#instagrub: Springtime Carbonara with Asparagus, Sweet Peas, Brown Buttered Leeks, + Goat Cheese

As far as I can remember, I have never been a "pasta person". I truly realize that anything of that sort is blasphemy, but it's just not my jam. However, I do tend to make a few exceptions and our tried + true favorite pasta dish is by far, Carbonara. I love it's luxurious parmesan-egg creamy sauce that perfectly coats every little individual pasta piece. Every time I eat this for dinner, it's almost like the pasta is giving me a big ole bear hug that warms me deep into my soul. We don't just make one version of Carbonara, but many... breakfast inspired, autumn flavored with sage, sausage, and roasted butternut squash, and this new edition using springtime ingredients. Not only is it packed with bacon, bacon fat, and heavy cream, but it also has gorgeous asparagus, delightful sweet peas, leeks sauteed in brown butter, and fresh herbs. All of these components truly liven up the somewhat-heavyhearted Carbonara, especially with the addition of lemon zest, lemon juice, and a glug of white wine. To make the pasta, I get out two large stockpots... one to begin boiling to pasta and one to start sauteing the leeks in brown butter. We buy the best frozen sweet peas we can find and toss them in at the last few minutes to partially cook them (along with the pasta), so that they can finish completely while we're assembling the dish. After the leeks have caramelized slightly and become translucent, add in the asparagus, some garlic, and that glug of white wine. After you have drained the pasta and peas into a colander to cool, it's now time to start cooking the bacon lardons. Once you have achieved crispy bacon lardon goodness, strain out the lardons onto a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered bacon fat behind. With the heat on medium, return the pasta and peas, brown buttered leeks, asparagus, and minced garlic to the large pot with the bacon fat. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients to make the creamy egg-parmesan-heavy cream sauce until a cohesive mixture has formed. Turn off the heat (but the pasta ingredients are still hot) and slowly drizzle in the seasoned heavy cream-parmesan-egg mixture, stirring continuously, so that the eggs do not cook and curdle. You want to achieve a smooth, creamy sauce, that perfectly coats the pasta, and in order to reach those results… you have to keep stirring. If the sauce is too thick you can add in a small ladle of that starchy pasta-cooking water until your have reached your desired consistency. Finally add in a little freshly grated nutmeg, fresh parsley, and fresh basil. Take a taste test, and if needed, season it with some more salt, pepper, and/or any other spices. Return the pasta to low-medium heat for just about a minute or two to thicken the sauce and bring it all together. At the very last minute, toss in the crispy bacon lardons, so they maintain their texture, even when coated in such a thick sauce! Now all you have to do is spoon the pasta into serving bowls and garnish them with fresh basil, fresh parsley, and crumbled goat cheese, and you're done!! Enjoy :)

For the Springtime Carbonara:

1lb Orecchiette Pasta (or any short pasta you like)

1 Bag of Frozen Sweet Peas

1 Stick of Unsalted Butter

4 Leeks, Halved Lengthwise + Thinly sliced (white & green parts only and thoroughly washed)

1lb Asparagus, Trimmed & Cut into 2inch Pieces

6 Cloves of Garlic, Finely Minced (split into two equal groups)

¼C White Wine

1lb Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon, Cut into Lardons

Generous Sprinkling of Cinnamon

4 Large Eggs

8oz Grated Parmesan (we used one container of finely grated cheese)

½C Heavy Cream

1-2T Lemon Zest, Finely Grated with a Microplane

Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, To Taste

¼-½t Dried Red Pepper Flakes 

Freshly Grated Nutmeg (just a pinch or to your liking)

¼C Fresh Parsley + ¼C Fresh Basil, Finely Chopped 

Fleur de Sel + Fresh Cracked Pepper, To Taste

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:
1. Prepping the Pasta: Fill a large stockpot with water, and then heavily salt it (almost to the point that it is like ocean water) and add a glug of extra virgin olive oil. Bring the water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. With about 2-3 minutes of boiling left to go, add in the frozen peas, so that they can partially cook (they will finish completely throughout the Carbonara pasta process). When the pasta is done, reserve 2-3 ladles of the starchy water to help create a better sauce. Strain the pasta and peas and keep them in the strainer until you are ready to make the Carbonara. Return the large stockpot to the stove to be used again

