Recipes
Search for Recipes
Recipe Tags
Curried Squash Soup
Curried Squash Soup
This recipe is adapted from one of my all time favorite cookbooks, The Silver Palate Cookbook. Considered the new Joy of Cooking when I got married 16 years ago, its recipes have stood the test of time. This particular soup is one of my favorites and must be made at least once each and every autumn when squash is abundant. Makes 4-6 servings.
4 TB sweet butter
2 cups finely chopped onions
4-5 tsp curry powder
3 lbs. orange-fleshed winter squash, like butternut or red kuri
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup apple cider
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
plain yogurt for garnish
Melt the butter in a pot. Add chopped onions and curry powder and cook, covered, over low heat until onions are tender, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the squash, scrape out the seeds and chop the flesh. When onions are tender, pour in the stock, add squash and apples, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until squash and apples are very tender, about 25 minutes. Pour the soup through a strainer, reserving liquid, and transfer the solids to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, or use a food mill fitted with a medium disc*. Add 1 cup of the cooking stock and process until smooth. Return pureed soup to the pot and add apple cider and additional cooking liquid, about 2 cups, until the soup is of the desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper, simmer briefly to heat through and serve immediately, garnished with yogurt.
*I normally use an immersion blender and puree the soup right in the pot, eliminating the straining step. I then add the apple cider to the desired consistency.
Spinach and Sorrel Soup
Spinach and Sorrel Soup
Adapted from the book Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini by Elizabeth Schneider. Serves 4 as a first course.
2 tsp olive or sunflower oil
1/2 sweet onion, minced
3/4 lb small, tender spinach, stems removed
5-6 ounces sorrel
3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
salt and pepper
1 1/2 TB cornstarch
big pinch of ground nutmeg or ground anise
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
lemon juice
6 TB heavy cream
Heat oil over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add onions and saute for 3 minutes, until translucent. Add greens and stock. Bring to a boil, stirring. Simmer until soft, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Puree soup until smooth with an immersion blender. Or, transfer to a blender or food processor and puree. Stir together cornstarch with 1/4 cup of the puree. Combine in pot with remaining soup. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly. Add nutmeg, zest and juice. To serve, ladle into bowls. Drizzle 1 1/2 TB heavy cream onto each, then swirl gently with knife tip or fork to form a pretty pattern.
Winter Squash Braised in Apple Cider
Winter Squash Braised in Apple Cider
A couple of year's back I gave my sister-in-law Deborah Madison's book celebrating farmer's market seasonal produce called, Local Flavors. As she has raved about the book ever since, I broke down and bought it for myself last month. This recipe will give you a taste of the recipes in this mouthwatering book. Serves 6.
2 lbs. winter squash
2 TB unsalted butter
2 TB finely chopped rosemary
2 cups apple cider
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
apple cider vinegar to taste
Peel the squash, then dice it into 1/2 cubes or even smaller pieces. Melt the butter in a wide skillet and add the rosemary. Cook over medium heat to flavor the butter. After 3 minutes, add the squash and cider plus water to cover. Bring to a boil, add 1/2 tsp salt, and simmer until the squash is tender, 20-25 minutes, by which time the juice will have reduced enough to provide a glaze for the squash, if not, raise the heat to reduce it quickly. Sprinkle on a teaspoon of vinegar and taste for salt. Add additional vinegar if you need to balance the sweetness, then season with pepper.
Pumpkin Pots de Creme
Pumpkin Pots de Creme
Adapted from Epicurious.com. Serves 10.
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup pumpkin puree*
7 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
Special equipment: 10 (2- to 3-oz) custard cups* or ramekins
Preheat oven to 325°F. Whisk together cream, milk, syrup, and pumpkin in a heavy saucepan and bring just to a simmer over moderate heat. Whisk together yolks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
Add hot pumpkin mixture to yolks in a slow stream, whisking constantly. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup, then divide among custard cups (you may have some custard left over, depending on size of cups). Bake custards in a hot water bath, pan covered tightly with foil, in middle of oven until a knife inserted in center of a custard comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer custards to a rack to cool completely. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours. Serve garnished with whipped creme fraiche sweetened with maple syrup.
*My preferred method of making puree is to cut the pumpkin in half, then oil, salt and pepper the flesh. I put the halves, cut side down in a baking pan with about 1/4 of water in it. I then bake the pumpkin/squash in a 350F oven until the flesh is soft. Let the pumpkin cool slightly, then scoop the flesh into a food processor and puree.
Apple and Cranberry Chutney
Apple and Cranberry Chutney
This assertive chutney balances the sweetness in the rest of the meal nicely. I find the apple and cranberry combination a refreshing change from the standard cranberry sauce. Serves 8.
