The Gluten-Free Alternative: Quinoa & Lentil Stuffing
Bursting with fall colors and good-for-you protein, you’ll never miss the real thing. Quick tip: Take the toil out of slicing squash by nuking it in the microwave for a couple minutes.
1. Roast Squash: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut squash into 1” cubes; place on a baking sheet. Toss with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and golden, about 25 minutes.
2. Make Quinoa: Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small pot over high heat. Heat oil; add quinoa and toast, stirring constantly. When the quinoa starts to brown, pour in 4 cups stock; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cover, 15 minutes. Set aside.
3: Cook Lentils: Place 2 cups of lentils and 4 ½ cups of vegetable stock (or water) in a small pot. Bring to a boil over high heat; turn down heat and simmer covered, 15 minutes. Stir occasionally, every 5 minutes, so lentils don’t burn. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
4. Layer Flavors: In a large sauté pan over high heat, sauté onions until translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Add kale, season again, and sauté until wilted. Add garlic and sauté for about 20 seconds; pour in white wine. Cook until kale is tender, about 8 minutes. Set aside.
5. Toss and Bake: Combine all above items. Stir in a little stock, olive oil, and sage. Season. Top with cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
The Swoon-Worthy Crowd Pleaser: Brown Butter Cornbread and Mascarpone Frosting
Use a muffin tin, and spread on this silky frosting for a sweet and savory treat that’s half cupcake, half biscuit–and pure joy.
Dry Ingredients: 1 1/3 cups coarse stone-ground yellow cornmeal 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Wet Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
2 eggs, beaten
Extra tablespoon of butter for pan greasing
Frosting Ingredients:
2 cups of high-quality mascarpone cheese
Steps:
1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pan. Beat eggs. Mince sage.
2. Brown: In a shallow sauce pan, heat butter over low to medium-low heat. Melt to a light golden brown. It might fizz and pop; that's totally normal. Once the butter browns, remove from heat, and let cool.
3. Measure: In a large bowl combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, do the same for the wet ingredients, and don’t forget the cooled brown butter.
4. Stir: With a whisk or in a kitchen stand mixer, slowly add the wet mixture into the dry. Mix well, but don’t over mix. Some lumps are ok.
5. Transfer: In a well-greased pan or muffin tin, pour in batter. Fill no more than ¾ up. These babies will rise.
6. Set Timer: Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick. Serve immediately or cool. Wrapped well, this cornbread will last 2 days. Do not refrigerate.
7. Make Frosting: Mix all of the ingredients well to incorporate. Chill before serving. Spoon, frost, or smear on.
1. The Night Before: Soak beans in a 2 quart container. They will expand and double in size.
2. Build Flavors: Heat a medium pan on high heat; add olive oil. Sauté onions until translucent. Add beans, stock, and ham hock; bring to boil. Lower heat and cover. Simmer until beans are cooked, about 30 minutes.
3. Put It Together: Pull out ham hock and take off meat. Return meat back into the pot; add mushrooms and chard. Continue to simmer until chard is tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Garnish: Stir in chopped parsley and thyme. Finish off with a dollop of mascarpone.
The Classic: Whipped Potatoes
For your fluffiest potatoes, minimize the mixing with perfectly boiled spuds. Cut them into equal-sized pieces for even cooking.
Steps:
1. Prep Potatoes: Peel and cut into 2-inch pieces to avoid mushy exteriors and ensure even cooking.
2. Simmer: Place potatoes and garlic in a medium pot of cold water. Bring to a simmer over high-heat. Continue cooking on medium-low until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes or when you can pierce them with a knife with no resistance.
3. Crank Away: Drain potatoes. Using a food mill or potato ricer, pass potatoes into bowl.
4: Whip It: Bring cream and butter to a boil. Remove from heat. Mix potatoes in the fewest strokes possible. Season with salt and pepper. The consistency should be like fluffy clouds.
Ingredients:
Steps:
1. Overnight: Cut onions. Julienne them if you’re feeling fancy. We prefer rings. Soak in buttermilk for at least an hour and up to 24 hours.
2: Blanch Beans: Prepare ice bath. Bring large pot of water to boil. Generously salt. Drop in green beans; stir until water returns to a boil. Cook al dente, 1 minute. Strain, plunge in ice water, and strain again. Set aside.
3: Cook Mushrooms: Melt butter over high heat in a large sauté pan. Add mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Stir. Sauté until liquid has completely evaporated. Add shallots and garlic; sauté 3 minutes.
4: Make Soup: Take pot off flame. Add all alcohol. Return to heat and cook down by 2/3. Add cream; reduce by a 1/4. Salt and pepper to taste.
5: Batter Up: Scoop onions out of buttermilk. Season with salt and pepper. Toss onions in flour-cornstarch mixture. Work in small batches to avoid clumping.
6. Heat Oil: Warm oil to 350 degrees. Don’t have a thermometer? Eyeball it. The oil will ripple when it’s at the right temperature. Test one onion piece. It should immediately bubble, and rise to the top. Fry in small batches. When brown and crispy, remove onions from oil; drain on a paper towel.
7: Combine: Mix green beans and mushroom soup. Place in an ovenproof serving dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with onions, and enjoy.
The Last-Minute Fixing: Braised Kale
There’s a good chance everything you need to make this hearty aromatic side is already in your fridge.
2 cloves garlic sliced
1 cup ale
Zest of one lemon
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Steps:
1. Sizzle: Heat oil in a large pan until almost smoking. Add kale; season with salt and pepper. Add garlic as kale starts to wilt. Sauté 1 minute.
2. Spike: Add beer. Bring to boil. Turn down heat; simmer covered, about 10- 15 minutes until kale is tender.
3. Season: Add lemon zest. Salt and pepper to taste.
Dishware and tableware provided by West Elm, 5602 Bay Street, Emeryville; 510-655-1367.