2. Brown Buttering the Leeks: Start a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the stick of butter and allow it to melt completely until it is just beginning to brown. Throw in the prepared leeks, as well as some fleur de sel and fresh cracked pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes, making sure to stir often. Boost the heat up to high and add in the cut asparagus and half of the minced garlic, and sauté for another 3-5 minutes, until they are tender, but not overcooked. Pour in the wine and allow it to reduce down, about 1-2 minutes. After this mixture has cooked, let it sit in the pan while you start cooking the bacon lardons.

3. Preparing the Creamy “Sauce”: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, finely grated Parmesan, heavy cream, fleur de sel, fresh cracked pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes until a smooth custard has formed. Set it aside.

4. For the Carbonara: In the same large stockpot used above, crisp up the bacon lardons over medium-high heat with a sprinkling of cinnamon. Once the bacon is completely cooked+ crispy, using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reduce the heat to low and leave the remaining bacon fat in the pot and throw in the cooked pasta and peas, brown buttered leeks, sautéed asparagus, and remaining minced garlic. Toss all of these components in the bacon fat until a cohesive pasta mixture has formed. Turn off the heat (but the pasta ingredients are still hot) and slowly drizzle in the seasoned heavy cream-parmesan-egg mixture, stirring continuously, so that the eggs do not cook and curdle. You want to achieve a smooth, creamy sauce, that perfectly coats the pasta, and in order to reach those results… you have to keep stirring. If the sauce is too thick you can add in a small ladle of that starchy pasta-cooking water until your have reached your desired consistency. Finally add in a little freshly grated nutmeg, fresh parsley, and fresh basil. Take a taste test, and if needed, season it with some more salt, pepper, and/or any other spices. Return the pasta to low-medium heat for just about a minute or two to thicken the sauce and bring it all together. At the very last minute, toss in the crispy bacon lardons, so they maintain their texture, even when coated in such a thick sauce.

5. Serving the Carbonara: Spoon the Springtime Carbonara into serving bowls and garnish with some fresh parsley, fresh basil, and a handful of crumbled goat cheese. Enjoy it while it’s still hot and oh-so-creamy! 

Fancy Pot Roast with Caramelized Shallots

Fancy Schmancy Pot Roast with Caramelized Shallots

I'm going to go right out here and say it... I hate the idea of a slow cooker and braising a tough piece of meat for hours upon hours for it to get tender and any notion of making meat into a "loaf". I know that's odd because I believe that most of these types of dishes are classic Americana cooking. Besides me, everyone I know loves Pot Roast, Meat Loaf, & Casseroles. In fact, my Mountain man would prefer these types of dishes over some of my favorite (and sometimes very complicated) recipes. That being said, I am really trying to make a conscious effort to make these dishes, but on my terms and high-end ingredients. First, you gotta find a big 'ole boneless chuck roast and heavily salt + pepper all sides of the meat. After seasoning it, I like to lightly coat the roast with some flour, which will aide in the browning process of the meat. So it looks like this...

perfectly browned chuck roast

Next, prep all your precious veggies... we like to use vidalia onions, peeled carrots, leeks, and celery. Sautee them in some butter + olive oil until they become softened, translucent, & caramelized. Pour in the red wine, beef stock, beef consomme, and 1 packet of onion soup mix. Whisk to combine the soup mix with variety of liquids. And like most food I eat + create, I always add a little bit of sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave because it balances so perfectly against the richness of the pot roast. My secret ingredient comes from a good family friend who claimed that putting some prepared horseradish took a simple pot roast over the top... AND BOY SHE WAS RIGHT. So instead of just spooning it on top of your plate, I decided to whisk it into the braising liquid and it enhanced the flavor instantly. I recommend that you go by your own taste preference. Another key component is the use of fresh herbs; we liked the combination of dried bay leaves, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, and garnished the finished product with minced chives.

