Small plates are all the rage in restaurants these days - here is how we'll do our own.
C&C
Piquilla Peppers stuffed with Goat Cheese
Roasted Sweet Onions with Cabrales Blue Cheese
T&J
Flat breads with Shrimp and Romesco Sauce
J&K
Tapas Style Meatballs
Spanish Trail Mix
Z&K
Chicken Empanada with Chorizo, Raisins and Olives (or another Empanada recipe if I get inspired)
Torta Del Casar with Sherry Syrup
L&F
Tortilla de Patatas
Salad Sevillana
Sweets
Z&K - Fresh Oranges with Spiced Red Wine Syrup
T&J - Bread with Chocolate and Olive Oil
Friday, November 8, 2013
Bread with Chocolate and Olive Oil
Bread with Chocoate and Olive Oil
Source: Epicurious
Ingredients:
12 oz dark chocolate, 60% cocoa
12 slices 1-lb white country-style loaf
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp sea salt flakes
Method:
Preheat the oven or boiler to approximately 325°F.
Coarsely grate the chocolate onto a plate. Place the bread on a baking sheet or heatproof plate. Toast under the broiler until golden on both sides. Spoon the grated chocolate over the toast, covering it completely. Pour the olive oil over the chocolate and sprinkle with the salt flakes.
Source: Epicurious
Ingredients:
12 oz dark chocolate, 60% cocoa
12 slices 1-lb white country-style loaf
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp sea salt flakes
Method:
Preheat the oven or boiler to approximately 325°F.
Coarsely grate the chocolate onto a plate. Place the bread on a baking sheet or heatproof plate. Toast under the broiler until golden on both sides. Spoon the grated chocolate over the toast, covering it completely. Pour the olive oil over the chocolate and sprinkle with the salt flakes.
Fresh Oranges with Spiced Red Wine
Fresh Oranges with Spiced Red Wine
Source: Bon Appetit
Ingredients:
1 750-ml bottle dry red wine such as Spanish Ribera del Duero
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
8 oranges
Method:
Bring wine, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon to boil in large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 18 minutes. Cool syrup completely. Cover and chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
Finely grate peel from 2 oranges. Mix peel and 1 tablespoon sugar in small bowl. Using small sharp knife, cut off peel and white pith from all oranges. Working over large bowl, cut between membranes to release segments. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover orange segments and sugared peel separately and chill.)
Divide oranges and juice among 8 bowls. Drizzle syrup over and sprinkle with sugared orange peel.
Source: Bon Appetit
Ingredients:
1 750-ml bottle dry red wine such as Spanish Ribera del Duero
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
8 oranges
Method:
Bring wine, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon to boil in large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 18 minutes. Cool syrup completely. Cover and chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
Finely grate peel from 2 oranges. Mix peel and 1 tablespoon sugar in small bowl. Using small sharp knife, cut off peel and white pith from all oranges. Working over large bowl, cut between membranes to release segments. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover orange segments and sugared peel separately and chill.)
Divide oranges and juice among 8 bowls. Drizzle syrup over and sprinkle with sugared orange peel.
Salad Sevillana
Salad Sevillana
Source: Bon Appetit
Ingredients:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 10-ounce package ready-to-use spinach leaves or 1 pound fresh spinach, stemmed
1 8-ounce can Spanish artichoke hearts, drained, quartered
4 bacon slices, fried until crisp, broken into pieces
2 hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced
Method:
Combine first 8 ingredients in blender or processor and blend until well combined and frothy. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Combine spinach, artichoke hearts, bacon and eggs in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat generously.
Source: Bon Appetit
Ingredients:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 10-ounce package ready-to-use spinach leaves or 1 pound fresh spinach, stemmed
1 8-ounce can Spanish artichoke hearts, drained, quartered
4 bacon slices, fried until crisp, broken into pieces
2 hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced
Method:
Combine first 8 ingredients in blender or processor and blend until well combined and frothy. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Combine spinach, artichoke hearts, bacon and eggs in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat generously.
Tortilla de Patatas (Potato Tortilla)
Potato Tortilla [Tortilla de Patatas]
Source: Smitten Kitchen (Inspired by the version in The New Spanish Table)
Cut into cubes and serve with toothpicks for parties/cheese courses.
Ingredients:
3 to 4 (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds) Yukon Gold potatoes
1 small onion
1 cup olive oil
6 extra-large or 7 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Prepare potatoes and onions: Peel potatoes and onion and slice them very thin with a mandoline, the slicing blade of a food processor, or by hand. If either are on the large side, first cut them in a half lengthwise so the slices will be in half-moons.
