Because we live in different places - or, because I'm the rogue who has moved out of state - my pie loving friends and I have limited opportunities to get together. We missed pi day this year, but planned to celebrate when I was home in April.
We failed. But not before I made my pie.
This year I decided to make Momofuku's Crack Pie because the recipe had been recommended to me by someone at work and because I was super jealous of the Boyfriend's big trip to New York. I loved the buttery, cookie crust but honestly, that was about it. It was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too sugary, even for my sweet tooth. I could only eat a few bites at a time, and even though the gooey consistency was fun, I ended up throwing about three fourths of it away. Shame.
Crack Pie
Adapted from Momofuku by the LA Times
Cookie
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3 ounces) flour
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar
3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar
1 egg
Scant 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) rolled oats
Preeat the oven to 375 degrees.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.
Whisk the egg into the butter mixture. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated.
Spread the mixture onto a 9 by 13 baking sheet and bake until golden and set, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack. Crumble the cookie.
Crust
Crumbled cookie for crust
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Combine the cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt and mix until evenly combined. Press half of the crust into each of 2 pie tins to form a thin, even layer.
Filling
1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar
3/4 cup plus a scant 3 tablespoons (7 ounces) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon (3/4 ounce) milk powder
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
3/4 cup plus a scant 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 egg yolks
2 prepared crusts
Powdered sugar, garnish
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air.
Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells.
Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), about 10 minutes. Remove the pies and cool on a rack.
Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Rosemary Chicken Pot Pie
Screw Passover.
Well, no. Don't do that. But I'm forgetting about getting those recipes posted (maybe next year, right?) and moving on. To a holiday that happened before. What?
Pi Day.
In the past, my friends and I have gotten together to celebrate March 14th, 3/14. Its been going on since high school, and although we weren't able to get it together this year (we tried TWICE!) we still found ways to celebrate. Or at least I did. Because an excuse to make and eat pie should never be passed up.
I went a different route this year, with a savory pie. D and I were home the evening of the 14th, undecided on dinner and absolutely not motivated to leave the house. Thanks to a pretty well-stocked freezer and to luck, we had all the ingredients on hand for chicken pot pie.
The pot pie was perfect. It is comfort food at its finest - warm, heavy, and delicious. We will definitely be making this again.
Rosemary Chicken Pot Pie
Adapted from The Dean & DeLuca Cookbook
Pie dough, rolled into a round disk
2 1/2 lbs diced chicken - we used leftovers from a chicken we had roasted earlier in the week
salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
3 celery ribs, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 cup chopped onion
5 tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
3 cups boiling chicken stock
1 cup milk
1/3 cup cream
2 1/2 tbsp rosemary (recipe calls for fresh, we had dried - it worked)
Preheat the oven to 375.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the garlic, celery, onions, and carrots until tender, about 6 minutes.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and mix quickly with a whisk for 1 minute. Add the stock, milk, and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce to moderate low heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
Mix chicken, vegetables, and cream mixture. Place in a large baking dish. Place the rolled-out crust over the mixture and prick the top with a fork.
Make an egg wash by whisking 1 egg with 2 tbsp water. Lightly brush the dough. Bake pot pie in oven for 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Well, no. Don't do that. But I'm forgetting about getting those recipes posted (maybe next year, right?) and moving on. To a holiday that happened before. What?
Pi Day.
In the past, my friends and I have gotten together to celebrate March 14th, 3/14. Its been going on since high school, and although we weren't able to get it together this year (we tried TWICE!) we still found ways to celebrate. Or at least I did. Because an excuse to make and eat pie should never be passed up.
I went a different route this year, with a savory pie. D and I were home the evening of the 14th, undecided on dinner and absolutely not motivated to leave the house. Thanks to a pretty well-stocked freezer and to luck, we had all the ingredients on hand for chicken pot pie.
The pot pie was perfect. It is comfort food at its finest - warm, heavy, and delicious. We will definitely be making this again.
