Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients:
1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, preferably Valrhona
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 c sugar
pinch of salt
2 TBS all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Butter and slightly flour four 6 oz. ramekins. Tap out the excess flour. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.
2. In a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the butter with the chocolate. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, with the egg yolks, sugar, and salt at a high speed until thickened and pale.
3. Whisk the chocolate until smooth. Quickly fold it into the egg mixture along with the flour. Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins and bake for 12 minutes, or until the sides of the cakes are firm but the centers are soft. Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 minute, then cover each with an inverted dessert plate. Carefully turn each one over, let stand for 10 seconds and then unmold. Serve immediately.

Pear Galette

Ingredients:
2 C all-purpose flour
1/3 C granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 C buttermilk
2 TBS apricot preserves
2 large Bartlett pears, thinly sliced
1 egg, beaten
2 TBS turbinado sugar

Directions:
1. To make the dough, combine flour, sugar, and salt in a processor (if using); pulse 2 – 3 times to combine.
2. Add butter and pulse 4 – 5 times, or until mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. With the processor running, slowing pour the buttermilk through the chute, processing until the dough forms a ball.
4. Remove the dough ball and adhere any remaining pieces of dough to it, then wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
5. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before rolling out.
6. Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place on a sheet of parchment paper.
8. Starting at the center of the dough, roll out, forming a 14-15 inch wide circle.
9. Place the dough with parchment paper on a baking sheet.
10. Brush the bottom of the dough with the apricot preserves.
11. Arrange sliced pears in a spoke pattern on the galette dough, leaving a 2-inch border.
12. Fold the border over the pears, overlapping where necessary and pressing gently to adhere the folds.
13. Lightly brush the edge of the dough with the egg and sprinkle crust and pears with turbinado sugar.
14. Bake the galette for 45 – 50 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the crust is golden brown.
15. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool for at least 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Raas Al Annut

in a dry pan, toast the following:

cinnamon sticks
cloves
coriander seeds
fenugreek powder
fennel seeds

move hot pan around, making sure to distribute the heat among the seeds. then add the following:

mustard seeds
cumin

when the seeds start to pop, they’re ready. add the following:

paprika

and grind into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle.

Butter Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups full-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground turmeric
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 3 pounds chicken thighs, on the bone
• ¼ pound unsalted butter
• 4 teaspoons neutral oil, like vegetable oil
• 2 medium-size yellow onions, peeled and diced
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely diced
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 medium-size tomatoes, diced
• 2 red chiles, like Anaheim, or 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
• Kosher salt to taste
• ⅔ cup chicken stock, low-sodium or homemade
• 1 ½ cups cream
• 1 ½ teaspoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons ground almonds, or finely chopped almonds
• ½ bunch cilantro leaves, stems removed.

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala and cumin in a large bowl. Put the chicken in, and coat with the marinade. Cover, and refrigerate (for up to a day).
2. In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter in the oil until it starts to foam. Add the onions, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds, and cook until the onions start to brown.
3. Add the cinnamon stick, tomatoes, chiles and salt, and cook until the chiles are soft, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the chicken and marinade to the pan, and cook for 5 minutes, then add the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes.
5. Stir in the cream and tomato paste, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Add the almonds, cook for an additional 5 minutes and remove from the heat. Garnish with the cilantro leaves.

Black Bean Quesadilla

filling:
water
black turtle beans
yellow onions
green peppers
garlic
cilantro
sea salt
olive oil
cumin
chili powder

tortilla
mexican cheese mix

directions:
1. place all filling ingredients (except cilantro and beans) on a warm skillet. cook together.
2. add beans. cook another three minutes.
3. warm tortillas, either in a skillet or an oven.
4. pour filling mix down center of tortilla.
5. add cheese, allowing it to melt.

Imam Bayildi

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium or 4 small eggplants, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 large or 2 medium onions, sliced very thin
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 ½ pounds (3 large or 6 medium) tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (optional)
•  Salt
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup water
• 2 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and brush with olive oil. Slit the eggplants down the middle, being careful not to cut through the skin. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, until the outer skin begins to shrivel. Remove from the oven and transfer, cut side down, to a colander set in the sink. Allow to drain for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, lidded skillet and add the onions. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are very tender, 5 to 8 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to a minute, until fragrant. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Add the tomatoes, herbs, salt to taste and 1 teaspoon of the sugar and 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil.
3. Turn the eggplants over and place in the pan, cut side up. Season with salt. Fill with the onion and tomato mixture. Mix together the remaining olive oil, the remaining sugar, the water and the lemon juice. Drizzle over and around the eggplants. Cover the pan and place over low heat. Cook gently for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, checking the pan for liquid and basting from time to time with the liquid in the pan, and adding water to the pan if it becomes too dry. By the end of cooking the eggplants should be practically flat and the liquid in the pan slightly caramelized. Spoon this juice over the eggplant. Allow to cool in the pan, and serve at room temperature.

Tip

• Advance preparation: You can roast the eggplant through Step 1 and make the filling through Step 2 several hours before assembling and cooking the imam bayildi. Once cooked, the finished dish can sit for several hours.

