Easy Apple Tarte Tatin

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

4 pounds apples, peeled cored and halved (small Fuji or Gala)

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a wide skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add in the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract and salt and whisk to combine. Add the apples to the caramel mixture and gently stir together, coating the apples in the caramel. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly tender, 5 to 8 minutes depending on the size of your apples. Note: If the mixture begins to get too thick, add some water to loosen it up.
3. Transfer the apples to a 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillet and arrange them cut-side up, making sure to evenly cover the bottom of the skillet. Drizzle half the caramel sauce over the apples, then return the caramel to the heat and cook until thick and glossy, another 5 minutes. Set aside.
4. Roughly measure and cut the puff pastry sheet to approximately the size of the top of the skillet. Place the puff pastry on top of the apples and gently tuck the sides in ever so slightly. Cut the remaining scraps of puff pastry and evenly spread across the top (this will give the tarte tatin some volume).
5. Bake until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, invert a plate on top and quickly (but carefully) flip onto the plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and the remaining caramel sauce.

Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon

• Level: Easy
• Total: 25 min
• Active: 25 min
• Yield: 4 servings

• Ingredients

  2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  1 tablespoon canola oil

  Four 4- to 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin removed, at room temperature

  Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

  1 cup apple cider

  2 teaspoons minced shallots

  2 tablespoons honey

  1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

  1/4 cup creme fraiche

  Apple cider vinegar, as needed

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

  2 tablespoons chopped chives

  1/2 small jalapeño, thinly sliced

• Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Fit a baking sheet with a wire rack.
  2. In a medium saute pan, heat the butter and canola oil over medium heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides and cook on one side until light golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets, then add the apple cider and shallots and raise the heat to medium high to bring the liquid to a simmer. Cook the fish another 2 minutes, then gently remove the fillets to the rack and transfer to the oven. Bake 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare.
  3. Meanwhile, continue simmering the pan sauce over medium-low heat, whisking often, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the honey and mustard and continue to simmer until slightly reduced, 2 to 4 minutes more. Whisk in the creme fraiche and simmer, whisking often, until the sauce is thick and glossy and coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes more. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding apple cider vinegar as desired.
  4. Transfer the salmon to serving plates and spoon the sauce over the fish. Garnish with the tarragon, mint, chives and jalapeños.

Fish & Chips Cook's Country

Fish & Chips Cook's Country

Fish and Chips

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

Crispy fish and chips can usually be found only at a proper English pub, but we wanted to create an authentic version for the home cook. We used a mixture of equal parts all-purpose flour and cornstarch plus a teaspoon of baking powder to mimic that familiar crispy, shell-like coating. Whisking in some beer created a coating that stuck well to the tender pieces of cod and added a malty flavor to each bite. Yukon Gold potatoes worked best for our chips—they were less starchy and more crispy once fried than other potato varieties.

Recipe Image

INGREDIENTS

1	cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
1	cup (4 ounces) cornstarch
	Salt and pepper
1	teaspoon baking powder
1 ½	cups beer
1	(2-pound) skinless cod fillet, about 1 inch thick
2 ½	pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled
8	cups peanut or vegetable oil
	Lemon wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

SERVES 4

Headnote

Try to find large Yukon Gold potatoes, 10 to 12 ounces each, that are similar in size. We prefer peanut or vegetable oil for frying and do not recommend using canola oil since it can impart off-flavors. Use a Dutch oven that holds 6 quarts or more. A light-bodied American lager, such as Budweiser, works best here. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, substitute seltzer for the beer. We prefer to use cod for this recipe, but haddock and halibut will also work well. Serve with Tartar Sauce, if desired.

Description Text

1. Whisk flour, cornstarch, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and baking powder together in large bowl. Add beer and whisk until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

2. Cut cod crosswise into 8 equal fillets (about 4 ounces each). Pat cod dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper; refrigerate until ready to use.

3. Square off each potato by cutting 1/4-inch-thick slice from each of its 4 long sides. Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick planks. Stack 3 to 4 planks and cut into 1/4-inch fries. Repeat with remaining planks. (Do not place potatoes in water.)

