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Earth Balance Buttery Sticks

Dinner, Italian, Pasta, Recipes, Summertime Meal, Vegetarian, Veggies

Pasta Primavera with Asparagus & Peas

August 1, 2023

With its beautiful bright green colors and aromatic tarragon, this pasta primavera earned 5* ratings on NYT Cooking site. After making this dish I can see why everyone loves it. It’s loaded with fresh asparagus, snap peas and green peas. Fresh tarragon is what makes this dish special.

The pasta I used (Mafaldine) is wide and flat with ruffled edges. It has a striking appearance when cooked and works well with many pasta dishes. The original recipes calls for fettuccine or tagliatelle which are much easier to find. If you want to try malfadine, you can find it at Amazon. Fresh tarragon can be found at Whole Foods.

Pasta Primavera (Spring in Italian) is a dish that combines lightly cooked vegetables with fresh herbs. Now that spring has passed and summer is here, it’s still a perfect time to find fresh asparagus at the markets. Sugar snap peas seem to be available year round as well as peas (frozen). I bought a well known brand of frozen peas that were chalky and had no flavor. I searched online for reviews of peas and found multiple top ratings for Woodstock Organic Peas. They are sweet and have a nice texture. So these are the only peas I buy now. You can find Woodstock Organic Peas at Hawaiian Moons on Maui.

Serve your pasta primavera with focaccia or good sourdough bread and you have the perfect summer meal.

Pasta Primavera with Asparagus & Peas

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Adapted from NYT Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1/4 pound sugar snap peas, stems trimmed

  • 1/2 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed

  • 2 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter

  • 3/4 cup frozen peas, defrosted

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallot

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • kosher salt

  • freshly ground black pepper

  • 10 ounces mafaldine, fettuccine, or tagliatelle

  • 2/3 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano + more for serving

  • 1/2 cup warm half and half (I used Organic Valley Lactose Free)

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus spears into 1/3-inch wide pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
  • Melt Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, and shallots. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (not soft or mushy), about 3 minutes. Stir in peas and garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
  • Cook pasta until al dente. Drain pasta and transfer to the bowl with vegetables. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano Reggiano, half and half, and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Grate extra cheese over the top before serving.
Chocolate, Dessert, Holiday Treats, Recipes

Triple Chocolate Brownies

June 12, 2023

Chris Morocco, Food Director at Bon Appetit magazine, calls these the “fudgy, crackly brownies of my dreams.” Chris baked 144 brownies before declaring these his ideal version of brownies. His hard work, patience and determination paid off. With three types of chocolate, hence the name Triple Chocolate Brownies, these rich and decadent brownies have become one of my favorite chocolate desserts.

The original recipe recommends using 70% bittersweet chocolate but I used 60% since it was what I had on hand.

Lining the pan with parchment paper will make it much easier when it’s time to lift out the brownies once they are cooled. Since parchment paper is a bit stiff, it’s best to cut two separate pieces that are the same dimensions, then overlap them. This will allow for neater corners.

Butter and bittersweet chocolate are melted in a bowl set over a saucepan with barely simmering water.

Sugar and eggs have been added to the butter and chocolate mixture.

Once the bowl is removed from the heat, the vanilla extract, dry ingredients, and chocolate chips are mixed in.

Look at that gorgeous shiny, crinkly top. These are exquisite chocolate-loaded brownies that have perfect rich, fudgy centers and slightly crisp edges.

Triple Chocolate Brownies

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

12-16

servings

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit magazine

Ingredients

  • Nonstick vegetable spray

  • 1/2 cup (62g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 cup (50g) Dutch-process cocoa powder (such as Guittard cocoa rouge)

  • 1 1/4 teaspoons Diamond Crystal or 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt (increase Diamond Crystal to 1 1/2 teaspoons and Morton to 3/4 teaspoon when using unsalted butter)

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter

  • 4 ounces (113g) bittersweet chocolate (60% or 70%) broken into pieces

  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 4 ounces (113g) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on two sides. Lightly coat parchment with nonstick spray.
  • Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a small bowl to combine.
  • Combine Earth Balance Buttery Stick (or unsalted butter) and bittersweet chocolate pieces in a medium heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (bottom of bowl should not be touching water, see photo above). Heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk in granulated sugar, then add eggs one at a time, whisking very vigorously between additions. Once all eggs are incorporated, continue to whisk 1 minute more. Remove bowl from heat and whisk in vanilla extract, then whisk in dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, stir in semisweet chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth surface.
  • Bake brownies until set across top and tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 27-30 minutes. Let cool in pan at least 1 hour before removing from the pan and cutting into 12-16 pieces. If you live in a warm climate, transfer the pan to the refrigerator once cool enough to place on the refrigerator shelf and chill for 30 minutes. This will help firm up the brownies.

