Homemade Hollandaise Sauce#Alphabet Challenge

Making hollandaise sauce is one sauce that I was very apprehensive to make. Every time an opportunity would arise to make it, but, because of fear that I will not succeed, the sauce will curdle and all ingredients will be wasted, always put me off. But, somehow today I took a positive step, today 'am going to make it, since I wanted to enjoy the traditional egg benedict muffin sandwich.

I must have seen around 20 videos on YouTube to see the exact technique of making one of the most difficult mother sauces of the French cuisine. With a positive attitude in mind ventured to make this Hollandaise Sauce. Hip Hip Hurray I succeeded in making it perfectly. My hubby licked his fingers so that nothing is wasted so delicious was this sauce. Made of one egg only, since this sauce cannot be refrigerated and has to be had warm.

The key of perfecting this sauce is the temperature of the water, I made this on a double boiler. The pan for the water and the bowl for making the sauce should such that the pot should not touch the water and temperature of the water should be just warm, not boiling. The flame of the stove should be on sim.

I started making this sauce with cold ingredients, the butter and egg were cold. This sauce has just two ingredients the others are just added according to your taste.

Ingredients
75 Grams Cold Unsalted Butter - cubed
1 Large Egg Yolk
½ Teaspoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon juice
Salt to taste
A Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
¼ Teaspoon Chopped Dill
Method 
In a large sauce pan filling it just a cup of water . Place this on low flame.

In a meantime take a bowl that will exactly fit on top of the pan, but it should be shallow. Do not take a deep bowl or else it will touch the water and the sauce will curdle.

Add the butter into the bowl, one teaspoon normal tap water, a pinch of salt and the lemon juice. Take a whisk in your hand and get ready. As soon as you seen that base of sauce pan bubble start to appear. Place the bowl of butter on top of the pan and start to whisk till the butter start to melt and you can hold the bowl with your other hand, i.e left hand, when you feel that the bowl is getting hot, take the bowl off the pan and whisk it on the kitchen platform whisking continuously,

when the bowl again starts to get a cold, place it again on the sauce pan and start to whisk till the butter is melted and when you dip your finger into the butter it should feel warm, take the bowl from the sauce pan and add the egg yolk and and whisk vigorously to mix it well, when it is well mixed and the mixture is smooth, but has a watery consistency, place bowl back again on the sauce pan seeing that the water is not bubbling. If the water has started to bubble or lots of steam is emitting switch off the flame and take sauce pan on the kitchen platform then place the bowl and continue to whisk till it starts to thicken a little at this stage also you should be able to hold the bowl with your other hand comfortable.

The time you feel the bowl is getting hot, take it off the sauce pan and whisk it on the kitchen platform continuously till it starts to thicken a little. This sauce is not as thick as a mayonnaise.

To check the sauce is done, take a spoon and dip it into the sauce, if the sauce coat the back of spoon it's done.

At this stage taste for salt and lemon juice, I add a dash of lemon juice, cayenne pepper and dill, give it good whisk and it's ready to be served.

Serve this warm!!

This sauce can be enjoyed with poached egg, steamed broccoli or asparagus , eggs benedict, fried fish fillet, I would say this will taste good on anything. It's a finger licking sauce, sad but this sauce cannot be refrigerated or enjoyed cold, it has to be served warm.

Labels: Egg, French Cuisine, Hollandaise Sauce, Butter, Mother Sauce, Sauces, Alphabet Challenge, International Cuisine

Sneha’s Recipe: Homemade Hollandaise Sauce 

Culinary Cam: Halva with Fiori di Sicilia 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Panna Cotta With Hibiscus Berry Sauce 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Corned Beef and Cabbage Hash 

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Spicy Hashbrown Waffles 

Blogghetti: Grilled Hawaiian Ham Skewers 

Palatable Pastime: Batter Fried Halloumi Cheese 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner 

Food Lust People Love: Crispy Bacon-wrapped Chicken Hearts 

Magical Ingredients: Hummus Herb paratha 

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sweet Honey Deviled Eggs with Fennel Fronds

Gluten Free Pie Crust - Homemade

This is an all butter gluten free pie crust! So flaky and light, with homemade gluten free blend.

