Try some new recipes this fall!
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Warm, hearty shanks usually like a long cook in the oven, these are done in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker and take only a few hours. Sauté the shanks and the vegetables and then set the timer, take a nap or have a glass of wine and relax, let the cooker work its magic. A great dish for any special occasion or holiday.
Place the thyme and bay leaves into a piece of cheesecloth, close by tying the ends of the cheesecloth together. This is your bouquet garni. Set aside.
Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add a little sunflower or olive oil.
Dry the shanks with a cloth or paper towels, season with salt and pepper.
Brown the shanks on all sides, then set aside. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrots and sauté until the onions start to turn translucent. Add wine, stock tomatoes, tomato paste and bouquet garni. Stir well, snug the shanks into the liquid until they are completely or nearly covered with liquid.
Close and set the vent to seal. Set the Instant Pot to Manual pressure cook high for 50 minutes. Let the pot naturally release pressure, 20 min. or so.
Remove the shanks and set them aside on a plate and keep warm by covering with foil.
Strain the liquid squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Measure liquid and for each cup of liquid, make gravy in the Instant Pot using the following method.
Per 1 cup of liquid:
1 ½ tablespoons of butter or olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
Melt butter or oil in the pot on sauté, whisk in flour and let cook, while continuing to whisk until the flour turns slightly browned.
Remove as much fat from the cooking liquid as possible; slowly add the liquid into the flour mixture while whisking. As the liquid begins to thicken add more liquid and whisk until the gravy is thick, taste and season with salt and pepper. If gravy is too thick, add a little stock or water until it’s the consistency you like, it should be on the thinner side for this dish.
Serve atop a good helping of mashed potatoes or polenta.
If you’d like to serve the cooking vegetables, remove bouquet garni and stir the vegetables into the gravy.
While it’s still pretty hot out in So. California it’s hard to go into the kitchen to cook. Here are some light recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. Mangia!
Serves 2
Remove any stems from the spinach and place in a salad serving bowl.
In a heated sauté pan add bacon and cook until crisp, drain on paper towels. Remove all but 2 Tb. of bacon grease and add vinegar, whisk in Dijon mustard and taste for seasoning. Pour over salad and toss quickly, scatter with mushrooms and eggs.
Serve while still warm.
Drain the artichoke hearts. If they are marinated in oil, you can omit draining the hearts and adjust the oil measure downwards appropriately.
Add the artichoke to the food processor with the nuts, cheese, and garlic and pulse until you have a paste. Add in the lemon juice and with the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides of the processor as needed and pulse until you have a uniform paste-like consistency.
Taste and season with salt, pepper, oil, and lemon juice to taste.
Heat oven to 450°. Roll pizza dough out to desired shape, place onto parchment lined baking pan. Brush 1” of the edge of the pizza dough with olive oil, spoon on the artichoke dip to the remaining dough, top with tomatoes, goat cheese and bake for 12 – 15 minutes.
Baked pastry puffs stuffed with a cream cheese, feta, bacon and spinach filling. These are great appetizers that you can put together ahead of time and bake off as needed.
Yield: 10 puffs
Preheat oven to 400°. Grease round or square muffin pan.
Place the cream cheese into a food processor, add egg, oil and dill and pulse until combined.
In a separate bowl mix the spinach, feta and bacon. Pour the cream cheese mixture over top, season it with salt and pepper and stir until combined.
Line the muffin pan with the pastry squares, stretching them out a little if needed; press them into the bottom of the cups. Divide the spinach among the cups as evenly as possible. Bring the 4 points together over the filling and press them together.
Lightly brush with the melted butter.
Bake about 25 minute until golden brown and puffy. Allow to cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes then run a knife around the edges to loosen them and help pop them out.
Pesto
In a food processor, rough chop pine nuts and garlic. Add basil and process using pulse until the leaves start to break down. Add the cheese and blend until you have a rough paste. With machine running add olive oil to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 425° and put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta.
Mix the goat and Boursin cheese with enough cream to make it soft and spreadable. Season with salt and pepper.
Cut the tops off of the tomatoes and scoop out the insides. Lightly salt and place, cut side down, on paper towels to drain for 20 min. Spread a little pesto on the inside of the tomato and fill to the top with the goat cheese mixture. Place in a lightly oiled baking dish. Drizzle a little olive oil over each one and bake until they start to shrivel, and the cheese is lightly browned, about 20 min.