veggies + aromatic herbs

Finally, add in cloves of roasted garlic, mushrooms, baby new potatoes, & wedges of cabbage (core removed). Now that your pot roast is ready, place the large dutch oven on a large baking sheet pan, and put the top to cover the pot (this will help to keep your oven clean; no drippings down the sides). Pot Roast is all about braising and baking for long periods of time, so it is a great meal to start early afternoon and pull out of the oven by dinner time. While it's gettin' all tender n' such for 4 hours, it's time to make my favorite part of the "fancy pot roast", which are the sweet + sticky caramelized shallots. I swear I could eat the whole pan of these onions. They are that good. Once all of 'em are baked, they just melt in your mouth, so much so that it seems like they have this fatty texture from boston butt or a ribeye steak (without being gross, I promise). And although I may be biased because my obsession with shallots has no boundaries, you're going to have to take this advice on blind faith. They are the BEST caramelized onions I have ever had, and they are as easy as pie, too.

heavenly caramelized shallots.

nuggets of shallot candy, garnished with fresh herbs

Literally the most difficult part of this recipe is peeling the shallots so that they remain whole. But I've found a way around that by hittin' up a Whole Foods and buying 2 pounds of their peeled shallots (already in small containers, so you have to buy a few of them). The caramelization all happens because of creamy butter, sweet sugar, tangy red wine vinegar, hearty red wine, salt, pepper, and a garnish of fresh herbs. After all of it is said and done, these plain/raw shallots turn into shallot candy. Once you start poppin' them into your mouth, there isn't any way of stoppin'. However, you're going to have to resist the temptation because the shallot candy gets placed into the pot roast as a garnishing component (yes, I realize that they are the biggest garnish in the culinary world, but who cares when it's that delicious). Now like I said before, I used to hate Pot Roast, and I think it's because it was all to salty for me. And these shallot candy nuggets, well, they made me a true believer and an advocate for Pot Roast. In other words, you gotta make this pot roast with these caramelized shallots, and you'll never go back to your grandmother's basic pot roast recipe. Sorry granny, I still got mad respect for you though. So, here it is... the recipe for my Fancy Pot Roast with Caramelized Shallots. Oh and did I mention that we make it on a weekly basis now? Especially when Autumn has arrived and you need a hearty dish to keep you warm from the chilly weather outside (you'll be significantly stuffed after) !! ENJOY :)

see the shallot candy bulbs? yesssss. 

the anatomy of the perfect, fancy pot roast with caramelized shallots

For the Pot Roast:

5lbs Boneless Chuck Roast (sprinkled heavily with salt & pepper)

2T EVOO + 2T Unsalted Butter

2 Vidalia Onions, Peeled & Cut into Wedges

8 carrots, Peeled & Cut into Sticks

2 Leeks, Sliced & Sautéed

2 Stalks of Celery, Finely Chopped & Sautéed

1C red wine

2-3C beef stock

1 can of Beef Consommé 

1 Packet of Onion Soup Mix

1-2T Sugar (or to your desired sweetness, to balance out the flavors)

1-2T Prepared Horseradish

2 Dried Bay Leaves

3 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme

3 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary

8 Cloves of Roasted Garlic

1 Package of Portabella Mushrooms

½lb Baby New Potatoes

1 Small Head of Cabbage, Core Removed + Cut into Wedges

For the Caramelized Shallots:

6T Unsalted Butter

2lb Shallots, Peeled & Left Whole

3T Sugar + 2T Red Wine Vinegar

Splash of Good Red Wine

Salt & Pepper

Fresh Minced Parsley or Chives, For Garnishing

Directions:

1. Prepping the Meat: Generously salt and pepper your chuck roast. Lightly coat all sides of the meat with flour (this will help the meat brown better). 

