Saturday 31 October 2015

Chewy Coconut Macaroons

Chewy Coconut Macaroons

                 Ingredients                                   Yield: One Dozen, Depending on Size
  • 500g (3 Cups)         Sugar
  • 500g (5 1/3 Cups)   Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 65g (1/4 Cup)         Corn Syrup
  • 7 g (2 Tsp)              Vanilla Extract
  • 30g (2 Tbsp)           Flour
  • 3g ( 1 Tsp)              Salt
  • 226g (7)                 Egg Whites
  • 33G (3 Tbsp)          Cocoa (OPTIONAL)
                   Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a pot. Mix continuously until the mixture reaches 120 degrees F (50 degrees C).
  2. If you want to make chocolate macaroons, add the cocoa. If needed thing out the batter with 1 extra egg white. 
  3. Scoop the batter into a piping bag, or use a scoop, and place on a cookie sheet. Round is more common, but you can shape it however you'd like. 
  4. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroons start to lightly brown and stiffen. 
  5. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely. 

Check out the video!
 

Thursday 29 October 2015

Healthier Brownies

Healthier Brownies

                    Ingredients                                               Yield: 11-7 inch pan
  • 1 Cup (1 )          Avocado
  • 1 Cup                Cocoa Powder
  • 1 1/4 Cup          Sugar
  • 1 Cup                Apple Sauce
  • 4                       Eggs
  • 1 1/3 Cup          Flour
  • 1 1/2 Tsp          Baking Powder
  • 1 Tsp                Vanilla Extract

                Instructions
  1. Using a food processor, add your avocado, cocoa powder, sugar and apple sauce. Do a quick mix. 
  2. Add your eggs and mix again.
  3. Add the flour and baking powder, mix.
  4. Add the vanilla extract and mix very briefly. 
  5. Spray your brownie pan with cooking spray, and pour the batter in. Spread it out evenly. 
  6. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30-35 minutes. 
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool before cutting. 
  8. You can dress up your brownie however you want!

Check out the video!

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Coq au Vin


Coq au Vin

                Ingredients                                Yield: 4 servings
  • 4                     Chicken Legs
  • as needed       All-purpose Flour, for                                 dredging
  • 250ml (1c)      Red Wine
  • 100g (4strips) Bacon, diced
  • 250ml (1c)      Chicken Stock
  • 200g (1box)    Button Mushrooms,                                     quartered
  • 30-40              Pearl Onions, peeled
  • 30g (2Tbsp)    Butter
  • 2 cloves          Garlic, crushed
  • Bouquet Garni:
    • 1           Carrot
    • 1/2       Leek, white part only
    • 3           Bay Leaves
    • 5 sprigs Thyme 
               Instructions
  1. In a pot, render your diced bacon until crispy. 
  2. Coat your chicken legs with all purpose flour and season with salt and pepper. 
  3. While your bacon is getting crispier, add your garlic and pearl onions so that they can begin caramelizing. After it has completed caramelizing, remove the onions, garlic and bacon from the pot. Place to the side for now. 
  4. Using the bacon fat, sear your chicken legs until they are golden brown. 
  5. Remove the seared chicken from the pot. Deglaze it with your red wine. Be sure to scrap the bottom of the pot with a spoon. 
  6. Add the chicken, onions, garlic, and bacon back to the pot. Cover it with the chicken stock and add the bouquet garni. 
  7. Bring the liquid up to a boil. Cover with a lid and bake it at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour. 
  8. While the chicken is cooking, sauté your mushrooms in a pan with butter until nice and brown. Place to the side. 
  9. Remove the chicken from the oven, and take out the bouquet garni and the chicken legs. 
  10. Add a buerre manier (equal parts butter and flour) to the liquid in the pot and stir until it thickens a little. 
  11. Plate up your chicken with your mushrooms and pour your sauce over top. 
  12. It is now ready to serve!