Cook the pasta until al dente, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water.
Transfer to a large serving bowl and toss with the pesto, adding a bit of the pasta water if necessary, to loosen the pesto. Plate the pasta and add a tomato in the center. Top with a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts.
Heat a medium sauté or saucepan. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan, add onion and sauté until lightly translucent. Add garlic and stir for about a minute. Crush or squish tomatoes and add tomatoes and remaining ingredients except the fish then simmer about 10 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat; add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When oil is hot carefully place dried fish fillets into oil, it should start to simmer right away. Cook about 3-4 minutes and turn carefully for another 4 minutes.
Serve with sauce.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform or regular cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. If using a regular cake pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease again.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Using a handheld mixer with beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and rum. Don't worry if the batter looks grainy at this point; that's okay. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped apples.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even the top. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a rack. Run a blunt knife around the edges of the cake. If using a springform pan, remove the sides. If using a regular cake pan, carefully invert the cake onto the rack, remove the parchment paper, then gently flip the cake over and place right-side-up on a platter. Using a fine sieve, dust with Confectioners' sugar (if using). Cake can be served warm or room temperature, plain or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Freezer Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.
This is but a small list of fall pantry items that I like to keep for fall. With these on hand you can make breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert without stress. There are even some items to have on hand for those friends who like to drop in for a visit. Throw the artichoke hearts in a food processor, add some spices and a little yogurt, cream cheese or mayo and bake for 20 minutes. Or drain and throw the roasted red peppers into a food processor, add a little leftover bread, walnuts, tomato paste with a little olive oil, salt and Aleppo pepper for a tasty dip for bread or crackers. Add things that your family likes to eat in the fall, for all the upcoming holidays and special events. Here’s a great fresh, homemade applesauce recipes, serve along side pork chops or bake into an applesauce cake for a warm, spiced dessert or breakfast snack. Happy Fall!
Beverages
Cocoa
Tea
Mulled Cider
Fruit
Apples (do not store with other fruit or vegetables-apples give off ethylene gas which will hasten the ripening of other fruits and vegetables)
Applesauce
Dried fruit
Pears
Pomegranates
Citrus
Vegetables
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Canned
Dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, blueberries etc.)
Canned pumpkin
Canned and dried beans (for soups, stews, chili)
Canned Tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Tomato Paste
Garlic
Onions
Pickles
Roasted Red Peppers, in water
Grains
Oatmeal (rolled oats & steel cut)
Alternative grains
Breadcrumbs
Rice
Soup
Pasta
Mac & Cheese Pasta
Lasagna noodles
Flour
Dairy
yogurt
cheese
Condensed milk
Unsalted butter
Variety of cheeses
Staples
Artichoke Hearts, canned in water
Breadcrumbs
Chicken, Vegetable, Beef Stock
Crackers
Honey
Maple Syrup
Molasses
Sugar, white, brown, dk. Brown
White vinegar (for pickling)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Spices
Aleppo Pepper
Sea salt
Baking Spices
Cinnamon sticks
Nuts
Pickling spice
Peppercorns
Yeast
Core, peel and cut the apples into medium sized pieces. Place all ingredients into a saucepan with lid and simmer over low heat until apples are very tender, about 45 minutes. Put through a food mill to create a soft creamy applesauce or use a potato masher and serve chunky.
Pressure cooker or Instant-pot:
Combine all the ingredients in the container, cover and lock into place. Press manual button and set timer for 4 min. Let the closed pressure cooker rest for about 10 minutes, release any pressure that’s left.
Carefully open lid, angling it away from you to avoid getting burned by the steam. Use a potato masher to crush with a slightly chunky consistency or put through a food mill for a smoother one.
Chef Debbi returns to the Rancho! We’ve been waiting a long time to bring our classes back to Rancho los Alamitos. We’ve schedule our first class for Sat. June 8th, we’re going to pickle!
Saturday, June 8, 2019
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
$75 Future member/ $65 per RLA member
Advance Reservations Required, Reservations close 5/27/19
Join us at Rancho Los Alamitos for a hands-on class on the basics of pickling and fermenting vegetables from your garden or the farmers’ market. In this class, you will make two kinds of pickled vegetables and a jar of sauerkraut. (If you think that you don’t like sauerkraut, wait until you try your own!) This is a refrigerator-style pickling where no water bath canning is necessary. Chef Debbi will demonstrate techniques, discuss food safety and the basics of canning pickles in brine. Each participant will prepare and take home three jars of their very own preserved produce.