Rosemary Chicken Pot Pie
Adapted from The Dean & DeLuca Cookbook
Pie dough, rolled into a round disk
2 1/2 lbs diced chicken - we used leftovers from a chicken we had roasted earlier in the week
salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
3 celery ribs, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 cup chopped onion
5 tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
3 cups boiling chicken stock
1 cup milk
1/3 cup cream
2 1/2 tbsp rosemary (recipe calls for fresh, we had dried - it worked)
Preheat the oven to 375.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the garlic, celery, onions, and carrots until tender, about 6 minutes.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and mix quickly with a whisk for 1 minute. Add the stock, milk, and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce to moderate low heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
Mix chicken, vegetables, and cream mixture. Place in a large baking dish. Place the rolled-out crust over the mixture and prick the top with a fork.
Make an egg wash by whisking 1 egg with 2 tbsp water. Lightly brush the dough. Bake pot pie in oven for 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
But I'm Not Dead Yet!
Good morning! Its been a while. I don't mean to ignore this blog, and with working part time I certainly can't say I'm too busy. I'm just boring.
But! All that has changed lately. Ready for a quick recap?
- Got health insurance due to the new healthcare bill. Because I'm under 26 I was able to jump on my dad's plan at no cost. Enjoyed that for about 3 weeks before my dad got laid off. I will be uninsured again shortly.
- Went home 2 weekends in a row. Had a great time but will never drive that much again.
- Started house shopping for real. Realized we can't afford anything we want to live in around here. Started condo shopping instead. Am not thrilled.
- Have to get a full time job to pay for a condo I don't want to live in. I'll work 200 hours a week to pay for a house but damn it I don't want to work 1 to pay for a crappy little condo.
- Worked on "appreciating what I have". Failed.
- Still haven't gotten into grad school. Still haven't figured my life out. Still waiting.
- Loved LA. Hated LA.
- Running a half marathon in less than 2 weeks. Super excited. Almost ready - ran 11 last week. Long run this week will be 12 to 13 and then I'll start tapering for the big race!
- I've always wanted to run the Boston Marathon. Looked into that and realized a qualifying time for my age is just over a 7 minute mile. Thought, "shit".
- Home caught on fire. Brother is stupid. I like him anyway.
I have some amazing stories to share - ok, 1 amazing story and a few boring ones - but that's going to wait for another day. I'll try to be better about posting this month, which shouldn't be too hard with all the stuff that's going on right now.
Happy May!
But! All that has changed lately. Ready for a quick recap?
- Got health insurance due to the new healthcare bill. Because I'm under 26 I was able to jump on my dad's plan at no cost. Enjoyed that for about 3 weeks before my dad got laid off. I will be uninsured again shortly.
- Went home 2 weekends in a row. Had a great time but will never drive that much again.
- Started house shopping for real. Realized we can't afford anything we want to live in around here. Started condo shopping instead. Am not thrilled.
- Have to get a full time job to pay for a condo I don't want to live in. I'll work 200 hours a week to pay for a house but damn it I don't want to work 1 to pay for a crappy little condo.
- Worked on "appreciating what I have". Failed.
- Still haven't gotten into grad school. Still haven't figured my life out. Still waiting.
- Loved LA. Hated LA.
- Running a half marathon in less than 2 weeks. Super excited. Almost ready - ran 11 last week. Long run this week will be 12 to 13 and then I'll start tapering for the big race!
- I've always wanted to run the Boston Marathon. Looked into that and realized a qualifying time for my age is just over a 7 minute mile. Thought, "shit".
- Home caught on fire. Brother is stupid. I like him anyway.
I have some amazing stories to share - ok, 1 amazing story and a few boring ones - but that's going to wait for another day. I'll try to be better about posting this month, which shouldn't be too hard with all the stuff that's going on right now.
Happy May!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
MVP
A few weeks ago, after living on rental furniture for over a year, we finally had our things delivered. I'm happy to report that we are now sleeping on our own bed, lounging on our own couch, and eating dinner at our own table. Or we would be eating dinner at our own table if we didn't eat it on the couch. Whatever.
