52 posts tagged “water”

Caramel Apple French Toast
Yields 6 servings

1 cup brown sugar
3 Tablespoons clear Karo syrup
6 Tablespoons butter
whole pecans
3 Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon corn starch
12 slices Texas Toast or 1" thick cut French bread
12 oz. cream cheese
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup whipping cream or half and half cream
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon (or 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon nutmeg)

Grease generously 13"x9" glass pan. Combine sugar, syrup, butter and boil in pan for one minute. Pour and spread over bottom of greased pan. Sprinkle with pecans. Combine apples, water, cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice and cook, stirring constantly, in pan over medium heat just until apples begin to soften. Add cornstarch and continue to stir until thickened. Remove from heat.

Thickly spread cream cheese over 6 slices of bread and place in single layer to
cover caramel mixture in pan (cream cheese side up). Distribute apple mixture
over bread/cream cheese layer. Cover with remaining 6 slices of bread.Blend together eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and gently pour over bread layers in pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight (not more than 24 hours). Remove cover and bake at 350F., 60 minutes or until brown and slightly puffy. Immediately invert each serving on plate, sprinkle with powdered sugar, top with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with pecans, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

NOTE: Fresh pears or peaches may be substituted for apples with cinnamon/nutmeg
seasoning. Fresh raspberries or strawberries may also be sprinkled over apple
mixture stuffing for additional color and flavor.

Potato Seafood Chowder
Serves 6

2 pounds littleneck clams, well scrubbed
2 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 celery stalks, strings removed, sliced 1/8 inch thick
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 dried bay leaf
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 pound firm white fish, such as cod or red snapper, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Place clams and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover, and bring the water to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the clams have opened, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove clams, discard shells, and pass the broth through a cheesecloth-lined sieve, reserving the broth and clams separately. Set both aside.

Melt butter in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and celery, and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add flour, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the reserved clam broth and the potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Uncover, and add fish and shrimp. Cover, and simmer until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add half-and-half and the reserved clams; season with salt and pepper. Heat through, but do not return to a boil.

Zalabia
Serves 6

5 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups water
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon rose or orange-blossom water
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (1/4 ounce) instant dry yeast
2 2/3 cups warm water
Vegetable oil, for frying, plus more for coating spoons

To make the syrup: Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat, and simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Add rose or orange-blossom water, and simmer for a few seconds longer. Remove from heat, and let cool. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

To make the batter: Whisk to combine flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Gradually stir in water, beating vigorously until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for at least 1 1/4 hours. Uncover, and beat once more. Cover, and let rise again, about 30 minutes. Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375 degrees;. Dip two tablespoons in a small bowl of oil to coat. Working in batches, spoon about a tablespoon of batter into hot oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until puffed, crisp, and golden. Reduce the heat a little so that the fritters are thoroughly cooked without getting too brown. The light batter produces irregular rather than round fritters. Using a slotted spoon, remove fritters, and transfer to a paper towel–lined baking sheet to drain. Dip fritters in the cold syrup for a few seconds to coat and soak up some syrup. These are best served hot, but they may also be served at room temperature.

Peasant Bread
Makes 2 loaves

2 cups plus 1 tablespoon warm water, 100 degrees to 110 degrees
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup Sponge, pulled into small pieces (recipe follows)
6 cups bread flour
1/2 cup white, light, or medium rye flour
1 tablespoon salt

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 1/4 cup water and yeast. Let stand until yeast is foamy, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup more water and sponge; mix on low speed using paddle, about 2 minutes. Add flours, salt, and remaining water; mix 1 minute more. Using dough hook, mix on medium-low speed, pulling dough from hook 2 or 3 times, until dough is soft and sticks to fingers when squeezed, about 8 minutes. Or knead by hand, 15 to 20 minutes.
On a floured surface, knead dough into a ball by hand, 4 or 5 turns. Place smooth side up in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until tripled in bulk, about 3 hours.

Turn dough onto floured surface. Flour top, and cut in half. Roll up one piece of dough lengthwise, flatten slightly, and roll lengthwise again. On an unfloured surface, cup your hands around the sides of the dough and move it in small, circular motions, until top of dough is rounded and bottom is smooth. Flour a piece of parchment, and place dough on it; cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap, then cover with a towel. Repeat process with second piece of dough. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 50 minutes. Thirty minutes before this final rise is completed, place a baking stone or baking sheet in the oven and an empty baking pan on the lowest shelf; heat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle dough with flour, and dimple the surface with your fingertips; let rise 10 minutes more. Using a baker’s peel or baking sheet, slide loaves and parchment onto the baking stone or baking sheet. Pour 2 cups very hot water into the heated baking pan to create steam. Bake until dark golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Sponge
Makes about 3 1/2 cups
1 1/2 cups warm water, 100 to 110 degrees
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups bread flour

