Recipe By Silvia Baldini — Elevate your comfort food game with this vibrant sweet potato soup. This delightful blend of wholesome ingredients makes it a breeze to prepare. Loaded with sweet potatoes, this soup brings a wealth of vitamins and nutrients. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it also nourishes your body with every spoonful. Infused with the perfect blend of red curry and ginger, this soup adds a delightful touch of warmth to keep you cozy and satisfied. To tie it all together, I have incorporated coconut milk, giving the soup a luxurious and velvety texture. It's the secret ingredient that elevates this dish to a whole new level of comfort. Warm your soul and treat your taste buds to the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Recipe By Silvia Baldini — Elevate your comfort food game with this vibrant sweet potato soup. This delightful blend of wholesome ingredients makes it a breeze to prepare. Loaded with sweet potatoes, this soup brings a wealth of vitamins and nutrients. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it also nourishes your body with every spoonful. Infused with the perfect blend of red curry and ginger, this soup adds a delightful touch of warmth to keep you cozy and satisfied. To tie it all together, I have incorporated coconut milk, giving the soup a luxurious and velvety texture. It's the secret ingredient that elevates this dish to a whole new level of comfort. Warm your soul and treat your taste buds to the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Heat the oil in a large lidded saucepan, add the onion, the leek and garlic, cover and sweat for 10 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
Stir in the ginger and curry paste and cook for 1 minute.
Add the sweet potatoes, stock and coconut milk. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potato is soft.
Cool sightly before blending until smooth and creamy. You may need to add a little more stock to achieve the right consistently. Season to taste and re-heat gently.
Serve in warmed bowls with a dash of fresh ginger and lime zest on top.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — On New Years Eve Italians eat lentils for good luck and prosperity. This lentils pasta dish is a hearty classic meal that comes together quickly and satisfies everyone. You can dress it up with a handful of crispy pancetta, a drizzle of olive oil and few tablespoons of grated Parmesan.
The sauce is mildly spicy, bold, and packed with lentils. The consistency is very creamy and comforting. The creaminess comes from the lentils, the starches in the pasta and the slow gentle cooking of all the ingredients. I like to use pre-steamed lentils or dry Puy lentils because they keep the shape once cooked. This is not soup. It is very thick and it is eaten with a fork. Spaghetti or small tubular pasta work well, or you can mix the broken bits and small leftovers that have been collecting at the bottom of boxes of dried pasta. It's a great way to clean up the pantry and start the new year fresh.
Buon Anno.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — On New Years Eve Italians eat lentils for good luck and prosperity. This lentils pasta dish is a hearty classic meal that comes together quickly and satisfies everyone. You can dress it up with a handful of crispy pancetta, a drizzle of olive oil and few tablespoons of grated Parmesan.
The sauce is mildly spicy, bold, and packed with lentils. The consistency is very creamy and comforting. The creaminess comes from the lentils, the starches in the pasta and the slow gentle cooking of all the ingredients. I like to use pre-steamed lentils or dry Puy lentils because they keep the shape once cooked. This is not soup. It is very thick and it is eaten with a fork. Spaghetti or small tubular pasta work well, or you can mix the broken bits and small leftovers that have been collecting at the bottom of boxes of dried pasta. It's a great way to clean up the pantry and start the new year fresh.
Buon Anno.
1cup chopped canned plum tomatoes, with some juice
1sprig fresh rosemary
1/2 poundsmall tubular pasta, spaghetti or mixed shapes
1/2cupfresh parsley, chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil and hot red pepper flakes or hot pepper oil for garnish
freshly grated parmesan
Servings: people
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add onion, carrots and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until softened but not colored. Add the pancetta, stir and cook for a couple of minutes until the pancetta starts rendering the fat. Add tomato paste, garlic clove, thyme and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for a couple of minutes.
Remove the garlic. Stir in lentils and season with salt. Add 2 cups of stock, chopped canned plum tomatoes, rosemary, stir and cook for a about 15 minutes.
Stir in the pasta and add more stock if necessary. Cook stirring occasionally until pasta is cooked trough but al dente. Remove the rosemary and thyme sprigs. Finish with fresh chopped parsley, a splash of olive oil and Parmesan. Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat. Rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
Substitute the pre-steamed lentils with uncooked dry Puy lentils. Cook for 20 minutes longer adding stock as necessary.
You can cook ahead and re-heat.
Use all the broken bits and small leftovers that have been collected from the bottom of boxes of dried pasta. It's a great way to clean up the pantry and start the new year fresh.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— This creamy chicken ragù is easy to make and boasts remarkable depth thanks to the flavors of an Italian-style soffritto made with onions, carrots, celery, and parsley.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— This creamy chicken ragù is easy to make and boasts remarkable depth thanks to the flavors of an Italian-style soffritto made with onions, carrots, celery, and parsley.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add pancetta; cook, stirring often, until fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to a plate, reserving drippings in Dutch oven. Add garlic to Dutch oven; increase heat to medium-high. Sprinkle chicken all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches if needed, add chicken, skin side down, to Dutch oven. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer chicken thighs to a plate.
Reserve garlic and 2 tablespoons drippings in Dutch oven; discard remaining drippings. Add sofrito and wine; bring to a simmer over medium. Cook, stirring and scraping up browned bits, until mixture is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Return chicken to Dutch oven in a snug single layer; add stock, ensuring chicken is barely covered. Return mixture to a simmer over medium. While mixture comes to a simmer, bundle together leek leaves, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf; secure with kitchen twine, and add to Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until chicken is tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Remove Dutch oven from heat. Transfer chicken to a cutting board; partially cover Dutch oven. Let chicken and sauce stand 10 minutes. Skim and discard fat from sauce; remove and discard garlic cloves and leek-herb bundle. Stir reserved pancetta into sauce. Remove and discard skin and bones from chicken; finely shred chicken meat.
Stir cream into sauce. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced by nearly half and has slightly thickened, 8 to 12 minutes. Stir peas and shredded chicken into sauce; cook until peas are just tender, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, and cover to keep warm.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
Add pasta, Parmesan, butter, and lemon zest to sauce. Stir to combine, adding splashes of reserved cooking liquid as needed to form a creamy sauce. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve in large bowls.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — I’m a big fan of boeuf bourguignon. I learned to make it as child from my mom, and later I perfection it while training at Cordon Bleu. Of course Julia Child's boeuf bourguignon is a classic, however I have adapted her recipe and I use short ribs instead of stew meat. I slow cook the ribs for at least 3 hours in the oven until fork tender. They come out melt in your mouth delicious every time. Boeuf bourguignon is one of my go to dishes when I need to feed a large crowd in winter. I always make it one or two days in advance because it taste better after all the flavors mingle while resting for at least 24 hours.
The secret of a good boeuf bourguignon is patience and very slow cooking. I sear the ribs to a brown crisp before slow cooking them. I sear two or three ribs at the time and then I drain them from the extra fat. I also like to braise cipolline (small sweet onions) separately and add them at the last moment as a garnish; they bring a smooth texture to the stew.
At the beginning of the process take your time to cook each ingredient properly, and you will be happy by the results.
