Food 2: Breakfast brunch

Showing posts with label Breakfast brunch. Show all posts

Monday, December 9, 2013

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Biscuits

Since sweet potatoes are available year-round, you can have a taste of fall even on a cool spring day. These have a pretty orange color and a nice touch of spice. Halve and fill with a slice of ham, topped with a scrambled or fried egg and a dash of maple syrup for a hearty breakfast sandwich.

1-1⁄2 cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, more for dusting

1⁄2 cup cornstarch

2 Tbs. firmly packed brown sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

3⁄4 tsp. xanthan gum

1⁄2 tsp. baking soda

1⁄2 tsp. table salt

1⁄2 tsp. grated nutmeg

1⁄8 tsp. ground ginger

6 Tbs. (3⁄4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 large egg

1 cup mashed, peeled, cooked sweet potatoes (2 medium)

6 Tbs. whole milk

1 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted (optional)

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and ginger until well combined. Add the butter pieces. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and set aside.

In a small bowl, using a wire whisk, lightly beat the egg. Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Pour the liquid mixture into the well in the flour mixture all at once and stir with a fork just until the dry ingredients are moistened and the mixture comes together into a soft dough.

Place the dough on a board or other surface lightly dusted with
gluten-free all-purpose flour. With lightly floured hands, gently pat
into a flat disk about 3⁄4 inch thick. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter
dipped in flour, cut out as many biscuits as possible. Gently gather the
scraps into a ball, pat out, and cut out more biscuits. Place the
biscuits about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops
of the biscuits with melted butter, if desired.

Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately transfer to a wire cooling rack. Serve warm.

Caramelized Onion Biscuits

2 large yellow onions, halved lengthwise, trimmed, and thinly sliced lengthwise

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

3 Tbs. granulated sugar

1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

8 oz. (1-3/4 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed for shaping the dough

2-1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

4 oz. (8 Tbs.) very cold unsalted butter

3/4 cup very cold buttermilk

Cook the onions:

At least a few hours and up to a day ahead of making the biscuits, put the onions and the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent, 8 minutes. Add 2 Tbs. of the sugar and the balsamic vinegar, and continue cooking and stirring until the onions are very soft and caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes. If the onions brown too much or the bottom of the pan gets too brown before the onions are soft, add some water, about 2 Tbs. at a time. Let the onions cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, chop coarsely, transfer to a container, seal, and refrigerate until cold.

Mix the dough:

Heat the oven to 500°F and position a rack in the middle of the oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Put the flour, remaining 1 Tbs. sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl and stir with a whisk to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Cut the butter into small bits and toss with the flour. With a sharp knife or a bench knife, cut the cold butter crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Stack 3 or 4 slices and cut them into three even strips. Rotate the stack a quarter turn and cut the strips in half. You should create 6 small bits of butter per slice. Toss the butter bits into the bowl with the flour mixture. Continue cutting all the butter in the same manner and adding it to the flour mixture.

When all the butter is in the bowl with the flour, use your fingers to separate the butter bits (they tend to stick to each other), coat all the butter pieces with flour, and evenly distribute them throughout the flour mixture. Don’t rub the butter too hard with your fingertips or palms, as this will melt the butter. You’re just trying to break the butter pieces apart, not blend the butter into the flour.

Give it a little stir. When all the butter is evenly distributed, add the cold buttermilk and stir with a large spoon until all or most of the flour is absorbed by the buttermilk and the dough forms a coarse lump, about 1 minute.

Pat and fold the dough:

Pat and fold the dough. Dust a work surface with flour and dump the dough onto the floured surface, cleaning out the bowl with a spatula or a plastic bowl scraper. Dust the top of the dough and your hands with flour, and press the dough into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Sprinkle a small amount of additional flour and one third of the caramelized onions on the top of the dough. Fold the dough over on itself in three sections, as if folding a letter (also called a tri-fold). With a bench knife or metal spatula, lift the dough off the counter and dust under it with flour to prevent sticking, if necessary. Dust the top with flour and press the dough out again into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Sprinkle on another third of the caramelized onions and repeat the tri-fold. Repeat this procedure one more time (three times in all), with the remaining caramelized onions.

