Sweet Potato and Kale Pizza

photo by Johnny Miller

yield
Makes 6 servings

"To save time, make the potato sauce a day ahead and refrigerate," Bemis says. Heat oven to 425°F. Boil a large pot of water. Cook potato in water until fork-tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and let cool 5 minutes. In a food processor, pulse potato, 1 tablespoon oil, red pepper and a pinch of salt until sauce is smooth. Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick. Spread potato sauce evenly over dough. Toss kale in remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil; top pizza with goat cheese, kale and Parmesan. Bake until crust is golden, 10 to 15 minutes, sprinkling on walnuts in final 2 minutes.

Per serving: 322 calories, 10 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 50 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 11 g protein

Nutritional analysis provided by Self

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Apple Pithivier

photo by Michael Harlan Turkell

yield
Serves 8 to 10

When I started working at Payard Pâtisserie in New York City, I had already been a pastry chef in Boston for a few years. I couldn't wait to see what this French guy could teach me. On my first day, I was handed a stack of recipes—all in French—and immediately realized it would be a challenging year. I spoke and read basic French, but I was pretty hazy on much of the baking vocabulary, and there were many words I'd never even seen before. Pithivier was one of them. I didn't even know how to pronounce it. (It's pee-tee-vee-YAY .) "Watch and learn," Chef Payard told me. He sandwiched a mound of rum-scented almond cream between two large squares of homemade puff pastry and then quickly scalloped the edges of the pastry to look like a sunflower. Slash-slash-slash went his paring knife over the top pastry as he etched sun rays into the surface. The whole thing went into the oven and emerged golden brown with a glorious starburst pattern on top. It put every other pastry I had ever made previously to shame.

At Flour, we give our own spin to the pithivier by omitting the rum and adding a thick layer of caramelized apple butter atop the almond cream. It's a spectacular dessert.

1. To make the apple butter: In a large saucepan, combine the apples, butter, sugar, and salt. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds directly into the pan (save the pods for adding to a canister of granulated sugar for vanilla sugar). Place over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the apples break down and the mixture thickens and turns golden brown. The mixture will release a lot of water at first and bubble a lot and then it will slowly start to caramelize and get a bit darker; there may still be some pieces of whole apple, which is fine. Remove from the heat and let cool. (The apple butter can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.)

2. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. On a well-floured work surface, roll the puff pastry into a rectangle about 24 in/61 cm wide and 12 in/30.5 cm from top to bottom. The dough may seem pretty tough and difficult to roll out at first. Don't be afraid to be firm with the dough as you roll it into the rectangle, flip it upside down, turn it side to side, pound it with the rolling pin to flatten it. Use a chef's knife to trim away any rough edges. Then, using the knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough in half vertically. You should have two 12-in/30.5-cm squares.

3. Set one square aside and place the other square on the prepared baking sheet. In the center of the square, draw an 8-in/20-cm circle with your finger or lightly with a paring knife (without cutting all the way through). Using the offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the frangipane evenly on the pastry, filling just the circle. Top the frangipane with an even layer of the apple butter.

4. Crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk with a fork. Using the pastry brush, brush some of the egg over the pastry around the circle.

5. Again on a well-floured surface, roll the second puff pastry square so that it is slightly larger than 12-in/30.5-cm square. Drape the second square directly over the top of the first square. Using your fingers, press firmly all around the edges of the pastry to seal the two squares together. There will be a big mound in the center where the frangipane and apple butter are. Again, using your fingers, press firmly all around the circle; you want to enclose the frangipane and apple butter as much as you can within the circle.

6. With a small paring knife, cut a scalloped petal pattern around the edge of the puff pastry to create a circle with a total of six or seven petals. Discard the puff pastry scraps (or save them for a quick treat: sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and bake until golden. Refrigerate the pastry for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days to allow the puff to chill and relax. (If chilling for longer than 30 minutes, cover the pastry with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. At this point, you can also wrap the unbaked pastry well with plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 2 weeks.)

7. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, and place a rack in the center of the oven.

8. Using the pastry brush, brush the entire top of the pastry, including the petals, with the remaining egg wash. Poke a hole in middle of the circular mound at the center of the pithivier and then, starting from the center of this hole, use the tip of the paring knife to trace a curved sun-ray pattern into the mound, spacing the rays 1/2 to 1 in/12 mm to 2.5 cm apart and covering the entire mound with the curved rays. You should have eighteen to twenty-four rays. Don't cut all the way through the puff; just lightly score the dough with the tip of the knife. Trace a crosshatch pattern on the petals.

9. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the dough is entirely golden brown and baked through. Look at the sides of the pithivier where the puff pastry has puffed up to make sure the sides are also golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the filling to cool. This pastry is best served the same day, but you can hold it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days and then refresh it in a 300°F/150°C oven for 5 to 8 minutes before serving.

Reprinted with permission from Flour, too by Joanne Chang, © 2013 Chronicle Books

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Retro Strawberries-and-Cream Pretzel Tart

photo by Alex Farnum

yield
Serves 10 to 12

When I was growing up in Nebraska in the 1980s, my mom was the queen of what are now considered retro foods from that era. I have fond memories of her pretzel-crusted strawberry Jell-O and cream cheese "salad." Of course, now that I?m a food snob—or food elitist, as my dad would say—I have to give it a slightly more sophisticated rendering. A springform pan is pinch-hitting for the glass Pyrex dish, transforming the salad into a tart. The sides of the pan are removed to reveal the pretty layers. It can be made in a 9-in/23-cm deep-dish pie pan instead, but then I guess it becomes just that, a pie. Salad, tart, pie—whatever you want to call it, this throwback is worth revisiting. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/gas 4.

To make the Crust:
Put the pretzels into a resealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin into pieces that are no larger than 1/4 in/6 mm. (Or pulse the pretzels in a food processor, if you prefer.) Pour the crushed pretzels and their crumbs into a medium bowl and stir in the butter and brown sugar. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of a 9-in/23-cm springform pan, covering the bottom of the pan evenly. Bake the crust until it is lightly toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. It will be soft and puffy when you first remove it from the oven, but will harden as it cools. Set the crust aside to cool completely.

Put the bowl of a stand mixer and the whip attachment in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Attach the bowl and the whisk attachment to the mixer, and pour in the cream. Begin whipping the cream on medium speed. When it starts to thicken, pour in 2 tbsp of the granulated sugar and the vanilla. Whip the cream mixture on medium speed until soft peaks form. (When you dip a spoon into the whipped cream and pull it out, the cream should form a peak that curls back onto itself.) Set aside 1 1/2 cups/360 ml of the whipped cream in a small bowl. Transfer the remaining whipped cream to a separate bowl, cover, and refrigerate; you will use it to top the tart later.

Put the remaining 1/2 cup/100 g of granulated sugar and the cream cheese in the bowl of the stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and cream cheese together on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer, and stir the reserved 1 1/2 cups of whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until it is homogenous. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled crust. Be sure to completely cover the crust, spreading the filling to the edges of the pan. Use a damp paper towel to wipe down any specks of filling clinging to the sides of the pan or the edges of the tart will appear messy when the springform is removed. Refrigerate until chilled and set, 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring 1/2 cup/120 ml of the water to a boil over high heat. Put the gelatin powder in a medium heat-proof bowl and pour in the boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup/60 ml of cold water. Allow the gelatin to cool to room temperature.

While the gelatin cools, arrange the strawberries, cut-side down, over the cream cheese filling to cover the entire top of the tart. Start by lining the edge of the tart with a ring of strawberries and work your way to the center in a target pattern. The tips of the berries should be pointing straight up. Pour the gelatin over the strawberries and cream cheese layer, coating the tops of the strawberries in the gelatin as you pour. Refrigerate, covered, until the gelatin is completely set, at least 1 hour. (The tart can be refrigerated up to 1 day before serving.)

Remove the sides of the pan and transfer the tart (still on the springform base) to a serving platter. Gently rewhisk the reserved whipped cream for 10 to 15 seconds and pile it in the center of the tart, if you wish or pass at the table. Slice and serve immediately.

Reprinted with permission from Pretzel Making at Home by Andrea Slonecker. Text copyright © 2013 by Andrea Slonecker; photographs copyright © 2013 by Alex Farnum. Published by Chronicle Books LLC.

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Apple and Olive Oil Cake with Maple Icing

photo by Richard Learoyd

yield
Serves 6 to 8

The olive oil gives this cake extra depth and intensity. The complex flavors mature over time, so consider wrapping the cake in plastic wrap and refrigerating it, ready to ice and serve, for up to 3 days. Somewhat less festive (and less calorie laden), this is still very satisfying without the maple icing. Just dust lightly with confectioners' sugar.1. Grease an 8-inch / 20-cm springform cake pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Place the raisins and water in a medium saucepan and simmer over low heat until all of the water has been absorbed. Leave to cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 325°F / 170°C. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and set aside.

