Cooking with Jasmine; A-Z Recipes: Cooking With Series, #6

Agnolotti Di Ricotta E Spinaci

1 lb flour

6 oz sweet cream butter

8  eggs

3 pn salt,to taste

15 oz ricotta cheese,dry as

-possible

2 oz spinach,trimmed,washed

13 oz Parmesan cheese,grated

1 pn black pepper,to taste

2 pn nutmeg,to taste

1 qt heavy cream

4 oz mascarpone cheese

2 pn white pepper,to taste

STEP ONE: The Dough—

Combine the following ingredients: 1 pound bleached flour, 2 ounces

sweet butter, 5 eggs, and 1 pinch salt. Work the dough long enough to allow

the butter to be incorporated inside the dough. Wrap the dough in a towel

and let it rest, for at least one hour, inside the refrigerator.

STEP TWO: The Filling—

For the filling, steam the spinach and chop it very fine. In a bowl,

beat together 2 eggs with 7 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 pinch

each: salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Add 15 ounces dry ricotta cheese and

mix very well, but not too long. If you mix it too much, the mixture will

become liquid.

STEP THREE: The Agnolotti—

Roll out the dough in a thin layer and brush it with an egg wash (made

from 1 egg). With the help of a teaspoon to make a walnut shape, place the

spoon on the dough and cover it with another layer. Cut with a round

pasta cutter 2 inches in diameter. Stuff the pasta with the filling and cook

in boiling water until the agnolotti come to the surface of the boiling

water.

STEP FOUR: The Sauce—

For the sauce, bring 1 quart heavy cream to a slow boil and add 4

ounces sweet butter, 6 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 4 ounces

mascarpone cheese, 1 pinch of salt, 1 pinch of nutmeg, 2 pinches white pepper.

Boil slowly for five minutes, constantly stirring with a wooden spoon.

Ahi Tuna In Mustard Crust With Red Pepper Nage

16 oz sushi-quality tuna,cut in

-8-oz.,Slices

4 oz Dijon mustard

1 c  seasoned bread crumbs

-seasonings follow

1 ds cumin

1 ds yellow mustard seed

2  cloves garlic,minced

1 ds fresh thyme

1 ds cayenne pepper

1 ds salt

1 ds black pepper

—This recipe calls for Red Pepper Nage, the recipe for which is

provided in this cookbook.

Prepare breadcrumbs in the usual manner, using the spices listed. Brush

the tuna slices with Dijon mustard and spread the seasoned breadcrumbs over

the mustard. Cook the tuna to the desired degree of doneness, which is

preferably rare.

Serve with Red Pepper Nage.

Almond Meringue

6  Egg whites,at room temp.

2 1/2 T  Sugar

2 1/2 c  Sugar,powdered, sifted,

—plus more as needed

3/4 c  Almonds,ground, blanched

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Cut out three 10-inch parchment paper

circles and one 10-inch cardboard circle.  Set the parchment circles on

baking sheets.

Beat egg whites to soft peaks and gradually add 2 1/2 tablespoons

of sugar and continue beating until stiff.  Combine 2 1/2 cups of

powdered sugar and ground almonds; fold into egg whites.

This mixture can now be used to form layers, or designs or

whatever your choose.  Simply spoon mixture into a pastry bag fitted

with the tip of your choice, and pipe your designs onto parchment paper

covered baking sheets.

Dust lightly with powdered sugar (optional.) Then bake the your

meringue until crisp and very lightly golden (for designs about a half

inch thick, it takes 25 to 30 minutes.)

Cool on the finished baked meringue on racks.

Almond-Anaheim Dressing For Texas Smoked Turkey Salad

––––––––

1 1/2  whole Anaheim chili peppers

1/4 c  almond slivers, blanched &

-toasted

1 T  white wine vinegar

1 T  lime juice

1 c  corn oil

STEP ONE: Prepare the Chiles—

Roast chiles over an open flame until the skin blisters. Then place

them in a covered bowl or plastic bag until the skin begins to loosen. Peel and

seed.

STEP TWO:

Place chilies, almonds, vinegar, and lime juice in the bowl of a food

processor fitted with a metal blade. Puree. Then, with the motor

running, slowly add oil until the mixture has thickened.

Serve with Texas Smoked Turkey Salad recipe in this cookbook.

Serving Ideas : See recipe for Texas Smoked Turkey Salad.

Alpine Mushroom Salad

2 c  chanterelle mushrooms

-quartered

1 c  porcini mushrooms,cut into

-large dice

1 t  garlic,chopped

1 c  tomatoes

-peeled,seeded,diced

2 T  fresh basil,chopped

3 T  olive oil

3 T  lemon juice

1 T  balsamic vinegar

1/2 c  sun-dried tomatoes,diced

1/4 c  Italian parsley,chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. On a sheet pan, place the mushrooms,

garlic, and olive oil. Toss. Season. Bake in oven until light brown. Remove.