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 1/4 cup warm water and yeast. Let stand until yeast is creamy, about 10 minutes. Add remaining water and flour; mix on low speed, 2 minutes. It will be the consistency of a wet dough. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover; let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before using. Can be refrigerated for one week or frozen up to three months.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Makes 2 loaves

2 cups plus 1 1/2 teaspoons warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
5 3/4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons nonfat powdered milk
4 teaspoons sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 cups dark raisins
Canola oil, for bowl and plastic wrap
3/4 cup sugar
7 teaspoons cinnamon
1 large egg, beaten
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 large egg white, beaten

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 1/4 cup warm water and yeast. Let sit until yeast is foamy, about 10 minutes. Add flour, powdered milk, sugar, salt, 3 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 3/4 cups warm water. Mix, using the paddle attachment, on low speed for 1 minute. Change to dough hook, and mix on medium-low speed for 7 minutes. Or knead by hand, 15 or 20 minutes. Add raisins, and mix on medium-low speed until dough is firm but not dry, 3 minutes.

Transfer to a lightly floured surface, and knead by hand into a ball. Place dough, smooth side up, in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.

Butter two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans generously, and set aside. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon, and set aside. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, and cut in half. Cover one piece of dough loosely with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Press the other piece of dough into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle. Brush with half of the beaten egg, sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar, and drizzle with half the melted butter. Rub the surface with the back of a spoon to blend butter and cinnamon sugar. Starting at a short end, roll up dough tightly, and pinch together along crease. Roll the dough back and forth to make it cylindrical, and pinch the ends together. Transfer to a loaf pan, seam side down, and cover loosely with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Repeat process with second piece of dough. Let loaves rise in a warm place, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Thirty minutes before this final rise is completed, place a baking stone, if using, in the lower third of oven. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Brush tops of loaves with egg white, and sprinkle each loaf with 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Bake 15 minutes; lower oven to 400 degrees;, and bake 15 minutes more. Remove from oven; cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Makes two 9-inch loaves

3 1/2 cups warm water
3 tablespoons honey
2 active dry yeast, (1/4 ounce each)
1 1/2 pounds (about 4 1/2 cups) bread flour, plus more for dusting
1 1/2 pounds (about 4 1/2 cups) whole-wheat flour
5 ounces (about 1 cup) wheat germ
2 tablespoons coarse salt
Vegetable oil, for bowl, pans, and plastic wrap
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Combine warm water, honey, and yeast in a large liquid measuring cup; stir until yeast dissolves. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk 1 pound 5 ounces (about 4 cups) bread flour with whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, and salt. Make a well in the center. Pour in yeast mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon, gradually drawing in dry ingredients until combined.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently knead in remaining 3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) bread flour a little at a time until dough is smooth and elastic, 10 to 15 minutes. Place in a lightly oiled bowl; cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees; with rack in center. Brush two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with oil. Punch down dough with your fist then turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough in half. Flatten one half into an oval approximately the length of the pan, and roll up lengthwise, gently pressing as you go to form a tight log. Place the log, seam side down, into a prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover loaf pans with oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 30 to 45 minutes.

Using a lame or a razor blade, slash loaves down the center in one quick, even motion. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with the heavy cream; brush over the tops of the loaves. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until bread is deep golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes. (If tops are browning too quickly during the last 30 minutes of baking, tent with aluminum foil.) Transfer pans to a wire rack, and let cool 5 minutes. Turn out the loaves onto the rack to cool completely before serving.

Rosemary Bread
Makes 2 loaves

1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary, plus 1 Tablespoon whole leaves
1 1/2 cups plus 1 Teaspoon all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 cup whole-wheat flour

Stir together yeast and the warm water in the bowl of an electric mixer. Let stand until foamy, about 7 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water, the olive oil, sugar, salt, chopped rosemary, 11/2 cups allpurpose flour, and the whole-wheat flour to bowl. Fit mixer with the dough hook; mix on low speed until dough comes together, about 1 minute. Raise speed to medium-high; mix until dough is smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl. Shape dough into a ball, and transfer to oiled bowl. Loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough; let rest, covered, 15 minutes. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and divide in half. Roll one piece into an 11-inch-long loaf. Gently twist dough to create contours, then tuck ends underneath. Transfer to a baking sheet. Press half the rosemary leaves into loaf. Repeat with remaining piece of dough.

Loosely cover baking sheet with plastic wrap, and let loaves rise slightly in a warm, draft-free spot 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees; Dust loaves with remaining teaspoon all-purpose flour. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Bread Baker's Fruit Tart
Serves 8

2 baking apples such as Rome, Cortland, or Jonamac, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 to 4 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for skillet
All-purpose flour, for work surface
1 pound Cinnamon Roll Dough (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees; with rack in center. In a medium bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Toss to combine. In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add apples, and cook, stirring frequently until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.

Butter a second 10-inch cast-iron skillet. (Alternatively butter a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, placed on a baking sheet without the bottom.) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Flatten it into a 9-inch square. Dot the 8 tablespoons butter over the dough. Roll the dough up, pinching the edges to seal. Fold dough in half. Dust work surface with flour. Knead gently to distribute butter evenly. Flatten the dough into a 10-inch round.

