Ina Garten's Risotto

 

Ina Garten’s One-Pot Oven Risotto

(This recipe is reproduced from Garten’s book “Go-To Dinners” [Clarkson Potter, 2022].)

• Good olive oil

• 1¼ cups thinly sliced shallots I used regular onions (2 large)

• 1 pound fresh asparagus, tough ends removed, cut diagonally in 1-inch lengths (see note below)

• 1½ cups Arborio rice (10 ounces) I used 2 cups

• 5 to 6 cups simmering chicken stock, preferably homemade

• ½ teaspoon saffron threads I didn't have saffron so sprinkled in some turmeric :)

• ½ cup dry white wine Next time I make this, I'll add the white wine at the beginning because I didn't like the wine taste after cooking.  But. . .if YOU do, add it at the end!

• 1 cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves 4

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium (11-inch) Dutch oven such as Le Creuset, I used my Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

3. In the same Dutch oven, heat one additional tablespoon olive oil. Add the rice and stir to coat the rice with oil. Add 4 cups of the chicken stock and the saffron, bring to a simmer and cover. Transfer to the oven and bake for 35 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

4. Remove from the oven and add the white wine, stirring well until incorporated, then add one more cup of chicken stock, the Parmesan, butter, 2½ teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes, until the risotto is thick and creamy, adding more chicken stock, if necessary, to keep the risotto very creamy. Stir in the asparagus-and-shallot mixture and serve hot sprinkled with extra grated Parmesan.

Notes

To reheat, add a little white wine and reheat in individual bowls in the microwave. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve hot.

Instead of asparagus, you can use broccolini, broccoli, snow peas or snap peas; or you can add frozen peas just before serving.

This dish was absolutely delicious!!   And easy!

The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) Beatty's Chocolate Cake

I have not made this yet, but it had such great reviews that I'm going to try soon!

Ingredients 

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

¾ cups good cocoa powder, such as Valrhona

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk, shaken

½ cup vegetable oil

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans (for cupcakes, see note).
2. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.
3. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined.
4. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ones.
5. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
6. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely. (Not to worry; the top will sink a little in the center.)
7. Place one layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread a thin layer of buttercream on the top only. Place the second layer on top, flat side up, and spread the frosting evenly first on the sides and then on the top of the cake.
8. Cut in wedges and serve at room temperature.

Note: For cupcakes, reduce bake time to 25-30 minutes.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (frosts one cake, or 12 cupcakes)

• 6 ounces good semisweet chocolate, such as Valrhona (see note)
• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules, such as Nescafe

1. Chop the chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl over a pan over simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
2. Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes.
4. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy.
5. Dissolve the coffee in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don’t whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

Note: I use Valrhona Le Noir 56% Cacao Semisweet Chocolate. You can use also use a good bittersweet chocolate but don’t use chocolate chips because they have stabilizers in them.

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

·      1 medium to large butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cubed

·      2 T olive oil

·      1 large yellow onion, chopped

·      2 stalks, green onions

·      ½ t salt

·      4 garlic cloves, chopped

·      1 tsp fresh ginger, ground

·      1 tsp maple syrup

·      1/8 tsp nutmeg

·      3 to 4 C broth (chicken or vegetable)i

·      1 to 2 T butter

 

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 425 

2.     Toss the squash cubes with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper

3.     Roast for about 15 minutes until soft

4.     In the meantime, heat one T olive oil in stockpot until shimmering.  Add the chopped onions (yellow and green).  Cook, stirring frequently until the onions has softened.  

5.     Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

6.     Add the roasted squash, maple syrup and nutmeg.

7.     Add 3 cups of broth.  Use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender until mixture is smooth.   

8.     Add butter to taste and more broth if desired to thin.

9.     Top with pepper or pepitas.

10.  Serve with crusty bread.

I made this on Jan. 2, 2024.  Winter squash are back in the grocery stores.

MMade again on Feb. 26, 2024.  I peeled the squash first (surprisingly easy), then cut into cubes before roasting.  

When I made this on Jan. 4, I originally just cut the squash in half, then roasted the halves for about 40 minutes.   PAIN IN THE NECK to scoop the flesh out.  It was very difficult separating the flesh from the skin.  Better to peel first, then roast.  

Finished product.  I only had plain yogurt so spooned that over the soup.  You could use freshly ground pepper or pepitas.

