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Gail Watson

Balsamic Poached Pear and Goat Brie Bites

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Pears are poached in balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper

My move is now planned and the boxes are beginning to get packed. Not only has this not deterred me from cooking, but by a quirk has increased my inspiration. The crazy thing is as I dig into my cupboards and cabinets I’m finding pans and tools and platters and things that I had forgotten were in there.

I have been blessed with an inordinate amount of storage space and an insatiable appetite for china and gadgets. Years ago, long before Martha Stewart Magazine had their big studio and kitchen(s), they would sometimes shoot in my loft. I had ovens, refrigeration and counters galore, but what I also had was stuff. As you know the stylists on the magazine are some of the best out there, and also the most nit picky. Often when some prop was in need, or just not right, I would fling open my cabinet doors and pull out more options. The look on people’s faces is always priceless. I REALLY have stuff!
So now, all my memories are spilling out of the dark corners of the platter cabinet (yes, I have an entire 30″ x 48″” cabinet filled to the brim with only platters). It’s been a wonderful time.
This quick and lovely hors d’oeuvres is one of my great fall backs. The pears are also wonderful with a nice thin slice of pate as well. Definitely use a bread toast here to catch the gorgeous balsamic sauce. Crackers won’t cut it.
I usually make these right on the spot which means that they get gobbled up as fast as I can put them down on the platter.
Balsamic Poached Pears w Black Pepper and Brie Toasts
 
serves 12
 
3T apple cider vinegar
2T balsamic vinegar
2T turbinado sugar
cracked fresh black pepper
2 barely ripe pears, peeled and sliced thin
6oz Goat Brie
baguette or sourdough bread for toasts
 
Combine vinegars, sugar and pepper in a small saucepan and warm allowing the sugar to melt.
 
Add the pears and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let the pears stand in the poaching liquid for 1 hr.
 
Gently remove pears and bring remaining sauce to a low boil and slightly reduce.
 
Toast up your bread and have on the ready. Place a pear slice or two onto the bread and top with a small wedge of the brie.
 
Warm in the oven to just melt the brie. Drizzle with the reserved balsamic sauce and serve.

Winter Salad To Support Our Better Days

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We all start the same way. “This year it will be more vegetables and more exercise!”
The problem for me is I find it harder to eat vegetables in the Winter. I was once told by an Ayervedic practitioner that I am of a certain type that does not like cold- that is cold in my body. According to her I am better with steamy things, earthier foods and spice. (I’m pretty sure chocolate fits in there somewhere too) Though I don’t know how much stake I put into that thinking, I do have to admit when the cold North wind blows I relate. For instance- though I love yogurt, I’m not prone to eat it in the chiller times, and I drink hot tea now rather than iced tea.
I do cook myself hard squashes when I have the time and adore them, and many a vegetable bin has been transformed into a creamy soup. All this is very well and good, but I so like and need a salad from time to time as well.
This salad is super quick and easy. It is three beautifully dramatic layers of color, texture and tastes. It’s surprising how the three compliment each other. Laced with some feta cheese, some fennel fronds and the zest of the lemon from the dressing it’s just lovely. No need to get fussy here, just grate your veg right over the plate and let them pile on. The dressing is a basic vinaigrette using lemon juice for the acid.
I just let mine sit out for a bit to come to room temperature, then I can blithely dig right in.
Carrot, Fennel and Beet Salad
A loose interpretation of Martha’s Recipe 12/11
serves 2 generously or 4 sides
1 large fennel bulb
2 large carrot, washed
1 large beet or 2 smaller
.25c low fat feta
1 lemon, zested
1t dijon mustard
1sm clove garlic, mashed and minced
enough quality olive oil to balance lemon juice ~6T
First cut the fennel bulb in half and trim the hard knot from the core of the bulb
Using either a mandoline or knife, slice paper thin. Fennel can be a bit hard and tough, but when sliced super thin it’s divine.
Next grate carrots directly on top. I don’t peel my carrots, just give them a good scrub. Plenty of nutrients in that outer skin.
Peel the beet(s) and proceed with the same. Mix up the textures of the vegetables if you like or you can do the whole thing on a box grater.
Sprinkle top with feta cheese to taste along with the lemon zest and small fennel fronds
Make vinaigrette by squeezing juice into a small bowl and stir in the garlic and mustard.
While trying to obtain a 1:3 ratio of acid to oil, slowly whisk in the oil creating creamy goodness. Check for balance and add some S&P to taste.
Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and let it seep down in and around. No need to toss, though you are more than welcome to- it looks just as beautiful and just as tasty.

Breakfast For The New Year: Lightened Bacon Waffles

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A lighter version of a waffle with bacon cooked right into it.
Now this is a breakfast combo I can relate to.
Pre-cooked smokey bacon is placed right onto the waffle iron and the batter poured over. Not only is the presentation dynamic, but some of the bacon fat melts into the waffle and infuses it with flavor.
I made the batter savory by eliminating the bit of sugar a typical recipe calls for. This was just a personal choice. Since I would pour gorgeous maple syrup on it, why add white sugar when it’s not really needed?  I’m not a fan of super sugary breakfasts, and I like the bready, cakey contrast to the bacon and syrup. For those who like the taste of savory/salty/sweet this is heaven.
But to be honest, I didn’t add syrup, these waffles are an incredibly savory way to start the day. In fact they were lightened up a bit by using non fat milk and I used oil (and reduced the suggested amount) rather than butter in the batter. Because of it’s savory taste I can see this combination as a base on which to place a silky succotash on top, or a minced chicken in a cream sauce. Brunch? Dinner?
Making waffles from scratch takes all of what… 10 seconds? seriously, it’s super quick, especially when using the oil, which eliminates the step of melting butter. And cooking them takes only a few minutes. I use a stove top waffle iron. I place the iron on the stove over medium heat while I pull together the batter. 10 mins tops is all this recipe takes. Got kids that are running out the door? Or if you’re that kid- this is a great hand held breakfast on the go.
Since this is the dawn of a new year and a new you- make this with Turkey Bacon and sneak in a dollop of a neutral tasting protein powder. Truth be told I cooked the bacon in the microwave. Just a great way to pull all unnecessary grease away from the strips and the clean up is just too easy. I cook them on paper towels, but I remembered that I also have a plastic steam rack made especially for the m-wave. I will try that next time and capture the grease for other purposes.
Gail’s Lightened Up Waffles With Bacon
makes approx 16
 
1.75c AP flour
1T baking powder
.5T salt
3 whole eggs
6T oil
1.5c reduced fat milk, warmed to room temp
 
Precooked strips of bacon- 1-2/waffle
 
 
While the waffle iron is heating up, combine the flour, bp and salt in a mixing bowl.
 
In a separate bowl combine the eggs, oil and milk and whisk smooth the break up and incorporate the eggs.
 
Dump the wet into the dry and stir together with as few strokes as possible. Lumps will happen, don’t sweat it, just try to avoid huge boulders that will leave floury bombs in the waffle.
 
Pour batter into the waffle iron, then place bacon right on top. Close the lid and cook to perfection-2-3 mins on one side and then flip for a minute or two longer. 
 
Left over waffles can be frozen and reheated. Can’t say this is my favorite way to do things- nothing beats the fresh version.