FOOD NETWORK – Page 2 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

These cookies are meant to be dense because they are served warm with ice cream or drizzled caramel. For best results do NOT just eat them directly from the jar. If you want to just eat the cookie only, for the best flavor and texture heat it in the microwave for 15 seconds first 😀

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES ala MOLLY YEH

Level: Easy Total: 45 min Active: 25 min Yield: 12 servings

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups light brown sugar
2 LARGE eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Flaky salt, for sprinkling

Place an oven rack in the middle position.
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper an set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder until combined. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar until JUST combined, scraping down the bottom and sides as needed.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat to incorporate.
Add the flour mixture and mix slowly until JUST BARELY combined.
Mix in the chocolate chips.
Scoop out a slightly-heaping, 1/2-cup scoop of dough and place on a prepared baking sheet.
Lightly press the dough to flatten into the shape of a hockey puck. Repeat with the remaining dough, placing 6 cookies on each baking sheet and making sure to evenly space apart.
Sprinkle the tops with flaky salt.
Bake the cookies until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top, 15 to 20 minutes.

NOTES:

The additional flour in this recipe makes for a more substantial cookie that stays firm. The recipe I’ve been using for decades uses 3 1/2 cups flour and only 1 teaspoon of salt.
Molly’s recipe called for semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips. The flavor of chips is up to you and your flavor palette. I used semi-sweet mini chips and milk chocolate.
After placing on baking sheet they can be frozen for use at a later date. If baking from frozen start checking the cookies for doneness at the 20 minute mark.

CHICKEN & DUMPLING SOUP

LOL 😀 It must be a Midwestern thing 😀

This would have been Molly Yeh’s recipe with very few changes until I realized I was making my great grans chicken and noodles minus the pasta and thickener. The dumplings are Molly’s MIL’s recipe though.

CHICKEN & DUMPLING SOUP – the items highlighted in blue are used in the second step.

Level: Easy Total: 3 hr 5 min Active: 1 hr 10 min Yield: 4 to 6 servings

SOUP BASE
One 3 1/2-pound whole chicken
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, MINCED
2 sprigs FRESH thyme
3 large carrots, 1 cut into large chunks and 2 thinly sliced
3 large celery stalks, 1 cut into large chunks and 2 thinly sliced
2 medium yellow onions, 1 quartered and 1 chopped
2 medium parsnips, 1 cut into large chunks and 1 thinly sliced
6 sprigs fresh dill, 3 left whole and 3 chopped (I omitted this – I’m just NOT a dill fan)
2 BIG sprigs of sage
3 LARGE sprigs of Rosemary
6 sprigs FRESH flat-leaf parsley, 3 left whole and 3 chopped, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
FRESH ground black pepper

Combine the chicken, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, thyme, carrot chunks, celery chunks, quartered onion, parsnip chunks and 3 sprigs parsley in a large pot.
Cover with 5 quarts of cold water to cover by 2 inches and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer 1 1/2-2 hours, uncovered, until the chicken is very tender. The longer the better for the the flavor.
Add more water, as needed, skimming off scum and some fat, if desired.
Carefully strain the stock, discarding everything (veggies and herbs) except for the chicken. You should have 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 quarts of stock.
Set the chicken aside to cool briefly while you put together the rest of the soup.
Return the strained stock to the pot and bring it to a simmer.
Add the second step portions of sliced carrot, sliced celery, chopped onion, sliced parsnip, chopped parsley and the salt.
Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

DUMPLINGS (Molly’s MIL’s recipe)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
A few fresh grinds whole nutmeg
3 LARGE eggs

In a small saucepan, bring the butter and 3/4 cup water to a boil.
Remove from the heat and stir in the flour.
Let cool for a few minutes so it’s not so hot that it will cook the eggs, then whisk in the salt, sugar, nutmeg and the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated into a slightly lumpy thick batter. (It’ll take a little work to whisk in the eggs.)
Drop heaping teaspoons of the dumpling mixture into the simmering soup, then cover and cook until the vegetables are tender and the dumplings are cooked through; begin checking for doneness at 15 minutes.
Pull the chicken meat off the bones and chop into bite-sized pieces.
Season it with salt, then add it to the soup along with the ground black pepper.
Taste and add more salt as needed. TASTE AND REPEAT. ADJUST SEASONINGS UNTIL IT TASTES PERFECT TO YOU!
Serve, garnishing with fresh parsley.

