Warm & Hearty Cottage Pie

FACT: Cold days literally require warm and hearty meals that fill you up, raise your temperature and stick to your ribs the rest of the evening.

FACT: Few things are as perfect on a bone-chilling day as meat and potatoes. 

Which makes cottage pie an excellent dish for the bitter winter months. 

Tuesday it hardly got above 30 degrees in our town, and while we aren't trapped in the mega Snowvember storm that's pounding Buffalo, New York; we were mildly distraught at the incredible change in temperature; which made a piping casserole of cottage pie all the more delicious and comforting. 

Cottage pie is a traditional food of the UK - a cousin to shepherd's pie which is made with lamb - with a meat and vegetable ragout traditionally topped with mashed potatoes and baked. It makes for a warm and filling meal, even without any other sides, that leaves you feeling satisfied and your diet balanced. 

My dad made cottage pie a few times when I was younger, and even piped the potatoes on top with pea eyes to look like ghosts once and I loved it. He's been making it more frequently - perhaps out of sheer ease, how inexpensive it is to prepare and how far a dish of it can go, and we've started experimenting with it, too. 

You can take cottage pie in so many directions by swapping out standard meats and veggies, trying new top layers or even funky presentations. I didn't know it at the time, but some of my favorite mini-chefs on MasterChef Junior were actually tasked with elevating shepherd's pie on this week's episode (you can stream the episode and this season on Hulu/HuluPlus). I've tinkered with it some, but I think I've hit my stride with a recipe adapted from Clean Eating magazine (this was one of their few successes I mentioned). 

The meat mixture is actually vegetable-heavy, using very inexpensive winter vegetables like parsnips and carrots and lean meats. I've used beef and ground chicken and they both turned out well. Lean beef still adds some extra fat that gives the dish more juiciness, but if you use ground poultry you can add more broth and simmer it down some. I love ground chicken as a substitute for red meat and even grind it myself with my KitchenAid, and find it far superior to ground turkey which can become unbearably dry. Simmering the meat and vegetables with tomato paste adds an acidity and a richness that pulls all of the flavors together beautifully. Fresh carrots can be assertive, parsnips tend to be perfumy and canned pinto beans are almost bland, but the tomato paste and rosemary bring together the best of each ingredient. 

To avoid carb-o-loading, I top my pie with pureed cauliflower. I've featured cauliflower several times in posts and I think despite being fairly unappealing raw, it is one of the most versatile and delicious vegetables -- and it's almost a dead-ringer for mashed potatoes (but drastically healthier)! When making cauliflower puree as a side dish, I merely steam it then puree with garlic, S&P, and a tablespoon of butter; but to make it more cohesive with the meat, more flavor is needed. The chicken broth adds an earthy, saltiness that can be lacking and the lemon zest brings a surprising pop to what otherwise might be a one-note topping. 

This recipe makes four gigantic servings and is hearty enough to feed a lumberjack but sneaks vegetables in in such a way that even the pickiest child would enjoy it!

I highly recommend checking your local forecast and making this for your next cold winter evening!

"Clean" Cottage Pie

Ingredients:

1 medium sized head of cauliflower, chopped into florets

1/4 c + (see note above about ground turkey) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

2 t olive oil

3/4 t lemon zest

salt & pepper

3/4-1 lb ground lean meat

1 parsnip, peeled and finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped

1/2 large red onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

15 oz. can unsalted pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 c unsalted tomato paste

1/4 c finely chopped fresh parsely

1/2 t dried rosemary

paprika

Method:

Preaheat oven to 400 and spray 8x8" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. 

Fill a large saucepan with water and fit a steamer basket on top. When water is boiling, add cauliflower to steamer; cover and steam until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. Using either an immersion blender and bowl or a blender (such as a Ninja) blend cauliflower with olive oil, broth and lemon zest. Add salt and pepper to taste. Blend to desired consistency (I like mine super smooth, but small lumps would be good, too). 

Spray a large skillet with non-stick spray and add the meat. Cook over medium high heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until cooked through. Transfer meat to a bowl. 

