Classic Creme Brulee

Ingredients 3 cups heavy cream 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 large egg yolks 1/3 cup granulated sugar Pinch of salt 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar, such as Sugar in the Raw Special Equipment 6 (5-ounce) flameproof ramekins; a small blowtorch Nutella variation: add about 9 tbsp (1/2 C and […]

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Pancetta

1 lb brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 2 oz sliced pancetta, minced 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper 1/4 C water Put rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 450 Toss together all ingredients except water in an 11 x 7 inch baking pan then […]

Jungle Curry with Pork and Eggplant

took about 45 minutes with precut pork Ingredients 1 lb Thai apple eggplants (see cooks’ note, below) 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 to 1/2 cup Thai red curry paste 1 1/2 lb pork tenderloin, halved lengthwise, then sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick 1/3 cup julienne strips peeled fresh or frozen grachai (lesser […]

Sole Meuniere

1 C flour 2 (6 oz) Dover, gray or lemon sole fillets Salt 1/2 stick butter 1 Tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley 1 tsp fresh lemon juice Accompaniment: lemon wedges Spread flour on a plate.  Pat fillets dry adn season with salt.  Dredge fillets in flour, shake off excess adn transfer to another plate […]

Grilled Peruvian Chicken

1/3 C soy sauce 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice 2 Tbsp chopped garlic 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp sweet paprika 1/2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled 1/2 tsp ground pepper 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 (3 1/2 lb) chicken, rinsed patted dry and quartered (I just did chicken thighs) Accompaniment: lime wedges Marinate the chicken: […]

Italian Wedding Soup

Active Time: 1.5 hours Total Time: 3 hours Yield: 8-10 servings; about 20 cups Stock: 1 (3 1/2 lb) chicken, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 8 pieces 2 celery ribs, cut into 2 inch lengths 2 carrots, quartered 1 large onion, left unpeeled, trimmed and halved 2 garlic cloves 6 fresh parsley stems (without […]

Split Pea Soup with Pumpernickel Croutons

Ingredients 2 meaty ham hocks (1 3/4 lb total) 16 cups water 4 large carrots 1 large onion, chopped 2 celery ribs, chopped 5 tablespoons olive oil 1 lb dried split peas (2 1/4 cups), picked over and rinsed 1 teaspoon table salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 5 cups 1/2-inch cubes pumpernickel bread (from a […]

Gascon White Bean Soup

1 C (7 oz) dried white beans, such as great norther, navy or cannellini, picked over adn rinsed 2 large meaty smoked ham hocks (2 1/2 lbs total) –I used only one ham hock and it was fine 3 quarts water 1 whole clove 1 medium onion, peeled 6 fresh parsley sprigs 1 fresh thyme […]

Roasted Tomato Soup with Parmesan Wafers

  4 lb tomatoes, halved lengthwise 6 garlic cloves, left unpeeled 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth 1/2 cup heavy cream Accompaniment: (see below) Garnish: fresh […]

Pumpkin Soup with Red Pepper Mousse

Good, not fantastic. For Mousse: 1 (12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained, rinsed, and patted dry 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp sherry vinegar 1/4 tsp hot pimenton (Spanish smoked paprika) 1/4 tsp salt (maybe more) 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin 2 Tbsp water 1/3 C heavy cream For Soup: 3 Tbsp olive oil 5 […]