Waffles

This is a recipe adapted from both my pancake recipe, and a few other waffle recipes.

The key is to get the mixture correct to get crispy outsides and fluffy insides. The first pass (below) did not quite get there, which is why I will try to up the sugar and butter amounts. I will update as necessary.

Ingredients

1/2 pound flour (about 1 1/2 cups, I usually do half all purpose, half whole wheat)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar (we will try 1/2 cup next time and update) (try substituting brown sugar too)

3 whole eggs, separated

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (we will try 8 next time)

8.5 ounces milk or buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Vegetable spray or oil for waffle iron

Directions

Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions. We have a Kaloric Aztec G2, which I set on the highest setting, use the pancake ladle (from the Williams Sonoma set), and cook each pair of waffles for 4 minutes. You will need to do a little experimentation on your make/model of waffle iron.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl beat together egg yolks and melted butter, and then add the buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Whip the egg whites until fairly stiff peaks are achieved. Fold into the batter just before beginning to make the waffles.

Ladle the waffle batter onto the waffle maker. Again, you will need to experiment with amounts and times your first time. I would suggest recording this on the recipe so as not to drive yourself crazy next time you want to make these. Close the top and cook until the waffle is golden on both sides and can be easily removed. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve.

Pizzelle

This is from Williams-Sonoma - http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/pizzelle.html

It is the recipe a good friend uses for hers, and we like it a lot.

Ingredients:

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus

more for brushing

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light yellow and thick ribbons fall from the whisk, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the 8 Tbs. melted butter, the vanilla and lemon zest and whisk until blended.

Over a sheet of waxed paper, sift together the flour and baking powder. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture in two additions, folding each addition just until blended.

Heat a pizzelle maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Brush lightly with butter and spoon about 1 Tbs. of the batter onto the pizzelle maker. If any batter oozes out, cut it off immediately. Cook according to the manufacturer's instructions until golden brown. Transfer the pizzelle to a wire rack and let cool. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Makes about 25 pizzelle.

Arctic Char with Soba Noodle Salad

I have not tried this yet, but like the combo of flavors.

From NYTimes -

Arctic Char With Soba Noodles, Pine Nuts and Meyer Lemon

Published: January 7, 2011

Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

6 ounces soba noodles

1/4 cup pine nuts

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus more for seasoning

1/2 teaspoon finely grated Meyer lemon zest

2 teaspoons fresh Meyer lemon juice

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

4 Arctic char fillets, about 8 ounces each, preferably center-cut pieces, skin removed

Meyer lemon wedges, for serving

Chopped fresh cilantro or mint, for serving.

1. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse under cold water; drain well.

2. Pulse the pine nuts in a food processor until finely ground. Scrape them into a large bowl. Add the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and lemon zest. Whisk in the lemon juice. Slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons oil. Toss noodles with the dressing.

3. Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil.

4. Set a small skillet over medium-high heat and allow to heat up, about 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds and sizzle until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and add remaining oil. Allow to cool slightly.

5. Season both sides of the fish with remaining salt and a pinch of pepper and place on the baking sheet. Spoon the cumin and oil evenly over the fillets. Roast to desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium rare.

6. Divide the noodles among four plates and place the fish over the noodles. Garnish with the lemon wedges and cilantro or mint.

Yield: 4 servings.

Asian Inspired Israeli Couscous

A random dish that came out really well.

Ingredients:

1 small red bell pepper, julienned

2 carrots, julienned

1/2 pounds snow Peas, julienned

2 teaspoons ginger, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound Israeli couscous, cooked

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

Vegetable Oil

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Heat large pan or wok on high. Add a couple of tablespoons of the oil and flash fry the garlic and ginger - 10-20 seconds. Add in the julienned vegetables and sautee for a minute at most. Add the couscous and toss to heat. Add the sesame oil and toss. Serve with fish, chicken or beef.

Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Again, another random recipe that was delicious. This makes 2 servings.

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and cubed

1 jalapeno, diced (with or without seeds, depending on how much heat you want)

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

1 garlic clove, grated

1/2 lime, juiced

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Small pinch sugar

Two pieces sashimi-quality tuna

Directions:

Mix all ingredients (except the tuna and soy sauce) together in a bowl and taste for salt and pepper. This is best if left in the fridge for an hour for the flavors to meld.

Sear the fish over high heat to desired doneness (rare is preferred). Scoop salsa over fish and drizzle soy sauce over salsa.

Riccota Gnocchi with Eggplant and Tomato Ragu

This uses the recipe for ricotta gnocchi which you can find here.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons blended oil, plus more as needed

1/2 cup sliced garlic (about 5 to 7 cloves)

Kosher salt

1 grafitti eggplant, peeled and cut into medium dice

6 fresh San Marzano or plum tomatoes, seeds removed and cut into medium dice

1 fresh hot cherry pepper (or equivalent) chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves picked

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (3 to 4 slices)

Extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Place a saute pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons blended oil. Once heated, add the garlic and pinch of salt. Do not brown, just sweat for 30 seconds. Add the eggplant and season again with salt.

Add a bit more oil if necessary; the eggplant may quickly soak up what is already in the pan. Once this starts to breakdown, after about 2 minutes, add a bit more oil, if needed, the red pepper, tomatoes and freshly picked oregano leaves. Toss to combine, lower the heat and allow to slowly cook while starting the sauce.

For the sauce:

To another saute pan, add 1/2 cup unsalted butter and allow to melt over medium heat. Add the lemon slices to the butter and allow to saute while you cook the gnocchi.

Once the gnocchi start to float, after about 2 to 3 minutes, remove them from the water using a slotted spoon and add them to the butter pan and allow to brown, about 2 minutes. Reserve the pasta water.

For plating:

Spoon in the eggplant mixture (first 1/2 of it, then add more as necessary) into the butter-gnocchi pan. Toss in 1/4 cup pasta water, drizzle extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and toss to combine. Once the butter melts, place onto plate. Drizzle the plate with extra-virgin olive oil and more Parmesan cheese.

Ricotta Gnocchi

This is based on a recipe from Michael Simon and the Cooking Network which you can find here.

My version of the full recipe can be found here.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for working the dough

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 egg

DIRECTIONS

For the gnocchi:

To a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and Parmesan cheese. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the ricotta cheese, egg and herbs. Combine well with a wooden spoon or with your fingers until the dough just comes together, taking care not to overwork, which could cause the dough to toughen.

Scrape the dough onto a well-floured surface and pat into a rough square. If it's tacky to the touch, add a bit more flour so you can form it with your hands. Using a bench scraper, cut the pasta dough into 4 even pieces. Gently roll each piece into foot-long ropes, about 1-inch in diameter, flouring as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface. Cut each rope into 1/2- to 3/4-inch wide pieces. Place the gnocchi onto a floured, parchment-lined, baking sheet and into the freezer, uncovered. Keep in the freezer until ready to cook.

Cook in salted boiling water until they float. I like to then drain them and brown the outside in a hot pan with some olive oil or butter before tossing with whatever sauce you decide to use.