Lime Squares with Pistachio-Graham Cracker Crust

Another great recipe from Martha Stewart. I used cashews instead of pistachios because they are so much cheaper and it worked fine. I also put some lime zest in the filling because my limes weren't super juicy and I thought it needed more flavor. It was a super easy recipe and tasted great!

Crust:

4 T melted butter, plus more for pan

2/3 c shelled pistachios

1 c graham cracker crumbs

1/4 c sugar

1 T grated lime zest

Filling:

2 large egg yolks

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 c fresh lime juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush pan with melted butter. Line bottom with 8-inch parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.

In a food processor, finely grind nuts with graham cracker crumbs (or just throw the crackers in whole and make crumbs in one step), sugar and lime zest. Blend in butter. Press mixture into bottom of pan and 1 inch up sides. Bake until lightly browned, 8-10 mins. Cool crust 30 mins.

Whisk together egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk. Add lime juice; whisk until smooth. Pour filling into crust and spread to edges.

Bake until set, 15 mins. Cool in pan on rack. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Lift out of pan with parchment paper and cut with serrated knife.

Pineapple Pops

These are seriously good...in the summer...probably not as good when it's 40 degrees and rainy :(

1 14.5oz can pineapple
1/3 c milk
1/4 c sugar

Blend in the blender. Pour into popsicle molds or dixie cups, insert popsicle stick and freeze.

Chocolate-Coconut Bars

3 c finely ground cookies (graham crackers, oreos, combination)

1/4 c sugar

3/4 c butter, melted

1 c pecan pieces (or walnuts)

1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 c sweetened, shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 10x15" baking sheet with parchment or foil.

In a large bowl stir together cookie crumbs, sugar and butter until combined. Evenly press into bottom and sides of lined baking sheet. Bake, rotating half way through, 10 mins. Transfer to a wire rack to cool ~20mins.

Sprinkle cooled crust evenly with nuts and chocolate. Pour condensed milk over the top, spreading to cover completely (do not let it drip over edge to avoid sticking). Sprinkle with coconut.

Bake until coconut is toasted, 10-15 mins. Transfer to rack, cool completely. Cut evenly into pieces.

Brown-Sugar Barbecue Chicken

This is my study while you cook special. I usually halve the sauce and it's plenty. For low prep dinner throw some baked potatoes in the oven 15-20 mins before the chicken goes in.

2 c ketchup

1 c brown sugar

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T cider vinegar

Salt and Pepper

Chicken (breasts, thighs, drum sticks -- whatever you have)

Mix first four ingredents to make the sauce. Spoon/brush about half of the sauce onto chicken.

Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for 25-40 mins (until the juices run clear and the flesh looks white when you cut into it).

Warm up the rest of the sauce in the microwave for dipping (make sure not to contaminate it when you put it on the raw chicken).

Coconut Bread Pudding

butter for baking dishes

1 loaf white country bread (1 lb), cut into 1" cubes

4 large eggs

3/4 c granulated sugar

1 can (13.5oz) coconut milk

2 c whole milk

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

confectioner's sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center. Butter eight 6-oz ramekins or custard cups; set aside. Arrange bread in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets; bake until crisp, tossing once, 15-20 mins. Remove from oven. Reduce heat to 300 degrees.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, milks, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Stir in toasted bread; let sit, tossing occasionally, until bread has absorbed liquid, about 5 mins.

Divide bread mixture evenly among ramekins. Place on a baking sheet; bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a pudding comes out clean, 50 mins to 1 hour. Let cool. Serve dusted with confectioners' sugar

Potato and Red-Pepper Frittata,

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, ribbed, seeded and thinly sliced in strips

2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into thin slices

salt and pepper

8 large eggs

2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary (dried works too)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In an 8" ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tsp oil over med heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook stirring occasionally until onion is lightly browned, about 5 mins. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

Heat remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in skillet. Add potatoes; season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, tossing often, until potatoes are tender and lightly browned, about 10 mins. Transfer potatoes to bowl with onion mixture; toss to combine. Return mixture to skillet; flatten with a spatula.