Cut and bake the biscuits.

After the third tri-fold, dust under and on top of the dough, if needed, and roll or press the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick oval. Dip a 2-inch or 2-3/4-inch round biscuit cutter in flour and start cutting biscuits, dipping the cutter in flour between each biscuit. Press straight down to cut and lift straight up to remove; twisting the biscuit cutter will seal the sides and interfere with rising. Use a bench knife or spatula to transfer the biscuits to the baking sheet, placing them about 1/2 inch apart.

Gently gather any scraps of dough, pat and roll out again, and cut more biscuits from the remaining dough. You can gather and roll the scraps two times total and still get good results (the more times you roll out, the tougher the biscuits will be).

Put the baking sheet in the oven and reduce the temperature to 450°F. Bake for 8 minutes; rotate the pan 180 degrees; continue baking until both the tops and bottoms of the biscuits are a rich golden brown and the biscuits have doubled in height, revealing flaky layers on the sides, 4 to 6 minutes more. It’s all right if some butter seeps from the biscuits. Remove the pan from the oven and set it on a cooling rack, leaving the biscuits on the pan. Cool the biscuits for at least 3 minutes and serve them hot or warm (they will stay warm for about 20 minutes).

Bacon and Smoked Paprika Deviled Eggs

This bacon-and-egg combination is a sophisticated take on a classic appetizer. The bacon adds flavor as well as texture to the filling, and you can dial the hot sauce up or down for just the right amount of heat. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.

4 large eggs

3 Tbs. mayonnaise

1 Tbs. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Hot pepper sauce, to taste

2 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Smoked paprika, for garnish

Prepare an ice water bath. Arrange the eggs in a single layer in a steamer basket set over boiling water. Cover the steamer with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit, covered, for 5 minutes more.

Plunge the eggs into the ice bath. Working with one egg at a time, crack
the shell by rolling it on a flat surface. Under a stream of cold
running water, peel the shell.

Let the eggs come to room temperature.

Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks, transfer them to a small bowl, and mash them with the back of a spoon.

Add the mayonnaise, parsley, and hot pepper sauce and continue to mash until smooth. Stir in the bacon and season to taste with salt and pepper. Pipe or spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the hollows of the egg whites. When ready to serve, sprinkle with a little smoked paprika.

Pancake Soufflé Muffins with Strawberry-Maple Syrup

These slightly sweet treats are a delicious cross between a muffin, a pancake, and a soufflé. Egg whites beaten to stiff peaks help them rise, and buttermilk gives them tang.

For the muffins

Nonstick cooking spray

10-1/2 oz. (2-1/3 cups) all-purpose flour

4-1/2 oz. (1 cup plus 2 Tbs.) cake flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. kosher salt

6 large eggs, separated and at room temperature

3/4 tsp. cream of tartar

3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

6 T bs. granulated sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3-1/3 cups buttermilk, at room temperature

Confectioners’ sugar, for sprinkling

For the strawberry syrup

1 cup pure maple syrup

1 cup quartered, hulled ripe strawberries

Make the Muffins

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Liberally spray two 12-cup muffin pans with the cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a large, clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed to firm (but not dry) peaks, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.

In another large bowl, beat the egg yolks with the mixer on medium-high speed until thick, ribbony, and lemon-yellow, about 6 minutes. Add the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla; mix on medium-low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add one-third of the dry ingredients and mix on low speed. Add one-third of the buttermilk and mix to combine. Alternate adding the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk, ending with the buttermilk and mixing until just combined.

With a large rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the batter, leaving some streaks.

Scoop about 1/2 cup of the batter into each muffin cup—you can fill the cups to the rims. Bake, rotating the pans after 10 minutes, until browned on top and puffed, and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out dry, 20 to 25 minutes total.

