Your Cooking Coach
Show MenuHide Menu

Tag: Recipe Blog

Fig and Apricot Compote

Fig and Apricot Compote I made this compote for Thanksgiving. Our tradition is to open wine sometime in the afternoon- while I am still cooking. Around 3 I take the cheese and crackers out. I usually make a fig compote cooked in red wine, brown sugar and fresh thyme. It is delicious, especially with some aged goat cheese. We also drink Kir Royale with the cheese and crackers. I love the tradition and look forward to it every year.

The other thing I did different was the compote. I made this one with dried figs and apricots. I decided to use orange and lemon juice with honey. I served it with a variety of Spanish cheeses including manchego, an aged goat cheese and another one- can’t remember the name.

Definitely make this for your next holiday get together. It is quick, easy and delicious. You can make this in advance and keep it in the fridge. Enjoy!

  • ½ cup dried mission figs, cut into thin strips
  • ½ cup dried apricots, cut into thin strips
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan, add the figs, apricots, orange juice, lemon juice, honey and salt. Bring the liquid to a boil and turn it down to a simmer. Reduce the liquid till the compote is thick and syrupy. It will take about 15 minutes. Taste for seasonings and serve with cheese.

Moroccan Style Potato Gratin


1/3 cup finely grated Gruyere cheese
¼ cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano
2 cups heavy cream
2 medium garlic cloves, mined
2 tablespoons harissa
Salt
Pepper
4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cheeses in a large bowl. Transfer 1/3 of cheese mixture to a separate bowl and set aside. Add cream, garlic and harissa to cheese mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add potato slices and toss with your hands until every slice is coated with cream mixture, making sure to separate any slices that are sticking together to get the cream mixture in between them.
Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter. Pick up a handful of potatoes, organizing them into a neat stack, and lay them in the casserole dish with their edges aligned vertically. Continue placing potatoes in the dish, working around the perimeter and into the center until all the potatoes have been added. The potatoes should be very tightly packed. If necessary, slice an additional potato, coat with cream mixture, and add to casserole. Pour the excess cream/cheese mixture evenly over the potatoes until the mixture comes halfway up the sides of the casserole. You may not need all the excess liquid.
Cover dish tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until the top is pale golden brown, about 30 minutes longer. Carefully remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and return to oven. Bake until deep golden brown and crisp on top, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, and serve.
I modified this recipe from NYTimes.

Manchego and Smoked Paprika Mashed Potatoes

  • 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into small squares
  • Salt
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¾ to 1 cup half and half
  • 2 cups shredded Manchego cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pepper
  • ½ cup green onion, chopped

Add the cut potatoes to a deep pot and cover with water. Add at least 2 tablespoons salt and the garlic cloves. Place a lid on the potatoes and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and garlic and put them through a food mill and add back to the hot pot. Add butter, half and half and smoked paprika. Check for seasonings, add pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool all the way. Add the grated cheese and mix well. At this point, the potatoes can be refrigerated and made at least a day in advance. Once ready to bake, take out of fridge at least 30 minutes in advance. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or till heated through. Garnish with green onions and cilantro.

Garam Masala and Cilantro Roast Turkey Breast

This was voted the best turkey we have ever made. I cooked this delicious turkey breast the same way I have been for the last few years. I like to make a compound butter for under the skin; I like to add bacon on top and I like to stuff the cavity with some citrus. I made the compound butter with garlic, lemon zest, garam masala and cilantro to keep with the Indian theme. It made the turkey super flavorful and delicious!