Cook potatoes and onions: Heat oil in an 8- to 10-inch skillet, ideally nonstick, over medium-high until very hot, about 3 minutes. Add potatoes and onions in even layers and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping and nudging potatoes around to ensure they cook evenly. Potatoes are done when they are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife. They should not get brown or fall apart in flipping (unless you like your tortillas with softer, more broken-up potatoes, as some do).
Drain potatoes and onions: Transfer potatoes and onion to a colander set over a bowl and drain them. Season potatoes and onion with salt and pepper and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Make the tortilla batter: In the bottom of a large bowl, lightly beat eggs with a couple good pinches of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in drained potatoes and onions. If you have 10 minutes, definitely let them soak together for that long; it makes a difference in how well the finally tortilla stays together. If you’re in a rush, it’s not going to ruin the dish if you skip it.
Cook the tortilla: Add 2 tablespoons of the drained cooking oil (back to the skillet over medium-high heat. Pour potato mixture into skillet and flatten the potatoes with a spatula until they’re mostly even. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, moving and shimmying the skillet and nudging the egg around (so it runs underneath) for a minute before letting the tortilla cook undisturbed until the top is wet but not very runny, and it is golden underneath.
Loosen the tortilla with a spatula then slide it onto a large dinner plate. With your hands in potholders, invert the skillet over the plate, take a deep breath, and flip it back into the skillet. You can do it! Shake the skillet to straighten the tortilla and use a spatula to gently tuck the edges back under, if needed.
Return the skillet to the stove and cook tortilla to your desired doneness, another 2 to 3 minutes if you like an ever-so-slightly loose center (try it and see if you can go back), 3 to 4 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry, for full doneness.
Serve: Slice onto a plate and serve in wedges, hot, cold or at room temperature, plain, or with a dusting of smoked paprika and/or squiggle of aioli or mayo.
Source: Smitten Kitchen (Inspired by the version in The New Spanish Table)
Cut into cubes and serve with toothpicks for parties/cheese courses.
Ingredients:
3 to 4 (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds) Yukon Gold potatoes
1 small onion
1 cup olive oil
6 extra-large or 7 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Prepare potatoes and onions: Peel potatoes and onion and slice them very thin with a mandoline, the slicing blade of a food processor, or by hand. If either are on the large side, first cut them in a half lengthwise so the slices will be in half-moons.
Cook potatoes and onions: Heat oil in an 8- to 10-inch skillet, ideally nonstick, over medium-high until very hot, about 3 minutes. Add potatoes and onions in even layers and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping and nudging potatoes around to ensure they cook evenly. Potatoes are done when they are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife. They should not get brown or fall apart in flipping (unless you like your tortillas with softer, more broken-up potatoes, as some do).
Drain potatoes and onions: Transfer potatoes and onion to a colander set over a bowl and drain them. Season potatoes and onion with salt and pepper and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Make the tortilla batter: In the bottom of a large bowl, lightly beat eggs with a couple good pinches of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in drained potatoes and onions. If you have 10 minutes, definitely let them soak together for that long; it makes a difference in how well the finally tortilla stays together. If you’re in a rush, it’s not going to ruin the dish if you skip it.
Cook the tortilla: Add 2 tablespoons of the drained cooking oil (back to the skillet over medium-high heat. Pour potato mixture into skillet and flatten the potatoes with a spatula until they’re mostly even. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, moving and shimmying the skillet and nudging the egg around (so it runs underneath) for a minute before letting the tortilla cook undisturbed until the top is wet but not very runny, and it is golden underneath.
Loosen the tortilla with a spatula then slide it onto a large dinner plate. With your hands in potholders, invert the skillet over the plate, take a deep breath, and flip it back into the skillet. You can do it! Shake the skillet to straighten the tortilla and use a spatula to gently tuck the edges back under, if needed.
Return the skillet to the stove and cook tortilla to your desired doneness, another 2 to 3 minutes if you like an ever-so-slightly loose center (try it and see if you can go back), 3 to 4 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry, for full doneness.
Serve: Slice onto a plate and serve in wedges, hot, cold or at room temperature, plain, or with a dusting of smoked paprika and/or squiggle of aioli or mayo.
Torta Del Casar with Sherry Syrup
Torta Del Casar with Sherry Syrup
Source: Bon Appetit
Ingredients:
6-ounce wedge Torta del Casar, room temperature
1/4 cup Pedro Ximénez Sherry or Spanish cream Sherry
1 tablespoon sugar
Method:
Cut Torta del Casar into 6 wedges; place 1 wedge on each of 6 plates.
