Winter Vegetables au Gratin
Ingredients
Serves 6
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 small fennel bulb, cored and sliced
6 thyme sprigs, leaves only
2 large russet potatoes, peeled, cut into ¼-in (0.5 cm) rounds
2 cups (500 ml) chopped chard
1¼ cups (310 ml) whipping cream
½ cup (125 ml) vegetable stock
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground nutmeg
1 cup (250 ml) + ½ cup (125 ml) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided
salt and white pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add butter, garlic and fennel. Sauté for another 5 minutes, then add thyme. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes, chard, cream, stock, nutmeg and 1 cup (250 ml) Parmesan. Add fennel mixture and gently toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Layer vegetables in an 8 x 11-in (20 x 28 cm) casserole dish, ensuring potatoes are lying flat. Pour remaining liquid over and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup (125 ml) Parmesan and bread crumbs.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until potatoes are soft. Remove foil and broil on high for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bread crumbs are golden brown.
Drink Pairings
BAKED YAMS WITH BROWN SUGAR MERINGUE
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
3 yams, scrubbed
1 tbsp (15 ml) butter, melted
1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
2 tsp (10 ml) salt, divided
3 egg whites
½ cup (125 ml) brown sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) cream of tartar
1 tsp (5 ml) coarse-flaked sea salt
1 handful arugula
1 tsp (5 ml) crushed multicoloured (or black) peppercorns
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Poke holes all over yams with a fork so they do not explode while baking. Toss yams in butter, garlic powder and 1 tsp (5 ml) salt. Bake on lined baking sheet until soft, about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make meringue. Fill a medium pot with about 2-in (5 cm) water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- In a medium heatproof mixing bowl that will fit over pot, combine egg whites, sugars, remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) salt and cream of tartar. Place bowl over simmering water and stir egg whites constantly with a heatproof spatula until they reach 175 F (80 C), about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove bowl from pot and whisk with an electric mixer until meringue is stiff and shiny, about 5 minutes.
- Spread meringue on a serving platter, cut yams in half and arrange them over meringue. Garnish with flaked sea salt, arugula and peppercorns.
Drink Pairings
CRÈME BRÛLÉE SUGAR COOKIES
Ingredients
Serves 35 cookies
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ¾ cup (175 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, room temperature
3 cups (750 ml) icing sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) Irish cream liqueur
½ cup (125 ml) packed light brown sugar
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar, divided
1 large egg
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 ml) cornstarch
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt
Instructions
- To make frosting, in bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add icing sugar and Irish cream and mix until well combined. Transfer to an airtight container, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Frosting may be made up to 1 week in advance.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In clean bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together remaining ¾ cup (175 ml) butter, brown sugar and ½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Add to ingredients in bowl of mixer and mix on low until well combined.
- Place tablespoon-sized balls of dough on lined baking sheets. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then bake until edges just start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to sit for 2 minutes on sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies may be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month.
- When ready to serve, place remaining ½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar in a small bowl. Spread 1 heaping tbsp (about 15 ml) frosting onto each cookie, then press into granulated sugar, coating frosting. Place on an unlined baking sheet, sprinkle a little extra sugar over top of each cookie and, using a kitchen torch placed very close to cookies, caramelize sugar. Set aside to cool a few minutes before serving.
Drink Pairings
Rum and Eggnog Tart
Ingredients
Serves 10
2¼ cups (560 ml) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (175 ml) icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
13 tbsp (195 ml) very cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten
grapeseed oil or cooking spray, for greasing
9 egg yolks, divided
1⅓ cups (325 ml) whipping cream
⅓ cup (75 ml) whole milk
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting
½ tsp (2.5 ml) grated fresh nutmeg, plus extra for dusting
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
3 tbsp (45 ml) spiced rum
Instructions
- In a food processor fitted with steel blade attachment, pulse together flour, icing sugar and salt. Scatter butter over dry ingredients and pulse 8 to 10 times, until butter is coarsely cut in. Add egg and process in long pulses, about 10 seconds each, until dough comes together in large clumps. Turn dough out onto a clean surface and, very sparingly, knead dough just to incorporate any dry ingredients that may have escaped mixing. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Lightly grease a 9-in (23 cm) fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with grapeseed oil or cooking spray.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper into a 16-in (41 cm) round, lifting and turning dough occasionally so it does not stick. Using paper as an aid, turn dough into prepared tart pan before peeling off paper. Press dough into edges and seal any cracks in dough. Trim overhang to ½-in (1.25 cm), reserving excess dough, then fold in overhang, doubling up sides. Pierce bottom of crust all over with fork. Freeze for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Stack excess pastry on top of itself and re-roll to about ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick. Using star-shaped cookie cutters in different sizes, cut out as many stars as possible. Place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Place oven rack in middle of oven and preheat to 375 F (190 C).