2.Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Then add in the olive oil and butter.

3. Prepping the Veggies: Cut two onions in half and cut 6 to 8 carrots into 2-inch slices. When the oil in the pot is very hot (but not smoking), add in the wedges onions, browning them on one side and then the other. Remove the onions to a plate. Throw the carrots into the same very hot pan and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so. And then, you should sauté the celery and leeks until caramelized. Remove all of these sautéed veggies to the plate of carrots.

4. For the Pot Roast: Add a bit more olive oil & butter to the very Dutch oven pan. Place the meat in the pan and sear it for about a minute on all sides until it is nice and brown all over. Remove the roast to a plate. With the burner still on high, use the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom with a whisk to get the entire wonderful flavor up. Add in the beef stock, When the bottom of the pan is sufficiently deglazed, place the roast back into the pan and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway (about 2 to 3 cups). Add in the onion and the carrots, as well as 3 or 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary and about 3 sprigs of fresh thyme.

5. Put the lid on, and then roast in a 300-degree oven for 4 hours.

6. For the Caramelized Shallots: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Melt the butter in a 12-inch oven-safe sauté pan, add the shallots and sugar, and toss to coat. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the shallots start to brown. Add the vinegar, salt, and pepper and toss well to coat. Place the sauté pan in the oven and roast for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the shallots, until they are tender. Season, to taste, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot. If your sauté pan is like mine and not oven-safe, it works to start this dish in your frying pan then scrape the shallots and sauce into a baking dish (sprayed with Pam) when it’s ready to go in the oven. Bake them in the preheated oven for 15-30 minutes (depending on the size of the shallots. They will become soft, tender, and golden-brown in color. Season to taste with salt & pepper to taste and sprinkle the top of fresh herbs.

7. Finishing the Pot Roast: Once the meat + veggies have been braised for 4 hours, remove the dish from the oven, let it slightly cool down, and then strategically place the shallot candy bulbs over the top of the pot roast (so you can get a shallot in each serving).

8. Serving the Pot Roast: Put either some cooked pasta or mashed potatoes into the bottom of your bowl and top it with a generous scoop of pot roast and caramelized shallots. Finally, drizzle some of the braising liquid (or sauce) over the meat + pasta/mashed potatoes and garnish with minced fresh herbs.

my big 'ole plate of pasta, fancy pot roast, + caramelized shallots

Homemade Roasted Vegetable + Brown Sugar Chicken Pot Pie wit Cognac Cream Sauce

Homemade Roasted Vegetable + Brown Sugar Chicken Pot Pie wit Cognac Cream Sauce

I have to say this, and I've probably said it before, but I'm not a fan of casseroles of any dish resembling the sort. That really just makes me a food snob, but that's okay. The first step it's admitting you have a problem. And I just do not like casseroles. HOWEVER, I do love Chicken Pot Pie. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie. With my recipe, it is far more in depth that any 'ole classic dish. I start off by rubbing some bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts with a brown sugar compound butter. I love the concept of mixing savory + sweet. It gives the chicken the perfect sweetness and caramelized skin. Also, the meat is perfumed by the brown sugar and adds just the slightly bit of molasses-y goodness to your cream sauce. 

brown sugar roasted chicken breasts.

Then, the filling is stock FULL of lots of roasted veggies like buttered leeks, carrots, celery, shallots, garlic, cubed sweet potatoes, sweet green peas, gourmet mushrooms, and fresh herbs. The creamy gravy or sauce is pretty standard to begin with... using milk, butter, flour, and chicken stock. But all of the ingredients come together and meld beautifully after some cognac and softened cream cheese are melted in. The cognac cooks out, but leaves a wonderful depth of flavor, while the softened cream cheese smoothes and rounds the sauce out, so it feeling like you tasting culinary velvet (if that's even a term). Once your filling is perfectly creamy, add in all of your brown sugar chicken pieces & roasted veggies. Now all you gotta do is pour it all into a prepared casserole dish and lay over some puff pastry (brushed with an egg wash), and just bake it until it is puffy, golden brown, + buttery. Y'all are really going to enjoy this, especially on a cold, rainy day like we have in Atlanta today!! Enjoy :)

puff pastry crust gorgeousness 

For the Brown Sugar Roasted Chicken:

