Sunday, December 11, 2011

Crispy Rice Waffles

This recipe was created out of a desire to make a light, wheat-free breakfast. These crispy treats are so light that you certainly won't be stuck with that bloated, food coma feeling after enjoying them.

Rice flour is surprisingly easy to find, but it isn't cheap. At about $4.50 for 4 cups worth of flour, it isn't likely that most people will toss out their wheat flour and stock up on rice flour. But it is a handy item to have in the kitchen and has become my go-to for breakfast breads. Rice flour has a natural hint of sweetness to it and it's powdery fine texture is divine.

Waffle irons are a fantastic kitchen utensil and everyone should have one. They don't have to be expensive and honestly, most fancy waffle irons are no better than a $20 generic one.

Crispy Rice Waffles

Ingredients
1 cup rice flour
1 large egg
1 cup rice milk or regular milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 cup blueberries (optional)

In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. Let rest for 3-5 minutes. 

Lightly grease waffle iron with cooking spray or vegetable oil. Heat waffle iron. Use a ladle or measuring cup to pour batter into waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve warm with syrup.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Turkey Pot Pie

Thanksgiving is over and the leftovers abound! You can only eat so many Thanksgiving sandwiches! Why not throw some of that turkey into a delicious and flaky turkey pot pie?

Savory pies were very popular in Colonial America and have remained so ever since. Flour was a precious commodity in Colonial America and pie doughs use less flour than bread. And pie was a great way to stretch what might be considered a meager amount of ingredients to feed more mouths.

If you've finished off your Thanksgiving turkey already, then make it a chicken pot pie! Now that the chill of Winter is upon us, indulge yourself with this warm comfort food.

Turkey Pot Pie



Ingredients

Crust:
2 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
4-5 tbsp ice water

Filling:
2 1/2 to 3 cups cooked turkey or chicken, shredded
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans)
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 1 tsp salt. Cut in 2/3 cup plus 2 tbsp butter using two knives or a mixer. Mix until the butter is incorporated in pea-size crumbles. Add water one tablespoon of water at a time, mixing between each until the crust is slightly sticky. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

In a large pan, melt butter and bring to a light bubble. Add onion and saute for about 1 minute. Add flour and combine well.

When the flour and butter mixture begins to bubble a little, add chicken stock a little at a time and make sure to mix thoroughly between additions.

Add salt and pepper.

Simmer until thickened. Add remaining ingredients and set aside.

Remove dough from refrigerator. Cut dough in half.

Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough very slightly. Then fold it in half and roll it out a little again. Repeat this four or five times. Then roll the dough out completely and place it in a 9" deep dish pie pan. Repeat the folding and rolling process with the other half of the dough.

Pour filling into pie crust and top with the other half of the rolled dough. Trim edges and fold under. Pinch the edges to seal the dough. Brush the top with an egg wash for a shiny crust.


Egg wash should be one beaten egg and about 2 tbsps of cool water.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes. Let rest for 20 minutes before serving so that filling has time to set up.