Rosemary Cornbread Lentil Pot Pie Food

LENTIL SLOPPY JOES

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute until the onions are translucent and the pepper is tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and green chiles and cook about 1 more minute. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Dijon, brown sugar, Worcestershire, chili powder, vinegar, celery seed, black pepper, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water. Mix well, then add the lentils. Reduce the heat to low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Butter both sides of the hamburger buns. Toast on a hot cast-iron griddle or skillet until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve sloppy joes on toasted buns, topped with sliced avocado and pickles on the side.

ROSEMARY-CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• 1. Lightly grease a 9 1/4-inch (23 cm) fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended. 2. Put the butter and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using an electric handheld mixer fitted with wire beaters). Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the rosemary and vanilla and beat on medium until blended and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough forms moist clumps. Dump the dough into the prepared pan. Using lightly floured fingertips, press the dough into the pan to form an even layer. Make sure to press the dough into the scalloped edges to form a clean edge. Sprinkle the fleur de sel or sanding sugar, if using, evenly over the top. 3. Using the tip of a knife or a bench scraper, score the dough all the way through, forming 16 wedges. With the tines of a fork, prick each wedge twice all the way through, starting at the widest part of the wedge and spacing them about 1/2 inch (12 mm) apart. Lightly flour the tines of the fork as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking. Slide the pan into the freezer or fridge for about 10 minutes while the oven heats. 4. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C/gas 2). 5. Bake the shortbread until the top looks dry and very pale brown, 39 to 41 minutes. Move the pan to a rack. Using a small paring or serrated knife (I don't use a bench scraper for this because it compresses the cookies' edges), immediately recut the wedges using the scored lines as a guide. Let the shortbread cool completely before removing them from the pan. 6. Serve the cookies with a dusting of confectioners' sugar.
• Instead of the rosemary, use one of the following combinations: Double ginger: 2 tsp. finely grated fresh ginger + 1/3 cup (1 3/8 oz./39 g) finely chopped crystallized ginger (add both with the vanilla). Cinnamon toast: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon added to the flour + 1 Tbs. granulated sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon sprinkled over the shortbread and pressed lightly into the dough before baking. Espresso chip: 1/2 tsp. instant espresso powder (dissolved in the vanilla extract) + 1/3 cup (2 oz./57 g) finely chopped bittersweet chocolate.
• To make rectangular cookies: Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan (the straight-sided type makes for a cleaner-looking cookie) with parchment. Prepare the dough as directed. Using lightly floured fingertips, press the dough into the pan to form an even layer. Using the tip of a knife or a bench scraper (my tool of choice), score the dough all the way through, forming 1 x 2-inch (2.5 x 5 cm) bars. With the tines of a fork, prick each bar two or three times all the way through, spacing them evenly and on the diagonal. Lightly flour the tines of the fork as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking. Proceed as directed.
• To make round cookies: Have ready two cookie sheets lined with parchment or nonstick liners. Prepare the dough as directed. Arrange a large piece of parchment on the work surface and scrape the dough onto the center. Cover with another piece of parchment and press down on the dough to flatten. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough between the parchment to a 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness, turning, lifting, and repositioning the parchment and lightly flouring throughout the rolling. Slide the dough onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Remove the top piece of parchment from the chilled dough. Using a 2 1/2-inch (6 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Using the end of a straw, punch out three holes in the center of each round. Arrange about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Stack the scraps, gently press together, reroll, chill, and cut as directed. Slide the cookie sheets into the fridge while the oven heats (at least 15 minutes). Bake, one sheet at a time, until the tops look dry and very pale brown, 26 to 28 minutes.

CORNBREAD CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Rinse chicken with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Place it in a large pot and add the water, onion, celery, bay leaves, thyme, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a large plate and let it cool slightly. Then remove all the meat from the carcass, discarding the skin and bones. Set the meat aside. Strain the stock and reserve 2 cups; place on low heat to keep it hot. Next, prepare the sauce; Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Over medium high heat add the chopped onions and celery and saute until softened. Stir in the stock and the milk. In a separate bowl mix flour with 1/2 cup water and gradually whisk into liquid in saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, until the sauce is thickened. Stir in the drained vegetables, parsley, salt and pepper and chicken meat. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Stir together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and chili powder in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and oil together. Stir the mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Spoon the batter over the chicken mixture. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cornbread is well risen and a toothpick inserted in the center of it comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.;

ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, rosemary and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Shape into two 8-1/4-in. rolls; wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate overnight. Cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.