3. Put the oil and superfine sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or use a whisk if you don't have a mixer). Slit the vanilla bean lengthwise in half and, using a sharp knife, scrape the seeds out into the bowl. Beat the oil, sugar, and vanilla together, then gradually add the eggs. The mix should be smooth and thick at this stage. Mix in the diced apples, raisins, and lemon zest, then lightly fold in the sifted dry ingredients.

4. Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl, either by hand or with a mixer, until they have a soft meringue consistency. Fold them into the batter in 2 additions, trying to maintain as much air as possible.

5. Pour the batter into the lined pan, level it with an icing spatula, and place in the oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the plan.

6. Once the cake is completely cold, you can assemble it. Remove from the pan and use a large serrated knife to cut it in half horizontally. You should end up with 2 similar disks. If the cake is very domed, you might need to shave a bit off the top half to level it.

7. To make the icing, beat together the butter, muscovado sugar, and maple syrup until light and airy. You can do this by hand, or preferably, in a mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the cream cheese and beat until the icing is totally smooth.

8. Using the icing spatula, spread a layer of icing 3/8 inch / 1 cm thick over the bottom half of the cake. Carefully place the top half on it. Spoon the rest of the icing on top and use the icing spatula to create a wavelike or any other pattern. Dust it with confectioners' sugar, if you like.

Reprinted with permission from Ottolenghi: The Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. Copyright © 2008 by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi; food photographs copyright © 2008 by Richard Learoyd. Published in the United States by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Yotam Ottolenghi owns an eponymous group of restaurants in London, plus a high-end restaurant, Nopi, also in London. His 2011 cookbook, Plenty, was a New York Times bestseller. Sami Tamimi is a partner and head chef at Ottolenghi. Their 2012 cookbook, Jerusalem, was a New York Times bestseller and was awarded Cookbook of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

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Orecchiette Carbonara with Charred Brussels Sprouts

photo by Christopher Testani

yield
Makes 4 servings

Krajeck says the key to this dish is getting a good char on the Brussels sprouts, which helps balance the richness of the porky, eggy sauce. Salt draws moisture out of the leaves, which might make them soggy, so he doesn't season them. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Working in batches, add Brussels sprout leaves and cook, tossing occasionally, until charred in spots and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate and set aside. Wipe out skillet.

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 5 minutes for fresh pasta). Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add guanciale and cook, stirring often, until slightly crisp, about 4 minutes. Add pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Immediately add 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to keep pasta from burning; reduce heat to low and gradually add butter, swirling skillet and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a thick, glossy sauce forms. (Taste as you go and switch to hot water once sauce is adequately seasoned.)

Add pasta to skillet and toss to coat. Add Pecorino; toss to combine. Remove from heat; mix in egg yolks. Add reserved Brussels sprout leaves; toss, adding pasta cooking liquid (or hot water) as needed to thin sauce.

Serve pasta topped with more Pecorino.

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Corn Fritters with Spicy Zucchini Salsa

photo by Johnny Miller

yield
Makes 4 servings

"Don't worry if the fritters seem a little flimsy—they hold together and flip easily during cooking," Bemis says. Heat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, zucchini, 1/2 onion, garlic, jalapeño, 1/4 teaspoon salt and oil; toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; roast, turning once, until tomatoes and zucchini are light brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Toss with 1/4 cup cilantro and 1 tablespoon juice; set aside. In a second bowl, combine flour, cumin, baking powder and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add egg, remaining 1 tablespoon juice and 1/2 cup water; stir until smooth. Add corn and remaining 1/2 onion and 1/4 cup cilantro. Coat a large frying pan with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Form 1/4 cup corn mixture into a patty; repeat with remaining corn mixture to form 12 patties. Working in batches of 3 and coating pan with cooking spray as needed, cook patties, turning once, until brown, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Divide patties and salsa among 4 plates.

Per serving: 279 calories, 8 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 47 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 9 g protein

Nutritional analysis provided by Self

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Cubano

Cuban Sandwich

Directly inspired by the cubanos served at Latin American Cafeteria, the Cuban sandwich on the menu at Garces Trading Company is my way of bringing one of the treats of Little Havana to Philadelphia. It took some doing, since the essential Cuban bread is not to be had outside of Miami, but we found a bakery that follows a legit Cuban recipe to make it for us to order. All of the other ingredients are house-made from the roast pork and cured ham to the pickles and mustard.

To approximate the cubano at home, follow the recipe to make the absolute key ingredient: the marinated, moist, and deeply flavorful roast pork. (Note: plan for several hours marinating time; you'll end up with enough pork for a second round of sandwiches or the main component of another meal.) For the next-best thing to the real deal pan cubano, get some good crisp-crusted bakery rolls with a light, airy texture. Pick up some best-quality domestic ham, along with Dijon mustard, Swiss cheese, and dill pickles, and you will have yourself some amazing sandwiches.

