Debbie Allen – Family Recipes

Browse Category by Debbie Allen

Classic French Berry Tart with Chocolate Shortbread Crust

2 pints fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or strawberries, or an assortment of berries
1/3 cup red currant jelly mixed with 1 teaspoon water, for glazing
1-1/2 cups Pastry Cream (see below)
1-9 inch pie shell made from Chocolate Shortbread Crust (see below)

Pastry Cream
2 cups whole milk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 large egg yolks
3-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
 1/3 cup cornstarch, sifted

In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a boil.

Meanwhile in a medium saucepan (without turning on the heat), whisk the yolks together with the sugar and cornstarch until thick and well blended. Still whisking, drizzle in about 1/4 cup of the hot milk — this will temper, or warm, the yolks so they won’t curdle. Whisking all the while, slowly pour in the remainder of the milk.

Put the pan over medium heat and, whisking vigorously, constantly and thoroughly (making sure to get into the edges of the pot), bring the mixture to a boil. Keep at a boil, still whisking, for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.

Whisk in the vanilla extract. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk in the bits of butter, stirring until they are fully incorporated and the pastry cream is smooth and silky.

Scrape the cream into a bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the cream to create an airtight seal and refrigerate the pastry cream until cold.

Chocolate Shortbread Crust
1-1/4 cups flour
1 stick plus l tablespoon (9 tablespoons) very cold (or frozen) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg yolk

Put the flour, cocoa, confectioners’ sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse a couple of times to combine. Scatter the pieces of butter over the dry ingredients and pulse until the butter is coarsely cut in — you should have pieces the size of oatmeal flakes and some the size of peas.

Stir the yolk, just to break it up, and add it a little at a time, pulsing after each addition. When the egg is in, process in long pulses—about 10 seconds each—until the dough, which will look granular soon after the egg is added, forms dumps and curds. Just before you reach this stage, the sound of the machine working the dough will change. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and very lightly and sparingly knead the dough just to incorporate any dry ingredients that might have escaped mixing.

Butter a 9 inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and sides of the pan. Freeze the crust for at least 30 minutes.

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Butter the shiny side of a piece of aluminum foil and press the foil, buttered side down, onto the crust. Place the tart pan onto a baking sheet and bake the crust for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil. If the crust is puffed, press it down gently with the back of a spoon. Bake for another 8 minutes or until the crust is firm and golden brown. Transfer the tart pan to a rack and cool to room temperature before filling.

Assembling the Tart

Smooth the pastry cream by giving it a couple of strong turns with a whisk. Spoon enough of the pastry cream into the tart crust to come almost to the rim, then even the surface with a rubber spatula.

Carefully lay the fruit on the cream, arranging them in any pattern that pleases you. If you are using strawberries, either halve them from top to bottom or slice them.

Bring the jelly and the water to a boil in a microwave oven or on the stovetop. Working with a pastry brush or pastry feather, dab each berry with a spot of jelly.

Or, if you like, you can glaze the entire surface of the tart, including the bit of pastry cream that peeks through the berries.

Debbie Allen, Soup

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs.), cut into bite-size florets
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
salt

1 medium red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth

2 tablespoons butter
1-2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 to 2 cups of croutons
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil until lightly and evenly coated in oil.
Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer and sprinkle with salt.
Bake for 25-35 minutes, tossing/stirring halfway through. Remove when the cauliflower is tender.

In a soup pot, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the chopped onion. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

Add the garlic, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds. Then add the broth and all of the cauliflower except 4 of the prettiest cauliflower florets (set these aside for garnish). Increase the heat to medium high until the mixture starts to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When the soup is done, remove from heat. Add the butter and, using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and the salt. Taste. If desired, stir in another half to full teaspoon of lemon juice.

Ladle soup into four serving dishes. Top with the reserved cauliflower florets, croutons and almonds.

