Summer Dinners

Vegetarian Borscht

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

Growing up we ate three cold soups in the summertime: my mother’s wonderful gazpacho, schav, and borscht, both of which came in a jar from Manischewitz and are loved by Ashkenazi Jews. If my mother was being a bit fancy, she would blend the borscht and sour cream in a blender, reserving a few borscht matchsticks for garnish. The soup became a gorgeous deep pink and we couldn’t wait to take a spoonful.

The borscht and schav would be served on hot summer nights with a generous dollop of sour cream and slices of dark rye bread. This Vegetarian Borscht is perfect for lighter summer meals and can be eaten as a first course or a light main dish. If you choose to use a non-dairy sour cream or yogurt the dish is vegan and pareve.

You can, of course, serve this version of borscht hot as well, which I did the day I made it. I still served it with a dollop of our homemade yogurt, some dill and my breadsticks. It was a huge hit with my husband.

This borscht is made from beets and as anyone who follows my blog knows, I LOVE beets in all of its many forms. “Beetroots are a good source of nutrients, fiber, and many plant compounds. The health benefits of this vegetable include improved heart health, the ability to reduce blood pressure, and enhanced exercise capacity.” While beets come in varying colors and varieties, red beets are the best in this recipe. The resulting color of the soup is a rich, deep garnet that simply invites you to dig in.

This Vegetarian Borscht is a perfect summer soup, but there are also heartier winter versions which are only served hot and generally have a meat base. Borscht’s origins are from Ukraine, Russia and Poland where beets were plentiful and where the root vegetables used could be stored for the winter when fresh vegetables were scarce. It is generally described as a sour soup, although Jews from Poland often added a bit of sugar along with the lemon juice for a sweet and sour finish. And since that is where my mother’s family was from, I have added sugar to this version.

If you are looking for an easy, inexpensive and delicious summer soup, you cannot go wrong with this Vegetarian Borscht. The recipe began from Serious Eats, but the tweaks, short-cuts and suggestions are mine. The short-cuts will make this soup come together even more quickly. And don’t get bogged down in exact amounts. A little more cabbage, onions, beets and/or carrots will not spoil the soup.

Serve it with a dollop of sour cream, thick yogurt or unsweetened creme fraiche, dairy or non-dairy.

RECIPE

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

2 medium to large raw beets (beetroot), scrubbed and cut into matchsticks (you can reserve a small piece to grate into the soup at the end, although I didn’t)

2 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks OR use an 8 to 10 oz. bag of pre-cut matchstick carrots

1 pound white cabbage (It’s really light green, but called “white.” Go figure!), cut thinly into shreds (Sometimes you can find shredded cabbage in the produce isle. If you own a mandoline, it takes seconds to finely shred a cabbage, especially if someone else, like my husband, does it for you. It also made fast work of match-sticking the beets)

2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil

8 cups (2 quarts or liters) vegetable stock (I make my own because I don’t happen to like commercial vegetable stock and it is so easy, but feel free to use it if there is brand that you like.)

Juice of 1 to 2 lemons

1 Tablespoon granulated sugar or more to taste (Optional)

Kosher Salt to taste (How much you use will depend on the stock. If you are using a commercial, salted stock, you will use less than an unsalted stock. Remember, to start with a smaller amount, in any case. You can always add salt but it is almost impossible to reduce the amount once added to the dish.)

Coarsely ground black pepper (This is personal preference. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more if you like.)

Sour cream, thick plain yogurt or unsweetened creme fraiche (dairy or non-dairy alternatives)

Finely chopped dill, parsley or chives (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Sauté onions, carrots, and beets over medium heat in the olive oil with a a teaspoon of salt in a large soup pot. Stir and turn over the vegetables occasionally for even cooking.

In the meantime, bring the vegetable stock to a boil. When the vegetables have softened (10 to 12 minutes), add the shredded cabbage and the hot stock. Bring to a boil and simmer 15-25 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Because my onions seemed to be particularly strong, I actually simmered the soup longer.

(The borscht can be served this way or you could take about half of the soup and blend it until smooth in the blender or using an immersion blender for a thicker, creamier final product. This can be done with added sour cream or yogurt or without. The color will either be a deep garnet or a beautiful pink. I blended it without the yogurt when I served it hot.)

Season to taste with salt and pepper, then squeeze in the lemon juice, aiming for a pleasing but subtle sour taste. Since I used an unsalted vegetable stock, I found that I needed a fair amount of salt. For what ended up being a 6 quart pot of soup, I added 1 Tablespoon of Diamond Kosher salt. If you are using table salt or Morton’s kosher salt you could use less. I also found that I needed to pump up the sour by adding some apple cider vinegar to the lemon juice. And to get that exact right balance of sweet to sour, I added a few teaspoons of granulated sugar. In addition to personal preference, some beets are just sweeter than others and some onions are stronger. So taste and don’t be afraid to make some adjustments.

Serve with freshly ground black pepper, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, and chopped dill, chives or parsley, if desired.

NOTE:

Since it is highly unlikely that there were fresh lemons available in the winter in the Pale of Settlement, my guess is that sour salt or apple cider vinegar was used to produce the subtle sour taste. I use it in my Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup.