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Fettuccine with Shredded Zucchini, Fresh Ricotta, and Lemon Zest

photo by Liz Neumark

yield
serves 4 to 6

I realize that this seems almost too simple to mention, but it is such a perfect dish, and a good solution to a high-summer extravagance of zucchini and mint. And unlike some pasta dishes, it is light enough for a first course. I grate an additional bit of lemon zest over the finished dish. Place a large pot of water over high heat. When the water is at a rolling boil, add a big pinch of salt, drop in the fettucine, and stir. Cook the pasta, stirring from time to time, according to package directions for al dente, usually about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is warm, add the garlic and sauté until golden, about 1 minute. Add the lemon zest and cook for 30 seconds longer. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the zucchini, and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove and reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and quickly toss with the zucchini, parsley, and mint. Spoon on the ricotta and toss lightly again, add small amounts of the cooking water to lighten the cheese to the consistency you like, and serve.

cook's note Zucchini is easy to shred on the large holes of a box grater, with the shredding attachment of a food processor, or with a mandoline.

Excerpted from Sylvia's Table by Liz Neumark with Carole Lalli. Copyright © 2013 by Liz Neumark. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Smoky Bacon Mac

Lesson Plan
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until a little less than al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain the pasta again.

Cook the bacon in a frying pan over high heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove extra grease by patting the strips with a paper towel, and then cut into bite-size pieces.

Add the sauce and both cheeses to a large, heavy-bottomed pot and cook over medium heat. Stir until the cheese is barely melted, about 3 minutes. Add the bacon and stir to combine. Slowly add the cooked pasta, stir, and continue cooking while stirring continuously until the dish is nice and hot, another 5 minutes.

Spoon into bowls and serve hot.

Beer Pairing: Red Ale

Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon

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Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

photo by Lara Ferroni

yield
1 (9-inch) layer cake or 1 (9- by 13-inch) sheet cake

active time
45 minutes

total time
2 hours

Nick Malgieri, the director of baking and pastry programs at The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, created this recipe exclusively for Epicurious. In lieu of a supersweet cream cheese frosting, this recipe contains slightly less sugar, so the tangy cream cheese flavor really sings. We love it, but if you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add up to 1 additional cup of confectioners' sugar.

You can also bake this cake in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. The baking time is about the same, but you'll only need half the frosting to cover the top of the cake.

For more on carrot cake, including tips from Malgieri, see Classic Recipes: Carrot Cake.

Make the cake:
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Butter the bottom and sides of 2 (9-inch-round, 2-inch-deep) cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the brown sugar on the lowest speed to break up any lumps. Add 1 egg and continue to mix on low until smooth and incorporated. Add the remaining eggs, one at a time, and mix on low until smooth and incorporated. Shut off the mixer and scrape down the bowl and paddle. Return the mixer to low then add the oil in a thin steady stream and continue to beat until fully incorporated.

Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, using a large rubber spatula to fold the mixture together until just incorporated. Fold in the carrots, along with the nuts and raisins, if using.

Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake until the layers are firm and risen and the tip of a paring knife inserted in the center of the cake emerges clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to let cool for 5 minutes then invert the cake layers onto the rack and peel off the parchment paper. Use another rack or a large plate to invert the cake layers again then slide them back on to the rack so they are right side up. Let the cake layers cool completely. DO AHEAD: The cakes can be baked ahead, cooled, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, and refrigerated for up to 2 days, or frozen up to 1 month.

Once the cake is completely cool, make the frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter and beat on medium until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Shut off the mixer and scrape down the bowl and paddle. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, and beat on medium, scraping down the bowl and paddle as necessary, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Frost the cake:
Place 1 cake layer on a large plate and cover the top with about 1/3 of the frosting. Invert the second layer on top of the frosted bottom layer so that the flat side (the bottom) is on top. Spread the remaining frosting on the sides and top of the cake. If you used walnuts or pecans in the cake, sprinkle the frosting with a few tablespoons of lightly toasted chopped nuts. Keep at cool room temperature until serving time. DO AHEAD: Carrot cake can be baked and frosted ahead and kept, in an airtight cake dome, at cool room temperature, for 2 to 3 days.

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Roast Chicken with Carrots

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Zest the lemon and set zest aside. Cut the zested lemon into 6 wedges, and place inside the chicken cavity along with 4 sprigs of thyme.

