Delicata "Doughnuts" With Cider Icing

Recipe & Pic from Bittersweet

Rounds of sweet and fudgy delicata squash are battered and fried in this recipe that gives traditional doughnuts a run for their money!

1 Medium (A Little Over 1 Pound) Delicata Squash
3/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Tapioca Starch
2 Tablespoons Chickpea Flour
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
3/4 Cup Water

Neutral Oil for Frying, such as Rice Bran or Canola

Cinnamon Sugar:

1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

Cider Icing:

2 Cups Unfiltered Apple Cider
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar

To begin, fill a large saucepan about 1/3 full with your neutral oil of choice and heat to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, thoroughly wash and dry your delicate before slicing it into 1/2-inch thick rings. Clean out the inner guts and seeds by either scraping it with a spoon, or using small round cookie cutters to punch out the stringy innards.

Prepare the batter by simply whisking together all of the dry ingredients before slowly adding in the water. Whisk just until the mixture is smooth. Separately, stir together the cinnamon and sugar topping in a medium bowl, and set aside.

For the glaze, place the apple cider in a small sauce pan and simmer until it has reduce to a mere 1/4 cup. Add in the vanilla and confectioner’s sugar, stirring until perfectly smooth and lump-free. Set aside.

When the oil has come up to the right temperature, dip the delicata rings into batter one at a time, letting the excess drip off. Carefully lower them into the hot oil, cooking no more than two or three at a time, depending on the size of your pot. Let them cook undisturbed for about a minute before turning, flipping them frequently from that point onward to monitor browning. When the rings are evenly golden brown all over, use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer them to a wire rack. While still warm, toss them individually in the cinnamon sugar, if using. If using the cider icing, let the donuts cool just until you can comfortably handle them, and gently dip the tops into the prepared glaze.

Best eaten as soon as possible!

Parsnip Cupcakes With Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe & Pic from Dishing Up The Dirt

I felt the need to end with a sweet treat so here is an absolutely scrumptious way to use your parsnips this week!

~Rae

1 cup all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup walnut oil (or another neutral tasting oil)

2 large eggs (lightly beaten)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups grated parsnips (from about 1 large parsnip)

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (room temperature)

1/4 cup honey

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a standard 12 cup muffin tin.

In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices and salt. In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla and parsnips. Slowly, add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well.

Divide the batter between the prepared muffin tins and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese together with a mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in the honey and continue to beat until smooth and well incorporated. Taste test and adjust as needed.

Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Cantaloupe & Basil Granita

Recipe & Pic from Grab A Plate

A lovely antidote to this smoky weather and a great way to appreciate your melon!

~Rae

1 cantaloupe, seeds and rind removed, and cut into chunks

1/2 cup water

2-3 tablespoons honey (based on how sweet your fruit is)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

4 basil leaves, divided, plus extra for optional garnish

Add the water, honey, lemon juice, and two basil leaves to a saucepan over high heat. Use a spoon to press down on the basil leaves a few times to help release their flavor.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat, remove and discard the basil leaves, and allow the mixture to cool.

Add the cantaloupe and the liquid mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Add the two remaining basil leaves, and blend again until they’re incorporated into the mixture.

Place the mixture into a shallow glass pan and place in the freezer.

After an hour, remove the pan and use a fork to scrape the mixture around. It should have begun to freeze by this point, but may still be in a fairly liquid state. Place the pan back in the freezer.

Repeat this process after another hour, and repeat hourly, as needed, until you reach your desired consistency (you may want to leave yourself several hours of freezing time before you want to serve the granita).

Serve in individual bowls, and garnish with basil leaves if you’d like.

Melon & Cucumber Salad

Recipe & Pic From Martha Stewart

Try this refreshing salad with grilled meats or veggies for an end-of-summer treat!

1 cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch slices

1/2 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, and freshly ground pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil

Fresh mint leaves, for serving

Arrange melons and cucumber on a platter; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil. Just before serving, sprinkle with mint.

Recipe: Five Spice Pumpkin Pie

2021 Week 23 Newsletter

Instead of writing it all out, this week I thought I'd link right to the Smitten Kitchen recipe we love to make in my house - pecan topping optional! You can click right on this text and it will take you there, or copy and paste the link below.

A quick google search will bring up directions to easily turn your own pie pumpkin into homemade pumpkin puree! We usually say that each pound of pumpkin yields about 1 cup of puree - and ya'll pumpkins are around 4lbs each (give or take). Hopefully that helps you decide how to use it!

-Alice

A note from Rae: Feel free to use the tried and true holy trinity of nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, but if you want to mix things up a bit, sub in Chinese Five Spice Powder and wow your fellow diners with touches of anise and a subtle zing of Sichuan pepper! 2 or 3 tsps is usually just right.

https://smittenkitchen.com/2014/11/classic-pumpkin-pie-with-pecan-praline-sauce/

Recipe: Parsnip Cupcakes With Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

2021 Week 21 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Dishing Up The Dirt

I just love these cupcakes! They are a bit of a spin on carrot cake with a delightfully unique flavor and though they make for a satisfying treat, they aren't too heavy or overly sweet!

