Searching4Zen

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  • Pate Brisee

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    Ingredients 6 1/2 ounces (11/2 cups) all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons ) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 1 large egg yolk 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water Instructions Put the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and […]

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  • Classic Tarte Tatin

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    Ingredients 5 to 6 pounds tart apples (I like Braeburns, Jonathans, Honeycrisps, Jonagolds, or Fuji’s) 7 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt Pate Brisee (see separate recipe), chilled Creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream for serving Instructions Peel, halve, and core the apples, being sure to get the stem and […]

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  • Classic Shredded Chicken Salad

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    Ingredients: Salad 1 or 2 poached boneless chicken thighs, chilled and slivered ½ cup slivered green onion 2 cups shredded Romaine lettuce, chilled 1 cup shredded carrot, chilled ½ cup toasted almonds, slivered 1 ½ cup deep fried won ton skin strips (can be fried one day ahead, store in paper bag) 3 cups deep […]

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  • Clam, Spinach and Cheddar Chowder

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    Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon flour ¾ to 1 cup milk ½ cup half and half 1 ten ounce can clams 1 medium potato, diced 4 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar ½ teaspoon thyme 2 cups stemmed and torn spinach Salt and pepper Instructions: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add flour […]

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  • Cider-Brined Pork Chops with Creamed Leeks and Apples

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    Ingredients: 4 1/4 cups apple cider 3 tablespoons coarse salt 6 allspice berries 1 bay leaf 4 10-ounce bone-in center-cut pork rib chops 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter 5 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced 1 cup whipping cream 1 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, halved, each half cut […]

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  • Chutney Muffins

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    Ingredients: 2 cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ tablespoons sugar 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar 1 egg 1 cup milk 4 tablespoons butter, melted 4 tablespoons chutney, chopped ½ cup chopped pecans Instructions: Mix flour, baking powder, salt and both sugars together.  Set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the […]

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  • Chocolate Rum Pudding

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    Ingredients: 1 large egg yolk 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1/3 cup whole milk 6 tablespoons chilled heavy cream 1 1/2 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened) 1 to 2 teaspoons dark rum 1/4 teaspoon instant-espresso powder (optional Instructions: Vigorously whisk together yolk, 1 tablespoon sugar, flour, and a […]

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  • Chocolate Pudding a’la Shannon Hughes

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    Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract 1 quart Half and Half 1 quart Whole Milk 1 ½ cup Sugar 1 cup High Quality Cocoa 2 – 3 heaping Tbsp. Corn Starch 1 Bar Scharffen Berger Pure Dark Chocolate (9.7 oz) 1 pint Whipping Cream Instructions: Scald the milk and half and half. Melt chocolate in double […]

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  • Prune Armagnac Ice Cream

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    Ingredients: 1 cup (about 6 oz) pitted prunes ⅓ cup Armagnac 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 3 large egg yolks 1 ½ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cup well-chilled heavy cream Instructions: In a saucepan combine the prunes and ⅓ cup water and simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes, or […]

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  • Chipotle Skirt Steak Fajitas with Avocado Cream

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    Marinade ingredients 3 tablespoons minced canned chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1½ pounds skirt steak, ½ to ¾ inch thick, trimmed of excess surface fat, cut […]

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