- Butter shiny side of a piece of aluminum foil and place it, buttered-side down, tightly against frozen crust. Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake crust for 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil. If crust has puffed up, press it down gently with back of a spoon. Bake crust 5 to 10 minutes longer, until firm but still pale. Transfer tart pan to a wire rack and cool crust to room temperature. Leave oven on.
- While crust cools, place 1 egg yolk in a bowl and whisk until liquefied. Brush chilled pastry stars with egg yolk, then bake until firm and golden brown, about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on size of stars. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Reduce oven temperature to 300 F (150 C).
- In a large saucepan, whisk together cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a hard simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a large, heatproof bowl, whisk together remaining 8 egg yolks and granulated sugar until lightly thickened and pale. While whisking, slowly pour hot cream mixture into egg mixture. Add rum and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a large glass measuring cup and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Carefully skim off and discard any foam that forms on surface of custard. You should be left with about 2½ cups (625 ml).
- Place cooled tart shell, still in pan, on a baking sheet and place in oven. Carefully pour custard into tart shell until it reaches top of pastry. Bake until custard is set around edges and just set in middle, about 30 to 40 minutes. Allow tart to cool to room temperature on a wire rack while still in pan.
- When ready to serve, remove tart from tart pan, place on a serving plate and lightly dust surface with cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired. Decorate tart with pastry stars. Dust some with icing sugar, some with cinnamon and leave some plain. Tart is best served the day it is made.
Drink Pairings
Cauliflower, Mushroom and Kale Sformato
Ingredients
Serves 6. May include egg and dairy.
1 lb (454 g) head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cups (500 ml) trimmed oyster mushrooms
1 bunch kale, washed, ribs removed, torn into small pieces
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, divided
3 tsp (15 ml) salt, divided
8 eggs
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
1 x 1 lb (500 g) tub ricotta cheese
½ cup (125 ml) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus ½ cup (125 ml) for garnish (optional)
8 roasted garlic cloves, lightly mashed
2 tbsp (30 ml) roasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Toss cauliflower, mushrooms and 1 handful of kale, each separately, in 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil and 1 tsp (5 ml) salt, and place them on separate baking sheets. Roast cauliflower and mushrooms in oven until golden brown and cooked through, about 20 to 40 minutes; they may be done at different times, so check after 20 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Reduce heat to 350 F (180 C) and roast kale for 10 to 15 minutes, or until edges are light brown. It will crisp up as it cools. Leave oven on.
- Blanch remaining kale in a pot of boiling salted water until soft and wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl of ice water. Once cool, drain and squeeze out remaining water. Finely chop and set aside.
- Mix together remaining 2 tsp (10 ml) salt, eggs, pepper, ricotta and ½ cup (125 ml) Parmigiano-Reggiano. Add blanched kale, roasted garlic and ¾ each of the roasted cauliflower and mushrooms. Grease a round 8-in (20 cm) springform pan and place on a baking sheet. Pour egg-ricotta mixture into springform and bake at 350 F (180 C) for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into middle comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before removing from pan.
- If making Parmigiano-Reggiano garnish, increase oven temperature to 375 F (190 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour ½ cup (125 ml) Parmigiano-Reggiano onto pan in a line about the height of the sformato. You may need to do 2, depending on length of baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes, or just until cheese has melted. Allow cheese to cool just until slightly firm and can be removed from pan in 1 piece. Press it against side of sformato while still warm and pliable.
- Garnish sformato with kale chips, pine nuts and remaining roasted cauliflower and mushrooms. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Drink Pairings
Squash and Goat's Cheese Tart
Ingredients
Serves 6. May include egg and dairy.
PASTRY DOUGH*
2½ cups (625 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) cold butter, cubed
¼ cup (60 ml) ice cold water, plus more if needed
FILLING
1 large kabocha squash, halved, seeds removed (about 2 lbs / 900 g)
2 oz (150 g) goat’s cheese, room temperature
½ cup (125 ml) + 1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream, room temperature, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk, room temperature
1 pinch cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground black pepper
3 tsp (15 ml) salt, divided
2 eggs
cooking spray, for greasing
3 shallots, peeled and halved
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 egg yolk
vegetable oil, for frying
2 tbsp (30 ml) toasted pine nuts
1 handful microgreens or flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- To make pastry, pulse flour, sugar, salt and butter in a food processor until mixture reaches a sandy consistency, with small pieces of butter throughout. If you do not have a food processor, cut butter into dry ingredients to desired size using a pastry cutter or your fingers.