4. Line rimmed baking sheet with triple layer of paper towels. Combine potatoes and oil in large Dutch oven. Cook over high heat until oil has reached rolling boil, about 7 minutes. Continue to cook, without stirring, until potatoes are limp but exteriors are beginning to firm, about 15 minutes longer. Using tongs, stir potatoes, gently scraping up any that stick, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until just lightly golden brown, about 4 minutes longer (fries will not be fully cooked at this point). Using spider skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer fries to prepared sheet. Skim off any browned bits left in pot.

5. Set wire rack in second rimmed baking sheet. Transfer fish to batter and toss to evenly coat. Heat oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Using fork, remove 4 pieces of fish from batter, allowing excess batter to drip back into bowl, and add to hot oil, briefly dragging fish along surface of oil to prevent sticking. Adjust burner, if necessary, to maintain oil temperature between 350 and 375 degrees.

6. Cook fish, stirring gently to prevent pieces from sticking together, until deep golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes per side. Using spider skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer fish to prepared rack and skim off any browned bits left in pot. Return oil to 375 degrees and repeat with remaining 4 pieces of fish.

7. Return oil to 375 degrees. Add fries to oil and cook until deep golden brown and crispy, about 1 minute. Using spider skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer fries back to prepared sheet and season with salt. Transfer fish and chips to platter. Serve with lemon wedges.

Order of Operations

This recipe comes together easily if you follow this simple sequence.

1. Make the tartar sauce.
2. Make the batter, portion the fish, and cut the potatoes.
3. Start the fries in cold oil, and cook them until they’re almost done.
4. Batter and fry the fish in two batches.
5. Return the fries to the oil for just 1 minute to finish cooking them.
6. Serve the fries with the fish and sauce.

Pro Tip for Frying

To keep the pieces of fish from sticking together in the hot oil, spear one piece of battered fish with a fork, let the excess batter drip off, and then drag the fish along the oil’s surface before releasing it to sink. This gives the batter a chance to set up and harden so that it won’t adhere to other pieces it touches in the oil.

Cutting French Fries Made Easy

Square Off Sides

Slicing off the four long sides of each potato eliminates the need for peeling and creates a stable base for the next cuts.

Cut into Planks, Then Fries

Cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick planks, then cut the stacks of planks into fries. You’re ready to fry!

Chicken & Pastry

Chicken & Pastry

INGREDIENTS

1 ½	cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
2	teaspoons baking powder
	Salt and pepper
½	cup milk
2	tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2	pounds bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed
4	cups chicken broth
1	cup water
1	onion, peeled and halved through root end
1	celery rib, halved crosswise INSTRUCTIONS SERVES 4 TO 6 Headnote Keep the root ends of the onion halves intact so the petals don’t separate during cooking and the onion is easy to remove from the pot. Description Text 1. Combine flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Combine milk and melted butter in second bowl (butter may form clumps). Using rubber spatula, stir milk mixture into flour mixture until just incorporated. Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter and knead until no flour streaks remain, about 1 minute. Return dough to large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside. 2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with pepper. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip chicken and continue to cook until golden brown on second side, 3 to 5 minutes longer. 3. Add broth and water, scraping up any browned bits. Nestle onion and celery into pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, roll dough into 12-inch square, about 1/8 inch thick. Using pizza cutter or knife, cut dough lengthwise into 1-inch-wide strips, then cut diagonally into 1-inch-wide strips to form diamonds (pieces around edges will not be diamonds; this is OK). 5. Remove pot from heat. Transfer chicken to plate and let cool slightly. Discard onion and celery. Return broth to boil over medium-high heat and add pastry. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pastry is tender and puffed, about 15 minutes. While pastry cooks, shred chicken into bite-size pieces, discarding skin and bones. 6. Stir chicken into stew and cook, uncovered, until warmed through and stew has thickened slightly, 2 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar for rolling cookies

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth and very fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
4. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll in sugar. Place on lined cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart.
5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Easy Cheeseburger Soup

Easy Cheeseburger Soup

• 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained of excess fat
• ¾ cup onion, diced
• ¾ cup carrots, shredded
• ¾ cup celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups of Velveeta processed cheese cubed or 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1½ cups milk
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. In a large Dutch oven, melt 1 Tbsp butter.
2. Add onion, carrot and celery and sauté until tender. Add basil and parsley and sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Add the chicken broth and potatoes; cover and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
5. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt the remaining butter and add the flour.
6. Cook for 3 minutes or until a bubbly paste forms.
7. Add to the soup and bring back to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes.
8. Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheeses, milk, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese melts.
9. Top with extra shredded cheese before serving.

