Tomato Confit


Tomato Confit
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    3 cups 45-50 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    3 hours 1 hour
    Servings Prep Time
    3 cups 45-50 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    3 hours 1 hour
    Tomato Confit
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      3 cups 45-50 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      3 hours 1 hour
      Servings Prep Time
      3 cups 45-50 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      3 hours 1 hour
      Ingredients
      Servings: cups
      Instructions
      1. Preheat oven to 260℉.
      2. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer. Wash and core large tomatoes. Cut a small X through the skin on the bottom of each tomato. Plunge tomatoes into simmering water and allow to sit for 40-60 seconds (you will start to see the skins slough off). Remove tomatoes to a cold water bath to stop the cooking. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. Peel skins off tomatoes by grabbing the flaps of the cut X.
      3. Cut large tomatoes in half horizontally and scoop out seeds. Place tomato halves, cut side up in a roasting pan.
      4. Wash cherry tomatoes and cut in half. Squeeze or scoop out seeds and scatter with larger tomatoes, tucking some in along side the larger ones. Tomatoes should be tightly packed.
      5. Trim herb stalks of any thick woody ends. Scatter herbs and garlic over tomatoes, pressing them down among the tomatoes.
      6. Lightly crush peppercorns and along with the sugar and salt, sprinkle over tomatoes and herbs. Pour olive oil evenly over tomatoes and roast for 3 hours.
      7. Pour boiling water into your sealable jars to help sterilize and warm them. Scoop hot tomatoes, along with herbs and garlic into jars. Top with remaining juice/oil. Screw on lids and allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate. If eating cold, allow to come to room temperature first, to allow olive oil to return to its original state.
      Recipe Notes

      -Seeding  the cherry tomatoes is tedious, but only takes 10-12 minutes once you get going.

      -Will keep for a solid week in the refrigerator.

      -Makes approximately 3 cups.

      Braised Celery and White Beans


      Braised Celery and White Beans
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        4 servings 20 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        75 minutes 45 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        4 servings 20 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        75 minutes 45 minutes
        Braised Celery and White Beans
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          4 servings 20 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          75 minutes 45 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          4 servings 20 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          75 minutes 45 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: servings
          Instructions
          1. Preheat oven to 350℉. In a large sauté pan, cook bacon until just starting to crisp and most of the fat has rendered. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate using a slotted spatula. Reserve approximately 2 tbsp of bacon fat in pan.
          2. Over medium heat, add sliced shallots and garlic to bacon fat and sauté for 1-2 minutes until the shallots are starting to soften. Add celery and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
          3. Stir in broth and allow to simmer over medium low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Whisk cornstarch into canned tomato juice until dissolved. Add to pan along with canned tomatoes. Heat until mixture comes to a simmer and thickens. Stir in cannelloni beans, smoked paprika, fresh herbs, salt and pepper.
          4. Divide equally between 4 individual coquette dishes or ramekins. Place on a large baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Top each with 1/4 cup of grated cheese and broil until cheese has melted and is golden. Serve with crusty bread if desired.

          Braised Lamb Shoulder


          Braised Lamb Shoulder
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            6-8 people 15 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            4 1/2 hours 4 hours
            Servings Prep Time
            6-8 people 15 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            4 1/2 hours 4 hours
            Braised Lamb Shoulder
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              6-8 people 15 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              4 1/2 hours 4 hours
              Servings Prep Time
              6-8 people 15 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              4 1/2 hours 4 hours
              Ingredients
              Servings: people
              Instructions
              1. Preheat oven to 325℉. Season lamb shoulder generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large braiser or dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear roast until browned on all sides. Remove roast to a plate and add mushrooms, sautéing until browned and starting to give off their liquid. Add garlic and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
              2. Add sherry and reduce over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock and heat to a simmer. Add roast back into pan, along with a bay leaf and about 5 sprigs of fresh thyme. Cover and cook in oven for 2 hours. Turn roast over and replace lid, continue to cook for an additional 2 hours.
              3. Remove from oven and carefully lift roast out of pan onto a plate. Cover with foil and allow to rest while completing sauce. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs and discard. Skim any excess fat from liquid and simmer over high heat to reduce liquid to about 2 cups, approximately 15 minutes. Whisk together heavy cream and cornstarch. Whisk into sauce along with the chopped thyme and bring back to a simmer. If sauce is not thick enough, continue to reduce for 2-3 minutes until a desired consistency is reached. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools so be careful not to reduce too much. If you do, simply add a splash of heavy cream to adjust. Adjust final sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
              4. Remove butcher string from roast and slice against the grain into 1/4" slices. Arrange slices in desired serving dish and ladle with sauce. Serve immediately or cover with foil and keep warm in a low oven for up to 1 hour.
              Recipe Notes

              If your boneless lamb shoulder comes with a netting, cut it off and retie with butcher string so the roast can be seared prior to braising.

