Kalamata Olive Bread with Gorg & Walnuts

Kalamata Olive Bread with Gorg & Walnuts

Monday, August 30, 2010

Buttermilk Waffes with Plum Compote


Inspiration: 2 plums ripening on the KPK counter & some buttermilk in the fridge left over from baking coconut cupcakes . . .

I love to toss fruit into a pot with a drizzle of water and a spoonful or two of brown sugar or white sugar. I do this with plums, apples, nectarines, peaches, pears.....It works well with pretty much any fruit.... I squeeze in a little lemon juice and then throw in a chunk or more of lemon. Oranges work well too. The pith in either citrus fruit will naturally thicken the compote without adding corn starch or anything....Natural pectin. Simply cook over medium heat (or low) just until the fruit softens and the the juice thickens. It happens in no time! You can then add a bit of vanilla if you wish, or cinnamon (which pairs well with apples and actually, plums too!). On Sunday morning, I was content to use the plums, a few orange and lemon wedges, and a thinly sliced, tart green, Granny Smith apple. A little sugar and it was sweet-tart and delectable. So, next time you have some fruit that needs to be eaten, think of making a simple compote. It can top waffles, pancakes, english muffins or bagels and for sure.... ice cream, right? How about pound cake, ice cream and warm compote? Chilled compote mixed with your favorite yogurt. Friggin' delicious. Many possibilities. Also, think of adding dried fruit like cranberries, cherries or raisins. Excellent! You can add nuts too, and you can go nuts, if you like.

Ok.... here's the basic waffle recipe.......

Homemade Buttermilk Waffles*

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
~ ~ ~
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 stick of butter, melted
16 ounces (2 cups) buttermilk

Preheat your waffle iron according to your directions. Spray with non-stick spray, if required. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients until well combined. In another bowl, mix the eggs and melted butter, and then add the buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and still until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Ladle the batter into the iron, as directed by the waffle iron manufacturer. Mine calls about two cups of batter to be poured and then smoothed out with a rubber spatula. Close the iron and cook until golden brown. Serve immediately or keep in the oven set at "warm" on a foil-lined pan until ready to serve.

*adapted from Alton Brown's basic waffle recipe

Spoon on some warm compote, serve with fresh fruit, sprinkle with powdered sugar if you like. Snap a photo. Dig in!

Make waffles for dinner tonight
Love, Katie

Friday, August 13, 2010

BIKE NIGHT POSTPONED ~ YIKERS BIKERS! NOT AGAIN!

8/17 NEWS Update: Postponed until further notice due to scheduling conflicts...... We may be better off doing a last minute, unplanned, unscheduled, soiree'. Hey, I'm spontaneous! So, um, see you whenever! LOL.....Katie's Passion Kitchen (and Brigitte Bardot) host Bike Night, Thursday, August 19, 2010. Bikers are invited to show up hungry and enjoy a night of eating, drinking and macho merriment. Menu and photos will be posted . . . post party.

Looking forward to cooking for all of you manly bastichas.

Love, Katie


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Alevropita


Crispy, oily, cheesy and easy. OMG, this is a delicious thin, rustic flatbread made from an unbelievably simple batter. Saveur Magazine describes this as a "feta tart" but I'd say it's more like a thin, almost cracker-like focaccia. Great for a quickie homemade "bread" to have with a salad or soup. Here's a quote from the magazine article: " . . . her alevropita might as well have been sent down by the gods from Mount Olympus - nourishing, elemental, and satisfying to the soul." I will for sure be making this again and again. Make it tonight. Here's the super short list of ingredients, followed by a great and easy prep method. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Alevropita
~ an authentic, simple and delicious recipe from the Epirus region of Greece ~

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (2 for the batter & 4 for the pan)
2 tablespoons vodka
1 egg
1 cup water
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
10 ounces feta, crumbled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Heat the oven to 500 degrees. Place an 18" x 13" pan (half sheet) on the middle rack in the hot oven for 10 minutes. Note: Be sure to use a heavy pan that won't warp at high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of oil, the vodka, the egg and the water. In a medium or large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture over the flour mixture and whisk until smooth. The batter is fairly thin, similar to pancake batter. Remove the hot pan from the oven. Brush with 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour batter over the oil and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with cheese. Dot with butter. Bake for 20 minutes until crunchy and golden. Let cool slightly. Slice and serve.