Tammy Wynette’s Banana Pudding

Serves: 6

Ingredients:
‎1 box Nilla wafers (12 oz box)
2 ½ cups sugar
6 cups whole milk
6 sliced bananas
1 cup self-rising flour
6 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon real vanilla

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°

Crumble enough wafers to cover the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ glass dish and set aside remaining wafers to use for decoration after it’s done.

Combine all dry ingredients (except for ½ cup of sugar to use later for meringue) in a large pot.

Then, in a different bowl, combine all wet ingredients (to include the 6 egg yolks only and set aside egg whites for meringue).

Slowly add wet into dry mixture and stir until completely dissolved and cook over low heat until thickened to pudding consistency. The trick is to stir continuously and not to get too hot so you don’t burn the pudding. Once ready, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Place sliced bananas over wafers and pour mixture over them.

In a separate bowl, beat the 6 egg whites and slowly add in the remaining ½ cup sugar until a stiff meringue forms and then pour over pudding.

Put in the oven for 8-10minutes or until golden brown on top.

Baked Potato Soup

 Easy Homemade Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:
4 cups of whole milk
4 cups of chicken broth/stock
1 large onion, diced finely
1 package of bacon, fried and chopped, save bacon grease
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of butter
3/4 cup of flour
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 lbs of potatoes, scrubbed clean, skins on
8oz bag/block of shredded cheddar cheese
2 stalks of celery, diced
Sour Cream
Green Onions

Directions:
-Bake your potatoes until they are soft, just as if you were making a baked potato. I did mine in the microwave. (Don’t forget to pierce them so they don’t explode) Set them aside to cool so you can peel them.
-Cook your bacon in a large pan, remove grease except for 2-3 tablespoons, on low/med heat.
-Saute your onions in the bacon grease until they become translucent, add in the garlic. celery, salt, and pepper.
-Pour in your chicken stock and bring to a low boil. Stir frequently.
-Pour in 3 cups of milk, stir.
-In a separate sauce pan, melt the butter, add in the flour while whisking to make a roux. Let this cook for a min or so, do not let it burn.
-Whisk in 1 cup of the milk to the sauce pan, don’t stop whisking or it will be lumpy. You are making the thickening agent to the soup. Once this has thickened, pour into large soup pot while whisking in the soup pot.
-In a separate bowl, peel the skins off of your potatoes. Cube your potatoes throw them into the soup pot.
– Once that comes together, pour in the entire 8oz bag of cheese.
-Stir, taste, and add seasoning as needed. I also add in about 1/3 of the chopped, cooked bacon at this point.
-Serve in a bowl with cheese, bacon, green onions, and sour cream.

Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce

Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce

Ingredients:
1⁄2 cups olive oil
1⁄4 cup soy sauce
1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1-2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tsp dry mustard
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 1-lb. pork tenderloin (silver skin removed)

Directions:
Combine all marinade ingredients and reserve 2-3 Tbsp. Place the pork tenderloin and marinade in a Zip-lock bag and let marinate for at least 3-4 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a hot skillet over medium-high heat, sear each side of tenderloin for 2-3 minutes. Place in the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes or until the meat has reached 160 degrees. Let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Pan Sauce:
Pan scrapings from pork tenderloin
1/2 cup of chicken broth
2-3 tbsp of pork marinade (thoroughly mixed)
1-2 tsp butter

Meanwhile, place the skillet back on the stove over medium heat. Add the chicken broth and scrape up all the browned pieces from the bottom of the pan. Add the marinade and let it boil down for 2-3 minutes. Add the butter and remove from heat stirring until butter has melted. Pour over the pork tenderloin.