Stir Sherry with in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then increase heat and boil about 4 minutes, or until liquid is thickened and syrupy. Drizzle syrup over cheese just before serving.
Source: Bon Appetit
Ingredients:
6-ounce wedge Torta del Casar, room temperature
1/4 cup Pedro Ximénez Sherry or Spanish cream Sherry
1 tablespoon sugar
Method:
Cut Torta del Casar into 6 wedges; place 1 wedge on each of 6 plates.
Stir Sherry with in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then increase heat and boil about 4 minutes, or until liquid is thickened and syrupy. Drizzle syrup over cheese just before serving.
Chicken Empanadas with chorizo and olives
Chicken Empanada with Chorizo and Olives
Source: Smitten Kitchen (adapted from Adapted from Gourmet, January 2005)
Yield: 18 empanadas
Dough Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (I swapped 1/2 cup with whole wheat flour)
3 teaspoons salt
2 sticks (1 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 large eggs
2/3 cup ice water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
Filling Ingredients:
3 whole chicken legs, including thighs (2 to 2 1/4 lb total)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large onions, halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California
1/3 cup finely diced Spanish chorizo (cured spiced pork sausage; 1 1/2 oz; casings discarded if desired)
1/2 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika (not hot)
1/4 cup chopped pitted green olives
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
Egg Wash:
1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Method
Make Dough: Sift flour with salt into a large bowl and blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal with some (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Beat together egg, water, and vinegar in a small bowl with a fork. Add to flour mixture, stirring with fork until just incorporated. (Mixture will look shaggy.) Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and gather together, then knead gently with heel of your hand once or twice, just enough to bring dough together. Form dough into two flat rectangles and chill them, each wrapped in plastic wrap, at least 1 hour. Dough can be chilled up to 6 hours total.
Make Filling: Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chicken, turning over once, about 6 minutes total, and transfer to a plate. Sauté onions, garlic, and bay leaves in fat remaining in skillet, stirring frequently, until onions are softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add chorizo and paprika and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add olives, wine, and broth and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits. Return chicken to skillet along with any juices accumulated on plate, then reduce heat to moderately low and simmer chicken, covered, turning over once, until tender, 25 to 30 minutes total.
Transfer chicken to a clean plate. (Sauce in skillet should be the consistency of heavy cream; if it’s not, briskly simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.) When chicken is cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones and coarsely chop meat. Stir chicken into sauce and discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, then cool filling, uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Form Empanadas: Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Divide first dough and half of second dough into 18 equal pieces and form each into a disk. (The remaining dough can be stored in the freezer for future use.) Keeping remaining pieces covered, roll out 1 piece on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 5-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick).
Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling onto center and fold dough in half, enclosing filling. Press edges together to seal, then crimp decoratively with your fingers or tines of a fork. Transfer empanada to a baking sheet. Make 17 more empanadas in same manner, arranging on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
Lightly brush empanadas with some of egg wash and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer empanadas to a rack to cool at least 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Source: Smitten Kitchen (adapted from Adapted from Gourmet, January 2005)
Yield: 18 empanadas
Dough Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (I swapped 1/2 cup with whole wheat flour)
3 teaspoons salt
2 sticks (1 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 large eggs
2/3 cup ice water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
Filling Ingredients:
3 whole chicken legs, including thighs (2 to 2 1/4 lb total)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large onions, halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California
1/3 cup finely diced Spanish chorizo (cured spiced pork sausage; 1 1/2 oz; casings discarded if desired)
1/2 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika (not hot)
1/4 cup chopped pitted green olives
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
Egg Wash:
1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Method
Make Dough: Sift flour with salt into a large bowl and blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal with some (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Beat together egg, water, and vinegar in a small bowl with a fork. Add to flour mixture, stirring with fork until just incorporated. (Mixture will look shaggy.) Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and gather together, then knead gently with heel of your hand once or twice, just enough to bring dough together. Form dough into two flat rectangles and chill them, each wrapped in plastic wrap, at least 1 hour. Dough can be chilled up to 6 hours total.
Make Filling: Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chicken, turning over once, about 6 minutes total, and transfer to a plate. Sauté onions, garlic, and bay leaves in fat remaining in skillet, stirring frequently, until onions are softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add chorizo and paprika and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add olives, wine, and broth and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits. Return chicken to skillet along with any juices accumulated on plate, then reduce heat to moderately low and simmer chicken, covered, turning over once, until tender, 25 to 30 minutes total.