Tuesday 27 October 2015

French Onion Soup


French Onion Soup

                Ingredients                               Yield: 4-6 servings
  • 3 Large (750g)          Onion, julienne
  • 3 cloves                    Garlic, crushed
  • 100ml (1/3c +1Tbsp) Red Wine
  • 1.5L (6c)                   Beef Stock
  • Sachet:
      • 5-6 sprigs Thyme
      • 2-3           Bay Leaves
      • 1 sprig      Rosemary
    • As needed                 Gruyere, shredded
    • As needed                 Emmental, shredded
    • As needed                 Croutons
                  Instructions

    1. In a large pot with butter or oil, caramelize onions until a deep brown colour. (Takes 1-2 hours, make sure to stir frequently as not to burn the onions!!)
    2. Once onions have caramelized deglaze with red wine, scraping the fond off of the bottom.
    3. Add in sachet, crushed garlic, and beef stock. Bring up to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 30-60 minutes.
    4. Pour soup into bowls, add croutons and cheese and melt in the oven under the broiler.
    5. Garnish with parsley and serve! Caution:bowls will be very hot!!
    Check out the video!

    Thursday 22 October 2015

    Cassoulet


    Cassoulet

                  Ingredients                                  Yield:6-10 servings
    • 600g (3 1/3c)  Great Northern Beans,                                 dried
    • 250g (1-2)       Pork Sausage, large dice
    • 2                      Duck Legs, salt cured (see                            note)
    • 1                      Pork Hock
    • 2.5L (10c)       Stock (chicken or pork)
    • 100g (4 slices) Bacon, diced
    • 3                      Tomato, concasse
    • 2 (small)          Onion, medium dice
    • 1/2                  Leek, medium dice
    • 1                      Carrot, medium dice
    • 1 stalk             Celery, medium dice
    • 15g (1Tbsp)     Kosher Salt
    • Sachet:
      • 3 cloves Garlic
      • 5 stems  Parsley
      • 3            Bay Leaves
      • 4 sprigs  Thyme
      • 2 sprigs  Rosemary
      • 5 leaves Sage
                    Instructions
    1. In a preheated 400-450 degree Fahrenheit oven roast pork hock and duck legs until golden brown.
    2. While meat is roasting, in a large pot render the fat from the bacon and sausage until meat is crisp.
    3. Remove the meat from the pot leaving the fat behind and set aside.
    4. Caramelize onions, leek, carrot and celery until golden brown and tender.
    5. Once caramelized add tomato concasse and saute for a few minutes
    6. Add bacon and sausage back to the pot and deglaze with some of the stock, scraping the bottom clean.
    7. Add in sachet, beans, roasted duck legs, pork hock and remaining stock.
    8. Add in salt and bring to a boil.
    9. Once boiling, place in preheated casserole dish and bake in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 3 hours with a lid.
    10. Once the three hours are up remove lid, pork hocks and duck legs. Return cassoulet to oven and shred the pork and duck meat.
    11. Add the meat back to the bean stew stirring around for even distribution. Also remove the sachet at this point.
    12. Cook in oven for at least 30 -90 minutes uncovered to form a crust. (Tip: Use the broiler function to speed up this process) Also make sure check that there is still liquid in the bean stew, if getting low add more stock.
    13. Once desired crust is reached remove from oven and serve!
    Note: To salt cure duck legs prepare like you would if going to confit. Use salt lemon juice, thyme, rosemary and cover the duck legs wit that mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Rinse off salt prior to use.

    Check out the video!

    Sunday 18 October 2015

    Italian Meringue

    Italian Meringue

                     Ingredients                                       Yield: Around 1 L
    • 250g (1 1/4 Cups)     Sugar
    • 60ml (1/4 Cup)         Water
    • 125g (4)                    Egg Whites

                    Instructions
    1. In a pot, add the sugar and the water. 
    2. Let the mixture boil and reach a temperature of 243 degrees F (117 C) with candy thermometer.
    3. While the sugar is boiling whisk the egg whites (using either an electric mixer or by hand with a whisk) until they form soft peaks. 
    4. When the sugar reaches the proper temperature, remove it from the heat and while continuously whisking the egg whites add the hot syrup very slowly in a steady stream. 
    5. Keep whisking the the meringue until it cools and forms soft peaks. 
    6. Scoop the meringue into a piping bag with your chosen tip, and pipe it onto your cupcakes, or whatever you are using the meringue for. 
    7. If you so desire you can toast the meringue, either under the broil in your oven or with a torch. It will take only seconds to torch the meringue so be very careful and keep your eye on it! 