~Rae

1 cup all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup walnut oil (or another neutral tasting oil)

2 large eggs (lightly beaten)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups grated parsnips (from about 1 large parsnip)

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (room temperature)

1/4 cup honey

dried edible flowers for topping (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a standard 12 cup muffin tin.

In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices and salt. In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla and parsnips. Slowly, add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well.

Divide the batter between the prepared muffin tins and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese together with a mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in the honey and continue to beat until smooth and well incorporated. Taste test and adjust as needed.

Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. Sprinkle with dried edible flowers if using.

Recipe: Chocolate Beet Cupcakes

2021 Week 16 Newsletter

Recipe and pic from The Kitchn

You knew we couldn't let a season go by without sharing at least one chocolate beet recipe! These cupcakes are so moist and delicious and I can personally attest that they are also an excellent way of sneaking some beets onto a picky child's (or adult's) plate!

~Rae

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups  sugar

3/4 cup beet puree (2 small beets, roasted)

1/2 cup buttermilk

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

2 large eggs, room temperature

For the frosting:

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped and melted

1 tablespoon sugar

Pinch salt

1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, beet purée, buttermilk, butter, chocolate, and eggs. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet.

Divide the batter evenly between prepared cups. Bake until the tops are puffed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a rack to cool completely. Frost as desired.

To make the frosting:

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted chocolate and the sugar and salt until smooth. Stir in the sour cream. Use immediately.

Recipe: Lemon Cream Scones With Edible Flowers

Image from Sugar & Charm

2021 Week 8 Newsletter

Recipe from Sugar & Charm

Scones are such a lovely treat for breakfast (or a snack) and adding your edible flowers as decoration elevates a simple recipe to celebration-worthy levels! 

12 tbsp / 170 g unsalted butter, cold

3/4 cup / 174 g heavy cream

2 cups / 284 g unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/3 cup / 66 g granulated sugar

1 tbsp / 15 g baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp grated lemon zest

To finish:

2 tsp heavy cream

edible flowers or petals

Cut the butter into 3/4 inch cubes and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Whip the cream until soft peaks form when the beater is lifted; cover and place in the refrigerator.

Place a baking stone or large baking sheet on a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a second, smaller baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Add the chilled butter cubes and cut the butter in with a pastry blender, or rub in with your fingers, until the mixture resembles fine meal. Make a well in the center and add the whipped cream.

Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold in the whipped cream. Then knead the dough in the bowl until it just comes together.

Turn the dough onto a very lightly floured surface and knead about eight times, until it can be shaped into a smooth ball.

Cut the dough in half, and press each half into a rectangle of approximately 5 inches by 7 inches. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap and freeze for 20 minutes.

Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut six rounds from each dough rectangle. Re-roll the scraps and place back in the freezer. Meanwhile, place the cut-out scones on the parchment lined baking sheet, and press an edible flower or a few petals into the top of each scone. Remove the remaining dough from the freezer, and cut out and decorate 3-4 more scones, placing them on the baking sheet. (If the baking sheet is full, you can place the remaining scones in the refrigerator and bake them later, after the first batch comes out of the oven.) Place the baking sheet in the freezer for five minutes.

Remove baking sheet from the freezer and brush the scones lightly with cream, being careful not to disturb the flowers.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the scones are just starting to brown. Remove from the baking sheet, and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Puree

from Vanilla & Bean

Thinking of making pumpkin pie from scratch for Thanksgiving this year? Make your puree ahead of time and store in the freezer until a day or two before the big cooking day! 

1 Winter Luxury Pumpkin (or any pie pumpkin)

Preheat oven to 375F. Cut the pumpkin in half. If the seeds will not be saved, roast the pumpkin with the seeds and scoop them out after roasting. It's much easier! If saving the seeds, using a metal spoon and/or your hands, scoop out the seeds and strings. Place the seeds in a bowl of water. 

Place pumpkin halves skin side up on a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Roast for 50-60 minutes or until flesh is soft and fragrant. Remove from oven and allow to cool until they can be safely handled.

If you roasted the pumpkin with seeds, use a metal spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard. Otherwise, scoop out the flesh. Puree the flesh until silky smooth or desired consistency is reached.

Recipe: Honey & Thyme Parsnip Muffins

from Dishing Up The Dirt

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup plain full fat yogurt

1/4 cup walnut oil (or another neutral tasting vegetable oil)

1/2 cup honey

2 large eggs + 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

1 cup grated parsnips

1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a standard size muffin tin with oil and set aside.

