Beckon’s Gluten-Free Bread
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Beckon’s Gluten-Free Bread

A few weeks ago Lyn innocently asked me, you used to make bread right, she knows I don’t like to bake (to exact) she also knows I have a hard time refusing her wants and needs. So she asked for some gluten free seed bread. This is a wicked heavy bread and I gave it a good try, after a few weeks she finished it and is hinting about another loaf. To keep impulse munching down we cut in slices and froze. You know what it is like with fresh bread.

Ingredients

To Make the Night Before:

  • 1 cup Cup4Cup gluten-free flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds
  • ¾ cup sunflower seeds
  • ¾ cup flaxseeds
  • ⅓ cup white sesame seeds
  • 3 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 2 tablespoons dill seeds
  • 2 tablespoons caraway seeds
  • 5 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
  • ½ cup cornmeal

To Make the Day of:

  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup Cup4Cup gluten-free flour
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • Nonstick cooking spray

How

Step 1

In a large glass bowl, combine the flour with all the seeds and the cornmeal. Stir in 2 1/4 cups water. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and let sit overnight, 8 to 12 hours.

 Step 2

The next day, in another large glass bowl, whisk the yeast and the honey into 2 tablespoons warm water (100° to 110°). Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.

 Step 3

Scrape the overnight mixture into the bowl with the yeast mixture, and add the flour and the salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir until well combined, about 1 minute. (The mixture will be thick.) Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and let sit until mixture lightens in texture, about 1 hour.

 Step 4

Spray a 9-by-5-inch nonstick loaf pan with cooking spray. Scrape dough into prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm area just until dough reaches the top of the pan, about 1 hour.

 Step 5

Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake loaf until golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Let cool before slicing. (Wrapped airtight, this bread will keep for over a week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.)

Tips

Use the Right Flour: “Cup4Cup is my favorite gluten-free blend,” Tompkins says. “For texture and flavor, mix in cornmeal or another gluten-free flour, like oat or teff.”Rise it Twice: “I go with the same process used in Danish rye breads,” Tompkins says. “I let the dough rise twice — in a bowl and again in the loaf pan — which really lightens up the loaves.”Add Lots of Seeds: Pumpkin, sunflower, fennel, mustard, sesame, and dillseeds add a nice complexity.”Soak the seeds overnight,” Tompkins says. “This keeps them from being too crunchy.”

Tips Recipe by Tamra Tompkins, pastry chef at Beckon in Denver.

Candied Brisket
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Candied Brisket

Usually around St Patricks day I’ll grab a few corned beef briskets this year with the limits I was only able to get 1. So I made what was my son’s favorite this style of brisket and then rubbed it in via pictures and texts. If you’ve been following me you know I love brisket and make it many different ways. I’ve posted many her are a few Another attempt at smoke brisket Brisket in Sweet-and-Sour Sauce, Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket, Flat, Single or First cut Brisket Jewish style , https://stevesacooking.com/201Another attempt at smoked Brisket…..

Ingredients

  • 1 3-4 Pound Corned Beef Brisket
  • 1/4 Cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Packed
  • 2 Teaspoons horseradish
  • 1 tablespoon pineapple juice (optional)
  • Sliced Pineapple (optional)

How

Place corned beef brisket in a large Dutch oven, fat side facing down.

Cover completely with water by two inches.

Bring to boil and simmer on low until fork tender 4-6 hours

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cover a large baking sheet with tin foil.

Remove brisket, allowing all excess water to drain back into the pot.

Place corned beef on the foil covered baking sheet, fat side facing up.

Gently skim the layer of fat off of the corned beef using a spatula; discard fat.

Mix mustard, brown sugar, pineapple juice and horseradish in a small bowl.

Smear the mustard mixture on top of the corned beef.

Place sliced pineapple on top

Bake in oven for 5 to 10 minutes; or until the mixture begins to bubble.

I sometimes use the broiler

Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 15 minutes.

Slice against the grain and serve

Garlic Center Pork Loin Roast
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Garlic Center Pork Loin Roast

We are living in a weird time of Social Distancing, gloves, masks and fear of going out or shopping for necessities. Being basically confined to the house what does one do, watch TV – news to depressing, watching movies and binging series, search the net for needed items to be shipped or delivered and cook – gets a little old after a while. I’m extremely lucky to have woods behind my house with paths at the end of the street leading to the Upton town forest. Escaping to the silence except birds, peepers, the creaking of trees and the wind blowing through them sounding like a distant ocean all which calm the mind.  I have a 3 mile path that is starting to feel short to me did it in a half hour the other day. Ny fall back has been cooking for Lyn and I and trying to make it interesting with what we have in stock so to speak. IT started when Mike and Gail return from New Orleans after he proposed they came with masks on as to not infect us or was it to protect themselves? N.O, was named the next hot spot the week after they returned, but they always had plenty of and used hand sanitizer with them. Anyway, I made this when they came over to show the ring and their smiles.