This dough will make an 7" Pie Crust  
Ingredients
For Pastry
150 Grams Homemade Gluten Free Bread Flour + extra for dusting
90 Grams Butter - chilled butter cut into cubes
1 Large Egg- beaten - reserved 1½ tablespoon to brush the pastry
½ Teaspoon Heaped White Vinegar
1 - 1½ Tablespoons Ice water or as required to make a dough

Method

In the bowl, place flour and add salt. Add butter and using your fingers or a pastry blender, blend into butter until the size of large peas.

Pour the vinegar and beaten egg into the bowl and to combine with a fork, slowly add water a teaspoon at a time. You may not need the full amount of water, depending on your climate and size of the egg. When the mixture comes together in the bowl, stop mixing. Of note, gluten free pie crusts do better when they are slightly wetter (because the flour will soak up some of the liquid).
Divide the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap, flattening each into a round disk. Chill in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.

Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface into approximately a 15 inch round, moving constantly to avoid sticking. If it does stick, lightly sprinkle more flour. Roll dough onto rolling pin and carefully lift and unroll into the pie plate. 

Trim the edges of the dough and crimp the edges.

T0 Blind Bake

Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Place the crust in the refrigerator and chill for about an hour, or the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Remove the pie crust from the refrigerator and line it with a piece of parchment paper. Fill it with pie weights, beans, or rice.
Bake for approximately 15 - 17 minutes, until the edges start to brown. 

Carefully remove the parchment and beans and I brushed the base with egg (this i did so that when I add the filling the base should not get soggy) continue to bake for about 5 more minutes, or until the bottom and sides are lightly browned and no longer shiny. Cool the crust completely before proceeding with your recipe.

For Double Crust Pies

Roll out the bottom crust and add your filling of choice into the crust. Roll top crust out and place on top of filling. Crimp as desired to seal. 

My Notes 

Unbaked pie crusts will keep in the refrigerate for about 3 days. They can be frozen for up to 3 months, well wrapped.
To thaw, remove from freezer and place in the refrigerate to thaw overnight. Let come to a cool room temperature, about 20-30 minutes, before rolling out and using.

Labels: Gluten free, Tart/Pie/Quiche, Homemade, Butter, Egg

Gluten Free Gnudi (Naked Ravioli) In Butter Garlic Sauce#Foodieextravaganza

Gnudi are little balls which are more or less like a kind of gnocchi; balls are made of spinach and ricotta without any pasta covering them. So, hence the name Naked Ravioli.
These rustic, naked ravioli have a long history, going back to Roman times, and perhaps even much earlier.

For this gnudi, I did not add the whole egg, more the dough is loose the more flour will be required. So use only the yolk, so that the gnudi is soft and succulent (and not hard) after it's cooked. These are very delicate so while adding them to the boiling water, use a slotted spoon to drop each into the pan of boiling water.

Ingredients
For The Gnudi

200 Grams Homemade Ricotta Cheese
1 Large Egg Yolk - only
100 Grams Chopped Spinach
1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Roasted Garlic
½ Teaspoon Dried Parsley
½ Teaspoon Dried Basil
¼ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
2 Tablespoons Heaped Tapioca Flour/ Starch
¼ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tablespoon Heaped Tapioca Flour/ Starch - for coating
For The Butter Garlic Sauce
2 Tablespoons Salted Butter
1 Tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
1 Wild Garlic - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Chopped Scallion Greens - for garnishing
½ Teaspoon Salt

Method

Blanch the spinach for a minute in the microwave. Immediately dump it in cold water. Take a muslin cloth and squeeze the spinach of all moisture. In same cloth squeeze the ricotta cheese. 

In a large bowl combine ricotta cheese, spinach, egg yolk, dried parsley, dried basil, black pepper powder, salt, parmesan cheese, garlic mash them all well till well combined. Add the tapioca flour a tablespoon at a time and mash till well combined. Make a nice ball. Leave it aside covered for 5 to 10  minutes.
Take a small pinch and form into a ball.

To Test whether the ball will not disintegrated in water while boiling. 

Heat water in a pan when it comes to a boil add this tiny ball let it cook it it floats to the surface. If it does not break or disintegrated in water then the dough is perfect.