The class is suitable for adults and interested teens. Reservations are required. Parking is limited at Rancho Los Alamitos, so car-pooling is encouraged and appreciated.
Sponsored by
Combine ground chicken, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley, egg and season with ground Italian spices and salt and pepper. Heat a large sauté pan, add enough oil to coast the bottom of the pan and brown meatballs on all sides. Remove meatballs and whip out the pan with a towel. Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs and mozzarella cheese and cook until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Cover with a lid if you like to melt the cheese faster, the meatballs are already cooked.
Serve immediately over pasta.
Meatballs and sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Adapted from Delish
Photo: Christina Peters
I love fall and winter and I love to cook hearty stews and warming soups. One of the most important ingredients is stock or broth for your dish and homemade is the best. Most of the time spent making stock is hands off, it needs to simmer for a good 4 hours so prep time in the kitchen can be limited to about 1/2 hour. Cut most of that time in half by making the stock in your pressure cooker but I like the results better just simmered slowly on the back of the stove. (Besides it makes your house smell wonderful!) I’ve included a list of descriptives for stock, broth, stew, soup etc. And my recipe for a perfect stock; stock is made with bones and broth is made with pieces of meat and vegetables and is a little less hearty than stock. Keep some stock in your freezer for quick meals during the winter season. Recipe below but here are some descriptives of soups, stews etc.
Bisque: a rich, thick usually smooth soup. Thickened either by pureeing or adding cream and usually made with some kind of seafood.
Chowder: a thick, chunky soup
Stock: clear savory liquid made from vegetables or meat on the bone
Broth: similar to stock but made with just meat or vegetables, not a hearty as stock
Gazpacho: a cold vegetable soup usually with tomatoes as main ingredient
Gumbo: thick broth with creole seasonings and chunks of meat & vegetables
Stew: thick soup with chunks of vegetables and/or meat
Soup: thinner than a stew with less chunks
Guides for making stocks
Use mild flavored vegetables, onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes
No oily fish such as salmon
Beef bones with marrow will have more flavor
Use chicken feet for great taste and lots of natural gelatin
Do not season stock with salt until after it’s cooked
For making soups or stews
Any fresh or frozen veggie can be used. Do not defrost vegetable before using, just toss it into the stock.
Onion, peas, broccoli florets, celery, carrots, potatoes (will help to thicken soup also), corn, zucchini, peppers
Herbs
Basil, oregano, thyme, Italian parsley, crushed red peppers, Italian seasoning
Beans
Keep canned or frozen beans such as kidney, navy, white beans, pinto, black beans
Grains (pre-cook and freeze) Add at the end of cooking time
Farro, barley, rice, pasta, quinoa, beans
Place the chicken into a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce to a simmer and skim any foam that rises to the surface. This should take about 15 minutes.
After removing any foam add the cider vinegar (for bone broth), vegetables and herbs, bring back to a boil, turn heat to a simmer and cook 2 – 2 ½ hrs.
Remove from the heat and let the stock sit for 10 to 15 minutes, remove large chicken pieces and strain remaining stock through a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Cool by placing the container of strained stock in an ice water bath in the sink and then refrigerate overnight.
The next day, remove the fat from the stock by skimming with a ladle. The stock will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer. Be sure to label and date before freezing.
To adapt the recipe for Turkey Stock, roast a turkey back, neck, 2 wings and 1 package of chicken feet (yes, chicken feet have tons of flavor!) in the same manner as above.
For a deep rich flavor you can brown all your chicken pieces and vegetables, if desired, before making stock.
*Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Directions
Place all pieces into the pot along with herbs, vegetables etc. Add 10 cups of cool water, cover and cook on high for 1 hour in your electric cooker. Let pressure cooker release naturally, strain and cool as above.
There are many ways to save your harvest and if you have more tomatoes than you know what to do with here are some ideas.
First and foremost is water bath canning, I love this because it means that I can store tomatoes on the shelf in my pantry for the year. Fairly easy to do but when it’s hot and humid out like it has been this summer FORGET IT!
As many of you already know, I like to freeze my tomatoes also so later when it’s cool I can make sauce or unfreeze and can them to make more room in the freezer for up and coming dinners. Freezing tomatoes is the fastest way to get things done, wash, and dry then freeze on a baking sheet until frozen solid, pop into a freezer bag and you are done for the day! You can remove one or four at a time, whatever you need and as they begin to defrost, which is almost right away, the skin will slip off easily.