Whisk together the flours, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

In another bowl combine the yogurt, oil, honey, eggs and egg white. Add the the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the parsnip and thyme. Divide the batter between the muffins cups and bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and cooked through, about 20-23 minutes. Let the muffins cool for about 5 minutes in the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe: Spiced Carrot & Date Loaf

from Dishing Up The Dirt

2 eggs

2/3 cup walnut oil (or another neutral tasting oil)

3/4 cup honey

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour (Bob's Red Mill)

1/2 cups whole wheat flour (Bob's Red Mill)

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 cups freshly grated carrot

1 cup dates, roughly chopped

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

sprinkle of old fashioned oats (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil or butter a 9×5 inch loaf pan.

In a medium to large bowl, beat eggs. Add the oil and then drizzle in the honey and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and beat well. Add carrots and chopped dates. Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top with the walnuts and oats.

Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf. Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack. Once cooled, remove from loaf pan and enjoy!

Recipe: Spiced Melon Tea Loaf

from Jo Cooks

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 tsp cinnamon ground

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ginger ground

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 cups sugar granulated

3 large eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups cantaloupe ripe, grated (only the flesh)

Heat the oven to 350 F degrees. Grease and flour two 5×8 inch loaf pans. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, ginger, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl.

With an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a bowl until well blended and slightly frothy. Fold in the grated cantaloupe. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold until just blended; don't overmix or your tea cakes will be tough.

Divide the batter between the loaf pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry, about 1 hour.

Let cool on a rack, then invert. Serve just slightly warm or at room temperature.

Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Melon

from Luci's Morsels

ripe cantaloupe

smoked paprika

honey

Slice cantaloupe in 1/2" pieces. Sprinkle each side liberally with smoked paprika (not regular paprika).

Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill cantaloupe slices 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from grill. Drizzle with honey.

If grilling other foods, cook cantaloupe last.

Recipe: Spice- Kissed Pumpkin Pie

From 101 Cookbooks

1 pie crust (of your choice)*
2 cups hazelnuts (divided) , toasted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice blend*
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon or cornstarch
1 1/2 cups of roasted pumpkin puree*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 extra large eggs PLUS one for glaze, lightly beaten
1 cup coconut milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the middle. Puree 1 1/2 cups of the toasted hazelnuts in a food processor until they turn into a hazelnut paste, past the 'crumble' stage. Set aside. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup of hazelnuts and set aside seperately, these will be sprinkled on top after the pie is baked.

To make the pumpkin pie filling, whisk together the brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice blend, salt, and arrowroot. Stir in the pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Now stir in the eggs and coconut milk until just combined. Set aside.

Before filling the pie crust, crumble the hazelnut paste on top of the pie dough into the pie plate, quickly and gently press it into a thin layer across the bottom creating a layer of hazlenuts that will sit between the dough and the filling. Using the last egg gently brush the decorative edges of the pie dough. Use a fork to prick the pie dough a few times to prevent air bubbles. Fill the pie crust with the filling and bake for about 50 minutes - the center of the pie should just barely jiggle when you move the pie - the edges should be set.

Let the pie cool a bit, this makes slicing less messy. Serve straight or with a dollop of bourbon-spiked, sweetenend whipped cream or creme fraiche, and a sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts.

*We love Smitten Kitchen's All Butter Crust

*Spice Blend: 1 tablespoon freshly ground cassia cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground allspice, scant 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cloves, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger (pre ground)

*Roasted Pumpkin: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Carefully cut the pumpkin into four big wedges - get rid of the stem. Scoop out the seeds and pulp (you can toast the seeds if you like), drizzle then rub the pumpkin wedges with olive oil, sprinkle generously with salt, and then bake on a baking sheet (middle rack) until tender throughout - about an hour. Scoop flesh out of the skins and puree with a hand blender or mash well by hand.

Recipe: Ultimate Zucchini Bread

from Smitten Kitchen

As the recipe says, don't skimp on the turbinado sugar topping, it is key to creating a delectably crunchy top!

2 cups grated, packed zucchini, not wrung out, grated on the large holes of a box grater

2 large eggs

2/3 cup  of a neutral oil (I use safflower), olive oil, or melted unsalted butter

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons raw or turbinado sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 6-cup or 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. Place grated zucchini in a large bowl and add oil, eggs, sugars, vanilla, and salt. Use a fork to mix until combined. Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder over surface of batter and mix until combined — and then, for extra security that the ingredients are well-dispersed, give it 10 extra stirs. Add flour and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the raw or turbinado sugar — don’t skimp. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick or tester inserted into the middle cake but also into the top of the cake, closer to the dome, comes out batter-free.

Let cool completely in the pan. Leave in pan, unwrapped, overnight or 24 hours, until removing (carefully, so not to ruin flaky lid) and serving in slices. Zucchini bread keeps for 4 to 5 days at room temperature. I wrap only the cut end of the cake in foil, and return it to the baking pan, leaving the top exposed so that it stays crunchy.