Apricot Galette with Almond Mascarpone Cream

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

We are firmly in stone fruit season. And while I love a juicy, fragrant peach or nectarine, I have found over the last 10 years that they are very unpredictable. Sometimes they can look good on the outside, but are either mealy, tough or without flavor. But apricots and plums seem to be more consistent, with new varieties and colors every year. My Apricot Galette with Almond Mascarpone Cream makes the most of apricots. I rarely gush but this galette is the dessert of my dreams. Loaded with perfectly ripe apricots nestled into a creamy, almond mascarpone.

The apricots are ripe, sweet, tender and almost creamy. Just a hint of almond and nutmeg enhance the apricotiness of the fruit. And who doesn’t love a delicious cream in their dessert?

I believe this recipe would work with plums, although I have not tried it yet. And obviously, the number of plums used would be fewer than the number of apricots given their relative sizes. The Apricot Galette with Almond Mascarpone Cream does not need any garnish, but if you added a dollop of whipped cream, you won’t find me faulting you.

This galette is the perfect finish for a summer dinner. I prefer desserts that are not overly sweet, but creamy and fruity – my pecan pie being the exception. To an extent, how sweet your finished product will be depends on the actual fruit you use. You can add an additional tablespoon or 2 of sugar if you want to go sweeter. I won’t, but no judgment here.

RECIPE

Yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

Galette dough (See below for my favorite dough)

For the filling

13 to 14 apricots, any variety, halved, pitted and sliced into 6 to 8 slices

6 ounces mascarpone, room temperature

1/3 cup of granulated sugar

rounded quarter teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

healthy pinch of fine Himalayan sea salt or kosher salt

1 rounded Tablespoon of preserves (Either apricot or blood orange)

1 large egg, room temperature

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pure almond extract

For the dough

1.5 cups, unbleached, all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

large pinch of kosher or Himalayan sea salt

1 stick (8 Tablespoons) of unsalted butter, cubed and very cold

1 teaspoon of vinegar (Distilled or apple cider)

4 to 5 Tablespoons ice cold water

For the glaze

1 egg yolk mixed with 1 Tablespoon of cream for the glaze

Demerara or other large crystal sugar

2 Tablespoons sliced almonds (Natural or blanched)

DIRECTIONS

I make my dough in a food processor. While admittedly it takes longer to wash the food processor than it does to make the dough, I just find it preferable. However, you can, of course, make the dough by hand.

Place the first 4 ingredients into the bowl of the processor. Pulse 15 times. Then add 4 Tablespoons of the ice water and the vinegar. Start processing. If the dough doesn’t appear to be quite coming together, add the last Tablespoon of water. Then run the machine just until the dough starts to come together.

Remove the dough from the processor and using waxed paper or plastic wrap, push the dough together into a ball. Then flatten into a thick disk. Refrigerate for 40 minutes if you will be using it right away. It can stay in the fridge for a day or two if well-wrapped. It can be frozen, although I never do that.

While the dough is resting in the fridge, combine all of the filling ingredients in a large bowl EXCEPT for the apricots. Mix them together until well combined. THEN add the apricot slices and using a spatula, gently mix them through the cream.

When you are ready to bake the galette, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet pan with parchment.

If the dough has only been in the fridge for 40 minutes, you should be able to roll it out with ease. If it was in the fridge longer then you will need to have it sit on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes before you can roll it out without cracking it.

Lightly flour a counter or large Silpat baking sheet. Lightly flour the area where you will be rolling out the dough. Place the disk on top of the flour and sprinkle flour over the top of the dough. Roll out the dough from the center rolling outwards, turning the dough frequently. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking. You want to end up with a 14-inch circle. It doesn’t have to be perfect. This is rustic.

Carefully roll the dough back onto the rolling pin and transfer it to the pan with the parchment. It might overlap the sides a bit, but that is okay. Now carefully pour the apricot/mascarpone mixture over the dough in the center. Begin to pull up the dough over the filling but leaving a large opening in the center. Pleat the dough as necessary. (If you don’t like raggedy edges you, you can trim them using a small knife or pastry cutter. Sometimes I do – this time I didn’t.) I happen to love a good pastry dough, but you can cut the dough back, making a larger opening in the center with a smaller dough surround. Extra dough can be used to make a simple cookie with a bit of egg wash and sugar on top.

In a smallish bowl, add the cream to one large egg yolk and stir well. Brush the outside of the dough all around with the egg wash. Then generously sprinkle (from above) the Demerara or coarse sugar and the sliced almonds, if used.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the pastry is a golden brown and the cream filling appears to be set.

Remove to a rack to cool completely before serving. Ideally this is served at room temperature, but left-overs will need to be refrigerated.

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

Rhubarb season has begun and I couldn’t be happier. Growing up, I always looked forward to summer and my mother’s Strawberry Rhubarb Compote. I ate it just as is or over pound cake with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream. It’s ridiculously simple to make and comes together in about 30 minutes or less. Having a jar of it in the fridge is like money in the bank. Even if dinner is only so-so, there is always a delicious dessert waiting quietly in that jar in the fridge.

