Monthly Archives: September 2015

Apple Cider Braised Pan Seared Bratwurst and Apples with Red Cabbage Slaw

To welcome Fall and celebrate my German heritage, I made this platter of cider braised bratwurst and then pan seared both the brats and some crisp apples all served on a red cabbage slaw, It was the perfect autumn dish a study in contrasts : slightly sweet and salty, softened apples mixing with the crispy slaw. It’s my modern take on the more classic brats with sauerkraut.

From by the bay, wishing you Fall German food memories!

Maryann

blog brats apples

Apple Cider Braised Pan Seared Bratwurst and Apples with Red Cabbage Slaw

Serves 8

Ingredients

4 cups apple cider

8 bratwurst

4 apples , skin on cut in half

1 tablespoon canola oil

1/4 cup white wine

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 recipe red cabbage slaw ( recipe follows)

Directions

In medium sauce pan add bratwurst and cider, bring to a simmer and cover for 15 minutes remove from heat. Remove bratwurst remove brats from pan and set aside. Heat oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, cut side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 5–8 minutes. Prick brats with a fork, add to skillet with apples, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add wine and vinegar to skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thickened (liquid should coat a spoon), about 4 minutes.

To serve place red slaw on a platter , add apples and brats and enjoy!

Red Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients

For the Slaw
1 small head of red cabbage, cored and shredded
1 small red onion, sliced thinly
1/2 teaspoon caraway seed (optional)
Sea salt, to taste
Cracked black pepper, to taste

For The Dressing:
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Sea salt, to taste
Cracked black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup canola oil

Directions

In a large mixing bowl add cabbage, onions, caraway seed, salt and pepper.  In a large covered jar add ingredients for dressing and shack vigorously. Pour dressing over cabbage and mix well. Set aside.

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Corn Bisque

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This week is unique in that the first half of the week is summer and the second half is fall. The local farm stands look the same way, one side is the last corn of the summer and on the other side you the start of fall, filled with pumpkins and winter squash. This soup does the same thing by mixing the flavors of summer corn and fall pumpkin. It’s a perfect combination that you can celebrate this time of year.

From by the bay, wishing you pumpkin corn filled food memories!

Maryann

blog pump bisque

Pumpkin Corn Bisque

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups fresh corn kernels ( approx. three ears), or thawed frozen corn
1 small chopped onion
1(15-oz.) can organic pumpkin puree
2 cups unsalted chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup half and half

Optional : pinch of cayenne along with other spices

Optional : garnish shelled, roasted and salted pumpkin seeds, chopped chives

Directions

In a dutch oven or stock pot  melt butter, add onions and saute until softened, add corn and saute another minute. Add remaining ingredients, except the half and half.  ( include the cayenne).  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Let cool, then puree in a food processor. This can be made head and refrigerate.  When ready to serve heat, once heated add half and half. Stir and serve. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and chopped chives.

 

Homemade Pear Soda

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First weekend after Labor Day and  the signs of fall are here by the bay – the beach parking lot is no longer filled with sunbathers but antique cars for the annual fall show, acorns are falling on my back deck with a few brown leaves , the evenings are getting cooler but the day are still warm. There is an abundance of pears and apples at the farmer’s market.  With the days still warm I wanted to make something refreshing to drink after my walk to the antique car show, then I  remembered a pear soda a tried just a few weeks ago. Pear soda is not easy to find, so I took advantage of the pears I bought at the farm stand to make my own soda. So much simpler than shopping for it in stores. It’s perfectly refreshing! Enjoy!

From by the bay wishing you delicious fizzy pear food memories!

Maryann

blog pear soda 2

Pear soda

Ingredients
3 pears
2 cups water
2 cups sugar

optional: pear slices to garnish

Directions

Peel, core and cube pears. Place in a medium saucepan with water and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.  Use a potato masher to mash pear.  Use a fine mesh sieve to strain mixture pressing the liquid through with a back of a spoon and cool. Pour 1/4 cup pear syrup in a glass and top with soda water. Enjoy!

Note: if you don’t want to throw the pear mash out put back in saucepan, add a 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger and a 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen whole cranberries and cook stirring ocassionally, until cranberries burst. Cool and serve it’s like a cranberry pear sauce.

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blog fall car show 2

Blueberry Plum Crumble

I love fruit desserts and this one is a real favorite! Using plums and the last blueberries of the summer give this crumble an autumnal feeling. You can make the crumble without blueberries, I happened to have some leftover when I made this dish and just decided to throw them into the mix, as you can with most crumbles you can alter the fruits you use to suit your own tastes. In the same way you can use pecans instead of walnuts. I’ve made many crumbles over the years, but what I like best from the recipe I choose from Huckleberry is the addition of the maple syrup and I used my favorite steel cut oats from Anson Mills that added a great crunchy texture to the crumble topping. Enjoy!

From by the bay, wishing you some autumn crumble food memories!

Maryann

Iblog blueberry plum crumble

Blueberry Plum Crumble

Recipe adapted from Huckleberry by Zoe Nathan

Ingredients

Crumble

1/2 cup steel cut oats

1/4 cup almond flour

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Filling

3 red plums , halved and pitted

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

pinch of fine sea salt

Preheat over to 375 degrees F. To make the crumble add all ingredients in a bowl and blend with your finger tips until butter is incorporated. Place in the refrigerator. In a small baking dish approximately 5″ by 8″ arrange the plums, cut side up, sprinkle blueberries. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon light brown sugar. Sprinkle the crumble on top of the fruit, letting a little of the outer edges visible. Bake in the hot oven until the topping starts to brown and plums are tender, approximately 50 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Salad

Enjoying the fresh bounty of fresh juicy tomatoes and eggplant is this delicious salad . It’s a great side dish or toss on to some pasta with a little more olive oil and cheese and you have a yummy dinner. Mangia!!

From by the bay, wishing you tomato food memories!

Maryann

blog eggplant tomat salad

Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, cubed with skin on

1 small onion, chopped

1 large heirloom tomato, chopped

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

fresh grated parmesan cheese

fresh basil leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. To one sheet at the eggplant and the second the onion. Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over each sheet and season with sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.  Toss eggplant and onions with the olive and place in the oven until onions start to brown and the eggplant is softened, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.  Place in a bowl the eggplant, onion and tomatoes. Drizzle with remaining two tablespoons of olive oil, vinegar and sea salt and pepper to taste. Place in a bowl or serving platter. Add fresh chopped basil and grated cheese and serve.