Pássarito’s bacalhau

Active: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes + desalination; Yield: 4 servings 

Salt cod, preferably Norwegian; desalinate 24-hours; drain	600 grams
Wine, dry white	250 milliliters
Milk, whole	250 milliliters
Bay leaf	1
Piquillo peppers, roasted	3
Olive oil	200 milliliters + 100 milliliters +
Garlic; half minced	2 cloves + 2 cloves
Paprika	Pinch
Cayenne	Pinch
Cilantro; roughly chopped	3 or 4 sprigs
Onion; thinly sliced	1 medium
Eggs; lightly beaten	4
Green onions; thinly sliced
Lemon	1

1. Combine the wine, milk, and bay leaf in a large saucepan half-filled with boiling water; plunge in the cod. 
2. After the liquid returns to a boil, cook for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat; drain and set aside. 
3. Combine the peppers, 200ml-oil, two-cloves garlic, paprika, and cayenne; blend until smooth, adding more oil, if necessary, to form a smooth sauce; set aside. 
4. Flake the cod, removing and discarding the skin and bones. 
5. Combine the cod in a medium bowl with 100ml-oil and cilantro. 
6. In a frying pan with a little oil, sweat the onion and remaining minced garlic. 
7. Add the flaked cod, cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then stir in the eggs; turn off the heat: the eggs should remain fairly runny. 
8. Arrange the cod and eggs on a plate, the pour the pepper sauce on top, and garnish with green onions and a squeeze of lemon. 
9. Serve with additional lemon wedges and a green salad. 

Recipe mildly adapted from Portugal Recipes & Ingredients by Anaïs Bourny Delon.

Peach ice cream

Active: 30 minutes; Total: 4 hours 30 minutes; Yield: 1 quart

Peaches, peeled, sliced	2 cups
Sugar, granulated	½ cup + ½ cup + ¼ cup
Lemon juice	½ teaspoon
Salt	¼ teaspoon
Egg yolks	5 large
Cream, heavy	1 ½ cups
Milk, whole	1 ½ cups
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon

1. In a large bowl, toss the peaches with ½-cup sugar and lemon juice; let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, until the peaches are soft and have released their juices. 
2. Mash the peaches with a fork or potato masher until very small chunks remain. 
3. Strain the juice into a separate bowl, reserving both the liquid and the pulp, refrigerating until ready to use. 
4. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together the cream, milk, ½-cup sugar, and salt; heat until hot but not bubbling. 
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and ¼-cup sugar until light in color, about 2 minutes. 
6. While whisking, ladle in ½-cup of the hot cream mixture to temper the eggs, then add another ½-cup. 
7. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the custard base, stirring gently until the temperature is between 170-175°F, and the mixture is thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. 
8. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. 
9. Strain the custard base through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl, then stir in the liquid from the mashed peaches; refrigerate for 4 hours, until thoroughly chilled. 
10. Pour the custard base into the ice cream maker, and churn until it looks like soft-serve ice cream, about 25 to 30 minutes. 
11. Add the reserved peach pulp during the last 30 seconds of the churning process; transfer to an airtight container, and freeze at least 24 to 48 hours to cure. 

Recipe from House of Nash Eats.

Lemon pistachio cake with mascarpone frosting

Active: 20 minutes; Total: 1 hour; Serves: 8

Pistachios, roasted, shelled	¾ cup
Lemon zest	2 lemons
Flour, cake	1 ½ cups
Baking powder	1 teaspoon
Baking soda	¼ teaspoon
Sour cream	¼ cup
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
Milk, whole	1/3 cup
Butter, unsalted, softened	½ cup
Sugar	1 cup
Salt, kosher	¾ teaspoon
Eggs	3 large
Frosting
Mascarpone, softened	¾ cup
Sugar, powdered	¾ cup
Cream, heavy	1 tablespoon
Lemon zest	1 teaspoon
Lemon juice	1 teaspoon
Salt, kosher	1/8 teaspoon

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. 
2. Line the bottom of a buttered 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper, then butter the paper. 
3. Place the pistachios and zest into a food processor bowl; pulse until finely ground (but not buttered). 
4. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl, and add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside. 
5. Whisk together the sour cream, vanilla, and milk in a small bowl; set aside. 
6. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar, and salt, about 3 minutes. 
7. Add the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. 
8. With the mixer on low, alternate adding the dry ingredients (in three additions) and the wet ingredients (in two additions), starting and ending with the dry. 
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan; smooth the top. 
10. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 
11. Cool 10 minutes. 
12. Carefully remove the cake from the pan, peel off and discard the paper, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. 
13. Combine all the frosting ingredients in a medium bowl. 
14. Mix until just smooth, being careful not to overman. 
15. Frost the cake, then sprinkle on extra crushed pistachios. 

