Mrs. Gould’s Cookies

Servings: 
Preheat: 350
Prep Time: 
Source: Jean Gumpert

These cookies are delicious. We don’t know who Mrs Gould is, but that matters not. Thank you, Jean, for the recipe!

Ingredients: 

1 cup unsalted butter, softened 
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup ground nuts……almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts or a combination (Do not use nut flour.)
Ghirardelli’s Dark Chocolate flavored melting wafers or
2 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped with 5 tsp unsalted butter

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients and knead until the dough comes together in a ball. Divide the ball in half and using your hands, roll the dough into two long rolls. Refrigerate the rolls for a few hours or overnight.

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.   Slice the rolls into 1/4″ individual cookies.  Bake for 15 – 20 minutes. Extend baking time if needed.

When cookies are cool, slowly heat Ghirardelli wavers or bittersweet chocolate pieces plus butter in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Dip one end of each cookie in melted chocolate. Be careful not to dip bottom of cookie in chocolate……just part of the rim and the top.

Set cookies aside to dry.

Roast Turkey

Servings: 
Preheat: 325
Prep Time: 
Source: https://diestelturkey.com/pages/recipes/roasting-instructions

This is an amalgam of several sources.

Ingredients: 

4TB room temperature butter
4 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
2C white wine

Directions: 

Brine turkey 12-24 hours, but no more. Start the brining the evening before.

Preheat oven to 325º F.

Make paste from ingredients below.

Remove the neck giblets from the body cavity and give the bird a quick shower with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.

Slather bird with butter mixture.

Set turkey in an open roasting pan on rack, breast side up, and cover the bottom of the pan with about 2 cups of broth or water.

Put bird in the preheated oven and check the chart below for its approximate roasting time. If bird is unstuffed, take 30 minutes off the cook time listed below.

Heat (don’t boil) 1 cup of white wine on the stovetop and pour it over your turkey halfway through roasting.

The longer it’s in the oven, the more quickly the internal temperature of your bird will rise, so use a thermometer to keep an eye on it to avoid over-roasting. Don’t worry about turning bird as it roasts; it will brown to a rich, golden, color. Cover your turkey loosely with a foil tent if getting too brown.

Make gravy roux whisking equal parts separated fat after roasting and 50:50 flour+cornstarch. Add stock. Thin with more white wine.

Weight Approx. Roasting Time
6-10lbs 2 hrs
10-12 lbs 2 -2.75 hrs
12-14 lbs 2.75-3.5 hrs
14-16 lbs 3.5 – 3.75 hrs
16-18 lbs 3.754 hrs
18-20 lbs 4-4.5 hrs
20-22 lbs 4.5-5 hrs
22-24 lbs 5 -5.25 hrs
24-26 lbs 5.25 -5.5 hrs
28-30 lbs 5.5 – 5.75 hrs
32-34 lbs 5.756.25 hrs
34-36+ lbs 6.25 -6.5 hrs

Traditional German Spaetzle Recipe

Servings: 6
Preheat: 
Prep Time: 1 hour
Source: https://www.daringgourmet.com/homemade-german-spaetzle/

Perfect texture and perfect flavor, these traditional German Spaetzle are just like you know and love them from the Swabia region of Southern Germany!

Traditionally Spätzle batter is quite thick because it was cut into noodles using the board & knife method. Even if using a Spätzle press or other method, thicker batter yields a better consistency. If you’re using the Spätzle press yes, it will require some muscle strength – you don’t want the batter to be so runny that it squishes right through with ease. That said, if you’re straining way too hard to press the batter through, go ahead and add a bit more liquid to thin it out.

See URL for more background. We added more flour than called for to make it thicker.

Ingredients: 

2 cups all-purpose flour (you can also use whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg , optional (not traditional but adds a nice flavor)
4 large eggs
1/2 cup milk or water + more as needed (milk produces a richer Spaetzle) (**add more flour if the dough is too runny, add more milk or water if it’s too stiff)
butter for serving

Directions: 

Add the flour, salt and nutmeg (if using) to the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir to combine. Crack the eggs into a small bowl and whisk them. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the eggs in it. Add the milk (start with using slightly less and add more as needed). Attach a dough hook to the stand mixer and “knead” the dough for 16-20 minutes, or until bubbles appear (see pictured instructions for details).
After 15 minutes or less of beating, use a wooden spoon to scoop and pull the dough. If bubbles/holes appear, the dough is done.