Those tough but gorgeous purple red stalks melt into a puddle when cooked for only about 8 to 10 minutes. The result is slightly tart with just the right amount of sweet. Throw in some strawberries or raspberries (Fresh or frozen), some sugar and voila! Dessert!

It had been awhile since I had made this, so I went online and found Ina Garten’s recipe which is what I mostly have here. I am pretty certain that my mother kept hers simple with no added citrus or alcohol. But this version is quite as good as I remember eating as a child so that is why I have used it.

A slightly funny story about rhubarb, which while I enjoy it as a fruit, is actually technically a vegetable. My husband, son and daughter-in-law and I were at a vineyard in California which had an extensive garden. They were having a party for its members. As we were walking around, I saw what I thought was rhubarb since it is a favorite of Frances’ and mine. Since the vineyard people didn’t appear to use the things they grew, we asked if they would mind if we took some stalks. Frances and I were very pleased with ourselves and were looking forward to what we we bake with them. Unfortunately, we found out at the last minute that the rhubarb that we had picked, was, in fact, amaranth! Needless to say, we were rather disappointed, but glad of the discovery before we had baked it in a tart.

I love the tart/sweet fruitiness of rhubarb compote, but you are in control. So if you want it sweeter, just add another 2 Tablespoons of sugar.

For More Rhubarb Recipes:

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb Frangipane Galette

Rhubarb Strawberry Tart with Walnut Crust

Harvest Food: Rhubarb Cake

RECIPE

Yield: About 6 servings

INGREDIENTS


2 pounds fresh rhubarb cut in ¾-inch chunks (6 to 8 cups)

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup of water, preferably filtered

1/2 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt

1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and thickly sliced

1/2 pint fresh or frozen raspberries

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

1/3 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Triple Sec or Cointreau liqueur (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Place the rhubarb, sugar, salt and water in a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Give it a stir and reduce the temperature to a simmer, cooking for about 10 minutes or until the rhubarb chunks start breaking down.

Remove from the heat and add all of the remaining ingredients. Allow to cool. This can be eaten warm, at room temperature or cold. It will last in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Mine is always eaten long before!

Teriyaki Sheet-Pan Chicken

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

Most of the week my husband and I eat either vegan or lacto-ova vegetarian meals. However, I generally serve either fish, chicken or lamb for Shabbat. Because it is summer and we want to spend as much time outdoors as we can – and because we are once again packing up – this time to move back to our renovated apartment – I want to keep things simple. The idea of spending the day cooking is just not appealing. So when I came across this Teriyaki Sheet-Pan Chicken recipe through The Nosher, I thought that I would give it a try. Apparently it is a favorite Shabbat meal for the Seattle Jewish community, but you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy it! Of course, I made a few tweaks.

The recipe is Asian-ish. The flavorings are Asian but it does not purport to being an authentic Asian dish. Everyone is so sensitive these days, so I want to be clear about the origins of Teriyaki Sheet-Pan Chicken. The resulting chicken is tender and juicy with a light teriyaki flavor. I served it over brown rice with easy strawberry short cakes for dessert and called it a day.

The ingredients are available pretty much anywhere and the recipe is riffable according to your taste preferences. If you don’t like broccoli, try cauliflower or even carrots. You don’t like chicken thighs, (even though they are almost impossible to mess up) you can use breasts or drumsticks. However, just be aware that you may need to adjust the cooking time somewhat.

Due to the unprovoked, criminal and seemingly endless brutal war of annihilation against Israeli and Palestinian civilians by Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis and against the Ukrainians by Vladimir Putin and the worsening humanitarian crisis, please consider helping by following the links below. There are a number of reputable aid agencies from which to choose. Many of these agencies will also help victims suffering the devastating effects of natural disasters. This list is not exhaustive but is a good place to start.

And if you are feeling a bit lazy, as I was this week, or if you are short on time, you can purchase already prepared broccoli or cauliflower florets. And while it wouldn’t be my first choice, you can also purchase pre-chopped garlic and ginger, so this dish comes together quite quickly. It needs nothing more than some rice for a complete meal.

Don’t get too precious about the veggies. The original recipe called for 1 pound of broccoli florets. The pre-cut florets came in a 12 oz. package. However, I had some mushrooms in my fridge that I needed to use up, so I threw those in, quartering them since they were fairly large along with the broccoli and bell pepper and onion. I like our meals to be very veggie forward.

Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the teriyaki sauce

3/4 cup soy sauce, preferably low sodium

⅓ cup mirin, dry sherry or rice wine

⅓ cup dark or light brown sugar

4 large cloves of garlic, minced, crushed or grated

2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, minced fine or grated (TIP: freeze the fresh ginger, which not only allows it to last longer, but makes grating it a snap.)

1 Tablespoon cornstarch + 1 ½ Tablespoon water

For the chicken

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

12 ounces broccoli cut into florets

4 ounces of mushrooms, left whole if small or halved or quartered if larger

1 red or yellow onion, cut into wedges

1 large bell pepper (any color), cut into large dice

Neutral oil, with a high burning point like avocado

Salt and pepper to season vegetables (Use red pepper flakes if you want a little heat)

Lightly toasted sesame seeds and 2 or 3 scallions, sliced on an angle scattered over the top for garnish

Directions

For the teriyaki sauce, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, garlic and ginger.

