I tend to use a basic French bread dough most of the time, but inspired by a sandwich available at Outback, I have started using focaccia dough instead. Either way, the directions wind up being the same.
If you have a bread machine, use the recommended recipe for French or Focaccia dough. Otherwise, here’s one for French and here’s one for focaccia. You can add spices up to 1-2 tbsp to these recipes. For hand made dough, add them after roughly half of the flour has been added to the dough.
When the recipe calls for you to shape the dough before its final rise, you are going to shape it and stuff it. At this point in time, set your oven to warm:
Divide the dough in half.
Roll each piece of the dough onto a generously floured surface until it’s roughly a half inch thick and likely 8-10” by 15-18”.
This sheet can hold up to 4 cups of ingredients with maybe room for another cup of cheese if you are adding some. Spread the filling along the middle of the long side leaving an inch and a half on either end free.
Using slightly salted water, moisten the edge of one side of the loaf. Wrap the ends upward and apply water to the edges now exposed. Wrap the side without the water up first and pat each end. Wrap the moistened side over the top of the other and press the dough together.
Sprinkle corn meal onto the baking sheet to coat the area under the loaf. Flip the loaf fold side down onto the sheet. With a sharp knife make three to four diagonal slices (maybe 3-4 inches) in the top of the loaf so steam can vent AKA cut until you can see filling. They will widen with rising and baking, so there’s no need to separate the edges.
Turn off the oven. Repeat the process for the second stuffed loaf.
Place the loaves in the oven to rise for ~20 minutes.
Remove the dough and preheat the oven to 400. Gently brush the exposed surface of the loaves with slightly salted water (a pinch in a quarter of a cup).
When the oven has come up temperature, bake for ~20 minutes. The bread should have a nice golden crust. If the stuffing contains veggies with a high water content it can take an extra few minutes.
These loaves can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. To reheat, place in the oven on 350 for 10 minutes or so.
My favorite combo’s - each is enough to fill a single loaf:
Beef and Provolone Stuffed Rosemary Garlic Focaccia – AKA fancy spiced French dip:
For dough – add 1 tbsp rosemary leaves and 2 cloves of minced/crushed garlic in the focaccia recipe.
1 lb cheap steak (I buy whatever cut is on sale – I wouldn’t use chuck, though)
1/2 lb provolone cheese (or 8-10 slices)
1/2 tsp of ground rosemary
1/2 tsp of thyme
1/4 tsp of black pepper
1/4 tsp of oregano
(salt is optional, but there’s plenty in the cheese)
Optional: 1 cup combined of sliced mushrooms, thinly sliced peppers, or onion, but some diners are purists...
Prepare the meat ahead of time so it has time to cool. It can be cooking while the dough is being started. Mix the seasonings and use a dry rub on the steak. Tenderize with a fork or spiked cooking mallet. Broil as appropriate for medium. (Usually ~6 minutes a side.) Once cooled, slice the steak thinly.
When filling the bread, place half of the cheese, lay half of the slices of steak parallel to the length of bread. Repeat layers with the remainder of the filling.
When serving this one, I will prepare a pint of fat free beef broth with seasoning to use as au jus. I toss a tsp of rosemary, a tsp of thyme, and a couple of grinds of black pepper into a bit of cheese cloth. Add the spice packet to the broth and heat until just boiling (or 3 minutes in the microwave).
Broccoli and Cheddar
I don’t usually spice the bread for this combination, but it does taste good in dough with 1 tbsp of Italian seasoning. It should work in the focaccia, but I’ve never tried it.
~4 cups of coarsely chopped broccoli, par cooked if using fresh – everything should be under 3/4 of an inch
8 oz of shredded or sliced cheddar
When filling the bread, all of the cheese can be placed first because when flipped it will melt down through the broccoli. This loaf may look lumpy at first, but it will even out on the rise.
Pepperoni and Mozzarella
This also needs no seasoning, but goes well with 1 tbsp of Italian seasoning in the dough. I’m not sure if I would do this one in focaccia, just because of the grease factor. The French bread, containing no fat, absorbs the juices better.
The amount of pepperoni layered is up to the baker’s discretion. I have made it using pepperoni sticks sliced in four the long way and it was WAY too much meat. 1 and a half pillow packs is usually enough for my taste.