4 Bone-In & Skin-On Chicken Breasts

4T Softened Butter + 2T EVOO

¼C Light Brown Sugar

Salt, Pepper, & Chicken Seasoning (to taste)

For the Chicken Pot Pie:

1 Stick of Unsalted Butter

2 Leeks, Cut in Half & Sliced

3 Large Carrots, Diced

3 Hearts of Celery, Diced

2 Large Shallots, Diced

4 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

1 ½lbs Sweet Potatoes, Peeled & Cut into 1inch Cubes

½C Cognac

2C Chicken Stock + 1C Milk

5C Brown Sugar Roasted Chicken or Leftover Turkey

1C Fresh Sweet Green Peas

1T Fresh Parsley + Fresh Thyme

1t Fresh Sage

8oz Mixed Gourmet Mushrooms, Roasted

Salt & Pepper, To Taste

1 Sheet of Puff Pastry, Thawed

1 Egg Yolk + 1t Water (for the egg wash)

Directions:

1. For the Brown Sugar Roasted Chicken Breasts: In a bowl, mash together the softened butter, olive oil, and brown sugar until a compound butter is formed. Wash and dry the chicken breasts and then toss them rub and coat them with the compound butter until completely covered. Heavily sprinkle the tops of the breasts wit salt, pepper, and chicken seasoning. Roast the chicken breasts in a pan in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Once they have cooled, remove the skin and pull the chicken into shreds, and then set aside.

2. Reheat the oven to 425 degrees.

3. For the Chicken Pot Pie: In a stockpot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add in the sliced leeks and cook until softened and translucent. Next, toss in the carrots, celery, shallots, garlic, and diced sweet potatoes. Season with some salt & pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender for about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the cognac, and then add in the flour and cook about 1-2 minutes until it has thickened and a slight roux has formed. Pour in the chicken stock and milk. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer for about 3-5 minutes, mixing until the filling thickens. Add in the pulled chicken, roasted mushrooms, sweet peas, fresh herbs, and seasoning (to taste). Transfer the chicken Pot Pie filling into your preferred serving vessel.

4. When ready to bake, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of water. Cut thawed puff pasty one inch larger in diameter than the chosen serving dish/vessel, and cut out a ½-1″ hole in center for venting. Center cut puff pastry over dish and crimp down around edge of dish to seal. Brush top of pastry with egg wash.

5. Bake in 425°F oven on baking sheet for 10 minutes, then cover lightly with aluminum foil and continue baking for another 30-35 minutes until the filling is bubbling and the pastry is brown and puffy.

6. Scoop into bowls and serve immediately while it is still hot.

Thanksgiving Cornbread Stuffing Bread Pudding with Sausage, Apples, + Caramelized Leeks

Thanksgiving Cornbread Stuffing Bread Pudding with Sausage, Apples, + Buttered Leeks