Transfer chicken to a clean plate. (Sauce in skillet should be the consistency of heavy cream; if it’s not, briskly simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.) When chicken is cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones and coarsely chop meat. Stir chicken into sauce and discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, then cool filling, uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Form Empanadas: Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Divide first dough and half of second dough into 18 equal pieces and form each into a disk. (The remaining dough can be stored in the freezer for future use.) Keeping remaining pieces covered, roll out 1 piece on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 5-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick).
Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling onto center and fold dough in half, enclosing filling. Press edges together to seal, then crimp decoratively with your fingers or tines of a fork. Transfer empanada to a baking sheet. Make 17 more empanadas in same manner, arranging on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
Lightly brush empanadas with some of egg wash and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer empanadas to a rack to cool at least 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Spanish Trail Mix
Spanish Trail Mix
Source: Bon Appetit (Mark Bittman)
Ingredients:
2 cups whole natural almonds
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1 cup 1/3-inch cubes dried apricots
1 cup 1/3-inch cubes pitted dates
1/2 cup 1/3-inch cubes smoked spanish chorizo (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup 1/3-inch cubes manchego cheese
Ingredient info: Smoked paprika is available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from latienda.Com. Smoked Spanish chorizo is a pork-link sausage flavored with garlic and spices. It’s available at specialty foods stores and Spanish markets and from latienda.com. Look for manchego cheese at supermarkets and specialty foods stores.
Method:
Toast almonds in large dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, occasionally shaking skillet, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then smoked paprika and orange peel; toss. Remove from heat. Transfer almonds to bowl; cool. Toss with apricots, dates, chorizo, and cheese. DO AHEAD: can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Serve at room temperature.
Source: Bon Appetit (Mark Bittman)
Ingredients:
2 cups whole natural almonds
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1 cup 1/3-inch cubes dried apricots
1 cup 1/3-inch cubes pitted dates
1/2 cup 1/3-inch cubes smoked spanish chorizo (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup 1/3-inch cubes manchego cheese
Ingredient info: Smoked paprika is available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from latienda.Com. Smoked Spanish chorizo is a pork-link sausage flavored with garlic and spices. It’s available at specialty foods stores and Spanish markets and from latienda.com. Look for manchego cheese at supermarkets and specialty foods stores.
Method:
Toast almonds in large dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, occasionally shaking skillet, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then smoked paprika and orange peel; toss. Remove from heat. Transfer almonds to bowl; cool. Toss with apricots, dates, chorizo, and cheese. DO AHEAD: can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Serve at room temperature.
Tapas-Style Meatballs (Albóndigas en Salsa)
Tapas-Style Meatballs (Albondigas en Salsa)
Source: SaveurYield: 35 to 40 appetizer sized meatballs
For the meatballs:
1 1⁄2 lbs. coarsely ground beef
1 1⁄2 lbs. coarsely ground pork
1⁄2 cup fresh white bread crumbs
1⁄4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup flour
For the sauce:
1 cup Spanish olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 large leek, white part only, chopped
1 dried bay leaf
2 tbsp. flour
2 1⁄2 cups beef broth
1 1⁄2 cups white wine
Method:
1. For the meatballs: Mix together the beef, pork, bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, garlic, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Let chill for 1 hour. Put flour into a bowl. Using wet hands, form meat mixture into 35-40 even-size meatballs. Roll each in flour; shake off excess; transfer to sheet pan.
2. Heat half the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown half the meatballs in the skillet, 10–12 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate. Wipe out skillet and repeat with remaining oil and meatballs, leaving oil and caramelized bits in skillet.
3. For the sauce: Heat skillet (with reserved oil) over medium-low heat. Add garlic, onions, leeks, and bay leaf and cook until softened, 12–15 minutes. Add flour; cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and wine, raise heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until thickened, 12–14 minutes. Let cool; discard bay leaf. Purée sauce in blender in batches. Return sauce to skillet along with meatballs; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until thickened and meatballs are cooked, 16–18 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide between four 6"–7" cazuelas.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Flat Bread with Shrimp and Romesco
Source: Food and Wine
Yield: About 30 individual pieces
Note: I included the flatbread recipe below in case you wanted to try it - if not (or if you run out of time) the flatbreads could be replaced with a cracker of your choice or a small toast.
Romesco Sauce Ingredients
1 medium red bell pepper
1 cup salted roasted almonds, chopped (4 ounces)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 large garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
Romesco Sauce Method
Roast the pepper directly over a gas flame or under a preheated broiler until blackened all over. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Peel; discard the stem and seeds. Coarsely chop the pepper.
In a food processor, process the roasted pepper with the almonds, vinegar, parsley and garlic to a paste. With the machine on, slowly blend in the olive oil. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and season with salt.