Using same pan, cook sautee parsnip, carrot, onion and garlic until very tender, about 10 minutes. Add meat (and drippings), tomato paste, beans and herbs. Sautee for 3 minutes. (Note: If using a more dry protein, you can add more broth, if needed. I like for it to be "wet" but not sopping; this way it won't dry out while baking.)

Spoon meat-veggie mix into the baking dish, spread in even layer. Top with cauliflower puree and spread evenly. Top with a sprinkle of paprika. 

Bake on top oven rack until hot throughout and cauliflower is lightly browned, about 30 minutes. (Note: you can even broil it the last 2-3 minutes to get some extra brown and a little crunch on top). 

Thanksgiving Side Dish Showdown

The holiday season is nothing short of chaotic in our family with a minimum of three, and often upwards of five, gatherings to attend per holiday. They're also nothing short of interesting and lively; what with so many personalities, people we love, joyful moods and great food - lots and lots of food.

Our first Thanksgiving together - 2012

And this year, to capitalize on those quirky personalities, love of food and a desire to have a unique experience, my dad, J and I have created our own "game" for our Thanksgiving Weekend Meal.

It's a little bit like our Grocery Outlet Chopped Challenge; because we will be at the mercy of each other for our star ingredient but will still have lots of flexibility and thankfully (no pun intended), planning time.

We drew names and were each granted the power to declare an ingredient for our chosen chef to use to create a side dish. I picked Dad, J got me and Dad chose J.

Here are the rules we're using:

Ingredient:

1. Will be announced on the Friday before Thanksgiving (November 21). 
2. Can be a "category" (like pasta) or a specific item (like carrots)
3. Should be reasonably priced (no caviar or black truffles) and limited in freakiness (Sorry, Mom; no root beer-flavored Magic Shell)
4. Should be featured but not required to be the predominant ingredient
5. May be a traditional Thanksgiving ingredient, but the dish should be non-traditional (like sweet potato gnocchi) OR the dish can be a twist on a classic T-giving dish (like a savory sweet potato "hot dish" instead of candied sweet potato casserole).

We have a few dietary restrictions (no caffeine or chocolate) and we know each others' palates and preferences well enough to not choose a total sabotage ingredient that the person won't enjoy cooking or eating (ex: Dad DESPISES tuna).

My inner Martha Stewart has been buzzing for weeks with the ever-growing list of items I want to cook for Thanksgiving, so I'm excited to have a more focused mission than "COOK ALL THE THINGS," with which to make something creative and delicious.

Dad proposed this idea less than 24 hours ago, but I'm already brainstorming - I'm thinking of the ingredient I want, and resisting the urge to pressure Honey Dearest into choosing it; how to handle the ingredient I do get and what to assign Dad.

And don't you worry dear readers; I'll keep you updated on the progress of this event AND on the recipes we're making for the 3+ other gatherings next week. There's plenty to come!

Fall Fat Kid Friday: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Another post for my sweet-toothed "fat kids." This one's for the fall-flavor lovers in all of us and uses the veggie of the season to make a sweet, dense and soft pumpkin chocolate chip bread. You can be the star of your bake sale or your husband's breakfast (trust me) with this truly from scratch treat.

Pro Tip: Pour some batter into a ramekin for a taste test serving before slicing the loaves! 

 

Yes, Libby's has provided God knows how much canned pumpkin for the world. I know I ate my fair share as a kid; and loved it. But preparing your own pumpkin puree is so easy and inexpensive that you can certainly do it yourself. And as a bonus, homemade pumpkin puree is better tasting and better for you than canned, you're eliminating any unknown ingredients or fillers (Clean eating fat kid?).

Processing your own pumpkin really only involves four steps:

1. Remove pumpkin top, slice into quarters and remove seeds/pulp. 
2. Bake on a metal sheet pan, flesh side down, at 350 for 45-60 minutes, until tender. 
3. Scoop out cooled flesh into a food processor, puree until smooth. 
4. Place puree in coffee filter or cheesecloth-lined strainer for 8 hours to drain any extra liquid. 