Notes

  • Thoroughly cooled brownies can be frozen in an airtight container (separate layers with wax paper) for a few months.
Appetizers, Bread, Cheese, Dinner, Italian, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread

May 31, 2023

This made to share pull-apart rosemary garlic bread is baked until the crust is a gorgeous shade of gold, and the interior is soft and fragrant from the herbs, butter, garlic and parmesan cheese. It’s so delicious that you will be going back for seconds and thirds.

Food & Wine magazine mentions that making this bread is for bakers of all skill levels and after making it multiple times I absolutely agree. It’s a lot of fun to make and the final result is a delicious variation on garlic bread.

All-purpose flour, a bit of sugar, rapid rise yeast, milk, and butter are mixed up in a stand mixer before being formed into a ball and set aside in a warm area to rise.

When the weather is warm (always in Hawaii) I cover the dough and place the bowl out on the deck to rise. Some toaster ovens offer a dough proofing setting. If your climate is cool, you might put your bowl in the oven with the light turned on. Otherwise you may leave it out on your counter but expect it to take a bit more time to double in size.

While the dough is rising, make the filling.

Butter, cheese, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper are mixed in a bowl and set aside until ready to use.

One hour of rise time and the dough has doubled in size.

It’s time to roll the dough into 12 round disks. Don’t worry too much about getting them perfectly round.

A tablespoon of filling is spread over the dough rounds that are stacked on top of one other before placing in the baking pan.

Occasionally the dough can be a bit uncooperative, meaning it will resist keeping its shape once rolled out. If it springs back just give it another roll or two and it should be fine.

The stacked dough circles are placed in the baking pan and set aside for the final rise.

After 45 minutes the dough has risen and filled up the empty spaces in the pan.

Baked for 45-50 minutes, the bread emerges from the oven looking spectacular.

The final touch is melted butter brushed over the warm bread followed by a sprinkling of Maldon salt.

This bread goes with just about anything. I serve it often with pasta dishes, but it is superb with roasted chicken, grilled steaks, fish and chicken, herb baked tofu and salads. Any leftover slices would be perfect toasted and topped with sunny-side up eggs for a quick lunch.

Pull-Apart Rosemary Garlic Bread

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4-6

servings

Adapted from Food & Wine

Ingredients

  • For the dough
  • 2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface

  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal)

  • 2/3 cup (158g) whole milk, warmed

  • 3 tablespoons (42.6g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter

  • For the filling and topping
  • 6 tablespoons (85g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup (90g) finely grated parmesan cheese

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary (1 1/2 teaspoons for a milder rosemary flavor)

  • 1 large garlic clove, finely grated (Microplane works well)

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter, melted (to brush on baked bread)

  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt such as Maldon (to sprinkle on baked bread)

Directions

  • Place flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. With mixer running on low speed, beat in warm milk and Buttery Sticks or unsalted butter. Beat on low speed until just combined, 30-45 seconds. Remove paddle attachment from mixer; attach dough hook. Beat on medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Transfer dough to a medium bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. For colder climates, turn your oven light on when you start mixing the dough, then place covered dough bowl in oven. The warm oven environment will help your dough to rise.
  • Meanwhile, stir together butter, parmesan, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
  • Once dough has doubled in size, punch down in bowl and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough evenly into 12 pieces (about 3 tablespoons each). Using a small rolling pin, roll dough rounds into a 4-inch disk. You may also flatten each piece of dough with your hands (the disks do not need to be perfectly round). Spread about 1 tablespoon of filling onto one side of each disk. Stack disks, cheese side up, on top of each other. Turn stack of dough onto its side, and place in an 8 1/2-4 1/2-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Slightly separate disks in loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Bake loaf on middle rack until golden brown, 45-50 minutes, covering loosely with aluminum foil if needed to prevent over browning. Transfer loaf pan to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Invert loaf onto wire rack, turn upright, and let cool for 10 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Leftover garlic bread can be frozen and reheated (covered in foil) in a toaster oven.
Cookies, Dessert, Lactose Free, Recipes

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

March 26, 2023

These excellent cookies come from King Arthur’s Test Kitchen and were crowned the winner of their 2015 recipe of the year. They described the cookies as being “soft and chewy packed with chips.” Though I won’t turn down a soft and chewy homemade cookie, a crispy cookie is my favorite. It was the “packed with chips” that convinced me to try this recipe. I’m not sure why my cookies turned out crispy but I was thrilled with the outcome. They are crispy throughout (not just the edges) and not too thick or too thin. With that said, they are my new favorite cookie.

