Sunday, August 3, 2014

Homemade Vegetarian Mincemeat , a Christmas Tradition

I know it's not for everyone but I happen to love Mincemeat and because I'm Vegetarian, I love this recipe. It's such an iconic recipe for Christmas. I serve it as a compote and I also use it to fill cookies.
If you love the idea of Vegetarian Mincemeat, without the Suet, this recipe is perfect.
Start making this during the Summer to have it ready for Christmas and to give for Christmas Gifts.
Simply fill Canning Jars and tie some decorative Christmas Fabric over the lid, with Twine or Raffia. Share with friends and Family.

Vegetarian Mincemeat

4 TBS Butter
1 C Unsweetened Apple Juice
2 Large Apples, peeled, cored and grated. (I use Jonagold).
1/2 C Dark Raisins
1/2 C Golden Raisins
1/2 C Dried Currents
1/2 C Dried Cranberries
1/2 C chopped Dried Figs
3/4 C Candied Mixed Peel
1/2 C chopped Candied Red Cherries
Zest and Juice of 1 Orange
2/3 C packed Brown Sugar
1/3 C Dark Rum + an additional 4 TBS to add at the end of cooking.
1/3 C Brandy + an additional 4 TBS to add at the end of cooking.
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground Ginger
1/4 tsp ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Salt



Place all ingredients in a large Dutch Oven and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer , stirring often for 30 minutes. Some of the liquid should begin to evaporate.
Remove from heat and fold in an additional Rum and Brandy.
Allow to cool completely in the Dutch Oven off the heat.
Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate overnight.
It will keep, refrigerated, for months.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!







Thanksgiving and Christmas Bars


I'm always in pursuit of Holiday recipes. These bars would be a great gift to share at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Bars

1 1/2 C Finely crushed Graham Crackers
1/2 C Buter, melted
1 tsp finely shredded Orange Peel
1 - 14oz. can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Cups of White Chocolate Chips
1 C flaked Coconut
1 C Dried Cranberries
1 C chopped Pecans
1/2 C diced Candied Orange Peel

Here's what you'll need:
1 - 9"X13" baking pan, line with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan.
Spray the foil with a vegetable cooking spray.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl:
Graham Cracker crumbs
Butter
Orange Peel
Mix well and press into the pan.
Pour Sweetened Condensed Milk over the crust.

Sprinkle over the crust in the following order:
White Chocolate Chips
Coconut
Cranberries
Pecans
Candied Orange Peel
Lightly press into the Condensed Milk.

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, the edges should be golden brown.
Remove from the oven.
Cool completely on a cooling rack.
Lift the foil to remove the Bars and cut into squares.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!






Saturday, August 2, 2014

Hatch Chile Pineapple Bread Pudding / 2 versions

I created these recipes as possible contest recipes for the annual Hatch Chile Competition that I've entered for many years. I found out today that there will no longer be a contest at our local market. I have many recipes that I was saving for the contest. Now I can post them all. These are two of them.


Hatch Chile Pineapple Bread Pudding:

1/2 C (8Tbs) butter, softened
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
4 Large Eggs
1 C  crushed Pineapple, well drained.
2 C cubed ( day old) French Baguette Bread
1/2 C chopped Pecans
1/4 C diced Hatch Chiles

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle attachment:
Butter
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Cayenne Pepper
Beat for 3 minutes.

Scrape the bowl as needed.
Add:
Eggs (1 at a time until each one is incorporated)
Fold in, by hand, all remaining ingredients.

Pour into a 1 1/2 - 2 quart baking dish well greased with my Pan Release Mix ( equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil, Flour ) I start with 1C of each and mix well, keep it in a jar in the refrigerator. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes.
Serve with Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Another original recipe using Hatch Green Chiles!

1 1/2 C drained pineapple chunks
1 C diced fresh hatch chiles
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 C coconut rum
vegetable cooking spray
1 - 9"X13" baking pan

3 C milk
1/2 C brown sugar
1 TBS molasses
2 TBS minced candied ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
5 egg whites
2 eggs
8 C 1/2" cubed baguette bread

In a bowl, combine:
pineapple
3/4 C brown sugar
hatch chile
rum
Toss to coat well
Pour into the baking pan sprayed with vegetable spray

Place bread in a single layer on a cookie sheet pan
bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes, until toasted

In a large bowl, combine:
milk
1/2 C brown sugar
molasses
ginger
all of the spices
egg whites
eggs
Whisk together well
Add bread and toss gently
Set aside for at least 15 minutes

Spoon over the pineapple
Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes or until set

Serve warm or at room temperature with the Hatch Chile Rum Sauce.

