Tomato and Corn Pie

My friend Jelena told me about this pie this past summer. She found it on http://www.smittenkitchen.com/. The thought of a pie made from tomato and corn does seem a tad off. But it is really good! I've made this a few times using different cheeses and herbs and it has tasted fantastic every time. I'm posting the original recipe here, it calls for basil and chives. I really like using parsley or cilantro instead of the basil and chives. The last time I made this I tried it with frozen corn. As long as you defrost the corn and remove as much excess water as possible. I find that tomato's are a little sour in the winter and sweet in the summer, yes I know this is most likely because they are not in season. Because of this I would add about 1 teaspoon sugar per tomato used if making this in the winter. Now I say that this recipe feeds 2 people but that is because I tend to only cook for two people. I did however bring some to work the next day. This taste good either warm or at room temp. I'm not a huge fan of it right out of the fridge.

You will need for 2-4 people
2 cups flour
1 tbs baking powder
1 3/4 tsp salt, divided
6 tbs cold butter cut into cubes
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 3/4 pounds beefsteak tomatoes ( depending on size about 3-4)
1 1/2 cups corn chopped finely
3 tbs finely chopped basil, divided
2 tbs finely chopped chives, divided
1/4 tsp black pepper, divided
7ounces coarsely grated sharp Cheddar (1 3/4 cups), divided

1)Pre heat your oven to 400f. Heat a pot with water. Lightly score the bottom of the tomatoes with an x, place in the hot water for 10-15 seconds. Remove from pot and place in a bowl of cold water. Peel off the skin and slice thinly width ways.
2) In a bowl whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and one tablespoon of the herbs. Add the butter and mix until fine crumbs appear. Add the milk and blend until combined. Depending on humidity and the type of flour you are using you may need to add more milk. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface, knead several times until all the excess flour is combined. divide the dough in half. Roll out one half and place in a pie dish. Place the other half in the fridge.

3) Combine the lemon juice and mayonnaise.
4) Place 1/2 of the tomato's in one layer on top of the dough in the pie dish. Sprinkle half of the corn on top then sprinkle half of the cheese, herbs, salt and pepper on top.

5) Layer the rest of the tomato's on top, followed by the rest of the corn, cheese, herbs, salt and pepper.
6) Pour the mayonnaise mixture on top, spreading it out as evenly as possible.
7) Roll out the second half of the dough, place on top of the pie. Crimp the edges to create a seal. Cut every slits in the dough, this will allow steam to escape.
8) Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Enjoy!

Tips
1) Use whatever cheese and fresh herbs you have in your fridge. I used parsley and basil this time, the cheese was Cheddar and Parmesan

Crustless Pizza

This is the first recipe that I have tried from Kitchen. Nigella made it on her new show I think it was in the first or second episode. It is a cross between a Yorkshire pudding and a quiche. I really liked it, although I didn't follow the recipe exactly as written. Nigella's version uses pepperoni or chorizo, both of which I don't have. I'm a vegetarian and Adam is not, this can sometimes make meal time frustrating. So I made half meat and half not. We have bologna in the house so I cut up a piece of it and put on his half. I then added some parsley and changed slightly changed that cheese. The recipe calls for Cheddar cheese, which I have. But a couple days ago we had bought a dill Havarti, I used some of it as the finally topping of cheese. I really liked this recipe, I know I didn't stick to the original but it was pretty close. I know I'm going to make this again, often. However the next time I make this I am going to add just a pinch of nutmeg.

You will need for 2 people

1 egg
100g plain flour
250ml milk
100g Cheddar cheese ( or cheese of your choice)
50g Chorizo or Pepperoni ( or meat of your choice)
Butter to grease with
Salt to taste

1) Preheat the oven to 200c. Butter a pie dish.
2) Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Beat the milk and egg together, add to flour mixture and mic until smooth.
3) Add half of the cheese, pour into pie dish. Sprinkle parsley and place meat on top.
4) Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Take out of the oven and sprinkle half of the cheese. Put back in the oven for 2 or 3 minutes, just until the cheese melts.