Toss with remaining ingredients. Keep at room temperature.

Serving Ideas : Serve with Slow Smoked Beef Tenderloin—see recipe.

Apple Pan Dowdy

Butter (for ramekins)

12 sl Bread,white, firm

6 T  Butter,unsalted, or more

Sugar

4 lg Apples,baking (Rome or other not-too-tart variety) peeled,cored, quarters cut  cross-wise into 1/4-inch,Slices

3 T  Molasses

1/2 c  Sugar,light brown, firmly

—,Packed

1/2 t  Cinnamon

1/4 t  Nutmeg,finely grated

3 T  Rum,dark

2 T  Juice,lemon

1 T  Vanilla

5 T  Butter,unsalted, chilled

—cut into small pieces

1 c  Cream,whipping, lightly whipped,sweetened with sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Butter six 8-ounce ramekins or souffle dishes.  (Ramekins are round cup-cake-like porcelain cups that are used to bake souffles, and such.)

Use a cutter to cut slices of bread into 12 rounds that fit into the dishes you've chosen to use.  Spread the rounds with softened butter on both sides, and sprinkle 1 side of each round with a little sugar.

Place 1 bread round in each dish, sugared side down.  Reserve 6 of the rounds for tops.

Toss your sliced apples with molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon,

nutmeg, rum, lemon juice, vanilla and pieces of butter until well coated.

Spoon the apple mixture into the ramekins filling them nearly

full and spooning some of the juices over the top.

Top each dish with a reserved bread round, sugared side up.

Place the ramekins in a roasting pan and then place the pan on the center rack of the oven.  Pour an inch of hot water into the roasting pan around the ramekins.

Bake until the bread tops are golden brown, about 25 minutes

Asparagus Cornet With Lemon Dressing

1 lb Asparagus,fresh, young,

preferably thin,stalks,

bottoms off,Trimmed

—

PASTRY  =========================

1/2 lb Puff Pastry **

LEMON DRESSING  =================

2 lg Egg yolks

Salt (to taste)

2 t  Mustard,Dijon

Pepper,white (to taste)

1 md Lemon,juice of

1 c  Oil,olive, extra-virgin

** See recipe for Puff Pastry.

For the pastry cornets:

Roll the pastry out onto a lightly floured work surface to 3 x 20 rectangle, 1/4 thick.  Cut the rectangle into 4 long strips, each 3/4 wide.

Wrap each strip around a long metal cone (which can be made from heavy-duty aluminum foil), beginning at the tip and rolling the strip around and around, overlapping slightly.  Place these on an ungreased baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Bake pastry cornets until golden, about 15 minutes.

Cool briefly, then very carefully the metal or foil cones.

For the lemon dressing:

Combine the egg yolks, mustard, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.

Whisk in the oil a drop at a time.  When the dressing begins to thicken, add the oil 1 teaspoon at a time, then continue adding oil in a thin stream. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Cook the asparagus, tied in bundles, in boiling salted water until it's just crisp-tender; drain.

Construction:

Pour a small amount of dressing on each serving plate.

Place a cornet on top of the dressing and tuck the asparagus into the ends of the cornet, fanning the tips outward.

Auntie Yuan Duck Salad

ROAST DUCK  =====================

5 lb Duckling,excess fat removed

1 T  Soy Sauce

1/2 t  Salt

1/2 t  Peppercorns,Szechwan,

—,Coarsely Ground

2 T  Honey

2 T  Vinegar,Chinese, rice

DRESSING  =======================

1 t  Mustard,dry

Salt

Pepper,white, ground

2 t  Sugar

1/2 t  Garlic,finely chopped

1 1/2 T  Soy Sauce

1/3 c  Stock,chicken

1/3 c  Vinegar,Chinese, rice

1/3 c  Oil,vegetable

Oil,vegetable (for deep fat frying)

3 1/2 oz Mai fun,(rice sticks)

2 c  Lettuce,iceberg, shredded

6 T  Scallions,slivered (garnish)

Cilantro (coriander) (garnish)

1 t  Sesame seeds,lightly toasted

For Roast Duck:

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Rub some soy sauce, salt and pepper into the cavity of the duck and place the duck on a rack in the roasting pan.  Stir together the honey and the vinegar and brush some over the duck.  Roast the duck until crisp and golden, about 1 hour, occasionally brushing with honey-vinegar mixture.  Cool.

