Blistered Tomato, Spinach, & Feta Frittata

Slightly modified from the Trader Joe’s website

Serves 6. 45 minutes.

olive oil
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cup Sugar Plum Tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or other small tomatoes
4 cups baby spinach
¾ cup of chopped fresh herbs: chives, basil, dill, parsley, thyme, oregano, what have you got?, divided
6 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 block TJ’s Feta Cheese, crumbled and divided

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over high heat in a large skillet, until shimmering. Add 1 cup of the tomatoes. Toss until the tomatoes begin to blister and pop, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the onion and garlic.  Stir occasionally, until the onions begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Add the spinach and cover pan with a lid.  The pan will be very full, but in a few minutes the spinach will cook down and wilt. Remove the lid and stir spinach every few minutes until most of the spinach is wilted, then remove from heat.
5. Add ½ cup of the herbs to the pan.
6. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, salt, and pepper, then stir in half of the feta cheese and the spinach mixture.
7. Grease a 7×11″ casserole dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.   
8. Pour the egg mixture into the casserole dish, distributing the tomatoes as desired.
9. Sprinkle the remaining feta cheese over the top.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the frittata is set in the center.
11. Cut the remaining tomatoes in thin slices; drizzle with remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper (or use the vinaigrette of your choice) add the remaining ¼ cup of herbs, and stir. Cut the frittata into 6 pieces and put on plates. Top each serving with the dressed tomatoes & herbs.

Smitten Kitchen Ultimate Zucchini Bread

• 2 cups (13 ounces or 370 grams) grated, packed zucchini, not wrung out, grated on the large holes of a box grater
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) of a neutral oil (DP uses safflower), olive oil, or melted unsalted butter (I think I will try using a little less oil next time)
• 1/2 cup (95 grams) packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fine sea or table salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour (I used half whole wheat pastry flour and half all-purpose)
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) raw or turbinado sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 6-cup or 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. Place grated zucchini in a large bowl and add oil, eggs, sugars, vanilla, and salt. Use a fork to mix until combined. Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder over surface of batter and mix until combined — and then, for extra security that the ingredients are well-dispersed, give it 10 extra stirs. Add flour and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the raw or turbinado sugar — don’t skimp. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick or tester inserted into the middle cake but also into the top of the cake, closer to the dome, comes out batter-free.

Let cool completely in the pan. Leave in pan, unwrapped, overnight or 24 hours, until removing (carefully, so not to ruin flaky lid) and serving in slices. Zucchini bread keeps for 4 to 5 days at room temperature. I wrap only the cut end of the cake in foil, and return it to the baking pan, leaving the top exposed so that it stays crunchy.

Smitten Kitchen’s Breakfast Apricot Crisp

Here’s Smitten Kitchen’s original post, with handy photos. Breakfast Apricot Crisp

Deb writes:
Apricots, especially these early-season ones I picked up, are a bright and tiny bunch. The first time I made this it was so tart, I thought it was borderline caustic. The second time, I tripled the sugar in the fruit from one tablespoon to three and ended up with something that was… also crazy tart.

But then, like magic, I chilled it in the fridge where its acidity mellowed and it’s flavors came together and the next morning, with a scoop of plain yogurt, I was in breakfast nirvana.

As for putting this together, it couldn’t be easier. Trust me, there is nothing more fun than a crisp you have made with fruit you tore apart with your bare hands. Heck, you could even mix the topping with your fingers, if you’re feeling that rustic.

Fruit Base
1 pound apricots
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon flour
Grated fresh nutmeg, a pinch

Crisp Topping
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons, 2 ounces) butter, melted
6 tablespoons turbinado or regular sugar (turbinado, also sold as Sugar in the Raw, gives an excellent crunch)
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or a mixture of whole wheat and all-purpose flour)
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Prepare fruit: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pull apart apricots at their seam, remove pits, and tear them one more time into quarters, placing them in a small baking dish (one that holds two to three cups is ideal). Stir in sugar, flour and pinch of nutmeg.