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 medium onion, chopped
2 lb macintosh apples (about 4 or 5), peeled, cored and cut in 1/2 dice
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
12 oz fresh cranberries
Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add apples, saute for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the cranberries. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in cranberries and continue cooking until cranberries are softened and most of the liquid is absorbed. Taste and adjust seasonings and sweetness as desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Sweet Turnip Salad with Yogurt
Sweet Salad Turnip Salad with Yogurt
Adapted from The Silver Spoon Cookbook. Serves 4.
4 small to medium sweet salad turnips, thinly sliced
1 apple
scant 1/2 cup plain yogurt
salt and pepper to taste
minced fresh parsley for garnish
Place sliced turnips in a salad bowl. Peel and core apple and cut into wedges. Using a very sharp knife, cut the wedges into water-thin slices and add to the turnips. Combine the yogurt and a pinch of pepper in a bowl, add to the salad, toss, garnish with parsley and serve.
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Inspired from a recipe at Epicurious.com. As this recipe calls for beets, it will have a deep purplish-hue. If you don't think you'll like the color, use turnips, rutabaga, golden beets or winter squash instead. Serves 6-8.
Stew
2 TB sunflower oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Pinch of saffron
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 TB fresh lemon juice
1 cup 3/4-inch cubes peeled beets
2 cups 1-inch cubes peeled potatoes
2 cups 3/4-inch cubes peeled carrots
Barley
1 cup barley
1 TB butter
1 TB sunflower oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled carrot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
3 cups stock or water
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint, divided
1/2 cup sprouted beans
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Moroccan Winter Root Stew with Barley
Tomato and Potato Frittata
Tomato and Potato Frittata
Great served with a shoot and roasted root salad with a Sweet Chai vinaigrette. Serves 4.
6 whole large eggs
2 large egg whites
4 oz creme fraiche
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried crumbed oregano
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 small onion, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
6 oz frozen tomatoes, thawed, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup finely grated sharp, hard cheese
Preheat broiler. Whisk together eggs, egg whites, creme fraiche, salt, pepper and oregano. Cook garlic and onion in 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably nonstick and ovenproof) over moderate heat, stirring, until translucent, and beginning to turn golden about 3-5 minutes. Add potatoes to skillet and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until just tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon oil and tomatoes to skillet and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until tomatoes begin to brown and liquid has evaporated, about 4-5 minutes. Add remaining tablespoon oil and potatoes with garlic to skillet, spreading evenly. Pour egg mixture over vegetables and cook over moderately high heat, lifting up cooked egg around edges to let uncooked egg flow underneath, 3 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and cook, covered, 5 minutes more (center will be moist).
Remove lid and broil frittata 5 to 7 inches from heat until set, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle top evenly with grated cheese, then broil until cheese melts and frittata is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes more. Slide onto a platter and cut into 4 wedges.
Chai Grilled Chicken, Fish or Tofu
Chai Grilled Chicken, Fish or Tofu
This recipe comes from the Moosewood Hollow website, the original developers of the syrups.
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 TB soy sauce
2 TB rice wine vinegar
2 TB Sweet Chai
1 TB sesame oil (or sunflower oil)
12 oz chicken, fish or tofu
Combine all ingredients. Place chicken or fish pieces or block of tofu cut into thick strips in a glass pan or ziplock bag. Add the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Remove from marinade and grill. For extra flavor, brush with Sweet Chai prior to serving.
Maple Syrup-Roasted Parsnip Bisque
Maple Syrup-Roasted Parsnip Bisque
My friends Lisa and Eric Friedman were recently highlighted in Yankee Magazine. Lisa is a phenomenal cook and entertainer, running her own catering company The Wooden Spoon she also conducts fun cooking classes out of her house. When I saw this recipe for the Parsnip Bisque, I knew that it would be a winner! Try substituting the Sweet Chai syrup for half of the maple for a more exotic taste. You could also use the creme fraiche in place of the cream. Serves 8.
2-1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled and quartered
1/4 cup canola or sunflower oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra to taste
1/2 cup pure maple syrup, divided
8 cups water
1 large carrot, cut into thirds
1/2 medium-size onion
1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon white pepper, plus extra to taste
2 to 2-1/2 cups heavy cream
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss parsnips with oil, salt, and 1/4 cup maple syrup. Spread on a baking sheet and roast about 30 minutes, or until parsnips are golden brown and softened. As parsnips are roasting, bring water to a boil. Place carrot, onion, parsley, bay leaves, and peppercorns on a double layer of cheesecloth. Wrap and tie securely, and add to water. Bring to a boil; then lower to simmer 30 minutes.
Remove parsnips from oven and add to vegetable-infused water. Add remaining maple syrup, white pepper, and salt to taste. Simmer 20-30 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bundle. Using a food processor or immersion blender, puree parsnips and broth. Add cream and simmer another 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.