 

Ingredients

  • 3 pound pork loin not tenderloin
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Cut up apple

How

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Add the pork loin to your baking pan.

Slightly score (large diamonds shape) the fat cap to allow garlic and rub to sit in.

Coat with the garlic on top of the fat cap.

Mix the seasonings (salt, pepper and paprika) in small bowl and rub it on the pork. Spread apple around the roast.

Cook the pork for 60-75 minutes or until it has reached a temperature of 150-160 degrees.

  • Time will vary depending on your stove

Remove from the oven and let rest before serving.

Served with roasted acorn squash

Ravioli Puttanesca
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Ravioli Puttanesca

Love raviolis, they remind me of Sunday dinners at my mother in laws where seconds consisted of her asking, want some more, then grabbing the edge of your plate so no pull away with her. After piling on more than your first serving. She believed a well-fed person was a happy one and with her cooking everyone was happy.

Lyn found this recipe; it was surprisingly quick and easy with great taste. We cleaned our plates.

I made half this recipe since there was only the two of us.

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. cheese ravioli
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/3 c. pitted Kalamata olives (about 15), chopped
    • Note: I had to substitute a can of black that’s all we had
  • 1 tbsp. capers, rinsed and chopped
  • 1 c. grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced
    • Note: will try with a can of fire roasted tomatoes next time
  • 4 c. baby spinach
  • black pepper
  • 1 c. fresh basil leaves, torn
  • Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, for serving

How

Cook the ravioli according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until the garlic starts to sizzle, about 3 minutes. Add the olives and capers and cook for 2 minutes more.

Add the tomatoes and toss to combine.

Add the ravioli, spinach, and 1 teaspoon black pepper; toss until the spinach begins to wilt, 2 minutes.

Fold in the basil and serve with grated cheese, if desired.

add ravs, tomatoes and spinach and toss to coat until spnage starts to wilt.

Fold in the basil and serve with grated cheese, if desired.

serve
Plate
It was very good as you can see
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Mini Meatloaves with Goat Cheese

This is an adapted Hungry Girl recipe kind of reminded me of my mashed potato topped mini meatloaves or Spicy Southwest Meatloaf Minis

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups chopped spinach
  • 1 lb. raw ground turkey
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup (about 2 large) egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute you can use whole egg if you want to.
  • 2 tbsp. panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tsp. chopped garlic
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 2/3 cup goat cheese
  • 3/4 cup marinara sauce (I used some pasta sauce that Lyn had made)
  • Optional topping: chopped fresh basil

How:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray.
    1. We used muffin top cupcake pan.
  2. Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Cook spinach until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  3. Transfer spinach to a large bowl, and blot away excess moisture. Add beef, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Evenly distribute mixture among the muffin cups, and smooth out the tops.
  4. Form a hole in each meatloaf, and evenly fill with goat cheese.
  5. Top with marinara.
  6. Bake until firm with lightly browned edges, about 30 minutes.
  7. Serve
Hungry girl photo

Chicken Cutlets on Spaghettini with Toasted Pine Nuts and Raisins
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Chicken Cutlets on Spaghettini with Toasted Pine Nuts and Raisins

Lyn found this in the Boston Globe the only change we would make is add sundried tomatoes and add when the raisins are added.

The key to a romantic dinner at home is to keep it simple. Something quick can be just as impressive and elegant as a restaurant meal. For this dish, take thinly sliced chicken breasts and serve them with a white wine sauce made with pine nuts and raisins. If you can’t find ready-sliced skinless, boneless chicken cutlets, ring the butcher’s bell and ask the butcher to slice some or slice your own at home; one pound of chicken yields about four cutlets. Coat the chicken cutlets lightly with seasoned flour and pan-fry them. Take them out of the pan and start the sauce. Toast pine nuts first with a touch of garlic (hey, if you’re both eating it at the same time, nothing to worry about). Add raisins, rosemary, and white wine, simmer the sauce, reheat the chicken in it, and swirl in butter off the heat. Serve the cutlets on spaghettini; you can boil it while you cook the chicken. You’ve got the rest of the bottle of wine that didn’t go into the pot, a nice dish, and a quiet table away from the craze of a crowded restaurant.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup flour
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1-pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons raisins
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut up
  • ¼ pound spaghettini (This is #3 spaghetti)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

How

1. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each cutlet in the flour and shake lightly to remove the excess.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until golden. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

3. Add the pine nuts to the pan, and toast for 3 minutes, or until they are aromatic and just beginning to brown. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.

4. Add the raisins, rosemary, and wine. Bring to a simmer and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter. Swirl the pan gently until the butter is incorporated.

5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghettini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 9 to 10 minutes, or until it is tender but still has some bite. Drain without rinsing and divide between two plates. Spoon chicken cutlets and sauce on each and sprinkle with parsley.

