SAVORY TOMATO & PARMESAN CRUMBLE

December 9, 2016 sassy kitchen

It’s just beginning to feel real Wintry here in NYC. It happens that way each year, where one day, it just gets cold and we begin to hunker down for the Winter ahead. We roast squash and make soup and need to wear socks to bed. It’s a new season and we learn how to submit to it.

In terms of cooking, the warmer and heartier the better. I’ve been making soups like crazy and roasting a whole kabocha squash each week. Some people feel daunted by the produce limitations, but I’ve learned some things over the years to help inspire cold-weather cooking. Besides beans, lentils, etc, I always have preserved tomatoes on hand: canned, chopped, fire-roasted or whatever you like. It’s the simplest thing to keep around that can make cold, Winter nights a little better. I use them in soups, make a quick tomato sauce, a savory braise - the options are endless. We may not have fresh tomatoes, but we wouldn’t want to eat them this time of year anyway. It’s time for baking, braising, roasting - all the warm things in life.

Savory Tomato & Parmesan Crumble (Gluten-free) Serves 8

-This recipe, at its base, is a simple crumble. I used romesco and cannellinni beans, but you could use any veggies or herbs you have on hand and need to get rid of! A few notes, too: you can use all cornmeal instead of cornmeal/corn flour to keep it simple.

FILLING:

26 oz. Pomi Chopped Tomatoes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 lemon, juice and zest
2 teaspoon tamari
2 teaspoons sumac
2 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 small romanesco, chopped into about 1 inch pieces
1 (15 oz.) can of cannellinni beans, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large shallot, diced
1/3 cup basil, sliced thin or chiffonade
4 sprigs thyme
4 sprigs marjoram

TOPPING:

1 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup corn flour
1/2 cup grated parmesan
5 sprigs thyme leaves
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk chopped tomatoes together with cornstarch, lemon juice + zest, tamarin, sumac, salt and red pepper flakes. Then, stir in romesco, beans, garlic, shallot and herbs until well combined. Add to 9x9 or similar sized baking dish and set aside.

In another mixing bowl, stir together oats, almond meal, cornmeal and flour, parmesan, thyme and salt. Mix until well combined, then add chilled butter cubes, Using your hands, work together dough - breaking down butter - until mixture looks and feels like oatmeal cookie dough. Add olive oil, and mix in well with your hands, making sure to get all the flour bits at the bottom.

Add crumble evenly over top tomato filling. Bake for exactly 30 minutes or until tomato is bubbling up around the sides and topping is golden browned. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

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GRILLED HEIRLOOM TOAST WITH AVOCADO CHIMICHURRI

August 25, 2016 sassy kitchen

This Summer has really flown by. With all my traveling and many family weddings, I feel like I’ve barely had time to enjoy the markets and best produce of the year (sorry Winter). Usually, I’m overwhelmed by all the options and hyper seasonal ingredients that I spend most summer months in a recipe testing frenzy. This year I was forced to slow down and choose my cooking & baking wisely. Strawberries, definitely. Heirloom tomatoes, a peach galette, something with apricots, etc. I’m opting for quality over quantity this season before it’s over for good (I can’t believe it’s almost September). Heirloom tomatoes will soon be exclusive to California and something to long for again. But until then, I’ll make toast.

GRILLED HEIRLOOM TOAST WITH AVOCADO CHIMICHURRI (Serves 2-4) GLUTEN-FREE & VeGAN

AVOCADO CHIMICHURRI (adapted from Sprouted Kitchen)

1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 avocado, cubed
1 jalapeño, chopped (de-seed half the pepper)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 lemon, juice and zest
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon maple syrup

HEIRLOOM TOAST

4 slices GF whole-grain bread (I used Free Bread)
1/4 cup olive oil
1-2 garlic cloves
2-3 large heirloom tomatoes
Flaky sea salt
Freshly cracked pepper
Cilantro, to serve

To make chimichurri: add herbs, avocado and jalapeño to a food processor. Pulse until smooth, then add salt, oregano, lemon, vinegar and maple. Process until well-combined, then set aside.

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush bread with olive oil on both sides, then grill each side approximately 4 minutes or until grill marks appear and bread is golden brown. Once all bread is grilled on both sides, rub each slice with raw garlic clove. Smear avocado chimichurri over each piece of toast, then top with heirloom tomato slices, flaky sea salt, freshly cracked pepper and fresh cilantro to serve. Continue until all toasts are assembled. Serve immediately!

ON THE MENU: Clementine Daily

December 20, 2013 sassy kitchen

Are you following my recipes on Clementine Daily? My "On the Menu" column includes new simple, weeknight recipes each week. A few recent ones are below -- please check them out! (Hover over image for recipe title and click for recipe!)