EASY PÂTE BRISÉE (SHORTCRUST PASTRY)

This is an easy fool-proof recipe for a classic French pastry dough, aka pate brisée, great for any recipe that needs a flaky pastry crust - pies, tarts, quiches, even empanadas / baked samosas. Enjoy!

Pate Brisee (Shortcrust Pastry)

Makes: 1 10-1/2 in. crust (enough for one quiche, pie or tart)

- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 large pinch salt

- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut in small pieces

- 3 to 4 tbsp chilled water

1. Put the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process to mix.
2. Cut the butter in chunks and add it to the flour. Process it, using pulses, until the butter is incorporated into the flour and the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal.
3. With the food processor running, add water 2 tbsp at a time and process briefly, using pulses, just until the pastry beings to hold together in large clumps. A way to check is to take a few tbsp of the flour-butter-water mix and press into a clump. If it holds well, it's got enough water. If it crumbles, it needs more water, 1 tbsp at a time.
4. Remove the pastry onto a floured work surface and gather it into a ball.
5. Refrigerate for 15 min before using in any tart, pie or quiche recipe.

CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME

Chocolate Pots de Creme

makes: 10 servings

- 10 oz. (300 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped

- 1-1/2 cups cream

- 1-1/2 cups whole milk

- 4-1/2 tbsp sugar

- 1 espresso (or 1 tsp instant coffee powder - optional)

- 1 tsp salt

- 7 egg yolks

- 1 tbsp vanilla extract

- to garnish: your choice of fresh raspberries, chopped pistachios, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, etc.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C).  Set 10 4- to 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups in a roasting pan or deep baking dish. Or split between two pans like I did, if you don't have a large enough pan to fit all the containers.
2. Put the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. In a medium saucepan, heat the half-and-half, sugar, instant espresso or coffee powder, if using, and salt until quite hot, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour the hot half-and-half mixture over the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Let cool until tepid, then whisk in the egg yolks and the vanilla. (If the mixture looks at all grainy, whisk well or purée in a blender until smooth.)
3. Transfer the custard mixture to a large measuring cup or pitcher and divide evenly among the ramekins.
4. Fill the roasting pan or baking dish with warm water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake until the perimeters of the custards are just set and the centers are still slightly jiggly, about 35 minutes.
5. Transfer the custards from the water bath to a wire rack and let cool.
6. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, garnished with small mounds of whipped cream, raspberries and chopped pistachios.

MIXED SPROUTS: GUJARATI CUISINE

Mixed Sprouts: Gujarati Cuisine

makes: 6 servings

- 6 cups sprouts

- 1 tbsp. plain or spiced ghee (or coconut oil)

- 2 dried cayenne chiles or chiles de arbol

- 1 tsp. heeng (asafoetida)

- 1 tsp. ajmo (ajwain, carom/bishop's weed seeds)

- 1 tsp. powdered turmeric

- 1 tsp. powdered cumin

- 1 tsp. powdered coriander

- 1 tsp. cayenne powder

- 1 tbsp. tamarind paste

- 2 - 3 tbsp. jaggery (or sugar, to taste)

- 3 cups water

- 1 tbsp. salt

- 4 tbsp. chopped cilantro, to garnish

- 1 tbsp. lemon juice

1. Heat the ghee in a large pan, add in heeng, ajwain, whole red chilies. 
2. When it's all aromatic, add the sprouts, turmeric, enough water to submerge the sprouts. Pressure cook until done. 
3. OR - Add steamed sprouts, turmeric, and just enough water to submerge the sprouts. 
4. Cook to a simmer, then add powdered cumin, coriander, cayenne powder, tamarind paste, and jaggery. Bring to a fast simmer and cook for a few minutes. 
5. Lower the heat and add salt. Taste and adjust seasonings. 
6. Turn off the heat and garnish with lemon juice and cilantro. Enjoy!