Add the chicken to a bowl or zip lock bag and pour about half of the teriyaki sauce over the chicken — reserve the remaining half of the sauce. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes while you preheat the oven and prep the remaining ingredients. Alternatively, you can cover the chicken and marinate it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. (The longer it marinates, the more the chicken absorbs the flavors.)

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment, foil or a silicone baking mat.

Transfer the vegetables onto a large baking sheet, drizzle with oil and lightly season with salt and pepper. You do not need a lot of seasoning as the teriyaki sauce is salty as are kosher chickens if using. Toss the vegetables until evenly coated in the oil.

Place the marinated chicken (with what would be the skin side) on top of the vegetables. Cook in the oven for 20-22 minutes, or until the chicken is almost fully cooked (about 150°F). My thighs were very small, but larger ones will take a bit longer.

While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl or cup combine the cornstarch and water. Add the remaining teriyaki sauce to a small pot. Bring the sauce up to a simmer, add the cornstarch slurry and let it thicken and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the oven and turn on the oven’s broiler. Turn the chicken pieces over and brush each piece of chicken with thickened sauce. Broil the chicken and vegetables for 3-4 minutes. Then remove the pan from the oven, turn the pieces back over and brush the tops with the thickened sauce, spreading some over the vegetables as well. Return the pan to the oven for another 2 to 3 minutes. Keep an eye on your chicken so that it does not burn. If you don’t have a broiler or don’t like to use one, turn your oven up to 425 degrees F. The chicken may take a few minutes longer to get that nice brown color.

You can slice the chicken thighs for presentation, if they are on the larger side. Mine were small so I didn’t see the need. Top with sesame seeds and sliced scallions and drizzle on any remaining teriyaki sauce over the top, if desired. 

    Herbed Flatbread

    ~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

    Summer has truly arrived here with temperatures in the 90’s. Not only do my husband and I like to spend as much time outside as possible, but who wants to do involved cooking with weather like this? So often, dinners are a big salad or one of my summer soups or a simple curry. But one thing that we never skip is bread to accompany our meal. We love bread and for me, it completes the meal. It’s perfect for lapping up sauces and dressings or stuffing with wonderful things.

    My husband and I both make a number of different breads all year long and I’m happy to try new ones when I can. This Herbed Flatbread is very similar to a Turkish Pide Bread (not to be confused with pita.), but different enough that I think it is worth posting it. Both breads are relatively quick to make and are best enjoyed right out of the oven.

    Herbed Flatbread is super fluffy with just the right amount of chew to be satisfying. Baked directly on the pan with oil, the bread develops a lovely crust. The finished bread is a cross between a focaccia and a Turkish Pide. Whatever you call it, this bread is delicious.

    I came across the original recipe at some point on YouTube. The version presented here has some tweaks from the original, making it both accessible to vegans or those who keep Kosher as well as adding some actual herbs beyond garlic to the ingredients. And after trying this Herbed Flatbread, then explore the many other breads on my blog. There should be something to please everyone.

    Due to the unprovoked, criminal and seemingly endless brutal war of annihilation against Israeli and Palestinian civilians by Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis and against the Ukrainians by Vladimir Putin and the worsening humanitarian crisis, please consider helping by following the links below. There are a number of reputable aid agencies from which to choose. Many of these agencies will also help victims suffering the devastating effects of natural disasters. This list is not exhaustive but is a good place to start.

    Recipe

    Yield: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    For dough

    100 ml (1/2 cup) warm milk (Dairy or non-dairy)

    100 ml (1/2 cup) warm water

    1 teaspoon active dried yeast

    1 teaspoon granulated sugar

    2 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of a good EVOO (I like to use either a buttery EVOO or a Mediterranean blend, flavored with rosemary, thyme, basil and garlic)

    350 g (About 2.75 cups) of unbleached all-purpose flour plus about 1/4 cup more as bench flour, as needed

    1 teaspoon kosher salt

    For topping – This makes enough to leave some for spreading on pieces of bread when you eat it.

    50 g (2 Tablespoons) of unsalted butter (vegan or dairy), softened or buttery EVOO

    1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs of choice

    2 large cloves of garlic, crushed or grated

    Maldon Sea Salt

    2 Tablespoons grated or shredded cheese (Optional)

    Directions

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

    Proof the yeast with the milk and sugar. Add in all of the other dough ingredients and using your hands, bring the mixture together into a soft, sticky dough, using only enough bench flour to be able to handle things. The less flour that you use, the lighter the finished bread. Allow the dough to rise for about 45 minutes to one hour in a warm place away from a draft.

    Once risen, lightly oil your hands and place the dough ball onto a sheet of lightly floured parchment for a soft bottom OR onto an oiled pan for a crisper bottom. (Our preference is ALWAYS for the crisper option, but you do you.)