CITRUS VINAIGRETTE SALAD with GOAT CHEESE WONTON CROUTONS

This recipe is an adaptation of a Molly Yeh recipe. The croutons are still hers, but I adapted the actual salad and vinaigrette to our likes. 😀

CITRUS VINAIGRETTE SALAD with Wonton Croutons

Level: Intermediate Total: 50 min Active: 50 min Yield: 4 to 6 servings

1 LARGE navel orange, segmented with pith and peel removed
1 can mandarin oranges and juice (use juice in the vinaigrette)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons avocado oil
Torn romaine lettuce
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 green onions, sliced thin
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon toasted white sesame seeds
Vinaigrette from below
Fried Wonton Croutons from below

Place the lettuce in a large serving bowl.
Add the onions and tomatoes.
Drizzle with the dressing, tossing to coat.
Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
Top with orange segments, sesame seeds and Wontons.
Drizzle with more dressing, as needed.
Serve immediately.

CITRUS VINAIGRETTE yields 1 cup
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice wine vinegar
1/2 – 3/4 cup avocado oil
3 tablespoons FRESH lemon juice (2 medium lemons)
3 tablespoons FRESH orange juice (1 LARGE orange, mandarin orange juice from above or a combination of both)
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 clove garlic, FINELY minced

Whisk together all ingredients until well-combined and emulsified.
Store in the refrigerator no longer than 3 days since it contains fresh garlic.
Shake WELL before each use.

FRIED GOAT CHEESE WONTON CROUTONS ala Molly Yeh
Neutral oil, for frying
3 ounces (84 grams) soft goat cheese
1/4 cup (7 grams) chopped fresh chives
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
12 wonton wrappers

FILLING

Heat about 2 inches neutral oil in a large saucepan to 365.°
Fill a small bowl with water.
Set a wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside.
Combine the goat cheese, chives, honey, a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
Mash with a spoon to combine.

WONTONS

Lay out the wonton wrappers and add 1 teaspoon filling to the center of each.
To seal, dip your finger in the water and wet the perimeter of the wrapper.
With your thumb and forefinger, fold 2 opposite corners of the wrapper in half and then bring them together to meet in the middle.
Pinch to seal.
Repeat with the remaining 2 opposite corners to create a four-cornered star.
Add half of the wontons to the oil and fry, turning occasionally, until crisp and deep golden, 2 to 3 minutes. DO NOT CROWD PAN.
Drain on the wire rack.
Season with salt.
Repeat with the remaining wontons.

NO KNEAD BREAD

This is a SUPER easy to use with other meats and/or make sweet instead of savory. Thanks Molly! 😀

NO KNEAD BREAD

Level: Easy Active: 30 min Yield: 6 servings
Total: 16 hr 50 min (includes overnight rising and cooling time)

3 cups (400 grams) bread flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/3 cups (320 grams) water
8 ounces Genoa salami, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
Butter, for serving, if desired

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and yeast.
Add the water and stir with a stiff silicone spatula until combined and there are no longer bits of flour, 20 to 30 seconds. (It will be very sticky.)
Cover with saran and let sit on the counter at room temperature overnight, 12 to 18 hours.

Remove saran. It will have a funky, fermented aroma and bubbles.
Sprinkle one-third of the salami and chives over the top.
Using a rubber spatula, fold the outside of the dough over the salami to cover.
Repeat this process two more times until all of the salami and chives are folded in.

Lay a piece of parchment paper on the counter and sprinkle with an even layer of 1/4 cup flour to cover the surface.
Scrape the dough onto the floured parchment and use heavily-floured hands to shape it into a roundish blob.
Press in any exposed salami bits and pinch the dough to seal.
Sprinkle the top with another layer of flour and cover with a piece of saran.
Let sit until the dough has risen by half, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 450°.
Place a 3-4 quart lidded Dutch oven on the rack and allow to heat while the oven reaches the desired temperature.

When the dough has proofed, carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven and remove the lid.
Remove the saran from the bread and using the corners of the parchment lower the bread dough into the Dutch oven parchment and all.
Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the lid, then bake until the top is golden brown and crusty, another 10 to 20 minutes.
Let it cool on a rack for about an hour, then slice and serve with butter if desired.

