Crostini neri

Active: 15 minutes; Total: 30 minutes; Yield: 8 servings

Carrot, minced	1 medium
Celery, minced	1 stalk
Onion, red, minced	1 small
Rosemary, fresh, minced	2 tablespoons
Sage, fresh, minced	2 tablespoons
Olive oil, extra virgin	2 tablespoons
Salt	Pinch
Bay leaf	1
Chicken livers, cleaned, chopped	1 pound
Capers, rinsed	2 tablespoons
Anchovy paste	30 grams
Butter, unsalted	60 grams

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the oil, and then add the vegetables and herbs with a pinch of salt; sauté for 10 minutes. 
2. Add the livers with the bay leaf; stir with a wooden spoon until browned nicely. 
3. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. Stir in the capers, anchovy paste, and butter; remove and discard the bay leaf. 
5. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, and pulse until smooth. 
6. Serve with toasted bread. 

Recipe modified from VisitTuscany.com.

Soy sauce eggs

Active: 25 minutes; Total: 6 hour 30 minutes; Serves: 3 

Water, warm	6 tablespoons
Sugar	1 tablespoon
Vinegar, sherry	2 tablespoons
Soy sauce, low sodium	¾ cup
Eggs	6 large
Pepper, freshly ground

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the water and sugar to dissolve the sugar, then stir in the vinegar and soy sauce. 
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. 
3. Carefully place the eggs into the water, and cook for exactly 6 minutes and 50 seconds, stirring slowly for the first 1 ½ minutes to distribute the heat evenly. 
4. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with cold water and ice; when the eggs are done, transfer them to the ice bath. 
5. Once the eggs are cool, peel them. 
6. Transfer the eggs to the soy sauce mixture, and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, and up to 6 hours, ensure they are completely submerged. 
7. Remove the eggs from the soy solution (reserving for another round of eggs, if you wish). 
8. To serve, cut the eggs in half lengthwise and season with pepper. 

Recipe from Food52.

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.

Stilton-stuffed pickled peppers

Total: 25 minutes; Makes 60 peppers

Pepperoncini, whole; drained, patted dry	16 ounces
Stilton cheese	8 ounces
Peppadew peppers, whole; drained, patted dry	14 ounces

1. Using a paring knife, cut off and discard the pepperoncini stems; scoop out and discard seeds with a small spoon. 
2. Remove and discard the cheese rind; cut into about 60 pieces. 
3. Stuff one cheese chunk into each pepper; transfer to a serving platter. 

Recipe from Food & Wine Holiday Recipes.

Shrimp toast with scallion-chili sauce

Total: 35 minutes; Makes 4 dozen toasts

Shrimp, large, shelled & deveined	8 ounces
Egg	1 large
Salt, kosher	1 teaspoon
Butter, unsalted, cold, cut into cubes	2 tablespoons
Sesame seeds, toasted	2 teaspoons + 1 ½ teaspoons
Bread, white, crusts removed	6 slices
Oil, canola	For frying
Scallion, finely chopped	½ + Garnish
Soy sauce	1 tablespoon
Vinegar, rice	1 tablespoon
Sambal oelek sauce	1 ½ teaspoons

1. Combine the shrimp, egg, and salt in a food processor; process until smooth, about 15 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. 
2. Add butter and 2-teaspoons sesame seeds, and pulse until smooth with flecks of butter remaining, about 7 pulses. 
3. Spread ¼-cup shrimp mousse on each bread slice. 
4. Pour oil to a depth of 1/8 inch in a large nonstick skillet; heat over medium until shimmering. 
5. Working in batches, add bread slices, mousse-side down, and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. 
6. Flip the toasts; cook until browned and mousse is firm to touch, about 1 minute. 
7. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain. 
8. Stir together 1 ½-teaspoons scallions, soy sauce, vinegar, samba oelek, and remaining 1 ½-teaspoons sesame seeds in a small bowl. 
9. Cut each toast into eight triangles; transfer to a platter or board. 
10. Garnish with slice scallions; serve soy sauce mixture with toasts. 

Recipe from Food & Wine Holiday Recipes.

