Fig & Hazelnut Preserves

Bret's Fig and Hazelnut Preserve

Makes approximately 24 oz of preserves

I found figs on sale at the store and decided impulsively to buy them.  They were likely on sale because they were somewhat old and they tasted that way too.  They were a bit bland, not what I'm used to for figs.  Preserves seemed the best method to get the most out of a sub-par group of figs. 
I looked up a couple different recipes and then took the parts I liked best from them.  I think it came out quite tasty.  Its got a definite fig character, but its enhanced by some citrus tang and the nutty hazelnuts add a gentle background flavor and subtle crunch.

Ingredients List
1 1/2 lb. (about 36) black mission figs (other species will work too)
   1/3 c. chopped mixed peel
   --or--
   Lemon peel of 1 large lemon, chopped into matchstick strips
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
6 tbsp brandy
1 1/2 to 2 c. hazelnuts, toasted and food processed to a semi-fine grind
   --other nuts such as pecans and walnuts are acceptable too.
1/4 tsp salt

Method
Remove and discard the hard stems from the tops of the figs.  Chop the figs into quarters.  Put all figs into a medium saucepot with a lid.  Add the sugar, brandy, salt.  Heat on medium heat until it begins to bubble.  Pour into a blender and puree until smooth.  Put back into saucepot and add citrus peels and ground nuts. 

Simmer for 10 minutes, covered.

Spoon into  mason jars.  Seal and process in hot water bath for 30 minutes.

Greek Chicken and Pasta

1 (16 ounce) package pasta (choose favorite)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp bell pepper paste
1 1/2 lbs chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
1 (14 ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 large tomato, chopped
1 large eggplant, peeled, and diced
1 14 oz. can black olives, chopped in half
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tsp dill weed
salt and pepper to taste

crumbled feta cheese

 If using bone-in chicken, roast it first and then let it cool enough to remove meat from bones.  Then chop into bite sized pieces.  If using boneless, chop into pieces.

Prepare onion, eggplant, tomato and olives.

Saute the onion and the eggplant in olive oil.  Add the pepper paste and garlic and stir to evenly distribute.

While that sautes, cook the pasta in water.

Saute until onions start to turn translucent and add the chicken.  Cook until the chicken is cooked.  Add the artichokes, tomatoes, olives and seasonings. 

Drain pasta when cooked, and add everything together, tossing until thoroughly incorporated.  Serve with feta cheese crumbled on top.

Black Bean Burger, World's Best

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cup)
2 large poblano pepper, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cup)
1 tbsp minced garlic
1-2 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 1 teaspoon sauce
1 cup roasted cashews
3/4 cup finely crumbled feta or cotija cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 whole egg
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cheese as desired, such as pepper jack, cheddar, muenster, or Swiss (optional)
6 to 8 hearty hamburger buns, toasted
Condiments as desired, such as Chipotle Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise (optional)
Toppings as desired, such as shredded lettuce, sliced onions, and pickles (optional)

Directions:
1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 350°F. Spread black beans in a single layer on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Place in oven and roast until beans are mostly split open and outer skins are beginning to get crunchy, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

2. While beans roast, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and poblano and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add chipotle chili and sauce and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.

3. Place cashews in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until chopped into pieces no larger than 1/3-inch, about 12 short pulses. Add to bowl with onions and peppers.

4. When beans are slightly cooled, transfer to food processor. Add cheese. Pulse until beans are roughly chopped (the largest pieces should be about 1/3 of a full bean in size). Transfer to bowl with onion/pepper mixture. Add mayonnaise, egg, and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Fold together gently but thoroughly with hands. Patty mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days at this stage.

5. To cook on the grill: Light 2/3 chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to the medium-high setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Form bean mixture into 6 to 8 patties as wide as your burger buns and brush top sides with oil. Place on hot side of grill oiled-side down and cook without moving until first side is well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Brush tops of burgers with oil. Carefully flip and continue cooking until second side is browned, 3 to 5 minutes longer, topping with cheese if desired.

6. To cook indoors: Form bean mixture into 6 to 8 patties as wide as your burger buns. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 4 patties and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until well browned and crisp on first side, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until second side is browned, about 5 minutes longer, adding cheese if desired. If cooking more than 4 burgers, cook in batches, keeping cooked burgers on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet in a 200°F oven while second batch cooks.