    Lemon Curd

    Lemon Curd

                   Ingredients                                         Yield: 325ml
    • 125ml (1/2 Cup)   Sugar
    • 15ml ( 1 Tbsp)      Cornstarch
    • 10ml (2 Tsp)         Grated Lemon Zest
    • 125ml (1/2 Cup)   Lemon Juice
    • 4                          Egg Yolks
    • 90ml (6 Tbsp)       Cold Butter

                   Instructions
    1. In a pot, whisk together sugar and cornstarch.
    2. Add lemon zest, lemon juice and egg yolks. Whisk together. 
    3. Cook over medium to low heat. Continue whisking. 
    4. Add the butter and whisk until the mixture is nice and thick. Should take around 5-6 minutes. 
    5. Transfer to a bowl and place in the fridge for an hour to cool down. 
    6. Once cooled, you can fill your cupcakes with your completed lemon curd. 

    Friday 16 October 2015

    Lemon Cupcakes

    Lemon Cupcakes

               Ingredients                                                 Yield: 9-12 Cupcakes 
    • 250ml (1 Cup)    Flour
    • 2 ml (1/2 Tsp)    Baking Powder
    • 1 ml (1/4 Tsp)    Baking Soda
    • 175ml (3/4 Cup) Sugar
    • 50ml (1/4 Cup)   Room Temperature Butter
    • 2                       Egg Whites
    • 10ml (2 Tsp)      Grated Lemon Zest
    • 75ml (1/3 Cup)  Buttermilk (Or use plain milk and add the lemon juice)
    • 50ml (1/4 Cup)  Lemon Juice

               Instructions
    1. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. 
    2. Using an electric mixer, mix the sugar and butter until combined. 
    3. While continuing to mix, add the egg whites one at a time. 
    4. Add the lemon zest to the mixture. 
    5. Add the flour mixture and milk to the batter, however alternate between the two, making three additions of flour and two of milk. If you used the buttermilk you can add the lemon juice after you have mixed the flour and milk completely. 
    6. Scoop out the batter into your muffin cups. 
    7. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes. 
    8. Cupcakes will not get overly dark but will have a spongy texture. 

    Check out the video!


    Friday 9 October 2015

    Cranberry Sauce

    Cranberry Sauce

                   Ingredients                                     Yield: 600ml
    • 340g (3 Cups)       Whole Cranberries
    • 250ml (1 Cup)      Orange Juice
    • 225g (3/4 Cups)   Granulated Sugar
    • 1 Sprig                 Rosemary
    • 1 Small                Onion (Fine Dice)

                   Instructions
    1. Melt around a tablespoon of butter in a pot. Sauté the onions until soft and translucent. 
    2. Deglaze the pot with the orange juice, then add the sugar and mix.
    3. Add the rest of your ingredients, being the cranberries and rosemary. 
    4. Boil down the cranberries until they are mostly disintegrated and the liquid has become fairly syrupy. 
    5. Remove the rosemary sprig.
    6. You can choose to leave your sauce chunky or blend it until smooth. 
    7. Enjoy your delicious sauce on your delicious turkey! 
    Check out the video! 

