MyGourmetConnection

Ginger and Cardamom-Spiced Pear Cobbler

2009-11-20T23:03:55Z

A nice warm cobbler served alongside vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to make use of favorite seasonal fruits like pears. The cardamom and crystallized ginger give the pears a lovely bit of spice, and the addition of an egg to the cobbler topping makes it fluffy and delicate.

Ginger and Cardamom-Spiced Pear Cobbler

Ingredients ~
6 medium pears, peeled and diced (see recipe notes)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Zest of one lemon
1/4 cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Bacon, Apple and Cider-Caramelized Onion Pizza

2009-11-19T21:50:26Z

This pizza recipe is full of contrasting flavor combinations. The onions and sliced garlic develop a mellow sweetness that's accented by the cider, while the Granny Smith apples add a tart element. The most notable flavor, however, is the sugar-cured, hickory-smoked bacon with an apple-cinnamon rub (check the recipe notes for source information), although any top-quality bacon should do. The cheddar cheese adds a sharp bite, and the mild, smooth-melting Havarti pulls all the flavors together to create a truly mouth-watering pizza.

Bacon, Apple and Cider-Caramelized Onion Pizza

Ingredients ~
1/2 lb Apple-Cinnamon bacon, or other good quality bacon (see recipe notes for info)
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 cup apple cider
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3 ounces Havarti cheese, grated
Pizza dough for one 10 x 15-inch crust (see recipe tips)
1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Eggplant Moussaka

2009-11-18T22:46:41Z

Moussaka is a very easy to dish to prepare, but like lasagna, it does involve multiple steps. The nice thing about an oven dish like this is that you can get just about all of your cleanup done ahead of time, consequently, it's a good choice for a relaxed dinner with family and friends. Try serving it with our Classic Skordalia as an appetizer and a green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette.

Eggplant Moussaka

Ingredients ~
3 medium eggplant, about 2-1/2 lbs
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 lb ground lamb
1-1/2 cups onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups milk
1 bay leaf
6 whole allspice berries
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoon flour
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Classic Skordalia - Greek Potato-Garlic Dip

2009-11-15T23:12:35Z

Skordalia (also spelled Skorthalia) is a smooth Greek sauce or dip made from pureed potatoes, bread, or a combination of the two and flavored with garlic. It can be used as a sauce for grilled meats and fish, or served as a dip for bread or raw vegetables. We like it as an alternative to hummus, served with toasted pita triangles.

Classic Skordalia

Ingredients ~
3 to 4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup mashed potatoes (about 2 large, peeled and cooked)
2 slices white bread, crusts removed, cubed
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon white pepper (or more to taste)
Kosher salt to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon)
1/4 cup olive oil
Toasted pita triangles for serving

Roast Duck with Spiced Pomegranate Sauce

2009-11-08T13:00:48Z

Roast duck is a wonderful choice for a holiday celebration or special occasion. This recipe includes directions for slow-roasting the duck so that the fat is rendered, leaving the skin crispy and golden brown. Total roasting time runs about 3-1/2 hours, so there's plenty of time to prepare side dishes and relax with guests while the duck cooks. The sauce is flavored with pungent spices and complements the duck perfectly, but it would be just as delicious served with roast turkey, goose, chicken or pork.

Roast Duck with Spiced Pomegranate Sauce

Ingredients ~
2 whole ducks, about 5-1/2 to 6 pounds each
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Pinch of allspice and cinnamon
Spiced Pomegranate Sauce (see recipe below)
Orange slices and fresh herbs for garnish (optional)

Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Garlic

2009-11-08T12:30:40Z

Brussels sprouts are a great side to serve with roasted meats or a sweet-savory entree like our Roast Duck with Spiced Pomegranate Sauce. In this recipe, the maple syrup brings out the sweet flavor of the roasted garlic without adding an overpowering maple flavor. The bacon adds a nice salty crunch. Both fresh and frozen Brussels sprouts will work in this dish as long as you tweak the cooking times accordingly.

Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Garlic

Ingredients ~
1 head garlic
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
3 tablespoons butter
1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts (see recipes notes for frozen)
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Apple-Cranberry Chutney

2009-11-08T12:00:23Z

This is a deliciously flavorful condiment, simple to prepare and terrific for serving with soft, ripe cheeses like camembert or brie, or a sharp cheddar. Perfect to have on hand for entertaining, it can be made ahead and stored. The flavors develop even further after a few days in the fridge.

Apple-Cranberry Chutney

Ingredients ~
1 cup dried apples, chopped
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cranberry juice (or apple cider)
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon dried orange peel (see recipe notes)
3 tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar (or agave nectar)
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Roasted Beet, Walnut and Baby Spinach Salad

2009-11-08T11:30:58Z

This is a composed salad, topped with a drizzle of creamy dressing and flavored with a hint of orange. The individual flavors of the beets, spinach and nuts are pulled together by the subtle taste and creamy texture of the dressing, making this a perfect first course for any meal that includes pungent sauces and seasonings.

Roasted Beet, Walnut and Baby Spinach Salad with Creamy Orange Dressing

For the beets ~
6 medium beets (red, gold or both - about 1-1/2 lbs)
1 tablespoon walnut oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the dressing ~
1/3 cup walnut oil
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons orange juice
1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the finished salad ~
1/2 cup shelled walnuts, lightly toasted
12 ounces baby spinach leaves

French Salt Pig

2009-11-20T15:09:02Z

Blue Sky Pottery offers a wide variety of beautiful handmade pottery pieces for the kitchen and dining room - all of which are finished off with food-safe glazes (many of which are even oven, microwave and dishwasher safe, too).

This porcelain clay French Salt Pig comes with a little handmade spoon, and it's perfect for storing your best salt in the kitchen. The salt pig pictured here is glazed in a soft celedon blue with a dragonfly inside, but Blue Sky Pottery has other colors, as well.

$49 from Blue Sky Pottery

Burn Cream MD

2009-11-18T11:27:27Z

In the interest of safety and common sense, every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher, a box of bandaids and something for treating burns close at hand. Relatively new on the market is Burn Cream MD™, a patented blend of soothing and healing ingredients that stops burn pain instantly and promotes faster healing.

Burn Cream MD™ was developed by Dr. Diane Madfes, a dermatologist and clinical researcher whose specialty is wound healing and scar minimization. Her patented formula contains Vitamin E, Arnica montana, chamomile and aloe. Individually, these ingredients are well known for having some healing properties, but combined they become a remarkably effective remedy.

I've always kept pure aloe on hand for minor burns in the kitchen, and while I think it helps a little, the pain returns quickly and they often blister and scar. Recently, I was burned with some hot oil splatter and applied Burn Cream MD™ immediately. The pain was relieved instantly and didn't return - even later, when my hands were immersed in hot water! The burned areas remained a little bit red for a day or two, but no blistering, and consequently, no scarring.

Tested in restaurant kitchens and endorsed by professional chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali and Sara Moulton, Burn Cream MD™ has a shelf life of two years and comes in a handy 2.5 ounce pump bottle.

$29.99 from BurnCreamMD.com

Cookbook Picks for Holiday Gifts 2009

2009-11-11T11:06:16Z

Cookbooks are always a great gift for the foodies on your holiday shopping list. We've put together a list of 30 books that fit a wide range of cooking skills and interests. Some are brand new this fall, while others have proven their worth over time.

Topics range from baking and desserts to international cuisine and everything in between. They're all arranged alphabetically by title with a section of our Editor's Picks at the top...

Thanksgiving with a Twist

2009-11-08T13:13:50Z

A Thanksgiving celebration seemed like the perfect excuse to get a little creative and make a beautiful, slow-roasted duck instead of a turkey.

But if duck isn't for you this Thanksgiving, file away our roasting instructions for another day and use the rest of the menu to accompany a turkey, turkey breast, game hens, chicken, roast pork - even ham.