Sweet Potato Souffle

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Topping:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup melted butter
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes with the white sugar, softened butter, beaten eggs, vanilla and milk. Spoon into a 2-quart oven proof baking dish. Combine the flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans and melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Source: Allrecipes

Tarte Normande

8 Servings

Ingredients:

For the tart dough:
6 TBS unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt

For the filling:
4 medium apples, about 1 1/2 lbs
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 TBS granulated or raw can sugar, for finishing there tart
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream
2 1/2 TBS calvados

Directions:
Make the tart dough by mixing the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low-to-medium speed, until combined, about 1 minute (but do not whip). Add the egg yolk and mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Mix in the flow and salt on low speed, until the dough comes together. If necessary, add a sprinkle of water if the dough feels too dry. Don't over mix it (you can stop the mixer before the dough is done and mix it by hand, to avoid overtaxing).

Shape the dough into a disk and place in the center of a 9-inch removable bottom tart pan. Use the heel of your hand, and fingers, to press the dough across the bottom and up the sides of the pan, getting it as even as possible. Refrigerate or freeze the dough until ready to use.

To bake the tart, preheat the oven to 350º. Peel and core the apples, and cut them in eighths. Place the slices in concentric circles in the unbaked tart shell.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1/2 cup sugar, along with the vanilla extract and salt. Whisk in the heavy cream and calvados, until the mixture is smooth.

Pour the filling over the apples in the tart dough. Sprinkle the top with 2 TBS of sugar and bake the tart until deep golden brown on top, about 45 to 50 minutes (I usually cook over an hour). Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Serving:
Serve the tart warm or at room temperature. Normally tarts like this are served on their own. It is best enjoyed the day it's made. It can be kept up to 3 days but does not improve.

Notes:
You can substitute the Calvados with another apple brandy. You can use brandy, Cognac, or dark rum. If avoiding alcohol, omit the brandy and double the vanilla extract, although the tart gets its name, and flavor, from the brandy, so the tart will be different.

Source: David Lebovitz

Moroccan Lamb Rub

Ingredients:
3 tsp ground bay leaves
6 black peppercorns
4 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground clove
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cardamom
2 tsp ground ginger
4 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp cayenne pepper
sea salt

Directions:
Grind bay leaves and peppercorns together in a mortar and pestle or in a mini processor. Add all the remaining herbs and spices, including a generous mix of sea salt, and mix thoroughly.

Source: Keep It Seasonal by Annie Wayte

Mom's Christmas Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
6 TBS balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
2 avocados
3 quarts bite size pieces, rinsed, romaine lettuce
2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 lb feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil leaves
salt & pepper

Directions:
In a frying pan over medium high heat, stir or shake pecans frequently until toasted, about 3 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; add vinegar, olive oil, and sesame oil. Pit and peel avocados; cut into 1/2 inch chunks and add to bowl. Add lettuce, mushrooms, red onion, olives, cheese and basil. Mix and add salt and pepper to taste.

Source: Mom

Creme Anglais

Ingredients:
2 cups cream
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla or 1 vanilla bean

Directions:
Separate egg yolks and let sit at room temperature for at least an hour.

Prepare an ice-water bath and set aside. Bring cream to a boil (with vanilla bean scrapings) in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.

Meanwhile whisk yolks and sugar until well combined and slightly thickened. Slowly whisk in 1/3 of the hot milk mixture (removing from heat) until egg mixture is slightly heated, then continue whisking remaining milk mixture into egg mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and place over medium heat; cook, stirring, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches between 170º-180º.

Remove from heat and pour into a bowl and place in ice bath, adding vanilla (if you didn't use a bean). Let cool about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days before using.

Source: adapted from Martha Stewart

Angel Food Cake

Ingredients:
1 dozen egg whites (at least 1 2/3 cups)
1 cup cake flour
1 3/4 sugar, blended fine in vitamix
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract (optional)
1/3 cup warm water (optional)

Directions:
Separate eggs and let stand at room temperature for at least one hour. Preheat oven to 350º. Sift together flour and 3/4 cup sugar.

Beat egg whites in mixing stand and add salt, cream of tartar, vanilla, (almond), and (water). Once eggs are stiff slowly add remaining 1 cup of sugar until stiff peaks form.


Fold in flour mixture and spoon into angel food cake pan. Stir batter with spatula, once, or don't. Bake for 35 minutes. Invert immediately and let cool completely.

Serve with whipped cream, berries, and creme anglais.

Notes: I've made it with and without almond extract, both ways are good. I've made it with and without the warm water, but I can't remember which way is better. Who knows.

Grilled Asparagus and Shiitake Tacos

Ingredients:
3 TBS Canola Oil
4 Garlic Cloves, crushed with press
1 tsp ground chipotle chile
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded
1 bunch green onions, trimmed
8 corn tortillas, warmed
1 cup homemade guacamole
Lime wedges
Cilantro sprigs
Hot sauce, for serving

Directions:
Heat grill on medium. In a large baking dish, combine oil, garlic, chipotle, and salt. Add asparagus, shiitakes, and green onions; toss to coat. Grill asparagus until tender and lightly charred, turning occasionally; 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer vegetables to cutting board. Cut asparagus and green onions into 2" lengths and slice shiitakes. Serve with corn tortillas, guacamole, lime wedges, cilantro, and hot sauce.

Notes: We just cook the asparagus and shiitake mushrooms in butter and salt, and we cut before we cook. The original recipe is good, but this way is easier, and tastes so much better! We heat up the tortillas on a cast iron skillet with butter. The green onions we just chop up and serve raw. The homemade guacamole we just use avocados mixed with Herdes salsa, lime, and salt. Also, we smoke chicken tenderloins and chop them up before serving.

Source: Good Housekeeping