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

Ingredients

for pastry:

• 260 gr flour
• 1 heaping tsp ground cardamom
• 1 Tbsp freshly ground Meyer lemon zest
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 7 Tbsp butter, cold and cut into pieces
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp water, cold

for chocolate ganache filling:

• 10 oz. heavy cream
• 1/4 cup dried lavender buds
• 12 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp butter
• coarse salt
• dried lavender buds

Preparation

Using a food processor or pastry cutter, mix the flour, cardamom, lemon zest, and sugar until combined. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until the size of small peas. Add the egg yolk and gradually add the lemon juice and water just until a dough begins to form when you press it between two fingers. Do not overmix. Form the pastry into a ball and refrigerate for at least one hour. (or stick it in the freezer for a shorter amount of time.) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Remove the pastry dough from the fridge and press the dough into the tart pan. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork, cover with parchment paper, and weigh down using dry beans or pie weights. Return to freezer for a few minutes if the dough has softened. Bake for ~13-15 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden. Remove the beans and parchment paper and continue to bake for 3-5 minutes more, until the crust has completely turned golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.

In a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the cream and lavender buds until just barely a simmer. Cover and remove from heat. Let steep for at least ten minutes. Place the chocolate and honey in a heat-proof bowl, place a fine mesh strainer on top, and set aside. Add the butter to the cream and lavender bud mixture and return to a simmer. Once the cream simmers, remove from heat and pour the hot cream through the sieve onto the prepared chocolate, making sure to press all of the liquid from the lavender buds. Discard the lavender buds. Let the chocolate sit for 2-3 minutes. Whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and evenly distributed. Immediately pour into the prepared tart crust. Using your fingers (or a mortar and pestle), rub together an equal but small amount of coarse salt and dried lavender buds. Sprinkle liberally over the top of the chocolate. Let the tart set at room temperature until completely cool, about 1-2 hours. Serve at room temperature.

Desserts for Breakfast

Ingredients

• grapeseed or other neutral oil
• 1 whole (4 ½-pound) Muscovy duck, excess fat removed, trussed
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
• ½ cup soy sauce

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Lightly cost the bottom of a heavy roasting pan with oil.

Season the duck generously with salt and pepper and place in the pan, breast side up.

Roast for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the duck back side up. Roast for another 10 minutes and then carefully turn on one side. To get the duck to sit upright on a leg, rest the back of the duck against the side of the pan. Roast for another 10 minutes, then carefully turn onto the other side and roast for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir together the maple syrup, vinegar, and soy sauce.

Transfer the duck to a dish and drain the fat through a fine mesh sieve into a measuring cup. Reserve for another use.

Reduce oven to 375°F.

Return duck to the roasting pan breast side up. Pour the syrup mixture over, letting it run down the sides. Return to the oven. Roast, basting every 5 minutes, for 20 minutes. Tilt the duck to let its juices run out of the cavity; the juices should be pale pink. Cook for another 5 minutes if needed. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes, basting frequently.

Carve. Arrange the sliced duck on a serving platter. Spoon the glaze from the pan all over.

Home Cooking with Jean-Georges

Ingredients

FOR THE BARBECUE MAYONNAISE:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup barbecue sauce
• Lime juice, to taste
• Sriracha, to taste

FOR THE ROLLS:

• 1 block (about 7 ounces) rice vermicelli
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 to 12 rice-paper wrappers for summer rolls, about 8 1/2 inches wide
• 8 sprigs mint, leaves picked off
• 8 sprigs Thai basil or basil, leaves picked off
• Pickled carrots and daikon (do chua), homemade or fresh or jarred from Vietnamese markets
• ¾ to 1 pound barbecued beef brisket, thickly sliced
• ½ cup thinly sliced red cabbage
• 16 sprigs cilantro
• Whole lettuce leaves

Preparation

MAKE THE BARBECUE MAYONNAISE: Combine mayonnaise and barbecue sauce, and stir until smooth. Season to taste with lime juice and sriracha, and set aside. (Can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated.)

MAKE THE ROLLS: Put the rice vermicelli in a large bowl. Cover with boiling water, add the salt and let soak, swishing occasionally, until soft but still resilient, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Let drain for at least 30 minutes, or spread on a plate and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

When ready to serve, set out all the ingredients on a clean surface. Half-fill a bowl wide enough to fit the wrappers with lukewarm water. Place 1 wrapper in the water and pat it, gently bending to test, until pliable but not completely soft. Shake off excess water and lay the wrapper down.

Place a straight line of mint and basil leaves across the circle, about 2 inches up from the bottom edge. Plump up that line with a small clump of vermicelli, a pinch of do chua and 1/8 of the brisket. Drizzle a scant teaspoon of barbecue mayonnaise over the meat. Finish with red cabbage and 2 cilantro sprigs. Bring bottom edge of wrapper tightly up over the filling, then fold the sides in to cover. Continue to roll upward, tightly but gently, and place finished rolls on a plate, seam-side down. Repeat with remaining rolls. Cover rolls with lettuce leaves to keep them fresh. Serve as soon as possible.