The original recipe calls for a small amount of oats. I tested a few batches using old fashioned rolled oats and quick cooking oats and found that the latter produced a chocolate chip cookie in which the oatmeal was barely detectable. If you prefer the oatmeal to be more pronounced, use old fashioned oats.

There is no shortage of chocolate chips in this recipe. That’s what makes these cookies so good.

A quick chill in the refrigerator or freezer helps to firm up the dough which makes it much easier to portion out.

Allow the cookies to set on the sheet pan for a few minutes once they are out of the oven before transferring to a cooling rack. Once cooled, wrap and give some to your family and neighbors. I keep a few stashed in the freezer for an after dinner snack, sometimes eating them before they have time to defrost.

Crispy throughout with lots of chocolate = the perfect cookie.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

30

cookies

Adapted from King Arthur Baking Company

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons (113g) Earth Balance Buttery Sticks for lactose free cookies, or unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup (107g) light brown sugar, firmly packed

  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg, at room temperature

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup (120g) unbleached all-purpose flour (King Arthur recommended)

  • 1/2 cup (45g) quick cooking or old fashioned oats

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon (scant if using Earth Balance Buttery Sticks) kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 cups (255g) semisweet or dark chocolate chips

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and add to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is thoroughly incorporated. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, and mix briefly. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Cover the bowl and place in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up or place in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
  • For medium sized cookies, scoop 1 heaping tablespoon onto cookie sheet (12 balls fit nicely on a cookie sheet allowing for some spreading as cookies bakes).
  • Bake cookies for 13-16 minutes, until they are light golden brown, with slightly darker edges.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven, let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes or until they are set enough to handle. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Continue baking with the remaining dough alternating with cooled cookie sheets.

Notes

  • Cookies may be frozen for a few months.
Beans, Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Roasted Green Beans with Caper Butter

March 1, 2023

Sometimes just a few simple ingredients can turn a dish into a delectable treat, as is the case with these roasted green beans. Though there’s nothing fancy about this side dish, it reminds me of something I might find at a fine restaurant. I love how uncomplicated this recipe is. You can have it ready in less than 30 minutes.

Capers are the definition of a flavor bomb. Briny, bold, salty and tart they add umami to the butter and other ingredients. The lemon zest adds a bright flavor and the fresh thyme (don’t leave it out!) is just delightful with the roasted beans. This basic compound butter can be whisked up in a jiffy.

The green beans are quickly roasted at high heat, 450 degrees for just about 12 minutes, or until slightly charred in areas.

Once roasted, the beans get tossed with the caper butter before being served.

Roasted Green Beans with Caper Butter

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

  • kosher salt

  • freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Sticks for lactose free version (or regular butter), softened

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon style mustard

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (not packed)

  • 2 teaspoons capers, drained and chopped

  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (add additional 1/2 teaspoon for zestier flavor)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil for easy clean up.
  • Toss green beans with olive oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
  • Roast green beans (in one layer) for 10-12 minutes or until lightly charred in areas, stirring once. They will soften a bit more once they are out of the oven.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together Buttery Sticks (or regular butter), mustard, thyme, capers, lemon zest and a dash of salt. Toss roasted green beans with the butter and serve immediately.
Dessert, French, Fruit, Jams & Jellies, Lactose Free, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Strawberry Galette

July 21, 2021

Strawberry Galette

One of my favorite fruits to use in a galette is mango.  During the summer months our two trees produce a good harvest of fruit that we use in all sorts of recipes.  But not everyone has access to mangos so any number of other seasonal fruits or berries are suitable.  I particularly like strawberries.  They make a gorgeous galette that bakes up beautifully.  The crust holds up well and leftovers, if any, are a real treat with coffee the following morning.

Fresh Strawberries

The strawberries found in the markets can vary in sweetness.  It’s a good idea to buy ones that are ripe and juicy in appearance but not at all soft.  Strawberries are quite perishable so plan on making the galette within a day or two of buying your strawberries.