Boeuf bourguignon is a braise. Braised meat is essentially a piece of meat that is browned on all sides, and then cooked gently in liquid. You want to do this in a large pot that is oven-friendly, since there is no better way to ensure even, low, gentle cooking than by placing the entire vessel in the oven at a low temperature. Pay attention to the bottom of the pan while you are cooking. As you sear, little pieces of meat will brown and stick to the bottom. The French call these golden suc, tiny bits of flavor for sauce. The best way to scrape up these little flavor bombs is with wine. Use a glass of wine, some good homemade stock, or even water and scrape all the bits of the bottom then reduce before doing the ingredients. This will gift your bourguignon (or any braised dish) with the foundation for layers of flavors.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — I’m a big fan of boeuf bourguignon. I learned to make it as child from my mom, and later I perfection it while training at Cordon Bleu. Of course Julia Child's boeuf bourguignon is a classic, however I have adapted her recipe and I use short ribs instead of stew meat. I slow cook the ribs for at least 3 hours in the oven until fork tender. They come out melt in your mouth delicious every time. Boeuf bourguignon is one of my go to dishes when I need to feed a large crowd in winter. I always make it one or two days in advance because it taste better after all the flavors mingle while resting for at least 24 hours.
The secret of a good boeuf bourguignon is patience and very slow cooking. I sear the ribs to a brown crisp before slow cooking them. I sear two or three ribs at the time and then I drain them from the extra fat. I also like to braise cipolline (small sweet onions) separately and add them at the last moment as a garnish; they bring a smooth texture to the stew.
At the beginning of the process take your time to cook each ingredient properly, and you will be happy by the results.
Boeuf bourguignon is a braise. Braised meat is essentially a piece of meat that is browned on all sides, and then cooked gently in liquid. You want to do this in a large pot that is oven-friendly, since there is no better way to ensure even, low, gentle cooking than by placing the entire vessel in the oven at a low temperature. Pay attention to the bottom of the pan while you are cooking. As you sear, little pieces of meat will brown and stick to the bottom. The French call these golden suc, tiny bits of flavor for sauce. The best way to scrape up these little flavor bombs is with wine. Use a glass of wine, some good homemade stock, or even water and scrape all the bits of the bottom then reduce before doing the ingredients. This will gift your bourguignon (or any braised dish) with the foundation for layers of flavors.
5poundstrimmed boneless beef short ribs, cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces
6mediumcarrots—5 cut into 2-inch pieces, 4 cut into 1-inch rounds
4mediumcelery ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces
2mediumgarlic cloves
1750-milliliter bottle dry red wine
fine sea salt
freshly ground pepper
1/4cupextra virgin olive oil
6cupsbeef stock
1poundmeaty slab bacon—half cut into 1/4-inch-thick lardons, half cut into 2-in
3bay leaves tied with 10 thyme sprigs, one sprig of rosemary
2poundsstemmed button mushrooms
1poundpeeled cipolline
1bunchchopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Servings: people
Instructions
Place the short ribs, 2-inch carrot pieces, celery, onions, garlic and red wine in a large bowl and marinate for at least 4 hours or refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 325°. Strain the beef and vegetables over a bowl; reserve the wine.
Separate the short ribs from the vegetables. Pat the meat dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the olive oil. In batches, sear the meat over high heat until browned on all sides, 30 minutes; transfer the meat to a bowl as you go.
Reduce the heat to moderate, add the marinated vegetables and cook until softened, 8 minutes.
Add the reserved wine, stock, large bacon pieces, herbs and meat along with any juices; bring to a simmer.
Braise the stew in the oven for 3 1/2 hours, until the meat is fork tender.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat and bacon to a bowl. Strain the liquid, discarding the solids.
Wipe out the casserole. Add the lardons and crisp over moderately high heat, 10 minutes; transfer to paper towels. Working in batches, add the mushrooms to the casserole and cook until golden, 8 minutes per batch. Add the mushrooms to the meat.
Add the carrot rounds and braising liquid to the pot and simmer until the liquid is reduced by one-third. Add the meat, bacon, lardons and mushrooms; simmer until the sauce reduces slightly. Season with salt and pepper and let cool. Refrigerate overnight.
Braise cipolline until tender in a medium pan with a tablespoon of olive oil and 4 tablespoons water . Season with salt and set aside.
Skim the fat from the stew and reheat. Garnish with braised cipolline, parsley and serve.
A Ratatouille is a beautiful summer excuse to transform humble ingredients like onions, garlic and herbs in to a glorious and delicious dish. This recipe is very healthy but packed with big flavors. I use zucchini but you could add eggplant, peppers and thin slices of potatoes for a more powerful version.
In a food processor add the chopped tomatoes, shallot, carrot and the garlic. Chop all the vegetable but stop before they become a puree', leaving a rough texture.
Pour the chopped vegetables, 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and half of
the chopped fresh herbs into a medium baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
Using a mandolin, or a really sharp knife, thinly and evenly, slice the vegetables. Make the slices thin, about 1/8’ (3mm) thick.
Make mini-stacks of about 20 slices in sequence. Arrange a few stacks at a time into the prepared baking dish in a concentric spiral from the outer edge to the inside, fanning them out a bit so that you can see the top 1/8” of all the slices. “Stand” them up a little, so you can it as many vegetable slices in as possible, but you may still have some leftover veggies. Save the smaller rounds for the center of the dish.
Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and season with more salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining chopped herbs. Cover the dish with a piece of parchment paper cut to it just inside the dish rim, directly on top of the vegetable arrangement.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— Roasting a big batch of whole tomatoes it's a simple way to stash away a useful dish with and intense, concentrate flavor. Tomatoes are not only delicious but they have cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which can eliminate acne and brighten dull skin. I use Plum, Roma or any firm, meaty and ripe tomato. I skin them by plunging them in boiling water for 10 seconds then I roast them with garlic, good extra virgin olive oil, basil and thyme for 45 minutes. I always add salt and pepper after cooking them, because tomatoes don't take to seasoning well before roasting them, and it's just better that way.Roasted Tomatoes can be used as a garnish, or as a healthy and fast sauce scooped on pasta and grains. I chop leftovers with ripe peaches, cilantro and small red onion and hot peppers for an assertive salsa.The tomatoes keep, covered in the fridge for a week but no matter how many I make they never last that long.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— Roasting a big batch of whole tomatoes it's a simple way to stash away a useful dish with and intense, concentrate flavor. Tomatoes are not only delicious but they have cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which can eliminate acne and brighten dull skin. I use Plum, Roma or any firm, meaty and ripe tomato. I skin them by plunging them in boiling water for 10 seconds then I roast them with garlic, good extra virgin olive oil, basil and thyme for 45 minutes. I always add salt and pepper after cooking them, because tomatoes don't take to seasoning well before roasting them, and it's just better that way.Roasted Tomatoes can be used as a garnish, or as a healthy and fast sauce scooped on pasta and grains. I chop leftovers with ripe peaches, cilantro and small red onion and hot peppers for an assertive salsa.The tomatoes keep, covered in the fridge for a week but no matter how many I make they never last that long.
With a pairing knife core the tomatoes (cut out a small wedge from the stem end) then score a small cross on the bottom, it facilitate peeling them. Plunge the tomatoes in boiling water for 10 seconds. Then scoop them out on a paper towel and remove the skin.
Line a large baking dish with parchment paper, then fit all the tomatoes in the dish. It's ok if they are a bit crowed. Distribute the garlic and the herbs among the tomatoes. Drizzle with the olive oil.
Roast with-out touching the tomatoes for 40 to 45. Once cooked they should still hold their shape but they should be soft to the touch and slightly caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Store with the liquids, herbs and garlic for up to a week in the fridge.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— We make this yummy Nutella tree every year for the holidays. It's super easy delicious and it looks stunning. The kids make stars out of the left over puff pastry to decorate the plate.
