Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Root vegetable gratin

Root vegetable gratin


1 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups heavy cream (1/2 milk 1/2 cream, optional)
Salt & pepepr to taste
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 lb parsnips
1 lb sweet potatoes
1 lb celeriac (celery root)
8 oz gruyere or other strong, sharp cheese, grated
1 tbsp fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dry
3 tbsp minced fresh parsley, or 1 tbsp dry
Preheat oven to 400 and butter a 3 quart baking dish
Make cream sauce:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and saute the garlic for a minute. Add cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat just until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the herbs and let stand 10 minutes
Prepare vegetables:
Peel and thinly slice the vegetables.
Assemble gratin:
Arrange a layer of half of the vegetables: parsnips, then sweet potatoes, then celeriac. Sprinkle with half the cheese and pour over half of the cream sauce. Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil; lightly press gratin down with a spatula. Return to oven for another 15-30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and top is golden brown. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Published in Hearty Sides
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Real Canadian Poutine

Real Canadian Poutine


Cheese curds are yummy as a snack, but to truly appreciate them, Heather recommends the classic Canadian dish, Poutine. Here's a recipe she found online from The Cooking Blog. She suggests making this with some homemade beef gravy. Perhaps you have a roast you can make? Or you can get beef broth and make gravy from that. I also think it would be just as good with pan fried rather than deep fried potatoes. The cheese curds will make it authentic! Makes 4 side servings or 2 main servings

4 large potatoes
oil for deep frying
salt
2 cups beef stock
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups cheese curds

Peel and slice the potatoes into thick fries (at least 1 cm thick). Soak the potatoes in ice water for about 30 minutes. Remove and blot dry.

Heat oil for frying to about 325F and deep fry potatoes for about 8 minutes. Remove from oil and set on paper towel. Turn the oil up to 375F.

In a saucepan melt the butter and stir in the flour. Add the beef broth and stir over medium-high heat until thickened. Reduce heat and keep hot. (Use a tiny bit of gravy browning to get that nice dark colour).

Return the french fries to the oil and continue frying until golden and crispy. This should take about 5 more minutes. Remove fries to drain on paper towel and salt to taste.

Assemble the poutine quickly while everything is still HOT. (Poutine is best made in a bowl or other container which will contain the heat and help melt the curds. Also, the curds should be at room temperature before assembling the Poutine). Start with a layer of fries. Put some cheese curds in the middle. Add more fries and top with more cheese curds. Ladle gravy over the fries and cheese curds.
before serving.

Published in Hearty Sides
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Winter Squash Flan

Winter Squash Flan


This recipe sounds like the perfect brunch dish. Serves 6.

3 c squash puree
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 c milk
1/4 c flour
1/3 c cornmeal
2 Tbsp butter
5 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 medium onion, cut into medium thick slices
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 c toasted nuts
2 oz crumbled cheese, blue, cheddar, as you like

Preheat oven 400.

Saute onion slices in butter with ginger and a dash of salt. Cook gently until nicely caramelized.

Meanwhile, heat milk in a medium sauce pan, whisk in the flour and cornmeal and 1 Tbsp butter. Continue stirring until thickened. Remove from heat. Cool a bit, then gradually whisk in the eggs. Stir in the squash, maple, 1/2 tsp salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Whisk together until silky smooth with no lumps, or process with a stick blender or food processor.

Butter a large, shallow baking dish. Gently stir the cheese and nuts into the squash mixture. Pour into the baking dish and scatter the onions on top.

Bake 10 minutes at 400, then lower heat to 350 and bake another 40-45 minutes, until golden and slightly puffed. Serve warm or hot.

Published in Dinner
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Beet Carrot Slaw

Beet Carrot Slaw


4 servings

2 Beets, peeled
3 Carrots, peeled
1 c sprouts
1/4 c oil
1/4 c cider vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup or sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Blue Ledge Chevre

Whisk together oil, vinegar, maple, garlic, salt and pepper to make a dressing. Grate beets into a small bowl. Grate carrots into another bowl, mix in sprouts. (Keeping them separate for now will preserve their colors.) Toss 1/2 the dressing with the beets, 1/2 with the carrot & sprouts. Set aside to marinate for a bit. Combine just before serving, with some of the goat cheese crumbled over the top. This would also be yummy in a sandwich.

Published in Salads
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Topping?

Topping


1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)

For Filling:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix sugar, flour and cloves in large bowl. Add strawberries and rhubarb and toss to coat with sugar mixture. Transfer filling to 10-inch-diameter glass pie dish.

For Topping:
Mix flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually add buttermilk, tossing with fork until moist clumps form (do not overmix). Spoon topping evenly over filling.

Bake until topping is golden brown and filling is tender, about 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Topping
4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
1 medium onion, diced
4 small potatoes*
3 medium carrots*
1 medium turnip*
3 small to medium beets*
1 tsp crumbled dry thyme leaves or rosemary
1 tsp kosher salt
black pepper to taste
2 TB sunflower or olive oil, plus more for drizzling
8 oz chevre or blue cheese

For the crust, combine all of the dry ingredients in a food processor. Pulse to combine. In a large measuring cup, stir together 1 cup warm water, honey and oil. With the food processor running, slowly pour the liquids through the chute. If needed, add the rest of the water a bit at a time, until the dough all holds together nicely. It should be slightly sticky. Process for a total of 2 minutes. Form the dough into two tight balls, rub with oil and cover with plastic wrap or a dish towels. Leave in a warm place to rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Don't be worried if the dough doesn't double.