Make the syrup

While the muffins are baking, bring the maple syrup to a boil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Put the strawberries in a medium serving bowl. Pour the syrup over the berries and set aside in a warm spot.

Serve

With an offset spatula, pop the muffins out of the cups and arrange on a platter. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and serve with the syrup.

Carrot-Spice Bread

If you like carrot cake you'll love this sweet, tender quickbread, which is loaded with grated carrots, dried currants, and warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom.

For the bread

1 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened

9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

3/4 tsp. table salt

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

3/4 cup dried currants

1/2 cup whole milk

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1-1/2 Tbs. fresh orange zest

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups coarsely grated carrots, squeezed dry

4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For the glaze

4 oz. (1 cup) confectioners’ sugar, sifted if lumpy

4 tsp. cream; more as needed

Make the bread

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Butter and then flour the bottom and sides of a 6-cup (8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch or 9 x 5-inch) loaf pan, tapping out any excess flour.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Whisk until well blended. Stir in the dried currants.

In a medium bowl, combine the milk, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla. Add the carrots and whisk until blended. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Add the melted butter. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold until blended.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Bake, rotating halfway through, until the top is golden and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes.

Let cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes. Invert the bread and remove the pan, turn the bread right side up, and let cool completely.

Glaze the bread

In a small bowl, stir the confectioners’ sugar and the cream until smooth, adding more cream, 1 tsp. at a time, until the glaze is just pourable. Drizzle the bread with the glaze and let it set for 30 minutes. Store, covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Peach French Toast Bake

When you want a hot, homey breakfast that’s special enough for company but without the morning fuss, this French toast bake is the answer. You pull it together the night before and while you sleep the eggy goodness seeps into the bread and all the flavors meld together. In the morning you just need to pop it in the oven. It comes out fragrant, with juicy, brown sugar–laced peaches atop tender vanilla and cinnamon–scented bread that has just the right amount of chewiness from the baguette crust. A drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop of cool, creamy yogurt complete the picture and everyone’s left wondering just how you manage to do it all with such grace.

Cooking spray

1 large whole-wheat baguette (about 8 oz.)

4 large eggs

4 large egg whites

1 cup nonfat milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

5 cups frozen unsweetened sliced peaches, thawed

2 Tbs. firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1-1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt (optional)

3/4 cup pure maple syrup (optional)

Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Cut the baguette into 1/2-inch-thick slices and arrange them in a single layer in the pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg whites, milk, and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture over the bread in the pan. Scatter the peach slices evenly over the bread. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Uncover and bake until it is slightly puffed and the bread is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Top with yogurt and drizzle with maple syrup, if desired.

Creamy Scrambled Eggs

These eggs get their creamy texture from constant stirring over low heat, not from milk or water. While adding either may help feed more people with fewer eggs, it doesn’t necessarily yield creamier results

3 large eggs

Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/8 tsp. salt and a small pinch of pepper until thoroughly combined and uniform in color.

In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt the butter over low heat and then add the eggs. Using chopsticks, a heatproof silicone spatula, or a wooden spoon, constantly stir the eggs while shaking the pan. Push the cooked portion from the edges toward the center of the pan and let the raw portion run from the center toward the edges. Break up any large bits as you go along. Cook the eggs until they’re moist but no longer runny and have formed small, creamy curds, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Broccoli and Ham Quiche

The chunky filling of ham, broccoli, and Gruyère practically makes this quiche a one-dish meal.

For the crust

4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

4-1/2 oz. (9 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 9 pieces

1 large egg yolk

2 Tbs. cold whole or 2% milk

For the filling

8 large egg yolks

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup grated Gruyère

1/2 cup bite-size broccoli florets, steamed

1/2 cup diced ham

Make and blind bake the crust

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the flour is no longer bright white, the dough holds together when you press a clump with your fingers, and there are still flakes of butter the size of pecan halves throughout, about 1 minute. (Alternatively, use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until there are pea-size pieces of butter throughout.)