It's a great dessert to bring to your next Christmas party.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— We make this yummy Nutella tree every year for the holidays. It's super easy delicious and it looks stunning. The kids make stars out of the left over puff pastry to decorate the plate.
It's a great dessert to bring to your next Christmas party.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out one puff pastry sheet into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Lightly score puff pastry into the shape of a Christmas tree (triangle) with a wide base. Spread the Nutella over the triangle in a thin layer with the back of a spoon.
Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry to a large rectangle and place on top of the first one. Carefully trace the shape of the chocolate covered triangle underneath and cut out the Christmas tree shape and the trunk. Pull away excess pastry.
Lightly score 2 lines down the middle of the triangle to form a tree trunk that is narrower at the top and gets wider towards the base. Using the trunk as a guide, cut branches into the sides of the triangle.
Twist the branches away from you, trying to get in 2 turns on the lower branches. Continue moving up the tree, twisting away from you as you go. Beat the egg in a bowl with a teaspoon of water and brush the tree with the egg wash.
Bake in the preheated oven until puffy and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Slide onto a serving plate, using a piece of parchment paper if needed.
Recipe Notes
You can substitute the Nutella with jam or peanut butter. You can make a savory version with grated cheese and ham.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— I used the Aceto Balsamic di Modena to caramelize the shallots for these savory tarts to create a sweet and balanced but intense flavor. The Balsamic reduction coats the shallots and pairs beautifully with the tanginess of the goat cheese in the filling. The tarts are perfect for brunch, lunch or as an interesting appetizer.
Aceto Balsamico di Modena has been produced for centuries in the countryside of the province of Modena in the North of Italy. It is produced from the must of fermented white grapes, with the addition of aged vinegar and wine vinegar. As it ages, a syrup develops, thickens and evaporates. The aging vinegar is stored in successively smaller barrels made of different types of wood that contribute to the complex and delicious flavors of balsamic vinegar.
The consistency releases a complex and pleasantly penetrating bouquet, coupled with a balanced sweet and sour taste, rounded with woody overtones.
Sweet, tangy bold in flavor and with the perfect flaky crust. These tarts are always a success.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— I used the Aceto Balsamic di Modena to caramelize the shallots for these savory tarts to create a sweet and balanced but intense flavor. The Balsamic reduction coats the shallots and pairs beautifully with the tanginess of the goat cheese in the filling. The tarts are perfect for brunch, lunch or as an interesting appetizer.
Aceto Balsamico di Modena has been produced for centuries in the countryside of the province of Modena in the North of Italy. It is produced from the must of fermented white grapes, with the addition of aged vinegar and wine vinegar. As it ages, a syrup develops, thickens and evaporates. The aging vinegar is stored in successively smaller barrels made of different types of wood that contribute to the complex and delicious flavors of balsamic vinegar.
The consistency releases a complex and pleasantly penetrating bouquet, coupled with a balanced sweet and sour taste, rounded with woody overtones.
Sweet, tangy bold in flavor and with the perfect flaky crust. These tarts are always a success.
Preheat the oven at 400F degrees. Prep 6 fluted, loose bottom tartelette pans or an individual 24 inches one. Roll out the puff pastry in to circles and line the pans. Prick the bottom with a fork. Fill with weights and blind bake for 15-20 minutes in the pre-heated 400F degrees oven. Remove from the oven and remove the weights. Bake for further 5 to 10 minutes until the puff pastry is golden. Remove from the oven and set aside. Reduce the oven to 325F.
Meanwhile, while the tarts are baking, prep and cook the shallots. Put the peeled shallots in a pan with the butter, sugar, Original Aceto Balsamic di Modena, the thyme and water. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature and simmer on a medium flame for about 10 minutes until the liquid has reduced and the shallots are caramelized and coated in a dark caramel syrup but still intact. Set aside.
Assemble the tarts. Break the cheese in small pieces and divide in the baked cases. In a bowl whisk the eggs with the double cream and some salt and pepper, add chopped thyme leaves. Pour the mixture on the cheese and fill the gaps. Arrange the caramelized shallots on the egg mixture. Drizzle some of the balsamic syrup on the shallots and add a pinch of salt.
Place the tartelettes on a lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated 325F oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the filling has set. Remove from the oven and cool for a couple of minutes. Remove from the tins and serve with some of the remaining Aceto Balsamico Reduction.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini —My version of coconut and orange baked French Toast is creamy and comforting. It takes not time to prep and the coconut milk and orange zest combination is a bit different than the usual vanilla custard. It has a bright and creamy finish and it fills the kitchen with a delicious and homemade scent. This French toast is perfect for the holidays and it is a no-fail-recipe that can easily be prepped or baked ahead of time. I like to serve it for brunch or at a family breakfast.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini —My version of coconut and orange baked French Toast is creamy and comforting. It takes not time to prep and the coconut milk and orange zest combination is a bit different than the usual vanilla custard. It has a bright and creamy finish and it fills the kitchen with a delicious and homemade scent. This French toast is perfect for the holidays and it is a no-fail-recipe that can easily be prepped or baked ahead of time. I like to serve it for brunch or at a family breakfast.
1teaspoongrated orange zestplus extra for servings
1/2cup orange juice
1/4teaspoonfine sea salt salt
1loaf (1-inch-diced)1 day-old loaf of bread French brioche, six grains, challah bread or baguette
6ouncesfresh raspberries and black berries
confectioner sugarfor serving
pure maple syrup or honeyfor serving
Servings: people
Instructions
Grease a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish with the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, double cream, coconut milk, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, vanilla, the orange zest, orange juice, and salt
Spread the diced bread in the prepared baking dish and pour on the egg mixture, pressing down lightly to moisten the bread. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the baking dish on a sheet pan and bake it for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is puffed and browned. Check after 25 minutes; if the top is getting too browned, cover it lightly with aluminum foil. Cool for 10 minutes, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, dust with extra orange zest, and serve warm with maple syrup and the berries.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — A gorgeous end of fall and wintery salad, generous in flavor and packed with immune system busting vitamins. The peach and Persian lime dressing ties this simple dish together with an infusion of sweet and sour aromas redolent of the Mediterranean. You can find the ingredients for the dressing at www.thesecretingredientgirls.com
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — A gorgeous end of fall and wintery salad, generous in flavor and packed with immune system busting vitamins. The peach and Persian lime dressing ties this simple dish together with an infusion of sweet and sour aromas redolent of the Mediterranean. You can find the ingredients for the dressing at www.thesecretingredientgirls.com
Peel and section all the citrus. Discard seeds and pith. Slice the fennel thin with a sharp knife or a mandolin. Arrange the sliced fennel on a serving dish then add the citrus slices.
In a cup whisk the Peach Balsamic and Persian Lime Oil with the salt and pepper. Drizzle 3 or 4 tablespoons on top of the citrus. Serve immediately. Reserve the remaining dressing for later use.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— This is an uncomplicated but delicious recipes. The filet is tender and bursting with flavor from the balsamic vinegar. It's a perfect dish for weeknights or for guest night.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— This is an uncomplicated but delicious recipes. The filet is tender and bursting with flavor from the balsamic vinegar. It's a perfect dish for weeknights or for guest night.