Bring at least 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Using a Spätzle maker of your choice (I use and prefer the Spätzle press), press the noodles into the simmering water and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the noodles to a colander, and then dump the noodles in a large bowl of ice water. Drain the noodles again, toss with some melted butter and serve warm.

Make Ahead: The Spaetzle can be stored in the fridge for at least a couple of days and then reheated. Melt some butter in a large skillet and toss the Spätzle in it to heat through.

Thai Basil Squid

Servings: 2
Preheat: 
Prep Time: 30 min
Source: https://rasamalaysia.com/thai-squid-recipe/

This Thai basil squid showcases tender squid infused with Nam Prik Pao (Thai roasted chili paste), fresh Thai basil leaves, and a few fiery Thai chilies. A splash of fish sauce ties everything together, making this dish both delicious and authentically Thai.

Ingredients: 

12 oz (375g) squid, cleaned and cut into rings, and pat dry with paper towels
1 tablespoon oil
3 tablespoons Nam prik phao, Thai roasted chili paste (like “Pantai” brand
3-4 Thai chilies, lightly pounded (optional)
1 teaspoon fish sauce , to taste
1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, stems removed

Directions: 

Clean the squid thoroughly and cut it into pieces. Rinse with cold water. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then quickly blanch the squid for 5-10 seconds. Drain and set aside.

Heat a wok with oil, then add the roasted chili paste and Thai chilies. Stir-fry until the spicy aroma fills the air.

Add the squid and stir to combine thoroughly.

Add the fish sauce, stirring a few times before adding the basil leaves. As soon as the leaves are wilted and the squid completely cooked, dish out and serve immediately with rice.

Coconut-Miso Salmon Curry

Servings: 6
Preheat: 
Prep Time: 1 hour pre-prep, 30 minutes @serving time
Source: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020045-coconut-miso-salmon-curry

This light, delicate weeknight curry comes together in less than 30 minutes (if prep work is done in advance) and is defined by its deep miso flavor. Miso is typically whisked into soups toward the end of the recipe, but sweating it directly in the pot with ginger, garlic and a little oil early on helps the paste caramelize, intensifying its earthy sweetness. Adding coconut milk creates a rich broth that works with a wide range of seafood. Salmon is used here, but flaky white fish, shrimp or scallops would all benefit from this quick poaching method. A squeeze of lime and a flurry of fresh herbs keep this curry bright and citrusy. For a hit of heat, garnish with sliced fresh jalapeño or serrano chile peppers.

If you use the 1.5lb coho salmon filet from Costco, the dish serves 6 for an impressive dinner. You could also use tofu for a vegetarian alternative. The poaching liquid can be done ahead of time, as can the cleaning and chopping of the spinach, cilantro, and basil. That leaves the last steps of poaching, rice prep, and serving. Per most of the comments, I’ve doubled the coconut milk and halved the water in the ingredients list.

To serve, remove the poached salmon when done, off the heat, add the spinach to the hot liquid and serve as soon as it wilts. Plate rice first, then spinach+red onion, then salmon, then coriander+basil.

Ingredients: 

2 tablespoons safflower or canola oil
1 medium red onion, halved and sliced ½-inch thick (about 2 cups)
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
¼ cup white miso
1 cup unsweetened, full-fat canned coconut milk
1 (1½-pound) salmon skinless fillet, cut into 2-inch pieces
5 ounces baby spinach (about 5 packed cups)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
Steamed rice, such as jasmine or basmati, for serving
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: 

In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add onion, ginger and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add miso and cook, stirring frequently, until miso is lightly caramelized, about 2 minutes.

Add coconut milk and 1.5 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. If preparing in advance, stop here.

Stir in salmon, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat, remove salmon to a plate, and stir in spinach and lime juice.

Divide rice among bowls. Top with spinach and onions, salmon, ladle sauce over the top, and then sprinkle basil and cilantro on top Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.

Whole Chicken Roti

Servings: 5
Preheat: 400
Prep Time: 30 minutes to debone and truss the chicken, which can be done in advance, and 1 hour to bake it.
Source: 

This is my recreation of the excellent chicken roti sold by Olivier’s Butchery in San Francisco. The deboning process is not that difficult, and even if the deboning is not perfect, the truss of the bird hides most mistakes. The prep of the chicken can be done well in advance of the baking, so it’s a good (and impressive) dish to serve to company.