For more detailed instructions with photos, visit Taste of Home's tutorial here.

You can then store it in airtight containers and can freeze for up to a year. We package 2 c. puree (equivalent to 15 oz. commercial can) in  zip-top freezer bags and lay flat to freeze. They're easily thawed in the fridge over night or in cold water (make sure the bags are sealed and haven't cracked) and you can use them for any recipe calling for canned pumpkin - including pasta sauce, ravioli filling, muffins or this splendid bread!

With store-bought or homemade pumpkin puree this recipe is a breeze and makes for a product that looks much more polished and difficult than it really is. From start to finish, your mixer will do most of the work with the exception of some light whisking and folding in the chocolate chips. Which makes for a wonderful opportunity to bring in your mini-chefs. Loaves of bread are wonderful gifts - for any occasion, and they're freezeable - and imagine the pride your child would have giving their teacher or grandparent a loaf of bread they made!

It bakes up into beautiful burnt orange dotted with gooey chocolate pieces and a shiny sugar crust. The batter isn't doughy and is thin, like a cake batter, but makes for hearty slices of bread that are still soft on the tongue.

And the flavor just screams autumn! Pumpkin, despite being the obsession of the middle class - I mean, pumpkin spice lattes even have their own trending hashtag #PSL - is a very subtle flavor. It has a squash-y undertone that is mild and savory but slightly sweet and can be manipulated in so many ways.

But as we all know from pumpkin pie, when paired with the right spices, pumpkin can sing. Warm, spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg which are also "in season" in winter like hard squashes brighten pumpkin's flavors to a whole new level of comfort and deliciousness. So dotting that warm, spicy bread with semisweet (or even dark chocolate) makes for a great contrast and only adds to the texture. I sprinkle on extra raw sugar before baking (a trick I learned from Martha Stewart) to add a crunch to the top, but in this case it also lends a burst of sweetness.

This bread would be a great feature for dessert and coffee, a staple at day-after-Thanksgiving brunch or as a hearty after school snack. You could even get creative with any leftover slices (if you ever have them) - this would be a great base for a bread pudding with vanilla glaze or dipped in eggs and cereal crumbs for freezer-friendly French toast.

I think I'll go cut myself a slice now!


Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Adapted from Our Best Bites 

Ingredients: 

3 c all-purpose flour
2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/4 t ground allspice
1 t baking soda
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t salt
1/2 c brown sugar
1 1/2 c white sugar
6 oz. container plain or vanilla yogurt
3 eggs, slightly beaten
15 oz. canned pumpkin puree or 1 3/4 c homemade puree
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 t vanilla extract (use 1 1/2 if using plain yogurt)
1 c chocolate chips (plus more for tops of loaves)
raw sugar (for tops of loaves)

Method: 

Preheat oven to 350. Spray two loaf pans with non-stick spray.

Combine flour (reserving 1 T), baking soda and powder, salt and spices in small bowl.

Toss chocolate chips in small bowl with 1 T flour; this will prevent them from sinking in the pans.

In a mixing bowl combine sugars and whisk to remove lumps. Add yogurt, eggs, pumpkin, oil and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just wet - do not overmix. Gently stir in chocolate chips and extra flour.

Divide batter between loaf pans and sprinkle with extra chips and raw sugar.  Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes on wire racks then run a knife around the edges and flip loaves onto rack.

To freeze: cool completely then store in freezer-safe bags or vacuum seal. Will last for several months in the freezer. Pull to room temperature or microwave lightly to thaw.

Review: Clean Eating Magazine

You already know that reading and cooking are my two biggest hobbies, and the pairing of the two just gets me giddy. I've already shared some of my favorite books, subscriptions and blogs that are helpful resources for cooking (and eating). I'm always looking for new tasty texts to try; in fact, my Christmas list features two food books ("Twelve Recipes" and "Eat More Better"). So, you can imagine my excitement when my mother lent me three copies of the relatively new magazine, Clean Eating.