In large bowl, beat eggs with rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Pour over potatoe mixture; tilt pan to distribute evenly. Bake until set, 15-20 mins. Cut into wedges and serve.

Chocolate-Dipped Caramallows

Makes about 70 pieces

FOR THE CARAMEL LAYERS
Vegetable oil cooking spray
4 cups heavy cream
4 cups sugar
2 cups light corn syrup
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE MARSHMALLOW LAYER
2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (one 1/4 ounce envelope)
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup cold water
1 cup sugar
Salt

FOR FINISHING CANDIES
Tempered Chocolate
White nonpareils, for sprinkling

Make first caramel layer: Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides, then coat parchment with spray. Place 2 cups cream, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup corn syrup, and 6 tablespoons butter in a large pot.

Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves and butter melts, about 5 minutes. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until mixture registers 245 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 20 minutes. Remove pot from heat, and stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into prepared pan without scraping bottom of pot. Let stand.

Make the marshmallow layer: Sprinkle gelatin over 1/3 cup water in a mixer bowl, and let soften, about 5 minutes. Mix sugar and remaining cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming. Cook, undisturbed, until mixture registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. (You may have to tilt pan to get an accurate read.)

Remove pan from heat, and whisk sugar syrup and a pinch of salt into gelatin. Pour into a mixer bowl, and whisk on medium-high until cool and thick, about 10 minutes. Spread marshmallow evenly over caramel to cover, and let stand for 30 minutes.

Prepare second caramel layer with remaining ingredients as in step 2. Pour over marshmallow layer, covering entire surface, and let stand, uncovered, until set, about 8 hours. Using a 1 1/4-inch round cutter, cut out 70 rounds. Using a fork, dunk each round in chocolate (pictured, page 228). Scrape bottom of fork against edge of bowl to remove excess, and place dipped candies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle nonpareils on top, and let stand until set. Caramallows will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days.


Helpful Hint: These indulgent treats include two caramel layers, and each layer must be made separately at different times. Start the second one after the marshmallow layer has set on top of the caramel.

Chocolate-Coconut Charlotte

FOR THE COCONUT CUSTARD
1 cup unsweetened finely shredded coconut
3 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup whole milk
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE CHOCOLATE CUSTARD
1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
5 1/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (1 cup)

FOR THE RUM SYRUP
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup dark rum

FOR ASSEMBLY
Vegetable oil cooking spray
Chocolate Ladyfingers and Cake Rounds
1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks

Make the coconut custard: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread coconut on a baking sheet, and bake until light gold, about 3 minutes.

Whisk together yolks, cup sugar, and the cornstarch in a bowl. Bring milk, coconut milk, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add 1/3 of the milk mixture to yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Add remaining milk mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Return to saucepan, and cook over medium heat, whisk-ing constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and whisk in butter and vanilla. Fold in coconut, then transfer to a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly on surface of custard, and refrigerate until chilled and firm, about 1 hour (or overnight).

Make the chocolate custard: Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons milk in a small bowl, and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Whisk together yolks and sugar in a medium bowl.

Bring cup cream and remaining cup milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/3 of the cream mixture to yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Add remaining cream mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan. Place over medium heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until custard coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in softened gelatin.

Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Strain cream mixture over chocolate, and let stand for 1 minute. Stir until smooth, and let cool. Whisk remaining 3/4 cup cream until medium-stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the cream into chocolate mixture, then fold in the rest.

Make the rum syrup: Bring sugar and rum to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool.

To assemble the charlotte: Place a 6-by-3-inch cake ring (see the Guide), on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Coat ring with cooking spray. Arrange ladyfingers upright inside ring, curved side touching ring. (Use just enough to fit snugly.) Fit 1 cake round in bottom of cake ring.

Brush ladyfingers and cake with syrup. Spread 3/4 cup chocolate custard in ring, then top with 1 cup coconut custard. Repeat with cake, syrup, and custards, leaving 3/4 inch from top of ladyfingers.


Cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight). Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, then gently remove cake ring. Top charlotte with whipped cream, and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Tie with bow, if desired, before presenting at the table. Slice, and serve immediately.

