Pickled Onions

Ingredients:

• One large red onion, thinly sliced into moons
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• Optional: pepper corns, bay leaves, red pepper flakes

Preparations

1. In a small saucepan, heat vinegar, water, salt, and sugar over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until it reaches a simmer.
2. Meanwhile, add the onion to a mason jar and any extras, like bay leaves.
3. Pour the vinegar mixture into the jar. Screw on the lid and gently shake. 
4. Let the jar cool on the counter before moving to the fridge. 

Chinese Eggplant

Ingredients:

• 2 medium Chinese eggplants or 1 large one
• 1.5 Tbsp starch, potato or corn
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp water
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp starch, potato or corn
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 2.5 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic

Preparations;

1. Prep the eggplant. Cut into disks ¼ inch thick. Lay out on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Flip and salt the opposite side. Let sit for 45-60 and pat dry
2. Combine soy sauce, water, sugar, 1 tsp starch, and ginger in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
3. Once the eggplant is prepped, move to a large bowl. Toss with 1.5 Tbsp starch, 0.5 Tbsp at a time, tossing in between so the eggplant is evenly coated.
4. Add 2 Tbsp vegetable oil to a big skillet or wok and heat over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant in a single layer. Cook, tossing roughly every five minutes, until browned and soft. Transfer to a plate.
5. Add the remaining oil to the hot pan and add the garlic. Stir quickly as it will cook fast.
6. Add the eggplant back to the pan. Rewhisk the sauce to recombine the ingredients and pour over the eggplant, stirring quickly. The sauce will cook fast. Once the eggplant is coated and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat.

Berry Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• 20 to 30 store-bought ladyfingers
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• Zest of one lemon
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup seedless berry jam or jelly
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 3 cups other mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc)
• Juice of one lemon

Preparations:

1. In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries, raspberries and blackberries with the lemon juice to combine. Add 1/4 cup sugar and mix well.
2. Arrange the ladyfingers in an even, single layer in the base of a 9-by-13-inch pan. Save remaining ladyfingers. 
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whipping attachment, whip the cream and milk with 3/4 cup sugar until the mixture forms soft peaks. Add the ricotta, cream cheese, lemon zest, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and whip until medium peaks form.
4. Pour half of the cream mixture over the ladyfinger layer and spread even with a spatula. 
5. Microwave the jam in 30 second increments until it is soft and spreadable. Then, spread the jam on top of the cream in an even layer.
6. Arrange the remaining ladyfingers on top of the jam in an even layer. Top with the remaining cream mixture.
7. Pour the berry mixture in an even layer on top of the cream. Chill at least one hour to soften the ladyfingers before serving.

Brioche Bread-Maker Bread

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1⁄3 cup milk (70 to 80F)
• 3 Tbsp water (70 to 80F)
• 3⁄4 tsp salt
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 packet yeast

Preparations:

1. Measure all ingredients into bread machine pan in the order suggested by machine.
2. Process on the white bread cycle; use light crust color setting.

Dutch Baby with Lemon Curd and Berries

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup lemon curd or jam
• 1 pint of berries, your choice

Preparations:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Add eggs, flour, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt and lemon zest together into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Place butter in a 8 or 9 inch cast-iron skillet and place in the oven until butter has melted. Pour the batter into each pan, return it to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the pancakes are puffed and golden. Lower oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake five minutes longer.
4. Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes. Spread with the lemon curd and top with berries.

Skillet Brownie

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• pinch of salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preparations:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and coat a 6-inch cast iron skillet with non-stick spray.
2. Place the sugar, cocoa, and salt in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
3. Stir in the melted butter, followed by the egg.  Once the egg has been fully incorporated, stir in the flour and vanilla extract.  Fold in the chocolate chips and transfer the batter to the prepared skillet.
4. Bake for 28-33 minutes, or until the edges are set. The center toothpick test may not come out clean, but it will continue to cook when removed from the oven.  Cool for 20 minutes, top with ice cream and enjoy!

Strawberry Apple Jam

Ingredients:

• 2 pints of strawberries, tops removed and quartered
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cups sugar

Preparations:

1. In a large pot, combine strawberries, apples, and lemon juice. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. 
2. With a potato masher, gently squish the mixture to break down the pieces of fruit until they are small enough to your liking. 
3. Add in the sugar and stir until dissolved. Boil gently until the mix reaches 210 F, roughly 15 to 25 minutes. 
4. Follow the steps in this link on how to can. Directions here. There may be steps you want to do in parallel to the jam making. Makes roughly six half-pint jars. 

Gingerbread Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar

Preparations:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and the brown sugar until fluffy. Then, beat in the honey and the egg.
3. In a different bowl, sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet in two batches.
4. With the sugar in a shallow dish, form golf ball sized balls and roll in the sugar to coat. Place on the parchment paper and do not flatten the balls. 
5. Bake 10-12 minutes, until the tops start to crack and the bottoms darken. Cool on the baking sheets 5 minutes then transfer to a rack.