    Wednesday 7 October 2015

    French Apple Pie

    French Apple Pie

                     Ingredients (Filling)                                   Yield: 1 9-inch Pie 
    • 900g (7ish)            Apples (Firm, Peeled, Sliced)
    • 30g (2 Tbsp)          Butter
    • 90g (1/2 Cup)        Sugar
    • 2 oz (1/4 Cup)       Cold Water
    • 24g (2 Tbsp)          Cornstarch
    • 100g (2/3 Cups)     Brown Sugar
    • 4g (1 Tsp)              Cinnamon
    • 1g (1/4 Tsp)           Nutmeg
    • 10g (Half a Lemon) Lemon Juice
    • 1 Uncooked            Pie Shell
                            Streusel
    • 1/3 Cup                 Cold Butter
    • 1/3 Cup                 Brown Sugar
    • 3/4 Cups                Flour
    • 1/2 Cup                 Oats or Nuts
    • Dash                      Cinnamon

                          Instructions
    1. Melt the first amount of butter in a pot. Add the apples and sauté until they become slightly soft. 
    2. Add the first amount of sugar. let it simmer for a few minutes. The sugar will draw out more of the juice from the apples. 
    3. Mix the water and corn starch together until smooth. Add the the apples. Boil until the liquid is thick and clear, and be sure to stir constantly. 
    4. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice. Stir until well combined. 
    5. Cool the pie filling completely. 
    6. In a bowl mix together all the ingredients for the streusel. Using your hands crumble the butter through your fingers. Do this until all is combined, but be sure to leave pea sized butter chunks. 
    7. Pour your filling into the uncooked pie shell. Sprinkle an even layer of the streusel over top of the entire pie. 
    8. Bake in a 425 degree F (220 degree C) oven for 30-40 minutes or until pie is golden brown and crisp.
    9. Best served warm with homemade vanilla ice cream. 

    Tart Tatin

    Tart Tatin


                    Ingredients                                Yield: 1 9-inch Tart


    • 1500g (7ish)                           Apples
    • 100g (1/2 Cup)                       Butter
    • 250g (1 1/4 Cup)                    Sugar
    • 250g (Enough for Top of Tart) Puff Pastry

                    Instructions
    1. Peel and cut apples into quarters. 
    2. Use a heavy 10- inch or 9-inch skillet pan (cast iron does the trick!).
    3. Melt the butter in skillet. Once melted cover the butter with the sugar in a even layer. 
    4. Arrange the apples in the skillet on top of the sugar. Place one of the apples on its side against the rim of the skillet and continue placing the rest of the apples, one next to the other. Fill in the middle with the rest of the apples. Make sure there is no empty place in the skillet. 
    5. Leave the skillet over low to medium heat for 30 minutes. In that time the bottom of the apples should softened and the liquid should become quite syrupy. 
    6. Roll our your puff pastry so that it is bigger than the surface of your skillet. If needed you can cut the edges of the pastry to round them off. 
    7. Gently place the pastry circle on top of the apples in the skillet. Tuck all the edges under the apples. 
    8. (To prevent your dough for expanding too much, take a fork and poke a hole in the center of the pastry. 
    9. Place the entire thing in a 425 degree F (220 degree C) oven for 30-40 minutes until pastry is golden brown. 
    10. Let the tart cool so that the juices can gel and reabsorb into the tart. 
    11. Place a plate or a platter over the tart and hold it down while holding the skillet. Do a quick flip and the tart should slide right out. 
    12. Serve warm and enjoy!

    Saturday 3 October 2015

    Herbal Dressing/Stuffing


    Herbal Dressing/Stuffing

                   Ingredients                                  Yield: 1 small turkey
    • 2 stalks             Celery, medium dice
    • 1 medium          Onion, medium dice
    • 2 cloves             Garlic, sliced
    • 450g (1lb)          Bread, large dice
    • 60g (1/4c)          Butter
    • 500ml (2c)         Chicken Stock
    • 5g (2tsp)            Thyme
    • 5g (2tsp)             Rosemary
    • 5g (2tsp)             Sage
    • 15g (1Tbsp+1tsp) Parsley
                    Instructions
    1. Melt butter in a pot on medium high heat and saute onions and celery until softened.
    2. Dry bread cubes in a preheated 350-400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 5- 10 minutes.
    3. Caramelize the vegetables slightly and add in thyme, sage and rosemary and saute for a few minutes.
    4. Deglaze the bottom of the pot with stock as necessary.
    5. Add in dried bread cubes and parsley.
    6. Add enough of the stock to moisten the bread cubes but are not soggy.
    7. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
    8. Stuff in turkey and cook to 160 degree Fahrenheit or bake in a butter dish at 350-400 degree Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.
    Check out the video here!

