Cooking with Abby: Week of 12/7/20 Update
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Happy December, everyone! This week brings lots of good food and holiday gifts for you including date night boxes, spice racks, holiday pies, and any events or Zoom classes that fit your needs. Please contact me at cookingwithabbygray@gmail.com with any questions!
xo,
Chef Abby
Recipe of the week: Gougères!
These delicate cheese puffs always impress. Once you get the hang of the dough, you’ll serve them at every opportunity.
Ingredients:
MAKES ABOUT 50 SERVINGS
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) grated Comté cheese or Gruyère
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large egg yolk
Preparation
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°. Bring butter, salt, nutmeg, and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until butter is melted. Remove from heat, add flour and stir to combine.
Step 2: Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon, until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and forms a ball, about 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring vigorously, until a dry film forms on bottom and sides of pan and dough is no longer sticky, about 2 minutes longer. Remove pan from heat and let dough cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Mix in whole eggs one at a time, incorporating fully between additions. Mix in cheese and pepper.
Step 3: Scrape dough into a piping bag fitted with a 1⁄2” round tip (alternatively, use a plastic bag with a 1⁄2” opening cut diagonally from 1 corner). Pipe 1” rounds about 2” apart onto 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. Whisk egg yolk and 1 tsp. water in a small bowl; brush rounds with egg wash.
Step 4: Bake gougères until puffed and golden and dry in the center (they should sound hollow when tapped), 20–25 minutes.
Step 5: DO AHEAD: Dough can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Gougères can be baked 2 hours ahead; reheat before serving.
Holiday Culinary Gifts 2020!
All available on my Holiday Gifts commerce page, I am so exciting to help you give, receive, and eat this holiday season! All available for pick-up or shipping (flat rates apply). Happy Holidays! xo
Wooden Spice Racks: hand-crafted spice racks including 16 generous, 4-ounce spice tins chosen by me as a chef’s perfect mix of spice blends. Racks can be personalized (natural or stained finish) for your kitchen or as a gift. Head to my Holiday Gifts page to order yours today!
Holiday Gift Boxes: Even though I closed my store, Olivia Browning, I still love to build a great box for Christmas. This gift box will focus primarily on gourmet treats, a nice olive oil, some of my favorite spices (that can be used in everyday cooking!) five weeknight recipe cards, a gift certificate for a Zoom Cooking Class OR a dinner drop-off (if local). Add-ons may include: candles, fudge, and personalized ornaments.
Date Night Packages: Since you won’t be going out for date night quite yet, I have decided to bring date night to you! You can pick the destination, and I will do the rest. This package is primarily for South Shore and Boston customers. You may order dinner for two (customized to any dietary needs), a bottle of wine and/or beer, a small personalized cheese/charcuterie board, and personalized music and movie recommendations. Foods, candles, linen napkins included! (This will be on Holiday Gifts page, but also will become a year-round offering!)
Hand-Crafted Cutting Boards: Made by my husband, these beautiful boards can be laser engraved, and are made of cherry and ash wood. Extremely limited availability, so contact me for details if you are interested!
With Good Food Comes Good Music!
Check out Abby’s Holiday playlist to celebrate this year: in the kitchen or not!
Chef Abby’s Quick Tip of the Week!
Store spices in the right location. To prolong the life of your spices, keep them in a cool, dark place. Don’t store them on top of the stove, as heat and humidity can alter their flavor.
Holiday Pies 2020
Can be ordered throughout December; please give 24-hour notice! My pie page can be found at this link.
Dutch Apple
Pumpkin
Chocolate Chip
Pecan
Coconut Custard
Blueberry Lemon
Weekly Produce Boxes: locally sourced, seasonal fruits and vegetables with some fly-ins!
Contact Chef Abby to set up your personalized produce plan for you and your family!