J and I immersed ourselves in the clean eating cult.. uh.. culture this summer, with a two-week challenge courtesy of Buzzfeed. And we continued to try different recipes sticking to the "clean ethos" that food is best (and best for you) when free of fillers, preservatives and chemicals - meaning fresh fruits and veggies, lean/varied proteins, whole (often gluten-free) grains, limited dairy and all-natural sugars. Our challenge had some bumps in the road; remember the fennel massacre? But overall, we enjoyed experimenting with new foods and bold spices, and we learned new techniques and recipes that we still use. 

All of which made this magazine find all the more intriguing. Yet, it fell short of expectations.

I cannot say that I entirely hate the magazine. I actually love that each issue contains a two-week calendar of meals (breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner) employing a large variety of proteins, fruits/veggies and allows for bread, milk and cheese (Buzzfeed's diet was much more strict). Being on a schedule is helpful for me at work and even helps calm some of my lunch-packing rage. The portions were ample and I wasn't hungry during the day.

The remainder of the magazine included several themed recipe sections with beautifully styled color photos. Everything looked really appealing at first glance and some of it was truly beneficial and delicious.

Just look at some of the tasty food we made from the calendar plan:

Orange tamari glazed chicken thighs with carrots & leeks

Seared salmon with quinoa and garlic sautéed spinach

I used ingredients I've never considered before, like barley and leeks; made interesting combinations like an avocado caprese sandwich; and discovered new favorite products like Pepperidge Farms' Ancient Grains bread. 

But despite the yummy food and great visual aesthetic of Clean Eating, I can't say I enjoy it and would never pay money for an issue. 

Let it be known that I have a BA in English (writing) and was a contibutor and editor to our college publication, am an avid reader and currently subscribe to three food/cooking magazines. You can call me an expert witness in this case of Cohesive Accuracy VS. Disjointed Errors. 

First, there is little direction in the content of the mag and literal directions for some recipes. Food Network and Taste of Home magazines have monthly features; charming narratives; anecdotes about family, fun or parties; and insight on products, techniques or resources. I pore over these issues and have to force myself to not read them cover-to-cover in one siting. But CE,  there might be pages 1-2 lines about, say the benefits of root vegetables, then a series of recipes - some of which don't even include the featured ingredients. Or there are quarter-page articles followed by large ads. Useful content seems limited here.

I don't feel welcome in the world of Clean Eating; I don't feel like anyone is making an effort to sell this lifestyle to me in a way that explains why this might be enjoyable, delicious or do-able. Instead of an inviting publication that excites me to try new things or shows me that I can relate to their chefs and writers. I feel like this is a scrapbook - a collection of quirky recipes (like red velvet cake made of beets) torn from various sources and devoid of context or heart; which doesn't mean they aren't good recipes, but what convinces you to try them?

And if you do try them, I hope you have some culinary skills, or at least the gift of foodie inference. For example, look at this meal plan "recipe" for pepper pork chop:

In a baking dish, pour 2 tbsp chicken broh over 3 oz. pork chop, sprinkle with 1/4 t black pepper; bake. 

 Bake?!

At what temperature?!

For how long?!

At what internal temperature is pork safe to eat?!

I set my oven for 350 and baked for around 10 minutes until they were at 145 internally (which is actually an updated temp standard). But I know people who would crank it to 450 and "bake" until all the broth was evaporated and you were left with nothing but "pepper saw dust."

And of course, the pre-planned grocery lists for ONE include a disclaimer to double ingredients when cooking for two etc. but some of the scheduled recipes are for FOUR servings, so when doubled, you buy $30 of pork tenderloin that you don't need! Taste of Home relies heavily on reader submissions, but they then take every recipe to their test kitchen to perfect it. They make it over and over until all components are properly cooked, the method is accessible to home cooks and the expense is reasonable. Costly mistakes to the reader are inexcuseable, especially if you're trying to inspire home chefs to prepare and eat more healthy meals or convince them that a healthy diet won't break the bank.

I'll happily share some of my successful clean recipes here; but for now, I'd recommend exploring someone else's copies or perusing their (free) website instead of purchasing a subscription. Save your $6 per issue and the $30-worth of pork.