Make topping: Melt butter and stir in sugar, then oats, then flour, salt and almonds until large clumps form. Sprinkle mixture over the fruit. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes and serve warm.

Although you could dust this with powdered sugar and serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for dessert, as I noted, it is on the tart side for an after-dinner treat. Truly, this excels cooled in the fridge overnight, and mixed with a scoop of plain yogurt for a weekday breakfast that will cure you of all weekday breakfast doldrums. It sure did for me.

Ellie Krieger’s Breakfast Cookies

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup strained carrot baby food

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup bran cereal flakes

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant, then chopped

1. Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Combine butter, oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot puree and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add oats, flakes, raisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, form a ball and place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick. Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sally’s Blueberry Scones

From Sally’s Baking Addiction (slightly adapted)

• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for hands and work surface
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, frozen
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (plus 2 Tbsp for brushing) (I used half and half and they were great)
• 1 large egg
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 heaping cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw) (I used frozen)
• for topping: coarse sugar

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Grate the frozen butter using a box grater. Add it to the flour mixture and combine with a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers until the mixture comes together in pea-sized crumbs. Stir in the blueberries. Place in the refrigerator or freezer as you mix the wet ingredients together.
2. Whisk 1/2 cup heavy cream, the egg, and vanilla extract together in a 2 cup measure. Pour over the flour mixture and mix together until everything appears moistened.
3. Lightly dust your work surface, dump the dough onto it, flour your hands, and work dough into a ball as best you can. Dough will be sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it seems too dry, add 1-2 more Tablespoons heavy cream. Press into an 8-inch disc and, with a long sharp knife cut into 8 wedges.
4. Brush scones with remaining heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar. (You can do this before or after refrigerating in the next step.)
5. Place scones on a plate or lined baking sheet (if your fridge has space!) and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
7. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. After refrigerating, arrange scones in a circle, about 1/4″ inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown around the outer edges and lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes.
9. Leftover scones keep well at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days. Freeze for longer storage. Delicious toasted in a toaster oven.

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Notes

1. Freeze Before Baking: Freeze scone dough wedges on a plate or baking sheet for 1 hour. Once relatively frozen, you can layer them in a freezer-friendly bag or container. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the bake time. Or thaw overnight, then bake as directed.
2. Freeze After Baking: Freeze the baked and cooled scones before topping with icing. I usually freeze in a freezer-friendly bag or container. To thaw, leave out on the counter for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds or on a baking sheet in a 300°F (149°C) oven for 10 minutes.
3. Overnight Instructions: Prepare scones through step 4. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Continue with the recipe the following day.
4. Over-spreading: Start with very cold scone dough. Expect some spread, but if the scones are over-spreading as they bake, remove from the oven and press back into its triangle shape (or whatever shape) using a rubber spatula.

Peachberry Buckle

Slightly adapted from King Arthur Baking

This is rather coffeecake-ish and would be lovely any time of day.

Ingredients

Cake

• 4 tablespoons (57g) butter, at room temperature, at least 65°F
• 3/4 cup (149g) sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup (113g) milk, at room temperature

Filling

• 1 cup (142g to 170g) berries, chopped if large (e.g., strawberries)
• 1 cup (213g) sliced peaches, peeled or not, your choice (unpeeled was totally fine)

Topping

• 4 tablespoons (57g) butter, cold
• 1/4 cup (53g) brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″ round cake pan.
2. To make the cake: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in the baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
5. Add the flour in three additions, stirring it in alternately with the milk, and beginning and ending with the flour. Set the batter aside while you make the topping.
6. To make the topping: Mix all of the ingredients until crumbly. Don’t over-mix, or you’ll get a smooth paste, rather than crumbs.
7. To assemble the buckle: Spread half the batter (about 10 ounces) in the prepared pan. Layer with the peach slices.
8. Fold the blueberries into the remaining batter, and dollop it on top; a tablespoon cookie scoop works well here.
9. Sprinkle the topping over the batter.
10. Bake the buckle for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until it’s a deep golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Remove the buckle from the oven, and cool it on a rack. Serve warm, or at room temperature. Store at room temperature, wrapped in plastic, for several days; freeze for longer storage.

