Cranberry Relish

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Cranberry sauce has long been my favorite thing at the Thanksgiving dinner table. For many years I preferred the kind from the can. There was something about that sweet-tart magenta cylinder of gelatin that I adored. Then I made my own a few years ago, and couldn’t go back to store-bought. Imagine that!

At first I started with a pure, unadulterated cranberry sauce. But over the years I’ve added things. Orange juice and zest, as well as toasted pecans. It’s sweet, it’s savory, it’s tart – it’s wonderful. And, leftovers are killer on turkey sandwiches. I’m looking forward to sharing a few other Thanksgiving recipes with you guys next week, so make sure to check back. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Cranberry Relish

12 oz fresh cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
zest from 1 orange or tangerine
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup pecan halves

Toast the pecans in a small, dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes – until starting to brown and are fragrant. Set aside to cool, and then roughly chop.

In a large saucepan combine the cranberries, sugar, water, and orange juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once cranberries begin to burst, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat, and stir in pecans and orange zest. Place into small serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Whole Wheat Pita Bread

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I’m always trying to incorporate more whole grains into my family’s diet – but I try to go about it in ways that they don’t even see coming. Like, this pita bread for instance. I’ve been making my own pitas for years now. If you’re new to bread making, pita bread is a great place to start. It’s relatively easy, and even quick – in the scheme of bread making. I usually start my dough around 3 PM, nd by 6, we’re enjoying warm fresh pitas.

Last week I thought, let me switch it up a little and try making something new. So I tried the whole wheat version of my favorite pita dough. It has a slightly nuttier flavor quality, and a little more chew to the bread. But honestly, both of those qualities are welcomed in my home when it comes to bread! I think these will definitely be our go to pitas from now on. Healthier? Check. Tastier? Check. Kids gobbled it up? Check.  And, leftovers always make awesome pita pizzas for the next day’s lunch.

If you’ve never tried making your own pita bread at home, I highly encourage it. You’ll never be able to go back to store bought pitas again!

Whole Wheat Pita Bread

2 1/4 tsp. instant yeast
1 tbsp. honey
1 1/4 cups warm water, divided
1 1/2 cups bread flour, divided
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, divided
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. salt
Cornmeal, for sprinkling

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, honey and 1/2 cup of the water.  Stir gently to blend.  Whisk 1/4 cup of the bread flour and 1/4 cup of the whole wheat flour into the yeast mixture until smooth.  Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside until doubled in bulk and bubbly, about 45 minutes.

Return the bowl to the mixer stand, fitted with the dough hook.  Add in the remaining 3/4 cup of warm water, 1 1/4 cups bread flour, 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour, olive oil and salt.  Knead on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.  Transfer the ball of dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Once the dough has risen, transfer to a lightly floured work surface, punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces.  Form each piece into a ball.  Flatten one ball at a time into a disk, then roll or stretch out into a 7 inch circle.  Transfer the rounds to a baking sheet or other work surface lightly sprinkled with cornmeal.  Once all the rounds have been shaped, loosely cover with clean kitchen towels.  Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, until slightly puffy.

While dough is rising, place an oven rack in the middle position.  Place a baking stone in the oven (if using) and preheat to 500? F.

Transfer 4 pitas onto the baking surface, or directly onto oven rack. Bake 2 minutes, until puffed and pale golden.  Gently flip the pitas over using tongs and bake 1 minute more.  Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.  Repeat with the remaining pitas.  Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Source:  adapted from Gourmet via Confections of a Foodie Bride

Porcini & Pumpkin Ale Mac & Cheese

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The first time I tired a beer mac & cheese, it was bad – reaaaaaallly bad. I used a hoppy pale ale, which in retrospect, was definitely not the best choice. That was about a year ago now, and a recent trip to Dogfish Head’s Brewpub got me thinking about the concept again. They have a delicious porcini macaroni and cheese on the menu there. We’d been planning a trip there for about a month now, but keep having to put it off for one reason or another – sickness, hurricanes, whatever. So, I made my own version at home this week – adding in a bit of our home brewed pumpkin ale, and it turned out absolutely incredible. Maybe even better than the original!

