square pan or large cast-iron skillet with butter. Melt butter in the pan or skillet, and stir in sugar. Add the buttermilk and eggs, and stir to combine. Stir in flour, baking powder, cornmeal, cardamom seeds, pepper, and salt. Bake for 30 minutes.

To serve, place a square of cornbread on a plate, spoon pork over the cornbread, and top with a large spoonful of stir-fried green beans.

Garden & Gun, December/January 2012-3

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. black pepper
• 1 tbsp. ground allspice
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. powdered ginger
• 2 large green bell peppers
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, stemmed and seeded, diced
• 1 small orange bell pepper, stemmed and seeded, diced
• 1/2 small eggplant, peeled and diced
• 1/4-1 tsp. salt, to taste
• 1 lb. ground lamb
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/2 c. chunky tomato sauce or puree
• 1/4-1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2-1 c. feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tbsp. oregano
• 1/2 c. plain greek yogurt, optional
• fresh lemon wedges, optional

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the first seven ingredients and set aside. Remove the tops from the green peppers, slice in half, and remove seeds and ribs. Place in an 8x8 pan, bowl up.

In a large skillet, heat oil at medium heat. Add onion, cook 5 minutes. Add the diced bell peppers, cook until onion is golden and soft. Remove and cool. Sautee the eggplant over medium-high heat until brown but still holding its shape. Add a dash of salt and the spice mix. Cook 1 minute and add to onion/pepper mix.

Brown the lamb, breaking into small pieces. At the end, add garlic, stir, and remove from heat. Cool slightly. Drain any oil or juices and stir in tomato sauce and 1/2 tbsp. spice mix. Remove from heat and cool. Add oregano to the feta, and mix.

Divide the meat/tomato mix between the peppers. Layer with the mix of peppers, onions, and eggplant. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until the green peppers soften. Remove foil for the last 10 minutes. For the last 5 minutes, add the feta. Serve with yogurt and lemons if desired.

Penzey’s Spices

Ingredients

• 1 can of petit pois peas
• 4 tablespoons bacon grease
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter

Preparation

Make a dark roux with the bacon grease and flour: Melt the bacon grease in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and continue stirring over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the roux turns a chocolate color.

Add the onions and saute 5 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on the onion and cook 2 minutes. Add the peas (including the packing liquid in the can), cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer peas for 10 minutes. Stir in butter and serve.

NPR

Ingredients

• 2 pumpkins, about 2 pounds each
• Cooking oil spray
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large carrots, peeled and thickly sliced
• 2 celery stalks, thickly sliced
• 3 shallots, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced thyme
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 ½ cups chicken broth
• 2 (12-ounce) bottles pale ale
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Croutons or pumpkin seeds for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Position 1 rack in the upper third of an oven and 1 rack in the lower third; preheat to 425°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil and set aside.

Quarter the pumpkins, scrape out the fibers and the seeds, and spray with cooking oil. Place pumpkins, cut side down, on baking sheets. Roast until tender and the rinds pull away from the flesh, 45 minutes.

Remove from oven and peel rinds off the flesh with tongs. Discard rinds, and transfer flesh to a bowl.

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, warm olive oil until shimmering. Add carrots, celery, shallots, salt, and pepper. Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 7 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, sage, ginger, paprika, and nutmeg; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add pumpkin flesh, broth, and 1 ½ bottles of Denver Pale Ale (drink the rest). Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and continue to whisk constantly for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thick. Add cheese 1 cup at a time, stirring until smooth each time. Reduce heat to low until pumpkin mixture is ready.

Pour cheese mixture into pumpkin mixture. Using a stick blender, puree the soup until smooth. Or puree in batches in a blender.

Ladle 2 cups soup into 6 bowls and garnish with croutons and pumpkin seeds. Serve with more beer.

Thrillist

Ingredients

• 6 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated
• 12 cloves garlic, grated or minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1¾ teaspoons fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
• 6 tablespoons duck fat or butter
• cups white breadcrumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• ¼ cup chopped parsley

Preparation

1. Toss potatoes, garlic, flour, oil, salt, pepper and cardamom together in a very large gratin dish (or 2 medium dishes). Place dollops of duck fat, evenly spaced, on top of potato mixture. Cover with foil and refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Remove gratin from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature, 1-2 hours. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place in oven and bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven, toss mixture, cover again with foil and bake until tender, 30 minutes more.

3. Meanwhile, make breadcrumb topping: In a bowl, toss white breadcrumbs, melted butter and parsley until combined.

4. Remove gratin from oven and remove foil. Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. Place oven rack in top position. Sprinkle breadcrumb topping over potatoes. Place dish, uncovered, on top rack and broil until golden, about 5 minutes. Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

Gail Monaghan, Wall Street Journal

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pound pearl onions (about 2 cups), peeled, trimmed, or 1 pound frozen pearl onions, thawed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 pounds bags frozen peas, thawed
• ¼ cup crème fraîche, whole-milk Greek yogurt, or sour cream

Preparation

Bring milk, cloves, and bay leaf to a boil in a small saucepan; reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to let flavors meld. Strain into a medium bowl; discard solids. Cover milk and keep warm. Meanwhile, place onions in a large skillet (at least 12”). Add water to half-cover the onions (about 1 cup). Add 1 Tbsp. butter, 1 tsp. salt, and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and onions are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Gently transfer onions to a large plate. Melt remaining 2 Tbsp. butter in same skillet over medium heat; add flour and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan, for 1 minute. Whisk in reserved milk, adding ¼-cupful at a time. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in remaining ½ tsp. salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add peas and onions; stir until heated through. Gently fold in crème fraîche.

Bon Appetit, November 2012

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork (I use boneless chops)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon wine
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• red food coloring

Preparation

Trim the fat from the pork and cut into chunks; each chunk should be between 2-4 bites. Blend all remaining ingredients. The pork and marinade should be fairly bright red- add enough food coloring to give it a nice color. Marinate for at least 3 and preferable 24 hours. Broil or grill for 3-4 minutes on a side or until the pork is done through.

ChrisMc, Food.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup stout (such as Guinness)
• 16 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped, divided
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x9x2" metal baking pan with foil, leaving a 2" overhang. Bring stout to a boil in a medium sauce- pan; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 12 minutes. Let cool. Reserve 1/4 cup stout. Stir 12 oz. chocolate and 1 cup butter in a medium metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture, then 1/4 cup stout from pan. Fold in flour and 1 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake brownies until surface begins to crack and a tester inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 35–40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool for at least 20 minutes. Stir remaining 4 oz. chocolate in a medium metal bowl set over a sauce-pan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Add reserved 1/4 cup reduced stout, remaining 2 Tbsp. butter, and 1/4 tsp. salt; whisk until well blended. Pour warm glaze over brownies. Let stand at room temperature until glaze is set, about 40 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature. Using foil overhang, lift brownie from pan; cut into squares.

Bon Appetit