APPLE PANCAKE

APPLE PANCAKE adapted from MOLLY YEH
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/4 teaspoons QUALITY ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt
1 medium HONEYCRISP or GRANNY SMITH apple, peeled, cored and sliced 1/4 inch (about 1 cup)
4 LARGE eggs
2 tablespoons FINE sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk**
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Flaky salt, for finishing

Preheat the oven to 450°.
In an 8-inch nonstick skillet (preferably cast iron) over low heat, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, 3/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and a pinch kosher salt. Whisk together and whisk to combine.
Turn the heat up to medium and bring the mixture to a boil.
Allow to boil vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes.
Carefully add the apple slices and toss until the apples are fully coated in the caramel mixture.
Reduce heat to low and allow mixture to bubble for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften and appear translucent.
Place the skillet onto a foil, parchment or silpat lined baking sheet to catch any bubbled-over caramel and bake for 5 minutes while you prepare the batter.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until frothy.
Whisk in the buttermilk, flour, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and the nutmeg to combine until no longer lumpy.
Remove the pan from the oven.
Carefully pour the batter into the skillet over the apples, swirling around the perimeter and ending in the center. According to Molly beginning on the sides and working inward gives the pancake better structure and will also ensure that the pancake “souffles” evenly.
Place pan back into the oven to bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the sides have risen and the edges are dark.
Remove from the oven and allow to settle for a minute or two.
Carefully invert on a plate.
Sprinkle with flaky salt and serve immediately.

**NOTE: Buttermilk can be made by using a combination of whole milk and vinegar.

NORWEGIAN MEATBALLS

NORWEGIAN MEATBALLS & LUTEFISK minus the LUTEFISK
I adapted this recipe from Molly Yeh

Lutefisk is one of those things that you either love or you hate it – there is no middle ground. It may be super common around where she lives during the holidays since so many families have Scandinavian heritage, but it won’t happen here LOL 🙂

Lutefisk consists of a dried white fish that is pickled in lye & it has a very strong smell and a gelatinous texture. She is ABSOLUTELY correct that it’s quite polarizing to a lot of people but to others, it’s very nostalgic and usually served with meatballs and lefse.

Molly used unsalted butter as did I the first time and we found it really lacking in salt so I switched to salted butter.

MEATBALLS
3 tablespoons butter
1 LARGE shallot, FINELY chopped
1 LARGE bunch green onions, FINELY chopped
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped sage, about 6 leaves
1 1/2 cups crustless white country bread cubes
1/4 cup WHOLE milk
13 ounces 80/20 ground beef
13 ounces ground pork
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped Italian parsley
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg
1 LARGE egg, beaten

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. I like my enameled cast iron sauce pan.
Add the shallots, onions and sage, stirring occasionally, cooking 15-18 minutes until a deep golden color.
Remove the pan clean with a paper towel, no need to wash.
While the onions cool, add the bread cubes to a large bowl.
Drizzle the milk over and toss to saturate it. Let sit 5 minutes or so until the bread is softened. Squeeze the bread through your fingers to make a paste.
Add the beef, pork, parsley, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, egg, and cooled onions. Mix well with your hands.
Use a scoop or roll by hand 20-22 meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and rest on a baking sheet or large plate.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
When the butter is melted, brown the meatballs all over, in batches, removing them to the plate or baking sheet as they brown, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Don’t worry if they aren’t cooked through at this point, they’ll cook more in the sauce.

SAUCE
3 + 1 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons FRESH chopped sage, about 4 leaves
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
3 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon QUALITY Worcestershire sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup FULL FAT sour cream
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped Italian parsley
Prepared pasta, for serving (optional)
Mashed Potatoes, for serving (optional)
Lefse, for serving (optional)

Once all the meatballs are out of the pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and melt.
Add the sage and cook until sizzling, about 30 seconds.
Sprinkle in the flour and stir to make a paste. Cook toasting the flour, 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
Whisk in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
Adjust the heat so the sauce is simmering and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through.
Turn off the heat.
Scoot a few of the meatballs to the side to make a space in the pan and whisk in the sour cream until smooth.
Sprinkle with the parsley and serve over mashed potatoes or pasta if desired.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN

SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN adapted from REE

2 tablespoons salted butter
2 tablespoons avocado oil
4 thin-cut chicken breast steaks
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
WONDRA flour, for dredging
1/2 red onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
Two 8-ounce jars quartered artichokes, drained WELL
3/4 cup white wine
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan
One 4-ounce jar diced pimientos, drained WELL (optional)
3 cups baby spinach
1 MEDIUM lemon, juiced