Roasted Dry-Brined Turkey

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
14 dried bay leaves, 10 crushed, 4 left whole
1 whole fresh turkey (22 to 24 pounds), giblets and neck reserved for Simple Giblet Stock
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for baking dish if needed
1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
Stuffing
1 cup water, plus more if needed

FOR THE PAN GRAVY
Pan drippings, reserved from turkey
1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Simple Giblet Stock, or 4 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium turkey or chicken stock
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Make the turkey: Combine 2/3 cup salt and crushed bay leaves in a small bowl. Rinse inside and outside of turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub 2 tablespoons salt mixture evenly inside turkey cavity, 2 tablespoons on each leg portion, 1 1/2 teaspoons on each wing, and 2 tablespoons on each breast. Place turkey in a large oven bag and seal tightly, removing any trapped air. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate for 48 hours.

Remove turkey from bag, and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Combine 1 stick butter, the wine, and whole bay leaves in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees with rack in lowest position. Rinse inside and outside of turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Tuck wings under turkey. Season cavity with salt and pepper, and loosely fill it with 4 cups stuffing. (To bake remaining stuffing, see recipe below.) Tie legs together with kitchen string. Rub remaining 1/2 stick butter on turkey, and season with salt and pepper. Pour water into roasting pan.

Place turkey, legs first, into oven. Roast for 30 minutes, then baste with butter-wine mixture. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, and roast, basting with butter-wine mixture every 30 minutes, for 2 1/2 hours. (Add more water to roasting pan if necessary to prevent pan drippings from burning.) Rotate pan, and roast until skin is golden brown and thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) and center of stuffing register 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer 30 to 45 minutes more. (If turkey is done before the stuffing, remove turkey from oven, and spoon stuffing into a buttered baking dish, and continue to roast until golden and center registers 165 degrees.) Transfer turkey to a rimmed baking sheet, reserving pan juices and roasting pan, and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Make the pan gravy: Pour reserved pan juices into a glass measuring cup or a gravy separator, and let stand until fat rises to the surface, about 10 minutes. Pour or spoon off fat.
Place reserved roasting pan on 2 burners over medium heat. Add wine, and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping browned bits with a wooden spoon. Whisk flour and giblet stock in a large bowl until combined. Add defatted pan juices, whisking to combine, then pour into roasting pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove pan from heat, and whisk in butter. Strain through a sieve, and discard solids. Stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

To carve the turkey: Place the turkey in front of you, breast side up, and use your hand to hold it steady. Cut through kitchen string, and discard. Remove drumsticks first by placing a knife against the thigh, cutting alongside body, and slicing through the skin to expose the joint. Apply pressure at the joint with the tip of the knife, then twist the knife, and cut through the joint to release the drumstick. Repeat on the other side. (For an illustrated how-to, see Turkey Carving 101.)

Use a long-handled spoon to scoop out the stuffing, and transfer it to a serving bowl. Slice the thigh meat from the bone.

Place the knife horizontally at the bottom curve of the breast, and slice in toward the rib cage along the length of the breast to create a "guide cut." Then make a vertical slice from the top down alongside the rib cage to loosen the breast meat. Cut the breast vertically into 1/4-inch-thick slices, being careful to preserve some skin. Repeat on the other side. Insert the knife tip at wing joint closest to the turkey, and twist to release wing. Repeat on the other side.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

4 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter

Place potatoes and 2 tbsp salt in a large sauce pan. Cover with cold water by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until tender, 8-10 mins.

Meanwhile, heat cream, milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until butter melts.

Drain potatoes and mash until smooth. Pour warmed cream mixture over potatoes in a slow, steady stream, and stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or keep in a covered bowl over simmering water for up to 2 hours.