8 oz of shredded mozzarella or some Pizza blend or Italian blend
Optional: 1 cup combined of peppers, mushrooms or onions – or whatever other filling makes you happy...
When filling the dough, layer 1/2 of the cheese. If adding other fillings, place them all next. After that, I usually spread a layer of the pepperoni with the slices half overlapping. Spread the rest of the cheese and add another layer of the pepperoni. If this isn’t enough meat, you can stack two layers of the pepperoni where I have one. I don’t use more than two the cheese layers though because the filling will fall apart when you slice it, otherwise.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Baked Brie with Pine Nuts
It's like a pesto, but the parmesan is optional as the brie will suffice.
1 brie round (8oz+)
1 sheet of pie pastry (OR phyllo OR puff)
2 cloves of garlic (more if you prefer)
2 tbsp of basil (or Italian seasoning if you also like oregano and thyme) - Definitely need the basil as part of the spice mix, though!
1/2 cup pine nuts
1-2 tbsp of olive oil
1 egg or egg white, beaten
Preheat oven to 400 degrees for pie pastry, 375 degrees for phyllo, or 350 degrees for puff pastry.
In a food processor:
* Add the garlic and pulse 8-10 times to break it up.
* Add the pine nuts and pulse to chop.
* Add seasoning and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Let the processor run for 20-30 seconds. If the seasoning still seems a bit dry, you can stream in a bit more olive oil and let the processor run a bit more.
The aim is for a fine chop of the nuts and garlic covered in just moist seasoning. The brie is soft and oily enough when baked.
Lay the dough of choice on a flat surface. Spoon the Nut/Seasoning mix in the center and spread to a circle slightly smaller than the brie.
Place the brie on top of the spice mixture. Wrap and seal the dough around the cheese, trimming excess dough. If using pie pastry or phyllo, use cold water to seal. The puff pastry is moist enough to seal itself if you press it gently.
Turn the brie over and place in the center of a greased or parchment lined sheet. If desired, decorate the top with designs from dough scraps. If using pie pastry or phyllo, poke a hole or two for ventilation.
Brush with the egg wash.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the dough is golden brown.
Serve warm with bread or crackers. ENJOY!
For a Sweet and Savory version:
3/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots – finely chopped
~1/2 cup of hot water
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of pecans or walnuts – chopped
Once the fruit is chopped, place it in a bowl and cover it with hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Toss with the brown sugar.
When layering inside the pastry, spread the walnuts first and then put the fruit and sugar mixture down.
1 brie round (8oz+)
1 sheet of pie pastry (OR phyllo OR puff)
2 cloves of garlic (more if you prefer)
2 tbsp of basil (or Italian seasoning if you also like oregano and thyme) - Definitely need the basil as part of the spice mix, though!
1/2 cup pine nuts
1-2 tbsp of olive oil
1 egg or egg white, beaten
Preheat oven to 400 degrees for pie pastry, 375 degrees for phyllo, or 350 degrees for puff pastry.
In a food processor:
* Add the garlic and pulse 8-10 times to break it up.
* Add the pine nuts and pulse to chop.
* Add seasoning and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Let the processor run for 20-30 seconds. If the seasoning still seems a bit dry, you can stream in a bit more olive oil and let the processor run a bit more.
The aim is for a fine chop of the nuts and garlic covered in just moist seasoning. The brie is soft and oily enough when baked.
Lay the dough of choice on a flat surface. Spoon the Nut/Seasoning mix in the center and spread to a circle slightly smaller than the brie.
Place the brie on top of the spice mixture. Wrap and seal the dough around the cheese, trimming excess dough. If using pie pastry or phyllo, use cold water to seal. The puff pastry is moist enough to seal itself if you press it gently.
Turn the brie over and place in the center of a greased or parchment lined sheet. If desired, decorate the top with designs from dough scraps. If using pie pastry or phyllo, poke a hole or two for ventilation.
Brush with the egg wash.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the dough is golden brown.
Serve warm with bread or crackers. ENJOY!
For a Sweet and Savory version:
3/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots – finely chopped
~1/2 cup of hot water
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of pecans or walnuts – chopped
Once the fruit is chopped, place it in a bowl and cover it with hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Toss with the brown sugar.
