Potato-Leek Galette
A fantastic Thanksgiving appetizer or side!
Ingredients:
F&L galette dough
¾ pound fingerling potatoes, or other waxy potato of your choice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
3 leeks, white and pale green part only, halved lengthwise
¼ cup water
¾ cup crème fraîche
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ cup Comté or Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated
2 ounces thinly-sliced pancetta
Method:
1. Slice potatoes almost paper thin and soak in a bowl of well-salted warm water at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
2. Rinse leeks well. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook leeks, cut sides down, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Turn leeks over and add water, season with salt and pepper then gently simmer, covered, just until leeks are tender, about 15 minutes. Cool.
3. Preheat oven to 400°. Drain potatoes and squeeze in handfuls, squeezing out water. Toss with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 x 16 inches. Dough should be about ⅛-inch thick. Slide onto a cookie sheet. Chill briefly if very soft.
5. Spread dough with crème fraîche leaving a 2-inch border all around. Season with salt and pepper and scatter with half of cheese then potatoes, leeks, pancetta, and remaining cheese. Fold border up and over and brush with butter or olive oil. Bake until tart is golden brown, about 40 minutes.
Candied Squash Seeds
Great for snacking, scattering over salads or serving atop soup!
Ingredients:
1½ cups winter squash seeds
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1½ tablespoons packed light brown sugar
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9-by-13-inch rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Scoop the seeds out of the squash and into a large colander. Rinse seeds thoroughly under cold running water. Use your hands to separate any lingering squash flesh from the seeds. Shake off as much water as you can, then pat dry with paper towel.
3. Stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium mixing bowl, until completely combined. Add the seeds and toss to coat. Evenly spread the seeds in a single layer on the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the seeds are golden and crispy.
Smoked Salmon Pâté
This fresh-and-bright spread is wonderful served on this week’s Jewish rye bread—or mixed into your morning egg scramble.
Ingredients:
8 ounces smoked salmon
4 ounces F&L herbed cream cheese
4 ounces crème fraîche
Zest of 1 lemon, plus juice from ½ of the lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a pâté forms, which still has some texture to it and is not a purée.
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed, and chill until ready to serve.
Crispy Parsnip Chips
These lightly-salted baked chips are a wonderful afternoon snack.
Ingredients:
½ pound parsnips, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 300°.
2. Using a vegetable peeler, peel parsnips into long, very thin strips. Place strips in a bowl and toss with olive oil and salt. Lay parsnip strips on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until parsnip strips are crispy and golden brown. Allow strips to cool on baking sheets before removing.
