Tag cooking class

Parties That Cook Gears Up for Cooking Farm to Table: Classic Crostini Recipe

1 comment By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in General, Go Green, Menus & Recipes Tagged with , , , , , , , , , August 11th, 2011 @ 6:01 pm

As we gear up for our first Cooking Farm to Table Class this weekend, I think it’s time we give everyone a “taste” of what’s in store. No, we cannot send you a care package of ingredients used! (Though Canvas Ranch, the family-run farm where we are hosting this class, offers a Summer Season CSA program.) What we can do is open your eyes to one of our classic recipes to be featured this Saturday: Crostini of Goat Cheese and Tomato Jam – YUM. You can find this recipe in our Appetizer Recipe Library, and can find the tomatoes at Canvas Ranch this weekend!

Crostini of Goat Cheese and Tomato Jam

Ingredients
Tomato Jam:
1 1/2 pounds ripe beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes, peeled and chopped, reserving any juice
3/4 cups sugar
1 orange, peeled and sectioned, roughly chopped, reserving any juice
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon lemon (or regular) thyme, chopped

Crostini:
1 baguette, sliced diagonally into slices 1/4-inch thick
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, peeled
7 ounces goat cheese at room temperature

Thyme sprigs for garnish

Methods/Steps
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Make Jam: Place tomatoes, sugar, orange, lemon zest/juice (including tomato and orange juices) and salt in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour tomato mixture into a large-sized sauté pan over moderate-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until a jam-like thickness is achieved, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and add thyme. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate until it is cool to the touch, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, place bowl in freezer for 5-10 minutes.

Make Crostini: Brush the bread slices on one side with olive oil. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and cook until the slices are golden around the edges and crisp, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Rub one side of each crostini with a clove of garlic.

Assembly: Spread 1 Tablespoon of the goat cheese evenly over the toasts. Top with a dollop of tomato jam on the goat cheese. Garnish with a sprig of thyme. Serve immediately.

Parties That Cook Indian Summer Tapas Recipe: Crispy Vegetable Samosas

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Entertaining, Menus & Recipes Tagged with , , , , , , , , July 7th, 2011 @ 1:51 pm

Summer is officially in full swing. Fill your days with trips to the beach, lazy days (or songs), sunny skies, new adventures and, of course, lots of cooking! This July, Parties That Cook is offering an Indian Summer Tapas cooking class. And this week, we’re featuring one of the recipes from the class’ small plates menu.

Crispy Vegetable Samosas with Mint Jalapeno Chutney
This recipe can also be found in our Appetizer Recipe Library!

Ingredients
Filling:
1 medium russet potato
1 Tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon asafetida powder
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1 cup cooked peas
2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon garam masala
3 Tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped
24 won ton wrappers

Sheet pan dusted with cornstarch
4-6 cups canola oil for frying

Chutney:
1 shallot, peeled, root end removed
1/2 yellow pepper, seeded
1 bunch cilantro leaves
1/2 bunch mint leaves
1 jalapeno, seeded
1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup yogurt
3 Tablespoons water
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Methods/Steps
Make Filling: Peel potato and dice into 1/4-inch cubes. Blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain and set aside. Heat the ghee or oil in a skillet and add the potatoes, asafetida powder, mustard seeds, peas, jalapenos and salt. Stir well over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Cover pan, reduce heat and cook gently for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add the garam masala and chopped cilantro. Cool in refrigerator for a few minutes.

Assemble Samosas: Put 6 won ton wrappers on a dry surface and brush lightly with water, focusing on edges. (Leave remaining wrappers in package, covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.) Mound about 2 teaspoons of filling in the center of each wrapper. Fold one point over to meet the other to form a triangle. Press edges together to seal. Place on a tray dusted lightly with cornstarch. Repeat process with remaining wrappers.

Fry Samosas: In a large frying pan, add 4 cups canola oil and heat to 360°F. Working in batches, fry samosas until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Using tongs, transfer samosas to cooling rack over a sheet pan.

Blend Chutney: Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour chutney into a small bowl.Serve: Serve samosas on a platter with chutney.

Serves/Makes
Makes 24

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