Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse

I’ve heard about the wonders of aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) for years but have never tried it. Why, oh why not? This recipe is airy chocolate perfection and perfect for vegan friends or those allergic to eggs. I watched this being made on America’s Test Kitchen and knew I had to try it. You should too!

Recipe

1/4 c. olive oil
1-1/2 ounces (43 grams) bittersweet chocolate (finely chopped or use bittersweet chocolate chips)
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. aquafaba (from one 15-oz can chickpeas)
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
pinch of Kosher salt

In a large heatproof bowl, add the olive oil and bittersweet chocolate chips and set over a pan of simmering water, being sure to not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Once melted whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Take off the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Set aside.

While the chocolate mixture cools, get out your stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Add the aquafaba, sugar, cream of tartar and salt to your mixer’s bowl and beat over medium-high speed for 7 minutes until slightly glossy soft peaks form.

Take one-third of the whipped aquafaba and fold into the chocolate mixture with a rubber spatula until fully combined. Add the rest of the whipped aquafaba and fold gently until well incorporated and no streaks remain. Spoon into four serving dishes. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight (can be refrigerated up to 24 hours). Top with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, berries and/or chopped nuts.

Swiss Chard and Ricotta Pie

A rich and indulgent show-stopping recipe fit for company. Top store bought puff pastry with sautéed chard, onion, blue cheese, and pecorino-romano and bake. Note that the sautéed veg needs to cool for 20 minutes before using on the pastry. Serve with a simple side salad and a glass of chardonnay.

Recipe

2 T. unsalted butter
1 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
1 bunch swiss chard, stems and leaves separated, stems cut into 1” slices, leaves shredded
3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 egg, beaten (plus 1 egg yolk for brushing pastry before baking)
1/4 c. pecorino-romano, finely grated (or parmesan)
5 ounces blue cheese, roughly crumbled
4 green onions, finely sliced
1 sheet puff pastry
3/4 c. ricotta
2 tsp. nigella seeds

Heat the oven to 400-degrees. Put the butter and oil in a large sauté pan on a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and fry, stirring occasionally, until softened and well browned, about 10 minutes.

Add the chard stems, cook for four minutes more, or until softened, then stir in the chard leaves, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook for a further four minutes, until the leaves have wilted and released some of their liquid.

Turn off the heat, leave to cool for 20 minutes, then stir in the whole egg, pecorino-romano, blue cheese and green onions.

Line the base and sides of a 8” x 12” rectangular baking dish or tin with a sheet of parchment paper. Drape the puff pastry on top, making sure it covers the bottom of the tin and extends about 2” up the sides (trim the edges, if needed), then gently push the pastry down to fit the dish. Top with the chard mixture, spreading it evenly to cover the base, then dot randomly with tablespoonfuls of ricotta.

Fold over the edges of the pastry, so you have an outer rim about 1” thick, and press the corners together to seal. Brush the rim with the beaten egg yolk, then sprinkle the nigella seeds on top. Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden and the pastry is cooked through, then leave to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

– based on a recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi in The Guardian

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

I scored some fabulous Fall mushrooms at the farmer’s market – a beautiful mixture of chanterelles, hen of the woods, and shiitake. Make this delicious soup with two to three different types of mushrooms. Use a good paprika for this dish, like Penzy’s Hungarian Sweet Style Paprika.

Recipe

1/4 c. olive oil
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
2 lbs. mixed mushrooms, thinly sliced (I used 1 lb. chanterelles and 1/2 lb. each of hen of the woods and shiitake)
4 c. vegetable stock
2 T. Tamari soy sauce
2-1/2 T. Hungarian paprika (yes, tablespoons!)
1 T. dried dill
3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
3 T. butter
1/3 c. flour
2 c. almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 c. sour cream
1 T. lemon juice
1/4 c. fresh dill, finely chopped
2 tsp. kosher salt

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the mushrooms and cook for 10-15 minutes until they soften. Add 1 cup of the vegetable stock, paprika, dried dill, pepper, thyme, marjoram and soy sauce. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the flour a little at a time, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. Gradually add the almond milk and continue cooking until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add to the mushrooms and stir to combine. Stir in the remaining 3 cups of vegetable stock and the lemon juice. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream, salt and fresh dill. Serve with a crusty baguette.