Recipe from the Costco Connection magazine.

Chicken liver pâté with green peppercorns

Total: 40 minutes + overnight; Makes 2 ½ cups

Livers, chicken, well trimmed	1 pound
Milk, whole	2 cups
Oil, extra-virgin olive	2 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon
Onion, thinly sliced	1 small
Sage leaves, fresh	5 small +
Garlic, thinly sliced	2 cloves
Salt, kosher
Pepper, freshly ground
Bourbon	2 tablespoons
Lemon juice, fresh	3 tablespoons
Butter, unsalted room temperature	1 cup
Peppercorns, green, in brine, chopped	2 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon brine
Crackers or toast

1. Combine livers and milk in a bowl, and refrigerate overnight. 
2. Drain and rinse the livers; pat dry. 
3. Heat 2-tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 
4. Add the onion and 5 sage leaves, and cook until deep golden brown, about 8 minutes. 
5. Stir in the garlic, and cook for 1 minute. 
6. Scrape the mixture into a food processor. 
7. Heat 1-tablespoon oil in the same skillet over medium heat. 
8. Season the livers with salt and pepper, and cook, turning once, until golden, about 2 minutes. 
9. Add bourbon, and cook until almost evaporated and the livers are barley pink inside, 1 minute. 
10. Add livers and lemon juice to the food processor; pulse until finely chopped. 
11. With the machine running, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the pâté is smooth. 
12. Stir in the peppercorns and brine; season with salt and pepper. 
13. Divide the pâté between two bowls; cover and refrigerate until chilled. 
14. Garnish with sage, and serve with crackers or toast. 

Recipe from Food & Wine Holiday Recipes.

Irish fish pie

Active: 45 minutes; Total: 1 hour 30 minutes; Serves: 4 to 6

Sweet potatoes, orange-flesh, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes	1 ½ pounds
Cod, fresh, cut into 1-inch pieces	½ pound
Shrimp, large, shelled & deveined	½ pound
Bay scallops, picked for shell bits, remove tough band of muscle adhered to one side of each scallop	½ pound
Butter, unsalted, room temperature	2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons
Onion, finely chopped	1 small
Milk, whole	2 cups
Bay leaves	2
Thyme, fresh	2 sprigs
Salt, fine sea	½ teaspoon + ½ teaspoon +
Pepper, freshly ground	½ teaspoon +
Flour, all-purpose	2 tablespoons
Chives, fresh, chopped	¼ cup

1. Add the potatoes to a large saucepan, add cool water to cover by 1 inch; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 
2. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook until the potatoes are fully tender, about 15 minutes; drain. 
3. Mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher; set aside 2 cups, reserve any remaining for another use. 
4. Preheat your oven to 375°F. 
5. Melt 2-tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 
6. Add onion and cook, stirring, until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. 
7. Pour the milk into the pan, and add the bay leaves and thyme. 
8. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often. 
9. Stir in ½-teaspoon salt. 
10. Poach each type of seafood individually; place the cod in the simmering milk and cook until the fish is nearly cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. 
11. Lift the cod from the milk with a slotted spoon, and place in a 2- to 3-quart casserole dish. 
12. Add the scallops to the milk, and poach until opaque, about 30 seconds. 
13. Lift from the milk with a slotted spoon, and add to the dish with the fish. 
14. Add the shrimp, and poach until they just begin to curl, about 1 minute. 
15. Lift them from the milk with a slotted spoon, and add to the dish. 
16. Use your hands or fork to flake cod into bite-sized pieces. 
17. Season with ½-teaspoon salt and ½-teaspoon pepper. 
18. In a small bowl, mash 2-tablespoons butter with the flour. 
19. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs from the milk. 
20. Bring the milk to a simmer once again, and whisk the butter mixture into the until no lumps remain. 
21. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. 
22. Pour béchamel over the seafood in the casserole dish. 
23. Add the chives, and fold gently to combine everything. 
24. Taste the filling and adjust seasonings, if needed. 
25. Reheat 2-cups potatoes in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, or in a pot, stirring until warm. 
26. Stir in the remaining 2-tablespoons butter until it melts, and season lightly with salt. 
27. Pipe or spread the puree over the filling, sealing the edges. 
28. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the topping is browned, about 20 minutes. 
29. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. 

Recipe from Food & Wine Holiday Recipes.

