Everything Spiced Challah Turkey Pastilla Recipes

VEGETABLE PASTILLA

Steps:

• 6 ramekins (4-inch diameter by 3-inch depth) or 9 to 10-inch deep dish pie pan.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Season all the vegetables with salt and pepper and grill, keeping them separate. Cook the couscous separately, as instructed, and reserve in a ceramic mold. In the ramekins or pie pan, place 2 sheets of filo, buttering between layers. Begin to layer all vegetables, ending with the couscous. In between each layer add pressure in order to mold. Fold flaps of filo over to seal. Seal with butter, turn out onto a sheet pan, and brush top with butter. Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and ground cinnamon. If using a pie pan, cut into wedges and serve.

SPICED TURKEY NACHOS WITH HOMEMADE CHEESE SAUCE AND ''CRISPER DRAWER'' SALSA

Steps:

• Make the cheese sauce: In a medium pot, bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cheese and season with salt to taste. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cool water until it becomes a smooth paste. Whisk the paste into the cheese sauce. Cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire, hot sauce and garlic. Taste for seasoning. Shut off the heat. Keep warm.
• Cook the turkey: In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the scallions, garlic and a pinch of salt and cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the turkey in a thin layer and season with salt. Sprinkle with the chili powder and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the meat browns and cooks through, 8 to 10 minutes. Shut off the heat. Allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make the salsa: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime zest and juice, pickle juice and hot sauce. Toss in the carrots, celery, scallions and radishes with a generous pinch salt. Taste for seasoning.
• Serve: Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer on a baking sheet that can double as a serving platter. Warm the chips in the oven for a few minutes as you heat up the meat. Remove the chips from the oven and spoon the meat all over the chips. Top with spoonfuls of the salsa. Pour cheese sauce over top and sprinkle with jalapeno slices. Serve immediately with sour cream, additional salsa and cilantro (if using) on the side.

HARISSA AND POMEGRANATE LACQUERED TURKEY

Steps:

• For the pomegranate-harissa glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add pomegranate molasses and harissa. Whisk to combine and warm to just below simmering.
• For the turkey: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season the turkey breast generously with salt and pepper. In a medium cast-iron skillet over medium heat, add vegetable oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, place the turkey breast skin-side down in the hot pan. Add the butter, thyme sprigs and garlic. Using a tablespoon, baste the turkey with the melted butter. When the skin is nicely browned, turn the breast and cook it skin-side up while continuing to baste. Cook in the pan for another 5 minutes, then brush on the pomegranate-harissa glaze and place in the oven for between 45 minutes and 1 hour, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F when placed in the thickest part of the breast. Remove turkey breast from oven and let rest for at least 10 minutes. Slice against the grain into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve.

TAMARIND CHIPOTLE-RUBBED CARNITAS TORTAS

Steps:

• For the carnitas: Cut the pork into 2-inch cubes and set aside. Add the tamarind paste, brown sugar and chipotles to a blender and puree until smooth. Rub the pork cubes with the marinade, then place in a pressure cooker along with the orange juice, tamarind soda and lard. Lock the pressure cooker according to the manufacturer's instructions and set to pressure cook on high for 1 hour. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for releasing the pressure, then let sit for 15 minutes. Remove the pork and let cool slightly, then shred with two forks.
• For the black beans: Fry the black beans in a saucepan with the lard, then transfer to a blender and pulse until coarsely blended.
• To serve: Spread a spoonful of mayonnaise on each roll, then add some refried beans on the bottom half of each. Top with the shredded carnitas, red onion, avocado, cilantro leaves and the top half of the roll.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of vegetable oil. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and use another cast-iron skillet to weigh down the sandwiches until crispy on the first side, about 2 minutes. Flip and repeat, about 2 minutes more.