Duck confit poutine

Active: 45 minutes; Total: 1 day 4 hours 45 minutes; Serves: 4

Duck legs	4
Garlic, chopped	4 cloves
Thyme	3 sprigs
Rosemary	2 sprigs
Sage, fresh	2 leaves
Orange peel without pith	¼
Salt, kosher	1 teaspoon +
Pepper, freshly cracked	¼ teaspoon +
Duck fat, rendered	2 cups
Potatoes, russet; French-fry cut	4 medium
Water, cold	8 cups + ¼ cup
Ice	2 cups
Oil for frying	8 cups
Stock, chicken	6 cups
Cornstarch	1 tablespoon
Cheese curds	2 cups

1. Place the duck legs in a shallow pan. 
2. Rub the garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, orange peel, salt and pepper into the duck legs. 
3. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 
4. Preheat your oven to 250°F. 
5. Rub off the salt and herbs from the duck; set aside. 
6. Rinse off the herbs in a colander, pat dry, and return to the duck. 
7. Cover the duck and herb mix with the rendered duck fat, and cook in the oven until the meat is falling off the bones, about 2 hours 30 minutes. 
8. Place the potatoes in cold, salted water with ice; let sit for 1 hour. 
9. Remove the legs and cool on a cutting board. 
10. Shred the meat from the legs; set aside. 
11. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottom pan until it reaches a temperature of 250°F; line a baking sheet with paper towels. 
12. Remove the potatoes from the water, pat dry, and add to the oil, in batches if necessary, and cook until the fries are soft all the way through and not crispy, about 5 minutes. 
13. With a slotted spoon, remove the fries from the oil, and place on the prepared baking sheet. 
14. Increase the oil temperature to 350°F. 
15. In a stock pot, reduce the stock by two-thirds; set aside. 
16. Add the duck meat into the reduced stock. 
17. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and ¼-cup water until there are no lumps. 
18. Heat the stock and duck to a gentle boil, add the cornstarch mixture, and boil for 45 seconds. 
19. Place the blanched fries into the oil; fry until crispy and golden brown, 2 minutes. 
20. Place the fries in a large bowl. 
21. Add the curds, toss with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper; divide among four plates. 
22. Spoon the duck and sauce over the fries, and serve. 

Recipe from the Brindle Room, which featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

Gruyère & green garlic gougères

Active: 25 minutes; Bake: 35 minutes

Butter, unsalted	100 grams
Butter, canna-infused	11 grams
Water	237 grams
Salt, kosher	½ teaspoon
Sugar, granulated	¼ teaspoon
Pepper, freshly ground	¼ teaspoon
Flour, all-purpose	140 grams
Eggs	4 large
Gruyère, finely shredded	115 grams
Green garlic, scallions, or chives	1 tablespoon

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F; line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, and set aside. 
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, canna butter, water, salt, sugar, and pepper; bring to a boil. 
3. Once the butter melts, add the flour all at once. 
4. With a wooden spoon with a flat-edge, begin stirring immediately until the mixture forms a ball and comes a way from the sides of the pan. 
5. Continue cooking, stirring, until the mixture starts to look gritty on the bottom of the pan. The dryer the mixture becomes, the better it will absorb the eggs, and the puffier the gougères get in the oven. 
6. Transfer the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and beat the dough on medium-low speed for about 1 minute until it is just warm to the touch. 
7. Increase the speed to medium-high, and add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the batter before adding the next. 
8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl between additions with a rubber spatula. 
9. Mix in the cheese and green garlic. 
10. Coat a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop with nonstick baking spray, and spoon out 7 level scoops of dough onto one of the prepared sheets, placing them about 3 inches apart.
11. Respray the cookie scoop as needed, a repeat with the second baking sheet. 
12. Wet your finger with a bit of water, any smooth any jagged edges. 
13. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until puffed, browned, and firm to the touch, rotating the sheets between the racks and from from front to back every 10 minutes. 
14. Keep an eye on them the last 5 minutes so they don’t burn. They should sound hollow when tapped with your finger. 
15. Once done, cut a small slit in the side of each puff. 
16. Turn off the oven, and return the gougères to the oven for 10 minutes to get extra crispy. 
17. Transfer the baking sheets to a cooling rack. 
18. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Re-crisp in a 400°F oven for for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Recipe from Edibles by Stephanie Hua.

