Spiced Apple Coffee Cake

Spiced Apple Coffee Cake

(Adapted from Williams -Sonoma Collection Series: Muffins)

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3 granny smith apples (1 lb total, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced)

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs, at room temperature

Protocol

1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9 in springform.

2. Whisk together the dry ingredients.

3. Toss the apples in lemon juice to prevent browning, in a separate bowl combine the brown sugar, cardamom and cinnamon. Add to the apples and toss to coat.

4. In the bowl of an electric mixer with a flat paddle cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and add the eggs one at a time. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides again and add the flour mixture in 2 to 3 additions depending on the mixer.

5. In the bottom of your springform pan place make an even layer of the apples that were tossed in the sugar. (Sorry I neglected to take a photo!) Then spread the batter on top.

6. Bake until the is golden brown and a toothpick that is inserted will come out clean, approx. 60 to 70 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes.

7. De-mold from your springform and transfer to a platter. This works really well with some whipped cream.

Homemade Chicken

Pollo casero, which is spanish for homemade chicken, is a great simple dish that requires very little prep time and very few ingredients. It makes a great weeknight dish.

Pollo Casero

(Adapted from Mario Batali's Spain)

Ingredients

olive oil, at least 2 tbsp

3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 large onion, sliced

8 oz. jar of pimento peppers, sliced

1 1/2 cup dry white wine

salt, to taste

Protocol

1. In a large dutch oven, stock pot or saute pan that can hold all of the chicken heat the olive oil on medium heat. Work in small batches to brown the chicken on both sides it will take at least 5 minutes for each side. Transfer the chicken to a platter.

2. Keep the pan on heat and add the garlic and onion and cook them until they are translucent. 3. Add the pimentos, wine, and the reserved chicken. Let the chicken simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add salt to taste, approximately 1 teaspoon.

Healthy(er) Risotto

Risotto is a tasty italian rice dish that is traditionally made with aborio and cannolini rice. Aborio and cannolini are preferred because they are starchier and they give the dish a creamy texture, but in this version I went with the healthier and less starchy brown long grain rice, which is a little bit healthier than traditional risotto. The results? A tasty, nutty, good-for-you side dish that's good enough to be the main course.

WARNING: Before you contemplate making risotto, make sure you have set enough time aside! Risotto is like a small child and requires lots of stirring for up to 2 hours!

Brown Rice Risotto

Makes approx. 4 cups

Ingredients

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 onion

2 cups of brown rice

6 cups of chicken stock

salt & pepper to taste

parmesan, grated on top (optional)

Protocol

1. Place a heavy saucepan over low heat and olive oil. Once the olive oil has heated up to the point that it moves around easily around the pan add the onion.

2. Once the onion becomes transparent add the 2 cups of brown rice to the pan. Keep the rice moving in the pan. This will toast the rice and give it a nice nutty flavor.

3. After 5 minutes you can add 2 cups of chicken stock and start stirring! You will want to continue stirring until the rice is nearly completely absorbed, and then repeat with another 2 cups of chicken stock, and then with the final 2 cups of chicken stock.

4. Once you have completely absorbed all of the chicken stock and the rice is al dente (if rice is not al dente and is still uncooked add more stock) remove your sauce pan from the heat source and add salt and pepper to taste & garnish with grated parmesan.

Steak Rubdown

Sirloin Steak with an Herb Rub

(Adapted from Mario Batali's Italian Grill)

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 lbs Sirloin Steak (I went for natural angus and a 1 1/2 inch slice)

olive oil

Rub

2 tbsp coarse sea salt

2 tbsp fresh black pepper

3 tbsp fresh sage, chopped*

3 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped*

3 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped*

*If you don't have access to fresh herbs, dried will work as well but their flavors may not be as strong.

Protocol

1. Assemble your rub.

2. Cover your steak with a thin layer of olive oil to both sides, you can use a basting brush or your hands.

3. Apply the rub to the steak on both sides and let it sit until it reaches room temperature

4. Grill!