Brown Sugar-Ginger Ice Cream

2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup plus 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large egg yolks
2 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine the milk, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, the ginger, and the salt in a medium, heavy saucepan. Scald the milk mixture over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

While the milk is scalding, whisk together the egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar and whisk until the eggs are light and fluffy. Whisking constantly, add a small amount of the hot milk to the egg mixture. Gradually whisk in the remaining hot milk. 

Return the custard mixture to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and place in a bowl of ice water to quickly cool the custard. Let the custard cool, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

While the custard is cooling, combine the cream and the vanilla in a medium bowl. Stir in the custard mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and press the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight. The custard may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze the chilled custard mixture in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze in the freezer for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

From Spice Dreams by Sara Engram and Katie Luber

Chicken Zucchini Meatballs

1 pound ground chicken
1 medium zucchini, grated on a box grater (no need to press out excess moisture)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup minced yellow onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill (or parsley)
2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeño
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil for cooking
 
Cucumber-Avocado Salad
1 English cucumber, diced
1 large avocado, cut into chunks
2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, dill, or mint
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

White rice and tzatziki for serving 

 
Combine all meatball ingredients (ground chicken through black pepper) in a large bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly mix and mash the mixture together. Scoop and roll into 24 mini meatballs. (If the meatballs are sticking while rolling, moisten your hands with a little water or olive oil.)
 
Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of meatballs and cook until golden, rotating to brown all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with second batch, adding more oil as needed.
 
Meanwhile, prepare Cucumber-Avocado Salad by combining all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well.
 
Serve meatballs over white rice with Cucumber-Avocado Salad and a big scoop of tzatziki. Drizzle components with a little olive oil and garnish with extra fresh dill (optional) and cracked black pepper.
 
Alternatives:
To bake the meatballs, place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
 
To air fry the meatballs, lightly coat meatballs and tray with cooking spray, and air fry at 400ºF for 12 to 14 minutes.
 
You can mix the meatball mixture and form it into balls up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep covered and refrigerated until ready to bake.
 
Serves 4.
 
From Dishing Out Health blog

Mexican Street Corn and Brussels Sprouts

Kernels from 3 ears of corn

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 sweet onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Crema:
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of salt

Optional toppings:
1-2 avocados, diced
1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges

Heat the oven to 400 F. Toss the corn, Brussels sprouts, and onion with the olive oil, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes or until golden and crispy. Stir halfway through for even roasting.

Whisk together the crema ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning as needed. 

Drizzle the crema generously over the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle with toppings as desired.

Serves 2-4.

From RecipeYumm blog with a few changes

Lemon Vinaigrette

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 small roasted garlic clove
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme, optional

Process all ingredients until emulsified. Alternatively, mince the garlic clove and shake all ingredients in a jar until combined.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Serves 6 to 8.

From Love and Lemons blog, with minor changes

Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs

The Very Excellent Dressing:
A 1/2-inch knob of fresh ginger
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons avocado oil or another neutral oil
1/4 cup lime juice (from 3-4 small limes)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili crisp
 
Crispy Rice Salad:
2 cups cooked jasmine rice
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 teaspoons red curry paste
2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional)
Half an English cucumber, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
1 shallot, thinly sliced or minced (about 1/4 cup)
1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 bunch mint, roughly chopped or torn (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
Chili crisp to taste
 
For the dressing:
Blitz everything in a blender or food processor.
 
For the crispy rice:
Toss the rice in a bowl with the oil and curry paste. If it’s not sticking together when you squeeze it, add the cornstarch and get your hands wet to mix it again. Squeeze it into loose, squishy chunks and transfer to the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry at 400 F for 7-9 minutes, until golden and crisped.
 
Break the crispy rice apart into little chunks. Toss with about half of the dressing and however many veggies you want. Garnish with some peanuts and chili crisp.
 
Serves 2.
 
From Pinch of Yum blog

Steak au Poivre

Two 6- to 8-ounce filet mignons
1/2 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons whole peppercorns
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium shallot, finely chopped
1/2 cup Cognac or other brandy
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
 
Pat the steaks dry and, if they are thick, gently press them down so that they are about 1 ½ inches thick. Season the steaks all over with the salt.
 
Seal the peppercorns inside a small plastic bag and place on a cutting board. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a frying pan, pound the peppercorns until they are coarsely crushed. Press the crushed pepper evenly onto both sides of the steaks.
 
In a large cast iron skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the steaks and cook about 3-4 minutes on each side, turning only once, for medium-rare (or about 4-5 minutes per side for medium). Transfer the steaks to a plate and tent with foil.
 
Pour off the excess fat from the pan but do not wipe clean. Lower the heat to medium-low and add the butter and shallots. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon and scraping up the brown bits, until the shallots are golden brown and softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully add the Cognac (it may ignite) and boil, again stirring to scrape up the brown bits, until the liquid is reduced to a glaze and mostly absorbed by the shallots, a few minutes. Add the cream and mustard and gently boil until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in any meat juices that accumulated on the plate. Transfer the steaks to plates and spoon the sauce over top.
 
Serves 2.
 
From Once Upon a Chef blog

Onion Tart with Mustard and Cumin

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115°F)
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
3 pounds yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, or a bit more
1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
 
Stir together yeast and warm water in a small bowl and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn’t foam, start over with new yeast.)
 
Put 1 1/2 cups flour in a medium bowl, then make a well in center of flour and add yeast mixture to well. Stir together egg, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt with a fork. Add egg mixture to yeast mixture and mix with a wooden spoon or your fingertips, gradually incorporating flour, until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead, working in additional flour (up to 1/4 cup) as necessary, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
 
While dough rises, heat remaining 1/3 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté cumin seeds until a shade darker, about 30 seconds. Stir in onions, remaining teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover onions directly with a round of parchment paper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and golden brown, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
 
Heat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
 
Knead dough gently on a floured surface with floured hands to deflate. Pat out dough on a large heavy baking sheet into a 15- by 12-inch rectangle, turning up or crimping edges, then brush mustard evenly over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edge. Spread onions evenly over mustard, then sprinkle evenly with cheese.
 
Bake tart until crust is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into 2-inch squares or diamonds and serve warm or at room temperature.
 
From Smitten Kitchen blog, with minor changes. Adapted from Gourmet, March 2008