Weighing Flour

The crust for this galette is excellent. It holds up well to the juicy strawberry filling and does not become soggy even if you have leftovers the following day.

Chilled Earth Balance Buttery Stick Cubes

I used Earth Balance Buttery Sticks (vegan and lactose free) but feel free to use regular unsalted butter as the original recipe calls for.   Whatever you choose to use, make sure it does not sit out on the counter and is well chilled.  Buttery Sticks are not as firm as regular butter so I freeze the cubes for 15-30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

Galette Dough

If I am short on time I freeze the wrapped dough for 30 minutes instead of chilling it in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Sliced Strawberries

Strawberries & Sugar

A little sugar is stirred into the berries which will give them a bit of sweetness, but not too much.

Strawberries & Sugar

Strawberry Jam & Cornstarch Mixture

The strawberries are gently tossed into a mixture of strawberry jam that is mixed with cornstarch and a pinch of salt.  

Rolled Out Dough

Roll the dough out on parchment paper.  Transfer the rolled out dough to your rimmed baking sheet and continue with the recipe.  

Strawberries on Galette Dough

Leave a 2-inch border (sometimes I end up with 1 1/2-inches!) to fold over the filling.  The original recipe calls for brushing the edges of the galette with some of the reserved strawberry juice and sprinkling sugar over the edges before baking.  Try not to apply too much of the juice as it is quite thin and will drip down the sides of the crust.  You can brush the crust with a bit of lactose free half and half or whole milk instead, then sprinkle with sparkling sugar.  The coarse-grained sugar adds a beautiful sparkle and sweet crunch to each slice of the baked galette.

Strawberries in Galette Dough

The dough is pleated every 2 inches to shape the galette and keep the strawberries the center of attention.

Strawberry Galette

I brush a bit of warmed strawberry jam over the strawberries once the galette is done baking. It gives the galette extra flavor and a beautiful sheen.

Strawberry Galette with Ice Cream

Strawberry Galette
 
Adapted from Cook's Country
Author:
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • Dough:
  • 1½ cups (7½ ounces) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (1/2 teaspoon if using unsalted butter)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 10 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Sticks cut into ½-inch cubes and frozen for 15 - 30 minutes (or unsalted butter well chilled)
  • 6 tablespoons ice water
  • Filling:
  • 1½ pounds strawberries, hulled, halved if small or quartered if large (about 5 cups)
  • ¼ cup (1¾ ounces) granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
  • ⅓ cup strawberry jam + 1 tablespoon, divided
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sparkling sugar
Preparation
  1. For the dough: Process flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor until combined, about 4 pulses. Scatter Buttery Sticks cubes over the top and pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand and butter pieces are the size of small peas, about 10-12 pulses. Add ice water to flour mixture and pulse until dough begins to form small curds and holds together when pinched with your fingers, about 5 pulses.
  2. Transfer mixture to a lightly floured counter. Gather dough into a rough rectangular mound about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. Starting at the farthest end, use the heel of your hand to smear a small amount of dough against the counter, pushing firmly down and away from you. Continue doing this while turning the dough as you go. Continue until all the dough has been worked, about 8 times. This is a process of working the crumbles of flour, butter, and water together into a dough by smearing them against the counter, making for a sturdy, flaky crust. Form dough into a 6-inch disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze (if short on time) for 30 minutes. The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
  3. For the filling: One hour before rolling out the dough, toss strawberries with ¼ cup sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside for 1 hour. Reserve 1 tablespoon strawberry juice (if using for crust). Drain strawberries in colander while rolling out dough.
  4. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough into 12-inch circle on parchment paper. Transfer dough on parchment paper to rimmed baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
  5. Whisk jam, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl. Add drained strawberries and toss gently to coat. Remove dough from refrigerator (I transfer to dough to a second rimmed baking sheet that hasn't been chilled) and mound fruit in center, leaving a 2-inch border. Grasp one edge of dough and fold up 2-inches over fruit. Repeat around circumference of galette, overlapping dough every 2-inches. Firmly pinch pleated dough to secure. Sprinkle reserved 1 tablespoon of sugar over the strawberries. Brush top edges of dough with reserved strawberry juice, half and half or whole milk and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
  6. Bake until crust is deep golden brown and fruit is bubbling, about 1 hour 5 minutes. Let galette cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Warm reserved tablespoon of jam. Brush jam over the berries. Let cool for 15 minutes. Using parchment, carefully slide galette onto serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

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