It’s really no more effort than a standard macaroni and cheese recipe, aside from soaking the porcini mushrooms before hand. It never ceases to amaze me the flavor punch that those little dried mushrooms contain. Love, love, love them! I’ve already added it to our menu for next week, this one is most definitely a winner!

Porcini and Pumpkin Ale Mac & Cheese

1 oz. dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup cremini mushrooms, chopped
1 shallot, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound (16 oz.) small pasta shape, such as shells
6 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup Pumpkin ale (such as Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Fontina cheese, grated
1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
kosher salt

Boil water and 1 tbsp kosher salt in a large stockpot. Once boiling, add pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Drain, rinsing pasta with cold water, and set aside until ready to use.

Place the dried mushrooms in a microwavable-safe bowl and cover with water. Cook on high for 30 seconds, and let sit and rehydrate for 10 minutes. Strain, and rougly chop.

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter. Add the cremini mushroom and shallot, and saute for about 3 minutes, until starting to brown on the edge. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the flour, and let cook, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the beer, as well as the milk, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens. Add in cheese and chopped porcini mushrooms, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add pasta to the saucepan with the cheese sauce, and mix to combine. Place in 2 quart cassarole dish, sprinkle the breadcrumbs on the top, and bake for 1 hour or until browned and bubbly.

Source: inspired by Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats

French Onion Soup

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We just got back from a week long cruise to the Bahamas. We (all of us – Jon and myself, as well as the boys, and my mom and dad!) left out of Norfolk, VA last Sunday, and had a great trip. We stayed at the gorgeous Atlantis Resort in Nassau overnight – then got back on the ship and went onto Freeport the next day. It’s unbelievably gorgeous down there. I mean, I live at the beach – but it’s just a world apart. We went snorkeling, ate a fresh grouper sandwich right on the beach – washing it down with a local beer. Everyone had a great time!

On the night that we weren’t onboard the ship, one of the starter course selections was French Onion soup. I was bummed that I was missing it – but with this view, I couldn’t really cry into my pillow.

I just resolved to make it for dinner once we got back (food bloggers – forever planning menus!). Which, was a good call. It’s definitely chillier here since our return, and the soup really hit the spot. Plus, aside from caramelizing the onions – it takes care of itself, and does it’s own thing.

I’ve always used Julia Child’s recipe. I mean, why wouldn’t you? She is the one who introduced the dish to Americans. I love addition of white wine, just gives it a lovely tanginess in the background. Vermouth can also be used, if you don’t feel like uncorking a whole bottle. But again, why wouldn’t you? I made some beef broth the day before using some bones I had in the freezer, but Campbell’s makes a really great canned beef broth that I’ll use if I don’t have homemade. The cognac is optional, but I think it really does bring something to the party. I just ladled out some for the boys before I added it. No biggie. This is one of the most comforting and flavorful soups out there, and it’s perfect for any occasion. A simple dinner at home, or as a starter in a fancy dining room on a cruise ship – everyone always loves it!

French Onion Soup

3 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon olive oil
5 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar (to help caramelize the onions)
3 Tablespoons flour
8 cups beef or vegetable stock, at a boil
1 cup dry white wine
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
3 Tablespoons cognac (optional)
6-8 slices of toasted French bread rounds
1 cups grated Gruyere cheese

Melt the butter and oil over low heat in a heavy soup pot. Stir in the onions, cover, and sweat until they are tender; this will take about 15 to 25 minutes.  Remove the cover, increase heat to medium, and stir in the salt and sugar. Cook 30-40 minutes, stirring often, until the onions have turned an even, very deep, golden brown. Sprinkle in the flour; cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes.

Off the heat, whisk in the boiling stock. Add the wine and rosemary. Season to taste. Place the pot back on the heat, bring to a simmer. Continue to simmer, partially covered, for 40-60 minutes or more, skim foam from surface as it appears.  Taste and correct seasonings. At this point you may set it aside, uncovered, until you are ready to serve.

When ready to serve, with the soup at a simmer, stir in the cognac. Turn on oven broiler.

Ladle soup into individual oven-proof bowls. Place a piece of toasted bread on top of sou sprinkle generously with grated cheese and place under broiler until melted and bubbly.

Source: adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child