In a small bowl, whisk the yolk and milk, then add it all at once to the flour mixture. Mix on low speed (or with a fork) until the dough barely comes together, 15 to 30 seconds in the mixer, longer by hand. The dough will look shaggy at this point.

Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and gather it into a mound. Starting at the top of the mound and using the heel of your hand, smear a section of the dough away from you, sliding it down the side and along the work surface until most of the butter pieces are smeared into the dough. Repeat with the remaining dough in sections.

With a bench knife, gather the dough together, flatten it into a disk about 1 inch thick, and wrap it in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

On a well-floured work surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 12-inch-wide, 1/8-inch-thick circle. Roll the dough around the rolling pin and unroll it over a 9- to 10-inch quiche dish, or a 9- to 9-1/2-inch pie plate. Without stretching it, press the dough gently into the bottom and sides of the dish. Use scissors or a paring knife to trim the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch overhang.

If using a quiche dish, fold the overhang into the dish and press the sides up to create an edge that’s about 1/4 inch above the rim of the dish. If using a pie plate, fold the overhang under itself and flatten it slightly to completely cover the rim of the pie plate. Crimp decoratively.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to relax before baking.

Position a rack in the center of the oven, put a large rimmed baking sheet on it, and heat the oven to 350°F.

Crumple a 12-inch square of parchment, flatten it, then line the crust with it. Fill the crust to the top with dried beans, gently pressing them against the sides. Bake on the hot baking sheet until the edge is a deep golden-brown and the bottom no longer looks raw (carefully pull back the parchment to check; if using a glass pie plate, you can see if the underside is golden), 40 to 45 minutes; protect the edge with a pie shield or ring of foil if it’s getting too dark. Remove the parchment and beans (and pie shield if necessary) and cool on a rack to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Make the filling and bake the quiche

In a medium bowl or large liquid measure, whisk together the yolks, cream, milk, thyme, nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.

Put the blind-baked crust on the rimmed baking sheet and scatter the Gruyère, broccoli, and ham over the bottom, being sure they are evenly distributed. Whisk the custard and slowly pour it into the crust, taking care not to shuffle the add-ins around too much.

Cover the edge of the crust with a pie shield or a ring of foil to keep it from browning too much. Carefully transfer the quiche on the baking sheet to the oven and bake at 325°F until the custard feels set to the touch in the center, 45 to 55 minutes. It should be golden-brown and slightly puffed and should not slosh when you jiggle it.

Let cool on a rack for at least 45 minutes, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Or, for the best-looking slices, cool the quiche completely, then refrigerate, slice when cold, and reheat.

Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche

Tangy feta cheese, briny olives and sun-dried tomatoes give a Greek flavor profile to the iconic French quiche.

For the crust

4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

4-1/2 oz. (9 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 9 pieces

1 large egg yolk

2 Tbs. cold whole or 2% milk

For the filling

8 large egg yolks

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup crumbled feta

1/4 cup pitted, slivered black olives

1/4 cup drained and chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Make and blind bake the crust

With a bench knife, gather the dough together, flatten it into a disk about 1 inch thick, and wrap it in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to relax before baking.

Position a rack in the center of the oven, put a large rimmed baking sheet on it, and heat the oven to 350°F.

Make the filling and bake the quiche

In a medium bowl or large liquid measure, whisk together the yolks, cream, milk, rosemary, nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.

Put the blind-baked crust on the rimmed baking sheet and scatter the feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes over the bottom, being sure they are evenly distributed. Whisk the custard and slowly pour it into the crust, taking care not to shuffle the add-ins around too much.

Deviled Eggs with Crabmeat and Cayenne

Here, the classic deviled egg filling is made even tastier with sweet crab, sherry, Worcestershire sauce and a hit of cayenne. Set these kicked-up nibbles on a platter at your next party and watch them disappear. Luckily for your guests, the recipe is easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.