Rum Sauce:

1 C sugar
1/2 C butter, melted
2 TBS minced roasted hatch chiles
1 egg, beaten
1/4 C coconut rum
1 tsp vanilla

In a saucepan, heat:
sugar
butter
hatch chile
whisk in the egg
continue whisking until sugar has melted
remove from heat and whisk in coconut rum
return to simmer until thick
whisk in vanilla

Pour sauce over bread pudding

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Corn Pudding with Roasted Hatch Chiles

I have so many recipes for Corn Pudding, Corn Casseroles, Corn Timbale, Corn Bread and the list goes on. However, as Fall approaches and the weather begins to get cooler, I continue to research corn recipes. Here's my latest.

Corn Pudding with Roasted Hatch Chiles

1 - 12" Cast Iron Dutch Oven
2 cans (14 3/4 oz.) Creamed Corn
2 cans (15.1/4 oz.) Whole Corn, drained
2 packages (6 oz. ea.) Cornbread Mix
1 carton (8 oz.) Sour Cream
1 C  shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
4 Roasted, Peeled and Seeded Hatch Chiles, Chopped.
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Pour all ingredients into the Dutch Oven and stir to combine well.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

That's it!
Quite simple and delicious.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!








Huevos Rancheros Tarts adapted from Betty Crocker and my Original Homemade Salsa Recipe

I live in Texas and Tex - Mex food is the most popular food here. We love Huevos Rancheros, but this recipe is unique. These would be great for a family gathering or a Sunday Brunch. This recipe is adapted from the original.

1 can (8oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
4 eggs
1 jar of your favorite Salsa ( I serve them with my original homemade Salsa), recipe to follow.
4 TBS chopped , fresh cilantro
1 (15oz.) can of black beans, drained and rinsed, heated.
1/4 C crumbled Queso Fresco
1 Avocado, sliced


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Separate the dough into 4 rectangles on the sheet pan.
Press the perforations to seal the dough.
Roll the edges of each rectangle toward the center to form a 3 1/2" diameter round tart cup with a 1/2" rim.
Press the rim firmly to seal.

In a small bowl:
Oregano
1/4 tsp Chipotle Powder
Salt
whisk well.
Sprinkle the tarts cups even;y with the mixture.
Break one egg into each tart.
Bake for 16 - 18 minutes.

For each Tart:
Top each egg with Salsa and Cilantro.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Serve with a side of Black Beans and slices of Avocado.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Terry's Original Salsa Recipe:

This makes quite a bit. I put it in canning jars and keep it refrigerated. It doesn't last long enough to can and preserve it. I prefer fresh Salsa and not heated and canned.

Another "Best of the Best" recipe.

Every Texan has their favorite Salsa. Believe me when I say that we are passionate about it. I cold talk about Salsa for days, Instead, I will just say that I created this fresh Salsa recipe to make up for all of the "not so good" Salsa that I've purchased or eaten in Restaurants.

I've made this for our friends in France. This means that I take this recipe with me when we travel and make it for our friends.

I use 8 medium sized Jalapenos, you can use less if you don't like the heat. This one is spicy.

I happen to love fresh, non cooked, non roasted and very simple Salsa.

30 Plum or Roma Tomatoes ( I prefer these to others because of the firm texture. I don't peel them) roughly chop them, they'll be processed in a food processor.

6 - 8  Fresh Jalapeno Peppers, cut off the tops, I leave the seeds in. You don't have to if you prefer a less spicy Salsa.

1 Large White Onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, roughly chopped
1 Red Bell Pepper, roughly chopped
1 dozen garlic cloves , peeled and cut in half
1 C of packed chopped fresh Cilantro
1 TBS Salt
4 TBS Adobo Seasoning
2 TBS Cider Vinegar
1/4C  Olive Oil
Juice of 3 Limes
Juice of 3 Lemons

In a Food Processor .
Pulse the Jalapenos, Onion and Garlic
Scrape down the sides to incorporate everything
Remove this to a large bowl ( I use a  large Stainless Steel Stock Pot)

Pulse Red and Green Peppers, transfer to the bowl
Without cleaning the processor, add the tomatoes in batches and pulse them and transfer them to the bowl with the Jalapenos.

Stir in the Adobo Seasoning
Add the Cilantro
Season to taste with Salt
Stir in the Vinegar
Stir in the Oil
Add the Juice of the Limes and the Lemons
Mix well

Refrigerate

"the longer it sits, the better it gets".

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!























Friday, August 1, 2014

Tartine's Maple-Glazed Pecans and my personal collection of Sweet and Spicy Nut Recipes

Here's another great recipe from the famous San Francisco Bakery and Cafe, Tartine.
I live in Texas and we love Pecans. In the book it says , "although the maple makes these Pecans seem like holiday nuts, they make delicious cocktail bites".