              Pumpernickel Seed & Nut Crisps

              Pumpernickel Seed & Nut Crisps
              Print Recipe
              Crisp wholesome seed and nut crackers perfect for a vegan diet.
                Servings Prep Time
                64 crackers 15 minutes
                Cook Time Passive Time
                70 minutes 90 minutes
                Servings Prep Time
                64 crackers 15 minutes
                Cook Time Passive Time
                70 minutes 90 minutes
                Pumpernickel Seed & Nut Crisps
                Print Recipe
                Crisp wholesome seed and nut crackers perfect for a vegan diet.
                  Servings Prep Time
                  64 crackers 15 minutes
                  Cook Time Passive Time
                  70 minutes 90 minutes
                  Servings Prep Time
                  64 crackers 15 minutes
                  Cook Time Passive Time
                  70 minutes 90 minutes
                  Ingredients
                  Servings: crackers
                  Instructions
                  1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
                  2. In a large bowl whisk together all ingredients until just combined.
                  3. Spray 2 8"x3" loaf pans with non-stick spray and divide batter evenly between them. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a rack to room temperature. Once cool, remove loaves from their pan and place in the freezer for about an hour to help firm up for cutting.
                  4. Reheat oven to 300℉.
                  5. Remove from the freezer and cut each loaf into 1/8" slices. You should get approximately 30-33 slices per loaf. Lay each slice flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. Flip each piece and continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes (they will continue to crisp up as they cool). Remove from oven and place each slice onto a cooling rack and allow to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container once completely cooled.
                  Recipe Notes

                  -Any seeds and nuts can be used, but in this recipe, I used a combination of currents, pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and pepitas.

                  -Regular 9"x 5" loaf pans can be used, however, I used 8" x 3" foil loaf pans because they are narrower and therefore produce a slightly taller cracker and the loaves pop right out of the foil pans.

                  -Freezing is only required to assist in cutting even thin slices.  If you are good with a knife, feel free to skip this step.

                  Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

                  Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is creamy, loaded with cheese and topped with crispy bacon crumbs.
                  Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
                  Print Recipe
                  A slightly smoky mac and cheese that's loaded with cheese and topped with crispy bacon crumbs.
                    Servings
                    6-8 people
                    Servings
                    6-8 people
                    Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is creamy, loaded with cheese and topped with crispy bacon crumbs.
                    Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
                    Print Recipe
                    A slightly smoky mac and cheese that's loaded with cheese and topped with crispy bacon crumbs.
                      Servings
                      6-8 people
                      Servings
                      6-8 people
                      Ingredients
                      Bacon Crumbs
                      Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
                      Servings: people
                      Instructions
                      Bacon Crumbs
                      1. Chop bacon into medium dice and cook until just starting to crisp and most of the fat has rendered. Scoop out bacon onto a paper towel lined plate, reserving bacon fat. Allow bacon to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
                      2. In a mini food processor combine half of the bread crumbs, bacon, pepper and smoked paprika. Pulse until crumbly and bacon has broken down into bits. Add remaining bread crumbs and melted butter. Pulse until just combined. Set aside.
                      Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
                      1. Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
                      2. Preheat oven to 350℉. In a large sauce pan, heat reserved bacon fat. Add flour and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute stirring often. Add 1 cup hot milk, continue to whisk until smooth and the mixture starts to bubble. Whisk in another cup of hot milk and whisk until smooth. Add remaining milk, whisk until smooth and allow to come to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often. Whisk in dry mustard, salt, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, white pepper, cayenne and nutmeg.
                      3. Toss together 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda, 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar and 1/4 cup parmesan. Set aside.
                      4. Add remaining 4 cups of cheese to the sauce, stir until melted. Add cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Divide equally into individual cocotte dishes or a 9"x13" pan sprayed with non stick spray. Top with remaining cheese and then bread crumbs. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
                      Recipe Notes

                      Top up reserved bacon fat with butter to make 1/4 cup if there's not quite enough.  Cook pasta at the same time as cooking the bacon.