Steamy Hot Chocolate

1 quart milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream, for serving

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder. Cook, whisking, until chocolate chips melt and cocoa powder dissolves. Stir in vanilla and salt. Remove from heat. Ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Candy-Cane Marshmallows

Vegetable-oil cooking spray
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
4 packages (1/4 ounce each) unflavored gelatin
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons red food coloring

Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray; line bottom with parchment paper. Coat the parchment with cooking spray, and set pan aside. Put sugar, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring; let mixture come to a boil. Raise heat to medium-high; cook until mixture registers 260 degrees on a candy thermometer.

Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over 3/4 cup water in a heatproof bowl; let stand 5 minutes to soften. Set the bowl with the gelatin mixture over a pan of simmering water; whisk constantly until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in extract; set aside.

Beat egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Whisk gelatin mixture into sugar mixture; with mixer running, gradually add to egg whites. Mix on high speed until very thick, 12 to 15 minutes.

Pour mixture into lined pan. Working quickly, drop dots of red food coloring across surface of marshmallow. Using a toothpick, swirl food coloring into marshmallow to create a marbleized effect. Let marshmallow stand, uncovered, at room temperature until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. Cut into squares.

Rigatoni with Tomatoes and Mozzerella

This recipe is one of Matthew's favorites and I just made it for my parents at Lake Powell a couple of weeks ago and it was a hit so I thought I would share it. It's from Martha Stewart Everyday Food June 2004.

Coarse salt
3/4 pound rigatoni, or other short tubular pasta
2 pounds plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, diced

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions; drain.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
In a small skillet, heat oil over low heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring often, until tender and just beginning to take on color, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in red-pepper flakes.

Stir garlic mixture into reserved tomato mixture. Add parsley, oregano, mozzarella, and pasta; toss.

My interpretation:
Grape or cherry tomatoes are usually more flavorful than plum tomatoes so use those if you can. I don't bother using fresh garlic since it is so easy to substitute garlic powder--then you don't have to worry about dirtying another pan. You can eat it hot or cold but I think it's yummy to mix everything in with the warm pasta and serve immediately.

Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until almost melted; do not overheat. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt

2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate.Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.

3. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes; with a thin metal spatula, transfer to racks to cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen. Do not bake the cookies to a crisp; they are meant to be soft and chewy. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days.

Photo courtesy of marthastewart.com

Martha's Spiced Chocolate Bread Puddings

These individual desserts can be made in ovenproof ramekins, mugs or cups. The recipe also works in a nine-inch round cake pan, although you will need to increase the baking time to 35 minutes. Bread that has sat out at room temperature for two days works best, cut you can also use fresh bread that has been cubed and lightly toasted on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven. Untried.

Unsalted butter, for cups
3 c heavy cream
2 c whole milk
2 cinnamon sticks
2 dried red hot chiles, crumbled
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped and reserved
6 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped
6 oz bittersweet chocolate (preferably at least 61% cacao), finely chopped
6 large egg yolks
1/2 c plus 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
3/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp bourbon
1 loaf challah or brioche (about 1 lb), preferably 2 days old, cut into 3/4" cubes
3 Tbsp coarse raw sugar
1/2 c sour cream
1 Tbsp confectioners' sugar
Ground cinnamon for garnish
Chocolate curls for garnish

1. Butter insides of eight 1-cup ovenproof cups. Bring 2 cups cream, the milk, cinnamon sticks, chiles and vanilla bean and seeds to simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 30 minutes.

2. Place milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Return cream mixture to a simmer, then strain over chocolate, discarding solids. Gently stir until smooth.

3. Whisk egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium bowl until pale and thick. Whisking constantly, add chocolate mixture in a slow, steady stream. Whisk in bourbon.

4. Place challah or brioche in a large bowl, pour in chocolate custard, and gently fold until combined. Let stand for 30 minutes, stirring and pressing down bread occasionally to submerge.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide bread and custard among the prepared cups. Sprinkle generously with raw sugar.

6. Place cups in a roasting pan and add enough boiling water to reach halfway up sides of cups. Carefully transfer to oven and bake until puddings are just set, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer cups to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes.

7. Just before serving, beat remaining 1 cup cream with the sour cream and confectioners sugar until soft peaks form. Top each bread pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with ground Cinnamon and chocolate curls.