How to prepare Gravlox

Ingredients:1 cup sugar 1 cup salt 1 lemon with rind Fresh or dried dill 2 tablespoon Vermouth or Gin 1 pound of salmon

Step 2: Pour half the mixture in a glass pan and cover with dill. If you don't have fresh dill use dried.

Step 4: Pour the remainder of the mixture on top of the salmon and place dill on top of mixture. Cover tightly with saran wrap.

Step 6: Rinse off sugar and salt mixture. Pat dry with a paper towel. To store left overs wrap tightly with saran wrap and keep refrigerated.

Step 7: Serve to your liking. I like to cut it into thin slices and put it on a blini with creme fraiche or on top of a salad (see above).

ENJOY!

Lulu's Escarole and Mesclun Salad with Edamame, Mint, and Pecorino

Serves 8 to 102 cups ( 9 ounces) frozen shelled edamame 1 1/2 pounds escarole, cut crosswise into very thin strips. 1 pound mesclun greens 1 cup julienned fresh mint 1 cup finely grated Pecorino cheese 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon zestVinaigrette1/2 cup Champagne vinegar 2 small shallots, finely minced 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley 1 cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1. Bring a 3-quart pot of salted water to a boil and cook the edamame for 5 minutes. Drain the edamame in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking. Drain the edamame again and pat dry. 2. To make the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, shallots, sugar, parsley, and olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 3. Toss the edamame, escarole, mesclun greens, and mint together in a large bowl. Add the Pecorino, drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette, and toss again. Garnish with the lemon zest.Optional:You can substitute the escarole for kale or any other dark leafy green you like. You are the chef use what you want and be creative!Tip:

Malibu Olive Company is one of my favorites. You can purchase it in my store at http://shopopensky.com/lulupowers

 

Crack Pie

This recipe came from David Changs restaurant Momofuku in NYC. You don't need a mixer to make this recipe. Use a little elbow grease like Mattie and I did, we used our hands. The kitchen we used was devoid of any kitchen utensils and it still came out great! Try it with melted bittersweet chocolate on top. Its just plain decadent. Next time I'm going to mix unsweetened coconut flakes and dark chocolate in to the filling. Hopefully it will make it taste like a mounds bar.

Momofuku's Crack Pie

Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling and chilling times

Servings: Makes 2 pies (6 to 8 servings each)

Note: Adapted from Momofuku. This pie calls for 2 (10-inch) pie tins. You can substitute 9-inch pie tins, but note that the pies will require additional baking time, about 5 minutes, due to the increased thickness of the filling.

Cookie for crust

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3 ounces) flour

Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder

Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter

1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar

3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar

1 egg

Scant 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) rolled oats

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Whisk the egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.

5. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated.

6. Spread the mixture onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet and bake until golden brown and set, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack. Crumble the cooled cookie to use in the crust.

Crust

Crumbled cookie for crust

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine the crumbled cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until evenly combined and blended (a little of the mixture clumped between your fingers should hold together). Divide the crust between 2 (10-inch) pie tins. Press the crust into each shell to form a thin, even layer along the bottom and sides of the tins. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling.

Filling

1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar

3/4 cup plus a scant 3 tablespoons (7 ounces) light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon (3/4 ounce) milk powder

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted

3/4 cup plus a scant 2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 egg yolks

2 prepared crusts

Powdered sugar, garnish

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla.

3. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air.

4. Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells.

5. Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), about 10 minutes. Remove the pies and cool on a rack.

6. Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Lulu's ROSEMARY POPCORN

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary 12 cups hot plain popcorn. Salt and pepper to taste. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add rosemary. Drizzle butter mixture over hot popcorn in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.

Tips:

This is a great snack and its super easy to make. You can add whatever you have on hand from old bay seasoning to truffle oil. I personally love adding 2 tablespoons of truffle oil to this recipe but the options are endless, you be the chef! It also acts as a quick and delicious snack for when company stops by. Keep a box of microwaveable popcorn on hand, its a great pantry staple. You can display it on the counter in vases, wax paper bags, or even just a simple bowl!