    Using your hands, gently flatten the dough out into a circle about 9-inches in diameter. Press small circles into the dough (I used a small glass tube I had that originally held saffron). Press down to the bottom without cutting through the dough. Do this all around. You can also dimple the bread with your fingers.

    Then prepare the topping by mixing everything together well except for the cheese. Spread the topping across the top of the dough and then scatter the cheese (if using) over the top. Generously sprinkle the sea salt across the top of the dough.

    Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown on top.

    Strawberry Ricotta Cake

    ~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

    Due to the unprovoked, criminal and seemingly endless brutal war of annihilation against Israeli and Palestinian civilians by Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis and against the Ukrainians by Vladimir Putin and the worsening humanitarian crisis, please consider helping by following the links below. There are a number of reputable aid agencies from which to choose. Many of these agencies will also help victims suffering the devastating effects of natural disasters. This list is not exhaustive but is a good place to start.

    Rich with ricotta, eggs and butter, Strawberry Ricotta cake bursts with berries and a hint of orange and cardamom. I made Strawberry Ricotta cake for Shabbat since we are having fish, but it would also be perfect for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. Add a few blue berries to the cake and it would also be great for the 4th of July.

    A Bit About Shavuot

    Shavuot commemorates the day when the Torah was given to the Jewish People on Mount Sinai. It is one of three pilgrimage and harvest festivals in the Jewish Calendar and falls 7 weeks after the end of Passover and the counting of the Omer. While opinions vary as to why, it is traditional for Jews to eat dairy products when celebrating this holiday. And as is common with the People of the Book, it is also customary to spend all night in study.

    Customs differ somewhat for Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews, but the essentials of the holiday remain the same. We all read the Book of Ruth during this time, and we all agree that Israel, the Jewish People, entered into a covenant with God at Mt. Sinai.

    I have made several ricotta cakes and they always taste wonderfully rich and pare beautifully with citrus – especially orange. These cakes, especially those made with fruit, will become almost pudding-like as they cool, with the flavors intensifying the day after baking.

    This cake is quite simple to make, so is perfect for the novice or occasional baker. The finished cake does not require any additional embellishments in my opinion. However, if you wish, you can sprinkle some confectioner’s sugar over the top just before serving. If you do this ahead of time, the sugar will simply melt into the berries, unless you can find non-melting confectioner’s sugar, which I understand is available, but I do not have.

    Other berries can be used, but I would shy away from raspberries, which while delicious, are so fragile that your batter will become pink while attempting to mix the berries through. If this doesn’t bother you, then by all means, give it a go.

    I hope that you enjoy my Strawberry Ricotta Cake soon.

    Recipe

    Yield: 8 servings

    Ingredients

    1½ cups all-purpose flour

    1 cup sugar plus 2 teaspoons for the top of cake

    2 teaspoons baking powder

    ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

    3 large eggs

    1½ cups ricotta

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR 1 Tablespoon orange liqueur like Grand Marnier

    Zest of an orange

    ½ teaspoon ground cardamom

    ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

    1.75 cups fresh strawberries, sliced into 6 or 8 pieces each, for larger berries

    Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8 OR 9”-diameter springform pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray. Sprinkle about 1 scant tablespoon of granulated sugar around the inside rim, which prevents sticking and gives a nice texture to the cake.

    2. Whisk flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt in a medium bowl.

    3. Cream butter, orange zest and sugar in a large bowl. Add in the eggs, ricotta, orange liqueur or vanilla and whisk until smooth. Mix in the dry ingredients just until blended and there are no flour bombs.

    4. Then fold in about ¾ cup of the berries, taking care not to mash the berries. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and scatter the remaining berries over the top, gently pressing them lightly into the batter. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar.

    5. Bake cake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes. (Ovens vary so it could take a few minutes more or less. It will also take a bit longer if you use an 8-inch pan since the cake will be higher and denser. However, it is difficult to dry this cake out. It will only get moister of time.) Allow the cake to cool for at least 20 minutes before releasing the outer ring. Continue cooling on a wire rack.

    NOTE: This cake is very moist. However, to not overbake it, when the cake looks just about done but has the slightest jiggle in the center, I turn off the oven, crack open the door and leave the cake inside for 10 more minutes. I do this with a lot of cakes to finish baking them without drying them out. If you don’t like the “pudding-like” texture that this cake can get, bake it a little longer before removing it from the oven.

    Strawberry Cake (Kuchen)

    ~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

    Due to the unprovoked, and seemingly endless brutal war of annihilation against Ukrainian civilians by Vladimir Putin and his army and the worsening humanitarian crisis, please consider helping by following the link below. There are a number of reputable aid agencies from which to choose. Many of these agencies will also help victims suffering the devastating effects of natural disasters.

    Support Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine

    “Summertime and the livin’ is easy

    Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high”**

    Or perhaps

    “It’s too darn hot

    It’s too darn hot

    I’d like to sup with my baby tonight” ^

    You get the point, right? No one wants to slave over a hot oven or be stuck inside when summer calls. And thanks to climate change, the world is suffering increasing heat, with temperatures reaching dangerous levels. But I do enjoy a nice dessert, especially on Shabbat.