Season the medallions well on both sides with the salt, then brush them evenly over the top and sides with the balsamic. Sprinkle the cracked pepper evenly all over the meat.
Sear the filet on both sides in a hot pan with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. About 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
Roast the filet in the oven for 8 minutes exactly for medium-rare (6 minutes for rare and 10 minutes for medium/well).
Remove the pan from the oven, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and allow the beef to rest on the pan for 5 minutes.
Slice and serve hot or warm.
3tablespoonsThe Secret Ingredient Girls Traditional Balsamic
1bunchbasil leaves
Servings: people
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°.
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured sheet of parchment. Prick the bottom
with a fork and shape the borders to form a rectangular tart. Transfer on
parchment to a baking sheet.
Scatter all the ingredient starting from the goat cheese at the bottom. Drizzle le
EVOO and season with salt. Bake, rotating once, until crust is golden brown and
cooked through, 30-35 minutes. Let cool slightly on baking sheet.
Season with salt. Finish with the remaining EVOO and Balsamic. Scatter the basil.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— This is a power tart. Loads of roasted and slightly caramelized vegetables generously piled up on a wholewheat crust. A perfect fall family meal.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— This is a power tart. Loads of roasted and slightly caramelized vegetables generously piled up on a wholewheat crust. A perfect fall family meal.
3/4cupchilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces1/2 stick
1tablespoonapple cider vinegar
Toppings
3tablespoonsEVOO
4tablespoonstomato sauce
1large grilled and sliced eggplant
1bunch largeSwiss chard ribs and stems removed, leaves cut into bite-size pieces
1cuproasted brussels sprouts
1cup roasted tomatoes
Flaky sea salt Maldon
2tablespoonsThe Secret Ingredient Girls Traditional Balsamic
1bunchbasil leaves
Servings: people
Instructions
Pulse all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt in a food processor to
combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal with a few
pea-size pieces of butter remaining.
Transfer mixture to a large bowl; drizzle with vinegar and ¼ cup ice water.
Mix with a fork, adding more ice water by the tablespoonful if needed, just until a
shaggy dough comes together; lightly knead until no dry spots remain (do not
overwork). Pat into a disk and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 400°
Roll out dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment to a 14” round about ⅛”
thick. Transfer on parchment to a baking sheet. Spread the tomato sauce on the
dough. Drizzle some EVOO and season with salt.
Scatter all the ingredient on the sauce and finish with the olive oil.
Bake, rotating once, until crust is golden brown and cooked through, 25-30
minutes. Let cool slightly on baking sheet.
Season with salt. Finish with the remaining EVOO and Balsamic. Scatter the basil
Recipe Notes
DO AHEAD: Dough can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
2tablespoonsbalsamic vinegar or white peach balsamic
2teaspoonsHoney
sea-salt
4ripe peaches
2large ripe tomatoesor you can use 1 lb mixed tomatoes
8ozfresh ricotta cheese
4-6thin sliced prosciutto torn in to pieces
1bunchfresh basil leaves
1bunch mint leaves
1/2cuptoasted hazelnut
black pepper
sea salt flakes
Servings: people
Instructions
Poach peaches into hot water. Peel and cut in half and stone.
Whisk oil, vinegar, and honey in a small bowl until honey is dissolved; season with salt.
Toss peaches, tomatoes, and half of dressing in a medium bowl; let sit 5 minutes.
Place the ricotta In a medium bowl and whip with a whisk until creamy and fluffy. Swirl at the bottom of a large serving platter.
Top the ricotta with the peaches and tomatoes and drizzle with remaining dressing. Scatter a few torn basil and mint leaves over and season with sea salt and pepper, then finish with the prosciutto slices and the toasted hazelnuts.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— A perfect combination for a late spring or summer day meal when strawberries are juicy, naturally sweet and in season. The balsamic vinegar adds a rich and unexpected note that highlights and deepens the flavor of both the strawberries and the chicken. This is a wholesome and healthy dish that tastes delicious and fresh.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— A perfect combination for a late spring or summer day meal when strawberries are juicy, naturally sweet and in season. The balsamic vinegar adds a rich and unexpected note that highlights and deepens the flavor of both the strawberries and the chicken. This is a wholesome and healthy dish that tastes delicious and fresh.
Combine the quartered strawberries with the balsamic vinegar and set aside in a covered container to macerate in the fridge for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
In a large bowl combine the chicken breasts with the herbs, garlic and the olive oil and the juice of the lemon. Season with salt and pepper, mix well. Cover and set aside in the fridge for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
When ready, discard the herbs and the garlic, then grill the chicken on a hot grill pan or over a BBQ until cooked in the center.
Slice the chicken on a diagonal and arrange in a serving platter. Adjust the seasoning and cover with the macerated strawberries and the juices from the balsamic marinade. Sprinkle with extra chopped basil. Serve warm or room temperature.
Recipe Notes
Macerate the strawberries with the Traditional Balsamic from our collection at www.thesecretingredientgirls.com This is one of our finest grade Balsamic, it is aged for up to 18 years in chestnut, oak, mulberry, cherry and ash barrels. It is exceedingly rich, complex and dense.
PLUS YOU WILL GET AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF SOME OF THE WHOLESOME PRODUCTS WE WILL BE OFFERING ON THESECRETINGREDIENTGIRLS.COM
BEST PART!
I’m giving away two pairs of 3-day weekend passes to the Country Living Fair.
To enter your name in to the raffle simply share this post and leave a comment here or tag me and share on my Facebook page or on my Facebook StrawberryandSage page or on my Instagram
The contest starts on May 29th and ends on May 30th at 8pm.
The winners will be chosen by draw and they will be notified on May 31st.
The Country Living Fair brings the magazine’s content to life and gives readers access to a unique shopping experience featuring more than 200 vendors from 25 states, including antiques sellers, food purveyors, artists, furniture makers, crafters, and more. Guests will also have a chance to meet Country Living editors and their special guests; attend cooking, crafting, and DIY demonstrations, workshops, and book signings; sample locally sourced, artisanal food; and shop the Country Living General Store.
Don’t miss out on this fabulous three day event! Come And Meet Me On:
1/2cupuncooked long- or short-grain brown rice, rinsed
1/2cupuncooked oatmeal, rinsed in a strainer
3cupscups almond milk or coconutplus more for serving
1/4teaspooncardamom powder
1/4teaspoonfine sea salt
3cupscold water
1 to 4 tablespponsgranulated or turbinado sugar, honey, lemon curd or marmalade
fresh seasonal fruit, such as figs, berries, or sliced stone fruits
almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans, toasted
Servings: people
Instructions
Dump the rice, oatmeal, milk, cardamom, salt, water, and sugar in a large saucepan set over medium heat and stir to combine.
Let the ingredients warm until the liquid starts to bubble around the edges of the pan. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a very gentle simmer and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan frequently so the grains don’t stick, until the rice is broken down and the porridge has a soupy consistency, 60 minutes. You want to be careful to not let the porridge boil.
Spoon the porridge into bowls and, if desired, stir in some sugar or top with curd, fruit, nuts, and/or a splash more milk. (You can cover and refrigerate any leftover porridge for up to several days and serve cold or warm gently in a small saucepan, covered, over low heat. You may need to add a splash of water or milk as the porridge thickens when cold.
