Hash Browns à La Française Galette Recipes

MAMA'S FRY BAKES ( ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES)

Steps:

• If not using yeast, omit step 6. The dough can be rolled out and fried immediately.
• Mix together the flour, salt, baking powder and yeast.
• Rub in the shortening.
• Add sufficient water to the flour mixture to make a smooth dough.
• Knead dough lightly until smooth.
• Cover with a damp cloth and leave dough to relax for ½ hr).
• After dough has rested for ½ hour, divide and shape into 12 balls.
• Roll each ball of dough on a lightly floured surface, to 1/4 " thick and 3 1/2" round.
• Fry in hot oil until brown on both sides.
• Put on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
• These freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE-WALNUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Spread the walnut halves on a large-rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 9 minutes, until they are golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then transfer the walnut halves to a work surface and coarsely chop them.
• Position two racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and lower temperature to 320. Line two large-rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk (or combine in an electric mixer on low speed) the confectioners' sugar with the cocoa powder and salt followed by the chopped walnuts. While whisking (or once you change the speed to medium), add the egg whites and vanilla extract and beat just until the batter is moistened (do not overbeat or it will stiffen).
• Spoon the batter onto the baking sheets in 12 evenly spaced mounds, and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the tops are glossy and lightly cracked; shift the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through to ensure even baking. Slide the parchment paper (with the cookies) onto 2 wire racks. Let cookies cool completely, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

HASH BROWNS à LA FRANçAISE (GALETTE)

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold water and boil for 10-15 minutes; Drain them well, cool, then peel and grate them.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet; Add the onions and pancetta and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, just until the onions become tender; Add the potatoes, salt and pepper; Mix well.
• Melt the remaining butter and add to the potatoes, gently pressing them tightly together forming a galette...they will look like one giant hash brown; Let it cook for 10 minutes, adding a little butter around the edges and shaking the pan often.
• While gently turning the galette over with a large plate or extra large spatula, add some butter to the pan; Let the galette slide back into the pan to cook the other side; Add more butter and let it cook until golden brown, around 7 minutes; Remove the pan from the stove and keep the galette warm.
• In another pan, heat the rest of the butter; Add the mushrooms and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they are tender, but still firm; Add salt, pepper and the parsley; Put this mixture on top of the galette.
• *To clarify butter: melt the butter over low heat, then cool in the refrigerator; Gently pour the pure butter in a separate bowl, and discard the watery deposit.