Bacon

Pork bacon

At the store: check the packages and select the meatiest bacon.

When ready to cook: Open the package and take out all the slices of bacon in one block.

With a sharp knife, cut the whole block of slices in half cross-wise. You will now have twice as many short slices. These shorter slices are easier to manage in the pan and to get them cooked evenly. Trim large areas of fat from the sides and ends of the slices. Wrap the fat scraps tightly in the bacon packaging, secure with a rubber band, and throw in the garbage can outside.

Place a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet on the stove and turn on the heat to medium. Lay as many trimmed slices in the cold pan that will fit without touching each other. Let the slices cook on the first side for a few minutes, then turn with a fork. Repeat cooking and turning until the slices are as done as you like.

Cover a large plate with three layers of paper towels. Lay the cooked bacon on the paper towels in a single layer to drain.

Under your sink you should keep an empty rinsed-out can from soup or tomatoes or beans. Now get out that can and put it in the sink. Cover the bacon pan handle with a potholder, grab the pan and take it over to the sink and pour the bacon grease into the can. (Grease/drippings should never be poured down the sink to avoid clogging the plumbing. Bacon grease will solidify completely within several hours. Drippings from cooking chicken may stay a bit liquid so be careful not to knock over the can.)

Return the pan to the stove and cook the remaining bacon in batches. (I recommend cooking the whole package of bacon in one session.)

Put the bacon grease can back under the sink. (When the can is eventually full, put it into a plastic bag [a newspaper bag, or a bread bag is good], twist the bag at the top of the can, pull the top of the bag back over the can, and secure the bag with a rubber band around the can. Take this carefully out to the garbage and put it in the garbage can right-side up.)

Refrigerate leftovers.

To reheat slices: warm in a pan on the stove; or put on a plate, cover with a paper towel, and microwave for a few seconds at a time until as hot as you like.

Turkey bacon

At the store: select a package without any large white bits appearing in the bacon slices – they could be bone or cartilage, which you don’t want to eat.

When ready to cook: Open the package. Place a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet on the stove and turn on the heat to medium. Lay as many slices in the cold pan as will fit without touching each other.

Place a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet on the stove and turn on the heat to medium. Lay trimmed slices in the cold pan so they are not touching each other. Let the slices cook on the first side for a few minutes, then turn with a fork. Repeat cooking and turning until the slices are as done as you like.

Cover a large plate with three layers of paper towels. Lay the cooked bacon on the paper towels in a single layer to drain.

Repeat with remaining bacon.

Turkey bacon is best served immediately. It gets rather hard and leathery when reheated so I don’t recommend cooking it ahead to serve another day.

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

slightly modified from Sugar Spun Run

This over-the-top coffee cake (which we love as a dessert too) is super-cinnamony, which is perfect for our family. You can cut back on the cinnamon a bit if you prefer. I usually leave off the drizzle – it looks pretty but between the cinnamon-sugar middle layer and the generous amount of streusel, there’s already plenty of sugar in here…

Note to self: Next time try a half-recipe in a 9×9 pan.

24 servings

Streusel Topping

1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
10 Tablespoons butter, cut up into about 10 pieces, so it will melt more quickly

Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz low-fat cream cheese softened
1 cup light brown sugar tightly packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup buttermilk

Cinnamon Ripple

Whisk together in a small bowl
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Glaze (optional)

Whisk together in a small bowl
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-3 teaspoons milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 13×9 baking pan.

Prepare the streusel topping: Microwave butter in a small bowl or glass measuring cup for 10 seconds, stir, then another 10 seconds, repeating until just melted. Set aside to cool a bit. In a medium bowl, using a fork, stir together flours, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Add the melted butter and stir until combined. Set aside.

Make the cake: In a stand mixer, or using an electric mixer in large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Scrape down sides and bottom of mixing bowl with rubber spatula. Stir in vanilla extract.