    Friday 2 October 2015

    Beef Bourguignon


    Beef Bourguignon

                     Ingredients            Yield: 4-6 servings
    • 350ml (1 1/3c)  Red Wine
    • 1kg (1lb)           Stewing beef (i.e. chuck) cubed
    • 30-40                Pearl Onions
    • Bouquet Garni:
      • 1 Carrot
      • 1/2 Leek
      • 6 sprigs Thyme
      • 3 Bay Leaves
    • 15g (1Tbsp)      All-purpose Flour
    • 15g (1Tbsp)      Tomato Paste
    • 500ml (2c)        Beef Stock
    • 200g (1 box)      Mushrooms, quartered
    • 25g (2Tbsp)       Butter
    • 100g (4 slices)   Bacon, cubed
    • 2 cloves             Garlic, crushed
                    Instructions
    1. Render and caramelize the bacon on medium high heat.
    2. Take the flour and coat the cubed beef. Also season with salt at this stage.
    3. Scrape the bottom of the pot to remove the fond on the bottom, deglaze with water as necessary.
    4. Add pearl onions in once bacon as started to caramelize. Also add in garlic. Add oil if necessary to speed up the caramelizing process.
    5. Remove the bacon and vegetables out of the pot but leave the fat behind to sear the beef. Use a slotted spoon or skimmer.
    6. Turn pot onto high heat and sear beef in multiple batches as to not overcrowd the pot. Cook until golden brown on all sides.
    7. Once all beef is cooked and set aside, roast tomato paste for a couple of minutes in the pot.
    8. Deglaze with red wine, scraping the bottom to get of the fond.
    9. Add remaining wine, vegetables and beef to the pot and top off with enough stock to cover.
    10. Jam in the bouquet garni and bring to a boil.
    11. Cook in a 300 degree Fahrenhiet oven with a lid for 1-2 hours.
    12. In a saute pan caramelize mushrooms with the butter until golden brown.
    13. Remove from oven when meat is tender. Thicken with a buerre manie if needed (equal parts flour and butter by volume).
    14. Serve a top of fresh egg pasta with the mushrooms.
    Check out the video here!

    Thursday 1 October 2015

    Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie

    Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie


                   Ingredients                                          Yield: 2-3 9inch Pies
    • 750g (2ish Cans)     Pumpkin Puree
    • 30g (2 Tbsp)            Flour
    • 4g (1 Tsp)                Cinnamon
    • 1ml (1/4 Tsp)           Nutmeg, Ground Ginger, Ground Cloves 
    • 4g (1 Tsp)                Salt
    • 290g (1 1/2 Cup)     Brown Sugar
    • 300g (6ish)              Eggs
    • 60g (1 Tbsp)           Corn Syrup
    • 600ml (2 2/3 Cups) Milk of your choosing

                   Instructions
    1. Dump the pumpkin puree into a stand mixer. 
    2. Mix together flour and spices. Add the mixture to the pumpkin and mix together. 
    3. Add the brown sugar and mix until all is well combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl so everything is incorporated. 
    4. Add the eggs to the mixture. Combine. 
    5. While mixing, gradually add the corn syrup. 
    6. Once combined, gradually added your chosen milk.
    7. After all is mixed together and you have a smooth creamy filling. Wrap your bowl and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This allows the pumpkin to absorb the other ingredients and it makes a smooth filling and less likely to separate after it has baked. 
    8. Pour the filling into your pie shell and place in a 450 degrees F oven for 15 minutes. Afterwards lower the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake the pie for 30-40 minutes. 
    9. pie is down once it become spongy and no longer giggles. 
    10. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. 
    11. Enjoy your pie!