Now that the dough is perfect cover and keep aside for 5 to 10 minutes. Make 9 - 10 equal size balls. Roll them in tapioca flour, shake of any excess flour by rolling it in your hand. Keep all aside.

In the meantime heat a tall pan will water add a ¼ teaspoon salt. When the water comes to a rolling boil, place each gnudi with a slotted spoon gently into the water. Cover the pan with a lid and on medium high flame let them cook till they start to float on top. Once they float to the surface they are done. Remove each gently with slotted spoon and keep them in large plate to come to room temperature.

For The Butter Garlic Sauce

In a pan heat oil and butter, add the chopped garlic and wild garlic, when the garlic starts to brown add in the gnudi and sauté gently turning the sides.

Remove and serve hot garnish with chopped scallion greens.
These were so...ooo delicious. A must try recipe.

Labels: Keto, Low Carb, Gnudi, Ravoili, Pasta & Noodles, Ricotta, Tapioca Flour, Garlic, Spinach, Butter, Gluten free, International Cuisine, Italia, Foodie Extravaganza Party

• Easy Ravioli Lasagna from Food Lust People Love
• Garden Greens-Stuffed Ravioli from Culinary Cam
• Gluten Free Gnudi (Naked Ravioli) In Butter Garlic Sauce from Sneha’s Recipe
• Homemade Spinach and Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Sauce from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Seafood Ravioli from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Toasted Ravioli from Palatable Pastime

Baked Potatoes With Butter & Goat Cheese Filling#SundayFunday

To produce baked potatoes with an even fluffy interior, the ideal doneness temperature: when a thermometer inserted in the center should be 205 degrees. To season the skin, I placed the potatoes in salty brine water solution before baking. Then the skin is crisped by brushing it with vegetable oil, once the potatoes are cooked through and then baking the potatoes for an additional 12 minutes. 

This method and the filling I seen On American Test Kitchen, loved the idea and followed this method, loved the final taste and texture of the potatoes. Fresh chopped parsley and extra light olive oil enhances the flavors of the goat cheese in this topping.
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 Large Potatoes - unpeeled, each lightly pricked with fork
2 Tablespoons Sea Salt
1 Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
For The Filling
¾ Cup Grated Goat Cheese
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
1 Tablespoon Heaped Chopped Parsley
4 Small Cubes Frozen Salted Butter
2 Tablespoon Extra Light Olive Oil

Method

Preheat the oven to 210°C . Adjust oven rack to middle position.

Scrub the potatoes well and prick them with a fork.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons sea salt in a cup of water in large bowl. Place potatoes in bowl and let it sit in the brine for at least 30 minutes.
Transfer potatoes to wire rack set in a baking tray and bake for 50 minutes. Check the temperature when a thermometer inserted in the center should be 205 degrees, it's done.

Then brush the potatoes with oil on all sides and again place the tray in the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes so that the skin get crisp.
In the meanwhile let's prepare the filling

Mix all the filling ingredients together. Keep aside.

Remove potatoes from oven and immediately using paring knife, make a slit, in each potato. Using clean dish towel, hold ends and squeeze slightly to push flesh up and out. 

Place a cube of frozen butter and with a spoon 

place the filling into the slit, pushing it with a spoon to get as much as filling you can in it. 

Serve immediately in individual serving plates. 

Enjoy this buttery goat cheese filling baked potatoes, simply delicious and out of the world
Labels: Baked, Potato, Goat Cheese, Parsley, Butter, Stuffed Potato, Vegetarian, Appetizer, Sunday Funday, Gluten free

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. Our host for this week's event is Stacy of Food Lust People Love.  

• Bacon-wrapped Loaded Baked Potatoes from Food Lust People Love
• Baked Potatoes With Butter & Goat Cheese Filling from Sneha’s Recipe
• Cheesy Shrimp-Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes from Making Miracles
• Crock Pot Loaded Baked Potatoes from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Leftover Turkey and Gravy Stuffed Potato from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Thanksgiving Dinner Twice Baked Potatoes from Amy’s Cooking Adventures

White Chocolate Chunk Oats Cookies#BakingBloggers

These are bakery style White Chocolate Chunk Cookies with golden brown edges with gooey centers.