4 large eggs

3 Tbs. mayonnaise

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. dry sherry

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Big pinch cayenne

2 oz. crabmeat picked over and shredded (scant 1/4 cup)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Fresh lemon juice, to taste

Paprika for sprinkling (optional)

Plunge the eggs into the ice bath. Working with one egg at a time, crack
the shell by rolling it on a flat surface. Under a stream of cold
running water, peel the shell.

Let the eggs come to room temperature.

Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks, transfer them to a small bowl, and mash them with the back of a spoon.

Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne and continue to mash until smooth. Gently stir in the crabmeat and season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Pipe or spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the hollows of the egg whites. When ready to serve, sprinkle with a little paprika, if you wish.

Vegan Vanilla-Mixed Berry Muffins

We have a rule at Flour Bakery that if something is labeled “vegan” it has to be just as delicious to those who are not concerned about the label as to those who are. We created this muffin to satisfy our growing number of customers who have converted to veganism, and it has as many non-vegan fans as vegan ones. In fact, most people don’t believe us when we tell them that it’s vegan. To the nonbelievers the proof is in the recipe. In developing this muffin recipe, we realized that many vegan pastries make up for their lack of dairy and eggs by being super sweet and extra oily. We held back on the sugar and oil to create a scrumptious fluffy muffin that people of all dietary preferences will enjoy.

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. vegetable oil, such as canola

1-1/3 cups plain soy milk

2 Tbs. distilled white or cider vinegar

1 Tbs. vanilla extract

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350°F, and place a rack in the center of the oven. Line the cups of a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners or generously oil and flour them.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. of the sugar and stir until well mixed. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, soy milk, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the middle of the well. Stir with a rubber spatula until well mixed. Add the raspberries and blueberries and mix until the fruit is evenly distributed.

Spoon an equal amount of batter into each prepared muffin cup. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 2 Tbs. sugar.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the muffins are pale gold and the tops spring back when pressed gently in the middle. Let cool in the tin on a wire rack before popping them out. The muffins taste best on the day they are baked, but any uneaten muffins can be stored in a covered container at room temperature for 2 or 3 days. For the best results, refresh them in a 300°F oven for 4 to 5 minutes.

Spiced Banana Pancakes

There’s so much banana in these pancakes that they’re incredibly moist and naturally sweet. A touch of freshly ground pepper and allspice elevates this homey breakfast treat to something truly special. Bet you can’t eat just one.

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1-1/2 tsp. ground allspice

3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbs. packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 cup whole milk

2 Tbs. vegetable oil

4 medium ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 to 3 Tbs. unsalted butter for cooking pancakes, plus more for serving

Maple syrup for serving

Preheat the oven to 200°F, and place a rack in the center of the oven. Put a wire rack on the baking sheet and place it in the oven.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, allspice, pepper, and brown sugar. In another medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vegetable oil until blended; add about 3 of the bananas (reserving the rest for serving). Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined. Don’t over-mix. It will be a thick, gloppy, lumpy batter. (Sounds delicious so far, doesn’t it?)

In the skillet, melt about 1 tsp. of the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle a few drops of water into the pan; if the water sizzles on contact, the pan is ready. Pour a scant 1⁄2 cup of batter into the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the edges of the pancake start to brown and small bubbles begin forming along the edges and in the middle of the cake. With a flat metal or plastic spatula, carefully flip the pancake over; the first side should be golden brown. Cook slowly for another 2 to 3 minutes. Gently press the pancake in the middle with the spatula to flatten it out a bit and make sure the center is cooked through. Adjust the heat as needed so the pancake browns nicely but doesn’t burn on the second side. Remove the finished pancake from the skillet and place it on the wire rack in the oven to keep warm while you cook the remaining pancakes.

Cook the remaining pancakes the same way, adding another 1 tsp. or so of butter before adding the batter each time. For these pancakes, a slower and lower heat is better; once the pan has been seasoned by the first pancake, you should be able to cook the remaining pancakes on medium-low heat. Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup, and the remaining banana.