Besides furniture, we also had a whole lot of other stuff that we'd been missing. Dishes, a toaster oven, towels, movies; you name it, it was in storage, replaced by cheapo rental crap. We missed our stuff - many of our conversations went something like this:
d: Man, this iron sucks.
s: i know. and the worst part is...
d: we have a better one in storage in New York?
s: yeah! ::sigh:: i can't wait until we get our stuff back.
This conversation could be repeated, substituting just about anything in a typical home for iron. Can opener. Sheets. Lamp. Paper Towel Dispenser. Frying Pan. You get the point.
Needless to say, we've been very much enjoying our own things.
Before the big delivery we would talk about the things we were each most excited for. I was looking forward to the bed (i LOVE our bed. its huge and sooooo comfy) while D was excited for the previously mentioned iron and the ottoman, to which he is strangely attached. But when the things came, and when everything was finally unpacked and in place we had a surprising candidate for best re-acquisition: the kitchen stool.
Truthfully, I didn't even remember we had one. I don't remember buying it, I don't remember using it; in fact, I DO remember climbing on my kitchen chairs in Brooklyn to get to the things out of reach. But now I use the thing ALL THE TIME. That little stool has been the most-used item in our house the last few weeks.
And the bed? Still amazing.
Besides furniture, we also had a whole lot of other stuff that we'd been missing. Dishes, a toaster oven, towels, movies; you name it, it was in storage, replaced by cheapo rental crap. We missed our stuff - many of our conversations went something like this:
d: Man, this iron sucks.
s: i know. and the worst part is...
d: we have a better one in storage in New York?
s: yeah! ::sigh:: i can't wait until we get our stuff back.
This conversation could be repeated, substituting just about anything in a typical home for iron. Can opener. Sheets. Lamp. Paper Towel Dispenser. Frying Pan. You get the point.
Needless to say, we've been very much enjoying our own things.
Before the big delivery we would talk about the things we were each most excited for. I was looking forward to the bed (i LOVE our bed. its huge and sooooo comfy) while D was excited for the previously mentioned iron and the ottoman, to which he is strangely attached. But when the things came, and when everything was finally unpacked and in place we had a surprising candidate for best re-acquisition: the kitchen stool.
Truthfully, I didn't even remember we had one. I don't remember buying it, I don't remember using it; in fact, I DO remember climbing on my kitchen chairs in Brooklyn to get to the things out of reach. But now I use the thing ALL THE TIME. That little stool has been the most-used item in our house the last few weeks.
And the bed? Still amazing.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Happy Passover!
The Jewish holiday of Passover begins tonight at sundown. It is traditional on the first night (and the second, if you're really observant) to have a meal and service called a Seder. I'm not Jewish but D is, so for the last few years we have had what we call a "sorta-Seder".
Our sorta-Seder is part traditional, part borrowed, and part our own. We don't read through the entire service, just the parts we like and the parts that involve wine! We are having guests this year for the first time and I've just about finished the preparation, but I wanted to share the menu - hopefully it will keep me a little more on track with posting recipes/pictures than last year.
Sorta-Seder 2010
Matzoh Ball Soup
Roast Chicken with Sage and Rosemary
Roast Potatoes
Broccoli and Califlower
Charoset
Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Our sorta-Seder is part traditional, part borrowed, and part our own. We don't read through the entire service, just the parts we like and the parts that involve wine! We are having guests this year for the first time and I've just about finished the preparation, but I wanted to share the menu - hopefully it will keep me a little more on track with posting recipes/pictures than last year.
Sorta-Seder 2010
Matzoh Ball Soup
Roast Chicken with Sage and Rosemary
Roast Potatoes
Broccoli and Califlower
Charoset
Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Monday, March 22, 2010
Ropa Vieja
I like food. Really. I like to buy it, I like to cook it, and I really, really like to eat it. And I don't discriminate. Unless it comes from the sea, I probably like it. But if I had to pick one favorite this would be it. Ropa Vieja.
It means "old clothes" in spanish, and its a traditional Cuban dish. I first discovered it while exploring Cuban cuisine at a place called Havana Cafe in Phoenix, AZ. It was my first time eating there (now I'm a regular customer whenever I'm in town) and I'd never heard of the dish, but it sounded good. Its basically a stew of shredded beef, peppers and onions, seasoned with garlic, cumin, oregano. My dad and I once took my grandmother, who grew up in Cuba, and she said it was the most authentic Cuban dish she's ever eaten in the States.
