WGBH - Snacks RSS

Doughnut Muffins

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:45 PM +0000

They may look like muffins, but a dunk in melted butter and a roll in cinnamon-sugar makes these luscious morsels taste more like donuts, without the hassle of deep-frying. We sell out of these muffins every morning at my Downtown Bakery and Creamery.

Yields about 24 medium muffins.

For the muffins:

12 oz. (24 Tbs.) unsalted butter, warmed to room temperature
1-3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 lb. 11 oz. (6 cups) all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1-3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1-2/3 cups milk
1/4 cup buttermilk

For dipping:

8 oz. (16 Tbs.) unsalted butter; more as needed
2 cups sugar
2 Tbs. ground cinnamon
To make the muffins

Put a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. In a stand mixer or a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just mixed in. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Combine the milk and buttermilk. With a wooden spoon, mix a quarter of the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Then mix in a third of the milk mixture. Continue mixing in the remaining dry and wet ingredients alternately, ending with the dry. Mix until well combined and smooth, but don't overmix. Grease and flour a standard-size muffin tin. Scoop enough batter into each tin so that the top of the batter is even with the rim of the cup, about 1/2 cup. (A #16 ice-cream scoop gives you the perfect amount.) Bake the muffins until firm to the touch, 30 to 35 minutes.

To finish

Melt the butter for the dipping mixture. Combine the sugar and cinnamon. When the muffins are just cool enough to handle, remove them from the tin, dip them into or brush them all over with the melted butter, and then roll them in the cinnamon sugar.

Make ahead tips

You don't have to bake all the muffins right away; the batter will keep, covered and chilled, for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition information (per serving):

Size : per muffin; Calories (kcal): 430; Fat (g): 21; Fat Calories (kcal): 190; Saturated Fat (g): 13; Protein (g): 5; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 6; Carbohydrates (g): 57; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1; Sodium (mg): 270; Cholesterol (mg): 90; Fiber (g): 1;

Susie Middleton is editor at large for Fine Cooking magazine.

Irish Soda Bread By Annie Copps

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:57 PM +0000

Any leprechaun of note will tell you that the key to good soda bread is not to get yourself or the dough overworked in the process. Kind of like a giant biscuit, soda bread is easy and quick to make, but if not made properly it can be dry and tough, or undercooked in the middle. The line between a pleasant pastry fit for a smear of butter and jam and a leaden block of cooked flour fit for the garbage bin, can be a fine one.

Like any dough or batter, gluten, the protein in flour (activated by water) gives baked goods their structure. In the case of traditional bread, the gluten needs to be worked into long strands, via kneading, so that hot air can get in between those strands and puff it up. In the case of cakes, muffins, and “quick” breads it is important to mix the ingredients together, just until they are combined and holding together so things don’t get too tough inside.

Traditional Irish soda bread is made from only four ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, and milk, for this recipe I added some baking powder, to really keep things light. Whisk together some flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Add in melted butter, caraway seeds, and some golden raisins. In a separate bowl combine some buttermilk and egg and combined JUST until incorporated—remember, don’t overwork things. Form into a round and make an “X” on top. Bake and you’ve got yourself a pot of gold waiting to come out of the oven.

Yield: One loaf
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes; active time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
2 tablespoons caraway seeds, optional
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add butter, caraway (if using) and raisins; combine just until incorporated.

In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg; add to dough and mix just until incorporated. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and fold it over onto itself 2 or 3 times, shaping it into a round, 8-inch loaf. Transfer loaf to a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Score an “X” on the top of the dough. Bake 45 minutes until well-browned and a toothpick plunged into the center emerges clean.

Remove to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve with butter and your favorite jam or preserves.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder
Both baking soda and baking powder are variations on sodium bicarbonate which produces carbon dioxide, which gives baked goods a bit of rise.

Baking Soda
Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. And is a quick to cause bubbles when combined with moisture, especially when heated.

Baking Powder
Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate, as well as cream of tartar (an acidic) and cornstarch (which keeps things dry). Baking powder has a bit more staying power without as much acidity.

(Courtesy: Yankee Magazine)

___________________________________________________________
Annie B. Copps is a senior editor at Yankee Magazine. Annie oversees the magazine's food coverage, both as an editor and as a contributor of feature stories and columns.

White Bean and Walnut Dip

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:14 PM +0000

Like salsa became a staple in everyone's fridge a decade or so ago, another foreign favorite, hummus, is everywhere from fancy restaurants to kids' lunch boxes. And while they're sort of polar opposites, both imports are very good for you.

Actually this isn't a classic hummus recipe—more of a riff on our favorite Middle Eastern bean dip—we're going to start with cannellini beans instead of garbanzos and go Mediterranean...

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together a can of canneleini beans (make sure you rinse them well so they don't taste like the can they came from) add some walnuts that get a flavor turbo charge from a quick toasting, and a few sprigs of aromatic rosemary. A bit of lemon and onion and you are good to pulse away until smooth. Try that with some toasted bread or crunchy, sliced vegetables.