Greek Yogurt Parfaits with Slow-Cooked Apricot Preserves and Toasted Pistachios

These beautiful treats are delicious for breakfast, a snack, or dessert (for the latter, use vanilla yogurt). If you’ve been intimidated to make your own preserves, this super-easy recipe is the perfect place to start. It requires very little active time and, since apricots have such thin skins, there’s no need to peel the fruit. Since you’ll have about 3-1⁄2 cups of rich reddish orange preserves left over, use it as a topping for ice cream, French toast, or toast; stir it into oatmeal; or put it in pretty glass jars and offer it as gifts.

For the apricot preserves

2 large, juicy lemons, preferably organic

2-1⁄2 lb. slightly firm fresh apricots

3-1⁄2 cups granulated sugar

Pinch kosher salt

4-1⁄2 Tbs.pectin powder, such as Ball Classic Pectin (not low sugar)

For the parfaits

6 cups Greek yogurt

3⁄4 cup shelled unsalted
pistachios, tossed in a dry sauté pan with 1⁄8 tsp. salt over medium
heat for about 2 minutes (and chopped, if desired)

Make the apricot preserves

Tip:

To adapt a slow-cooker recipe to a conventional oven, follow these guidelines: add more liquid, to accommodate for greater evaporation; bring the dish to a boil over high heat in a Dutch oven, then cover the pot and put in a 350°F oven. Plan on the dish taking roughly half the time to cook in the oven as it would in the slow cooker.

Place a small plate in the freezer. With a vegetable peeler, gently peel the yellow zest from one of the lemons. Place on a small piece of cheesecloth and, using twine, tie into a bag. Add to the slow cooker. Squeeze 1⁄4 cup juice from the lemons into a strainer set over a small bowl (you’ll probably use about 1-1⁄2 lemons); discard the solids. Add the juice to the slow cooker.

Use your hands to split open each apricot; discard the pit. Once you’ve repeated with all of the apricots, coarsely chop the pile with a chef’s knife. Toss into a large bowl and use a potato masher to mash. Measure out 4 cups and add to the slow cooker, along with the sugar and salt. Stir well. Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for about 4 hours, until the fruit is broken down.

Pour into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pectin and boil for about 9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pectin has dissolved and the preserves have thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and test whether the preserves have set by spooning a drop onto the chilled plate and tilting the plate. If the preserves are thick and run just a tiny bit, they’re done; if not, boil for another minute, then retest. The goal is slightly runny preserves, which are perfect for a parfait. Using a funnel, carefully transfer the hot preserves into clean glass jars. Let them stand until cool, then place in the refrigerator. The preserves will last for 2 to 3 weeks.

Make the parfaits

Into each of six parfait glasses or glass cups, spoon 1⁄2 cup Greek yogurt, then 2 Tbs. apricot preserves, then 1 Tbs. nuts. Repeat the layering and serve immediately.

Wild Blueberry and Ricotta Pancakes

Ricotta makes these pancakes light and creamy. It’s the perfect foil for the intense sweet-tart flavor of wild blueberries, which are widely available frozen. You can also use cultivated blueberries, which are larger but still sweet and delicious.
These pancakes are sure to be a huge hit at your Easter brunch. Visit our Guide to Easter for hundreds more recipes perfect for the holiday.

3 large eggs, separated

3/4 cup part-skim ricotta, drained of excess liquid before measuring

2-1/4 cups buttermilk

5 Tbs. granulated sugar

1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract

3/4 tsp. table salt

8 oz. (1-3/4 cups) all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

6 oz. frozen wild blueberries (don’t thaw) or fresh wild or cultivated blueberries (1-1/2 cups)

Vegetable oil for the griddle

Softened salted butter, pure maple syrup, and confectioners' sugar, for serving

In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and ricotta. Whisk in the buttermilk, sugar, vanilla, and salt.

In a small bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, and baking soda with a spatula. Fold into the egg yolk mixture until just combined.

