Spice Up Salad with Tangy Carrot-Curry Dressing

For a light lunch or a salad course for dinner, try this recipe for Bell Pepper Salad with Carrot-Curry Dressing. You'll need carrot juice to make this homemade dressing; you can usually find it in cans at your local supermarket. With a few slices of red bell pepper and a sprinkling of toasted sunflower seeds, this salad is a virtual medley of colors, flavors and textures.

RECIPE

Bell Pepper Salad with Carrot-Curry Dressing

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup carrot juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large head romaine lettuce (about 1 pound), cut crosswise into 1-inch-wide strips
• 1/2 red bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup edible sunflower seeds, toasted*

Directions:

1. In a small skillet, bring the carrot juice to a boil. Reduce the heat; simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Pour into a large bowl.
2. Whisk in lemon juice, oil, and curry powder; season with salt and pepper. Add lettuce and red bell pepper; toss to coat. Sprinkle sunflower seeds over salad; serve.

*Note: To make toasted sunflower seeds, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add sunflower seeds; cook, tossing until puffed and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Makes 1/3 cup.

Pink Peppermint Soufflé

Find out how to make a rich and decadent Pink Peppermint Soufflé, including helpful hints and tips for beating egg whites.

Just mentioning the word soufflé can set a cook on edge. There's always the fear that the soufflé will plummet to the bottom of the baking dish as soon as it is removed from the oven. But cooking the perfect soufflé is not as difficult as it may appear to be.

According to caterer Julie Williamson, the basic principles of soufflés lie in the preparation of the eggs. The air trapped inside the beaten eggs is what gives the soufflé volume. Beating the eggs properly is half the challenge of making a homemade soufflé. Start by beating the egg whites in a circular motion so that the air bubbles don't become too large in the beginning. Make sure that all utensils that will come into contact with the eggs are completely clean and free of grease.

This version of the classic French dessert uses peppermint-flavored candies to create a delicious and refreshing treat. For extra peppermint flavor, be sure to use pure peppermint extract. If you prefer, you can substitute a white crème de menthe in place of the peppermint extract in this recipe.

RECIPE

Pink Peppermint Soufflé

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup peppermint-flavored candies, finely chopped, plus additional crushed candies for garnish
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 6 large egg yolks, plus 7 large egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. with a rack positioned in the bottom. Butter a 6-cup soufflé mold (measuring 7 1/2-by-7 1/2-by-3 1/4 inches), then sprinkle the bottom and sides of the mold with 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar.
2. In a 1-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup peppermint-flavored candies in the cold water. Remove saucepan from the heat and let cool. The consistency of the mixture should look like a thick syrup.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and salt until the mixture is thick and pale yellow. Alternatively, use a hand wire whisk to beat the egg yolks.
4. Mix the cooled peppermint mixture, heavy cream and peppermint extract into the egg yolk mixture until well blended and smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, being careful not to overbeat them. Mix one-quarter of the beaten egg whites into the peppermint-egg yolk mixture. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites until well blended. Pour the mixture into the prepared mold.
6. Bake the soufflé until the center has just barely set, about 14 to 16 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with crushed peppermint candies.

SPECIAL THANKS

Julie Williamson

Thirty-Minute Fettuccine

Keep the express train of activities chugging along with this fast and simple chicken and pasta dish.

The convenience foods in today's supermarkets are the express trains of the kitchen. This bistro-quality dish uses time-saving refrigerated pasta combined with peppers and onions to help keep your busy family on track.

RECIPE

Thirty-Minute Fettuccine

Makes 4 main-dish servings

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup homemade or canned low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 9-ounce package refrigerated fettuccine or linguine
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishing

Directions:

1. Rinse the chicken well under cold running water and pat it dry with paper towels; cut it into bite-sized pieces and set them aside. Stir together the chicken broth and cornstarch; set the mixture aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peppers, onion and pasta. Return the water to a boil and cook for about 2 minutes or until the pasta is just tender. Drain the the water from the vegetables and pasta and return the mixture to the pot. Toss the pasta with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Keep the pasta warm over low heat.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Push the chicken to the sides of the skillet. Stir the cornstarch mixture and add it to the center of the skillet. Cook and stir until the mixture has thickened. Stir all the ingredients together to coat them with the sauce.
4. Remove the chicken and sauce from the heat; toss with the cooked pasta mixture, tomatoes and basil. Serve the dish topped with the Parmesan cheese.