Yield: 15 servings
Total time: 15 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
1 medium baguette, cut into ¼-inch thick, slices
2 cans Great Northern or Canellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup whole walnuts, lightly toasted
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 medium red onion
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 sprigs rosemary, leaves removed
kosher or sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Garnish: 1 sprig rosemary, extra walnut pieces

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Arrange baguette slices on a cookie sheet and toast in the oven until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Remove from oven.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine beans, walnuts, olive oil, onion, lemon juice, and rosemary—puree until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and arrange the toasted baguette slices on a platter around it.

Garnish with the rosemary sprig and extra walnut pieces.

___________________________________________________________
Annie B. Copps is a senior editor at Yankee Magazine. Annie oversees the magazine's food coverage, both as an editor and as a contributor of feature stories and columns.

Spicy Crab Dip By Ming Tsai

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:02 PM +0000

With the chill in the air and football season upon us, I start to think about what snack you can serve that's not just your classic chicken wings. And believe it or not when I think of the New England Patriots, I also think of New England seafood and that's where crab comes into play.

Ingredients
1/2 cup crème fraiche
1 tablespoon sambal
1 tablespoon honey
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1 pint fresh, picked crab (peekytoe works well)
1 large jicama, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch planks, 1x4 inch
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
In the chilled bowl, combine everything except jicama, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and mix well. Serve in bowl and surround with jicama planks.

Sesame Butter Brittle
By Ming Tsai

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:52 PM +0000

Ingredients
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup white sesame seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon sea salt (Hawaiian or white)

Directions
In a medium saucepot over high heat, melt butter and sugar and stir to combine. Without stirring, cook until mixture becomes a light to medium caramel color, about 3-5 minutes, then add sesame seeds and stir in.

Pour mixture onto a * silpat and spread into an even, thin layer, about 1/8 to /4-inch thick, with wooden spoon. (Don't worry if shape is irregular.) Immediately sprinkle sea salt over top of mixture and lightly press into caramel using spoon. Allow to set-up for about 10-15 minutes. When brittle has hardened and cooled, break into pieces and enjoy. Store in an air-tight container.

*If not using a silpat* use a 1/2 sheet pan with parchment sprayed generously with cooking spray or wax paper.

Zesty Applesauce
By Lidia Bastianich

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:04 PM +0000

Everyone loves a good applesauce. So why don't you try the zesty version straight from Northern Italy? I know that once you have tasted this dish, a recipe found in my cookbook, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy, you will never go back to the plain applesauce.

Directions
Set the applesauce in a pan. Make your own or pick some up at the store.

Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, some freshly grated horseradish…and yes horseradish root is available at most grocery stores. It resembles a carrot and like a carrot you can peel it and shred it.

Let the apple, lemon and shredded horseradish cook together.

Once it is perking add ½ a cup of heavy cream.

Stir well to allow all of the flavors to combine.

Serve this delightfully tangy applesauce warm along side a luscious ham, turkey, chicken or roast beef.
___________________________________________________________
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich was born in Pola, Istria, on the northeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. She is a cookbook author, restaurateur, and TV chef extraordinaire. Watch Lidia's Italy Saturdays at 1:30pm on WGBH 2 or Sundays at 4pm on WGBH 44.

Fruit Roll Ups By Annie Copps

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:56 PM +0000

Kids are crazy for fruit roll-ups and you won't believe how incredibly easy they are to make. Kids love them, and they're perfect to pack along on any movable feast. I have found that peaches, mangos, and most berries work best (avoid bananas, melons, or citrus). They are, of course, best in the season that the fruit is growing in, but frozen fruits work well, too.

Yield: about 5 pieces

Ingredients
2 cups pureed fruit
1 to 2 tablespoons honey

Directions
Heat oven to 200.°

In a small mixing bowl, stir ingredients well to combine. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or a Silpat mat. Ladle puree onto baking sheet and spread into a very thin (about 1/8 inch) circle, about 8 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining puree. Place in oven 5 to 6 hours or until dried but still flexible. Cool and wrap in plastic.

(Courtesy: Yankee Magazine)
___________________________________________________________
Annie B. Copps is a senior editor at Yankee Magazine. Annie oversees the magazine's food coverage, both as an editor and as a contributor of feature stories and columns.

Homemade Granola
By Annie Copps

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:00 PM +0000

Monday through Friday, I eat breakfast on the go—usually a cup of coffee and a bowl of yogurt with granola. Store bought granola can have some hidden ingredients, too much salt, and sugar as well as extra calories that may not be the best way for you to start the day.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 1.5 hours
Yield: about 5 cups

Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole almonds
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1 cup raisins or chopped dried cherries

Directions
Heat oven to 250.° In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except raisins (or cherries); make sure oats, almonds, and coconut are well coated with sugar, syrup, and oil. Spread out on one large baking sheet (or two small sheets). Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes for even browning.

Remove the sheet from the oven and let cool on wire racks. Scoop or pour granola into a large bowl, add raisins or cherries, and mix well. Store in well-sealed containers at room temperature up to two weeks.

(Courtesy: Yankee Magazine)
___________________________________________________________
Annie B. Copps is a senior editor at Yankee Magazine. Annie oversees the magazine's food coverage, both as an editor and as a contributor of feature stories and columns.