Fit into prepared skillet, pressing and dimpling dough with your fingers. Prick all over with the tip of a knife. Spread apple mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and sprinkle with remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, depending on the sweetness of the apples. Bake until edges are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. Serve warm or room temperature. Refrigerate if keeping longer than one day.

Cinnamon Roll Dough
Makes about 5 pounds

Vegetable oil, for oiling bowl
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
5 cups warm (110 degrees) water
10 to 13 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/2 cup dark-brown sugar
1 tablespoon salt

Lightly oil a large bowl; set aside. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water. Add 5 cups flour, and stir to combine. Stir in the sugar and salt. Add remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring until a sticky dough forms. When the dough becomes too stiff to stir, turn it out onto a well-floured work surface. Knead, incorporating only as much flour as needed to make a smooth and elastic dough, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
Recipe courtesy of Donatella Arpaia
Serves 4

4 sweet Italian sausages (about 1 pound), casing removed and crumbled
1 pound Fresh Semolina Orecchiette (recipe follows)
1 pound broccoli rabe, washed, trimmed, and cut into 3-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Place sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a bowl; set sausage and skillet aside.

Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt, return to a boil and add broccoli rabe. Cook 1 minute and drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid; set aside.
Bring a second large pot of water to a boil. Add salt, return to a boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes; drain.

Place reserved skillet over medium-high heat and add oil, broccoli rabe, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Return sausage to the skillet along with the orecchiette. Stir to combine, adding reserved cooking liquid if pasta seems too dry; sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

Fresh Semonlina Orecchiette
Makes 1 pound

1 cup semolina
2 1/4 cups "00" flour, plus more for dusting (if you can't find this can substitute 1/2 flour and 1/2 cake flour)
1 cup lukewarm water
Pinch of salt

Sift semolina and "00" flour together onto a large work surface to form a mound. Make a well in the center. Pour water into the well and add salt. Using a fork, slowly incorporate flours, beginning with inner rim of well, into the water until it forms a dough. Gather dough together to form a rounded mass. Begin kneading with the palms of your hand until dough becomes smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Divide dough in half and wrap each with plastic wrap. Let rest 1 hour.

Cut each piece of dough in half. Working with one piece at a time, roll out dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into 1-inch-thick strips and roll into 1/2-inch-thick rope. Cut rope crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces and lightly dust with flour. Repeat process with remaining dough.

Press each piece of dough along the blade of a butter knife and turn over with your thumb; place orecchiette on a floured baking sheet. Cover until ready to use. Repeat process with remaining pieces.

Coconut Cream Pie
Serves 12

1 large whole egg, lightly beaten, plus 4 large eggs, separated, plus 3 egg whites
All-purpose flour, for dusting
Pate Brisee (Pie Dough) (recipe follows)
1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
2/3 cup cream of coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

In a small bowl, whisk together whole egg with 2 teaspoons water to make an egg glaze; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pie dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Transfer the crust to a 9-inch-round pie tin, and press it into the bottom edges and up the sides. Using scissors or a sharp knife, trim the dough so it overhangs the tin by about 1 inch. Turn overhanging dough under, forming a rim, and crimp the edges of the pastry. Lightly prick the bottom of the dough with a fork; brush the rim with the beaten egg. Transfer crust to freezer for 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees; with rack positioned in the lower third. Remove crust from freezer, and carefully line it with parchment paper, gently pressing the parchment into the edges of the crust; weigh down parchment with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until the edges of the pastry begin to turn golden, about 15 minutes. Carefully remove the pie weights and the parchment paper. Continue to bake until crust is golden brown in color, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the crust to a wire rack to cool completely.Place 1/4 cup of the unsweetened coconut flakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

To prepare the filling: Combine cornstarch, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in milk and cream of coconut. Set over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until bubbling and thick, about 5 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk 4 egg yolks. Slowly whisk hot milk mixture into egg yolks. Return mixture to saucepan, and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture returns to a boil, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and butter. Fold in remaining 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes. Transfer custard to a medium bowl, place over an ice bath, and cover the surface of the custard with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside.

To prepare the meringue: Combine 7 egg whites and remaining 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the whites are hot to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes.

Transfer the bowl to the electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat, starting on low speed for 1 to 2 minutes and gradually increasing to high speed, until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 10 minutes.

Heat the broiler with the rack positioned in lower third of oven. Transfer the custard to the cooled crust. Using a large spatula, pile the meringue onto the center of the custard. Lightly spread the meringue over the custard so it touches the edges of the piecrust, sealing well to avoid shrinkage. Transfer assembled pie to broiler; broil until meringue turns golden brown, just a few seconds, watching constantly. Transfer pie to a wire rack to cool, at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup toasted coconut. Slice, and serve. Refrigerate any leftover pie.

Pate Brisee
Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator, and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.