Annulla Cooks is Moving

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Eggnog-Panettone Bread Pudding Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

A woman in the line at Sahadi's market told me about this recipe. She raved about it and told me to look it up online. I did and it sounds amazing!

1 loaf panettone, cut in half (enough for about 5 cups, diced)
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
3/4 cups sugar
2 cups half-and-half or heavy cream
1/4 cup rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Vegetable cooking spray

Optional accompaniments:
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Place a tea-kettle of water on to boil for a water bath. With a serrated knife, remove the side crusts from the half piece of the panettone. Cut into 3/4 to 1-inch dice. You should have 5 cups. Reserve the cubed panettone in a large mixing bowl.

For the eggnog custard, in another bowl thoroughly whisk together the eggs, yolks, sugar, half and half, rum, vanilla extract, and a healthy grating of fresh nutmeg. Pour this over the bread cubes.

Spray a 12 hole muffin tin with vegetable cooking spray. Ladle the bread/eggnog mixture gently and evenly into the muffin tins. The big cubes sticking up look nice. Place the filled muffin tin in a tall sided cookie sheet or roasting pan. Transfer to the preheated oven and carefully pour the hot water from kettle onto sheet pan, creating a water bath for the muffin tin to sit in.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes until the tops are nicely browned, and a toothpick comes clean from the center. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_32458,00.html

NOTE: Panettone is available in Italian specialty stores.

Joan's Secret Deli-Style Tuna Fish salad

1 can (6 oz) top quality solid packed white albacore tuna in water-no substitute for albacore
1 Tbs top quality mayonnaise (not salad dresssing) to start
1 Tbs. plain renedered pure schmaltz (approx) to start
a few tsp of finely shredded carrot
a few tsp of finelly shredded mild white onion
pinch salt, pinch pepper

Drain tuna and place in mixing bowl. Break up and mash tuna with fork to remove clumps and make a spreadable consistency. Mix in carrot and onion. Mix in the mayo. Then add and mix in enough schmaltz until tuna achieves a rich taste,

The important part:
Tuna should neither be flavored with either too much mayo or schmaltz. That is another part of the secret I think. You shouldn't be aware of any blatant schmaltz taste in the tuna. Salt carefully as the tuna should not have a salty taste either.

http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/rfcj/ROSH_HASHANAH/Tuna_Salad_Joans_Secret_Deli_Style_-_meat.html

Eggplant Pomegranate Relish

From The Kitchen Grimoire by Celeste Rayne Heldstab.

1 large eggplant
2 T. yogurt
1 T. pomegranate molasses or other unsulphured molasses
1 T. lemon juice
Salt & pepper

1/2 red onion, cut in 1/4" dice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped, toasted walnuts
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (1/2 pomegranate)
2 T. finely chopped flat leaf parsley

Heat broiler. Place eggplant on baking sheet, pierce a few times with a fork. Cook, turning as skin blackens, until flesh is very soft (about 35 minutes). Let eggplant cool and scrape flesh into a bowl; discard skin. Add yogurt, molasses, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Chop or grind until still chunky but mostly smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Badridzhani Mtsvanilit (Please don't ask me how to pronounce it!)

1 1arge (1 1/4 pound) eggplant
1 medium onion, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Generous 1/2 cup of walnuts
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon of dried fenugreek
Pinch of cayenne
3/4 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of finely chopped mixed fresh herbs (cilantro, celery leaf, parsley and dill)
2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar

Slice the eggplant lengthwise, sprinkle it with salt, and leave it to drain on paper towel for at least TWO HOURS. Rinse and pat dry. Grill or broil until the "meat" of the eggplant is soft and the skin blackened. Alternatively, place the eggplant pieces cut side down on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 25 minutes or until soft.

Saute the onion in olive oil until golden. Set aside. Chop or grind the walnuts with the garlic and spices. Turn out into a bowl and stir in the cooked onion. Add chopped herbs and the wine vinegar.

Let eggplant cool, then scoop out the soft center and discard the skin. Cut the eggplant into small (1-inch) pieces and mix thoroughly with nuts/onion/garlic/spice mixture.

Caponata

5 tablespoons olive oil
1 1 1/2-pound eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, cubed
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings in juice
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons drained capers
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt
Black pepper

Optional garnish: chopped fresh basil or toasted pine nuts

Place cubed eggplant in colander and sprinkle with salt. Let stand AT LEAST two hours (preferably overnight). Rinse well with water and dry.

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, and garlic cloves. Sauté until eggplant is soft and brown (about 15 minutes). Add diced tomatoes with juice, then red wine vinegar and drained capers. Cover and simmer until eggplant and onion are very tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in basil, season to taste with salt and pepper. If desired, garnish with fresh basil or pine nuts.

Baba Ganoush

1 large eggplant
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 T. tahini (sesame paste)
Salt to taste
1/4 cup olive oil

Optional garnish: chopped parsley, coriander or pine nuts

Slice eggplant in half. Place eggplant in colander and sprinkle with salt. Let stand AT LEAST two hours (preferably overnight). Rinse well with water and dry.

Grill or broil until the "meat" of the eggplant is soft and the skin blackened. Alternatively, place the eggplant pieces cut side down on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 25 minutes or until soft.

Let cool, then scoop out the soft eggplant and discard the skin. Chop/grind eggplant, beans, garlic & lemon juice together until mostly smooth. Slowly stir in olive oil. If desired, garnish with chopped parsley, coriander or pine nuts.

Skirlie

8 oz oatmeal, lightly toasted (brown in frying pan)
4 T fat or oil
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 onions, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the fat or oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and cook until soft and golden brown.