This recipe is straight from Havana Cafe's website. I tried making it once a few years ago and it couldn't have gone worse. The butcher gave me the wrong - more expensive - cut of meat, which just didn't shred right. I didn't know how to peel tomatoes so I just threw them in chopped (I've since learned) and it was underseasoned. But I couldn't let my favorite dish go without a fight; no, this recipe deserved a second chance! So with a few more years of cooking under my belt I tried again, and I'm sure glad I did.
Ropa Vieja
courtesy of Havana Cafe
2 ½ pounds Flank Steak
4 Bay Leaves
1 Onion, cut into eighths
1 Carrot, sliced
1 Potato, cut into quarters
Salt and Pepper
Water to cover
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 medium Green Peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
2 Habanero Chiles, seeds and stem removed and chopped
1 can Chopped Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Paste
Oregano
Cumin
2 Bay Leaves
Salt and Pepper
1/3 cup Red Wine
Wash the flank steak and place it in a large heavy pot. Add the bay leaves, onion, carrot, potato, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1-2 hours until meat is tender.
Remove steak to a plate and cool, strain liquid into a bowl and set aside. When steak is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks.
In a large fry pan, add olive oil and sauté the next 5 ingredients until tender. Add the tomatoes, wine, and 1 cup of the reserved liquid. Season to taste and cook for about 20 minutes uncovered to reduce and create a sauce for the shredded meat.
Add the shredded meat and season to taste. Serve with rice and beans or moros.
It means "old clothes" in spanish, and its a traditional Cuban dish. I first discovered it while exploring Cuban cuisine at a place called Havana Cafe in Phoenix, AZ. It was my first time eating there (now I'm a regular customer whenever I'm in town) and I'd never heard of the dish, but it sounded good. Its basically a stew of shredded beef, peppers and onions, seasoned with garlic, cumin, oregano. My dad and I once took my grandmother, who grew up in Cuba, and she said it was the most authentic Cuban dish she's ever eaten in the States.
This recipe is straight from Havana Cafe's website. I tried making it once a few years ago and it couldn't have gone worse. The butcher gave me the wrong - more expensive - cut of meat, which just didn't shred right. I didn't know how to peel tomatoes so I just threw them in chopped (I've since learned) and it was underseasoned. But I couldn't let my favorite dish go without a fight; no, this recipe deserved a second chance! So with a few more years of cooking under my belt I tried again, and I'm sure glad I did.
Ropa Vieja
courtesy of Havana Cafe
2 ½ pounds Flank Steak
4 Bay Leaves
1 Onion, cut into eighths
1 Carrot, sliced
1 Potato, cut into quarters
Salt and Pepper
Water to cover
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 medium Green Peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
2 Habanero Chiles, seeds and stem removed and chopped
1 can Chopped Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Paste
Oregano
Cumin
2 Bay Leaves
Salt and Pepper
1/3 cup Red Wine
Wash the flank steak and place it in a large heavy pot. Add the bay leaves, onion, carrot, potato, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1-2 hours until meat is tender.
Remove steak to a plate and cool, strain liquid into a bowl and set aside. When steak is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks.
In a large fry pan, add olive oil and sauté the next 5 ingredients until tender. Add the tomatoes, wine, and 1 cup of the reserved liquid. Season to taste and cook for about 20 minutes uncovered to reduce and create a sauce for the shredded meat.
Add the shredded meat and season to taste. Serve with rice and beans or moros.
Seal Beach
On our way home from San Francisco we stumbled upon Seal Beach, which ended up being so amazing it deserved its own post.
Obligatory self-portrait :)
These guys were everywhere! Up and down the beach, all basking in the sun. They were pretty adorable, but also quite stinky.
The best part was that if a seal got too hot, they would use their flippers to flip sand onto their backs - after a while, some of them partially buried themselves!
There was a seal-rumble! I don't know what these guys were upset about, but they were loud.
Obligatory self-portrait :)
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