Tips
1) I don't see why you can't add left over meat to this or even some veggies.

I met Nigella Lawson!!!!!

Today Nigella had a book signing at an Indigo book store downtown Toronto. So I went and it was AMAZING!!! I was so excited!!!! When I got there I had to buy her new book then stand in line. I should of gotten there earlier, I ended up being near the end of the line. But that was ok. I waited in line for almost an hour. She signed my book and I got to take a picture with her. I also was a little creepy and took a few more of just her. But only a few!

Glace Fruits

I love Christmas, it's my favorite holiday. So this year I decided to make a Christmas Cake and a Plum Pudding. In order to make both of these I need glace fruits. I remember watching a Nigella Lawson video where she mentioned that one year she started making her glace fruits in July for her Christmas Cake. This gave me the idea of trying to make them myself. I do realise that it would be a lot easier to just go to the store and buy it. But at the same time if I can make it at home then why not do it. I'm not totally sure if I would make these again, it isn't very hard but I think store bought convenience might win out.

I've read several different recipes about glaceing fruits at home. Some take a couple hours other take weeks. Mine take took 2 weeks, give or take a day. The thing about these is that everyday you spend maybe 10 minutes fiddling with them then they soak in their syrup. I've yet to try these so I'm not totally sure how they turned out from a taste stand point. I'm waiting to make my cakes before I try them. Visually I really like them, I glaceed all my fruits together so the juices from all the fruit blended together and made a orange-pink colour. I used clementines, plums, pears, lime peel, kiwi and blackberries but you can use whatever fruit you wish.

You will need:
1 1/2 pounds fruit
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup clear corn syrup

1) Peel and cut your fruits.

2) In a sauce pan combine 1/2 cup sugar, the water and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and allow to cook until mixture reaches 180 degrees.
3) Add fruit and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes
4) Pour into a bowl and allow to steep for 24 hours

5) Strain fruits, keeping the liquid. Place the liquid in a sauce pan and add 1/2 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until it reaches 180 degrees.
6) Repeat for 3 days

7) Add the fruits along with the liquid and 1/2 cup sugar to a sauce pan and cook until it reaches 180 degrees. Remove from heat and put back into bowl. Let steep for at least a week or up to 3.
8) Preheat oven to 150 degrees Centigrade. Remove fruits and discard liquid. Place fruits on a wire rack with a cookie sheet underneath. Place in oven and dry until fruits are dry but still a little sticky, about 3-4 hours depending on the fruit.

9) Place in a container with a lid until ready to use

Tips
1) When drying place like fruits/ thicknesses on the same cookie sheet.
2) If you don't want the colours to bleed candied each fruit separate.
3) For garnishing, heat some water in a sauce pan. Place several fruits in the water for 5 seconds, then roll in sugar and leave to dry.

Cheese Scones

I am the proud owner of The Joy of Cooking. The 75th anniversary edition to be exact. I was looking through it last night and decided that I would make scones for breakfast. So I did! They where pretty amazing. I added grated old Cheddar cheese and some Parmesan. Then I topped it with some smoked Jarlsberg, just because I had a bit laying around. This recipe is very easy. I used a cookie cutter to make the scones but you can shape it into a circle and cut it into triangles. I came out with about 10.

You will need
1 3/4 cup flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold cubed butter
2 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons reserved
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup cheese, reserve 1/4 cup for sprinkling at the end

1) Whisk together all the dry ingredients.
2) Add the cubed butter. Using a dough blender 2 knives combine together until small balls form.
3) Create a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture. Pour in the eggs and cream and stir to combine
4) Pour out onto a lightly floured surface and gently kneed a few times. You just want any left over flour to be incorporated.
5) Roll the dough out into a circle and cut into triangles or using a cookie cutter cut the dough into pieces. Transfer to a cookie sheet.
6) Brush some of the reserved eggs on top and sprinkle some of the cheese on top
7) Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
8)Enjoy!

Tip
1)Instead of cheese you can add herbs like basil or dill.