Mince garlic, and mix with 1 tsp kosher salt. Remove leaves from 6 stems of thyme, and mix with the garlic, along with the lemon zest. Using your fingers or the end of a wooden spoon, separate the chicken skin from the breasts, starting at the neck. Using fingers, insert paste under the skin, working it across the breast.

Rub the whole chicken with butter (or olive oil). Sprinkle all sides with remaining salt and pepper. Place a roasting rack in your roasting pan, and scatter onions and carrots around the edges. Place chicken breast-side-down in roasting pan.

Roast chicken in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Rotate bird on its side, and roast another 20 minutes. Rotate bird to the opposite side and roast for 20 more minutes. Place chicken breast-side-up for the remaining 30 to 40 minutes. When juices run clear when cut into between the leg and thigh, the bird is done. (Total cooking time will be 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.) Remove from oven and tent with foil; let rest for 10 minutes. Skim fat off pan juices and set aside.

Plate chicken with carrots and onions scattered around, pour juices over chicken and veggies, and serve.

Reprinted with permission from Hedgebrook Cookbook by Denise Barr and Julie Rosten, edited by Liz Engelman, © 2013 She Writes Press

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Chia Seed Porridge with Orange & Yogurt

photo by Jean-Pierre Gabriel

yield
Serves 2

Rich in protein, essential fatty acids and fiber, chia seeds are harvested from Salvia hispanica, a herbaceous plant native to central Mexico that was as an important food source of the Mayans and Aztecs. Put the chia seeds, blood orange juice and agave syrup into a bowl and mix together. Put the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chia seeds have absorbed all the liquid.

Using a sharp knife, segment the oranges by cutting away the pith and membrane so that only the flesh remains.

Divide the chia mixture between 2 bowls, add the blood orange segments and top each portion with half the yogurt. Serve immediately.

Reprinted with permission from Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook: Delicious Recipes from Le Pain Quotidien by Alain Coumont. Copyright © Octopus Publishing Group Ltd 2013; text copyright © PQ LicensingSA and Creative CommunicationSCRL 2013; photographs copyright © Creative CommunicationSCRL 2013. Published by Mitchell Beazley, an imprint of Octopus Publishing Group Ltd.

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Creamy White Onion Soup

photo by Cedric Angeles

yield
Makes 6 servings

To ensure the snow-white color of this soup, don't let the onions brown.For pickled shallots:
Place shallots in a small nonreactive bowl. Bring vinegars, sugar, and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour over shallots; chill.

DO AHEAD: Shallots can be pickled 5 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

For red onion jam:
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring often, until soft, 5-7 minutes. Add wine, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, star anise, red pepper flakes, and allspice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is thickened and syrupy, 40-45 minutes.

DO AHEAD: Jam can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.

For white onion soup:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, leek, celery, garlic, chile, and ginger; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until soft (do not let brown), 10-12 minutes.

Add wine and mirin to pot, bring to a boil, and cook until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent, 25-30 minutes. Let cool slightly, then purée in a blender until smooth. Strain into a large bowl and stir in cream (thin with water, if needed); season with salt. Reheat soup in a clean pot.

DO AHEAD: Soup can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

For fontina toast and assembly:
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bread until golden, about 3 minutes (you'll have 2 extra). Flip, top with cheese, cover, and cook until cheese is melted, about 4 minutes. Top toasts with pickled shallots and chives.

Spoon some jam into each bowl, pour soup around, and top with toasts.

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Panfried Sea Bass with Harissa & Rose

photo by Jonathan Lovekin

yield
Serves 2 to 4

This dish originates from Bizerte, the northernmost city in Africa. It is sweet and spicy and beautifully aromatic. It is adapted from a recipe kindly given to us by Rafram Hadad. Serve it as a main course with some plain rice or couscous and something green, like sautéed spinach or Swiss chard. Dried rose petals are available in Middle Eastern stores and also online.First marinate the fish. Mix together the harissa paste, the ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Rub the paste all over the fish fillets and leave them to marinate for 2 hours in the fridge.

Dust the fillets with a little flour and shake off the excess. Heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan over medium-high-heat and fry the fillets for 2 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in two batches. Set the fish aside, leave the oil in the pan, and add the onions. Stir as you cook for about 8 minutes, until the onions are golden.

Add the remaining harissa, the vinegar, the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and plenty of black pepper. Pour in the water, lower the heat, and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, until quite thick.

