Monthly Archives: October 2016

Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Butter

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Autumn by the bay, the leaves are turning colors and there is a gently rain of large maple leaves softly floating down to the ground. As Halloween approaches and pumpkins are everywhere it is time to start baking and cooking with pumpkin. This year I wanted to make pumpkin scones. I looked at many recipes, before I decided on the recipe below. Let me just start with that this scone is perhaps one of the best if not the best scone I have ever tasted. Yes, I absolutely mean that!  The scones are light and airy not too sweet and a subtle taste of tart from using fresh cranberries over sweet dried cranberries. I loved the technique of grating the cold butter into the dry ingredients and plan to experiment more with this technique since the results were so wonderful. This recipe is really easily , just a few extra steps but the results are worth it. Save some time in the morning, by measuring all your dry ingredients in advance and leave in a zip lock bag until you are ready to bake.

From by the bay , wishing you many delicious pumpkin food memories!

Maryann

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Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Butter

Recipe by Beauty and Essex as featured in Bon Appetit November 2014

Cinnamon Butter
¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Scones
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt or fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
¾ cup (1½ sticks) chilled unsalted butter
½ cup chopped fresh (or frozen, thawed) cranberries
1 large egg
½ cup canned pure pumpkin
¼ cup buttermilk, plus more for brushing
2 tablespoons raw sugar

Preparation
Cinnamon Butter
Mix butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
Do Ahead: Cinnamon butter can be made 4 days ahead. Cover and chill.
Scones
Whisk granulated sugar, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, cloves, baking soda, and 2 cups flour in a large bowl. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate in butter, tossing to coat in dry ingredients as you go; toss in cranberries. Mix in egg, pumpkin, and ¼ cup buttermilk.
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1½”-thick disk. Cut into 8 wedges; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, 25–30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400°. Brush scones with buttermilk and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake until golden brown, 25–30 minutes. Serve with cinnamon butter.

 

Chocolate Chip Biscotti

One of the many things I love about cooking is that inspiration can come from the most unlikely places. My inspiration for this recipe came from my health club. Yes, you heard that right, my trainer had just returned from a trip to Rome and brought back with her bags of the most amazing chocolate chip biscotti. These crispy little biscuits were so delicious, I was charged with creating a version as close to the original as possible. I’m sharing my version of chocolate chip biscotti, here are a few tips : italians typically use their “00” flour for baking. This flour is low gluten and very fine, used in Italy for making pasta and sweets. If you can’t find type “00” flour use pastry flour or all purpose flour. It will have a slightly different texture. It’s very important to use a high quality chocolate. I like chopping my own chocolate . These biscotti are crispy and not too sweet. You will be transported to Italy with each bite. This is a cookie you will always want on hand.

From by the bay, wishing you crispy biscotti memories!

Maryann

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Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups flour ( use type “00” flour if available)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup sugar, plus extract to sprinkle on top
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons sambuca
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup good quality dark chocolate, chopped coarsely
  • 3/4 cup blanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped

Directions

Heat oven to 350° F.  Place almonds on a baking sheet and toasted in the oven for approximately 8 minutes as they start to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and cool. Coarsely cut and set aside. In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Place aside.  In a stand mixer, oil and 3/4 cup sugar together. Add the eggs and continue to mix. Add sambuca, and vanilla. Add flour until combined.  Add toasted almonds and chocolate. Mix to combine. Cut the dough in half and roll into two logs, each approximately 2 inches wide and 12 inches long. Place logs side by side 3 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the top of the logs with extra sugar. Bake on center rack for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Take the logs out of the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Use a serrated knife and cut into 3/4  inch slices. Place cookies on baking sheet cut side up in oven and bake for 10 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool. Store in an air tight container for 1 week.

Sausage with Pomegranate Salad with Pickled Red Onions

It’s easier to make the transition from summer to fall if I hold onto some summer in my cooking, while transitioning into fall. This recipe is still light and  usually, I still use my grill to prepare the sausages. I have provided an indoor option for preparing the sausages just in case it’s too cold, windy or rainy. This dish is definitely a feast for the eyes . The lovely crimson pomegranate seeds, accented with the warm pink hues of the pickled red onions really celebrate fall flavors. But don’t misunderstand, this dish may look like it’s all about visual pleasure but it’s really about the rich and luscious combination of flavors: slightly salty in contrast to the sweet and sour. Easy to prepare this can become a quick weekday meal.

From by the wishing you pomegranate food memories!

Maryann

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Sausage with Pomegranate Salad with Pickled Red Onions

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 8 sweet Italian  sausage
  • 4 cups baby arugula
  • 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
  • 1/4 cup toasted almond slivers
  • 2 tablespoons pickled red onions ( see recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate molasses dressing ( see recipe below)

Directions

Light a grill and oil the grate, Grill the sausage over moderate heat, turning until lightly charred and cooked through 10 to 12 minutes. ( Alternately, you can cook the sausage in the a 425 degree F oven arrange sausage on a baking rack set into a baking sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until sausage are cooked through). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice on the bias. On a large platter arrange arugula, add sliced sausage . Drizzle with pomegranate molasses dressing. Sprinkle with red onion, pomegranate seeds and almond slivers. Serve at once.

Pickled Red Onion

Ingredients

  • 1 small red onion, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt

Directions

In a quart mason jar add all ingredients, shake well. Let stand for at least one hour. Place in refrigerator until ready to use. Will keep for one week.

Pomegranate Molasses Dressing

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Place all ingredients in a covered jar. Shake well before using .