Grandma’s Mexican Salsa

Serving Size: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1/2 large white onion, finely diced
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6 roma tomatoes
1 to 2 jalapeños
2 to 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1 handful cilantro
Squeeze of lime juice

Directions:
Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup hot tap water in a container. Add the onion, cover, and let sit for at least an hour at room temperature. Grill the tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic until blackened on all sides. The jalapeños and garlic will blacken faster than the tomatoes, so keep an eye on them and take them off when they’re done. Set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the blackened skin off the garlic and discard. If you want a less spicy salsa, de-seed the jalapeños. Blend the tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic in a blender with salt and cilantro. Drain the onion and stir your desired amount into the blended tomato mixture. Finish with a squeeze of lime and salt to taste, if needed.

Menemen

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Ingredients
2 TBS olive oil
2 onions, slides
1 red pepper, sliced
1 red chili, seeds removed, sliced
1 3/4 c chopped tomatoes
1 TB superfine sugar
4 eggs
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper
1 small bunch parsley, chopped

Instructions:
Heat the oil in a cast-iron pan. Add the onions, pepper, and chili and sauté until they caramelize and soften. Add the tomatoes and sugar and simmer until the liquid has evaporated. Make 4 pockets in the tomato mixture and crack an egg into each of them. Cover the pan and cook for 1 minute more.

Bastilla (Moroccan Chicken Pie)

Ingredients:
For the almond sugar:
1/2 cup blanched whole almonds, toasted and cooled
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the filling:
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
2 tablespoons hot water
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
2 garlic cloves, cut into thin strips
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds chicken parts (about 1 whole breast, 2 thighs, and 2 legs)
1 1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth
3 large eggs, beaten lightly
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
18 sheets (about 1 1/2 packages) phyllo (preferably Number 4 ultra-thin)
confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling
2 teaspoons ras el hanout
For the ras el hanout: (moroccan spice blend)
1/2 teaspoon aniseed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
8 whole allspice berries
seeds from 8 cardamom pods
8 whole cloves
15 whole black peppercorns
1 stick cinnamon, broken in half
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon cuminseed
a pinch dried red pepper flakes
a pinch ground mace
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

Directions:
To make the almond sugar:
In a food processor grind fine almonds, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Almond sugar may be made 1 day ahead and kept covered in a cool dark place.

To make the filling:
In a small bowl combine saffron with hot water and let stand 10 minutes.

In a heavy 4-quart kettle sauté onion and garlic in 3 tablespoons butter over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and add ginger, ras el hanout, and pepper. Cook mixture, stirring, 3 minutes.

Add chicken parts, broth, and saffron mixture and simmer, covered, turning the chicken once, until chicken is very tender and cooked through, 25 to 35 minutes. Let chicken stand in cooking liquid off heat 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, reserving cooking liquid and solids, and, when cool enough to handle, shred chicken, discarding skin and bones.

Measure reserved cooking liquid and solids and if necessary boil, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1 3/4 cups. Reduce heat to moderate and add eggs in a stream, whisking. Cook mixture, stirring, until eggs are set, about 3 minutes. Remove kettle from heat and pour egg mixture into a coarse sieve set over a bowl. Let mixture drain undisturbed 10 minutes before discarding liquid. Transfer egg mixture to a bowl. Stir in chicken, parsley, coriander, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste and chill. Filling may be made 1 day ahead and kept chilled, covered.

Preheat oven to 425°F. and butter 2 large shallow baking pans.

In a small saucepan melt remaining 9 tablespoons butter and keep warm but not hot.

Cut phyllo sheets in half lengthwise and stack between 2 sheets wax paper. Cover wax paper sheets with a kitchen towel. On a work surface arrange a half sheet of phyllo with short side facing you and brush with melted butter. On this, layer and brush 3 more half sheets of phyllo in the same manner.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon almond sugar on short side of phyllo nearest you to cover about 2 1/2-by 4-inch area, leaving a 1-inch border on 3 edges. Put 1/3 cup chicken mixture over almond sugar and spread out slightly. Top chicken mixture with 1 more tablespoon almond sugar and roll up filling in phyllo, folding in sides after first roll. Transfer b’stilla immediately.

Form 8 more b’stillas in the same manner with remaining phyllo, butter, almond sugar, and chicken mixture, chilling each b’stilla as it is made. B’stillas may be prepared up to this point 4 hours ahead and kept chilled, covered lightly with plastic wrap once cold.

Bake chilled b’stillas in oven until tops and ends are puffed and browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool b’stillas slightly on a rack. Sprinkle b’stillas with confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon and serve warm.

To make the ras el hanout:
In a spice grinder or cleaned coffee grinder grind fine aniseed, fennel seeds, allspice berries, cardamom seeds, cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cuminseed, and red pepper flakes, In a small bowl stir together ground spice mixture, mace, ginger, and nutmeg until combine well. Ras el hanout may be stored in a tightly closed jar in a cool dark place up to 6 months. Makes about 1/4 cup.

Ice Cream

Ingredients:
2 c whole milk
1 c heavy whipping cream
2 egg yolks
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, over medium-low heat, whisk together all ingredients, for 20 minutes.
2. Pour mixture into a glass bowl. Add any flavors (i.e. rosewater, peanut butter).
3. Cover and place bowl in refrigerator for an hour.
4. Pour contents of bowl into freezer friendly container, and freeze.