This is one is one of my favorite and deliciously nurturing recipe for roasted chicken. It’s a bit different from the usually roasted chickens; It’s cooked in a cast iron pan or a Dutch oven. This chicken is comfort food with a twist. It calls for honey and tangerine juice. As the chicken roasts, the honey condenses and caramelizes, becoming thicker and stickier and turning the chicken’s skin crisp and brown, the tangerine adds an unusual citrusy taste to the otherwise bland meat. Honey and tangerines not only donate a sweet and sour taste, they also infuse the meal with vitamins and winter goodness. You have to remember to rotate the chicken and baste the bird because the skin burns in spots. Rest the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. The juices are tangy and sweet and the potatoes come out crispy and flavorful. This roasted chicken is great for a family winter meal or be like Harry and Meg and make it for your engagement night.
Cast-Iron Roasted Honey and Citrus Chicken with Crispy Potatoes
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — This is one is one of my favorite and deliciously nurturing recipe for roasted chicken. It’s a bit different from the usually roasted chickens; It’s cooked in a cast iron pan or a Dutch oven. This chicken is comfort food with a twist. It calls for honey and tangerine juice. As the chicken roasts, the honey condenses and caramelizes, becoming thicker and stickier and turning the chicken’s skin crisp and brown, the tangerine adds an unusual citrusy taste to the otherwise bland meat. Honey and tangerines not only donate a sweet and sour taste, they also infuse the meal with vitamins and winter goodness. You have to remember to rotate the chicken and baste the bird because the skin burns in spots. Rest the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. The juices are tangy and sweet and the potatoes come out crispy and flavorful. This roasted chicken is great for a family meal or be like Harry and Meg and make it for your engagement night.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — This is one is one of my favorite and deliciously nurturing recipe for roasted chicken. It’s a bit different from the usually roasted chickens; It’s cooked in a cast iron pan or a Dutch oven. This chicken is comfort food with a twist. It calls for honey and tangerine juice. As the chicken roasts, the honey condenses and caramelizes, becoming thicker and stickier and turning the chicken’s skin crisp and brown, the tangerine adds an unusual citrusy taste to the otherwise bland meat. Honey and tangerines not only donate a sweet and sour taste, they also infuse the meal with vitamins and winter goodness. You have to remember to rotate the chicken and baste the bird because the skin burns in spots. Rest the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. The juices are tangy and sweet and the potatoes come out crispy and flavorful. This roasted chicken is great for a family meal or be like Harry and Meg and make it for your engagement night.
Prep the chicken. Season with salt and pepper the cavities and the outside. Stuff the chicken with the garlic, the rosemary, sage and the 2 onions half. Slice one of the tangerines in thin slices and place the chicken and the tangerine slices aside.
Place a rack in upper third of oven and set a 12" cast-iron skillet or 3-qt. enameled cast-iron baking dish on rack. Preheat oven to 425° F.
Meanwhile, toss potatoes, butter, thyme, and 1 tablespoon oil in a large bowl to coat; season with salt and pepper.
Once oven reaches temperature, drizzle the oil into hot skillet (this helps keep the chicken from sticking and tearing the skin). Place the tangerine slice at the bottom of the skillet and the chicken in the center of tangerine and arrange potatoes around.
Juice the 2 remaining tangerines. In a tall jug combine the tangerine juice with the balsamic vinegar, the honey, the garlic cloves, the rosemary and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whiz with a hand held blender for a minute or two.
Spoon all but 1/4 cup of liquid over all the chicken. Place chicken in oven and roast for 10 minutes. Spoon accumulated juices back over chicken, reverse pan back to front, and return to oven. Repeat a couple of times, basting every 10 minutes and switching pan position each time. If chicken browns too quickly, lower heat a bit. If juices dry up, use reserved liquid and 1 or 2 tablespoons of water.
After 50 minutes of roasting, insert an instant-read thermometer into a thigh; when it reads 155 to 165 degrees, remove chicken from oven, and baste one final time. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino is what Italians cook after a night out and it's a must when a bit of late night sustenance is required. It's astonishingly full of flavor and it takes literally 10 minutes or less to fix, plus it will cure any incumbent hangover. Every one I know makes a variation of this staple dish, I personally take the garlic out after I infuse it with the oil and chili flakes and I always discard it. Most italian, contrary to what you might have heard, don't like to bite in to a large piece of garlic. Plus if you are back from a night out you might be sharing this pasta dish with someone of importance and you might not have a tooth brush handy.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino is what Italians cook after a night out and it's a must when a bit of late night sustenance is required. It's astonishingly full of flavor and it takes literally 10 minutes or less to fix, plus it will cure any incumbent hangover. Every one I know makes a variation of this staple dish, I personally take the garlic out after I infuse it with the oil and chili flakes and I always discard it. Most italian, contrary to what you might have heard, don't like to bite in to a large piece of garlic. Plus if you are back from a night out you might be sharing this pasta dish with someone of importance and you might not have a tooth brush handy.
1/2teaspooncrushed hot chili flakesadd more chili flakes for extra heat
3tablespoonsflat italian parsley chopped
1/2cupgrated parmesan
1 1/2tablespoonssea salt for boiling water
Servings: people
Instructions
Bring water to the boil in a large pot, add sea salt and cook spaghetti al dente, according to packaging instruction.
Meanwhile heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté peeled garlic cloves and chopped hot red pepper. Cook until the garlic is golden. Make sure not to burn the garlic. Set aside and let the oil infuse.
Drain the pasta, remove the garlic cloves from the oil and toss the pasta with the oil and red chili flakes then add the chopped parsley and the parmesan.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — This coffee and Nutella cake is another soft, no butter bundt cake.
There is a secret to keep the center gooey and chocolatey. Simply bake half of the cake batter for 12 minutes and then add the Nutella. Cover with the remaining batter and finish to bake. YUM! A heart of Nutella!
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — This coffee and Nutella cake is another soft, no butter bundt cake.
There is a secret to keep the center gooey and chocolatey. Simply bake half of the cake batter for 12 minutes and then add the Nutella. Cover with the remaining batter and finish to bake. YUM! A heart of Nutella!
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F. Grease the bottoms and the sides of a 9 inches round tube cake pan. Line with parchment paper. You can use a bundt cake but I would select a simple design or the cake will stick to the pan. A spring form pan works as well.
Make one espresso shot and add the two teaspoons of instant coffee to it. Mix and set aside.
In a stand in mixer, fitted with a wire whisk attachment, cream the eggs with the sugar until light and fluffy. About 10 minutes.
Slow down the whisk and add the milk a little bit at the time until mixed in, then add the vanilla extract, the coffee and then slowly add the sunflower oil and then the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Keep mixing until well combined scraping down after each addition.
Pour half of the cake batter in the prepared pan and spread with a knife or a silicon spatula.
Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Take the cake out of the oven and spoon the Nutella on the half baked batter in a concentric circle. Cover with the remaining cake batter.
Put back in the hot oven for another 25 to 27 minutes, until golden and firm. Use a toothpick to test the cake to see if it is cooked in the center.
Remove the cake and place on a wire rack to cool. Do not remove the cake from the pan until cooled. Sprinkle with powder sugar before serving or with sifted cocoa powder.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — One more super soft, moist and easy to make breakfast cake. Strawberry, yogurt, no butter- 15 minute to mix- 35 minute in the oven.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — One more super soft, moist and easy to make breakfast cake. Strawberry, yogurt, no butter- 15 minute to mix- 35 minute in the oven.