    This easy Strawberry Cake doesn’t require any special equipment – not even a mixer. It can be made with pretty much any available fruit and is good just as is. This is not a showy cake – kuchen, a simple butter cake, never is. But, it also can be dressed up with some crème fraîche, ice cream, whipped cream or simply a snow of confectioner’s sugar.

    I’ve taken to making my own crème fraîche, which is easy to do, and some generally can be found in my fridge. I flavor it with vanilla and some confectioner’s sugar – not too much. Just enough. But, of course, crème fraîche is available in many grocery stores ready-made these days.

    The butter and sour cream keep the cake moist. And the lightly macerated strawberries ooze their delicious juices into the cake. I macerated more strawberries than I needed to cover the top of the cake and used the leftovers when serving. The batter is lightly perfumed with freshly grated lemon zest and nutmeg, a delightful combo.

    A springform pan was used for easy presentation, but the cake could also be baked in a square baking pan and served right from the pan. The original recipe called for a 9-inch round pan, but I made mine in an 8-inch round. It makes for a slightly higher cake and took a bit longer in the oven, but I was happy with the results.

    Strawberry Cake (Kuchen) will keep for a few days covered. The cake will become more a bit custardy as time goes on and the fruit juices permeate the batter. My husband would say, “And this is a bad thing?” But, I would be very surprised if your cake lasted that long once people have enjoyed a taste.

    For another delicious and adaptable kuchen recipe:

    Plum Kuchen (Butter cake)

    ^ It’s Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate. Songwriter: Cole Porter

    ** Summertime from Porgy and Bess. Songwriters: Ira and George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward

    Recipe

    Yield: 6 to 8 servings

    Ingredients

    Strawberry topping

    2 cups (334g) strawberries, sliced into 3 slices each (I made more to use as a topping when serving)

    2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar, divided

    pinch of salt

    Cake

    1 1/4 cups (150g) unbleached all-purpose flour

    1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt

    6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

    1 cup (198g) granulated sugar

    Zest of 1 lemon

    1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg, preferably freshly grated

    2 large eggs, at room temperature

    1/2 cup (113g) sour cream

    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Directions

    Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. 

    Grease an 8” or 9”- inch round springform pan or an 8”- inch square. Line the bottom with parchment and lightly grease. 

    To make the strawberry topping

    In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and the salt to combine. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the cake. (Reserve remaining 1 tablespoon sugar for topping the assembled cake. I added probably another cup of strawberries, but did NOT add any additional sugar.) 

    To make the cake

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. 

    In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, lemon zest, and nutmeg until creamy and homogenous but not necessarily light or fluffy. You can use a hand or standing mixer but if your butter is at room temperature, why create more dishes than needed?!

    Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the bowl as needed. 

    Add the sour cream and vanilla; beat to combine. 

    Add the flour mixture and beat just until everything is combined. Do not over-mix or your cake will be tough.

    Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Distribute the strawberries over the batter in a tight, single layer, leaving behind the juices in the bowl. Save any leftover liquid and strawberry slices for snacking or for serving with the cake.  

    Sprinkle the cake all over with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar from the topping. 

    Bake the strawberry cake for about 1 hour or until the top is deeply golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Run a thin flat blade around the inside of the springform, if using, and open the spring. Remove the ring and using a spatula, lift the cake onto the cooling rack to cool completely. Once cool, you can sprinkle the cake with confectioner’s sugar, if desired.

    To make Homemade Crème Fraîche

    In a clean glass jar, pour one cup of heavy cream (preferably with no thickeners added). Add 3 Tablespoons of any cultured milk milk product such as buttermilk, kefir or even whole milk yogurt. Leave in a dark, room temperature place, shaking the jar occasionally until desired thickness. Depending on the warmth of the room and the quality of the cream, this can take between 24 to 36 hours. Once the desired thickness is achieved, you can add a healthy teaspoon of pure vanilla bean paste and about 3 Tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar. Stir through and refrigerate. This will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

    Black Bean Beet Walnut Burgers

    ~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

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    If you follow my blog, you know that we eat a lot of vegan and vegetarian meals. Never a huge meat eater, I like that these options are healthier for us and the planet. But, I’m no purist and if something doesn’t taste great, I don’t care how healthy it is. So for some time now, I’ve been on a quest for a really great veggie burger. And I’ve made a few good ones, which I will link to below.

    However, none of them quite is “THE ONE.” And this isn’t either, although that is not a reason not to make it. The flavor profile is great! Spicy and just the right amount of natural sweetness. The burgers just didn’t have enough bite for me. Perhaps I should have left more texture to the black beans. (I’m thinking out loud here.) And perhaps if I had made thinner burgers (think smash-burgers) and browned them more giving a crispier edge, it would have been closer to being “THE ONE.” I’m going to keep working on it. But in the meantime, these did make a delicious dinner with all of the trimmings added.

    While I do use some meat substitutes, I am very selective. And with the exception of a few sausages (Field Roast brand are the best I’ve eaten so far and “NO, I am not compensated for saying that), I simply don’t like the taste of the substitutes when they are the main focus of the dish.