— inspired by Adventures in Cooking recipe

Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad

If you love beets as much as I do, you’ll love this simple salad. Nice for a light lunch, or serve with roasted chicken. To keep the beets from staining your cutting board, cover with a piece of parchment paper to slice them on. Serves 4.

Recipe

8 beets, tops removed and scrubbed
4 oz. arugula
1/2 c. marcona almonds, roasted and salted (I like using Trader Joe’s roasted and salted truffle marcona almonds)
4 oz. goat cheese
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper

Vinaigrette:
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/3 c. olive oil
1 T. dijon mustard
1 T. honey

Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Wrap beets individually in foil, or if smaller wrap 2 or 3 in a packet. Put on a sheet pan and roast in the oven for 50 minutes. While the beets are cooking, make the vinaigrette — whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and honey, or put in a jar and shake vigorously to blend. I usually double the vinaigrette recipe and use it for all sorts of salads.

When the beets are done, open the foil packets and let sit for 10 minutes. Peel the beets when cool enough to handle (but still warm), cut into bite size chunks and put in a bowl. Stir in a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette while the beets are warm so they absorb the dressing. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Put the arugula in a bowl and toss with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Top with the beets, almonds, and goat cheese, and drizzle with a little more vinaigrette. Serve warm or at room temperature.

— inspired by Ina Garten’s recipe

Ricotta Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes & Spicy Honey

This slightly spicy appetizer could also serve as a light lunch with a chilled pinot blanc. Go easy on the calabrian chili paste, it’s strong and hot but balanced beautifully with the honey. Make sure the ricotta is at room temperature, as it’s easier to whisk in the oil. Depending on the size of the cherry tomatoes (and your bread slices), each slice of ciabatta holds about 6 to 7. Serves 6.

Recipe

Bruschetta:
1 c. ricotta, at room temperature
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 c. olive oil
6 thick slices of ciabatta
6 fresh basil leaves

Tomatoes:
42 cherry tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
2 sprigs fresh basil, torn
2-3 T. olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Spicy Honey:
1/2 c. honey
1-1/2 tsp. Calabrian chili paste
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 T. water

To Toast the Ciabatta: Heat oven to 400-degrees. Put the ciabatta slices on a sheet pan and roast for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned – keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn (which can happen quickly!). When they come out of the oven, rub a cut clove of garlic over each piece, and then brush some olive oil on both sides. Set aside.

For the Tomatoes: These also go into a 400-degree oven. Spread the tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and salt on a small rimmed baking sheet and toss well to coat. Roast until they have popped, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

For the Spicy Honey: Combine the honey, Calabrian chili paste, salt and 2 T. water in a small nonstick skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat to cool completely.

For the Bruschetta: Whisk together the ricotta, salt and 2 T. olive oil in a bowl. Spread the ricotta on the ciabatta slices. Add 7 tomatoes each and drizzle with the spicy honey. Top with the basil sprig (you could also chop the basil and scatter over the top).

— Giada de Laurentiis, Food Network

Tomato Watermelon Gazpacho

Another fresh and vibrant cold soup for those end of summer tomatoes. A Vitamix or other high powered blender is useful for this recipe — add all of the ingredients and blend for a minute or two. If you like more of a kick, feel free to add a teaspoon of jalapeño or serrano pepper to the blender. After blending, chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving so that it’s nice and cold. The flavor is even better the next day! The recipe below serves at least 4.

Recipe

4 large ripe tomatoes
1-1/2 c. seedless watermelon, chopped (+ a few tablespoons reserved for garnish)
2 slices of day old French baguette, roughly chopped
2 small Persian cucumbers*
1/4 c. red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 avocado, chopped (for garnish)

Put all of the ingredients, except for the avocado, in a high speed blender (Vitamix) and blend until smooth. Transfer to a covered bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. To serve garnish with chopped watermelon, chopped avocado, a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper, and a drizzle of good quality olive oil.

*Persian cucumbers have a thin skin and do not require peeling. I get mine at Trader Joe’s. Otherwise, you can use an English cucumber which also doesn’t require peeling.

– inspired by a New York Times recipe by Melissa Clark