Add the honey and rose water to the pan along with the currants, if using, and simmer gently for a couple more minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning and then return the fish fillets to the pan; you can slightly overlap them if they don't quite fit. Spoon the sauce over the fish and leave them to warm up in the simmering sauce for 3 minutes; you may need to add a few tablespoons of water if the sauce is very thick. Serve warm for at room temperature, sprinkled with the cilantro, if using, and the rose petals.

Reprinted with permission from Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. Copyright © 2012 by Yotam Ottoloenghi and Sami Tamimi; food photographs copyright © 2012 by Jonathan Lovekin. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Yotam Ottolenghi owns an eponymous group of restaurants with four branches in London, plus a high-end restaurant, Nopi, also in London. His 2011 cookbook, Plenty, was a New York Times bestseller. Sami Tamimi is a partner and head chef at Ottolenghi and coauthor of Ottolenghi: The Cookbook.

View the original article here

Arugula Salad with Roasted Eggplant and Sweet Pomegranate Dressing

photo by Petrina Tinsaly

yield
4?6 servings

Sweet and sour is a recurring theme in Arabic cuisine. Pomegranate molasses has this distinct taste. Here I've mixed it with other flavors, but it can be used on its own to enhance a salad, a dip or a savory pastry. The pepperiness of the arugula and the soft buttery eggplant along with the sweet cherry tomatoes are unforgettable.Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Peel and cut the eggplants into thick rounds of about 1 inch thick, brush both sides with oil, sprinkle with sea salt and place on a shallow baking sheet. Place in the oven to roast until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove, cool completely and slice each round in half. Set aside.

Using a mortar and pestle, crush the fennel seeds and garlic to make a paste. Add the balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, pomegranate molasses and olive oil. Whisk together to emulsify the dressing. Set aside.

In a shallow serving platter lay the arugula leaves. Sprinkle the onion, tomatoes, salt and pepper on top. Toss to combine. Scatter the eggplant slices on the salad.

Drizzle some dressing all over. Garnish with pine nuts and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately, with crusty olive bread and olives on the side.

Excerpted from Modern Flavors of Arabia: Recipes and Memories from My Middle Eastern Kitchen by Suzanne Husseini. Copyright © 2012 Suzanne Husseini. Published by Appetite by Random House, a division of Random House of Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved. Photography by Petrina Tinsaly.

Suzanne Husseini was the host of one of the most popular Arabic cooking shows in the Middle East. She is a regular contributor to several publications around the world and frequently travels internationally as a featured food presenter. Suzanne lives in Dubai and Ottawa with her husband and three children.

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Kippers and Bits

Kippers, Vidalia Onions, Lemony Mayo and Greens

When I went to Norway two years ago, I was amazed by how healthy everyone looked. The women, in particular, had complexions that were milky white; their hair was shiny, and they had a radiance about them that could only come from the incredible amounts of omega-3-rich, cold-water fish they ate. When I returned home, I tried to maintain a high level of fish consumption, knowing it would also be beneficial for my brain, heart and muscle mass. Scientifically speaking, the protective effects of fish consumption greatly outweigh any of the risks you may read about. This recipe was inspired by my trip to Norway, and it's as delicious as it is nutritious; the sandwich is bursting with heart-healthy fats, vitamins D and A and the minerals calcium and potassium. Kippers are salted, cold-smoked herring; if you can't find them, try sardines or anchovies. While this meal isn't the most kid-friendly, it will keep you nourished and energized so you can tackle whatever life throws your way!

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Beet, Ginger, and Coconut Milk Soup

photo by Johnny Miller

yield
Makes 4 servings

"This looks impressive, but it's simple to whip up," Bemis says. "It goes great with crusty bread and champagne." In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Add beets and 4 cups stock; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until beets are fork-tender, 20 minutes. With an immersion or regular blender, puree soup, adding remaining 1 cup stock as needed to reach desired consistency. Stir in milk, salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and julienned beets and serve with bread, if desired.

Per serving: 172 calories, 9 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 14 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein

Nutritional analysis provided by Self

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Skillet Mac and Cheese

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Place the cauliflower into a steamer basket fitted over the pot, cover, and steam until just tender, about 5 minutes. Finely chop the steamed cauliflower.

In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and oil.

In a large saucepan, whisk together the milk and flour until the flour is dissolved. Whisking constantly, bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cheddar, Gruyère, mustard powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chopped cauliflower and macaroni and stir until well coated.

Spray an ovenproof 10-inch high-sided skillet with cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the prepared skillet. Sprinkle with the bread crumb mixture, place on a baking sheet, and bake until the top is browned and the cheese is bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes.