Julia Moskin, The New York Times

Ingredients

• 1 c. granulated sugar, divided
• 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 c. low-fat milk
• 2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest
• 1/2 c. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 2 large egg yolks
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat eight 4- to 6-ounce (1/2- to 3/4-cup) ovenproof ramekins or custard cups with cooking spray; place in a large deep roasting pan or baking dish. Put a kettle of water on to boil for the water bath.

Whisk 3/4 cup granulated sugar, flour, and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Add milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, and egg yolks. Whisk until smooth.

Beat egg whites in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (see Tip). Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff and glossy. Fold the egg whites into the batter (it will be thinner than other cake batter and it’s okay if it’s a little lumpy).

Evenly divide among the prepared ramekins placed in the roasting pan.

Place the roasting pan in the oven and carefully pour in enough boiling water to come almost halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

Bake the pudding cakes until golden brown and the cakes have pulled away slightly from the sides of the ramekins, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the ramekins to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.

EatingWell.com, via Delish

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups fine white cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup lukewarm water, divided
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (or 1 15 mL pkg)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white cornflour (approx. measure) or 1/2 cup yellow cornflour (approx. measure)

Preparation

1. Please note that the corn flour in this recipe is NOT cornstarch; you should be able to find corn flour at your grocery store in either the aisle where flour is sold, or in the aisle where ethnic foods are sold.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cornmeal and salt together, then add the boiling water and stir until smooth.

3. Let this cool until mixture is lukewarm (should take about 10 minutes).

4. Meanwhile, in a measuring cup, dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup of the lukewarm water and sprinkle in the yeast; let stand for 10 minutes.

5. Now rapidly whisk the yeast mixture with a fork and then stir into the cornmeal mixture.

6. A bit at a time, mix in the all-purpose flour, stopping a few times to slowly add in the remaining 1/2 cup lukewarm water; blend this mixture well, until completely combined.

7. Turn this mixture out onto a well-floured surface and knead until elastic and all ingredients are well blended; this will likely take about 10 minutes.

8. If you need to — and only if you need to — add a bit more flour; you will likely need to if your kitchen is at all humid, as that can keep the dough a little sticky.

9. When smooth and elastic, gather the dough into a ball.

10. Lightly grease a fairly large mixing bowl and put the dough into bowl, turning dough so it is greased all over.

11. Cover bowl with a clean tea towel, place in a draft-free area (try the top of your fridge, or inside your oven — not turned on of course) and let dough rise until doubled in bulk, which should take about 90 minutes.

12. Now punch down the dough and shape it into either one round loaf or two small ones; have ready a well greased baking sheet or a well greased pie plate.

13. Roll the loaf (loaves) in corn flour until well covered, then, if you’ve made the two small loaves, place on baking sheet, or if you’ve prepared just the one large loaf, place on pie plate.

14. Cover with clean tea towel and let rise in a draft-free place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

15. Sprinkle with additional corn flour just before baking.

16. Bake bread in preheated 450F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on bottom; they should be golden brown and crusty on top.

17. Transfer to wire racks and wait impatiently for them to cool.

Easy Portuguese Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds Spanish chorizo, sliced thin [CP: We did this with 6 oz. of super nice (Olli) chorizo, and that was enough.]
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 rib of celery, chopped fine
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound split peas, picked over
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 carrots, halved lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise
• croutons as an accompaniment

Preparation

In a heavy kettle brown the chorizo over moderate heat, stirring, transfer it with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, and pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. In the fat remaining in the kettle cook the onion, the celery, and the garlic over moderately low heat, stirring, until the celery is softened, add the split peas, the broth, the water, the thyme, and the bay leaf, and simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/4 hours, Stir in the carrots [CP: and the chorizo] and simmer the soup, uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. [CP: Both of these were covered, and if you did that, you’d have way too much liquid.] Discard the bay leaf, season the soup with salt and pepper, and serve it with the croutons.

Gourmet, March 1992

Ingredients

• 1 c. dry black beans
• 2 c. black bean stock
• 3 strips bacon (or, for vegetarian, 1/4 c. vegetable oil)
• 1 lg. onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 sweet red or green bell peppers, cut into thin strips
• 2 c. long-grain white rice
• 1/2-1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 1 lg. bay leaf

Preparation

Soak the beans overnight in a pot of water and drain well (or fast-soak). Place on the stove with plenty of fresh water. Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, until nice and tender but not mushy. Reserve 2 c. of the stock and then drain the beans. Sautee the bacon (or heat the oil) in a pot with the onion, garlic, and peppers until the onion is golden. Add rice, salt, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf, then bean stock and beans. Cover and place on medium heat until it comes to a boil. Stir to prevent from sticking to the bottom of the pot, reduce heat to low and cook until the rice looks completely dry. Should take 10-15min. Stir and serve.

Penzey’s Spices