When layering inside the pastry, spread the walnuts first and then put the fruit and sugar mixture down.
Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Similar to the cold dip, this tasty recipe includes two of my favorite vegetables in a classic al fredo sauce…well, mostly classic.
Ingredients:
10 oz package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
14-16 oz can of artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
4 cups milk (quart) (at least 2%)
1 cup of hard Italian cheese, grated or shredded – usually ½ parmesan and ½ romano, but asiago can also be added to the mix if desired***
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or ½ tsp basil & ½ tsp oregano)
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
Directions:
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk for roughly one minute while the flour cooks. Add the garlic and the seasoning and stir briefly.
Begin adding the milk ~1/2 cup at a time. Stir until mixture thickens and bubbles and then add the next ½ cup.
Once the all of the milk has been incorporated and the sauce has thickened, add the cheese ~1/4 cup at a time. Stir until cheese has melted and then add the next ¼ cup.
Turn heat to low and switch to a spoon. Stir in the chopped spinach & chopped artichoke hearts. Let the mixture simmer for ~10 minutes for the flavors to combine, stirring frequently to keep the bottom from burning.
Serve warm with tortilla chips, pita chips, or firm bread like a French baguette or some form of rye.
*** My usual note about the cheese: use the good imported stuff from the cheese case by the deli and not the cans that are next to the tomato sauces in the pasta aisle. SERIOUSLY!
Ingredients:
10 oz package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
14-16 oz can of artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
4 cups milk (quart) (at least 2%)
1 cup of hard Italian cheese, grated or shredded – usually ½ parmesan and ½ romano, but asiago can also be added to the mix if desired***
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or ½ tsp basil & ½ tsp oregano)
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
Directions:
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk for roughly one minute while the flour cooks. Add the garlic and the seasoning and stir briefly.
Begin adding the milk ~1/2 cup at a time. Stir until mixture thickens and bubbles and then add the next ½ cup.
Once the all of the milk has been incorporated and the sauce has thickened, add the cheese ~1/4 cup at a time. Stir until cheese has melted and then add the next ¼ cup.
Turn heat to low and switch to a spoon. Stir in the chopped spinach & chopped artichoke hearts. Let the mixture simmer for ~10 minutes for the flavors to combine, stirring frequently to keep the bottom from burning.
Serve warm with tortilla chips, pita chips, or firm bread like a French baguette or some form of rye.
*** My usual note about the cheese: use the good imported stuff from the cheese case by the deli and not the cans that are next to the tomato sauces in the pasta aisle. SERIOUSLY!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Low Fat Lemon Bars
My dad has his gallbladder removed a few years ago, so I made some additional adjustments to this recipe when preparing these for this weekend's visit.
I substitued ~1/3 cup of finely minced prunes for the 1/2 cup of butter.
I minced them in the food processor and then pulsed them together with the sugar and the flour.
I also lined the pan with aluminum foil for easier extraction when cooked.
They came out quite tasty. I even reduced the calories from 100 (which isn't bad already) to ~58 per bar.
The only fat left in them is from the one egg yolk which has ~5 g (50 calories).
I substitued ~1/3 cup of finely minced prunes for the 1/2 cup of butter.
I minced them in the food processor and then pulsed them together with the sugar and the flour.
I also lined the pan with aluminum foil for easier extraction when cooked.
They came out quite tasty. I even reduced the calories from 100 (which isn't bad already) to ~58 per bar.
The only fat left in them is from the one egg yolk which has ~5 g (50 calories).
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Fantastic pork recipe
I found this on Epicurious's new recipe feed yesterday, and decided to try it. It's a winner -- the meat stays juicy, and the flavors are fantastic. I made one tenderloin, not two, but the whole amount of sauce. It's my dinner, with brown rice and greens.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Honey-Marinated-Pork-with-Gremolata-363729
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Honey-Marinated-Pork-with-Gremolata-363729
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
My Mother's Linguine and Clams
Since we were discussing my response to Laurie's recipe over on Facebook, I figured I should share how my mom makes linguine and clams. "Recipe" is far too formal, but this is her description of what she does. She always makes this for Christmas Eve dinner, with the additional whole clams; the usual recipe just uses the chopped ones.