    Veggie Burgers are tricky. If you are looking for this to taste “just like meat” you will be sorely disappointed. On the other hand, if you are looking for a delicious veggie burger, taken in its own context, then these are for you. And no animal had to die to make them. Serve on a perfectly toasted bun with your condiments of choice, and I think you will be a happy, healthier camper. We accompanied our burgers with Vidalia onion, Sir Kensington Chipotle Mayo, homemade pickled veggies, corn on the cob and sweet potato chips. Come on – what more do you need?!

    These Black Bean Beet Walnut Burgers are a riff on a recipe that I saw in a flyer put out by my grocer store. They are pretty easy to make, but do require fridge time to hold their shape when cooking. And if you don’t happen to have left-over rice on hand, then you also need to cook up some rice.

    The Black Bean Beet Walnut Burgers can be cooked on a grill outside or on the stove. We don’t have a grill. I used canned beets, which I always have in my pantry, but you can also use the fresh, prepared beets in the vacuum sealed pouches. The liquid in the canned beets is always a very vibrant purple and I saved it to use in some tandoori chicken later this week.

    These burgers are an easy place to go if you are starting to try out some vegan recipes. And if you aren’t ready for the full vegan experience, I won’t tell if you melt a slice of your favorite cheese on top before serving!

    Other vegan burger recipes:

    Chickpea Quinoa Burgers

    SD* Chickpea Burger

    Indian Spiced Lentil Burgers

    Recipe

    Yield: 6 servings

    Ingredients

    2 cans (15 0z. each) of black beans, drained and rinsed well

    15 Oz. can or 1 pound of fresh prepared beets, drained and cut into quarters

    1.25 cups of cooked rice (any kind will work, but I used short-grain brown rice)

    Generous 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts, pan-toasted

    1 Tablespoon of chili powder

    1 teaspoon of ground cumin

    1 teaspoon of dried mustard (I like Colman’s)

    1 teaspoon kosher salt

    1 teaspoon dried oregano

    1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

    1/2 teaspoon fresh, cracked black pepper

    1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

    Neutral vegetable oil for cooking (I am using Avocado Oil these days when pan frying because of its high smoke point and health benefits.)

    Directions

    In a bowl of a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, pulse the black beans and beets until well mixed. Leave some texture to the beans – unlike the photo below.

    Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add all of the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the oil.

    Form the mixture into 6 patties and place on a rimmed baking pan lined with parchment paper. I used a quarter sheet pan but a glass dish is fine if that is what you have. Place another sheet of parchment lightly over the top and place in a plastic bag. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but overnight is best.

    When you are ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium high heat. If you are using a pan or griddle on the stovetop, brush the pan with the oil and heat on medium high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook the patties for about 6 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Then using a spatula, carefully flip the patties over. Continue cooking for about another 5 to 6 minutes. One of the beauties of vegan burgers is that everything is safe to eat BEFORE they are cooked. So unlike meat burgers, you don’t have to worry about undercooking the patties.

    Now have fun and garnish at will. I toasted some buns, used arugula, Vidalia onion, with sliced heirloom tomatoes on top. A squirt of some chipotle mayo (and there are vegan versions) or your condiment of choice and yummmmmm! We had homemade pickled veggies, corn on the cob and some sweet potato chips. Come on – what more do you need?

    Summer Garden Pasta

    ~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment
    Summer Garden Pasta

    Due to the unprovoked, continuing brutal war of annihilation against Ukrainian civilians by Vladimir Putin and his army and the worsening humanitarian crisis, please consider helping by following the link below. There are a number of reputable aid agencies from which to choose. Many of these agencies will also help flood and tornado victims suffering the effects of climate change.

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    This simple Summer Garden Pasta makes the most out of the tomato and basil harvest. With only a few ingredients, this delicious pasta comes together in under an hour. If you have the time, pair it with one of these wonderful focaccia.

    When choosing a pasta to use for this Summer Garden Pasta, I like to use a fusilli, but any pasta with ridges or twists will be great. They are both sturdy enough and have loads of nooks and crannies to hold the sauce. You want want to miss even a speck!

    I made this dish one night when I had some heirloom tomatoes to use up and a flourishing basil plant. My husband LOVED this simple Summer Garden Pasta so much that he ate seconds and thirds! While I used heirloom tomatoes the first time, any good ripe tomato will work. This time I used organic Roma and grape tomatoes.

    This is a sort of non-recipe recipe. Don’t get too bogged down in exact measurements. Another clove of garlic? Great. You like things really spicy. A few more red pepper flakes? Fine. More than a pound of tomatoes to use up? Go ahead. The basic recipe is below but be free to tailor it to your preferences. Just keep it simple.

    Summer Garden Pasta is wonderful for those steamy summer days when turning on the oven is unthinkable. So buy your bread and feast!