- Slowly add in half the water while pulsing, until dough just comes together into a ball, adding more water if needed. If making by hand, mix gently with a fork just until dough comes together. Turn dough out onto a clean surface and gather together in a loose, flat disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours (or freeze for up to 1 month).
- To make kabocha chips, with a mandoline or vegetable peeler, carefully slice or peel 10 ⅛-in (0.25 cm) slices from 1 of the raw kabocha halves (with skin on). Set aside. Peel remaining squash and steam in a steamer, or in a medium saucepan with a lid with 1-in (2.5 cm) water, over medium heat until fork-tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool.
- Transfer 14 oz (400 g) (about 3 cups/750 ml) cooked squash to a blender (reserve any extra for another use). Add goat’s cheese, ½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream, milk, spices, pepper, 2 tsp (10 ml) salt and eggs. Blend until smooth, then tap blender jug on counter to release any air bubbles. Set aside until ready to use, or refrigerate for up to 1 day.
- Grease a 13.75 x 4.25-in (35 x 11 cm) rectangular tart pan with cooking spray and set aside. Leave pastry out at room temperature for 15 minutes to make it easier to roll. Roll out pastry on a floured surface into a ⅛-in (0.25 cm) thick rectangle measuring 1-in (2.5 cm) larger than your pan. Transfer pastry into pan by rolling it onto your rolling pin, then rolling it out onto pan. Gently push it into pan, then trim off edges. Lightly poke bottom of pastry all over with a fork. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- Toss shallots with olive oil and remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) salt and place on a baking sheet, cut-side down.
- Blind bake tart shell: place a circle of parchment paper inside pastry shell and fill it with uncooked rice or beans. Place tart pan on a baking sheet (to make it easier to move around) and bake for 20 minutes. At the same time, roast shallots until golden and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Remove tart shell and shallots from oven. Remove rice/beans and parchment from shell and discard or save for future use (for blind baking only—rice/beans will not cook properly or taste good after using to blind bake).
- Mix egg yolk with remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) whipping cream, then brush onto pastry. Return pastry to oven for 2 to 3 minutes, just until egg wash has set. Allow tart shell to cool to room temperature. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F (180 C).
- Pour squash filling into tart; it should reach just over ¾ of the way up. Bake tart for 30 to 40 minutes, or just until middle of tart is set and does not jiggle. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.
- In a small saucepan, deep fry thinly sliced kabocha in 1-in (2.5 cm) vegetable oil at 350 F (180 C) until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove to paper towel to drain.
- Just before serving, remove tart from pan and garnish with roasted shallots, kabocha chips, pine nuts and microgreens or parsley.
- *Can also be made using store bought pie dough. If doing so, skip steps 1 and 2 and introduce pastry at step 5.
Drink Pairings
Sugar and Spice Candied Nuts
Ingredients
Serves 1 lb (454 g)
⅓ cup (75 ml) dark brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
½ tsp (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper, or to taste
¼ tsp (1 ml) black pepper
2 tsp (10 ml) ground cinnamon
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tbsp (15 ml) water
1 lb (454 g) any combination raw, unsalted whole pecans, hazelnuts, cashews and/or almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine sugars, salt, cayenne, black pepper and cinnamon, ensuring there are no lumps. In a medium bowl, using a whisk, beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add nuts and stir to coat evenly. Add sugar/spice mixture and toss well until nuts are evenly coated.
- Spread nuts in an even single layer onto lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and using 2 forks, break up any clumps. Return to oven and continue baking for 8 to 10 more minutes, or until fragrant and golden brown. Allow to cool completely before packing into decorative jars for gifting.
