Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Warm Summer Galettes

For the pastry dough:

  • 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut
    into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. chilled solid vegetable
    shortening, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup ice water
  • 1 lb. yellow and/or purple plums, halved,
    pitted and thinly sliced
  • 4 cups blackberries
  • 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk whisked with 1 tsp. water
  • 2 Tbs. coarse sugar

For the lavender crème fraîche:

  • 1 cup crème fraîche
  • 1 Tbs. fresh lavender flowers, crushed
  • Granulated sugar, to taste (optional)

Directions:

To make the dough, in a food processor, combine the flour and salt and pulse briefly to mix. Add the butter and shortening and pulse until the pieces are the size of large peas. Drizzle in the ice water and pulse just until the dough begins to come together. Transfer to a work surface. Gather the dough into a ball and divide it into 8 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

Preheat an oven to 425°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the dough disks, place on a lightly floured work surface and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Roll out a dough disk into a round roughly 8 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick. Starting 1 1/2 inches in from the edge of the disk, arrange one-eighth of the plum slices on top, creating concentric circles and overlapping the slices slightly. Scatter 1/2 cup of the berries over the top and sprinkle with 3/4 tsp. of the granulated sugar. Fold the uncovered 1 1/2-inch edge of the dough up over the fruit to make a broad rim. Repeat with the remaining dough disks, fruit and granulated sugar. As each galette is formed, transfer it to a prepared baking sheet.

Brush the rims of the crusts with the egg-water mixture, then sprinkle evenly with the coarse sugar. Bake the galettes until the crusts are golden brown and the fruit is tender when pierced with a knife, about 40 minutes, switching the baking sheets between the racks and rotating them 180 degrees at the midway point.

Meanwhile, make the lavender crème fraîche: In a small bowl, stir together the crème fraîche, lavender and granulated sugar. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

When the galettes are ready, transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let cool slightly. Divide the galettes among individual plates. Serve immediately and top each with a large spoonful of the crème fraîche. Serves 8.



Fresh fruit doesn't need too much sugar, I didn't use much. Just enough to lightly brown on the tops of the fruit. I didn't put layers of fruit and then sugar like the recipe requested.



Lunch is Served

I'm a spoiled girl today. I have a boy who knows his ribs. Someone get Guy Fieri over here :)


Cairbbean Love



Two weeks in the city and I'm ready for some beach time! This recipe was inspired by all my wonderful island people, whom I hold in such a pure place in my heart. I know this isnt a traditional Bajan dish, such as a "roti", but they were made with love and enjoyed with friends.

ENJOY!

Jamaican Beef Patties

Ingredients:

Pastry Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 heaping teaspoon of fine grain sea salt
¾ cup butter (12 tablespoons or 1 ½ sticks), chilled and cubed
½ cup ice water

Filling:
¼ teaspoon dried thyme or ¾ teaspoons fresh, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried rosemary or ½ tablespoon fresh, finely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons hot sauce (can use less)
½ pound ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable, canola, or olive oil
¼ cup diced red bell pepper
¼ cup diced onion
~ ½ cup water (enough just to cover the meat)
Salt to taste

Preparation:

Make the Pastry Dough:
– Combine the flour, turmeric powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add butter.
- Using your fingertips, rub the butter and flour together. When the butter is the size of chickpeas, add the ice water just until the dough comes together.
- Dump the dough (it will be a shaggy mess with many large chunks of butter coated in flour) onto a floured work surface.
Using the palm of your hand, smear the butter and flour from one end of the pile of dough to the opposite end. Repeat this step until a structured dough forms (shouldn’t have chunks of butter showing, and it should not be a shaggy mess).
- Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate, while you make the filling (procedure follows).

Make the Filling:
- Mix thyme, chili powder, rosemary and hot sauce in a small bowl. Add to the ground beef and mix.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add bell pepper and onions.
- Cook, stirring until softened, but not browned.
- Add beef, breaking up any clumps.
- Add enough water just to cover the meat (kamran note: I used ½ cup).
- Mix in salt.
- Simmer for 24 minutes to ½ hour, until the meat is sort and the water has reduced to a sauce.
- Set meat mixture aside and cool.

Assemble the Patties:
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Remove the disk of dough from the refrigerator, and divide it in half. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until there is enough space for 6 circles to be cut (each about 5 inches across). You may need to re-roll the scraps to make all 6 patties.
- Once the filling has cooled completely, have a bowl of water and a fork on hand. Place about 1 ½ tablespoons of filling on the lower half of each circle of dough. Dip a finger into the water, and moisten the edge of the dough. Fold the top half over, pulling the dough gently. Crimp the edge with a fork, and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Brush each pastry (optional) with an egg wash. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until top crust is firm and golden. Serve warm.



Monday, August 9, 2010

So Romantic












Beautiful LA Canyon Home

TenOverSix shop owner, Kristin Lee's house in Nichols canyon, in LA.






Eat Local


A trip to Atwater market became my inspiration for a healthy, locally grown organic meal for my family. Enjoy.














My table, inspired by my trip to the market.



Lots of fresh herbs in metal buckets around the kitchen transformed our modern kitchen into more of a "market place" setting for the evening. I used brown butcher paper under cheeses and meats, and also around the baguettes to add in more farmers market into the vibe. Even placing random produce in a bowl on the counter became part of the event. Seeing all the yummy organic ingredients, and smelling the dinner cooking was all part of the experience.





For only $4.99 I bought a bucket of this small basil- it smells delicious! I pulled the earth apart separating the small herbs, and placed them in extra small ikea buckets as centerpieces.




Bonjour

Been in the city of Montreal for one week eating the most delicious cheeses, meats and local fruits the city has to offer. Good morning world, enjoy your life. . it's all yours!