7. Spread top and bottom buns with chipotle mayonnaise or other condiments as desired. Add toppings to top or bottom bun as desired. Place patties on bottom buns, close burgers, and serve immediately.

German Fried Potatoes and Sausage

3 pounds russet potatoes, washed and quartered
6 ounces sliced smoked bacon
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons German mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium red onion, 1/2-inch dice (about 1 cup)
4 large bratwursts or similarly sized sausages, cooked, and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup sliced fresh chives

Put the quartered potatoes into a pot of water over high heat.  Once boiling, boil for ~5 minutes strain out the water.  The par-boiled potatoes should be placed into the freezer for 45 min to an hour to freeze them. 

Make the vinaigrette next.
Fry the bacon in a frying pan.  Drain off 1/4 c. of bacon grease.  Blend the mustard and 3 tbsp of vinegar, then whisk in the grease to emulsify.  The result should look somewhat like thousand island dressing.  Season with salt and pepper.

Remove potatoes from freezer and cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

Pour oil and any remaining bacon grease into a large dutch oven and begin frying the onions.  Once the onions are beginning to soften, add the potatoes and season liberally with salt and pepper.  Saute the potatoes 4 to 6 min, until they are cooked through, stirring frequently.  Turn heat to med-high and continue cooking 6 to 8 min. more, until the potatoes are lightly browned and crispy.  Add the chopped sausages and bacon, and toss well with the mustard sauce.

Garnish with chives.

German Creamed Spinach

Ingredients:

Two 10-ounce boxes frozen spinach, thawed
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups grated aged Gouda cheese or colby cheese

Strain the thawed spinach and squeeze as much liquid out as possible. Set aside

Melt the butter in a frying pan and cook the onions until softened. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the cream and nutmeg and cook on med-low until the liquid is reduced in volume by roughly 1/2.  Stir in the cheese until melted, then mix in the spinach and blend until thoroughly combined.  Cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes, till spinach is tender.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately.

Kirsch PfannKuchen - German Cherry Pancake

Ingredients:
1 tsp butter, melted in a 9 inch, oven-safe frying pan

batter:
1 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 c. milk
3 large eggs
1/2 c. flour1 tsp. vanilla
 
2 c. pitted sweet or sour cherries, fresh, or frozen, halved
1 tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c. sliced almonds

Serve with:
powdered sugar 
Sour Cream

Preheat oven too 450 F.
Put the 1 tsp of butter in the frying pan and melt it on stove. Remove from heat once melted and make sure the surface is covered with the melted butter.

Whisk the melted 1 tbsp of butter with the eggs, milk, and vanilla.  Add the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon to combine. 

Add the cherries to the frying pan, evenly distributing across the surface.  Pour the batter over the cherries, trying to cover them all evenly.  Sprinkle the almonds over the top.

Place in oven for 15-20 minutes.

let cool for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.  Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar and a spoonful of sour cream.

Pork and Cauliflour Curry

Ingredients
2 lbs pork chops, deboned and chopped into chunks
1 14.5oz. can stewed tomatoes
1 14 oz. can coconut cream
1 1/2 c. plain yogurt
1 large onion
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp finely minced or grated ginger
3 tbsp butter

5-6 large carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks
1 large sweet potato, cut lengthwise into 1/4s and then sliced into 1/8 inch-thin slices
1/2 of a large cauliflour, chopped into 1-inch chunk


Spices
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp fresh ground black peppercorns
1 tbsp ground coriander
4 tsp  ground cumin
1 tsp tumeric
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp garam masalla
1 jalapeno pepper, minced


Chop all vegetables, cut and trim pork, measure out spices.

In a large frying pan, melt the butter and add the onions, garlic and ginger. Fry until the onions begin to turn translucent.  While this is happening, put the carrots into a medium bowl with a splash of water and microwave, covered, on high for 4 minutes to partially cook.
Add all the seasonings to the frying pan and mix thoroughly.  Add the jalapeno, the tomatoes, the yogurt, the coconut milk.  Blend until a homogenous mix.  Add the pork, add the potatoes, add the cauliflour and carrots.  Make sure the ingredients are mostly all covered by the curry sauce liquid.  If its not covered, add some water or milk and blend to cover.  Cook on low for 30 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are tender. 
Adjust seasonings to taste.

Serve with rice