Add the oatmeal and mix in well. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the stock and allowi it to be absorbed by the oatmeal. Season well and use as a stuffing for poultry or game, or serve as a side dish.

Annette Funicello's Peanut Banana Pudding recipe

1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 cups nonfat milk
3/4 cup creamy-style peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 bananas, sliced

In a saucepan, stir together brown sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; stir 1 minute. Remove pan from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract.

Pour peanut butter pudding between layers of sliced bananas in individual serving dishes. Chill to serve. Yields 6 servings.

Peanut Noodles

A really easy recipe that tastes equally good served hot, warm, or cold. Good for a packed lunch. Fettuccini or spaghetti both work great!

8 ounces spaghetti
1 bunch green onions, sliced (white parts only)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain. Meanwhile, combine oil and onions in a small skillet. Saute over low heat until tender. Add ginger; cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.

Mix in peanut butter, soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat. Toss noodles with sauce, and serve.

Gazpacho

This is a classic Spanish soup. It is delicious and wonderful, especially in the summer when everything is so fresh. There are a lot of ingredients, but prep is really simple. Basically, you just throw everything in the food processor.

6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option)
4 cups tomato juice

Combine all ingredients -- don't puree smooth -- you want to leave the gazpacho a bit chunky. Place in non-metal container (metal will give it an "off" taste), cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend. Serves 8.

Sara Wade Robbins' Savannah Bisque (Pimiento Cheese Bisque)

2 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium sweet potato, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium white potato, diced (about 2 cups)
4 cups vegetable stock or water
1 cup sharp or extra sharp cheddar, grated or chopped
3 ounces cream cheese, cubed
4-ounce jar pimientos, chopped
salt and ground black pepper to taste

In a heavy saucepan, sauté the celery in the vegetable oil, stirring occasionally. When the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes or so, add the sweet potato, white potato, and stock. Simmer until the vegetables are soft, for about 20 minutes.

Remove the soup from the heat, add the cheddar and cream cheeses, and allow it to sit a few minutes to soften the cheese. In a blender or food processor, purée the soup with half of the pimientos. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, thin to the desired consistency using milk, water or vegetable stock. Stir in the remaining pimientos. Reheat gently, but do not boil. Serves 4 to 6.

Nava Atlas' Greek Spinach Soup with Orzo

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion or sliced leek
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 vegetable bouillon cube
16-ounce can diced tomatoes
5 to 6 ounces fresh spinach, rinsed, stemmed, and chopped (I just use a package of frozen chopped)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill,
or a combination, or more to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion or leek and sauté over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper and garlic and sauté the vegetables for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the onion or leek turns golden and the red pepper softens.

In the meantime, cook the orzo in a separate saucepan until al dente. When done, drain. Add the 5 cups water, the bouillon cubes, and tomatoes to the soup pot. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Add the cooked orzo to the soup along with the spinach and herbs. Stir in the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Serve at once.

Coconut Rice

"The floral fragrance and subtle flavor of Thai jasmine rice make it a delightful choice as a side dish. But adding unsweetened Thai coconut milk makes it even more appealing, contributing a bit of creaminess and more perfume to the aroma. This is a long-grain rice that cooks up nice and fluffy, with distinct grains. It does need a longer resting time (20 minutes) than a short-grain rice requires, but that will ensure absolutely perfect rice every time." -- From "Staff Meals from Chanterelle" by David Waltuck and Melicia Phillips.

2 cups Thai jasmine rice or other long-grain rice
1 can (13 or 14 ounces) coconut milk, preferably a Thai brand
3 1/2 cups water

1. Combine the rice, coconut milk, and water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer, without removing the cover, until all the liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 20 minutes more before fluffing and serving. Makes about 7 cups.

French Carrot Soup

"I love this soup, which is pure and full flavored. I make it often." -- From "French Farmhouse Cookbook" by Susan Hermann Loomis.

1 pound carrots, peeled, trimmed, and cut into 1/2-inch rounds (you can just throw in a bag of baby carrots)
1 medium potato, starchy such as russet, or all-purpose such as Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into quarters
5 cups water
Sea salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Place the carrots, potato, water, and salt to taste in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, covered. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the carrots are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Transfer the vegetables and 1 cup of the cooking liquid to a food processor and purée. Return the purée to the pan and add the butter, stirring until it has melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately. 4 servings.

Orange & Olive Salad

"Sarah Elmaleh, the daughter of a rabbi, was born in 1898 in the seaport village of Essaouira in Morocco, and learned many of her cooking techniques from the family's Arab servants. She came to Brooklyn in 1939 with her husband, a businessman, their children, and an exotic repertoire of recipes that combined Moroccan and Sephardic cuisines. This recipe comes from her granddaughter, Lisa Craig Kuhr. It makes an alluring first course and is wonderful followed by lamb, grilled chicken, or a fish stew." -- From "New York Cookbook" by Molly O'Neill

5 navel oranges, peeled and diced*
3/4 cup black salt-cured (shriveled) olives, halved and pitted (I use oil-cured)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss well. Refrigerate to chill, then serve. Serves 4 to 6

Crisp Celery Salad

"Celery has that crisp snap that you get from pickles, but it is more subtle and acts as a counterpoint to the stronger flavors in this menu. Here celery is dressed with a simple vinaigrette and fresh herbs and it remains crunchy even the next day. Try serving it atop thinly sliced roasted beets." -- From "Celebrate!" by Sheila Lukins.

12 outer ribs celery, trimmed and thinly sliced on the diagonal
6 to 8 inner ribs celery, including the leaves, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup small flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint

Place all the celery in a bowl. Add the olive oil and vinegar and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, toss with the parsley leaves and chopped mint.