Heat the butter and avocado oil together in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Generously sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, dredge with flour lightly and add them to the skillet.
Cook until nicely browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
Remove to a plate.
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and stir until slightly softened, about 30 seconds, then add the artichokes and cook, stirring, until the artichokes are hot and the onions are translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
Pour in the wine and stir, then add the cream and more black pepper adjusting seasoning to your tastes.
Let the sauce come to a simmer, then add the Parmesan and cook for a minute to thicken.
Add the pimientos if using, spinach and lemon juice, then stir 1-2 minutes until the spinach has wilted.
Nestle the chicken back into the skillet, spooning a little sauce over the top.

RANCH CHICKEN QUESADILLA FOLD OVERS aka STACKED TACOS

I’d been making something similar to Ree Drummond’s version of these for several years now that we called stacked tacos. When I saw her recipe in a magazine it reminded me how much we enjoyed these. For some reason they are a cold weather meal for us that we made regularly when we were back east 😀

RANCH CHICKEN QUESADILLA FOLD OVERS aka STACKED TACOS
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1-2 cups rotisserie chicken pieces
2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1 batch Jalapeno ranch dressing
4 (8-10) inch flour tortillas
2 tablespoons butter
Salsa, for dipping
Sour cream, for dipping

On each tortilla make a slit from the center to the edge.
Spread a dollop of the dressing over the entire tortilla.
Toss chicken pieces and green onions with the remaining dressing.
Arrange a layer of chicken pieces over one quarter of the tortilla.
Fold tortilla over chicken.
Add a layer of cheese to the quarter of tortilla that overlaps the chicken.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the cheese.
Spread a thin layer of salsa on the next layer.
Fold last quarter of tortilla over the cheese and bacon layer. You should now have a stacked triangle looking quesadilla.
Press down gently to secure the pieces.
Heat butter in large skillet or griddle over medium high heat.
Grill each quesadilla, carefully flipping to toast and crisp until both sides are golden, the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through.
Serve with salsa and sour cream.

JALAPENO RANCH DRESSING
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups mayonnaise
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon crushed parsley flakes
2 tablespoons Penzey’s California crushed jalapenos
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Whisk all together and chill overnight before serving if you have time. The flavors meld together better with time.

CHICKEN & WILD RICE ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #15

I’m still featuring my Mary & Martha GRACE meal prayer box on Faith and Food Friday, hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER: Dear God, Thank You for the food You provide, for a loving family side by side, for a warm and cozy place to live, and all the blessings that You give. Amen.

This is one of those recipes that I believe has been floating around in every housewife’s recipe box for years and years, handed down through the generations – ESPECIALLY in the midwest. It also adapts to a slow cooker quite easily and I’ve provided those ingredients and directions below.

CHICKEN & WILD RICE ala Molly ala ANTIQUE RECIPE BOX find

3/4 cup wild rice, rinsed and drained
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 carrots, FINELY chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 LARGE onion, finely chopped
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon FRESH rosemary, chopped
2 sleeves (2 cups) KEEBLER butter crackers, crushed
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 375°.
In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until al dente, about 30 minutes.
Drain the rice and set it aside.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
Add the carrots, celery, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the vegetables are softened, 12 to 15 minutes.
Add a third of the stock mixture to the pot and cook until thickened slightly, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in another third of the mixture and cook another minute or two.
Add the remaining third and cook until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. The soup should coat the back of a spoon.
Add the rosemary, black pepper and salt to taste.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
Mix the butter crackers and olive oil in a bowl. Set aside.
In a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish, spread a third of the soup on the bottom of the dish.
Spread half of the rice on top of the soup and follow with half of the shredded chicken spread across the rice.
Repeat the layers, then top with the remaining third of the soup mixture.
Top with the butter cracker mixture.
Bake until bubbly, about 45 minutes.
If the cracker topping is getting too browned, cover with foil.
Garnish with chopped parsley.

SLOW COOKER INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS

2 cups uncooked wild rice
1/2 cup FINELY chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onions
8-12 ounces mushrooms
2 cups bite size chicken breast pieces
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Wash and dry rice.
Combine all ingredients in the crock pot, mixing well.
Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours or until rice is tender.
Do NOT remove lid before 4 hours.