Shrimp Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
24 medium shrimp (about 3/4 pound), shelled and deveined
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Shrimp Method
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until white throughout, about 2 minutes per side.
Assembly
Spread a teaspoon of romesco sauce on each flat bread and top with a shrimp; serve.
Optional Flatbread recipe . . .
Flatbread Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
One 1/4-ounce envelope active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dry white wine
Method (flatbreads)
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
In a small bowl, mix the water with the sugar and yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5 minutes. In a food processor fitted with the plastic dough blade, blend the flour and salt. Add the sautéed onion, wine and yeast mixture and process until a ball forms. On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough briefly until smooth. Transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Punch down the dough. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a 12-inch round about 2/3 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, stamp out 30 rounds and transfer them to a large baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until just cooked through and pale.
Yield: About 30 individual pieces
Note: I included the flatbread recipe below in case you wanted to try it - if not (or if you run out of time) the flatbreads could be replaced with a cracker of your choice or a small toast.
Romesco Sauce Ingredients
1 medium red bell pepper
1 cup salted roasted almonds, chopped (4 ounces)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 large garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
Romesco Sauce Method
Roast the pepper directly over a gas flame or under a preheated broiler until blackened all over. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Peel; discard the stem and seeds. Coarsely chop the pepper.
In a food processor, process the roasted pepper with the almonds, vinegar, parsley and garlic to a paste. With the machine on, slowly blend in the olive oil. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and season with salt.
Shrimp Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
24 medium shrimp (about 3/4 pound), shelled and deveined
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Shrimp Method
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until white throughout, about 2 minutes per side.
Assembly
Spread a teaspoon of romesco sauce on each flat bread and top with a shrimp; serve.
Optional Flatbread recipe . . .
Flatbread Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
One 1/4-ounce envelope active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dry white wine
Method (flatbreads)
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
In a small bowl, mix the water with the sugar and yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5 minutes. In a food processor fitted with the plastic dough blade, blend the flour and salt. Add the sautéed onion, wine and yeast mixture and process until a ball forms. On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough briefly until smooth. Transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Punch down the dough. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a 12-inch round about 2/3 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, stamp out 30 rounds and transfer them to a large baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until just cooked through and pale.
Roasted Sweet Onions with Cabrales Blue Cheese
Source: Bon Appetit (follow the link for pictures and comments)
Ingredients
4 large Vidalia or other sweet onions, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup olive oil
4 ounces Cabrales or other strong blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar
1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
Method
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange onions in single layer on rimmed baking sheet; drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil over; turn onions to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Roast until soft and brown on edges, turning every 15 minutes, about 1 hour. Transfer to platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature.)
Sprinkle cheese over onions. Drizzle 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, then vinegar over cheese and onions. Sprinkle with almonds, then chives and serve.
Ingredients
4 large Vidalia or other sweet onions, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup olive oil
4 ounces Cabrales or other strong blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar
1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
Method
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange onions in single layer on rimmed baking sheet; drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil over; turn onions to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Roast until soft and brown on edges, turning every 15 minutes, about 1 hour. Transfer to platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature.)
Sprinkle cheese over onions. Drizzle 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, then vinegar over cheese and onions. Sprinkle with almonds, then chives and serve.
Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Goat Cheese
Source: Self (follow the link for a picture and comments)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons finely diced shallots
1 scallion (white part only), thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons aged Spanish sherry vinegar
1 can (13.75 ounces; 16 peppers) piquillo peppers, drained
3 ounces soft goat cheese
Olive oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Method
Whisk shallots, scallion and vinegar in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Slice open the top of each pepper to create a pocket. Spoon cheese into peppers, dividing it equally among them.
Heat a large frying pan over medium heat; coat with cooking spray. Cook peppers, flipping once, until cheese begins to melt, about 30 seconds each side.
Transfer to a platter. Sprinkle with parsley and thyme. Drizzle dressing over peppers and serve.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons finely diced shallots
1 scallion (white part only), thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons aged Spanish sherry vinegar
1 can (13.75 ounces; 16 peppers) piquillo peppers, drained
3 ounces soft goat cheese
Olive oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Method
Whisk shallots, scallion and vinegar in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Slice open the top of each pepper to create a pocket. Spoon cheese into peppers, dividing it equally among them.
Heat a large frying pan over medium heat; coat with cooking spray. Cook peppers, flipping once, until cheese begins to melt, about 30 seconds each side.
Transfer to a platter. Sprinkle with parsley and thyme. Drizzle dressing over peppers and serve.
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