2/3cupsunflower oilyou can also use grapes seeds or vegetable oil
2 1/4cupsall-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2teaspoonsbaking powder
1/4teaspoon salt
1 1/4cupfresh strawberries, quartered
powder sugar
Servings: people
Instructions
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F. Grease the bottoms and the sides of a 9 inches round tube cake pan. Line with parchment paper. You can use a bundt cake but I would select a simple design or the cake will stick to the pan. A spring form pan works as well.
In a stand in mixer, fitted with a wire whisk attachment, cream the eggs with the sugar until light and fluffy. About 10 minutes.
Slow down the whisk and add the yogurt a little bit at the time until mixed in, then add the vanilla extract, the grated lemon peel, slowly add the sunflower oil and then the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Keep mixing until well combined scraping down after each addition.
Pour half of the cake batter in the prepared pan and spread with a knife or a silicon spatula. Spread the half of the strawberries on top of the batter, then cover with the remaining cake batter. Place the remaining strawberries on top of the batter.
Put in the hot oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden and firm. After 20 minute in the oven you can quickly add some strawberries to the top of the cake, without taking the cake out of the oven, then finish baking. Use a toothpick to test the cake to see if it is cooked in the center.
Remove the cake and place on a wire rack to cool. Do not remove the cake from the pan until cooled. I cover the cake while it's cooling with plastic wrap for moisture. Sprinkle with powder sugar before serving.
Recipe Notes
Bake for 25 minutes and add extra strawberries to the top then finish to bake.
1/3cupsunflower oilyou can also use grapes seeds or vegetable oil
2cupsall-purpose flour, sifted
1/2teaspoonbaking powder
1/4teaspoonsalt
8ouncesmixed berry jamyou can use fresh berries
powder sugarto decorate
Servings: people
Instructions
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F. Grease the bottoms and the sides of a 9 inches round tube cake pan. Line with parchment paper. You can use a bundt cake but I would select a simple design or the cake will stick to the pan. A spring form pan works as well.
In a stand in mixer, fitted with a wire whisk attachment, cream the eggs with the sugar until light and fluffy. About 10 minutes.
Slow down the whisk and add the fresh drained ricotta a little bit at the time until mixed in, then add the vanilla extract, the grated lemon peel, slowly add the sunflower oil and then the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Keep mixing until well combined scraping down after each addition.
Pour half of the cake batter in the prepared pan and spread with a knife or a silicon spatula. Spread the jam or the fresh berries on top of the batter, then cover with the remaining cake batter.
Put in the hot oven for 40-45 minutes, until golden and firm. Use a toothpick to test the cake. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool. Do not remove the cake from the pan until cooled. I cover the cake while it's cooling with plastic wrap for moisture.
Once cooled, invert the cake on a serving plate, peel the paper off, invert again and sprinkle with powder sugar before serving.
Recipe By Silvia Baldini—
A lovely sustaining and tasty fall salad. Sweet roasted and spicy pumpkin is topped with layers of crunchy apples, woodsy pine nuts and a load of spinach. I'm in love with this dish.
Recipe By Silvia Baldini—
A lovely sustaining and tasty fall salad. Sweet roasted and spicy pumpkin is topped with layers of crunchy apples, woodsy pine nuts and a load of spinach. I'm in love with this dish.
1medium pumpkin, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into 6-8 wedges
SPINACH
3tablespoons pine nuts
2tablespoonsolive oil
1red onion, sliced
1/2teaspooncrushed chilli flakes
1tart apple (Granny Smith or similar), peeled, cored and diced
2garlic cloves crushed
1teaspoonground cumin
2 teaspoons runny honey
1poundwashed spinach sliced in ribbons
5tablespoonsdouble cream
1tablespoonchopped fresh cilantro
1pinchsalt
1pinchfresh ground black pepper
Servings: people
Instructions
Heat the oven to 400F
Put coriander, cumin, fennel, cinnamon and chilli with the salt into a mortar and pestle and crush until finely ground. Add the garlic and olive oil and pound to a paste. Rub this spice mix evenly all over the pumpkin wedges. Arrange in a single layer in a roast until tender, about 40 minutes.
Make the spinach topping when the pumpkin is nearly done. Toast the pine nuts in a dry heavy frying pan over the low heat, shaking the pan once or twice, until nutty and golden, about 5 minutes.
Put the oil in a large pan over medium heat. When it's hot, add the onion and chilli and cook until soft and wilted, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the apple and garlic ad cook until the apple starts to turn gold, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cumin, honey and two tablespoons of the pine nuts. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 3 minutes, then pour in the cream and heat through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange the roast pumpkin onto a serving platter, pour over the spinach sauce and sprinkle over the chopped cilantro and remaining pine nuts. Serve at once.
Recipe Notes
THINK AHEAD
You can bake the pumpkin a day ahead; reheat gently in a 300F oven, about 20 minutes. The spinach sauce is best made just before serving as it loses its bright green colour if you leave it sitting around but it takes only a few minutes if you have your pine nuts ready and toasted and your spinach chopped.
Recipe By Silvia Baldini —
I'm big fan of eggplant and this soup is made with an unexpected combination of healthy and powerful ingredients that taste sublime together. Eggplant, toasted almonds, dried soft apricots and turmeric. Grilling and charring the eggplant gives smoky flavor while the apricots and the almonds bring sweetness and a lovely texture. A sprinkle of turmeric and cumin gives a mediterranean touch to the soup and a hefty squeeze of lemon brightens it up. I serve the soup hot or even better at room temperature, in big bowls for supper or a sustaining lunch.
Recipe By Silvia Baldini —
I'm big fan of eggplant and this soup is made with an unexpected combination of healthy and powerful ingredients that taste sublime together. Eggplant, toasted almonds, dried soft apricots and turmeric. Grilling and charring the eggplant gives smoky flavor while the apricots and the almonds bring sweetness and a lovely texture. A sprinkle of turmeric and cumin gives a mediterranean touch to the soup and a hefty squeeze of lemon brightens it up. I serve the soup hot or even better at room temperature, in big bowls for supper or a sustaining lunch.
Heat a grill pan to fairly high. Spread the eggplants out on a rack over the grill pan. Brush lightly with oil and season. Grill on both sides for about 12-20 minutes until golden. You can also use the oven broiler.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large lidded saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin seeds and turmeric. Cover and sweat for 10 minutes.
Stir the grilled eggplants into the onion mixture with the stock, apricots, Marsala, honey and lemon juice. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the almonds and simmer for 5 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly before puréeing until smooth. Check seasoning.
Return to the rinsed out pan and re-heat slowly. Divide between warmed serving bowls and serve.
What kind of mom are you? Tiger mom, helicopter mom, MILF, sanctimommy, yummy mommy, alpha mommy, holistic mommy, yelly-bossy mommy? I’m the kind of mom that needs a glass of wine at the end of the day or even better a Negroni neat.
Welcome to September. September is not only back to school, clean last year wrappers from the back packs, realize all shoes smell and look like a wet rat, sign up for swimming at incredibly inconvenient to reach pool, travel soccer bonanza month. It is also lucky me, every-one in my family, birthday month. Don’t get me wrong. I do love a good birthday party and I give it up big for my kids. No restraints when it comes to baking a layer cake or singing as loud as I can the happy birthday tunes at Skyzone — in case you don’t know, that’s were lucifer fell from the sky and decided the build his headquarters while making a profit off kids high on sugar jumping on trampolines and hitting each others as hard as the can during the ultimate dodgeball game.