I have several recipes for sugared and spiced nuts , but I will have to add these to our Thanksgiving and Christmas menu. I'll include some of my other favorites at the end of this recipe.

It's a very simple recipe with tasty results.

2 TBS Maple Syrup ( Use the best you can afford)
2 TBS Light or Dark Corn Syrup
2 TBS Granulated Sugar
1/8 tsp Salt
2 C Pecan halves

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a Silpat non stick liner.

In a mixing bowl:
Maple Syrup
Corn Syrup
Sugar
Salt
Mix well.

Add the Pecans and stir to soar the Pecans well.
Spread the Pecans onto the sheet pan in a single layer

Bake , stirring every few minutes with a heat proof rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, one the mixture begins to bubble, about 4 - 6 minutes.
They are done when they're golden brown and the syrup is thick and bubbling slowly. Watch carefully so they don't burn.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the Pecans to cool completely on the pan.
The coating will be crisp when the Pecans are cool.
Separate the cooled Pecans.
Keep them in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 weeks.

I will probably double or triple the recipe for a party.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



These are from the Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House in Oregon. They shared the recipe in the Dallas Morning News.

1 1/4 pounds of Almonds
1/4 C Molasses
1 TBS Sea Salt
1/2 Pound Brown Sugar ( divided in half)
1 1/4 pounds of Roasted Salted Cashews

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine Almonds with Molasses, Sea Salt and half of the Brown Sugar.

Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir the hot Almonds into the remaining Brown Sugar in the bowl.
Spread the nuts out on the baking sheet and set them aside to cool.

Toss the cooled Almonds with the Cashews into the bowl.

Store covered in a cool dry place in a plastic or glass container.

Makes about 10 cups.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Union Square's Cafe Bar Nuts:


2 1/4 C mixed Nuts, no peanuts ( or... peanuts if you want)  I've done only Pecans because.... I live in Texas!
2 TBS coarsely chopped fresh Rosemary
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper ( I use 1/4C Heirloom Chimayo Chile Powder and 1/4C Cayenne Pepper Seasoning.
2 tsp Brown Sugar
2 tsp Sea Salt
1 TBS butter, melted

Toss nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet
Roast them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes
In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients and toss the nuts in the mixture
Store them in a jar and........


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



I have many recipes for flavored nuts. There are several posted on the blog.
Here's another favorite.

Texas Pecans:

2 TBS butter
1/4 C Worcestershire Sauce ( I use a vegetarian version)
1 TBS Ketchup
2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
4 C pecan halves
salt

in a saucepan, melt butter and add:
Worcestershire Sauce
Ketchup
Tabasco

Stir in pecans
Pour into a glass baking dish in a single layer
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes
Stir often
Pour onto Paper Towels
Sprinkle with salt.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


I've posted many recipes for spiced nuts. I love them all. Here's my latest recipe.
I made these with a combination of Extra Large Peanuts and Whole Almonds. You can use all of one kind of nut or any combination. The next time I make them I'll try Mixed Nuts. Of course, in Texas, we also use only Pecans.

2 TBS olive oil
6 C nuts
1/3 C honey (I used a Lavender Honey from France)
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 TBS salt
4 TBS sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Heat a large Saute Pan on Medium High. When it gets hot, add the oil.
Add the Nuts and stir for 1 minute.
Reduce heat to low and continue to saute the nuts for 7 minutes, stirring often.
Add:
honey
spices
salt
sesame seeds
Stir Well

Spread on a sheet pan.
Dry them in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes.
Cool before moving to a sealed container.
As soon as they're cooled you will need to scrape the nuts from the pan with a strong metal spatula and break up the nuts as you remove them.
I kept some small clusters.
They are absolutely delicious.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!





Tartine's Heavenly Morning Buns



If you've never been to Tartine Bakery and Cafe in San Francisco, then you've missed out on Heavenly Morning Buns. They are the trademark pastry of the famous bakery. If you want them fresh, you have to arrive early and expect to wait in line. I've read testimonials from customers that say they would never imagine standing in line waiting for a pastry, but they all agree that the Morning Buns are definitely worth it, and the lines are proof!
I have the cookbook and it does not include this recipe.
They plan on including it in the next book.



Here's the recipe.


2 pounds of Croissant Dough (recipe to follow)
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
Zest of 2 Oranges, finely grated.
2 TBS Cinnamon
A Pinch of Salt
8 TBS Butter, melted.
Granulated Sugar for coating muffin cups and for rolling finished buns.

In a small bowl:
Make the Sugar Mixture.
Brown Sugar
Granulated Sugar
Orange Zest
Cinnamon
Salt
Combine well.

Generously brush the bottoms and sides of the cups of a 12 cup Muffin Tin.
Add a tsp of sugar in each cup and tap out the excess.