Without fresh clams (at Christmas I add them for flavor and presentation, steaming them in the broth till they open):
Gently saute not-too-finely chopped garlic (and maybe shallots sometimes?) in a generous pour or two of olive oil. Add clam juice or fish stock and drinkable white wine (more stock than wine) and chopped/minced clams (at Christmas I use LOTS of clams, about a pound for the three of us). Heat through, adding some chopped Italian parsley and black pepper. Stir in cooked linguine and let it get comfortable in the liquid. Although purists say no cheese with fish, I say bah humbug and serve with grated/shredded Parmesan.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Cheap & Easy Creamy Clam Sauce over Thin Pasta
Once again, a bechamel from a roux is my friend. Yeah, it involves seafood from a can. That's life on a budget.
This is a 15 minute meal. The current proportions serve 2 hungry or 3 average diners.
Ingredients:
6-8 oz dried thin spaghetti - any long thin pasta will do (1/2 box of Barilla whole wheat pasta is 6 oz)
6-6.5 oz can of clams in clam juice
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1-2 cloves of minced garlic
~1 cup of milk (at least 1% - we keep 2% in the house)
2 tbsp of butter
2 tbsp flour
~1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
~1/4 tsp thyme
~1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper - a bunch of grinds, I'm totally guessing here
(Optional: ~1/2 tsp red pepper flakes)
Parmesan or Romano cheese for topping
In a medium pot bring slightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta as directed. Sauce takes ~10 minutes. It's best to time the pasta so that it's ready ~5 minutes after the sauce is thickened completely.
Open and drain the clams into a 2 cup measuring glass. There should be ~1/2 cup. Add milk up to 1.5 cups (12 oz).
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the onion and sweat for ~2 minutes.
Add the garlic and the flour and stir together for ~1 minute.
Add the spices (I don't measure; I just shake from the jars until it looks right...) and then add the milk/clam juice mixture 2-3 oz at a time stirring until thick and bubbly. Once the last of the liquid is combined, lower the heat to simmer and cover the pan. Stir occasionally.
When the pasta has ~2-3 minutes left, turn off the heat under the sauce and stir in the clams.
When the pasta is finished, drain and then toss immediately with the clam sauce.
Serve the pasta onto plates or shallow bowls and grate Parmesan or Romano cheese over it to taste.
Enjoy!
While we didn't have any fresh bread in the house this evening, this dish would of course go with with garlic bread or slices of warmed Italian, Focaccia, or Ciabatta loaf. Ya know, the usual pasta accompaniments.
This is a 15 minute meal. The current proportions serve 2 hungry or 3 average diners.
Ingredients:
6-8 oz dried thin spaghetti - any long thin pasta will do (1/2 box of Barilla whole wheat pasta is 6 oz)
6-6.5 oz can of clams in clam juice
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1-2 cloves of minced garlic
~1 cup of milk (at least 1% - we keep 2% in the house)
2 tbsp of butter
2 tbsp flour
~1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
~1/4 tsp thyme
~1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper - a bunch of grinds, I'm totally guessing here
(Optional: ~1/2 tsp red pepper flakes)
Parmesan or Romano cheese for topping
In a medium pot bring slightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta as directed. Sauce takes ~10 minutes. It's best to time the pasta so that it's ready ~5 minutes after the sauce is thickened completely.
Open and drain the clams into a 2 cup measuring glass. There should be ~1/2 cup. Add milk up to 1.5 cups (12 oz).
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the onion and sweat for ~2 minutes.
Add the garlic and the flour and stir together for ~1 minute.
Add the spices (I don't measure; I just shake from the jars until it looks right...) and then add the milk/clam juice mixture 2-3 oz at a time stirring until thick and bubbly. Once the last of the liquid is combined, lower the heat to simmer and cover the pan. Stir occasionally.
When the pasta has ~2-3 minutes left, turn off the heat under the sauce and stir in the clams.
When the pasta is finished, drain and then toss immediately with the clam sauce.
Serve the pasta onto plates or shallow bowls and grate Parmesan or Romano cheese over it to taste.
Enjoy!
While we didn't have any fresh bread in the house this evening, this dish would of course go with with garlic bread or slices of warmed Italian, Focaccia, or Ciabatta loaf. Ya know, the usual pasta accompaniments.
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