Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Breakfast Pizza


Ingredients:

pizza dough
pesto
parmesan cheese
proscuitto
1 egg

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. Roll out the dough and spread with pesto. Top with parmesan cheese, proscuitto, and spices.

3. When the oven is ready, crack an egg on the pizza and cook for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Decadent Chocolate Tart


Ingredients:

Chocolate Pastry Dough:

1 1/8 cups all purpose flour
1/8 cup sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp ice water

Chocolate Filling:

8 oz dark chocolate, cut into pieces
6 tbsp butter, cut into pieces
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. To make the pastry dough: pulse the flour, sugar, cocoa and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. Add the yolk, vanilla and water and process until mixture begins to hold together. If the dough is dry, add more water.

2. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

3. Then, roll out the dough and line a tart pan, making sure you press it well into the pan. Prick the dough with a fork and bake in a preheated oven at 340 degrees for about 17-20 minutes. Let it cool.

4. To make the filling: melt the chocolate and butter in a pan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Then remove from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.

5. Whisk together the eggs, cream, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until combined.

6. Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Bake until the filling 1 inch from the crust is fully set and slightly puffed and the center is a bit wobbly. This should take about 25 minutes. The center will continue to set as it cools.

7. Top with powdered sugar or serve alongside ice cream and strawberries.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Lentil, Parsnip & Kale Soup


Ingredients:

1 lb brown lentils
6-7 cups chicken stock
3 parsnips, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
3 ribs of celery, chopped
1 cup kale, chopped
extra virgin olive oil
herbs and spices

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot, saute the onion and celery in olive oil for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the chopped parsnips and keep cooking together for another 5-8 minutes.

2. Add the lentils, kale, chicken stock to the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add preferred herbs and spices such as bay leaves, cumin, chili powder, thyme, salt and pepper.

3. Cook for about 1 hour, adding extra chicken stock if necessary. Season again if necessary. Enjoy!