Harvest Pazzo Recipes

HARVEST FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In a large bowl or the work bowl of an electric mixer, dissolve the yeast in the milk and add 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 cup of the flour. Mix well and let stand in a warm place about 15 minutes for the yeast to activate.
• In a small saucepan, warm 1/4 cup of the olive oil with the rosemary and lemon zest. Add the grapes and raisins, mix well then add 1/2 to the yeast mixture. Mix another 1 cup flour into the yeast mixture with the dough hook attachment. Knead until smooth. With machine running, add the salt and remaining 3 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, kneading until smooth after each addition. Knead another 6 minutes after the addition of the last cup of flour. The dough should remain rather wet to ensure a soft and light bread. Shape the dough into a ball on a floured board and put it in an oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk about 45 minutes.
• Punch dough down and lightly sprinkle work surface with flour. Turn out dough and knead lightly. At this point, dough may be wrapped and frozen.
• To bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Oil an 11 by 17-inch baking sheet. Press dough down into a flat disk with the heel of your hand. Using your fingertips, nudge the dough into a rectangle. The dough can be rolled but the pressure will produce heavier bread. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet and brush with the remaining olive oil. Let rise again until doubled, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Make indentations all over the dough by pressing with your fingertips being careful not to puncture all the way through the dough. Bake 15 minutes then remove from the oven and brush with the egg. Sprinkle with the remaining grape mixture then the remaining sugar. Finish with some coarse salt. Return to the oven and continue to bake until golden brown on top and crisp on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Let cool in the pan before cutting.

HARVEST PATTIES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Toss together the potatoes, carrot, parsnip, and squash in a large bowl until evenly mixed. Tilting the bowl away from you, collect all the vegetables in your hands and squeeze them to separate the juice. Move the vegetables into a separate bowl and mix in the cinnamon.
• After 5 minutes or so, slowly pour out the juice from the first bowl - the bottom of the bowl should be coated with starch. Combine the starch with egg and flour, using a fork to stir it together. Then take the starch mixture in your hands and massage it through the shredded vegetables. Separate the mix into little balls, about 1 inch thick, and flatten onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake the patties in the oven until lightly browned around the edges, about 20 minutes; flip and bake until golden brown, about 5 minutes more.

HARVEST POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.
• Mix all ingredients together except topping ingredients in a large bowl.
• Spoon into pan.
• In a small bowl mix topping ingredients.
• Sprinkle over potato mixture.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

STRAWBERRY PAZZO CAKE WITH HERBED CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• For the Crème Fraîche: Stir together the crème fraîche and the herbs. Refrigerate and let sit for 30 minutes or overnight.
• For the Cake: Butter a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 8-by-8-inch enameled cast-iron baking pan (if cooking in the grill) or standard 8-by-8-inch baking pan (if baking in your oven). (Don't put a standard baking pan inside your grill or over a fire.) Ignite the coals, turn a gas grill to high, or preheat an oven to 350°F.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars on medium speed until the mixture looks creamy, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix just until combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until smooth with a creamy texture.
• Pour the batter into the buttered pan. Arrange the strawberry halves, cut-side down, on top of the cake batter. Don't overlap the berries; use just enough strawberries for one layer and set aside the rest to use as garnish.
• TO BAKE IN A GRILL: When the grill reaches 350°F, slide in the cake, resting the pan on the grill rack, close the grill's lid and let it bake for at least 20 minutes with the grill lid closed. Test the cake: It's done when a skewer inserted into the center (but not in a strawberry) comes out clean and the cake is golden brown on top.
• TO BAKE IN AN OVEN: Bake for 10 minutes and then decrease the heat to 325°F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the center (but not in a strawberry) comes out clean and the cake is golden brown on top.
• For the Glaze: While the cake is baking, in a small pan combine the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat and remove from the heat right away. Set it aside until the cake has baked. It should be the consistency of maple syrup; if it thickens too much before the cake comes out of the oven, stir in a few more spoonfuls of vinegar. As soon as the cake comes off the heat, drizzle the top with about three-fourths of the balsamic glaze.
• When the cake has cooled, cut it into wedges if baked in a skillet; if baked in a standard baking pan, cut it into squares. To garnish simply, top with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar. To dress up the cake, spoon several tablespoons of the Roasted Strawberries onto one side of each plate; on the other side of the plate drizzle a small pool of the balsamic glaze, and smear it lightly with the back of a spoon. Drizzle more balsamic glaze over the cake if you like. Set a cake slice on top the strawberry syrup, and top the cake with a spoonful of Herbed Crème Fraîche. Spoon any remaining crème fraîche into a bowl and set on a platter with leftover halved strawberries to pass so guests can add extra if they like.

TITO'S HARVEST PUNCH

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a large punch bowl.
• Give the punch a stir and serve with cinnamon sugar-rimmed glasses. Let your guests add their own ice, so the punch doesn't become watered down.

HARVEST SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the water, potatoes, squash, bouillon, bay leaves, chili powder, pepper, allspice and cloves. Bring to a boil. , Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetable are tender. Add the tomatoes. Cook and stir until heated through. Discard bay leaves.

FISH IN "ACQUA PAZZA"

Steps:

• Arrange snapper fillets in single layer in large nonstick skillet. Add 1/3 cup water. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Top with tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil over. Sprinkle with capers. Season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until fish is just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer fish to platter. Boil sauce in skillet until thickened, about 10 minutes. Spoon sauce over fish and sprinkle with parsley.