Beat the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until they hold firm peaks. Fold gently into the batter until just combined. Fold in the blueberries.

Lightly oil a griddle and set it over medium heat. The griddle is ready when water droplets dance briefly on the surface before disappearing. Ladle a scant 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto the griddle. Cook until the undersides are nicely browned, the edges look set, and small bubbles appear on the surface, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until the second sides are golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Repeat, re-oiling the griddle between batches, until all the batter is cooked. Serve at once with butter, maple syrup, and confectioners’ sugar.

Banana, Carrot & Quinoa Bread

This gluten- and dairy-free quick bread recipe requires only two bowls and a whisk, which makes it especially well-suited for kids’ baking adventures. It’s delicious with a little bit of coconut oil spread over the top.

1-1/2 cups mashed banana puree, from about 3 ripe bananas

3 eggs

3/4 cup natural cane sugar

3/4 cup olive oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup quinoa flour

1/2 cup superfine brown rice flour

1/2 cup almond flour

3 Tbs. tapioca starch

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans

3/4 cup grated carrots

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the banana puree, eggs, sugar, olive oil, and vanilla extract.

In a large bowl, whisk together the quinoa flour, superfine brown rice flour, almond flour, tapioca starch, salt, baking soda, and ground cinnamon.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until incorporated. Fold in the pecans and carrots. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan or muffin cups. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes for the loaf pan or 15 minutes for the muffins. To check doneness, insert a wooden skewer in the middle, and if it comes out clean, they are done. Let cool in the pan for 20 minutes and then invert onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing the loaf.

Small Plates and Sweet Treats: My Family's Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking

Asparagus, Ham and Mushroom Strata

Looking for the perfect make-ahead for Easter brunch? You can assemble the strata, which is like an Italian quiche, but instead of a pastry crust, leftover bread forms the egg custard base, up to two days before brunch and bake it just before serving. Trim the bread's crust for a neat and pretty dish, or leave it intact for a heartier texture.

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, more for the pan

1 lb asparagus, ends snapped off, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3-1/2 oz. oyster mushrooms (or shiitake or white mushrooms), stemmed and thinly sliced

6 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced, white and green parts separated (1/2 cup green, 2 Tbs. white)

9 large eggs, beaten

2-3/4 cups milk (preferably whole)

1 large loaf (about 1 lb.) rustic white bread (like ciabatta), cut into 1-inch cubes

8 oz. thinly sliced deli ham, cut into 1-inch strips

3 cups grated extra sharp Cheddar (about 8 oz.)

Melt the butter in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spears start to brown and soften, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and scallion whites and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms soften and cook through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.

Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Whisk the eggs with the milk and 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper. Spread half the bread in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half the egg mixture and then cover with half the ham, cheese, and asparagus mixture, and sprinkle with half the scallion greens. Repeat with the remaining bread, custard, ham, cheese, asparagus mixture, and scallions. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down so the bread is completely submerged in the egg mixture, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days before baking.

Put a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Let the strata sit at room temperature while the oven heats. Bake until the custard sets and the top browns, about 30 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake for another 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, cut into square pieces, and serve.

Lobster and Mushroom Quiche

This luxurious quiche filling combines chunks of fresh lobster meat, sautéed mushrooms, and thinly sliced chives.

For the crust

4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

4-1/2 oz. (9 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 9 pieces

1 large egg yolk

2 Tbs. cold whole or 2% milk

For the filling

8 large egg yolks

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

1/4 cup thinly sliced chives

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup cooked, diced lobster meat

1 cup sliced, sauteed mushrooms

Make and blind bake the crust

With a bench knife, gather the dough together, flatten it into a disk about 1 inch thick, and wrap it in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to relax before baking.

Position a rack in the center of the oven, put a large rimmed baking sheet on it, and heat the oven to 350°F.

Make the filling and bake the quiche

In a medium bowl or large liquid measure, whisk together the yolks, cream, milk, chives, nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.