Tips on Using Fresh Pasta

Fresh refrigerated pastas are becoming increasingly available in supermarket deli cases. Fresh pastas tend to meld better with lighter sauces such as wine- or broth-based sauces that don't cover up their subtle flavors. Use dried pastas for heavier sauces, such as cream-, meat-, or tomato-based sauces.

Fresh pastas are prepared differently than dried pastas because they contain more moisture. They need only a minute or two to cook (unlike dried pastas, which take about ten minutes).

Once cooked and drained, fresh pasta must be tossed with olive oil or sauce, then served immediately.

Créme Vanilla Sauce

CRÉME VANILLA SAUCE

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 vanilla bean, scraped of seeds or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

Directions:

1. Boil the milk with the vanilla bean seeds and pod (do not add vanilla extract here). With a hand-held electric mixer, beat the sugar into the egg yolks until thick and fluffy. Beat in the cornstarch. Remove and discard vanilla bean pod. Add boiled milk in dribbles while beating at low speed in an electric mixer.
2. Transfer the mixture to a heavy-bottomed nonreactive saucepan. Set over low heat and, stirring constantly, cook until the sauce thickens into a light, creamy mixture. Do not simmer or the egg yolks will curdle.
3. Remove the sauce from the heat (add the vanilla extract if the vanilla bean was not used), whisk for a moment, and strain through a fine sieve. After cooling, cover the surface of the sauce with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Cooking with Thyme: Lemon-Thyme Granita, Capellini with Tomatoes, Watercress and Herbs

Have you got time for thyme in your cooking? Use this herb in a frosty Lemon-Thyme Granita and a light, side-dish salad Capellini with Tomatoes, Watercress and Herbs.

If there had to be one utilitarian, all-purpose herb, it would have to be thyme. The herb thyme lends a pungent, lemonlike flavor to any dish you use it in. If you haven't tried thyme in your cooking, there's no reason not to. Grow a patch in your vegetable garden, and then use the leaves in a refreshing, light Lemon-Thyme Granita and a quick-and-delicious side dish, Capellini with Tomatoes, Watercress and Herbs. Have you got time for thyme?

RECIPES 

Lemon-Thyme Granita
Makes 10 servings

To avoid last-minute preparations for this dessert, make this frosty confection up to a week in advance of serving.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 11 sprigs lemon balm (optional)
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme leaves, stems removed
• 1/4 cup lemon-flavored vodka (optional)
• 10 whole lemons, for shells (optional)
• Almond extract (optional)
• Fresh berries, if desired

Directions:

1. In a heavy saucepan, bring the water, sugar and 6 sprigs of lemon balm, if using, to a boil over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat; discard the lemon balm and cool syrup over a bowl of ice water until cold.
2. In a metal bowl, whisk together the syrup, lemon juice, lemon rind, thyme and vodka, if using, and place in the freezer. For faster freezing, pour the mixture into a shallow dish such as a pie plate. Whisk the mixture every 30 minutes until frozen, about 3 to 4 hours.
3. If using the lemons, remove the ink on the lemons by rubbing with almond extract. Cut off one quarter of each lemon at the stem end. Using a grapefruit knife, cut between the pulp and the pith of each lemon. Remove the pulp with a grapefruit spoon or a melon baller, scraping the shell clean.
4. Break the frozen mixture into small chunks. Transfer the chunks to a chilled mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy but not melted. Return the mixture quickly to the container used to freeze the mixture. Cover and freeze until the mixture is firm. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
5. To serve, scrape across the top of the granita with a tablespoon and form the granita into 2-inch balls. (If the mixture is very firm and unable to be formed easily, you may need to let it stand for 5 minutes at room temperature.) Mound the balls in each lemon shell, if desired, or in a serving glass. Garnish with half a sprig of lemon balm, a few sprigs of thyme or a few fresh berries, if desired.