SERVING SIZE 1 1/4 cups
PER SERVING Calories 360; Total Fat 14 g (Sat Fat 8 g; Mono Fat 4.7 g; Poly Fat 0.8 g); Protein 20 g; Carb 40 g; Fiber 5 g; Cholesterol 40 mg; Sodium 540 mg
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF Calcium, Iodine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Protein, Riboflavin, Selenium, Vitamin C
GOOD SOURCE OF Copper, Fiber, Folate, Iron, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Potassium, Thiamin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Zinc

Nutritional analysis provided by Comfort Food Fix

BEFORE
540 cal., Sat. Fat 20g; Chol. 195mg; Fiber 1g, Sodium 940mg

AFTER
360 cal., Sat. Fat 8g; Chol. 40mg; Fiber 5g, Sodium 540mg

Nutritional analysis provided by Comfort Food Fix

Reprinted with permission from Comfort Food Fix: Feel-Good Favorites Made Healthy by Ellie Krieger. Copyright © 2011 by Ellie Krieger; photography copyright @copy; 2011 by Quentin Bacon. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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Roasted Brussels Sprout and Apple Salad

photo by Johnny Miller

yield
Makes 4 servings

"The maple-tahini dressing is rich but not heavy; you won't feel weighed down," Bemis says. Heat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet with 1 teaspoon oil. In a bowl, combine brussels sprouts, apple, onion and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; toss to coat. Roast on baking sheet, turning once, until sprouts are brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. In a bowl, whisk together tahini, vinegar, syrup, miso, red pepper and 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water until smooth; set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Toast hazelnuts 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Divide spinach, sprout mixture, hazelnuts, blue cheese and tahini dressing among 4 plates. Season with salt and black pepper.

Per serving: 390 calories, 27 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 30 g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber, 14 g protein

Nutritional analysis provided by Self

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Tamarind-Braised Short Ribs with Truffle Sunchoke Purée, Watercress Purée, and Glazed Chanterelle Mushrooms

photo by MasterChef

yield
Makes 4 servings

This is a winning-contestant recipe from Season Four of Fox's MasterChef.Braise the short ribs:
Season the short ribs generously on all sides with salt and pepper.

In a large skillet over moderately high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the oil until hot but not smoking. Add the short ribs and sear until browned on all sides. Transfer short ribs to a plate and set aside.

In a large saucepan over moderate heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until hot but not smoking. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, ginger, jalapeño, bay leaves, peppercorns, and cloves and sauté, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 5 minutes.

Add the vinegar, tamarind paste, molasses, and anchovies and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by about 1/3. Add the beef stock and demi-glace. Add the seared short ribs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and simmer until the meat is fork-tender, about 3 hours. Transfer the short ribs to a plate. Pour the braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl and discard the solids. Return the strained braising liquid and the short ribs to the large saucepan, cover, and keep warm until ready to serve.

Make the truffle sunchoke purée:
In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, combine the sunchokes, cream, and butter and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and continue simmering until the sunchokes are tender. Transfer the sunchokes, reserving the cooking liquid, to a blender or food processor, and process, adding the liquid as necessary, until completely smooth. Transfer the to a bowl, stir in the truffles, and season with salt and pepper.

Make the watercress purée:
Reserve a couple of watercress leaves for garnish.

In a medium pot of boiling water, blanch the remaining watercress. Transfer to a blender or food processor, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and process until smooth. With the blender or food processor on low, slowly add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and continue to process until smooth and fully incorporated. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the lemon zest.

Make the butter-glazed chanterelle mushrooms:
In a large skillet over high heat, warm the oil until hot but not smoking. Add the mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 6 minutes. Add the butter and let it melt, stirring occasionally. Add the vegetable stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, to glaze the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve:
Divide the sunchoke purée among 4 large plates. Top each with 1 short rib then divide the mushrooms among the plates, arranging them around the short ribs. Drizzle the plate with the braising liquid and the watercress purée and garnish with the reserved watercress leaves.

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Cheese Blintzes

Crepes: 2 cups whole milk4 large eggs1 1/2 cups all-purpose flourFilling: 1 1/2 pounds farmer's cheese1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon cinnamonUnsalted butterTo make the crepes, combine the milk, eggs, and flour in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer the batter to a bowl and let it rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Combine the farmer's cheese, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in the work bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to another bowl and set aside.

Melt a pat of butter in a heavy 8-inch nonstick skillet.* Ladle in just enough batter to coat the bottom of the skillet. (Tilt the skillet to coat it evenly.) Allow the crepe to cook undisturbed until it is set and the bottom is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Loosen the crepe around the edges with a spatula and carefully transfer it to a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining batter. You should have enough for about 14 crepes.