They are so delicious perfect cookies to go with your tea or coffee. I have made big ones weight is 45 grams each. But they are so crisp and bake in just 12 to 14 minutes.

Makes 14 Big Cookies 
Ingredients
75 Grams Softened Butter
38 Grams Vegetable Shortening
140 Grams Caster Sugar
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon Vanilla essence
175 Grams All Purpose Flour
¼ Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Baking soda
½ Teaspoon Baking powder
46 Grams Oats - make it into a powder
100 Grams White chocolate chips

Method  

Beat butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy, then add in the egg and vanilla essence, sieve the dry ingredients, with a spatula mix it till no dry spot of flour is seen. Cling wrap the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. After 2 hours I weighed each cookie 45 grams. Make round balls and placed them in a lined baking tray and again refrigerate the tray till the oven is pre heated.

In the meantime pre-heated oven to 170°C . Place one tray at a time in the oven and bake 12-15 minutes, half through the baking time, change the sides of the tray. Check if the cookies are done after 12 minutes. Mine were done at 13 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven and place the other tray. Lift each cookies with a spatula and place them on a wire rack, till they cooled completely. 

When completely cooled, store them airtight container. Enjoy with your tea or coffee. 

My Notes
You can make these all butter, but, I have used vegetable shortening a little so that these retain they shape and do not spread while baking. These retained their shape as your can see. They have perfect top. 

These are so crispy and chewy, you will love them.
Chilling the dough is a must or else you want be able to roll them or shape them.

Labels: Oats, White Chocolate, Cookies, Biscuits & Cookies, Baking Bloggers, Butter, Vegetable shortening, Egg, International Cuisine 

Baking Bloggers

Baking with Oats or Oat Flour 

• • • Baked Oatmeal with Rhubarb by A Day in the Life on the Farm
    • Buttermilk Oat Flour Pancakes by The Redhead Baker
    • Cherry Rhubarb Crisp by Palatable Pastime
    • Chewy Oatmeal Cookies by Making Miracles
    • Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies by Karen's Kitchen Stories
    • Fresh Cherry and Nectarine Crisp With Oat Streusel by Magical Ingredients
    • Icelandic Happy Marriage Cake - Hjónabandssæla by Food Lust People Love
    • White Chocolate Chunk Oats Cookies by Sneha’s Recipe

Yeasted Croissant#SundayFunday

The Croissant comes out of the oven crispy but soften up as the day goes on, so it’s best to devour them the day you make them. I have already posted a detailed post on the method here. It just that this time I made croissants, the last time I made Petits Pain au Chocolat.

Ingredients  
350 Grams All Purpose Flour 
1¼ Teaspoon Instant Yeast 
½ Cup Water 
½ Teaspoon Milk 
1 Egg 
2 Tablespoon Butter 
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice 
1 Teaspoon Salt 

For the Lamination
250 Grams Butter

Method

The method of laminating and rolling the dough is same as this recipe.

For making the croissant  

Divide the laminated dough into two parts and while you use one part, keep the other covered in cling wrap and refrigerate it. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Cut the sides to make an even size of 8"x6" rectangle. 

With the help of a knife or a pizza cutter, cut them into smaller equal size triangles. 

Shape them into croissants. 

Place them in a baking tray. Like wise roll the other dough too.

Proof the shaped croissants until they puff up a little. 

Brush them egg wash and bake it in a pre heated oven at to 200°C for 12 - 15 minutes and then reduce the temperature to to 170°C and bake for another 10-12 minutes or until they crispy. 

Cool them in a rack. 

Enjoy with a cuppa of tea.

Labels: Croissant, Yeasted, Breads, Butter, Sunday Funday

Our Host by Culinary Adventures with Camilla (http://culinary-adventures-with-cam.blogspot.com/).  Since January 30th is National Croissant Day, the theme is " Let's share favorite recipes for MAKING croissants or just USING already made croissants".  

• Bean Cassoulet by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Cheesy Sausage and Croissant Casserole by Making Miracles
• Chocolate Croissants (Pain au Chocolate) by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Croissants aux Amandes (Almond Croissants) by Food Lust People Love
• Homemade Crescent Rolls by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Mardi Gras Cream Cheese King Cake Croissants by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Sourdough Croissants by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Yeasted Croissant by Sneha's Recipe