Capellini with Tomatoes, Watercress and Herbs
Makes 4 servings

Watercress leaves add a spicy, peppery taste to this fresh and easy salad. For a lighter flavor, use spinach leaves in place of the arugula and less strong-flavored herbs from the oregano, tarragon and summer savory used here. Serve the salad at room temperature; chill any leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for water
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 cups small arugula leaves or torn fresh spinach
• 1 cup watercress leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped assorted fresh herb leaves, stems removed*, such as thyme, basil, oregano, summer savory, tarragon, and Italian parsley, plus 7 whole leaves of basil
• 1 pound dried capellini
• Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish
• Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are golden, about 10 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to medium low; add the tomatoes, arugula or spinach, watercress, and chopped herbs. Simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes.
3. Cover a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil. Drop the pasta into the boiling water; stir to keep the pasta from sticking together. Cook until al dente; drain, reserving a few tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Fry the basil leaves until they begin to curl. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the leaves to paper towels to drain. Drain the pasta, and transfer to a serving bowl. Top with the vegetables; toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with basil leaves, Parmesan, and lemon wedges.

*Note: The herb leaves are easier to remove from the stems if you plunge the herb bunches briefly into ice water. Shake off the excess water before removing the leaves.

Kitchen Tip
To easily remove the leaves of thyme, first plunge a bunch briefly into ice water, then shake off the excess water. To chop thyme leaves easily, place them in a glass measuring cup and snip them with a pair of kitchen scissors.

Cooking Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are a favorite snack, and one you probably remember from your childhood. Learn how to make some of these sweet treats.

You probably remember the first time you bit into a caramel apple when you were a child. First you encounter the rich, sweet caramel coating (the part everyone likes) and then your teeth reach the firm, tart apple as you bite into it with a satisfying crunch.

Kids love crunchy, sticky caramel apples. Use you children's favorite variety of apple for that perfect blend of tart and sweet. Red Delicious and Rome Beauties are always a good bet. Another great variety of apple to use is the Jonathan; choose whichever apple is fresh and delicious (local orchards and farm markets will have the best varieties). Be sure to wash the apples well and dry them before applying the sweet caramel topping to the apple skins.

When working with hot caramel, we recommend keeping a bowl of ice-cold water on hand as an antidote to any splatters that threaten to scald your skin. In the event you do get any of the hot caramel on your hands and fingers, immediately plunge them into the ice water. Also, because of the risk of burns, never allow young children to handle hot caramel. You can find wooden ice-cream sticks at a craft store or a hobby shop. Or, try using wooden plant markers, which are sturdy due to their width.

RECIPE
Caramel Apples

Makes 4 caramel apples

Ingredients:

• 4 apples
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the apples well. Insert wooden sticks into the stem ends of the apples.
2. In a medium saucepan set over low heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk and butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 248 degrees F. on a candy thermometer (or until a bit of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm, pliable ball).
3. Stir in vanilla, then put the pan in a bowl of hot water to keep the caramel soft.
4. Dip the apples in the caramel, coating well. Allow the excess to drip off, then roll in walnuts (if desired) and let cool on waxed paper.

Baking the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Brownies

While their popularity may be universal, there is much debate among chocolate lovers about baking the perfect brownie. Some prefer their brownie to be rich, dense and almost fudgelike, while others relish light, cakelike brownies. Finally, there are brownie purists who feel that a good brownie needs no final adornments, while some bakers prefer nuts or frosting on their brownies.

Today, we share our favorite brownie recipe, which leaves out the nuts and frosting and features a generous amount of chocolate chips. When baking these brownies, be careful not to overcook them. They should be moist, but not dry. Using the best-quality chocolate you can find (we've used Valrhona chocolate in our recipe) will only accentuate the rich flavor of the brownies.

RECIPE

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Brownies

Makes 16

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 ounces (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F., with a rack in the center of the oven. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Coat the parchment paper with butter and lightly flour parchment paper. Set baking pan aside.
2. In a large heatproof bowl, combine the butter and unsweetened chocolate and place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the butter and chocolate are completely melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine eggs, vanilla extract and sugar; beat on high speed for 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low; add melted chocolate mixture, beating to combine. Add flour and salt gradually, beating just until the dry ingredients are combined (do not overmix). Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips by hand.
4. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake brownies until edges just begin to pull away from the side of the pan, but the center is still moist, about 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove cooled brownies from pan. Using a damp, warm knife, cut into 16 squares, wiping knife blade after each cut. Peel off parchment paper and serve. Store brownies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

SOURCES

Valrhona Caraque semisweet chocolate

Valrhona Extra Bitter unsweetened chocolate

New York Cake & Baking Distributor
56 West 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010
212-675-2253 or 800-942-2539