Spoon about 4 tablespoons of fi lling down the center of each crepe. Fold in the short ends and then roll up, burrito-style. Serve the blintzes immediately or rewarm in a 250°F oven.

*It's very important to use a nonstick skillet!

Reprinted with permission from Russ & Daughters by Mark Russ Federman, © 2013 Mark Federman

MARK RUSS FEDERMAN, grandson of founder, Joel Russ, took over the running of Russ & Daughters from his parents in 1978 and turned it over to the fourth generation, his daughter, Niki, and nephew Josh, in 2009. He has appeared individually on panels at the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of the City of New York, the New York Public Library, and the conference of the Association of Food Journalists, among other venues. Mark and Russ & Daughters were most recently featured on the PBS documentary The Jews of New York; on Lidia Bastianich's PBS series Lidia Celebrates America; and on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations.

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Chicken Khao Soi

photo by Ditte Isager

yield
Makes 6 to 8 servings

A simple curry paste gives this northern Thai-inspired soup surprising depth of flavor.For khao soi paste:
Place chiles in a small heatproof bowl, add boiling water to cover, and let soak until softened, 25-30 minutes.

Drain chiles, reserving soaking liquid. Purée chiles, shallots, garlic, ginger, cilantro stems, coriander, turmeric, curry powder, and 2 tablespoons soaking liquid in a food processor, adding more soaking liquid by tablespoonfuls, if needed, until smooth.

For soup:
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add khao soi paste; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened, 4-6 minutes. Add coconut milk and broth. Bring to a boil; add chicken. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is fork-tender, 20-25 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Let cool slightly; shred meat.

Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions.

Add chicken, 3 tablespoons fish sauce, and sugar to soup. Season with salt or more fish sauce, if needed. Divide soup and noodles among bowls and serve with toppings.

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Fish and Chips with Malt Vinegar Mayonnaise

photo by Gentl & Hyers

yield
Makes 4 servings

Key when making this batter: Be sure your beer and club soda are ice cold, and chill the batter if prepping ahead.For malt vinegar mayonnaise:
Whisk egg yolk and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a small bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in oil, drop by drop at first, until mayonnaise is thickened and smooth. Add remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill.

DO AHEAD: Mayonnaise can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

For fish and assembly:
Fit a large pot with thermometer; pour in oil to measure 3". Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 375°F.

Meanwhile, whisk all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly add beer, club soda, and vinegar, adding more beer if batter is too thick (it should be the consistency of thin pancake batter).

Place corn flour in a shallow bowl. Season fish with kosher salt and pepper. Dredge fish in corn flour, shaking off excess, then dip in batter, letting excess drip back into bowl. Working in batches and returning oil to 375°F between batches, fry fish until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towel-lined baking sheet.

Season fish and fries with Old Bay, sea salt, and dill; serve with malt vinegar mayonnaise and lemon wedges.

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Extreme Makeover Chicken Salad Sammy

Chicken, Red Grapes, Walnuts, Dill, Scallions, Radishes and Arugula

When my mom comes to visit on a busy weekday, I want to make a quick yet nutritious lunch for the two of us. Chicken salad is a classic I can usually whip up using ingredients I have left over in my refrigerator. But this recipe is what I call a "basic made better." With less fat than traditional chicken salad, more protein and a lot more flavor, this luscious salad can be enjoyed on anything from a baguette to marbled rye or served in a pita or atop a bed of mixed greens with a side of cornbread. You can't go wrong! And it is all the better if you have cooked chicken on hand. Either way, you can make this satisfying lunch in a snap.

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Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs

photo by Hirsheimer & Hamilton

yield
Makes 4 servings

active time
30 minutes

total time
50 minutes

An aggressively seasoned marinade delivers big flavor.Set aside 1/4 cup sliced scallions. Pulse cilantro, garlic, citrus zests, citrus juices, soy sauce, oil, salt, and remaining scallions in a food processor or blender until a coarse purée forms. Set aside 1/4 cup marinade; place remaining marinade in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Chill at least 20 minutes.

Preheat broiler. Remove chicken from marinade and place, skin side down, on a foil-lined broilerproof baking sheet; discard marinade. Broil chicken until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Turn; continue to broil until cooked through and an instantread thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 12-15 minutes longer. Serve chicken with reserved marinade and scallions.

DO AHEAD: Chicken can be marinated 2 hours ahead. Keep chilled.

Per serving: 250 calories, 12 g fat, 1 g fiber

Nutritional analysis provided by Bon Appétit

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