With a sharp knife, remove the skin from each side of the breast and cut into thin slivers.  Remove the meat from each side of the breast and cut it into thin slivers.  Combine the slivers of skin and the slivers of duck, reserve 1 cup.  The remainder of the duck can be saved for another use.

For Dressing:

In a small bowl, blend together the dressing ingredients and set aside.

In a wok or wide casserole, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil over high heat to 450 F. Carefully, add mai fun noodles, in a few seconds they will puff.  Turn carefully with a skimmer and cook the other side.  Remove the noodles and drain on paper towels.

Break up the noodles and arrange them on 4 chilled serving plates.  Scatter shredded lettuce over the noodles and top with the reserved duck.  Garnish with scallions and cilantro.  Stir dressing and drizzle a small amount over each salad.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve, passing remaining dressing separately.

Baby Lettuce Salad With Tart Raspberry Vinaigrette

2 T  olive oil

4 T  raspberry vinegar

2 T  rich lamb stock

1 ds black pepper,to taste

1 t  oregano,chopped

1 t  chives,chopped

4 c  baby lettuce leaves

Stir together oil, vinegar, and lamb stock in a small bowl. Add

herbs as close to serving time as possible. Toss with baby lettuce and serve.

Serving Ideas : Add fresh herbs as close to serving time as possible.

Baby Spinach Salad With Grilled Onions, Tomato Vinaigrette

1 1/2 T  tomato paste

1 T  tamarind pulp

1/2 T  shallots,chopped

1/4 c  sherry vinegar

1 1/4 c  olive oil

1/4 t  kosher salt

1 ds black pepper

1  red onion

1 1/2 T  balsamic vinegar

6 c  spinach

FOR THE DRESSING:

Place the tomato paste, tamarind pulp, shallot, and vinegar in a

blender and mix well. Slowly add the oil a drop at a time at first and then in

a slow but steady stream until it is all incorporated. Add the salt. Can

be kept in the refrigerator for 1 week.

FOR THE ONIONS:

Peel and slice one large red onion thick enough so that you can handle

the slices and they will not fall apart when you cook them. Rub them with a

little olive oil and cook the onions over a charcoal fire or under a

hot broiler until soft. (Approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side.) Toss in a

bowl with 1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar so that the slices become

single rings. These will keep refrigerated 2 to 3 days.

TO ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:

Wash and dry one medium handful (about 1 cup) spinach for each portion

and toss with enough dressing to coat each leaf, being careful not to

over-dress the salad. Arrange the onions over the salad and serve.

Always serve salads on chilled plates.

Baked Lobster Savannah

2 oz butter

2 c  mushrooms,sliced

1 c  bell peppers,diced

1 T  Spanish paprika

1 1/2 c  sherry

1 ds salt,to taste

1 ds black pepper,to taste

4 c  Locke-Ober Cream Sauce,See

-Recipe

1/2 c  pimientos,diced

4  3-pound whole lobsters

-boiled and cooled

4 t  Parmesan cheese,grated

NOTE: If you are using lobsters smaller than three pounds each, you

will need enough smaller lobsters to produce a total of about 8 cups of meat

after boiling and cooling.

STEP ONE: The Sauce—

Heat butter to melting point in a large saucepan, add mushrooms and

green pepper. Cook until tender. Add paprika and stir in sherry. Cook until

liquid is reduced by half. Salt and pepper to taste; add cream sauce

(see included recipe in this cookbook) and pimientos and blend well. Bring

to a simmer.

STEP TWO: The Lobster—

This can be done while vegetables are cooking. Remove claws and

knuckles from lobster. Hold lobster with its top side up. With kitchen shears,

cut an oval opening in top of shell from tip of tail to base of head.

Remove meat from body, claws, and knuckles. Cut in a large dice.

STEP THREE:

Add meat to sauce and simmer slowly for 10 minutes. Divide mixture

evenly and spoon back into lobster shell. Dust with grated parmesan cheese and

brown in a 375-degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve.

Beef Stock

2 T  Oil,vegetable

4  Garlic,cloves, unpeeled

6 lb Bones,beef, meaty

1 bn Parsley,stems

2 md Onions,trimmed, quartered

2 c  Water,plus more as needed, don't peel

2 md Tomatoes,fresh or canned,

2 lg Carrots,peeled, trimmed, cored,coarsely chopped

1/2 t  Thyme,dried, or

2  Celery,stalks, trimmed,

3  Thyme,sprigs, coarsely,Chopped

2  Bay leaf

1  Leek,trimmed, halved

2  Cloves

—lengthwise,coarsely

3/4 t  Salt,coarse

—chopped,(white and

8  Peppercorns

—green parts)

Preheat oven to 450 F. Put the oil in a roasting pan and heat briefly in the oven.

Add the bones to the oil in the pan, toss