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cornstarch and salt.

Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, until all of the flour mixture and buttermilk have been combined.

Spread about half of the batter into prepared pan (batter will be thick). Sprinkle the cinnamon ripple mixture evenly over the batter. Using two teaspoons or a small cookie dough scoop, drop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter evenly over the cinnamon ripple layer, covering it as much as you can. With your fingers, sprinkle streusel evenly over everything. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes (check doneness with a toothpick inserted in center). Allow to cool, then glaze if desired.

Glaze (optional)
If desired, make glaze by whisking together powdered sugar and milk.  Drizzle over cooled coffee cake with a spoon.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Individual servings are delicious when warmed slightly in the microwave, 10-30 seconds depending on the size of the piece.

Blueberry Oat Scones

slightly adapted from a recipe in Bon Appetit magazine, July 2009 issue

Makes 11-12

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup packed golden brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1.5 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
11 Tablespoons (1 stick plus 3 Tablespoons) chilled butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 cup old fashioned oats
3 Tablespoons quick oats (this is for the topping.  you can use old fashioned for this if you don’t have quick)
1 cup fresh or frozen (unthawed) blueberries (about 5.5 oz)
1 3/4 cups half & half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 teaspoons raw sugar (aka turbindo or demerara)

Position 1 rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine flours, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and coarse salt in food processor; blend 5 seconds.  Add butter cubes.  Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.  Gently stir in 1 cup of old fashioned oats and the blueberries.

Add the vanilla to the measuring cup the half & half is in, and stir it in.  Gradually add this to the flour mixture, tossing until the dough just comes together (dough will be very moist).

Using a 1/2-cup measure for each scone, drop dough in mounds onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 3″ apart.  Sprinkle tops with the quick oats, then the raw sugar.

Bake 15 minutes.  Reverse sheets and continue baking until scones are golden and a tester inserted into the center from the side comes out clean, about 12 more minutes.  Transfer scones to a rack and col slightly.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Freeze if storing for longer than 1 day.

 

 

Granola Biscotti

Very slightly modified from the recipe in smitten kitchen EVERY DAY

Makes 36 biscotti.

1 cup (130 grams) all purpose or whole wheat pastry flour
1.5 cups plus 2 tablespoons (130 grams) rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table or fine sea salt
6 Tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted, or virgin coconut oil, warmed until liquified
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated or raw (turbinado) sugar
1/4 cup (50 grams) light- or dark-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 cup (45 grams) thinly sliced almonds (I used slivered and it was fine)
1/2 cup (40 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup (about 150 grams) dried fruit of your choice, such as raisins, cranberries, cherries or chopped dried apricots, or a mix
1 egg white (I skipped this and it was fine)

Mix the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bow. Whisk the melted butter (or coconut oil) and sugars in a large bowl.  Whisk in the eggs and vanilla.  Stir in the dry ingredients, nuts, coconut, and dried fruit.  Expect a stiff batter.

Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat to 325 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

OPn a floured board, using floured hands, roll half the dough into a log a little shy of the length of your baking sheet, 12 to 14 inches.  Transfer the dough log to the baking sheet, and pat lightly to flat it to about 1/2″ thickness.  Repeat with the second half of the dough.  Beat the egg white until foamy, and brush it over the logs.  Bake the logs for2 0 minutes, untl they are lightly golden brown and begnning to form crakcs.

Let cool almost completely (it’s okay if the centers are still lukewarm), about 1 hour.  With a serrated knife, ut the logs on the bias into 1/2″-thick slices.  They will be crumbly; cut as gently as possible.  Transfer the slices back to the parchment-lined baking sheet, and lay on their cut side in a single layer.  Bake for another 20 minutes, until toasted and crisp.

Cool on the baking sheet, or transfer to a rack.

NOTE:  This recipe should prove very tweakable; you could use cinnamon, or almond extract, add citrus zest, very the fruits and sweeteners.  You could add some chocolate chips.

DO AHEAD:  They keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 weeks, and longer if well wrapped in the freezer.