My son has simple taste when it comes to cakes. Boston Cream is his favorite cake. Every year we leaf together through all my recipes and my cooking books in search of the perfect birthday cake. Every year we come back to this custardy and chocolaty three layer wander. The soft sponge cake layers are sandwiched and kept in place with a smooth and silky vanilla custard and then topped with an intense and bittersweet chocolate ganache, the kind that drips gracefully down the sides. The cake looks impressive and it might seem hard to make but it’s actually very simple — if you get organized and follow the directions step by step. I make the sponge layers and the custard they day before the birthday; then I assemble the cake on a pretty stand and make the ganache an hour or two before I need to serve it. My son measures all the ingredients and he is in charge of bowl and spoons licking, something he manages to do very efficiently.
Oh, hey just in case you are interested, a good and nerve calming Negroni is 1 part dry Gin, 1 part Campari, 1 part Vermouth rosso. Ice. Stir. Repeat.
3sticksbutter unsaltedroom temperature and cut in to pieces
3cups granulated sugar
6large eggsroom temperature
1 1/2teaspoonpure vanilla extract
2 3/4cupsself rising flour
1/4cupcorn flour
2teaspoonsbaking powder
6tablespoons whole milk lukewarm
Vanilla Custard
2tablespoonscornstarch
2cups whole milk
6large eggs yolks
3/4cupsgranulated sugar
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
1/4cupheavy cream
2tablespoonslight corn syrup
1cupsemi sweet chocolate in small piecesabout 6 ounces
Servings: people
Instructions
Sponge Cake
Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter and line three 9 inches cake pans with parchment paper. Put all the ingredients except the milk in a bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a blade. Beat until you get a smooth batter and then slowly add the milk a little bit at the time. You can be a purist and beat cream the butter and sugar first and then add the eggs one at time, the vanilla and then the flour, corn flour and baking powder one spoon at the time then the milk; but honestly, for this kind of sponge, it doesn't make much of difference.
Pour the batter in the prepared cake pans and level with a knife. Bake in the hot oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown, the cakes come away from the pans sides and the sponge is springy to the touch.
Leave the cakes to cool in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes, then gently turn them and leave them on the racks to cool completely. Once they have cooled I wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge until ready to plate.
Vanilla Custard
Combine the corn starch and 1/4 cup of the milk in a non reactive medium bowl. Whisk in the eggs yolks Set aside.
In a stainless steel medium saucepan combine the remaining 3/4 cups milk and the sugar, the vanilla extract and bring to a boil then simmer unit the sugar is all dissolved.
Ladle one third of the sweet milk on to the egg mixture in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk the egg mixture in to the remaining hot milk in the pan. Whisking constantly bring to a boil then reduce the heat and boil very gently for a minute until thick and smooth.
Transfer the custard in a metal bowl, cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin to form. Refrigerate to chill and keep cold until ready to use. If the custard curdle, don't panic, you can strain it through a thin mech strainer or blend it.
Chocolate Ganache
In a small heavy pan saucepan, combine the cream and the corn syrup. Bring to a simmer over low heat and stir to blend. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate, let is stand for a minute or two then whisk well until smooth and shiny.
A ratatouille is a beautiful summer excuse to transform humble ingredients like onions, garlic and herbs in to a glorious and delicious dish. This recipe is very healthy but packed with big flavors. I use zucchini and yellow squash in this version but you could add eggplant, peppers and thin slices of potatoes for a more powerful version.
I quickly chop all the tomatoes, shallot, carrot and garlic with a food processor and then I pour all the chopped vegetables in a baking dish with my herbs and good olive oil. I layer the zucchini by making mini-stacks of about 20 slices in sequence, and then I arrang a few stacks at a time into the prepared baking dish in a concentric spiral from the outer edge to the inside, fanning them out.
I made the ratatouille with my kids for dinner. I sliced the zucchini, they stacked the slices for me in neat piles. We talked about summer plans and they filled me in on the latest stories. We played a game of badmington on the lawn and while I miserably lost every set, I won precious time with them, away from twitter and the unwatchable news #RESIST
In a food processor add the chopped tomatoes, shallot, carrot and the garlic. Chop all the vegetable but stop before they become a puree', leaving a rough texture.
Pour the chopped vegetables, 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and half of
the chopped fresh herbs into a medium baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
Using a mandolin, or a really sharp knife, thinly and evenly, slice the vegetables. Make the slices thin, about 1/8’ (3mm) thick.
Make mini-stacks of about 20 slices in sequence. Arrange a few stacks at a time into the prepared baking dish in a concentric spiral from the outer edge to the inside, fanning them out a bit so that you can see the top 1/8” of all the slices. “Stand” them up a little, so you can it as many vegetable slices in as possible, but you may still have some leftover veggies. Save the smaller rounds for the center of the dish.
Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and season with more salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining chopped herbs. Cover the dish with a piece of parchment paper cut to it just inside the dish rim, directly on top of the vegetable arrangement.
Euphoria has been building in our home. The infamous puberty class is happening today. Questions have been flying in for months as well as large packs of manly Axe Deodorant. I have spent hours at the local pharmacy waiting for my son to choose between Gold Temptation, Anarchy For Him and yes, something named Excite Deodorant Stick.
Secretly I want my boy to remain cute, cuddly and stinky forever but as a mother I feel the responsibility to give him the chance to grow up in to a strong, confident, respectful, kind and hopefully succesful man. The way I see it, we have enough puberty-trapped, spoiled men-children disrupting our lives at the moment.
Below you’ll find some of the questions my husband and I answered this year. My younger daughter of course felt the need to jump in abundantly and she was not shy with her queries. The creatures seem to be the most curious at inopportune times and/or when guests, grandparents or church ladies are close by, but we have learned to deflect when necessary and to answer with— I hope — honesty and humor.
If you feel the need to sit with your family and have “the talk” or any talk, consider making my recipe for a lighter version of a lasagna tray made with pane Casarau. Pane Casarau is an ancient flat bread from Sardegna. The airy flat layers are simply delicious, salty and crunchy. They are made of flour, yeast, water, and salt. The dough is rolled out thin and baked, then split into two layers which are baked again. The result is a thin, crispy cracker like, bread. This crispy bread is great on its own or served together with a fresh but dry pecorino and thick slices of prosciutto. It’s also delicious when layered in this version of the ultimate family comfort food, my easy and light ragu’ and mozzarella lasagna. This lasagna is healthier, lighter than the original version. The Casarau bread while satisfying has less gluten than pasta resulting in a more digestible dish.
I believe ancient wisdom is always the best ingredient therefore I cannot wait to sit around the family table tonight and dispense my knowledge. I’m sure the discussions will not disappoint. Happy Wednesday to all the ladies working hard at growing boys in to good men, not an easy task. #RESIST
Puberty Questions:
Does it hurt to get a baby created?
Why do you have sex?
How do you have sex
When you are going through puberty would a person have mood swings?
When do you start having your period?
When do you start growing hair under your armpits?
Does it feel good to have sex?
What happens if puberty doesn’t happen to you?
Why does puberty happen?
Why do people stop doing puberty?
What is it called when you have a tingling in your private part? Is it called an orgasm?
Can a man have a woman’s part and a woman have a man’s part?
What is an orgasm?
What are the side effects of sex?
What makes semen?
What color is sperm?
If I had all the symptoms of a period would I get it soon even if I’m only 10?
What do men and women have to have to make a child?
Does the flow of the period last days?