Breakfast, Debbie Allen, Eggs, Pasta, Beans, Tofu

Southwestern Egg Casserole

Mix together in large bowl:
10 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

Gradually add in:
4 cups (1 pound) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups cottage cheese
2 cans diced green chilies
1/2 cup butter, melted

When the mixture is well blended, pout it into an empty, clean, 13×9 casserole dish and back at 350F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If using a glass pan, you may want to decrease the temperature to 325 and back for 40 to 50 minutes.

Appetizers, Debbie Allen

Paleo Party Mix

1/3 c. coconut oil, duck fat, or ghee
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. seasoned salt
1/4 t. granulated garlic
1/4 t. granulated onion
1 c. raw almonds
1 c. raw pecans
1 c. raw cashews
1/2 c. raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 c. raw sunflower seeds

Preheat oven to 275F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt the fat over medium-low heat.

Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, granulated garlic, and granulated onion.

Add the almonds, pecans, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to the saucepan. Mix well until all the nuts are coated.

Spoon the nut mixture onto the lined baking sheet and spread in an even layer.

Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until the nuts are nice and toasted.

Place the baking sheet on a wire rack to let the nuts cool completely. Store the cooled nuts in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Cookies and Brownies, Debbie Allen

Chocolate Oatmeal Refrigerator Cookies

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
3 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. oatmeal, uncooked
1-6 ounce package chocolate chips, melted

Combine butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt. Gradually add to butter, sugar, egg mixture. Stir in oatmeal and melted chocolate.

Chill dough for an hour. Then remove from refrigerator and roll up dough in wax paper into a 1-1/2 inch diameter cylinder.

Chill for another 3 hours. Remove from refrigerator, slice into cookies and bake at 400*F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Cookies and Brownies, Debbie Allen

Vanishing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1-1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
3 c. rolled oats, regular or quick
1 c. chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350*F.

Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; add to butter mixture, mixing well. Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack. Cool completely and store in airtight container. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

(Actually, this recipe is from the Quaker Oats box and is supposed to use raisins instead of chocolate chips.)

Debbie Allen, Poultry

Honey Lemon Chicken

1/4 c. cooking oil
1 t. grated lemon peel
6 T. lemon juice
2 T. honey
dash salt and pepper
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Combine first five ingredients in shallow baking dish. Stir until well blended.

Place chicken in marinade. Turn to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Turn once.

Heat broiler or prepare grill. Rmove chicken from marinade. Broil or grill 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serves 6.

Debbie Allen, Sauces

Marinara Sauce

This is the recipe for using up odd bits of fresh tomatoes from the garden. It’s great in the middle of winter over pasta, vegetables, meats, whatever.

Brown onions in a small amount of olive oil. Peal tomatoes and squeeze out excess water. Add tomatoes to onions. Add salt, pepper, sugar, fresh basil to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer until desired thickness. Add white wine near the end of the cooking period, if desired.

Freeze in various sizes of containers for use when there aren’t any good fresh tomatoes available.

Debbie Allen, Main Dish Salads, Poultry, Salads

Chicken Pasta Salad

2 c. shell macaroni
3 c. cooked and cubed chicken
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
11-oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
3/4 c. slivered almonds
1/4 c. diced celery
1-1/2 c. seedless red or green grapes
1-1/2 c. mayonnaise

Cook macaroni; drain and rinse in cold water.

Combine pasta and remaining ingredients in large bowl.

Cover and refrigerate 3-4 hours to blend flavors.

Serve on bed of lettuce leaves. Serves 8.

Debbie Allen, Main Dish Salads, Salads

Spinach Pineapple Toss

15-1/4 oz. can pineapple chunks
8 c. torn spinach
1 c. fresh bean sprouts
8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/3 c. salad oil
1 T. sugar
3 T. soy sauce
2 T. lemon juice
1/8 t. pepper
2 T. sesame seed, toasted

Drain pineapple, reserving 1/3 c. juice.

In bowl combine the pineapple, spinach, chicken, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts.

In screw top jar combine the reserved pineapple juice, oil, sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, and pepper; shake well. Pour over salad; toss. Sprinkle with sesame seed.