Pan fry 3-5 minutes until golden and remove to plate
Toast pine nuts then add wine, raisins, rosemary bring to boil and then bring to simmer
Swirl in butter add chicken back in and simmer for 5-9 minutes
place chicken on top of bed of spaghettini and top with sauce
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve. we served with a slow rise olive bread from Nashoba Brook Bakery

What the heck is slow rise and what are some Benefits of Slow Rise Breads?

Another batch of Tomato soup.
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Another batch of Tomato soup.

Joke in my house is I love making soups but rarely have more than a bowl. I made another batch of Oven Roasted Tomato Soup. Love this soup you can add after things like rice (my favorite because Mom used to make Campbell’s tomato soup with milk and add rice after), corn, cilantro and more to tweek depending on your mood.

Note that I tried a can of the Campbell’s soup and ugg kind of like when I tried Mcdonalds what did I just eat a while back. Makes you think about younger taste buds.

Crispy Fired chicken via Instant Pot and Airfryer
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Crispy Fired chicken via Instant Pot and Airfryer

Ingredients

  • Chicken thighs
  • Garlic cloves
  • Onion
  • Rosemary
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Crispy Breading

Coating

  • Gluten Free Panko breadcrumbs
  • Olive oil
  • Unsalted butter
  • Kosher salt to taste

Egg Wash part all in shallow bowl or plate

All-purpose gluten free flour or corn starch

Extra large eggs

Panko bread crumbs

How

  1. Pressure Cook the Chicken Thighs: Add onion, garlic, and rosemary to the bottom of the pressure cooker. Pour in 1 cup of cold running water and place a steamer basket into the pressure cooker. Place chicken thighs in the basket. Close lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes (small thighs) to 9 minutes (large thighs). Turn off the heat and Full Natural Release (roughly 10 minutes). Open the lid carefully.
  • Prepare the Crispy Breading: While the chicken thighs are pressure cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 – 1½ cup of panko breadcrumbs to the skillet. Toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown. Taste and add a small amount of kosher salt for seasoning.
  • Check with a food thermometer to ensure the chicken thighs have reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F on the thickest part without touching the bone. Remove the chicken thighs from the pressure cooker.
  • Meanwhile preheat oven: Preheat Air Fryer to 400°F while the pressure cooker is natural releasing. I suppose if you have one of the new ones or and adapter for the instant pot you will have to wait.  I have found that preheating the air fryer helps with the crispiness of whatever I’m cooking.
  • Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towel. Lightly season with salt and ground black pepper.
  • Lightly coat the chicken thighs with flour, dip them into the beaten eggs, and cover them with toasted buttery breadcrumbs. Very light spray of cooking oil on tray then place the chicken thighs in the Air Fryer quick another quick spray. I mean quick does not need much, and for roughly 5 to 10 minutes until the toasted breadcrumbs stick onto the chicken.

Note: I suppose you could make a gravy from the drippings in the instant pot but I prefer my fried chicken naked so to speak.

Now enjoy. This was gluten free from my wife, but I can’t wait to try with a traditional southern fried chicken coating anyone have suggestions.

Tried another batch this time I marinaded the thighs in buttermilk overnight and used italian breadcrumbs. Getting there but not quite up to southern fried chicken

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Roasted White Cabbage

The cabbage come out sweet and tender and is actually very good for you 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Cabbage

  • 1 small head of cabbage cut into 8 wedges
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Lemon

How

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

  • Brush both sides of each cabbage wedge with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over each wedge. Arrange wedges on a baking sheet.
  • Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes; flip cabbage and continue roasting until browned and charred in some areas, about 15 minutes more. Squeeze lemon over each wedge.
I forgot to take a picture so I borrowed this ione from www.seriouseats.com
I forgot to take a picture so I borrowed one from web at www.seriouseats.com
Air Fryer Parmesan Coated Pork Chops
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Air Fryer Parmesan Coated Pork Chops

I love pork chops, bone in, boneless, stuffed, fried mostly like the taste of the crunchy fat…shhhh don’t tell Lyn she would not approve. Anyway, I wanted to try something different in the air fryer so I looked at a lot of recipes and came up with my take. My only complaint is that it was maybe a little too salty, Cooking Channel salty if you know what I mean. But parmesan cheese does have a lot of salt. Any suggestion on the salt let me know.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 boneless pork chops
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

How

  1. I like to quick brine pork especially if I’m grilling. Water, Honey and about a tablespoon of salt for about 15 minutes. Rinse when done with fresh water.
  2. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels, then coat both sides with oil.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan and spices. Coat both sides of pork chops with Parmesan mixture.
  4. Place pork chops in basket of air fryer and cook at 375-400° for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Depending on the size you may need to adjust the time. I use an instant read thermometer about 145 degrees internal.