 

Esquites (Mexican street corn salad)

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (I used olive oil)
•  3-4 cups fresh corn (cut from cob) or frozen corn (about 4-5 fresh corn cobs)
•  2 tablespoons Hellmann's mayonnaise
• 2 T sour cream 
• 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese or queso fresco, grated or crumbled
• 2 to 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 T jalapeno, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced or 1 to 2 T lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or chili powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Extra crumbled Cotija or queso, cilantro, paprika to sprinkle on top

I made this on July 29, 2023 (but didn't put in jalapeños, fresh garlic or sour cream).  The bowl below was tasty but needed to be creamier and have some zing!

Directions:

D

1.     Melt butter or olive oil in a heavy pan (cast iron is best). Spread corn kernels in a single layer in the pan. Roast for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the outsides of the kernels have browned. (Some will have a charred look, but don't let them burn!)

2.     Spoon corn into large bowl. Set aside.

3.     In a mixing bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients, add salt and pepper to taste.  Stir until combined.

4.     Pour mayo mixture over roasted corn. Stir to combine completely.

5.     Sprinkle with extra crumbled cheese, paprika (or chili powder), and cilantro. Serve warm immediately.  Refrigerate leftovers.  PS Can also serve lukewarm or slightly chilled?

 

Salmon Bites

The trick is to use a cast iron skillet!!

I made this on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2022.  It was AWESOME!

 Ingredients

• ⅓ cup honey

• 2 tablespoons water

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 to 4 salmon filets, cut into cubes (about 1 to 2 inch cubes)

• kosher salt and pepper

Instructions

• Stir together the honey, water and garlic. Set it aside. We really love this sticky sauce and sometimes I double it. If you want extra sauce, I suggest doubling it too! ⅔ cup honey + ¼ cup water + 3 or 4 garlic cloves.
• Pat the salmon completely dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into cubes, making sure the pieces are uniform in size. It doesn’t matter if they are big or small - but make sure they are all roughly the same size so they cook in the same amount of time.
• Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Let it heat for a good 5 to 6 minutes so it’s hot. Add the butter and let it melt and sizzle - it will almost instantly brown. This is good!
• Add the salmon in a single layer. Cook on one side until very deep golden brown and seared. Flip each salmon piece. Cook for 1 minute so the salmon gets brown on the other side.
• Pour the honey mixture into the skillet. It should bubble and sizzle all around the salmon. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, letting it bubble and thicken and get sticky.

No Bake Apple Dessert

Ingredients (with baking powder)

• 2 apples
• 1 egg
• 3 T sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 2 T oil
• 100 ml of milk
• 1 1/4 C flour
• 1 T baking powder
• Sprinkle of cinnamon in batter (optional)

Directions

1. Cut one apple into small chunks
2. Cut the other apple into slices
3. Mix the egg, sugar and vanilla together
4. Add a pinch of salt, then beat milk
5. Beat in flour and 1 T baking powder
6. Add the chunks of apples
7. Heat 1 T oil in frying pan
8. Spoon dollop of dough in frying pan, like pancakes
9. Put several slices of apples on each dollop
10. Cook for 5 minutes on low heat
11. Flip patties and cook for another 5 minutes
12. Serve with apple slices side up
13. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve   

I made the baking powder one on July 26, 2022.  It was ok.

Suggestions for next time:  flatten the pancakes after I put them in the pan, or use less batter.

Use less sugar.  I only used 2 T but it was still too sweet for me.

I used my cast iron frying pan, make sure it's heated up before putting the pancakes in (just like when making regular pancakes).  

POLISH APPLE PANCAKES (with yeast)

Ingredients

• 1 packet yeast
• 1 C milk
• 2 C flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 C sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 medium apples, cut into small chunks
• powdered sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Heat milk until pleasantly warm.  Add yeast.  May add 1 tsp sugar to activate yeast.
2. Add yeast with milk and all other ingredients to a large bowl and mix for about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Cover and set aside to rise until doubled.
4. In the meantime, peel and core the apples into small chunks.
5. Add to the risen dough.  Stir til distributed.  Let sit for about 5 to 10 minutes
6. Heat oil in frying pan, cast iron might make better pancakes.  Oil should be hot so the pancakes don't soak up oil.
7. Spoon about 1/4 C batter for each pancake.  Cook on both sides until golden brown.  
8. Transfer to cooling rack with paper towels.  
9. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!