  • 1 8-9 pound turkey breast
  • ½ stick butter, room temperature
  • 2 large garlic cloves, grated
  • Zest of two lemons, save the lemons for the cavity
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-2 teaspoons garam masala
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 3 to 4 bacon strips
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1 large onion, cut into quarters
  • 4 to 5 garlic cloves, skins on
  • 1 to 2 cups homemade turkey stock

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (preferably convection)

Mix the butter with the garlic, lemon zest, salt, garam masala and cilantro. Loosen the skin of the turkey breast and carefully spread the butter under the skin. Salt and pepper inside and outside of the turkey breast. Stuff the cavity with the lemon pieces. Place the bacon strips on top of the turkey breast and place on the stand.
Add the carrots, onion and garlic to the bottom of the roasting pan. Add the stock. Place the stand into the roasting pan. Let turkey sit for 2 to 3 hours before roasting in oven.
Roast in the oven till the internal temperature is 160 degrees F. Half way through the roasting process, take the bacon (when bacon is well done) off and continue cooking. Take out of oven onto a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil for 20 minutes. In the meantime strain the juices out of the roasting pan. Separate the fat and add the juices to the gravy pan.
Slice the turkey and serve with hot gravy.

Moroccan Spiced Roast Turkey Breast

Spice Rub

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Mix the spices, divide in half and keep aside.

Compound Butter

  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • ½ of the spice rub
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and keep aside.

  • 1 7 to 10 pound turkey breast
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 orange, cut into eight pieces
  • 1 lemon, cut into eight pieces
  • 1 cup turkey or chicken broth
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup dry sherry
  • 1 medium onion, chopped roughly
  • 2 carrots, chopped roughly
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped roughly

Have your gravy ready either the day before or the morning of. Transfer it to a large saucepan and keep aside.

Preheat convection oven to 325 degreed F.

Place the turkey onto a rack in a roasting pan. Turn the turkey over and place the cut up orange and lemon inside the cavity. Sprinkle salt and pepper liberally and turn it breast side facing up. Loosen the skin and carefully spread half the compound butter. Spread the rest all over the skin. Sprinkle the spice rub all over the top. Pour the broth, juice and sherry to the bottom of the roasting pan. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Keep aside.

Roast till internal temperature reaches 158 to 160 degrees F. Take out of the oven and place onto a platter and cover with foil to rest for at least 20 minutes. While the turkey is resting, take the drippings from the bottom of the pan and pour them into a small glass bowl. Let the fat separate, remove from top and pour the liquid into the prepared gravy and bring to a boil. Check for seasonings and heat the gravy through. Serve with the turkey.

 

Tamarind Glazed Turkey

If you are looking for a super flavorful turkey this Thanksgiving- this is the recipe for you. It has a bit of Latin flair to it and it is delicious!!

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Add the broth, orange juice, tamarind concentrate, orange zest, brown sugar, salt and smoked paprika to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes till it is reduced to 1 cup and thick and syrupy.

Compound Butter

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of 2 navel oranges
  • Pepper

Mix the butter, salt, garlic, zest and pepper in a small bowl until everything is incorporated well.

  • 2 to 3 cups chicken stock
  • 2 5 to 6 pounds turkey breasts
  • 12 carrots
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the carrots at the bottom of a roasting pan. Add the chicken stock and place the rack into the pan. Place the turkey on to the rack. Salt and pepper the cavity and stuff with leftover oranges. Spread the compound butter under the skin, spreading it well all over. Salt and pepper the outside generously and spread the glaze all over the bird. Roast till the temperature inside the bird reaches 165 degrees F. Take out and place onto the cutting board and cover with foil. Take the carrots out and pour the juices into a measuring cup. Skim the fat off the top and pour the liquid to the prepared gravy. Taste for seasonings. Slice the turkey and serve with hot gravy.

Make Ahead Gravy

  • 4 cups homemade or store bought turkey stock
  • 1 large shallot, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Pepper

In a large frying pan, heat the butter and add the shallot and garlic. Saute for a minute over medium heat. Add the flour and turn the heat to medium high heat, stirring constantly. Cook the flour for at least 10 minutes or till it turns chocolate brown. Slowly add the stock, whisking vigorously at the same time. Bring to a boil and check for seasonings. Add salt and pepper accordingly. Once the turkey is done, add the drippings to the gravy and reheat.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange Cream & Cranberries

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange Cream

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Transfer the sprouts on to a lined baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt. Mix well and roast for about 20 minutes till soft and golden brown.

  • ¼ cup cream
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of one orange
  • Salt
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Heat a wide frying pan with the oil. Add the garlic and orange zest. Saute on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and cranberries and mix well. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt to taste and serve.