Recipe: Ultimate Mud Pie

I can't believe I forgot to take a photo of the pie!
Here's what is, well, left!

Who doesn't love pie, especially something called the "Ultimate Mud Pie?"

I tried out this recipe from epicurious.com that has a 4 fork (highest) rating.  It was pretty good, but not 'oh my gosh, this is the best thing I've ever tasted in my life" kind of amazing.  I've had some pretty good pies and would make this again.  It's a good, basic, chocolate pie.

Ultimate Mud Pie
epicurious.com
3.5 stars

Drink Recipe: Maple-Bourbon Cider Cocktail

It's fall and a great time for apple cider cocktails!
Here is one I made the other day -

In a mixer, shake up:

• 2.5 oz Bourbon
• 2 tsp pure maple syrup
• 3 oz apple cider
• Pinch of Cayenne pepper
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• Ice

Enjoy!

Recipe: Buddy Valastro's Chocolate Fudge Frosting

This is the best chocolate frosting I've made.  Not too sweet, just the right consistency and doesn't taste buttery.  (Next up:  I need to try his Classic Fudge Frosting that uses espresso powder.)


Buddy Valastro's Chocolate Fudge Frosting
From the TLC Cake Boss site:

YIELD:  Makes about 4 cups, enough to fill and ice one 9-inch Italian sponge cake.

NOTE:  For a creamier frosting, use milk instead of water.  You must refrigerate this frosting, as well as any cakes filled or iced with it.  Let it come to room temperature before using, and whip briefly by hand to refresh it.

• 2 1/2 cups (5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 5 cups powered (10x) sugar
• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 tablespoons lukewarm water

Put the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and paddle on low speed until smooth, with no lumps, approximately 3 minutes. With the motor running, add the sugar, one cup at a time, only adding the next cup after the first addition is absorbed.

Stop the machine and add the cocoa, vanilla and salt. Paddle on low-medium speed until completely smooth, approximately 2 minutes. Add the water and continue to paddle until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.

The frosting will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

Recipe: Lemon-Souffle Pudding Cake

Lemon-Souffle Pudding Cake
Bon Appetit, Sept 2014, p. 150
4 stars

I'm not a huge lemon dessert fan, but we had buttermilk in the house from another recipe, and this looked easy.  It WAS easy to make and a lovely dish.  It turned out exactly as the recipe description:  Cakey on top, pudding-y on the bottom, tart all the way through.

Ingredients:  butter, sugar, buttermilk, creme fraiche or sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 large eggs, all-purpose flour, Kosher salt, powdered sugar, fresh blackberries (for serving; optional)

Notes:

• Batter was extremely loose as the recipe mentions.
• It was wonderful with homemade vanilla ice cream.  The cream helps cut through the tartness.
• The photo above doesn't show it with powdered sugar on top or the blackberries.  I think this could be a beautiful, elegant dessert to serve to guests and am wondering if this recipe would work in small individual ramekins.  Will report back.

Recipe: Laotian Bean-and-Tomato Salad

Laotian Bean-and-Tomato Salad
Food and Wine Magazine, Aug 2014, p.47
5 stars

This is a wonderful side dish for an Asian meal.  AMAZING flavor -- love, love, love the sauce.  It's spicy!

Ingredients:  green beans (recipe calls for green and yellow wax beans and haricots verts), canola oil, cherry tomatoes

Sauce Ingredients:  garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, Thai chiles, light brown sugar, water, Kosher Salt

Notes:

• We sauteed the garlic and ginger instead of roasting them.
• I used just 1 lb of regular green beans (made basically half the recipe).  As a result, we had extra sauce which I used on top of my rice.
• We had this with white rice and an ad hoc dish of shrimp and tofu.

Recipe: Leek Soup with Shoestring Potatoes and Fried Herbs

Leek Soup with Shoestring Potatoes and Fried Herbs

Bon Appetit, Oct 2014, p. 65

5 stars

This is the best leek soup we've made.  Definitely making this again -- great flavor, and the shoestring potatoes on top are a nice touch.  

Simple ingredients for the soup:  leeks, onion, butter, garlic, whole milk, heavy cream, plain whole-milk yogurt, Kosher salt, black pepper.

Potatoes on top:  russet potato cut into thin matchsticks, vegetable oil, fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, rosemary, Kosher salt, Maldon sea salt

Notes:

• While not necessary, the Vitamix and mandolin came in quite handy.
• Might puree it a little longer next time so it's super smooth.
• The leftovers are great!

Recipe: Radicchio and Apple Salad with Parmesan Crisps

Radicchio and Apple Salad with Parmesan Crisps
Bon Appetit, Oct 2014, p. 69
5 stars

Freakin' delicious salad.  No need to say more.

Ingredients include: Parmesan, radicchio, arugula, Pink Lady apple, Maldon sea salt

For the dressing:  honey, shallot, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt & pepper

Notes:

• Instead of radicchio, we used mixed greens and added arugula to the mix.
• I'm craving the Parmesan crisps right now.

Drink Recipe: Pear Ginger Martini

Pear Ginger Martini

My own creation

Basically. . . add the following to a martini shaker:

• Ice
• Half of a ripe Bartlett pear, diced
• 1 1/2 oz of vodka
• 1/2 oz of Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
• Pinch of cinnamon

Shake it up and strain into a martini glass.  Add pear chunks if you like.

Then top it with Fever Tree ginger beer.

Now, some people might not like the non-clear texture of this martini or the chunks of pear floating in it, but I love it!