Do y'all absolutely hate me?? I'm guessing that's the case... and I sincerely apologize. Blah blah blah, I know. I've been missing from the count and I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. That means blogging... regularly. So you probably have sooooo many questions--mainly why have I been MIA. Well, with the launch of my Etsy store, Haute + Heirloom, I have been slam-damn-packed. LIKE SERIOUSLY Y'ALL. If you haven't gotten the chance to check the store out, then please head over. I'm excited to announce that it has taken off and been uber-popular :) Yay, go me!! But today, I'm back... with a way-overdue recipe from Thanksgiving. I know, it's shameful, though it's far too delish not to share. This would be the perfect substitute for stuffing at your Christmas dinner table, so it's totally relevant. To get started, it's a play off of the popular holiday dish, but slightly different, because it is transformed into a savory bread pudding. Savory bread pudding is relatively new to the scene, mainly due to the fact that we all associate bread pudding as a sweet recipe. But y'all, don't fear it--embrace it!! It's my jam. Really. And to only make the situation better, the stuffing/bread pudding is loaded with cornbread, buttered leeks, sausage, caramelized apples, wine, fresh herbs, and a creamy custard. All of the components are soaked and baked until the middle is soft and smooth, but crusty and cooked throughout. I love the texture so much here. Sometimes stuffing/dressing can be far too dry or far too wet, this is substantial yet pillowy. You know what though, it's even better the next day!! Yes, it's very true... I love to slice up some of it, toss it in a french toast batter, and then fry it until golden brown & crispy. A french toasted-bread pudding-stuffing cake... OMG, melt in yo mouth. So, c'mon y'all, you gotta try this stuff, especially because I'm posting a recipe for the most killer Thanksgiving Club sandwich tomorrow. Don't wet your pants in excitement!! Enjoy :)

sliced up + ready to be french toasted :)

crispy fried sage

Oh just the most ridiculous Thanksgiving Club Sandwich

see dem layers??

You're gonna wanna piece of dat.

For the Thanksgiving Cornbread Straffing:

4C Stale Cornbread, Cut into 1-inch Cubes

4C Stale French Bread, Cut into 1-inch Cubes

2C Stale Crusty & Chewy Italian Loaf, Cut into 1-inch Cubes

1C Leeks, Cut into ½-inch Thick Slices (white & light green parts only)

2T Unsalted Butter

1T Olive Oil

1lb Ground Sausage (regular, spicy, or sage flavored sausage can be used)

2 Chicken & Apple Sausage Links, Cut into Small Cubes

1 Stick of Unsalted Butter

1 Large Vidalia Onion, Chopped

2 Ribs of Celery, Chopped

2 Granny Smith Apples, Diced (you can leave the skin on or peel it off)

2T Maple Syrup

5 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

1C White Wine

2T Fresh Sage, Minced

2t Fresh Rosemary & Fresh Thyme, Minced

1T Fresh Parsley, Minced

¼t Turmeric, White Pepper, & Paprika

5 Large Eggs

2C Chicken Stock (depending on how moist you liked your stuffing, you could add 1C more)

1 ½C Heavy Cream

1C Whole Milk 

Kosher Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper, To Taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking dish with Pam. Set it aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cubed cornbread, French bread, and Italian bread.

3. For the Caramelized Leeks: Place a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the leeks into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until the leeks begin to soften, about 5 minutes, and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the 2T butter. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the caramelized leeks into the bowl of cubed bread.

4. In a deep sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the ground sausage, making sure to break it up into small pieces and brown it well until completely cooked through. Remove the crumbled sausage by straining it from the fat in the pan, onto a paper towel to cool (making sure to leave the rendered fat behind to sauté the vegetables). Melt the stick of butter in the same pan and add in the chopped onions, celery, and apples, seasoning with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes or until translucent or caramelized. Drizzle the maple syrup over the sautéed vegetables and toss in the minced garlic. Continue to cook, over medium heat, until the garlic softens slightly and becomes fragrant. Carefully pour in the wine, add the herbs and seasonings, and cook to reduce the liquid by half, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Pour this mixture into a bowl, along with the cooked sausage and bread.

5. Meanwhile, in another bowl, whisk together the eggs with the stock, heavy cream, and milk. Place the tossed, cubed bread into the prepared baking dish, making sure it’s an even layer and that each bread is mixed throughout. Distribute the vegetable-sausage mixture over the bread cubes, tossing well. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread (tossing a little to mix it well). Sprinkle the top with a little salt and pepper, if needed. Let the bread pudding soak for at least 3 hours, but can be soaked overnight and baked the next day.

6. Cover the baking dish with tin foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, and then remove the foil, and bake for another 20-30 minutes or until the dressing is cooked through and the top is crispy. Keep warm until ready to serve.