Sep 2, 2016

pantry+ bean boulangerie

This classic dish is the French version of potatoes gratin. Traditionally, the uncooked dish was taken to the local baker and placed in their oven to bake for a few hours. The result was creamy and luscious potatoes that melted in your mouth.



The potatoes are simply cooked with broth, olive oil and plenty of thyme, but I've taken this dish and made it into a complete meal that is also Pantry+ friendly.

The recipe needs only 6 fresh ingredients and 5 pantry ingredients. Although it is easy to put together, it does take 2 hours to bake, so plan accordingly.

Bean Boulangerie:

Equipment:
baking dish
mandolin [this is the one I use]

Pantry ingredients are:
White beans
Diced tomatoes
Vegetable broth
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Fresh ingredients are:
Carrot
Onion
Thyme
Potatoes
Lettuce
Cucumber




I'm going to recite this recipe in layers of pictures since the dish itself is in layers. Use your mandolin to slice the vegetables directly in the dish and you will avoid an added bowl to clean.

Layer 1: the beans.  I used chickpeas that were crushed, but I recommend cannellini or another tender white bean instead.


Layer 2: carrots.


 Layer 3: onions.


Layer 4: tomatoes and fresh thyme.


Layer 5: potatoes.


Layer 6: seasonings, thyme, olive oil, broth.



Cover and bake and serve with a simple salad of lettuce and cucumbers, dressed with olive oil and reduced balsamic vinegar to cut through the richness. It is amazing how broth and potatoes can create such a creamy and succulent dish!




Bean Boulangerie (a Pantry+ recipe)
Makes 4 servings
Pantry list is HERE.

2 cups cooked white beans, rinsed and drained if canned
2 medium carrots
1/2 medium onion
1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained 
8 sprigs fresh thyme, divided
3 large red potatoes, peeled (about 24 ounces)
Sea salt, black pepper
3/4 cup vegetable broth
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 cups lettuce, chopped
1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded, chopped or cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or reduction*

1. Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F. Add the beans evenly to a 9x9-inch casserole dish. Use a mandoline to cut the carrots into thin strips on the diagonal and add it on top of the beans evenly. Use the mandoline to cut the onions into thin slices, adding it evenly to the casserole. Add the tomato evenly.  Add half the time on top of the tomatoes. 
2. Use the mandoline to cut the potatoes into thin slices and layer it evenly on top of the tomatoes. Add the rest of the thyme and season generously with salt and black pepper. Add the broth to the casserole and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cover the dish with parchment paper and then cover well with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, reduce the temperature to 350-degrees and continue to bake until tender and golden brown, about 45 more minutes.
3. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Make the salad by combining the lettuce and cucumber in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the vinegar and the remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the casserole.  


*Balsamic Reduction

1 cup balsamic vinegar

Add the vinegar to a medium saucepan. Turn on the oven vents; the vinegar smell will be quite strong. Bring to a boil, reduce to a strong simmer and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup. Transfer to a mason jar set on a kitchen towel and allow to cool completely. Store in an air-tight container in the pantry. 


© 2016 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.



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Aug 31, 2016

august wrap up

It's hard to believe that August is coming to an end and September is literally just around the corner. It is equally hard to believe that I blogged all month, offered 9 new recipes, and finished my first tutorial video about aquafaba.

In that light, I think a recap of the month is in order, just in case you missed something. It's also nice to see a wrap up of a fun-filled month of goodies.

This month, I introduced you to a new way of cooking dinner: Pantry+

Pantry+ is where I offer you a recipe that consists of around 10 ingredients, about half of which are from a limited pantry and the other half are fresh or non-pantry ingredients. By virtue of the ingredients list, the recipes lend themselves to being quick and easy --- with a little foresight on my part to ensure that they actually are Q&E.

Other recipes I shared this month are some comfort food recipes from around the world and the US, including a healthy dip, a stew and a few sandwiches.




1. Blackened Moroccan Chickpea Patties were my first Pantry+ offering and they are easy to put together and have that Moroccan flare with the help of Ras el Hanout spice mixture.

2. Zucchini Satay with Spicy Lime Sauce and Quinoa was another Pantry+ recipe. It is another complete meal with limited ingredients and unlimited flavor. If you haven't made it, yet, don't delay. Summer squash is almost gone.

3. Classic Philly Roast Sandwich introduced you to Philadelphia's other famous sandwich, but made it much better because it is all plant-based. Seriously, this is a great sandwich!

4. Sriracha, homemade, fresh and plastic free. Very easy to make, although it takes a few days to ferment, this healthier sriracha is a must make, especially if you want to play with the spice level of this extremely popular hot sauce.

5. Caprese Sandwich is another Pantry+ recipe and it is one I was very excited to share. Caprese salad was always one of my favorites and this one does justice to the sandwich and the cows.

6. Roasted Cauliflower in Coconut Curry is another Pantry+ recipe. It is an aromatic, delicious curry made possible with the addition of garam masala, an Indian spice mixture.

7. Arrabiata Mostaccioli is a comfort classic for sure. Make sure to use some wonderful vegan cheese that melts well for the full "baked" experience. Even if you don't go for the cheesiness, the rich sauce is well-worth the effort.

8. Lentil-pepita Pate is easily a Pantry+ recipe, but because it isn't a complete meal I decided not to call it that. This is, however, a decadent pate that is healthy, protein-rich and so delicious slathered on crackers, vegetables or added to sandwiches.

9. Red Pozole is a classic Mexican stew that is served at parties because it can sit and simmer for hours and only get better. It is also better reheated, so, again, a great party dish. It is completely customizable with the various toppings and very delicious.

I do have to say that the surprise recipe of the month was the Roasted Cauliflower in Coconut Curry (#6). It was not just easy to make but even though it only had the inclusion of one spice mixture, the curry was flavorful and rich. My husband and I kept going back for seconds, it was that good.

Next month brings us the end of summer and the beginning of autumn so expect to see dwindling summer vegetables, an increase in autumn flavors and spices and some aquafaba recipes, as my new cookbook Aquafaba is less than 5 weeks from releasing. Lots of excitement (and cinnamon and nutmeg) in the air!