Sweet potato tacos

Active: 25 minutes; Sous vide cook time: 1 hour; Servings: 4 to 6

Sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into ½-inch dice (about 4 cups)	1 ½ pounds
Chipotle chiles in adobe, chopped	3 to 4
Cumin, ground	1 ½ teaspoons
Salt, kosher	1 teaspoon +
Canna-infused oil	1 tablespoon
Canola oil	1 tablespoon
Corn tortillas, 6-inch	12
Pepper, freshly ground
Lime juice	½ lime
Pickled red onions
Sour cream	½ cup
Cotija cheese, crumbled	½ cup
Cilantro, chopped	Garnish

1. Preheat your sous vide to 185°F. 
2. In a large bowl, toss together the potatoes, chiles, cumin, salt, and canna-infused oil until the potato pieces are evenly coated. 
3. To ensure you bag sinks, place 1 to 2 pounds of weight into a gallon-size freezer-safe ziplock bag. 
4. Add the potato mixture to the bag, and seal using the water displacement method. 
5. When the water has reached the target temperature, lower the bagged potatoes into the water bath and cook for 1 hour. The potatoes are ready if you can crush them through the bag with a firm pinch. 
6. Remove the bag from the water bath and transfer the potatoes to a plate, discarding the liquid; set aside. 
7. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. 
8. When the pan is hot, working in batches, heat the tortillas by placing them directly into the skillet and then waiting until they begin to steam and blister, about 20 seconds. 
9. Flip them with tongs or a spatula, and cook the other side until they again begin to steam and blister, about 30 seconds. Depending on the size of your skillet, you can heat three to four tortillas at a time. 
10. After each batch is heated, transfer the tortillas to a plate and cover them with a kitchen towel or aluminum foil to keep warm. 
11. When all the tortillas have been heated, and with the pan still over medium-high heat, add the remaining canola oil to the skillet, and then add the potato mixture. The pieces do not need to fit in a single layer. 
12. Sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until charred and blackened on the edges, about 3 to 5 minutes. 
13. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and them add the lime juice. 
14. To assemble the tacos, spread a small dollop of the sour cream onto the middle of each tortilla. 
15. Divide the potato mixture evenly among the tortillas. 
16. Top each taco with a sprinkle of cheese, cilantro, and pickled red onions. 
17. Arrange the tacos on individual plates and serve with additional lime wedges and hot sauce. 

Recipe warped from Sous Vide at Home by Lisa Q. Fetterman.

Corn dog muffins

Active: 45 minutes; Servings: 24 mini muffins

Sour cream, full fat	2 tablespoons
Olive oil	2 tablespoons
Canna-infused coconut oil	1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons (22 grams)
Egg	1 large
Sugar, granulated	¼ cup (50 grams)
Corn, cream-style sweet	½ cup (128 grams)
Cornmeal, fine	½ cup (75 grams)
Flour, white rice	¼ cup (35 grams)
Baking powder	1 teaspoon
Salt, kosher	½ teaspoon + ¾ teaspoon +
Hot dogs, cooked, each cut into 8 pieces	3 dogs
Cream cheese, room temperature	4 ounces (115 grams)
Butter, unsalted, room temperature	4 ounces (115 grams)
Honey	1 tablespoon
Mustard, whole-grain Dijon	2 tablespoons
Pepper, freshly ground	½ teaspoon +
Parsley leaves, fresh	Garnish
Salt, Maldon sea	Garnish

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. 
2. Coat a mini muffin pan with nonstick baking spray; set aside. 
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, olive oil, and canna-infused oil; whisk until well combined and emulsified. 
4. Add the egg and sugar, and whisk again until well combined. 
5. Add the creamed corn, and mix until just combined. 
6. In a small bowl, whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and ½-teaspoon salt. 
7. Add the flour mixture to the corn mixture, and whisk until just combined. 
8. Equally distribute the batter among the 24 cups of the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each about two-thirds full (about 1 heaping tablespoon or 18 grams). For the most accurate dosage, weigh the total amount of batter and divide by 24 to determine the target weight per serving. 
9. Press one hot dog slice into each cup, submerging it until the top hits the surface of the batter. 
10. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown (like a corn dog), or until a toothpick inserted in the muffin comes out clean. 
11. Remove the pan from the oven, and cool for 5 minutes. 
12. Invert the pan over a wire cooling rack to remove the muffins; use a butter knife to help pop them out if necessary. 
13. Let the muffins cool completely. 
14. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a bowl and a handheld mixer, combine the cream cheese, butter, and honey. 
15. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula once or twice. 
16. Add the mustard, ¾-teaspoon salt, and ½-teaspoon pepper. 
17. Continue to beat on medium speed until well combined. 
18. Dollop about 1-teaspoon honey mustard butter onto each corn dog muffin. 
19. Finish with a touch of flaky sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and a garnish of parsley. 
20. Transfer any remaining honey mustard butter to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 

Recipe from Edibles.