    Recipe

    Summer Garden Pasta

    Yield: 4 generous servings

    Ingredients

    Summer Garden Pasta

    About 1.25 pounds of ripe tomatoes, coarsely diced

    5 to 6 large cloves of garlic, peeled and left whole

    2 to 3 anchovies in oil

    1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste

    3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

    4 Tablespoons EVOO (I used a Mediterranean flavored oil, but any good EVOO will do )

    2 Tablespoons Canola or other neutral oil

    1 cup roasted bell peppers (homemade or from a jar), rinsed, patted dry and coarsely chopped

    1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar (it balances the acidity of the tomatoes)

    1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese

    1 cup of pasta water

    1 pound of dry pasta like a fusilli

    Lots of fresh basil leaves (a large handful), with about half kept for garnish

    Directions

    In a large pan with a tight fitting lid, add your oils, garlic cloves and anchovies. On a low heat, cook the garlic until it is golden, bathing it occasionally in the oil. The anchovies will have broken down and become indistinguishable from the oil. This took me about 15 minutes.

    Once the garlic is golden (do NOT burn the garlic!) add the chopped tomatoes, roasted red peppers, salt, balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook on gentle heat, covered for about 12 to 15 minutes or when the tomatoes have broken down and become saucy. You don’t want mush. I like to still see some of the tomato chunks.

    Up to this point, you can make the sauce ahead if you choose. The other ingredients will be added when you are ready to eat.

    When you are ready to cook your pasta, bring the sauce to a simmer. Crumble in the goat cheese and mix through. Add the pasta water just before draining the pasta and half of the basil. The leaves can be torn or left whole. Your preference.

    Mix everything through and simmer uncovered for about 2 minutes. Drain your pasta and add it to the sauce, mixing it well. Alternatively, add the sauce to the plated pasta. Garnish with lots of basil that has been chiffonaded and some grated parmesan or pecorino, if desired. Mangia!

    Beet and Tomato Gazpacho

    ~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment
    Beet and Tomato Gazpacho

    Enjoy Beet and Tomato Gazpacho – a feast for your eyes and your palate. August is the time to make tomato-based gazpacho. Gardens and farmers markets are resplendent with this juicy, ripe, flavorful fruit. While there is no “ONE” gazpacho, I have simply had too many that tasted more like a Bloody Mary than a true gazpacho. And this delightful cold soup should never be eaten out of season. Isn’t part of the joy in these foods that they are only available for a limited time?

    Every summer my mother would make a delicious gazpacho. And I also enjoy some of the less traditional gazpachos without a tomato base, like this green gazpacho. One year our family took a trip to Spain and I recall with fondness the gazpacho that we ate in a former bull-fighting ring. It was garnished with prawns and the texture of the soup was velvety smooth and so refreshing on a very hot day. Every region in Spain has their version. You might wish to try this Andalusian Gazpacho.

    The recipe is from the wonderful Martha Rose Shulman. She was inspired by the Spanish Michelin-starred chef, Dani Garcia. The color alone of this gazpacho makes it worth making. The beets that I roasted stained everything this glorious color!

    Beet and Tomato Gazpacho

    Where some gazpachos that I have had can be very spicy or sharp, this one is not. But don’t mistake smooth for dull or boring. Far from it! No single ingredient overpowers or catches in the back of your throat. But each element blends and compliments the other perfectly. For maximum flavor, make this Beet and Tomato Gazpacho the day before and allow it to thoroughly chill, adjusting the salt before serving. Chilled dishes tend to require more salt than you might otherwise use. There may be a bit of separation after the gazpacho sits in the fridge. Just give it a good stir and you are good to go.

    This is not a difficult soup to make, but it does need a good blender to achieve the correct texture. The good news is that you do not have to peel the tomatoes – something that I hate doing. And while you probably could make this with prepared beets that are available at your grocery store, this is the time to roast your own beets. Roasting is very easy and if the beet greens and stems are in good shape, you can use them to make selka, a delightful and healthy Moroccan salad.

    Serve this as a first course for dinner or as a light lunch with a crusty bread and a nice glass of wine.

    Recipe

    Beet and Tomato Gazpacho

    Yield: About 6 servings

    Ingredients

    Two 1/4-inch thick slices red or white onion

    1 large roasted beet

    1 Persian cucumber or half of a seedless English cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks

    2 pounds of ripe tomatoes (about 6 medium), cored and cut into chunks

    2 stalks of celery or fennel, coarsely chopped

    2 large cloves of garlic, halved and the green germ removed from the center (This removes any bitterness)

    2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar

    3 Tablespoons EVOO

    Salt to taste (Start with 1.5 teaspoons)

    1/2 to 1 cup of ice water, as needed for texture and consistency

    For Garnish

    1/2 cup diced cucumber

    Slivers or ribbons of fresh mint leaves

    Directions

    Place the onions in a bowl and cover with cold tap water. Add a few drops of vinegar (Distilled or cider is fine – don’t waste the more expensive sherry vinegar here. By doin this, you are just softening any harshness that the onion may have.) Allow this to sit while you prep everything else. Then drain and rinse and cut into about 4 pieces.

    Place all of the vegetables in a large bowl and mix to distribute them throughout. Working in two or three batches, blend all of the ingredients except for the garnishes in a blender until smooth. Add the water as needed to achieve the consistency and texture you want. It should be a silky puree. Then put all of the soup in a container and chill for at least 4 hours. However, it is better if allowed to chill overnight. Garnish and serve.