Candy Cane Christmas Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 bag stripped chocolate candies (I used Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 Tbsp milk
• Red and Green colored sugar

Preparations:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg in large bowl until smooth. Mix in flour, baking soda, milk, and salt.
3. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in red and/or green colored sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 9 - 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookies is set. Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Unwrap a candy and press into the center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Yields approximately 35 cookies

Bonfire Treacle (Molasses) Toffee

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter 
• 1 cup sugar
• Several drops of lemon juice or a pinch of cream of tartar

Preparations:

1. Line a 9x9 dish with parchment paper. Spray the paper with cooking spray. 
2. Melt the sugar, molasses, and butter in a saucepan. Add the lemon juice and boil until a candy thermometer reads 120°c / 250°F. Pour onto the dish and leave to set on the counter overnight.
3. Cut into squares with a knife or kitchen scissors when ready to eat.

Peach Pie

 
Ingredients:
For the crust:

• 2 cups plus 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp white sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 sticks (12 Tbsp) COLD, unsalted butter, cut into 1/4″ cubes
• 6 oz COLD cream cheese, cut into 1/4″ cubes
• 3 Tbsp milk

For the filling:

• 5-7 large peaches, pitted, peeled and sliced (~6 1/2 to 7 cups sliced)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp salt

For the egg wash:

• 1 egg
• 1 Tbsp water

Preparations:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and salt.
2. Cut the COLD butter and COLD cream cheese into 1/4-inch pieces. Using a food processor with dough blade attachment, cut the butter and cream cheese into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
3. Drizzle the milk over the dough and cut into the dough with a spatula until the dough forms moist clumps. Depending on your butter and cream cheese, you may not need to use any of the milk or the full 3 Tbsp.
4. Divide the dough into 2 pieces, press into flat disks, cover each piece tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour. It stores well in the fridge up to 2 days.
5. Once pie crust has cooled in the fridge at least 1 hour, and you are ready to use the pie crust, remove 1 piece of dough from the refrigerator and on a clean surface, roll it out into a 13-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until ready to use. 
6. Take the next piece of dough out of the fridge and roll it into a 12-inch circle, cover with plastic and refrigerate while you prep your pie filling.
7. For the filling, combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp salt.
8. Blanch peaches by putting them in boiling hot water for 1 minute, then transferring to a bowl of ice water. Peel, pit, and slice peaches into 1/4″ thick slices.
9. Transfer peaches to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp vanilla and gently stir. Sprinkle with the dry ingredients and gently stir to combine.
10. Transfer the peaches onto the crust in the pie dish. Lay remaining crust on top, trim off any excess dough, and crimp the edges. Cut some slices in the top crust to allow for steam to escape.
11. In a small bowl, use a fork to beat together the egg and 1 Tbsp water to make your egg wash. Brush the top of your pie generously with egg wash.
12. Place pie on the center rack and bake at 425F for 20 minutes then place cookie sheet lined with foil under the pie to catch an drips and reduce oven to 375F and bake an additional 35-40 min or until the filling is bubbling. Loosely Cover the pie with foil if it is starting to brown too quickly.
13. Let the pie cool down ideally at least 2 hours so the filling thickens.

Single Serving of French Toast

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• 1 egg
• 1/8 cup milk 
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• A dash of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice coffee syrup or any flavor you like (optional)
• 1 tbsp butter

Preparations:

1. Whisk the egg with a fork or whisk. Once the yolk is totally blended, add in the milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and syrup. Mix until fully combined.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Melt butter into pan once hot.
3. Soak each slice of bread into the whisked egg mixture and make sure both sides are coated. This will use almost all of the liquid.
4. Cook soaked slices of bread for about 5 minutes on one side or until crispy. Flip and cook second side for about 4 minutes, or until browned.

Eton Mess (American Conversions)

Ingredients:

• Meringues
• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar (or caster sugar if you have it)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1.5 Tbsp cornstarch
• salt
• 1-2 lbs strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Whipped cream topping (8 oz)

Preparations:

1. Preheat oven to 250F. 
2. If you are using normal white sugar, pulse the sugar several times in a food processor to create caster sugar. It should be finer, but not as fine as powdered sugar. 
3. Whisk egg whites and a pinch of salt in an electric mixer until stiff peaks form (3-4 minutes). 
4. With motor running, gradually add caster sugar and whisk until thick and glossy (2-3 minutes). Sieve icing sugar and cornflour over, fold to combine.
5. Then, spoon three inch diameter mounds onto a oven tray lined with baking paper. Bake until meringues lift easily from trays and are crisp but not colored (45-50 minutes), rotating half way through, then turn off oven and cool completely in oven.
6. Toss strawberries and sugar in a large bowl to combine, then set aside until juices begin to seep (20 minutes).
7. Scatter a quarter of the strawberries in the base of a serving dish, spread with a quarter of the whipped topping, and coarsely crumble a quarter of the meringues over the top. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients.
8. Top with remaining strawberries and raspberries (optional)