ANTIPASTO SALAD ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #9

I’m still featuring my Mary & Martha GRACE meal prayer box on Faith and Food Friday, hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER:

Oh, the Lord is good to me. And so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need. The sun and the rain and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me. Amen.

ANTIPASTO SALAD adapted from Valerie Bertinelli

VINAIGRETTE
2 tablespoons QUALITY red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Calabrian chile paste, crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 small shallot, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color pepper
3 tablespoons avocado oil

Whisk the vinegar, mustard if using, chile paste, Italian seasoning, shallot and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a small bowl.
Gradually whisk in the avocado oil.
Pour into a cruet and shake.

SALAD
4 radishes, thinly sliced (watermelon OR yellow radishes if you can find them)
2 celery heart ribs, thinly sliced
1 romaine heart, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/4 pound provolone, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1/4 pound mozzarella balls
1/4 pound Genoa salami, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons sliced pickled pepperoncinis
3 tablespoons sliced pickled cherry peppers

Combine the radishes, celery, romaine, iceberg, provolone, salami, tomatoes, pepperoncinis and cherry peppers in a large salad bowl.
Toss with the vinaigrette and serve immediately.

NOTE:

I like to add a generous drizzle of a QUALITY balsamic glaze.
I also like to refer to this as a kitchen sink salad because I use up whatever is in my crisper bins and deli drawer 😀

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE with PINK PEPPERCORN CARAMEL

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE with PINK PEPPERCORN CARAMEL adapted from Alex Guarnaschelli

CAKE
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 large pineapple, skinned, cored and cut into eight or nine 3/4-inch-thick slices OR 1 LARGE can of pineapple slices or crushed works too
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup WHOLE buttermilk (do NOT use light or reduced fat)
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
2 LARGE eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Maraschino cherries

Preheat the oven to 350°.
Heat a cast iron 9-inch skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons butter.
Add the slices of pineapple in a single layer and sprinkle the brown sugar over the fruit.
Add a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
Cook until the pineapple browns slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the pineapple slices. Turn off the heat and keep warm.
Whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla, eggs and the remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a medium bowl until smooth.
Use a rubber spatula to stir in the flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda until completely smooth. (The batter will be fairly stiff)
Pour the batter over the pineapple.
Transfer the skillet to the center of the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake emerges clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
Cool for about 10 minutes before carefully inverting onto a serving platter. Cooling any longer may make cake stick. If you cool too much, quickly heat the bottom of the skillet before inverting.

CARAMEL
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Juice from 1 LARGE lime
1/4 cup COLD water
2 teaspoons (pink) peppercorns

Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, lime juice and 1/4 cup cold water in a medium stainless saucepan.
Stir in the pink peppercorns and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking until the sugar is dissolved, and then cooking 10 minutes more.
Pour through sieve to remove large pepper pieces.
Set aside to cool slightly.
After cake is inverted pour the caramel over the cake.

PEA & BACON SALAD with FRENCH DRESSING

PEA & BACON SALAD with FRENCH DRESSING adapted from Molly Yeh DRESSING
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup champagne vinegar
1 cup FRESH sliced mushrooms (optional)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped
FRESH gound sea salt

Blend together the ketchup, yogurt, vinegar, mustard, sugar, paprika, onion and salt to taste into a high-speed blender.
Puree until smooth.
Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

SALAD
4 slices bacon
6 ounces sugar snap peas, stringed and cut on the bias (about 3 cups)
2 cups diced rotisserie chicken pieces (optional)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 SMALL head butter lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
2 cups bite size torn romaine lettuce pieces
1/4 cup FRESH chopped Italian parsley leaves
Wedge of Parmesan, for grating

Put the bacon in a large cold skillet and cook over medium heat until crisp, 5-7 minutes.
Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside.
Add the peas to the bacon fat, then sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until they get a slight color, 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and set aside.

ASSEMBLY

Scatter the peas and herbs onto a bed of butter lettuce leaves.
Crumble the bacon and scatter over the pea layer.
Finish with a grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of dressing.
Serve with more dressing on the side.

NOTE: This salad is another “kitchen sink” salad that allows for substitutions, deletions or additions to clean out the crisper drawer or leftover chicken.

Category: FOOD NETWORK