Put the blind-baked crust on the rimmed baking sheet and scatter the lobster and mushrooms over the bottom, being sure they are evenly distributed. Whisk the custard and slowly pour it into the crust, taking care not to shuffle the add-ins around too much.

Good-For-You Blueberry Muffins

Applesauce keeps these muffins tender and moist, allowing me to reduce the overall fat and sugar in the recipe. And using half whole-wheat flour and half white flour adds antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals, while maintaining the tender lightness produced by white flour. These muffins are at their tastiest while still warm from the oven.
Read the post Dream Muffins for more of Ellie's tips on making your favorite bakery-style treats both healthful and delicious.

Nonstick cooking spray

4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour

4 oz. (1 cup) whole-wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. table salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

2 large eggs

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

1 cup natural unsweetened applesauce

1-1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Coat a 12-cup standard muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk both flours, the baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and oil until the mixture is pale and slightly frothy. Whisk in the applesauce, lemon zest, and vanilla. With the whisk, stir in about half the flour mixture, then half the buttermilk. Repeat with the remaining flour and then the remaining buttermilk, stirring until well incorporated. Gently fold in the blueberries.

Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling them to the top. Tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean, 20 to 30 minutes.

Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and then unmold. Serve warm or let cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.

Blueberry Fruit Salad with Tequila-Lime Syrup

A margarita-inspired syrup enhances the tart-sweet flavor of this summery fruit salad. For an alcohol-free version, use water in place of the tequila.

3/4 lb. (2 cups) fresh blueberries

4 medium kiwi, peeled, halved lengthwise, then sliced crosswise

1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into bite-size pieces

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup 100% agave tequila, preferably reposado

2 medium limes, finely grated to yield 2 tsp. zest and squeezed to yield 2 Tbs. juice

Put the blueberries, kiwi, and mango in a medium serving bowl. Combine the sugar, tequila, and lime zest in a 1-quart saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice. Pour the warm syrup over the fruit and gently toss. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour. Gently toss before serving.

Cream Scones

While most scones are made with cream, the secret to this version is whipping the cream to soft peaks before folding it with the dry ingredients. The air trapped in the cream helps the scones rise, making them extra soft and light. Brushing the scones with a little extra cream and sprinkling them with sugar adds crunch and makes the tops sparkle a bit. If you prefer to skip that step, you’ll get more rustic-looking but equally tasty scones.

1 cup plus 2 tsp. chilled heavy cream

10-5/8 oz. (2-1/3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed

3 Tbs. granulated sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)

3/8 tsp. fine sea salt or table salt

5 oz. (10 Tbs.) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. honey

1 Tbs. turbinado sugar (such as Sugar in the Raw) or granulated sugar

Chill a medium metal mixing bowl and the beaters of an electric hand mixer (or the bowl and whisk attachment of a stand mixer) in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

Beat 1 cup of the cream in the chilled bowl on medium-high speed just until soft peaks form, 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes; refrigerate while you mix the other ingredients.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and toss with your fingers to coat. Press the butter between your fingers to form very thin flakes, tossing them back in the flour mixture between passes until all of the butter is pressed into dime-size flakes.

Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the whipped cream and honey. Use a silicone spatula to fold the ingredients together until incorporated.

Lightly knead the dough in the bowl just until it holds together. Turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Gently knead it a few more times, then transfer it to a 9-inch cake pan lined with plastic wrap and pat it into a flat disk (or shape it by hand on a cutting board into a 9 x 3/4-inch disk). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

If the dough was shaped in a cake pan, invert it onto a cutting board. Remove the plastic.

With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 even wedges. Arrange the wedges 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Brush the scones with the remaining 2 tsp. cream and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar.

Bake the scones until lightly browned on top, 15 to 20 minutes.

Spread an unscented, lint-free linen or cotton towel on a large wire rack and put the baked scones on top. Fold the towel over loosely and allow the scones to cool until warm or at room temperature before serving.