Be sure to pick up this month's copy of Saveur, "The Greece Issue". I will definitely be making a few more dishes from this fabulous issue, like "Briam", "Souvlaki Hirino" and the "Kolokithokeftedes". Quick translation, in order: Roasted Vegetables, Pork Kebabs, and Zucchini Fritters. Last night, I made the "Kotopoulo Me Dendrolivano" (Rosemary Chicken) and a traditional "Horiatiki" (Greek Salad). Delicious! I will update you with any other recipes I have a chance to try. I have a hankering for the stuffed eggplant with bechamel. Oh geeeezzz.... I need to take a few vacation days so I can travel to Greece, LOL.

Come with me to the Mediterranean and enjoy the delicious flavors of Greece. Hey, somebody pinch me, am I in Santorini? I'll have a glass of Assyrtiko with my moussaka, thank you.



Love, See you back in the states,

Katie . . . . . . . . . Opa!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Flock Of Seagulls

Congratulations to Maggie & Cody on their upcoming Palm Springs wedding! These cookies were made to order at the request of Maggie's proud mom, Linda, as part of the bridal shower celebration held yesterday.




KPK Tip: Make sure you keep the passion in the Whitman kitchen.
; )

Love & Flocks of Seagulls in YOUR life, Katie


Mediterranean Fish Stew

Mediterranean Fish Stew
A KPK cross between Spanish style Cod and French Boullabaisse

Smoky Spanish Albondigas Soup

Smoky Spanish Albondigas Soup

Summer Vegetable Soup

Summer Vegetable Soup
aka "Got-To-Go" Soup, inspired by Louie

MORE 4 U

From here, you can continue scrolling down to check out some of my favorite dishes and KPK highlights.

For more posts (articles), recipes, stories and pictures, you can scroll up (in the right column under "What You Missed") and click on 2008, 2009 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013. As of June, 2013, there are are total of 139 posts in KPK. You can spend more time here when you know where to look, right?! Another way to enjoy my kitchen is to click on any items of interest in the section entitled "Passion Posts", also up above in the right column.

Love, Katie ~ I am so glad you're here! Stay awhile!

Super Healthy Salad

Super Healthy Salad
. . . featuring Roasted Rutabagas (or Swede Turnips, if you wish)

Grilled Corn with Tarragon Cream

Grilled Corn with Tarragon Cream
Click on the image to link to a simple and lovely recipe at Fine Cooking

Cinnamon Pecan Katies

Cinnamon Pecan Katies
Yes I Did

Forbidden Rice Salad

Forbidden Rice Salad
Black "Forbidden Rice" from China is delicious and loaded with antioxidants

Pasta with Hot Pancetta, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Parmesan & Power Greens

Pasta with Hot Pancetta, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Parmesan & Power Greens

Indian Carrot Salad

Indian Carrot Salad

Fluffy Milk Chocolate Mini Cupcakes with Softly Whipped Cocoa Cream

Fluffy Milk Chocolate Mini Cupcakes with Softly Whipped Cocoa Cream

Asparagus & Mozzarella Frittata

Asparagus & Mozzarella Frittata

Grilled Eggplant is Layered Up for an Eggplant Gratin with Fresh Basil and 4 Cheeses

Grilled Eggplant is Layered Up for an Eggplant Gratin with Fresh Basil and 4 Cheeses

Oven Roasted Plum Tomatoes

Oven Roasted Plum Tomatoes

Oven Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Breast, Gemstone Potatoes & Buttery Peas

Oven Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Breast, Gemstone Potatoes & Buttery Peas

Egg Ribbon Salad with Pancetta & Shaved Parmesan

Egg Ribbon Salad with Pancetta & Shaved Parmesan

Fresh Strawberry Slices & Whole Raspberries tucked into cream cheese frosted vanilla cupcakes

Fresh Strawberry Slices & Whole Raspberries tucked into cream cheese frosted vanilla cupcakes

Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops

Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops
an outdoor grill regular at the crib

Smokin' Beets

Smokin' Beets

Roasted Beet & Potato Salad

Roasted Beet & Potato Salad

Rosemary Flatbread

Rosemary Flatbread

"Hola" from Mi Pueblo, San Jose, CA

"Hola" from Mi Pueblo, San Jose, CA

Rapini Frittata

Rapini Frittata

Healthy Portabella

Healthy Portabella

Italian Tuna & Cannellini Bean Salad with D'Amato's Focaccia

Italian Tuna & Cannellini Bean Salad with D'Amato's Focaccia

Fried Asparagus

Fried Asparagus

Day Off Breakfast

Day Off Breakfast
Boiled Eggs & Whole Grain Toast ~ Simple Pleasures are the BEST!

Last Minute Lentil Soup

Last Minute Lentil Soup
with carrots, celery, and a little kale . . . topped with a heap of conchigliette pasta and parmigiano reggiano

A Sampling of Christmas

A Sampling of Christmas
KPK Pecan Shortbread Cookies and Almond Cookies