My second favorite is to make Oven Roasted Tomatoes, although it does require having the oven on for some length of time. I love to dry my cherry tomatoes and then float them in a good olive oil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Chopped in a salad, in a bruschetta or top on a pizza, they pack a flavorful punch. Fill up your baking sheet and get started right away!
Jan 19th
6:30 – 8:30, approximately
Minestrone Soup with Italian Meatballs
Pork Braciola Porchetta Style
(Stuffed pork cutlets stuffed with Italian herbs & cheese)
Served with Mushroom Ragu
Saffron Risotto
Tangerine Panna Cotta
By Reservation Only
(562) 296-5421
148 Main Street
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Cut up all your veggies into what ever shape you like, making sure they fit into the jar that you will pickle them in.
In a medium sized saucepan add vinegar, sugar, lemon peel and salt; bring to a slow boil, whisk until all the sugar is dissolved,
Wash a quart canning jar and fill with hot water. Let stand while you are bringing the brine to a boil.
Once the sugar has dissolved in the brine, pour the water out of the jar and fill with veggies. Pour the brine over them, let cool, then cap and refrigerate.
Is your garden overflowing with tomatoes? I always grow too many and one of my favorite ways to make them go a little farther is to oven dry them. Much like sun dried, these concentrated gems pack a powerful punch and can be used in any dish where you’d use tomatoes. Especially nice on a cheese plate with some creamy goat cheese nearby.
To preserve them I turn them into a tomato confit and keep in my ‘pantry’ refrigerator. They can’t be water bath canned because of the oil, but they will keep for about 6 months in the refrigerator, if they last that long. The refrigeration will also help to preserve the oil and keep it from going rancid quicker. Use only fresh organic herbs and make sure you wash and dry them very well, you don’t want any water going into your beautiful confit.
Mangia (Eat!)
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Arrange the tomato halves cut side up and close together on a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Drizzle over tomatoes and bake until the tomatoes are soft and shriveled but still retain some moisture, 1-2 hours or more.
Let cool completely. Tomatoes can be stored in a glass jar, cover tomatoes with olive oil, add a fresh sprig of thyme, seal and refrigerate.
Photo: Chez Pim
Makes 2 flatbreads
*Stir the flour with a table knife to lighten the flour; it becomes compacted as it rests. Dip your measuring cup into the flour and use the knife to sweep the excess flour off the top of the cup. According to King Arthur Flour it should weigh 4 ¼ ounces.
Dough recipe adapted from ‘Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day’
Sauce recipe will yield 2 cups and hold for several days. Adapted from Sunset Magazine
Dough: (Make at least 1 day up to 5 days ahead of time)
The water should be warm to the touch but not more than 110°, and add the yeast to the water.
Add salt to the flour and whisk to distribute using a large bowl or a plastic food container with lid. Add the water to the flour all at once and mix with a wooden spoon or wet hands, the dough will be sticky. No kneading is necessary.
Loosely cover with lid and let stand at room temperature approximately 2 hrs. The dough can rise longer, up to 5 hours without affecting the results. The dough is easier to handle if you can make it the night before and refrigerate overnight.
Working on a lightly floured surface, pinch off a palm sized piece of dough, shape into a round, rectangular or square shape. Dough is sticky so keep some extra flour nearby, dust your hands as necessary to shape the dough. If the dough starts to snap back you should let it rest for a few minutes and then resume shaping. I use a rolling pin to thin the dough out to my desired style
Place onto parchment paper, a dusted pizza peel or the bottom of a dusted baking sheet. You can use anything you want providing the pizza can slip right off onto the rack.
If you are baking in an oven, preheat your oven to 500° or as high as it will go. Top the dough with anything you like, slid it into the hot oven and bake for 12-14 minutes.
Sauce:
Heat a deep saucepan big enough to hold all the ingredients, add the oil and onions and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and stir briefly.
Place all the ingredients along with the garlic and onions into a blender, or use an immersion blender and puree.
Ladle or spoon onto pizza dough leaving an clean edge around the outside of the dough. Sprinkle or place the cheese on top and bake on a hot pizza stone for about 6-8 minutes, checking frequently. Sprinkle with fresh basil and let rest for a minute or two before slicing. Mangia!