I tried placing the bacon horizontally around the bottom of the bird prior to trussing, but I think it works better draped over the top. Jacques Pépin’s instructional video demonstrate how to debone a whole chicken and truss it.
https://jp.foundation/video/deboning-a-chicken-for-galantine
Don’t be afraid. It’s only a chicken.

Ingredients: 

1 whole chicken (preferably the non-water-injected organic variety)
Herbes de Provence
4 slices of bacon
Salt and pepper
Butcher’s twine

Directions: 

Watch the video. He goes fast, so watch it twice if necessary, as you won’t be inclined to stop/start the video while in the messy process of deboning the chicken. Sprinkle non-skin side of meat with herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper and gather meat beneath the breast, so that skin side of breast is facing up. Place slices of bacon over the top of the chicken.

Truss the chicken and bacon. At this point, the chicken can be refrigerated for baking later.

Line a cookie tray with aluminum foil. Roast the chicken directly on the foil
1) 43 mins at 400°F
2) 10 mins at 375°F

Check internal temperature with a thermometer. Slice for serving.

Salmon Burgers

Servings: 4 big burgers (we split one)
Preheat: 
Prep Time: 45 min
Source: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/7131-salmon-burgers

For this recipe, you’ll want to grind part of the salmon in a food processor: It’ll bind the rest, which can be coarsely chopped to retain moisture during cooking. Some bread crumbs keep the burger from becoming as densely packed as (bad) meatloaf. This approach, along with a few simple seasonings, produces delicious burgers in not much more time than it takes to make one from ground chuck. The only real trick is to avoid overcooking. Whether you sauté, broil or grill this burger, it’s best when the center remains the color of … salmon. Two or three minutes a side usually does the trick.

Ingredients: 

1½ pounds skinless, boneless salmon
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 shallot, peeled diced
½ cup panko
1 tablespoon capers, drained
Salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
Lemon wedges
Tabasco sauce

Directions: 

Cut the salmon into large chunks, and put about a quarter of it into the container of a food processor, along with the mustard. Turn the machine on, and let it run — stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary — until the mixture becomes pasty.

Add the shallots and the remaining salmon, and pulse the machine on and off until the fish is chopped and well combined with the puree. No piece should be larger than a ¼ inch or so; be careful not make the mixture too fine.

Scrape the mixture into a bowl, and by hand, stir in the bread crumbs, capers and some salt and pepper. Shape into four burgers. (You can cover and refrigerate the burgers for a few hours at this point.)

Place the butter or oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet, and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter foam subsides or the oil is hot, cook the burgers for 2 to 3 minutes a side, turning once. Alternatively, you can grill them: Let them firm up on the first side, grilling about 4 minutes, before turning over and finishing for just another minute or two. To check for doneness, make a small cut and peek inside. Be careful not to overcook. Serve on a bed of greens or on buns or by themselves, with lemon wedges and Tabasco or any dressing you like.

Six-Minute Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks

Servings: 2
Preheat: 
Prep Time: 30 min
Source: https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/wprm_print/7627

Ingredients: 

2 ahi tuna (yellowfin tuna) steaks (about 4 oz. each, 1″ thick – see notes for thinner or thicker)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil see notes
1 tablespoon honey see notes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon canola oil or olive oil
green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and lime wedges for serving (optional)

Directions: 

Pat the ahi tuna steaks dry with a paper towel. Place on a plate or inside a plastic bag.

Mix the soy sauce (2 tablespoons), toasted sesame oil (1 tablespoon), honey (1 tablespoon) kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon- OMIT if marinating for more than a couple hours, see notes), pepper (1/4 teaspoon), and cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon) until honey is fully dissolved. Pour over the ahi tuna steaks and turn over to coat completely. Optional: allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator. Also optional: Reserve a spoonful or two of the marinade before coating the fish for drizzling on top after you’ve cooked it.

Heat a medium skillet (preferably non-stick or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet) on medium-high to high until very hot ( or medium medium-high for nonstick). I recommend giving cast iron 3-5 minutes to get hot and nonstick about 1 minute, depending on how thick it is.

