Saturday, June 17, 2017

Pie Crust (from Serious Eats)

I made this on Mar. 27, 2018.  Came out great.  Next time - put a cookie sheet under the pie plate so juices that run out don't drip in the oven.  
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces = 1 2/3 C flour
  • 1 T sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt; if using table salt, use 1/2 tsp)
  • 8 ounces butter = 2 sticks
  • 4 ounces COLD tap water (about 1/2 C)
Directions

For the Dough: Whisk flour, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl.  Cut butter into 1/2' cubes (this size is important, as smaller pieces will melt too fast) and toss with flour mixture to break up the pieces.  With your fingertips, smash each cube flat - that's it!  No rubbing or cutting.  Stir in water, then knead dough against the sides of the bowl until it comes together in a shaggy ball.  Dough temperature should register between 65 and 70 deg. F.  If not, refrigerate briefly before rolling and folding).

Make the Layers: On a generously floured work surface, roll dough into a roughly 10-by-15" rectangle.  Fold the 10" sides to the center, then close the newly formed packet like a book.  Fold in half once more, bringing the short sides together to create a thick block.  Divide in half with a sharp knife or bench scraper.  Dough temperature should still be somewhere between 65 and 70 deg. F.  If not, refrigerate briefly before proceeding.

For Single-Crusted Pies: Using as much flour as needed, roll one piece into a 14" circle and drape across a 9" pie plate; it should be super easy to life by hand.  Dust off excess flour with a pastry brush, using it to nestle dough into the very corners of the pan.  With scissors or kitchen shears, trim the edge so that it overhangs by 1 1/4 inches all around.  Fold overhang over itself to create a thick border that sits atop the rim of the pan.  Crimp or shape crust as desired.  Repeat with remaining doug.  Wrap with plastic and refrigerate at least two hours and up to overnight.  Use as directed in your favorite recipe.

For a Double-Crusted Pie: Using as much flour as needed, roll one piece into a 14" circle and drape across a 9" pie plate; it should be super easy to lift by hand.  Dust off excess flour with a pastry brush, using it to nestle dough into the very corners of the pan.  With scissors or kitchen shears, trim the edge so that it overhangs by 1 inch all around.  For a solid top crust, roll remaining dough as before, or roll into a 9x15 inch rectangle for a lattice-top pie.  Transfer the entire sheet, uncut, to a baking sheet or parchment-lined cutting board.  (The parchment will prevent dough from absorbing any savory odors from the board.)  Wrap both portions in plastic and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.  Use as directed in your favorite recipe.

For a Blind-Baked Pie: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat to 350 deg. F.  Line chilled pie shell with a large sheet of aluminum foil, pressing os it conforms to the curves to eh plate (a second sheet of foil may be needed for full coverage.)  Fill to the brim with sugar, transfer to a half sheet pan, and bake until fully set and golden around the edges, 60 to 75 minutes.  Fold long sides of foil toward the middle, gather short sides, and use both hands to carefully transfer sugar to a heat-safe bowl.  Let sugar cool to room temperature.  If needed, continue baking crust a few minutes more to brown along the bottom.

Old-fashioned flaky pie dough recipe
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/06/old-fashioned-flaky-pie-dough-recipe.html

Master blind-baked pie crust
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/06/old-fashioned-flaky-pie-dough-recipe.html
 

Monday, June 12, 2017

Chicken Fajita Bundt Cake


This one is a keeper!  I think it can be made with beef too instead of chicken.  I stir-fried the chicken and veggies instead of baking.  
Ingredients
3 chicken breasts, sliced
2 mixed peppers, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
2 T fajita seasoning
2 T olive oil, plus more for greasing pan
1 T salt
2 T coriander, chopped, plus a little more for topping
1 tomato, chopped
1 1/2 C cheddar, grated
9 tortilla wraps
1 C sour cream
1 tsp chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Roast the chicken, peppers, onions, fajita seasoning, salt and olive oil in large roasting tray for 30 minutes at 375 deg, stirring once or twice during the process.  Cool.
  2. Brush the inside of a bundt pan with olive oil, then start to lay in your tortillas.  Push them in as if they were hard tacos.  They should shape easily to the shape of the bundt pan.  5 tortillas will give you a good coverage on a medium/small bundt.  Insert 4 more tortillas in the inner flaps of the 5 bottom tortillas.  Now you are ready to layer!
  3. Layer half the cheese.  Then lay in the chicken fajita mix.  Top with coriander, tomatoes, then the rest of the cheese.
  4. Fold in the top four tortillas as best you can.  Don't worry if it's not perfect!
  5. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 deg. F or until the cheese is melted.  
  6. Turn out onto a board, glaze with sour cream and sprinkle with the extra coriander and chili flakes. 

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Nestle's Famous Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 C flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 C granulated sugar
  • 3/4 C packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 C (12-oz pkg) chocolate chips (I use only one cup because I don't like it that chocolately)
  • 1 C chopped nuts
Instructions:
  1. PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

    COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. 

    BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.