Author: vlahos

Pumpkin pie filling 1 lb pumpkin puree (roasted, blended pumpkin) 1 cup 10% cream 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (1.5 tbsp molasses + 3/4 cup sugar) 2 eggs + 1 yolk Bring puree to simmer on med heat. Add cream, nutmeg, salt. Bring to summer, then let cool 10… Continue reading 2025-09-19

Pumpkinpalooza       and if I have time, I’ll whip up a batch of

Apple-bourbon pork loin – slow cooker edition. Also, the pork ribs edition. Yes I know that ribs and BBQ go together much better, but I was working with what I had on hand. I started with a double batch of mirepoix, and added 3 cloves minced garlic at the end- cook until fragrant. Toss in… Continue reading 2025-09-15

Strudel part 2 Room temperature proofing: 1/3 cup warm water 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp neutral oil 1/2 tsp lemon juice (or vinegar) 1/8 tsp fine salt (not kosher, not giant chunks of pink) 1 cup + 1 tbsp bread flour (or use 2 tbsp wheat gluten instead of the 1+ tbsp flour). Mix water,… Continue reading 2025-09-12

Apple Strudel – the super easy way. Today’s strudel is made with 1 pound of puff pastry. I’ll make this again soon with a dough from scratch.   Puff Pastry version  

Roast Pork & stuff Roast pork 350F 20-25min/lb IT 145 min, add 5 just to be sure. Let rest 5-10 mins before cutting. Since I still haven’t bought a new stick thermometer, I’m going to err on the side of caution, and do 25 mins per pound plus an extra 10. I was thinking of… Continue reading 2025-09-08

deep-fried garlic deep-fried puff pastry deep-fried puff pastry stuffed with some meat stuff w/ cream cheese hot sauce finale Deep-fried garlic blanch peeled garlic in salted water 3-4 minutes (longer cook time = milder, but risk turning mushy) plunge into ice bath 3-step breading : flour, egg, panko deep fry until golden brown drain on… Continue reading 2025-08-28

Quick Apple Fritters 1 tablespoon butter 2 large Granny Smith apples – peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground ginger ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 large egg ¼ cup white sugar 1 tablespoon melted butter ½ cup sparkling apple cider 2 cups vegetable oil for frying Glaze or cinnamon-sugar coating: ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, or more as needed 1 tablespoon sparkling… Continue reading 2025-08-22

Lemonocalypse? Lemonade is 3:1 water to lemon juice Sugar to taste, and mint leaves optional. I have some peach syrup left over from a cobbler, so I’m going to make a peach lemonade by doing 1:1 peach syrup to lemon juice. If you want to make your own peach lemonade from scratch: 3 large peaches,… Continue reading 2025-08-18

Challah I got some authentic Challah topping from just across the Mediterranean sea, practically next door! Kosher bread that can be served with meat (no dairy)