Drink Pairings
Fig, Port and Rosemary Jam
Ingredients
Serves about 3 cups (enough to fill six ½ cup (125 ml) jars)
¾ cup (175 ml) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 ml) + ¼ cup (60 ml) water, divided, plus extra as needed
¾ cup (175 ml) + ¼ cup (60 ml) port, divided, plus extra as needed
1 lb (454 g) dried Mission figs, stemmed and halved
¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) + 1 tsp (5 ml) finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves, plus 6 sprigs for garnish (optional)
1 pinch salt
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, 1 cup (250 ml) water, ¾ cup (175 ml) port, figs, lemon juice, rosemary and salt. Bring just to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until figs have softened considerably. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, pulse mixture until smooth, adding a little more water or port to loosen it if necessary. To finish, fold in remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) water and ¼ cup (60 ml) port. Jam should be thick but spreadable.
- Divide jam between six ½-cup (125 ml/4 oz) jars and seal with lids. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. This jam is excellent with cheese. To gift, wrap string around the jar and attach a rosemary sprig, if desired.
Drink Pairings
CACIO E PEPE SHORTBREAD
Ingredients
Serves approximately 36 shortbread
1 cup (250 ml) salted butter, softened
1 tbsp (15 ml) + 1 tsp (5 ml) coarsely ground black pepper, toasted until fragrant in a dry pan, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) + 1 tbsp (15 ml) icing sugar, sifted
¾ tsp (4 ml) salt
1½ cups (375 ml) flour
½ cup (125 ml) semolina flour
1 cup (250 ml) + ¼ cup (60 ml) packed finely grated Grana Padano cheese, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine butter, 1 tbsp (15 ml) pepper, icing sugar and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue beating for another 2 to 3 minutes. Mixture should be thick and creamy. Add flour and semolina and mix just to incorporate; do not over beat. Add 1 cup (250 ml) grated Grana Padano and mix to combine.
- Transfer dough to a clean surface and divide into 3 equal rounds. Roll each round into about 7-in (18 cm) long logs. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. At this point, logs can be wrapped and kept in refrigerator, up to 1 week, or frozen until ready to bake, up to 1 month. If freezing, allow to thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a shallow dish, combine remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) Grana Padano and 1 tsp (5 ml) pepper. Brush logs with olive oil and roll them in cheese-pepper mixture to coat edges. Slice logs into ¾-in (2 cm) rounds and place on lined baking sheets. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until edges begin to brown and shortbread is just firm to the touch. Transfer to a cooling rack. To gift, pack shortbread into clear cellophane bags and tie with a decorative ribbon.
Drink Pairings
White Chocolate Truffles with Rose and Pistachio
Ingredients
Serves about 30 truffles
¾ cup (175 ml) whipping cream
¾ lb (340 g) + ⅓ lb (175 g) finely chopped high quality white chocolate, divided
6 tbsp (90 ml) unsalted butter
½ tsp (2.5 ml) best quality rose water, or to taste
1½ tsp (7 ml) Grand Marnier (optional)
1 pinch salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely crushed edible dried rose petals
⅔ cup (150 ml) chopped toasted pistachios
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Remove from heat and immediately add ¾ lb (340 g) chocolate, butter, rose water and Grand Marnier, if using. Gently whisk until chocolate and butter are melted and mixture is completely smooth. Pour into a shallow container, cover and refrigerate until fully set, preferably overnight.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a piping bag with a ½-in (1.25 cm) round nozzle (or a plastic freezer bag with ½-in (1.25 cm) snipped off from one corner). Spoon chocolate mixture into bag and pipe 1-in (2.5 cm) mounds onto lined baking sheet. Place sheet in freezer for 2 hours, or until truffles are solid.
- In a shallow bowl, combine crushed rose petals and pistachios and set aside.
- In a small pot, bring water to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place remaining ⅓ lb (175 g) chocolate in a small heatproof bowl that will fit over pot. Place bowl over pot of simmering water and melt chocolate slowly, stirring, until smooth. Turn off heat, leaving bowl over pot so chocolate remains liquid.
- To roll the truffles, this step is a bit messy, so having an extra pair of hands here can be quite helpful. Wearing thin plastic gloves, smear a little melted chocolate into your palm with a spoon. Carefully pick up a truffle (they will be quite soft) and quickly but gently roll it in a circular motion between your palms to make a thin even coating of chocolate and round out shape. Place truffle into pistachio mixture and roll it around with a fork to coat evenly. Set it on parchment-lined baking sheet; repeat with remaining truffles. Remove gloves and quickly roll each truffle between your palms once more to help pistachios adhere and to finish shaping. Place truffles back on baking sheet and return to freezer to set overnight.
- Once set, store truffles in refrigerator overnight, or in freezer for up to 1 month, well covered, until ready to pack into decorative boxes for gifting. These delicate confections need to be refrigerated until serving.