How many hormones are in the human body?
What age do you start have and stop having baby?
Why do girls go through more things than boys do?
Why do you have a half cup of blood when you have your period? Why not ¼ or 3/8?
How does the HIV virus go into other person by having sex?
What are AIDS?
What happens when a man’s penis becomes hard?
Why is it wrong to have sex before you are married and who came up with the idea that it is?
How do you know someone is in love with you?
Why do people have sexual change of feelings about a man or woman?
How do I know it’s time to wear deodorant?
Why can some women can’t have baby?
Is it normal for a 5th grader to have pubic hairs?
Why does my penis get big? I mean I know what’s supposed to happen but why does it happen randomly?
Do you have to have sex?
I just wanted to know if the sack behind penis ever runs out of sperm?
Why are kids mental when there parents are related?
Is having sex the only way to have a baby?
What are the positions for having sex?
Where do you have sex?
How does sex change your life?
How large does your penis grow when you hit puberty?
How do condoms work?
Can a man to man make babies?
Will my personality change in puberty? Will I become unnaturally gloomy?
Can puberty be disturbing sometimes?
Where does the liquid from the boy’s penis come from?
How are ferternal twins born?
My question is, what happens to your body after experiencing “it”!
For breast feeding where does the milk come from?
When is the right time to start wearing bras?
What happens if one of your breasts is bigger than the other? Is that bad?
Will it hurt when my body changes?
Why are we even talking about these things?
2cupstomato sauceyou can use Pomi strained tomatoes
4cupsvegetable stock or water
8/12crackers pane CasarauI used 1 and 1/2 square pack available at Trader Joe's
salt and pepper to season
2cupsmeat ragu'
1poundfresh mozzarella sliced
1/4cupfreshly grated pecorino Romano cheese
1/4cupfreshly grated parmigiano
1bunchfresh basil leaves
extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Servings: people
Instructions
Preheat the oven at 350°F.
Spoon a thin layer of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch lasagna pan. Wet the Pane Casarau crackers with the vegetable stock or the water to soften them. Then cover the tomato sauce with one layer of the Pane Casaurau. You can break the bread to fit pan.
Spoon a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bread and season highly with salt and pepper. Add a thin layer of ragu' sauce and spread. Sprinkle with a couple of teaspoons of the grated pecorino and parmigiano. Add 4 to 6 thin slices of the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with basil leaves.
Cover with a layer of the softened Pane Casarau and repeat for 2 or 3 more layers using all the ingredients. Top with a layer of tomato sauce and sprinkle evenly with the grated cheeses.
Bake for 30 to 35 minute, or until the cheese on the top is melted and slightly golden brown. Drizzle with olive oil to finish.
Recipe Notes
I used a square version of Pane Casarau from Trader Joe's. You can find the bread online at hwww.amazon.com/Pane-Carasau-Flatbread-Classic-gram/dp/B007W5OUB6
I have made the lasagna without ragu' and I increased the amount of tomato sauce and the mozzarella.
Roasting a big batch of whole tomatoes is a simple way to stash away a useful dish with and intense, concentrate flavor. Tomatoes are not only delicious but they have cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which can eliminate acne and brighten dull skin. I use Plum, Roma or any firm, meaty and ripe tomato. I skin them by plunging them in boiling water for 10 seconds then I roast them with garlic, good extra virgin olive oil, basil and thyme for 45 minutes. I always add salt and pepper after cooking them, because tomatoes don’t take to seasoning well before roasting them, and it’s just better that way.
Roasted Tomatoes can be used as a garnish, or as a healthy and fast sauce scooped on pasta and grains. I chop leftovers with ripe peaches, cilantro and small red onion and hot peppers for an assertive salsa.
The tomatoes keep, covered in the fridge for a week but no matter how many I make they never last that long. #RESIST
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— Roasting a big batch of whole tomatoes it's a simple way to stash away a useful dish with and intense, concentrate flavor. Tomatoes are not only delicious but they have cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which can eliminate acne and brighten dull skin. I use Plum, Roma or any firm, meaty and ripe tomato. I skin them by plunging them in boiling water for 10 seconds then I roast them with garlic, good extra virgin olive oil, basil and thyme for 45 minutes. I always add salt and pepper after cooking them, because tomatoes don't take to seasoning well before roasting them, and it's just better that way.Roasted Tomatoes can be used as a garnish, or as a healthy and fast sauce scooped on pasta and grains. I chop leftovers with ripe peaches, cilantro and small red onion and hot peppers for an assertive salsa.The tomatoes keep, covered in the fridge for a week but no matter how many I make they never last that long.
Recipe by Silvia Baldini— Roasting a big batch of whole tomatoes it's a simple way to stash away a useful dish with and intense, concentrate flavor. Tomatoes are not only delicious but they have cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which can eliminate acne and brighten dull skin. I use Plum, Roma or any firm, meaty and ripe tomato. I skin them by plunging them in boiling water for 10 seconds then I roast them with garlic, good extra virgin olive oil, basil and thyme for 45 minutes. I always add salt and pepper after cooking them, because tomatoes don't take to seasoning well before roasting them, and it's just better that way.Roasted Tomatoes can be used as a garnish, or as a healthy and fast sauce scooped on pasta and grains. I chop leftovers with ripe peaches, cilantro and small red onion and hot peppers for an assertive salsa.The tomatoes keep, covered in the fridge for a week but no matter how many I make they never last that long.
With a pairing knife core the tomatoes (cut out a small wedge from the stem end) then score a small cross on the bottom, it facilitate peeling them. Plunge the tomatoes in boiling water for 10 seconds. Then scoop them out on a paper towel and remove the skin.
Line a large baking dish with parchment paper, then fit all the tomatoes in the dish. It's ok if they are a bit crowed. Distribute the garlic and the herbs among the tomatoes. Drizzle with the olive oil.
Roast with-out touching the tomatoes for 40 to 45. Once cooked they should still hold their shape but they should be soft to the touch and slightly caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Store with the liquids, herbs and garlic for up to a week in the fridge.
This bright, green and crunchy salad is a take on the classic italian side dish of Peas and Prosciutto. I like this nutritious salad, it makes a very yummy power lunch or a delicious side dish and since I care about what I eat but I don’t want to lose sleep over it –the past 100 days have been enough of a snooze disruptor — I’m happy when a recipe this balanced takes less than 15 minutes to throw together. #RESIST
1 1/2 cupscups shelled fresh green peas (from about 1¼ pounds pods), or frozen peas, thawed
12 ouncessnow peas, trimmed and washed
8slices prosciutto, sliced medium-thick
1/2cupsshaved parmigiano
1tablespoonfresh lemon juice
1/2teaspoonDijon mustard
3tablespoonsvirgin olive oil
sea salt and black pepper
3tablespoonschopped fresh mint
Servings: people
Instructions
Cook green peas and snow peas in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water then drain and dry on paper towels.
Whisk lemon juice and mustard in a large bowl. Gradually add oil, whisking constantly until emulsified; season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Add green peas, snow peas, and mint to a bowl with vinaigrette and toss until well coated with dressing;
Arrange salad on a platter and top with prosciutto. Add the shaved parmigiano.
What kind of mom are you? Tiger mom, helicopter mom, MILF, sanctimommy, yummy mommy, alpha mommy, holistic mommy, yelly-bossy mommy? I’m the kind of mom that needs a glass of wine at the end of the day or even better a Negroni neat.