Belgian waffles

Active: 15 minutes; Total: 30 minutes; Serves: 4

Flour, all-purpose	2 ¼ cups
Baking powder	1 tablespoon
Sugar, granulated	3 tablespoons
Salt	½ teaspoon
Cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Eggs, separated	2 large
Oil, vegetable	½ cup
Milk, whole	2 cups
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon

1. Preheat your waffle iron (425°F bottom & 450°F top on my panini press), spray with cooking spray; set aside. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. 
3. In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form; set aside. 
4. In another medium bowl, mix together the egg yolks, oil, milk, and vanilla. 
5. Add the egg yolk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. 
6. Fold in the egg whites; lumps are okay so don’t over do it. 
7. Pour the batter onto your hot waffle iron, and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions, about 4 minutes. 
8. Serve immediately with butter, syrup, powdered sugar, berries, or eat all the crispy bits and skip the rest. 

Recipe adapted from The Salty Marshmallow.

Bananas foster milkshake

Active: 15 minutes; Chill: 30; Serves: 2

Sugar, dark brown	½ cup
Butter, unsalted	2 tablespoons
Cinnamon, ground	¼ teaspoon
Rum, dark	3 tablespoons
Cream, heavy	2 tablespoons
Salt	¼ teaspoon
Bananas, ripe, cut into ½-inch pieces	3 medium
Ice cream, vanilla	1 ½ heaping scoops + 1 ½ heaping scoops
Milk	1/8 cup + 1/8 cup

1. Combine the sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. 
2. Stir in the rum, cream, salt, and bananas; cook, stirring occasionally, until the bananas are browned and soft, about 3 minutes. 
3. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl; refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. (Chef’s note: Great time to place your glasses in the freezer.) 
4. Working in two batches, combine half the banana mixture with 1 ½-heaping scoops ice cream and 1/8-cup milk in a blender, and purée until smooth. 
5. Transfer to a chilled glass and enjoy! 

Recipe by Drew Curren and posted at Saveur.

Banana puddings with miso caramel

Active: 45 minutes; Total: 5 hours 30 minutes; Refrigerate: 4 hours to overnight; Serves: 8

Cream, heavy	1 cup + 1 cup
Miso, white	2 teaspoons
Sugar, granulated	¾ cup + ½ cup + ½ cup
Water	2 tablespoons
Corn syrup, light	1 teaspoon
Milk, whole	½ cup + 3 cups
Cornstarch	2/3 cup
Egg yolks	8 large
Butter, unsalted	6 tablespoons + 4 tablespoons
Vanilla extract, pure	1 tablespoon
Salt	1 teaspoon + ½ teaspoon
Bananas, ripe, chopped	4 medium
Sugar, dark brown	2 tablespoons
Graham crackers, finely ground	5 crackers
Flour, all-purpose	3 ½ tablespoons
Sugar, light brown	1 ½ teaspoons

1. Combine 1-cup cream with miso in a small saucepan. 
2. Bring just to a simmer over medium heat; remove immediately, and set aside. 
3. Combine ¾-cup sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. 
4. Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a deep-amber caramel forms, about 5 to 6 minutes. 
5. Remove from heat, and gradually whisk in the warm cream mixture, ensuring you get the sugar in the sides of the pan; let cool 10 minutes. 
6. Pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a heatproof container; discard the solids. 
7. Whisk together ½-cup milk, ½-cup sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks in a medium bowl. 
8. Combine the remaining milk and remaining ½-cup granulated sugar in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat. 
9. Remove from heat, and very gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture to temper it. 
10. Return the mixture to the saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. 
11. Remove from heat, and whisk in 6 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. 
12. Whisk in the vanilla and salt. 
13. Transfer the pudding to a medium bowl, and press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface; let cool completely, and then refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours. 
14. Fold in the bananas, and refrigerate 30 minutes more. 
15. Preheat your oven to 325°F; line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 
16. Melt remaining 4-tablespoons butter with the dark brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar id dissolved, about 2 minutes. 
17. Whisk together the graham cracker crumbs, flour, light brown sugar, and ½-teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. 
18. Stir in the butter mixture until the crumbs are evenly moistened. 
19. Spread the mixture in a ¼-inch-thick layer on the prepared baking sheet. 
20. Bake until dry and crisp, about 16 minutes, breaking up and stirring the crumbs halfway through; cool completely, and then crush into fine crumbs. 
21. Beat the remaining cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. 
22. Spoon the banana pudding into eight 8-ounce glasses; top evenly with the caramel, whipped cream, and crumb topping. 

Recipe by Kemuri Tatsu-ya in Austin, TX, and published in Food & Wine.