24 May, 2016

Chickpea Pancakes With Leeks, Squash

Ingredients
SERVINGS: 4
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, chopped
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup grated peeled squash
1 large egg
¾ cup chickpea flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup plain yogurt
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:
Optional: Cook vegetables first:
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, over medium-high. Add leek, season with kosher salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leek is softened and starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add squash and season again. Cook, stirring often, until squash is cooked through and softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a plate and let cool.

In the meantime, combine all batter ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside for a few minutes to allow the chickpea flour to hydrate, then combine the chickpea batter with (sautéed?) veggies.

Heat 1½ Tbsp. oil in reserved skillet over medium heat; do not over-heat skillet. Add ¼ cup batter, gently flattening to about ¼” thick. Batter should spread easily (if it doesn’t, thin with a little water). Cook until bottoms are lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Use a spatula to carefully flip pancakes over and cook until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Serve pancakes topped with yogurt (or a substitute, for dairy-free), parsley, kosher salt, and fresh pepper.

DO AHEAD: Leek and squash can be cooked 2 days ahead; cover and chill. Batter can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

Comment: Consider more seasoning: perhaps chili powder, curry powder, a touch of spicy pepper (careful there!).

19 May, 2016

Personal Ham & Pumpkin Quiche

Per serving:
A 6" ramekin. Or an oven-safe cereal bowl.
2 fresh eggs, large
2 TBSP milk
1 thin (1/4") homemade bread.
2 oz or so of chopped ham
1 TBSP chopped leek
1/3 cup shredded pumpkin
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
thin slices of summer sausage.
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Instructions:

Coat ramekin generously in olive oil.
Cut the bread to fit snugly in the bottom of the ramekin.
Whip eggs by hand. Add milk and whip by hand until smooth and even.
Stir in ham, leek, pumpkin, Jack cheese. Add to ramekin, on top of bread.
Top with summer sausage (or julienne and add to mixture) and Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees until the top begins to brown (about 15 minutes)
Cover with tinfoil and continue baking until a fork comes out clean.