Add the canola oil (1 tablespoon) to the hot pan. Sear the tuna for 1 – 1½ minutes on each side for medium rare ( 2 -2½ minutes for medium-well to well, 30 seconds for very rare. See notes – this will vary based on thickness of the tuna steaks). (Note: different burners get hotter depending on your stove. Use your best judgement whether you use medium, medium-high, or high heat, as the marinade may burn if too high heat is used)

Remove to a cutting board. Slice into 1/2 inch slices and serve garnished with green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if desired.

Tuna Burgers

Servings: 4
Preheat: 
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Source: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1900-tuna-burgers

The chef Michel Richard featured these tuna burgers in his 2006 cookbook, “Happy in the Kitchen.” At the time of publication, Mr. Richard’s Washington, D.C., restaurant, Citronelle, was considered one of the best in the country. Basil, soy, anchovies and garlic add layers of flavor to this simple-to-assemble tuna burger.

Ingredients: 

1½ pounds fresh tuna fillet (do not use dark oily flesh)
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 anchovies, minced
½ cup minced basil
2½ teaspoons soy sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons good-quality mayonnaise
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 cups mesclun
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
4 hamburger buns, split
1 tablespoon canola or grapeseed oil
1 large ripe tomato, trimmed and cut into 4 slices

Directions: 

Step 1
Chop tuna until it is the texture of hamburger and presses into a compact ball, and place it in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2
Add garlic, 4 tablespoons olive oil, anchovies, basil, 2 teaspoons soy sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, shape into four patties 1 inch thick, and set aside. (Patties may be placed on a wax-paper-lined baking sheet and covered and refrigerated for 1 to 8 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before sautéing.)

Step 3
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with remaining soy sauce and ginger. In a mixing bowl, combine mesclun with remaining tablespoon olive oil and the vinegar. Toast buns on one side.

Step 4
Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add oil. Add burgers and sauté for 1½ minutes a side for rare. Set burgers aside in a warm place for 2 minutes. To serve, spread mayonnaise mixture on bottom bun, add burger, tomato and a portion of mesclun. Top with other bun. Repeat with other burgers and serve immediately.

Weeknight Lemon Chicken Wings

Servings: 3 or 4
Preheat: 450
Prep Time: 1 hour
Source: Smitten Kitchen Keepers by Deb Perelman

These are not bar chicken wings. They’re not fried until crisp, bathed in butter and hot sauce, and served with blue-cheese dressing, although you can deliver those here any day and we will not leave a single one behind. These are weeknight wings, which, if they’re not a thing yet, I think should be, because, at some point after having kids, I discovered that oven-roasted wings deserved more credit in the Weeknight Greatness category. They’re perfectly sized for small hands. They take on the flavor of whatever you pour over them without requiring brining or an overnight marinade. They’re often done in 35 minutes, but they have enough natural fat in them so they’re forgiving if you distractedly leave them in almost twice as long—they just get more browned and crisp. I love them as lemony as possible, and here, I add the lemon in three ways: in zest, in slices that caramelize in the pan (even the almost black, crispy lemon slices are wildly good here), and in juice at the end. Dijon mustard adds more punch, as do garlic and a lot of black pepper. The sticky juices that collect on the foil are my favorite part. We find these inhalable.

Ingredients: 

3 tbsp (45 g) unsalted butter, melted
1½ tsp smooth Dijon mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp (6 g) kosher salt, plus more to finish
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons (1 whole, for zesting, and 1 thinly sliced)
2 lbs (905 g) chicken wings, cut in half at the joint (wing tips saved for stock), or 1½ lbs (680 g) wingettes, already jointed and wing-tip-free (sometimes sold as “party wings”)

Directions: 

Heat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with nonstick spray. Combine the butter, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Finely grate the zest of the whole lemon, and add it to the butter mixture. Add the chicken and lemon slices and toss to coat; then spread them evenly in the prepared pan. Season with additional salt and pepper, and roast for 35 minutes, flipping the wings and lemon slices once, at the 20-minute mark, and then back to the first side for the last 5 minutes, or until the wings are a deep golden brown and some of the lemon slices look worrisomely dark. (Do not worry. They are not burned.) You can move the pieces around a bit as you flip them if the edge pieces are picking up color much faster than those in the center.

To serve: Slice the zested lemon in half, and squeeze the juice of one half over the tray; cut the second half into wedges for serving. Eat right away.