Preheat oven to 500F.

While the dough is rising, cut all of your root vegetables into a 1/2 dice. Combine the roots with the garlic, onion, herbs, oil, salt and pepper on a large baking sheet. Toss to coat. Roast in a 500 degree oven for 15-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the edges begin to brown. Remove from the oven, cool slightly and toss with the cheese.

Published in Dinner
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Savory Onion Bread Pudding

Savory Onion Bread Pudding


This is a versatile recipe. You can prepare it well ahead and bake it when you are ready. You can easily add vegetables and/or meat. Try spinach sauteed with the onion, and cooked crumbled bacon, for a nice brunch dish. Some recipes call this a strata. No matter the name, it's delicious. Serves 6 - 8.

2 large onions, chopped
1/4 c butter
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp dry dill and basil
8 c bread cubes
2 c grated cheese, cheddar or other sharp, firm farmstead cheese, your choice
3 c milk
8 eggs
1 tbsp prepared spicy mustard

Butter a 3 quart baking dish. Saute onions in butter with salt and pepper until sweet and golden brown. Season with herbs, nutmeg and adjust salt. Whisk together milk, eggs, mustard and 1/2 tsp salt.

Spread 1/2 bread in the baking dish. Top with 1/2 the onions and 1/2 the cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Pour in the egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24.

Before baking, let sit at room temp for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350. Bake uncovered 45 minutes, until golden and puffed. A knife inserted will come out clean.

Published in Dinner
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Mixed Grains Tabouli Salad

Mixed Grains Tabouli Salad


1 cup dry mixed grains
3 c water
1/2 tsp salt
Boil water, add grains and salt.  Cover and simmer until tender, about 35 minutes.  Drain if necessary.  Dress with the following dressing.
Whisk together and use to taste:
1/4 c vinegar
1/2 c oil
1/4 c lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp prepared mustard
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
next toss together with: 
1/4 c minced chives
1 carrot, grated
1 cucumber, diced
1 c finely minced fresh greens, such as mizuna or arugula
Chill and serve on a bed of mesclun with more of the lemon dressing if you like.   A bit of crumbled cheese on top would be perfect.

Published in Salads
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Spring Greens and Barley Risotto

Spring Greens and Barley Risotto


Any quick cooking spring greens will work nicely in this dish. Try a braising green mix, arugula, spinach, etc. Just don't leave it in to cook too long. Serves 4.

2 TB sunflower oil
2 large shallots, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups barley, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup white wine
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp freshly grated black pepper
1 bunch of spring greens, washed, spun dry and chopped
4 oz. grated sharp, hard local cheese, such as Green Mountain Gruyere or Prima Caciotta from Dancing Ewe Farm
2 TB chopped fresh chives
2 TB chopped fresh basil or parsley

Heat oil over medium heat in a 10 frying pan with 2 deep sides. Add shallots and salt; cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. Do not let shallots begin to brown. Add barley and cook stirring frequently for about 1 minute. Add wine and stir until the liquid is absorbed by the barley, about 1-2 minutes. Add the broth, nutmeg and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 1 hr. 15 minutes. Begin checking for doneness after 50 minutes. The liquid should be absorbed, the grains softened and gluteness, yet still have just a bit of chew. Stir in greens, cover until just wilted. Reduce heat to very low. Stir in cheese and herbs. Serve warm.

Published in Pastas
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Spanish Tortilla with Potatoes and Greens

Spanish Tortilla with Potatoes and Greens


This is like a frittata, but with a potato base. Heather often makes this quick dish for supper and eats leftovers for breakfast. She likes to serve it with fresh minced cilantro and salsa. Serves 6.

1 lb. potatoes, cut into 1/4 slices
1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion or 4 scallions, chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 lb. greens
5 eggs
1 cup milk
grated cheese
minced fresh cilantro

Butter or oil a deep dish pie plate. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Cook potatoes in a couple of batches until nearly tender and browning, using more oil as needed. Layer into to pie plate. Heat remaining oil and saute onion. Add greens and briefly saute, seasoned with a bit of salt. Spread on top of potatoes.

Beat the eggs with milk, season with salt and pepper. Pour over the potatoes and greens. Sprinkle with cheese if desired. Bake until just set in the center, about 30 minutes.

Alternately, you can cook this on top of the stove by cooking the greens first and removing. Then cook the potatoes, top with the greens and pour in the eggs. Reduce heat and cover. When nearly set, run it under the broiler until golden and eggs are cooked through.

Published in Lunch
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Chilean Bean Stew

Chilean Bean Stew


From the Moosewood New Classics cookbook. Here's a recipe for a traditional summertime stew from Chile. According to the Moosewood cookbook it's traditionally made with fresh corn and fresh shelled red or white beans.

2 tbsp oil
2 c chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt
black pepper
red pepper flakes
1 quart squash puree
vegetable broth or chicken broth as needed.
3 c corn kernels
3 c pinto beans, cooked
1/2 c chopped basil
grated cheddar cheese

Heat oil in a soup pot and saute onion and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper to taste. Saute until onion is golden and fragrant. Stir in the squash and thin to desired consistency with broth. Add in the beans and corn and bring to a simmer. Taste for salt & pepper. Mix in the basil and serve with a sprinkle of grated cheddar.

Published in Soups and Stews
Page 6 of 14
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