Friday 24 November 2017

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions


Ingredients 

  • 2½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 sprigs thyme, plus 2 teaspoons leaves, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
Preparation
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If sprouts are very small, cut in half; otherwise cut into quarters. Cook the sprouts until barely tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until brown but not crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on a paper towel. Pour out all but about 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the pan.
3. Add oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft but not browned, reducing the heat if necessary, about 4 minutes. Stir in thyme sprigs, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high, add the Brussels sprouts, and cook, tossing or stirring occasionally, until tender and warmed through, about 3 minutes. Remove the herb sprigs. Add the bacon, thyme leaves and lemon juice, if using, and toss.

· Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1, rinse with cold water; store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Finish with Steps 2-3, 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

--Recipe taken from Eating Well--

Tuesday 7 November 2017

no-knead Dutch oven bread
AUTHOR: GIRL VERSUS DOUGH (BASED ON JIM LAHEY'S ORIGINAL METHOD)
PREP TIME:  8 HOURS 40 MINS
COOK TIME:  1 HOUR
TOTAL TIME:  9 HOURS 40 MINS

YIELDS: 1 LARGE ROUND LOAF



INGREDIENTS
·         3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping
·         2 teaspoons sea salt
·         1 teaspoon Red Star active dry yeast
·         1½ cups warm water (about 110 to 115 degrees F)

DIRECTIONS

1.     In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt and yeast until well mixed. Pour in warm water and use a wooden spoon to stir until a shaggy dough forms. The mixture will be wet and very sticky to the touch.
2.     Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place 8 to 18 hours until dough rises, bubbles and flattens on top.
3.     Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Once oven is preheated, place a 6-quart Dutch oven (with cover) in oven 30 minutes before baking.
4.     Punch down dough. Generously flour a sheet of parchment paper; transfer dough to parchment and, with floured hands, quickly shape into a ball. Place dough on parchment paper and sprinkle top lightly with flour. Top with a sheet of plastic wrap and let rest 30 minutes.
5.     Remove Dutch oven from oven. Uncover dough and carefully transfer to Dutch oven, with or without parchment paper beneath (if bottom of Dutch oven is not coated with enamel, keep parchment paper beneath dough). Cover Dutch oven and return to oven.
6.     Bake bread 45 minutes covered, then another 10 to 15 minutes uncovered until dough is baked through and golden brown on top. Cool slightly before slicing