Roll out the Croissant Dough into a 1/4" thick, 6"X 8" rectangle with the long side in front of you.
Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle Sugar Mixture evenly over the entire rectangle. The Sugar should be about 1/8" thick. You may have a bit of the mixture left.

Begin with the long side facing you and roll the rectangle into a cylinder.
Cut into 1 1/2" discs.
Fit each disc into a cup in the muffin tin, the swirl pattern should be visible on the top.
If you have extra discs, make more buns! They can be frozen individually on a sheet pan and transferred to plastic bags and freeze. (defrost about 45 minutes and bake as directed).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Allow the Buns to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
They should rise at least 1 1/2 times their original size.
Place the Muffin Tin on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 45 - 60 minutes, baking time will depend on your oven.
The tops should be well browned and the sugar will be melted.
Remove the pan from the oven and immediately release the buns onto a clean sheet pan or work surface.
It's recommended to eat the buns immediately.
They can be stored in an airtight container and eaten the next day by heating them in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.



Croissant Dough:
I have to say that this is a complicated process, however, for the dedicated baker it's a necessary step to create theses amazing Morning Buns, and you can make homemade Croissants with this recipe.


The Preferment, (a fermentation starter).

1/4 C Nonfat Milk
1 TBS Active Dry Yeast
1 1/3 C All Purpose Flour

The Dough:

1 TBS + 1 tsp Active Dry Yeast
1 3/4 C Whole Milk
6 C All Purpose Flour
1/3 C Granulated Sugar
1 TBS + 1 tsp Salt
1 TBS Unsalted Butter, melted


Roll-in-Butter:

2 3/4 C Unsalted Butter, cool but pliable.

Egg Wash:

4 Large Egg Yolks
1/4 C Heavy Cream
A Pinch of Salt


Preferment preparation:

In a small saucepan, warm the milk only enough to take the chill off.
Pour into a mixing bowl, sprinkle the yeast over it.
Stir to dissolve the yeast with a wooden spoon.
Add Flour, mix with the spoon until a smooth batter forms.
Cover the bowl with cheesecloth and let it rise until almost doubled in volume, 2 -3 hours at moderate room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

Dough preparation:

Pre measure all ingredients and have them available.
Transfer the Preferment and then the Dough Yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
Mix on low until the yeast is incorporated into the Preferment, 1 - 2 minutes.
Stopping the mixer as needed to scrape the sides of the bowl.

When the mixture has come together into an even , well mixed mass, increase the speed ti medium and mix for 2 minutes.
Slowly add half of the milk and continue to mix until completely incorporated.

Reduce the speed to low, add the flour, sugar, salt, melted butter and the remaining milk and mix until the mass comes together in a loose dough, about 3 minutes.

Turn the mixer off and let the dough rest for 15 - 20 minutes.
This resting period helps to shorten the final mixing phase.

Start the mixer again on low speed and mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, a maximum of 4 minutes.
If the dough is firm, add a little more milk, 1 TBS at a time to loosen it.
But take care not to over mix it.
Cover the bowl with cheesecloth and let the dough rise in a cool place until the volume increases by half, about 1 1/2 hours.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and press into a rectangle, 2" thick.
Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 - 6 hours.

About an hour before you're ready to start laminating the dough, put the butter that you will be rolling into the dough in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
Mix on medium speed until malleable but not warm or soft, about 3 minutes.
Remove the butter, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate just to chill, not to resolidify.

Now you can begin laminating the dough.
Lightly dust a cool work surface with flour and remove the dough and the butter from the refrigerator.
Unwrap the dough and place it on the surface.
Roll it into a 28" X 12 " rectangle. With the long side facing you, start from the left , spread and spot the butter over 2/3 of the length of the dough.
Fold the uncovered 1/3 over the butter and then fold the left hand 1/3 over the center, as if folding a business letter.
With your fingers, push down along the seams on the top and bottom to seal the butter.
This rectangle is known as a Plaque.

Give the Plaque a quarter of a turn so the seams are to your right and left, rather than top and bottom.
Roll the dough into a rectangle again, 28" X 12" and repeat the entire folding process again.
Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 1/2 - 2 hours before making the third fold.

Clean the work surface and lightly dust with flour.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator.
Unwrap and place on the surface.
and roll again into a 28" X 12 " rectangle.
Refold as in the first two times.
You should have a Plaque of dough measuring 9" X 12 ", about the size of a Quarter Sheet Pan and 1 1/2 - 2" thick.
Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the freezer until evening and transfer to the refrigerator before retiring for the evening , refrigerate over night.
The next morning the dough will be ready to make the Morning Buns.
Follow the instructions at the beginning of this recipe.
I'm not going to post the precess fro making Croissants, but at this stage of the dough you can make them.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!