Plum & Cinnamon Crumble

In the summer my Grandpa's plum tree would be heavy with the weight of ripe juicy plums. Many were eaten right from the tree, ruby red juice staining our chins and clothes. There were too many to eat out of hand, so Mom would make plum jelly, and lots of pies, crumbles, and cobblers, until we exhausted the lot.

Many summers the plums were sweeter than others, but we loved them regardless, except for that one summer.  That summer the plums were almost inedible. We found them sour and dry and none of the usual recipes made them any better. Not one to waste, my mom decided to try her hand at making plum wine.

I vaguely remember the  "wine making" process. I know there was a barrel and some tools down in our basement and mom had to go down and attend to it daily, or so it seemed. Mostly what I remember about the summer of plum wine was the EPIC, and I do mean EPIC, party my parents had when the wine was ready.  In their defense, it was another time, parenting in the early 80's was much different, and definitely not politically correct, as it is today. The only way I can explain the nature of this plum wine party is to say that it rivaled, or even surpassed, any college frat party. In fact, for years my parent's friends talked about that party and begged Mom to make more plum wine, but Mom always smiled and said, "never again". 
 
Like Mom's plum wine, this Plum & Cinnamon Crumble is also epic, but much easier to make and enjoy! The plums offer a wonderful balance of sweet and tart, the addition of cinnamon is subtle, and the filling-to-crumble ratio is just right, not too much of one or the other. It's absolutely incredible with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. One of the best things I've made in awhile. I urge you to buy some ripe juicy plums and try it for yourself!

Plum & Cinnamon Crumble

Adapted from Relaxed Cooking

by Curtis Stone

Serves 6

Filling

2 pounds plums (roughly 13), halved, pitted, each cut into 6 wedges

1/3 cup sugar*

2 cinnamon sticks

Topping
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup old fashioned or rolled oats

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces

3/4 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Note: Adjust sugar depending on your fruit and taste. If fully ripe, you may not need the full 1/3 cup. If not ripe enough, then you may need more. Mix in sugar, taste, and adjust to your liking. This recipe, with ripe plums, is definitely written to be sweet- but we like it that way, so we think it's perfect!

Preheat the oven to 350F. To make the filling: Toss the plums, sugar, and cinnamon sticks in an 8-inch square baking dish (or similar vessel). Arrange the mixture evenly in the dish, tucking the cinnamon sticks beneath the plums.

To make the topping: Mix the flour, sugar, and oats in a medium bowl to blend. Using your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until moist clumps form.  Mix in the almonds. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the plum mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until the juices are bubbling, the fruit is tender, and the topping is golden brown. Allow the crumble to stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.

Spoon the crumble into bowls, discarding the cinnamon sticks, and serve with vanilla ice cream. 

Theme: Fresh & Fruity

New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp with Amber Ale

New Orleans "Barbecued" Shrimp has been on my to-do list for years. Why years? Solely because I was being extremely stubborn about the shrimp I used.  I wanted to make the real deal New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp and for that I needed whole shrimp, head and all. 

Once I'm fixed on an idea I will rarely concede. I searched high and low for years looking for whole shrimp.  I went to every market in a 60 mile radius. I saw all kinds of shrimp, every size imaginable, but they were all headless. Why oh why couldn't I find shrimp with the heads on? Eventually I got frustrated and gave up the search. If I couldn't find whole shrimp then I simply couldn't be bothered to make it.

Then I got to thinking...why am I am being such a brat about shrimp with heads anyway? It's not like I'm really going to eat the head, or suck it, or anything like that. So I gave up the search, just like that, and I finally made New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp and you know what? Turns out it doesn't matter if the shrimp has a head or not! It was worth the wait!

Tender shrimp in a buttery hot sauce with a hint of lemon and loads of fresh herbs. Pop a shrimp in your mouth and grab some bread to sop up that yummy sauce. No need to be polite about it. It's finger lickin' good!

N'awlins Barbecued Shrimp with Amber Ale

Recipe Adapted from Curtis Stone website

Serves 2-4

2 pounds extra-large shrimp in the shell*

1 tablespoons olive oil

5 tablespoons butter

8 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 cup amber ale

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce, such as Crystal or Tabasco

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Sliced French bread, warmed or lightly toasted

*Note: If you're lucky enough to buy the whole shrimp then that is awesome, but regular old shelled and devined shrimp works just fine.

Using a small sharp knife, cut down the back of each shrimp just deep enough to expose the dark vein. Devein the shrimp under cold running water, leaving the shells intact.

Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then add 2 tablespoons of the butter and swirl to melt it. Add the garlic, sprinkle with the cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for about 1 minute, or just until the garlic is tender. Add the shrimp and toss to coat well with the butter mixture. Add the ale, lemon juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and simmer for about 2 minutes, or until the shrimp are almost cooked through, turning the shrimp after 1 minute.

Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, the parsley, oregano, thyme, and rosemary and simmer gently for about 1 minute, or until the butter melts and the shrimp are just cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer the shrimp and sauce to four wide shallow bowls. Serve with the bread to sop up the sauce.

Theme: Surf n' Turf

Donna Hay's Smashed Avocado Toast w/ Hard Boiled Egg

I work in a special needs room at a local elementary school and I absolutely love it. My favorite part is that we get to teach practical life skills: cooking, crafting, hygiene, shopping, and social skills, all with the hope that the kids can be as independent as possible. I love to watch the kids' faces when they learn these new skills, but it is even more rewarding to watch them master these skills and see their confidence grow over time.

All of these skills are fun to practice, but of course I favor the days we cook. Not every student is capable of doing some of the skills we practice, but I feel like cooking is something everyone can experience in one way or another. Cooking is such a sensory experience and even if you can't see, then you can still feel the food, touch the food, hear it cooking, smell it and definitely taste it, and so on. So while we have several students who are impaired in different ways, there is usually something they can experience while cooking.

During the last few weeks of school our Spanish translator came into the room and made a Mexican feast. The kids made guacamole in her molcajete. They also made homemade corn tortillas from maseca and learned how to cook them on a comal. We cut veggies for salsa and also made a steak filling for tacos. It was a very special day. The kids were beaming, the food was delicious, and everyone learned something, including me.

The guacamole was something that everyone could participate in, more so than any other dish we created up to that point. The avocados were soft, and easy for the kids to chop and mash, and of course their pretty green color was a hit. The guacamole, because of it's soft nature, was also something everyone could eat, and for that we were thankful.  We had such a special time making and eating the guacamole that we even decided to buy the teacher in our room a mortar and pestle, as well as the ingredients to make her own guacamole, as a special end of the year gift. Now guacamole is present at every get together we have. It's our signature dish that holds special meaning.

Since that day I've been buying avocados and eating them with everything: on sandwiches, on toast, in guacamole, chopped up in a salad, and so on. Not only are they good for you, but they just make me smile!

This Smashed Avocado Toast with Hard Boiled Egg is an easy and quick recipe that is perfect for the hot summer mornings we've been having. Satisfying enough, but also light enough, so as not to weigh you down. I love the sprinkling of seeds and the refreshing pop from the mint and squeeze of lime. Perfect for enjoying before heading to the pool!

Smashed Avocado Toast with Hard Boiled Egg

Recipe Adapted from Donna Hay Website

Serves 2-4

4 eggs

 4 slices of wholemeal bread, toasted

1 avocado, mashed

1 teaspoon white chia seeds

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

salt and black pepper, to taste

mint springs, to serve

lime wedges, to serve

Place the eggs in a saucepan of boiling water and cook for 7 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water. Peel, slice in half and set aside.

Place the toast on plates and top each slice with the avocado and egg. Place the chia seeds, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, salt and pepper in a small bowl and mix to combine.

Sprinkle the seed mixture and mint over the avocado and serve with lime wedges. 

Theme: Monthly Featured Chef: Donna Hay!

Orzo Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Gardening isn't my forte, but I manage a very small herb garden. One thing I can count on every spring is the return of my chives, and of course my mint. Once those start to sprout I always run out and grab a few basil plants. Basil seems to do well all on it's own, with very little attention. It is so nice being able to clip them whenever I'm in need and I always enjoy having them on hand in the spring and summer.

This Orzo Salad with Basil Vinaigrette was a perfect way to use up some of that fresh basil and chives from my garden.  A lovely salad of orzo, juicy grape tomatoes, spinach, toasty pine nuts, salty goat cheese, in a fresh herby vinaigrette...yum! Perfect and light for summer!

I've made a couple versions of this salad and I do have to say that I like this one best! The ratios just seem to be spot on and the salad kept very well. I can see myself making several times throughout the summer. It's absolutely lovely to have on hand and eats well on it's own, or as a side.

Orzo Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Adapted from Curtis Stone Website

Serves 6-8

Salad

1-1/2 cups orzo pasta

3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

12 grape tomatoes, cut in half

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

2 tablespoons thinly sliced parsley

1/2 cup coarsely crumbled feta cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Basil Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

salt and pepper, to taste

 Fill a medium sized saucepan with water and bring to a boil.  Add the orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente (7-8 minutes, usually). 

While the pasta is cooking get the rest of your salad together. In a large salad bowl add the chopped shallot, chopped garlic, and sliced basil. Stir in the red wine vinegar, then slowly whisk in the olive oil until completely blended. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, to taste.

When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and set aside to cool slightly. Add the tomatoes, spinach, pine nuts, feta cheese, and herbs to the dressing.  Toss to combine. When the pasta is slightly cooled go ahead and add it to the salad, tossing until combined.  Serve warm or cold. Salad can be refrigerated and held in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Theme: Local & Seasonal